Grid Archiving

[Mooncalf]

Just to let people know that I'm going to be implementing a really tricky code today which will archive grid locations which haven't been used in ages. Don't worry, this won't make you lose your properties at all.

This will hopefully be something that you won't even be able to tell is happening as players of the game, but I'm telling you this so you know to keep an eye out for weird things going on such as locations vanishing etc. I'll be backing up the grid as often as possible to make sure we don't lose anything, but there might still be bugs.

However, it should speed up the game by quite a large amount, so also keep an eye on that and post here if you notice some big improvements.

For those wondering about the specifics: I'm going to create a database which will house archived entries which aren't being used (grid tiles first, then items and alert entries later). Each location will have a timestamp saying when it was last accessed, and if the timestamp shows it hasn't been used for over a month, the grid entry will be moved to the archive. When it's next accessed, the grid entry will be moved back to the main database once more. Unless perhaps it's accessed by a wraith or a thrall, and then I might assume it's just being scouted for a target, so I'll probably make it so that it's read from the other database, and stays put in the archive.

One thing I'm wondering: how often do people enter every lair in the city while looking for a certain target? And do you usually use thralls to do this?

[Doc]

One thing I'm wondering: how often do people enter every lair in the city while looking for a certain target? And do you usually use thralls to do this?

When using the locate powers, it typically gives you the district. And Then yes.. I will have my character and his thralls enter every lair, business, building, and apt in the district until I find them.

I have never had to search the whole city before, for one target.

[Mooncalf]

Hmmm in that case it does sound like main characters will fairly often hit up most lairs in the game. Which would make the archive pretty useless.

[Azraeth]

I imagine that depends on how often people go looking for a target and what areas are most often used as hiding spots.

As a slight off topic question, are you looking to optimize grid speed on Path? If yes, what sort of ideas would you be open to exploring for that?

[Mooncalf]

I imagine that depends on how often people go looking for a target and what areas are most often used as hiding spots.

As a slight off topic question, are you looking to optimize grid speed on Path? If yes, what sort of ideas would you be open to exploring for that?

Yeah I've noticed how much slower Path is compared to Blood, and I want to try to fix that. The only difference between the games, really, is the size of some of the database tables, so I feel like that's a good place to start. I'm open to other ideas.

What I might do with the grid instead then, is archive properties which the owner hasn't accessed in X months, and make them boarded up until the owner re-activates the properties by walking up to them outside.

[Diego Santos (DELETED 7309)]

Would that be affected by toming at all?

I can imagine a lot of people tome to their lairs these days.

[Elizabeth]

Yeah, that.

And idk...as a player that has many properites that has cost karma or coinage, I personally don't want any of my properties being boarded up or not accessible. Maybe inactive accounts first, say, more than a year inactive, but have bought karma to stay in the game or have childre?

Also, a suggestion. Why not close up places that are public and not owned. Locations like say...The Lounge, uh...warehouses and such? Would that help any?

[Mooncalf]

Would that be affected by toming at all?

I can imagine a lot of people tome to their lairs these days.

I'd have to make it so that you can't tome to a lair that's been 'boarded up'.

[Mooncalf]

Yeah, that.

And idk...as a player that has many properites that has cost karma or coinage, I personally don't want any of my properties being boarded up or not accessible. Maybe inactive accounts first, say, more than a year inactive, but have bought karma to stay in the game or have childre?

Also, a suggestion. Why not close up places that are public and not owned. Locations like say...The Lounge, uh...warehouses and such? Would that help any?

Nah there has to be some areas which aren't owned by somebody. Just realistic. Plus they are useful for other stuff such as feeding and certain enemies.

Well if somebody isn't using a lair then archiving it isn't the worst thing in the world. If they don't want it anymore then they can always sell it to a childe or whoever is using it. But yeah, maybe I'll start it with innactives, and see how much that speeds things up.

[Azraeth]

I think she (Diego Player) means: Will toming to a location count as using the location?

As for suggestions:

1) Reduce the amount of time read memories tracks from 1 month to 2 weeks (or something like that).
2) Set a cap on how many lockboxes an account can own.


Will the upcoming trap update reduce the database load?

What are the 'key problem' databases? Maybe we can come up with creative solutions for those.