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March 21, 2025 at 1:12 AM #20384
cawley333
ParticipantAhoy y’all! I caught the Pirates fever again and decided to take care of some unfinished business. I’ve updated both the Randomizer (v1.4) and the VASSAL module (v2.6). The files are altered/updated in the Dropbox link on the first post.
Pirates CSG Randomizer 1.4 Update
Fully integrated the pages of Ben’s Master Spreadsheet (most recent version) so that it all stands alone as a single macro-enabled Excel spreadsheet. A big feature of this version is the Reverse Lookup – choose the set, enter the name, and the info should appear (though you may need to add an arbitrary amount of spaces after a name for it to find the exact match). Took care of a few bugs and tried to make it slightly more user-friendly too. I’ve also added Ship/Fort ID Codes that should automatically appear… which brings me to my next item:
VASSAL Module 2.6
I’ve added a “Ship Image” object into which you can enter a code in the properties to make the picture of that ship or fort appear. Previously, I use a Word .docx to paste images into to have that visual while running a game on VASSAL, but this way it’s all built in. Just like with crew/unique treasure/equipment/event images, there’s a document in the Help toolbar that will show you a list of all the codes. Or you can use the shiny new Randomizer to reverse lookup the piece’s code, up to you! It just feels much cleaner. I can run a game with only the module and a single excel – *chef’s kiss*. Also took care of a few more bugs that escaped my notice last time, included a field for entering in Links for Named Crew, and other general housekeeping. I’m no VASSAL savant and I wish I had more time to make it perfect. No doubt other irksome bugs got away, but thar she blows mateys (for now).
For me, the ship images add a little je ne sais quoi that was missing.
Some Randomizer Reminders:
Unblock the Macros
If you’re downloading the Randomizer for the first time, remember to right-click the file itself to open Properties and check the “Unblock” to allow macros. The file should be an .xlsm (not .xlsx). You may need to enable further options after opening. Nothing dangerous about the file, but less scrupulous types have made it so that you have to do all this to make macro-enabled excels work.Local Image Files
In the .zip on the Dropbox (or on BGG) there’s a folder with all the artwork/images for the game that (I think) are the most up to date. You can use the embedded Online Image option – but if you want to have an offline option then you’ll need to download the folder, open the Randomizer, go to cell AL192, and enter the file path to the folder (with a \ at the end of the path!).I added both the updated Randomizer on BGG (might still be pending) and module 2.6 on VASSAL, the same as the ones linked in the Dropbox now. Happy Sailing!
June 17, 2024 at 4:55 AM #18780cawley333
ParticipantHey y’all! Okay, last time for real. Life’s getting quite busy again and the intensity of my focus (mania?) for editing these files has greatly diminished. That said, I hope you enjoy my last edits for the foreseeable future (and I’ll stop bothering y’all with so many updates!).
Randomizer v1.2
In addition to adding in the Set artwork to display when chosen (e.g., Crimson Coast, etc.) , I edited out some errors too (e.g., removed Trade Winds as a random terrain). Separated the asset categories visually a bit more too. But the biggest addition was the inclusion of the Image ID Code sheet that brings me to the bigger announcement:
VASSAL Module v2.4
Now with all artwork for both generic and named crew (thanks PSM List for the “realistic renders” that I used for the generic crew markers), unique treasures, events, and equipment! To make it work, enter the appropriate Image ID # from the code list into the piece’s Properties and it should show up.
In addition to the artwork, I overhauled the crews to accommodate the artwork inclusion so now there are generic and named markers for each faction. “Crew” is now a separated sub-category in the menus.
Included more Help toolbar documents and fixed the .htm display for the Keywords document. There’s now also included the Combined Rules and The Pirate Code in addition to the Image ID Codes.
Also did some general housekeeping, fixing some bugs from v2.3 that included (among others) banners not being in the correct location for the new ship types and making the Flotilla flag removable.
Because this was a bit more of an in-depth edit (a bit “under the hood” tinkering to get everything working right), I will not be including exported .xml files into the Dropbox. However, the v2.3 .xml files are still there and you can export from v2.4 yourself if you only want individual assets.
