Limit Theory

Ah Kickstarter, where would the space sim genre be without you?  Limit Theory is a new project which holds a lot of promise.  It relies heavily on procedural generated content in order to provide an endless universe to explore.  Along with an endless amount of different solar systems, the universe will be teeming with life and activity.




I had to really think about supporting this project.  Don't get me wrong, it looks fantastic, but it is being done by a single guy who has not released a game before.  He has some experience from school and winning a contest, but that's not really the same as releasing a full fledged game.  In the end, I decided to take the risk and support Limit Theory.

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FireFall Closed Beta Key Raffle

It turns out I have a few FireFall Closed beta key invites stored up. These are invites for the closed beta, not the stress tests.  How can you get your hands on one?  Just complete some of the Sites with Benefits Missions and buy a ticket.  The raffle ends about 24 hours from the time of this post.  Good luck!

Contest is now over, check back for more soon!

To get started, just sign-in using the widget on the right.

Special Missions:

Tweet Open Beta.  Send out a tweet about the Sites with Benefits Open beta!

Facebook Like.  Like Sites with Benefits?  Give it a Facebook Like.

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New WAR Vendor

When 1.4.8 launches (Monday!) a new vendor will have taken up shop near the RvR Equipment vendors. His title is Novelty Vendor, but what he sells is anything but.  WAR 1.4.8 introduces a new single RvR currency, the War Crest.  It can be spent on armors, weapons, and the goods this new vendor provides.

Let's take a look at what he has for sale...

The pocket items have some interesting bonuses:  200% XP, turn off XP gain, 200% Renown gain, and 200% Influence gain.  These items decay in 8 hours, except for the XP-Off item which does not decay.

For 40,000 War Crests you can purchase a Funerary Shroud!  There are 3, each which a different active affect.  They all provide 3 talisman slots and +172 resists.  They are the ultimate Back (unless you want to keep a set bonus going.  Previously, you could only obtain these in the Land of the Dead by opening spawns out in the world.

The other two types are shrouds are available as well.  The Head Shot is a barber shop token.  Call to WAR allows you to teleport back to the city and has 5 charges.   And my favorite... the Burning Elixir!  This turns you, temporarily  into an Aspect of fire and much fun can be had.

They have also added a number of dyes, including rare ones, to the new vendor.

Overall, I really like the selection.  There will be plenty to spend your War Crests on, especially if you still need your armor and scenario weapons.  The Novelty vendor is just icing on the cake.

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Sites with Benefits Open Beta

I'm happy to announce that one of my projects, Sites with Benefits, is ready for Open Beta.  I've been using it on this blog for a while now and run several contests.  It has worked out nicely.  To help you get started with SwB, I made a video describing how to get the widget installed.





Sites with Benefits is a widget that allows you to reward your readers for doing various activities on your site.   There are currently 15 missions which include several kinds of social media sharing all the way to creating and submitting youtube videos.

Missions.  SwB currently supports the following missions:  Follow Twitter Account, Send Tweet, Leave a Comment (Disqus), Visit a Link, Daily Visit, First Sign In, Create a Video, Submit a URL, Submit to Reddit, Facebook Like, Share Video, Share Link, Google Plus One, Do a Poll and Answer Trivia.

Customize.  You can pick the colors and icons (via url)  that the widget will use.

Points.  Completing the above Missions will give your users points which are for your site only.

Rewards.  SwB supports 3 types of rewards.  Codes, Free-Form and Loot.  Codes can be a list of one time use, or a single key which can be used a number of times. Free-form rewards allow you to cover any non-code kind of reward.  Loot, which is still a work in progress, allows you to grant users bonuses (like increased point gain).

Rewards can be given out in two ways: direct and lottery (raffle).  Direct means the user redeems points to get a code.  Lottery allows them to redeem points for a chance at the prize.  The winners will be automatically drawn and codes given out when the lottery expires.

Easy Sign-In.  Sites with benefits lets you login with the following accounts:  Facebook, Twitter, Google, AOL, Disqus, and Yahoo.

To get started, go to http://www.siteswithbenefits.com and sign-in.  Click on the Publisher tab and create a site!

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It's about time

As we near SWTOR's first anniversary, I have finally hit the level cap of 50!  I take things pretty slow, and SWTOR was no exception.  With the focus on Legacy and Alts, it just made it even harder to dedicate myself to one character.

It soon became apparent that BioWare was putting a major focus on adding content to the endgame like Operations and new Daily zones.  The addition of HK-51, which starts in the newly added Section X area, is another major motivator.

