Absolutely Leycec- patching the codebase is my main goal. I wanted to make this available as an addon first while I work on it so that I can receive feedback from my changes and catch any accidental errors. I should resume work on it next week (I'm slammed with course work) and hope to have the next version out by Friday.
I'm also going to have to look at all the files that have been changed in SVN and make new files for the patch...fun! lol

When it comes to writing and naming things, the dictionary definition is less important than what the word's connotation, and prodigy's conntation is of someone who mastered something as a child. Mastery would be my suggestion.

prod·i·gy (prd-j)
n. pl. prod·i·gies
1. A person with exceptional talents or powers: a math prodigy.
2. An act or event so extraordinary or rare as to inspire wonder. See Synonyms at wonder.
3. A portentous sign or event; an omen.

So number 2. In this case your special ability is so extraordinary and rare that it inspires wonder. I vote for Prodigy! I don't believe the name refers to the player, but the ability.

The idea and skills that I know about are great. The name, not so much. At least in American English, a Prodigy is a person who develops advanced level skills as a young child. For example, a 5 year old who is an expert level piano player. This skills are learned when your character is at a very high level, so your character is not a prodigy.

Not that it's a huge deal, just pointing it out.

I understand the distinction just fine. Thus the part about "I understand why DarkGod wants in on Steam's distribution and exposure network."

Frankly, I went and upvoted it on Steam days ago - it's a great game; I donated months ago; and I wish him all possible success in all possible venues.

I just consider Steam's whole business model tainted by the DRM practices. So do lots of other people. You could look it up.

I don't usually go out of my way to tell people what to think about it, though. In this case, I probably jumped salty at karzon's use of "Period."

If karzon didn't mean to say, "*I've* never heard of that thing you mentioned, so obviously *you* don't know what you're talking about," then I completely over-reacted, for which my bad.

If that's what was intended, though, my response stands.

+ 1

You keep adding stuff and we keep loving it :)

We haven't been introduced, have we.

I fully understand why DarkGod wants in on Steam's distribution and exposure network, but loathe is pretty much the word I'd use. No big, I'm not his only customer, and it's not like I don't already have the game.

Lots of people heard from in gaming magazines and review sites who hate being forced to log in and stay connected just to play a single-player game. Steam is only part of that problem, but it's certainly a big part.

Maybe you could try this thing called Google when you haven't heard of something. It's a big old internet.

You're the first person I've heard of loathing steam/valve, period.

Nice addon idea.
Here's a suggestion: disabling level decay. Should be easy and I think it would fit nicely.

OK, I misread, "steam people will all be considered donators that's all". That's if they choose to be. If they don't, they get what the free user gets. There are scores of ToME players who loathe Steam/Valve, so this won't be the only sour reaction you'll get. ; )

Great game, great community. Really hope this hits steam. It really deserves the popularity it will gain from being there.