So after encountering a bug I looked through the UT2004 log file to search for any clues.

I see many null references, particulary from BW although NULL's are common and dont usualy cause problems.

Then I spot an interesting log entry from something called the Bot Stoopidizer, it null referenced when executing a process called screwupbot. I couldnt help but chuckle when I saw this

This isnt a bug report but I am very curious. What is this amusing feature of BW and what does it do?

Could this possibly explain why my bots try to shoot down raptors with pineapples?

Quick fly-by idea: perhaps it is the bot support for the assault pistol flash (Secondary fire)?

lol bot stuiptizer? [gigles] i think its for when the bots get flashed by the assault pistal

its for the pistol flash, and other such stunning AI things

AHA, I KNEW it. Then the flashbang bot support would be as simple as calling that function with a few tweaks, maybe?

Flashbangs would just require inflicting that function upon anybody who falls within the grenade's splash radius, although making it only blind people who look at the flash would be a little harder to do (it's possible though, CUT2 does it). Speaking of which, it's really annoying to be blinded by pistol flashes that hit the back of my head... please fix!

I knew the flash did something to them, hehe. OK thanks

So, to get the flashbang to blind onyl people who are facing the grenade, wouldn't it bas as simple as checking if a player's orientation is withing about 90 degrees of a vecotr form player to grenade? I don't know u-script, but I imagine there must be some function somewhere that gives the vector between two actors...

It wouldn't be too hard if you know vectors, but I don't.

Unless we assume that through advanced unreal technology a flashbang also releases an energy barrier that interferes with the spinal chord and temporarily disrupts the neurons in the brain that provide sight and awareness. Wether or not you are facing the flash.

This gives me an idea for not a flashbang but an antineural grenade. Lets call it the DisrUptive Mental BOmb. (DUMBO) This would allow potential for even stupider bot movement. Reversed movement controls, random weapon selection and other cool features that indicate disorientation.

Brainshock grenades? Nice!

Precisely.

One way of implementing a sensory debilitating device such as a flashbang but also while stepping away from counterstrike

Well if your going for disorietation use a gas nade that fils a large volume of space with a purple gas. While in the gas you are blinded, and add to the effect it reverses you move keys even for a few seconds after you leave the cloud. Makes the bots stuider then normal too. Purple Haze Hippie gas. What's not to like

You play Team Fortress Classic too? Sounds just like the assasins gas grenades. Mind you a gas grenade already exists in BW.

You are right on the dollar however; blinded (or if you prefure: hallucinating flowers, peace symbols and yellow submarines) with a confusing key setup is what were looking at here.

Although I was aiming for something that will appeal to the counter strike fans. Alot of people believe elements from CS will fit into Unreal (none of it does).

But a good compromise is to mutate and warp those CS elements into the rediculous, creative overkill style that you find in any Unreal franchise.

I figured that if were gonna have a flashbang, lets make it Unreal. Hence a flashbang that affects you from all angles, gives you seisures and makes you do stupid things.

I don't need a flash to make me do stupid things. Such acts occure naturally to me, I'll have you know!

Man... these would make the ultimate defense weapon for the Trials maps.

Maybe have a trial map where the defenders get only this and attackers get nothing but the knife. That would be hell for attackers to get past the blinding of the defense! But they'd be able to kill defense easily and jump farther.

Lol, I dont mean just your average human mistake

Think: Inability to walk straight, Inability to select the correct weapon, inability to aim with precision. Along those lines...

and yes it would be an excellent defend/evade tool

Props to RS for thinking up such a funny-named piece of code.