User blog:RottenBlock/System 3 Compilation, Part 5

The problem behind the graphical errors in the previous post turned out to have a common origin. I can't make out what TODO was trying to do with this one, if any programmers are reading this, take a look, would you?

At multiple places in the code, TODO applies a bitwise mask, 0xFFF8, on the x-coordinate or horizontal width value of a propery (ie: "xCoord & 0xFFF8"). These instances include: The mask is not applied in "column mode," when horizontal coordinates are given in the form of 8px columns instead of exact values. The mask annihilates small values and I'm not sure why anyone would want it? I guess I need to look into this in another System 3.0 game, but obviously they need to go for Rance 4.1 and 4.2. In the meantime, if you look at this and think, "Oh yeah, that's a common technique used to [such-and-such]," speak up!
 * Defining a new menu box: applies to X-coord and "EX" coord (the coordinate of the far right side, used to calculate width).
 * Defining a new message box: applies to x-coord and ex-coord.
 * When copying an image: applies to x-coord and ex-coord.
 * When setting text output coords: x-coord only, no ex-coord involved.

In short, I have no idea what these things are doing, but if anyone else needs them turned off, engage preprocessor tag X_COORD_OVERRIDE. I've got a bloody library of these things, I really do need to put together a SysEng manual at this point.

Got around to checking H-mode. Wasn't expecting trouble there and didn't find any, either, so that's every mode confirmed operational "in general," except for the end credits. That means it's time for me to make some calls about the fonts.

Due to some problems with my alternate choice, I'm just going to stick with boring old JPN MS Gothic for the font, but upsized to 19 when the player wants the larger font (16 point font will still be available from the menu), which is as big as I can go without causing regular text spill. Combat text will be 16pt, and I'll resize the popups to match, which will take a while but won't interfere with readability. But the menu is a different manner. The menu more-or-less can't be resized, not without redrawing all the game's GUI.

Default menu size is 16pt, and is naturally more readable, but spills over the side a lot. Text that spills will have to be cropped in some capacity, which won't always be pretty. On the other hand, 14pt fits a lot more often, but is fairly tiny and is harder to read. It also looks a little out of place next to the 19 point font, but I don't mind that so much. 15pt is so close to 14 that imho it isn't worth considering.

Take a look and then take the time to tell me what you think. Remember that 16 point will cost us more text overall, but you've got to be able to read the 14 point font to play the game! I appreciate your feedback!