After much frustration learning how to modify PCM2008 and 2009 databases, I hope Cyanide figures out a new database engine that would allow modular add-ons. This is a outline of a new database system that I think would make the platform much friendlier to community developers.
Modules for stages...
* Stages would be in one discrete package (zip or rar) containing profile xml files, a text file with schedule information, an optional time-bonus/winnings file in text, jerseys for each competition
* Adding races, crit races could be just as easy as putting a package into a "/Modules/Stages" folder
* The game could ship with a standard bundle of modules, and community developers would make/modify as they saw fit.
Modules for Riders...
* Riders would be in an xml file
* Adding riders would be as easy as adding xml files, or adding them into an existing xml file... using current tools or Excel.
* Combining riders would be as easy as copy and paste in Excel
Modules for Equipment...
* Equipment would be in its on package containing shape files, graphics,
* Adding equipment into the game would be as easy as putting a package into a "/Modules/Stages" folder
* Equipment modules could have multiple frames, wheels, or helmets in the bundles
Modules for Teams
* Team package would be a text file containing budget info, equipment manufacture preference,
* Team package would also include jersey graphics
This would all get assembled when starting a stage-race or a career mode. The package for the race/career would consist of...
* a list of active modules,
* a table of relations between the modules: which team has which riders and which equipment, which rider gets special jerseys,
Modules with overlapping data, would be chosen by date (most recent data takes precedence). Or, the game menu would have a place where you could select active modules.
Edited by jaialin on 30-05-2010 07:13
The only problem in this is the adding riders. I find it very easy already and your idea makes it sound harder than it is currently. Plus this would be too much work for Cyanide and all just so you can edit it easier. (Low budget)
valverde321 wrote:
The only problem in this is the adding riders. I find it very easy already and your idea makes it sound harder than it is currently. Plus this would be too much work for Cyanide and all just so you can edit it easier. (Low budget)
Have you put together new stages to be included in existing DBs? Not easy.
Sounds a bit like the new season mode:
"First of all, there's a new season mode, a 'light career', as Xavier put it. You'll be able to create your own kind of season which includes the races that you want it. If you only want to play the three Grand Tours, you just pick them, and the game sets up a season with it. This is available both online and offline. Xavier also says that it will come in handy for those interested in historical DBs: "This mode may be a big feature for database makers too, because you'll be able to create historic seasons quite easily. For example, every cycling fan dreams to do a UCI World Cup like in older times. It will just require a few changes in the DB (riders, teams etc..) and a quick season configuration...and let's run an historical Jalabert VS Bartoli world cup!""
jaialin wrote: Modules for Equipment...
* Equipment would be in its on package containing shape files, graphics,
* Adding equipment into the game would be as easy as putting a package into a "/Modules/Stages" folder
* Equipment modules could have multiple frames, wheels, or helmets in the bundles
This is the way I'm going with the equipment in the new version of the PCMdaily.db.
It shouldn't make any difference how the backend data is designed and stored. They should just invest the time and resources in making a proper editor. But they rather invest in some online cycling game where there is actually money to make (i don't blame them, and i know Eyolfur is doing the best he can with the time he has). Btw, wasnt the DB finally having a cleanup this year ? Cuz i do agree that the current system would definatly benefit from a decent makeover.
