I have been developing a long series of thoughts on interface improvements that I believe should be implemented into Dwarf Fortress. Since we should be seeing considerable interface improvements in the very near future (relatively speaking), I figured I should start posting some of them.
THE PURPOSE
To increase readability and screen clutter of combat logging. Also because if combat logs are ever (officially) used in fortress mode, you will NEED the most concise information possible.
THE THEORY
To reduce screen clutter, one needs to eliminate redundancy and use the least amount of words possible. To convey the most information, one must includes all variables. Thus, an efficient syntax is an absolute necessity.
THE METHOD
First, all non-special attacks MUST be standardized. Right now, armed creatures make specific attacks with specific weapons, but unarmed creatures, particularly on missed attacks, have generic "it misses you" responses. These need to be expanded, at minimum, to an action taken, and what body part or weapon is being employed, regardless of hit or miss state.
For syntax: Anything in "" should be on EVERY line, anything in [] is only if relevant. "" within [] are required parts of an optional line, in other words, they MUST be in the line, IF that part of the line exists. Examples will have these quotes and brackets to show how the syntax should work.
THE FIRST LINE
Description: This line represents the action of the assailant and, in the case of blocking, the immediate result. (Firing or throwing should not have a target).
Syntax: ["assailant" "utility action" "possessive pronoun of owner for melee weapon, a/an for ranged" "weapon"[ at "target, if melee][, but it is blocked][,but "pronoun of target" jumps away]!
In-game appearance: The speargoblin thrusts its *copper spear* at you, but it is blocked!
Breakdown of syntax: "The speargoblin" "thrusts" "its" "*copper spear*" [at you][, but it is blocked]!
THE SECOND LINE
Description: This line describes the result of the impact. Syntax here is complicated, but doable with relatively simple entries. The last bracket can recurse as necessary between each instance for each type of organ damage. Sub-organs (third finger, right hand) should NOT repeat the parent object, as the parent object is the target of the attack. Only an absolute retard would think that a broken finger on the right hand would be the result of a warhammer smashing the left hand.
Syntax: "possessive of assailant, if ranged, otherwise 'the'" "base weapon type" "active verb of damage type" "possessive of target" "body part"[ and becomes lodged in the wound][", additional internal injury type, active verb" "possessive pronoun of target" "first internal organ"[, third internal organ][, fourth internal organ] [ and second internal organ]][", and additional internal injury type, active verb" "possessive pronoun of target" "internal organ"[, third internal organ][, fourth internal organ][and second internal organ]]!
In-game appearance: The spear mangles your upper torso and becomes lodged in the wound, piercing your heart and right lung, and bruising your left kidney, right kidney, and left lung!
Breakdown of syntax: "The" "spear" "mangles" "your" "upper torso"[ and becomes lodged in the wound][", piercing" "your" "heart"[ and right lung][", and bruising" "your" "left kidney"[, right kidney][, and left lung]!
Additional Note: This entire line is omitted with blocked melee attacks, and is simplified with blocked ranged attacks to a syntax of "possessive of assailant" "base projectile type" "is blocked by" "target".
THE EXAMPLE
For an example of how this would work in-game, I present an example from my own logs.
Original text: 3214 bytes, 72 lines text
The flying Mango tree arrow strikes The giant in the head!
It is pierced!
The flying Mango tree arrow strikes The giant in the left lower leg!
The shot glances away.
The flying Mango tree arrow strikes The giant in the upper body!
The shot glances away.
The flying Mango tree arrow strikes The giant in the right upper arm!
The shot glances away.
The flying Mango tree arrow strikes The giant in the left hand!
It is pierced!
The giant's thumb, left hand has been pierced!
The giant's third finger, left hand has been badly pierced!
The giant's fourth finger, left hand has been badly pierced!
The flying Mango tree arrow strikes The giant in the right hand!
The shot glances away.
The flying Mango tree arrow strikes The giant in the left lower leg!
It is pierced!
The flying Mango tree arrow strikes The giant in the right upper arm!
The shot glances away.
The flying Mango tree arrow strikes The giant in the left foot!
It is pierced!
The giant's third toe, left foot has been pierced!
The giant's fourth toe, left foot has been pierced!
The giant's fifth toe, left foot has been pierced!
The flying Mango tree arrow strikes The giant in the right upper arm!
The shot glances away.
The flying Mango tree arrow strikes The giant in the right lower leg!
The shot glances away.
The flying Mango tree arrow strikes The giant in the right lower arm!
The shot glances away.
The flying Mango tree arrow strikes The giant in the left upper arm!
It is pierced!
The flying Mango tree arrow strikes The giant in the lower body!