So I buckled down and got my Trooper to 50.  I have not completed Chapter 3 of my class story yet as I am taking a small breather and catching up my crafting. The question now is, what's next for Werit the Trooper?

Gear.  Before hitting the new Daily Zones, I'd like to improve my gear via crafting.  My Armstech is at 400, so I am working toward making Advanced Commando Barrel 22's for me and my companions.  My Jedi Knight can make Armoring mods (and Mods), so I will do the same with him.  

Daily Zones.  I plan on doing The Black Hole and Section X at least once just to check them out.  

HK-51.  Got to get my very own Assassin Droid!

PvP.  My Valor currently is at Level 37.  I'd like to get that up a bit, at least to 40 soon so I can start getting into the better gear.

Story Mode Operations.  Currently, only two of SWTOR's Operations have a Group Finder enabled Story Mode: Eternity Vault and Karraga's Palace.  I'd like to run through these just to see the bosses and environments. 

After all of that, it's probably back to playing on my alts.

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Hint #3

It's time for the 3rd and final hint for the Easter Egg Mission of the WAR Game Time Giveaway.  Hopefully this will lead you to the spot where you can take a screenshot.  Just upload it to any place you like, then submit the URL.  Once approved, you'll get your 150 points!

In the land of the Dark Elves, five horned creatures gather for a feast under the cover of night by a Menhir Stone.

Hint #3:  Golden Tor.

Hint #2:  Some things only happen at night.

Hint #1: The Blighted Isle

Good luck!

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SWTOR 1.6 Data Dump

It's that time again!  yesterday, BioWare pushed the 1.6 patch to the PTS.  I was pretty shocked to see it there, as 1.5 just launched.  I'm not complaining though, but this is how a guy gets spoiled :)  The big ticket items this patch are a new warzone, Ancient Hypergates, and new space missions which are supposed to be quite challenging.

Interesting entries:

• abl.mtx.pack.holiday.life_day_pack. A new pack for the store?
• seline.  Not sure what this is and what it has to do with PvP.

There is not much about the space missions because they were included with the 1.4 patch:

qst.space_combat.50.m03h.imperial.farcradlestrike

qst.space_combat.50.m03h.republic.regnantstationassault

qst.space_combat.50.m04h.imperial.kabal_station_defense

qst.space_combat.50.m04h.republic.ardis_outpost_fortification

qst.space_combat.50.m05h.imperial.kanz_minefield

qst.space_combat.50.m05h.republic.new_cov_asteroid_field

qst.space_combat.50.m07h.imperial.duma_strike

qst.space_combat.50.m07h.republic.baros_ambush

qst.space_combat.50.m08h.imperial.lorta_escort

qst.space_combat.50.m08h.republic.hypori_escort

qst.space_combat.50.m09h.imperial.cha_raaba_assault

qst.space_combat.50.m09h.republic.thanium_disruption

-------------------

1.6:

abl.itm.vanity_pet.bird.crested_orokeet

abl.itm.vanity_pet.bird.crested_orokeet/2/0

abl.itm.vanity_pet.bird.crested_orokeet/2/1

abl.mtx.pack.holiday.life_day_pack

abl.mtx.pack.holiday.life_day_pack/2/0

abl.mtx.pack.holiday.life_day_pack/2/1

abl.mtx.toy.holiday_2012.life_day_orb/5/0

abl.mtx.toy.holiday_2012.life_day_orb/5/1

abl.mtx.toy.pack.fireworks_pack

abl.mtx.toy.pack.fireworks_pack/2/0

abl.mtx.toy.pack.fireworks_pack/2/1

abl.placeables.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.gather_energy

abl.placeables.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.gather_energy/5/0

abl.placeables.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.gather_energy/5/1

abl.placeables.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.gather_energy/5/2

abl.placeables.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.use_objective/13/0

abl.placeables.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.use_objective/13/1

abl.placeables.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.use_objective/13/2

abl.placeables.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.use_objective/13/3

abl.placeables.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.use_objective_purple

abl.placeables.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.use_objective_purple/5/0

abl.placeables.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.use_objective_purple/5/1

abl.placeables.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.use_objective_purple/5/2

abl.placeables.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.use_objective_purple/5/3

abl.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.cap_obj_points/4/0

abl.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.cap_obj_points/4/1

abl.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.dispel_energy_orbs

abl.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.dispel_energy_orbs/2/0

abl.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.dispel_energy_orbs/2/1

abl.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.east_obj_area/6/0

abl.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.east_obj_area/6/1

abl.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.energy_orb_carrier

abl.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.energy_orb_carrier/7/0

abl.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.energy_orb_carrier/7/1

abl.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.energy_orb_carrier/7/2

abl.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.energy_orb_carrier/7/3

abl.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.expanding_explosion/11/0

