Copies of the original XRXS scripts have arrived

[DerVVulfman]

Dear friends,

You may find an unexpected and pleasant surprise that the scripts associated with the name XRXS are being reconstructed within the forum.  Indeed, another archive board is in the works, and already boasts over 20 threads with both the original script and an English Translated version,

For full credit, the translated versions have the most accurate translation of the creator's names. And by that statement, I am confirming that there were multiple scripters who were publishing at the XRXS site are not merely one single individual as many had suggested or thought.

The very first thread just in the archive is a barebones duplicate of the XRXS main page, listing the titles to the available contents other than their unsupported content.  But besides being in English, the post also contains a 2007 Internet Archive link to ShelfScript for purists and those wishing to compare.

[Ace_V]

Cool! I recognize quite a few of those. They're great scripts!

[DerVVulfman]

The main home page I recreated for ScriptShelf now has some extra touches added. All viable links within the page that are directed to copies in our Archive now appear blue. Sadly, one is green as it has been lost. The choice of color dictated by the original page those years back.

Meanwhile, the System Plus portion of the archive is near complete with three script TOPICs remaining. I know at least one will come with some add-ons. And the Damage Display Series which revises the Damage Pops has been complete.

Not that this only covers roughly 1/3rd the 'supported' scripts of 2007. BUT looking at some titles, I can hardly think some would take even an hour to translate (unless someone with cat ears... devil horns and succubi wings... or the like... occupies my time ^_^).

There are two topics from the System Plus portion that do not have translations, only the Japanese scripts revealed. This because there seem to be some underlying issues with each one's code.

The first appears to apply elements to weapons unbidden. That is, the bronze sword you may wish to begin now is Bronze Sword.Fire. And the one you might purchase in a shop is Bronze Sword.vs Darkness. This was meant to be part of an upgrade add-on that accompanied it, but that too appears problematic, unable to define what upgrades you wish for your weapons. Of course, each script contains over 1000 lines of code.

And the other? A Slip damage script that has issues applying slip damage itself. However, that may be something lost in translation and could be in reverse, a system that reduces the power of slip damage despite the initial translation of the function.

My biggest bane are scripts that have element tagging or status effect tagging. One has to take care to ensure that instructions are clear about how the feature works, if there are space or NOT any spaces, or the like. Tagging is very specific.

Worse are the aesthetics aspect of tagged elements or states. Now a bestiary or custom script that might suggest what element affinity the armor or beastie may have could have issue with element tagging if care isn't taken to hide custom tags such as "HITS 2Times" that could allow an enemy to strike its target 2 times, or a tag like "REDUCE 50" that reduces damage by 50HP (and you thought I meant 50%, didn't you). Still, element tagging can be hidden. Status effect tagging is a case of UGH. If you have a state that says "SLIP -20" for a slip damage effect, that custom tag is going to appear in battle, either on the enemy in the help window or on the player's battlestatus window. SO ugly.

Yeah, this is a rant about some of the scripts. I'm releasing them, true. But it doesn't mean I like the use of tags, and for clear reasons when it comes to the menu displays. For this, I may include notifications in the threads themselves where tagging is required.

[DerVVulfman]

The main index page has now been expanded. It not only simulates the main page that Shelf Script contained, but a relative copy of the Unsupported Content page and copy of their simple and generous terms of condition. It appears that the only condition that cannot be followed is to send them a copy of any modifications as their site has long vanished.

But the extremely unique and challenging task of archiving continues. And while endeavoring to provide a database of existing content, I found some content that was not listed either on their main page nor their unsupported content. As such, the Unsupported Content page now has four new entries under a heading of Uncovered Library. If links to these files exist in any of the scripts, I am unaware. However, these four Library files were under neither the main index page nor the unsupported.

[DerVVulfman]

With a couple hiccups, the System Plus list of scripts from the Shelf Script main page is now complete. The Slip Damage script sill needs to be examined as does the Weapon Property system as it could be a case of script conflicts breaking them. However, over 1/3rd of the main page is done.

Now I do wish to add a note about the second page that was duplicated in the Shelf Script Index. Though itself is titled "Out of Support", this is a not entirely true and I believe that the author misspoke. Since the website has long since closed, it is now true. However, the owner corrected himself/herself by stating that support was "temporarily suspended" and that "some may be restored to the Shelf main page from here.". The author intended to make it clear that the scripts shown in the second page needed no further work.

There is a common misconception that a piece of software that hasn't had an update must be flawed. This I challenge by stating that a bug-free script that does the job it intends needs no further update. And likewise, the scripts that were listed in the Out of Support page were exactly that.

I also would like to state that a number of works that I had issues due to missing files have been updated. On an odd note, it appears that the Support Library scripts may have a slight numbering issue. For I found two separate Library #15 scripts, one which is indeed used in two of the "System Plus" scripts, the second currently not found required by any.