Quick Start Guide

Overview

This guide provides step-by-step instructions for creating content for Andor's Trail using ATCS (Andor's Trail Content Studio). This is a practical companion to the comprehensive developer documentation.

Prerequisites

  1. ATCS Installation: Download and install ATCS from the official forums

  2. Game Source Code: Download the complete Andor's Trail source code

  3. Tiled Map Editor: Install for map creation (optional but recommended)

  4. Java Runtime Environment: Version 7 or later

Setting Up Your First Project

Step 1: Create a Workspace

  1. Create a new folder called atcs_workspace on your computer

  2. Launch ATCS (run as Administrator on Windows first time)

  3. When prompted, select your workspace folder

Step 2: Create a Project

  1. Go to File → Create project...

  2. Enter a project name (use lowercase with underscores, e.g., my_first_content)

  3. Click Browse... for "AT Source" and navigate to the AndorsTrail subfolder of your downloaded source code

  4. Click OK to create the project

  5. Wait for ATCS to load all game data (this may take a few minutes)

Creating Your First Item

Simple Weapon Example

  1. In the project tree, right-click on Items

  2. Select Create new → Item

  3. Fill in the basic information:

    • ID: my_iron_sword (must be unique)

    • Name: Iron Sword

    • Description: A well-crafted iron sword

    • Category: Select weapon_sword from dropdown

  4. Configure the weapon stats:

    • Attack Damage Min: 8

    • Attack Damage Max: 12

    • Attack Chance Bonus: 5

  5. Set the icon:

    • Icon ID: Browse existing icons or use items_weapons_sword_iron

  6. Save the item

Consumable Item Example

  1. Create new item with ID: healing_herb

  2. Set Has Use to true

  3. Configure use effect:

    • HP Reward Min: 15

    • HP Reward Max: 20

  4. Set appropriate icon and description

Creating NPCs and Monsters

Basic Monster

  1. Right-click NPCs in project tree

  2. Select Create new → NPC

  3. Fill basic information:

    • ID: forest_wolf

    • Name: Forest Wolf

    • Icon ID: monsters_wolf (or similar)

  4. Configure combat stats:

    • Max HP: 35

    • Attack Chance: 65

    • Attack Damage Min: 4

    • Attack Damage Max: 8

    • Block Chance: 15

  5. Set behavior:

    • Hostile to Player: true

    • Faction: monsters

  6. Configure drops:

    • Create or select an existing droplist

    • Set experience reward: 25

Friendly NPC

  1. Create NPC with appropriate name and icon

  2. Set Hostile to Player to false

  3. Create dialogue (see dialogue section below)

  4. Reference dialogue ID in NPC configuration

Creating Dialogues

Simple Shop Dialogue

  1. Right-click Dialogues in project tree

  2. Create new dialogue with ID: shopkeeper_basic

  3. Add dialogue phrases:

    • ID: 0 (starting phrase)

    • Text: "Welcome to my shop! What can I do for you?"

    • Add reply options:

      • "I'd like to buy something" → leads to shop interface

      • "Just looking around" → leads to phrase ID 1

  4. Create additional phrases for different conversation paths

  5. Configure shop list if creating a trader

Creating Quests

Basic Fetch Quest

  1. Right-click Quests in project tree

  2. Create new quest with ID: herb_collection

  3. Set basic info:

    • Name: Herb Collection

    • Description: Gather healing herbs for the village healer

  4. Configure quest stages:

    • Stage 10: "I need to find 5 healing herbs for the healer"

    • Stage 20: "I've collected the herbs. Time to return to the healer"

    • Stage 100: "The healer was grateful for the herbs" (completion)

  5. Set requirements for stage progression:

    • Stage 20 requires: 5x healing_herb items

    • Stage 100 rewards: Experience and gold

Map Creation with Tiled

Basic Outdoor Map

  1. Open Tiled Map Editor

  2. Create new map: 32x32 tile size, 20x15 map size

  3. Load existing AT tilesets from the drawable folder

  4. Create layers in this order:

    • Ground: Base terrain

    • Objects: Decorations and items

    • Above: Overhanging elements

    • Walkable: Mark impassable areas

  5. Add object layers:

    • Spawn Areas: For monster placement

    • Map Changes: For exits to other maps

    • Signs: For readable text

Object Configuration

Spawn Areas:

  • Name: forest_wolf (matches your NPC ID)

  • Type: spawn

  • Properties: quantity = 2, active = true

Map Changes:

  • Name: destination map ID

  • Type: mapchange

  • Properties: destination coordinates

Testing Your Content

Export and Test

  1. In ATCS, go to File → Export package generation

  2. Create a zip file with your content

  3. Extract to the game's source directory

  4. Build and run the game to test

Debugging Tips

  1. Check the Android LogCat for errors

  2. Verify all referenced IDs exist

  3. Test item acquisition and use

  4. Verify NPC dialogue flows

  5. Check quest progression logic

Advanced Features

Using Scripts

  1. Create scripts in the /res/raw/ folder

  2. Reference scripts in item or NPC JSON

  3. Example healing potion script:

javascript"healing_potion_script" item.onUse [
    if (item.id == "healing_potion") {
        player.hp.cur = player.hp.cur + 25;
    }
]

Complex Quests

  • Use conditional dialogue based on quest progress

  • Create branching storylines

  • Implement time-based or location-based triggers

  • Chain multiple quests together

Map Integration

  1. Update worldmap coordinates

  2. Create logical connections between areas

  3. Add appropriate environmental storytelling

  4. Balance monster spawns and difficulty

Content Guidelines

Naming Conventions

  • Use lowercase with underscores for IDs

  • Descriptive but concise names

  • Avoid special characters

  • Maintain consistency with existing content

Balance Considerations

  • Items should fit progression curve

  • NPCs should have appropriate difficulty

  • Rewards should match effort required

  • Test with different character levels

Quality Standards

  • All text should be proofread

  • Graphics should match game art style

  • Test all functionality thoroughly

  • Ensure content integrates smoothly

Getting Help

  1. Official Forums: Post questions and get community help

  2. Discord: Real-time assistance from developers and community

  3. Wiki: Reference existing documentation

  4. Examples: Study existing game content for patterns

Submission Process

  1. Test Thoroughly: Ensure content works correctly

  2. Export Package: Create clean ATCS export

  3. Document Changes: List new content and features

  4. Submit to Forums: Post with detailed description

  5. Respond to Feedback: Address reviewer comments

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Forgetting to set item categories correctly

  • Creating unbalanced combat encounters

  • Missing required fields in JSON

  • Inconsistent naming conventions

  • Not testing quest completion paths

  • Creating orphaned content (unreachable areas/items)

This guide should get you started with content creation. Remember that the Andor's Trail community is welcoming and helpful - don't hesitate to ask questions and share your creations!

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