Custom Follow Command---for the visually impaired.

[stranf]

I have a cousin who is visually impaired who likes roleplaying but has a hard time moving the character around because of the magnification program used is cumbersone. (from how I understand it, it adds a few extra clicks for everything you want to do...one click to move the magnifier, and the other to control UO)

Anyway, she would be able to enjoy UO if we could keep track of her character. Because movement is slow, she gets lost easilly.

If we could create a 'follow command that would allow PC characters to follow another PC, this would eliminate the problem because we can always keep track of her.

If I recall correctly, the original UO client had the ability for you to follow another PC or NPC. (If this already works, and/or has been programmed, please show me how, I haven't done it since 1997.)

If this feature dosen't work, it might be nice to program since it would resemble the orignial client and possibly help me out.

I'm looking at the function list now, trying to find one that works, but I have a feeling 'follow and it's routines are hardcoded.

Thanks everyone!

[Xuri]

I'm not sure if it's even possible for the server to instruct the client to follow something.. the follow-mode you can enable in the client by ALT-LEFTCLICKING on another character is handled 100% client-side, with no server-interaction that I know of.

If it was possible, I'd definitely make use of it myself for things like escorting jailed player characters around, allowing players to take other players prisoner, etc ;P

[stranf]

Yeah, that could be some other interesting tasks you can do.

Maybe it can be done server side? Since each player is an object, you would "ignore" the client's movement signals because a character is "jailed", and then have UOx3 move the player around by moving the objects location.

The server has the ability to move player characters, xteleport, gating, and other functions can move the PC. What we need to do is somehow give the PC the ability to be moved like the 'follow command and block any client signals that owuld manually move the PC.

I don't know, I'm not sure how it is coded.

Too bad the alt-click won't work...or does it?

[giwo]

Basically we'd have to use the NPC walking/pathfinding/following functions on the PC follower. It *MIGHT* be possible, however it would be very difficult.

As a side note, remember that UO has a built-in magnifying function in the 3D client, which might make life easier for your friend.

[Xuri]

Too bad the alt-click won't work...or does it?

Err. Well, yes. It does Alt-click any character and you'll follow them using the hardcoded (in the client) follow-code there. Heh.