abl.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.expanding_explosion/11/1

abl.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.explosion/13/0

abl.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.explosion/13/1

abl.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.explosion/13/2

abl.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.id_team_a/12/0

abl.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.id_team_a/12/1

abl.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.id_team_a/12/2

abl.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.id_team_a/12/3

abl.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.id_team_a/12/4

abl.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.id_team_b/10/0

abl.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.id_team_b/10/1

abl.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.id_team_b/10/2

abl.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.id_team_b/10/3

abl.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.id_team_b/10/4

abl.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.kill/5/0

abl.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.kill/5/1

abl.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.objective_kill_credit_defense/5/0

abl.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.objective_kill_credit_defense/5/1

abl.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.objective_kill_credit_offense/4/0

abl.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.objective_kill_credit_offense/4/1

abl.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.orb_cap_obj_points

abl.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.orb_cap_obj_points/2/0

abl.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.orb_cap_obj_points/2/1

abl.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.safe/12/0

abl.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.safe/12/1

abl.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.unsafe/4/0

abl.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.unsafe/4/1

abl.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.west_obj_area/7/0

abl.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.west_obj_area/7/1

abl.qtr.1x6.endgame.imperial.datapad_advanced_gear

abl.qtr.1x6.endgame.imperial.datapad_advanced_gear/2/0

abl.qtr.1x6.endgame.imperial.datapad_advanced_gear/2/1

abl.qtr.1x6.endgame.imperial.datapad_group_finder

abl.qtr.1x6.endgame.imperial.datapad_group_finder/3/0

abl.qtr.1x6.endgame.imperial.datapad_group_finder/3/1

abl.qtr.1x6.endgame.republic.datapad_advanced_gear

abl.qtr.1x6.endgame.republic.datapad_advanced_gear/2/0

abl.qtr.1x6.endgame.republic.datapad_advanced_gear/2/1

abl.qtr.1x6.endgame.republic.datapad_group_finder

abl.qtr.1x6.endgame.republic.datapad_group_finder/2/0

abl.qtr.1x6.endgame.republic.datapad_group_finder/2/1

cdx.qtr.1x4.achievements.pvp.hypergate.pick_up_orb

cdx.qtr.1x4.achievements.pvp.hypergate.turn_in_orb

cdx.qtr.1x6.achievements.space.imperial.m03h.bonus_annihilate

cdx.qtr.1x6.achievements.space.imperial.m03h.bonus_eliminate

cdx.qtr.1x6.achievements.space.imperial.m03h.bonus_pilot

cdx.qtr.1x6.achievements.space.imperial.m04h.bonus_annihilate

cdx.qtr.1x6.achievements.space.imperial.m04h.bonus_eliminate

cdx.qtr.1x6.achievements.space.imperial.m04h.bonus_pilot

cdx.qtr.1x6.achievements.space.imperial.m05h.bonus_annihilate

cdx.qtr.1x6.achievements.space.imperial.m05h.bonus_eliminate

cdx.qtr.1x6.achievements.space.imperial.m05h.bonus_pilot

cdx.qtr.1x6.achievements.space.imperial.m07h.bonus_annihilate

cdx.qtr.1x6.achievements.space.imperial.m07h.bonus_cripple

