Name: Ragdoll Chaining

Version: Beta 1 - 11/2/2008

Compatibility: UT2004 version 3369 (latest version)

Instructions:
Put the .u and .ucl files into your UT2004\System directory.

Source just contains the source code for this mutator.  Use it as you wish.

Description:

RagdollChaining is a mutator for Unreal Tournament 2004 made by Joel Baker.
It is not a gameplay altering mutator.
It is just a mutator that lets you have some fun with unreal's ragdolls.

::The Concept::
Every time you kill someone, you claim their ragdoll for your ragdoll chain
You drag your ragdolls on this chain wherever you go.
If you kill someone who has built up his own chain
then you claim his ragdoll and his entire chain of ragdolls for your own.
Ragdolls on your chain will deres 1 by 1,
so you have to keep killing to keep up a good chain.

::Future Plans::
Solve whatever issues that I can (see below).

Implement different chain behaviors.
Right now I have organized some classes to allow easy creating of chain pulling behaviors.
I'd like to create some more chains behaviors using this.
You should feel free to do this too.
You could make a chain that swings more freely.
You could making something in a completely different shape than a chain.
You could make the ragdolls just orbit you, or hover like a halo, or branch into different shapes.
ect
From the IChainPuller comments:
 * To make your own ChainPuller:
 * 1. Make a class that extends IChainPuller
 * 2. Override TickPull and NewChainPuller in your class
 * 3. Set a unique MutSelectName in the default properties
 * 4. Add your class to the list of classes in GetPullerClasses()
 * 5. Post it on http://utforums.epicgames.com so we can play with it too, thanks!

::Known "Issues"::   Feel free to offer suggestions! Or tell me about anything else that you spot.

1. Spazzing Ragdolls. KAT properties?
Some models react really badly to being dragged by this chain.
For example, Agent Smith will spaz when being dragged by the chain.
Also several female models do this too.
Here's a quick list of what i've seen spaz.  Feel free to point out other spazing ragdolls.
Agent Smith (no teamskin version)
Felina
Miko
Mecha_Moon
Kasumi
Ayane
Makoto
Minagi


2. Performance. MaxRagdolls
Performance is always challenged.
I'd like to find a way to automatically adjust the
settings to react to the machine slowing down, or something.
But for now try to find what works for your system (set a reasonable max radolls).

3. Bandwidth
In multiplayer, this mutator actually uses replication and server bandwidth.
You'd think that this kind of mutator could be
done completely client side and use zero bandwidth,
but it seems like doing something like that would require me to replace
some classes that I did not feel confortable with replacing at the time.
But you can look into my post on this issue here:
http://utforums.epicgames.com/showthread.php?p=25252988#post25252988
Note, I'll look into offering this no-bandwidth technique as an alternative option in the next version.

4. Ragdoll Collision
I'd like to know if there is a way to turn off ragdoll collision
with cars and gunfire but maintain collision
with the world (bsp + static meshes).
Let me know if you know how to do this.

5. Chain Snags
Sometimes chains will get snagged on a wall or corner. (only if collision is turned on)

6. Telefrag
Ragdolls used to telefrag you a lot.
I think that I may have fixed this, but let me know if it happens to you.
(You know a ragdoll telefragged you if it says "You were telefragged by" and there is no name.)
If it happens to you, please tell me what settings that you were using, how it happened, ect.

7. RagChain Spawn, join game late, no big deal
In multiplayer,
you have to be in the server when players spawn in order to get their pawn for your chain.
I think it's not a big deal.  Also the no-bandwidth technique would probably not have this problem.


Credits:
Joel Baker <look for EdudDiputs on Unreal's official forums>
Jeff Wofford <I used + modified some of his code from NinjaRope2>
And thanks to all the helpful people on http://utforums.epicgames.com/

Homepage:
http://hosted.filefront.com/EdudDiputs
Or just look for my stuff on http://utforums.epicgames.com/