Why programming for Rifts? Why bother doing something the MAKER of the RPG has tried at and failed? Why even bother with spending all this time makeing shortcuts when you could be playing? The answer to all of these questions is very simple: because the challenge is there. Why do something other people have failed at? Becasue I can.
I have tried many times myself to create a do-everything program. It cannot be done to satisfy everyone's needs at the same time. That is what I am currently doing, or at least trying to do. in this quest, I have lerned a lot and improved loads in technique and skill. I still have miles to go.
This is the pinnacle of all my expectations: The Rifts Creator. This combines all I have done for Rifts programming-wise with the visual experience of Windows. Originally written with a text interface in QBasic, I have switched over to a visual framework of Borland Builder with C++ guts for the program. When you open the program, it looks like a text editor, but once you get into it, it becomes much more. The following is an explanation of the features included in The Rifts Creator
The Creator is nowhere near perfection. Far from it. The Quick Created creatures are not exactly allways all the way created. The Simple characters are just that. Simple. The random monsters, to be blunt, are weak kneeed little level one fodder. What needs to be done about it? That is what I am exploring.
These are just a few of the options open before me. Only time will tell what will happen. Now, how do you get this much tarnished gem? Keep reading...
In order to use this little piece of programming I have made, you need to OWN a copy of the Rifts RPG by Palladium Books. If you don't own a copy, what are you waiting for? Go out and get one. Seriously though, if you don't own a copy, you are using a program which is basically paraphrasing and expanding on that book. Also, please support Palladium in their products and try to coerce them into getting something like this made for themselves.
What I am doing is, admittedly, probably violating copyright laws. if you do not own a copy of the Main Book for Rifts or you give this program to anyone that does not own that book, you are a jackass and have no regard for Palladium or its wares. This program will not be available if Palladium ever brings out anything that is equivalent. Until then, it is my moral responsibility to fill the void. After all, nature abhors a vacuum.