cdx.qtr.1x6.achievements.space.imperial.m08h.bonus_annihilate

cdx.qtr.1x6.achievements.space.imperial.m08h.bonus_eliminate

cdx.qtr.1x6.achievements.space.imperial.m09h.bonus_pilot

cdx.qtr.1x6.achievements.space.republic.m03h.bonus_annihilate

cdx.qtr.1x6.achievements.space.republic.m03h.bonus_eliminate

cdx.qtr.1x6.achievements.space.republic.m03h.bonus_pilot

cdx.qtr.1x6.achievements.space.republic.m04h.bonus_annihilate

cdx.qtr.1x6.achievements.space.republic.m04h.bonus_eliminate

cdx.qtr.1x6.achievements.space.republic.m04h.bonus_pilot

cdx.qtr.1x6.achievements.space.republic.m05h.bonus_annihilate

cdx.qtr.1x6.achievements.space.republic.m05h.bonus_eliminate

cdx.qtr.1x6.achievements.space.republic.m05h.bonus_pilot

cdx.qtr.1x6.achievements.space.republic.m07h.bonus_annihilate

cdx.qtr.1x6.achievements.space.republic.m07h.bonus_cripple

cdx.qtr.1x6.achievements.space.republic.m08h.bonus_annihilate

cdx.qtr.1x6.achievements.space.republic.m08h.bonus_eliminate

cdx.qtr.1x6.achievements.space.republic.m09h.bonus_pilot

dyn.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.energy_orb_platform

dyn.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.final_bombers

dyn.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.relative_forcefield

epp.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.energy_orb_carrier

hyd.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.energy_orb_1

hyd.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.energy_orb_2

hyd.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.energy_orb_3

hyd.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.energy_orb_4

hyd.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.gold_orb_trigger

hyd.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.purple_orb_trigger

hyd.qtr.1x6.endgame.imperial.advanced_gear

hyd.qtr.1x6.endgame.imperial.group_finder

hyd.qtr.1x6.endgame.imperial.inst_gear_vendor_agent

hyd.qtr.1x6.endgame.imperial.inst_gear_vendor_hunter

hyd.qtr.1x6.endgame.imperial.inst_gear_vendor_inquisitor

hyd.qtr.1x6.endgame.imperial.inst_gear_vendor_warrior

hyd.qtr.1x6.endgame.imperial.trig_mail_mission

hyd.qtr.1x6.endgame.republic.advanced_gear

hyd.qtr.1x6.endgame.republic.group_finder

hyd.qtr.1x6.endgame.republic.inst_gear_vendor_consular

hyd.qtr.1x6.endgame.republic.inst_gear_vendor_knight

hyd.qtr.1x6.endgame.republic.inst_gear_vendor_smuggler

hyd.qtr.1x6.endgame.republic.inst_gear_vendor_trooper

hyd.qtr.1x6.endgame.republic.trig_mail_mission

hyd.qtr.1x6.endgame.shared.group_finder

hyd.qtr.1x6.endgame.shared.mail_advanced_gear

hyd.qtr.1x6.space.imperial.inst_achievements

hyd.qtr.1x6.space.republic.inst_achievements

itm.mtx.lgc.prk.travel_bonus.speeder_1_life_day_bundle

itm.mtx.pack.holiday.life_day_pack

itm.mtx.toys.packs.fireworks_finale_pack

itm.mtx.toys.packs.fireworks_fountain_pack

itm.mtx.toys.packs.fireworks_imperial_pack

itm.mtx.toys.packs.fireworks_pack

itm.mtx.toys.packs.fireworks_republic_pack

itm.qtr.1x6.endgame.imperial.datapad_advanced_gear

itm.qtr.1x6.endgame.imperial.datapad_group_finder

itm.qtr.1x6.endgame.republic.datapad_advanced_gear

itm.qtr.1x6.endgame.republic.datapad_group_finder

mpn.qtr.1x6.endgame.imperial.supplies_wing

mpn.qtr.1x6.endgame.republic.supplies_wing

plc.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.energy_orb_platform

plc.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.final_bombers

plc.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.team_a_relative_forcefield

plc.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.team_b_relative_forcefield