The shot glances away.
The flying Mango tree arrow strikes The giant in the left upper arm!
The shot glances away.
The flying Mango tree arrow strikes The giant in the head!
The shot glances away.
The flying Mango tree arrow strikes The giant in the upper body!
The shot glances away.
The flying Mango tree arrow strikes The giant in the left hand!
The shot glances away.
The flying Mango tree arrow strikes The giant in the left hand!
The shot glances away.
The flying Mango tree arrow strikes The giant in the right lower arm!
It is pierced!
The giant's right elbow has been sprained!
The flying Mango tree arrow strikes The giant in the left hand!
The shot glances away.
The flying Mango tree arrow strikes The giant in the left lower arm!
The shot glances away.
The flying Mango tree arrow strikes The giant in the upper body!
The shot glances away.
The flying Mango tree arrow strikes The giant in the lower body!
The shot glances away.
The flying Mango tree arrow strikes The giant in the right lower leg!
The shot glances away.
The flying Mango tree arrow strikes The giant in the right lower leg!
The shot glances away.
The flying Mango tree arrow strikes The giant in the lower body!
The shot glances away.
The flying Mango tree arrow strikes The giant in the upper body!
The shot glances away.
You've been spotted!
The giant attacks You but You jump away!
You charge at The giant!
The giant looks surprised by the ferocity of Your onslaught!
You bash The giant in the left upper leg with your ð®Palm bow¯ð!
The shot glances away.
You collide with The giant!
You are knocked over and tumble backward!
You stand up.
New text: 2717 bytes, 63 lines text (65 lines in-game due to wrapping)
You fire a Mango tree arrow.
Your arrow pierces the giant in the head!
You fire a Mango tree arrow.
The arrow glances off of the giant's left lower leg!
You fire a Mango tree arrow.
The arrow glances off of the giant's upper body!
You fire a Mango tree arrow.
The arrow glances off of the giant's right upper arm!
You fire a Mango tree arrow.
The arrow pierces the giant's left hand, piercing its thumb, and badly piercing its third finger and fourth finger!
You fire a Mango tree arrow.
The arrow glances off of the giant's right hand!
You fire a Mango tree arrow.
The arrow pierces the giant's left lower leg!
You fire a Mango tree arrow.
The arrow glances off of the giant's right upper arm!
You fire a Mango tree arrow.
The arrow pierces the giant's left foot, piercing its third toe, fourth toe, and fifth toe!
You fire a Mango tree arrow.
The arrow glances off of the giant's right upper arm!
You fire a Mango tree arrow.
The arrow glances off of the giant's right lower leg!
You fire a Mango tree arrow.
The arrow glances off of the giant's right lower arm!
You fire a Mango tree arrow.
The arrow pierces the giant's left upper arm!
You fire a Mango tree arrow.
The arrow glances off of the giant's lower body!
You fire a Mango tree arrow.
The arrow glances off of the giant's left upper arm!
You fire a Mango tree arrow.
The arrow glances off of the giant's head!
You fire a Mango tree arrow.
The arrow glances off of the giant's upper body!
You fire a Mango tree arrow.
The arrow glances off of the giant's left hand!
You fire a Mango tree arrow.
The arrow glances off of the giant's left hand!
You fire a Mango tree arrow.
The arrow pierces the giant's right lower arm, spraining its elbow!
You fire a Mango tree arrow.
The arrow glances off of the giant's left hand!
You fire a Mango tree arrow.
The arrow glances off of the giant's left lower arm!
You fire a Mango tree arrow.
The arrow glances off of the giant's upper body!
You fire a Mango tree arrow.
The arrow glances off of the giant's lower body!
You fire a Mango tree arrow.
The arrow glances off of the giant's right lower leg!
You fire a Mango tree arrow.
The arrow glances off of the giant's right lower leg!
You fire a Mango tree arrow.
The arrow glances off of the giant's lower body!
You fire a Mango tree arrow.
The arrow glances off of the giant's upper body!
You have been spotted!
The giant attacks you but you jump away!
You charge at the giant, surprising it with the ferocity of your onslaught!
You swing your Palm Bow at the giant!
The bow glances away from the giant's left upper leg!
You collide with the giant, tumbling backwards as you are knocked down!
You stand up.
Not only does this reduce the necessary screen space to present the same information, this new method actually contains MORE information: The original text never indicates who fired the arrows.
Not to mention, I find it easier to read.
Now, certainly, this needs more polish, but the key is quite simple: Standardize EVERYTHING, then make a standard syntax that includes as much relevant information as necessary.
Author
Topic: Combat Reporting -- A Simplification (Read 1024 times)