With the inclusion of the help files and all the artwork it does balloon the file size up to ~11.4 MB. Not a huge file size by any standard, but larger than the ~4.3 MB of v2.3.
Feel free to continue editing! I’ve uploaded the file to VASSAL and the Randomizer to BGG. You can find both in the DropBox on the first post. Happy Sailing!
June 12, 2024 at 5:04 AM #18745cawley333
ParticipantGreat! Yeah, glad to be able to help, none of this would be possible if you and everyone else hadn’t been working so hard over the years to “keep the lights on” for the game. Especially with Pirates of the Golden Seas out now too!
For a final touch, I updated the Randomizer (1.1) on Dropbox so it now displays an image of the package art for whatever set is chosen. Hopefully it’ll help with the “package opening” simulator feel you mentioned. I’ll upload it to BGG too.
June 12, 2024 at 1:42 AM #18743cawley333
ParticipantHey y’all. Right, so turns out I had more time and inspiration than I thought. Now that I’ve gotten my feet wet with VASSAL – I don’t like leaving a job only part done. I’ve completely re-updated my VASSAL contribution! I’m calling it 2.3 and I’ll try to get it added to the main module page on VASSAL’s website. Updated assets in the Dropbox too (see first post) in case anyone just wants to just add individual pieces to their personal copies.
That said, I’ve never handled most of these ship types in-person. I did my best to estimate proportions based on images. But if anything is flagrantly off in how anything is supposed to function I’d be happy to fix it.
General Changes
Reduced the size of the module, there was an old copy (?) of the .vmod in the images folder that I deleted.
Added the rest of the missing vessels (yay pokeships!), fixed the monsters, and made functioning icebergs/great turtle. Pokeships are dynamic too, so get out there and get crazy.
New Ship Types (in addition to fixing the monsters to work with measurement tools):
Icebreaker
Turbine
Scorpion
Switchblade
Hoist
Bombardier
Windcatcher
Canoe
Catamaran
Double Catamaran
June 9, 2024 at 10:55 PM #18731cawley333
ParticipantNo problem! Glad to contribute, it’s been great getting to play again. Another time I’d like to clean up and improve the Randomizer (maybe add the pack artwork depending on which set is chosen, etc.), so if there’s any errors or whatever else folks might find I’d be happy to fix them. That said, it might be a while before I have the chance to work on it again.
Custom assets (or the shiny new Golden Seas!) would work with it too if those spreadsheets are added to the Master Spreadsheet (i.e., custom copies), but it’d take some copy/paste work on the Randomizer with the formulae and editing them into the macros. Admittedly, I’m a bit new to Excel wizardry and VBA. If anyone else out there is a bit more savvy and would like to take a crack at improving everything, be my guest!
If nobody gets to it before me, I might make a few more asset additions to VASSAL when I get the chance too. We’ll see.
June 7, 2024 at 7:39 AM #18627cawley333
ParticipantHey there y’all. My username is simply the one I’ve used for most online activity since the 00s.
Jeez, I remember opening packs from Spanish Main, Crimson Coast, Revolution, Mysterious Island, and At Ocean’s Edge. My collection was never big though, meager compared to what I’ve been seeing here. Probably haven’t opened a new pack since 2007, probably haven’t touched a physical piece since ~2010. But, I always enjoyed playing – I especially remember playing with my dad. Lots of great memories, cue the nostalgia.
100% player I suppose, but I only just rediscovered this hobby as of about a week ago so all that’s been on VASSAL at a grand total of 3 solitaire games so far. Very much a newbie again!
Has to be the aesthetic. A gorgeous game that set my imagination on fire in ways that others couldn’t at the time. The board-less aspect was also pretty neat.
No other aliases. First time I’ve joined a Pirates CSG related forum. In the last week or so I’ve put together a randomizer excel and made some custom VASSAL assets to enjoy the nostalgia and thought other folks might find a use for those tools too.
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