qst.qtr.1x6.endgame.imperial.advanced_gear_agent

qst.qtr.1x6.endgame.imperial.advanced_gear_hunter

qst.qtr.1x6.endgame.imperial.advanced_gear_inquisitor

qst.qtr.1x6.endgame.imperial.advanced_gear_warrior

qst.qtr.1x6.endgame.imperial.group_finder_tutorial

qst.qtr.1x6.endgame.republic.advanced_gear_consular

qst.qtr.1x6.endgame.republic.advanced_gear_knight

qst.qtr.1x6.endgame.republic.advanced_gear_smuggler

qst.qtr.1x6.endgame.republic.advanced_gear_trooper

qst.qtr.1x6.endgame.republic.group_finder_tutorial

qst.qtr.1x6.endgame.shared.mail_advanced_gear

qst.space_combat.50.m03h.imperial.bonus.annihilate_the_enemy

qst.space_combat.50.m03h.imperial.bonus.eliminate_enemy_frigates

qst.space_combat.50.m03h.imperial.bonus.no_pilot_stands_a_chance

qst.space_combat.50.m03h.republic.bonus.annihilate_the_enemy

qst.space_combat.50.m03h.republic.bonus.eliminate_enemy_frigates

qst.space_combat.50.m03h.republic.bonus.no_pilot_stands_a_chance

qst.space_combat.50.m04h.imperial.bonus.annihilate_the_enemy

qst.space_combat.50.m04h.imperial.bonus.no_pilot_stands_a_chance

qst.space_combat.50.m04h.republic.bonus.annihilate_the_enemy

qst.space_combat.50.m04h.republic.bonus.no_pilot_stands_a_chance

qst.space_combat.50.m05h.imperial.bonus.annihilate_the_enemy

qst.space_combat.50.m05h.imperial.bonus.eliminate_enemy_frigates

qst.space_combat.50.m05h.imperial.bonus.no_pilot_stands_a_chance

qst.space_combat.50.m05h.republic.bonus.annihilate_the_enemy

qst.space_combat.50.m05h.republic.bonus.eliminate_enemy_frigates

qst.space_combat.50.m05h.republic.bonus.no_pilot_stands_a_chance

qst.space_combat.50.m07h.imperial.bonus.annihilate_the_enemy

qst.space_combat.50.m07h.imperial.bonus.cripple_their_forces

qst.space_combat.50.m07h.republic.bonus.annihilate_the_enemy

qst.space_combat.50.m07h.republic.bonus.cripple_their_forces

qst.space_combat.50.m08h.imperial.bonus.annihilate_the_enemy

qst.space_combat.50.m08h.imperial.bonus.eliminate_enemy_frigates

qst.space_combat.50.m08h.republic.bonus.annihilate_the_enemy

qst.space_combat.50.m08h.republic.bonus.eliminate_enemy_frigates

qst.space_combat.50.m09h.imperial.bonus.no_pilot_stands_a_chance

qst.space_combat.50.m09h.republic.bonus.no_pilot_stands_a_chance

spn.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.energy_orb_platform_01

spn.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.energy_orb_platform_02

spn.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.energy_orb_platform_03

spn.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.energy_orb_platform_04

spn.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.final_bombers

spn.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.team_a_relative_forcefield

spn.qtr.1x4.pvp.seline.team_b_relative_forcefield

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In-Game Potion Giveaway

Podd IC, of Global MMO, is holding a contest for Warhammer Online.  The winner gets a load of potions (see full list here) worth about 5,000 gold.  All you have to do to enter is register for his website.  It should be noted that this is limited to players on Karak-Norn (Order).

He also made a gold making guide and a PvP potion guide.

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1.4.8 Detailed

Warhammer Online's 1.4.8 patch is nearing completion, so lead designer Keaven Freeman hit the forums with a detailed post about the upcoming patch.  1.4.8 is mostly about consolidating all of the RvR currencies into a single one, the War Crest.

We already knew that, but what we didn't know was several new drops were added for player kills.  these contain larger numbers of War Crests than normal.  This includes the ultra-rare War Chest which gives 2,500 War Crests! To go along with the unified currency, to prevent cross-realm farming they will only drop in contested areas (includes scenarios, city etc).

Gear Progression.  The team has also added new gear for players who might still be progressing.

A new arrival to the War Camps is the Griffon Supplier, and the Raven Host Supplier, for Order and Destruction respectively. These take the place of the old Quartermasters, and will assist newcomers by supplying them with “standard issue” gear when they first enter the area. This isn't exceptional gear, and may even be passed over depending on what uncommon and rare drops you've been able to acquire, but you never know.

1.4.8 will be hitting the PTS this week, and hopefully going live on November 28th!

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Growing with the Players

So I was doing some thinking today, where all my ideas happen, in the bathroom.  I have a lot of game code from various projects laying around.  Some of it Unity, some of it web based.  Most of the web based code has led to working projects like Arsenal of WAR, Dev Spy and Sites with Benefits.  The game side, not so much.

Part of the reason is, of course, making games is hard work.  Another reason is it can take a lot of work and time before what you made is actually usable.  People using what I make is a big motivator for me. The web projects are often quick to get going and easy to build upon.  So why can't I do this with games?

So my idea was to try and take that approach with game development.  Make a nugget of a game, get a few players and build the game as they play the game.  I'll ignore the technical challenge of database wipes and such for now.  The direction of the game would be heavily influenced by the players playing it.

In my example would be a space-based economic game.  At it's core it would need:  a Travel system and a Trading system.  Now, I have both of those completed in several different projects.    The idea behind the game would be basically the same.  You're in a new age and stellar trading has just gotten started.

Do players want more to explore, build new ships, and so on?  That is what would be added as they play the game.  In an ideal world, it would all be laid out before the player.  But much like the game itself, it would instead grow with the players.

My initial thought is to make it web-based to start, but develop it in a way that Unity can be used as a front end (aha, all that Unity code could be used!).  Web-based is very quick in comparison, and much better suited to displaying lots of information.

Just an idea I had and wanted to get written down.  

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