Program?

RonHiler · August 20, 2002, 10:17

Hey guys,

So I see a lot of threads dealing with backstories and ecology and such. This is all fine and well.

But I begin to worry about you. When are we going to see some code? I'm not looking for a full-blown game here, but I think it is important to show progress in some form. Endless discussions about game mechanics and no coding progress is the mess that GG&S got into, and they are now shutting down. I hate to lose any Alt Civ game, and I don't want to see the same happen to you guys.

Even a couple of screenshots, no matter how primitive, will let us know there is progress being made on a more concrete level, and will keep interest up. Without some sort of feedback showing advancement on the final product (the game code) you will lose your audience!

So show us what you've got!

I hope things are going well otherwise.

-Ron

Velociryx · August 20, 2002, 10:49

No worries, Ron! In fact, I'm QUITE pleased you asked the question!

At the outset, the idea I had in my mind was to create an environment where our game ideas could be crafted as opposed to shot out the door on a set timeframe (like some other games we know about....

), but it's true, one of the drawbacks of that methodology is that sometimes stuff takes a little longer than we planned or expected (so far, we've only missed one of our self-imposed deadlines....not bad!)

We've got a working prototype, but at this point, it's not anything I want to make available. Our plan is to wow the audience with our first appearance, but rest assured, as soon as we get some graphics finalized and in place, we'll start letting screenies out....

-=Vel=-

Capt Dizle · August 20, 2002, 11:47

I oppose this project on the basis that it is not rooted in blatant capitalist greed.

However, my objection is moot because the project cannot work because of its nature.

If it does work it will trumpet the end of the world as we know it.

You are all a bunch of socialists anyway.

Velociryx · August 20, 2002, 12:17

Awww....JT, how did you know I needed a little boost of inspiration?

-=Vel=-

Mark_Everson · August 20, 2002, 22:10

Hi All:

I agree with Ron 98.5%. Until you can see a program in action there's no way for anybody to evaluate whether there is any point in contributing to the CB discussions! (Other than of course the pure fun of discussing game design, but that doesn't stretch very far.)

The 1.5% where I disagree with Ron is that I don't think screenshots tell much of anything meaningful about a game. The evidence I cite is the hundreds (thousands?) of commercial game projects that have shown screenshots and never gotten 'round to an actual product!

Please, Vel, err on the side of release-sooner so you can find out if you're heading in the right direction. If you're not, many of your discussions will turn out to be a waste of precious time. I'm speaking from hard-earned experience here...

Kuciwalker · August 24, 2002, 18:14

Why not release everything as you do it? You don't need to "wow" us - it's free anyway (right?).

JMarks · August 24, 2002, 22:06

Well, if we wow you this time around when it is free, mabey you'll be more inclined to get the commercial version when we're going to really wow you.

Velociryx · August 26, 2002, 11:25

Right...essentially we're waiting till we have something decent lookin' to show everybody so we don't wind up scaring more folks off than we attract. We're focusing primarily on balancing and playability issues at present, and letting graphics take a backseat, although we're verging on the point where we have a growing NEED for graphics, and are beginning to turn more attention to that area.

Just got my hands on the latest pre-alpha build last night, which includes a much needed army management window, allowing for transfers between armies in the same province. Did a bit of testing last evening, and so far so good....if we keep up our current pace, and get some graphics to make it pretty, we'll have something for show and tell....

-=Vel=-

Kuciwalker · August 26, 2002, 15:13

The alpha version should be done by the end of the week (or was it next week?), right? Will we be able to download it?

BigRich · August 27, 2002, 04:20

Quote:

Originally posted by skywalker
The alpha version should be done by the end of the week (or was it next week?), right? Will we be able to download it?

Skywalker-

Far as I know the alpha version is in-house only. We only get our grubby paws on it at the beta stage.

Me, I would be quite happy road testing this with ASCII blocks for graphics - but I'm quite prepared to be wowed

Cheers for posting the update Vel! Statements like "I got my hands on the latest build and it included an army management window" are mucho encouraging! Is there any chance of an "update thread" where you can post all the bits and pieces that are getting added in?

Probably not and fair enough but *shrug*, one can but ask

Rich.

DeepO · August 27, 2002, 06:11

A smaller update, even if it's Vel's job to bring the news out: The prototypes are coming in rapid succession, and the 'manage army' window is one of the latest additions that works very well. But at this stage, many things are still needed to make it a fully playable game, as long as we don't reach beta stage (with at least some graphics in

), it wouldn't be good to release it. I just made the testing team, and even in this (not nearly complete) version, I was wowed

DeepO

BigRich · August 27, 2002, 06:22

Quote:

Originally posted by DeepO
A smaller update, even if it's Vel's job to bring the news out: The prototypes are coming in rapid succession, and the 'manage army' window is one of the latest additions that works very well. But at this stage, many things are still needed to make it a fully playable game, as long as we don't reach beta stage (with at least some graphics in

), it wouldn't be good to release it. I just made the testing team, and even in this (not nearly complete) version, I was wowed

DeepO

Cool

Quick question though DeepO. How did you make the testing team? I've signed up over on the Renaissance forums as a playtester, and apart from a 'Welcome aboard' mail from Vel, not heard anything back since.

I presume that 'testing' at this stage more involves code testing and writing, rather than playtesting, bug spotting and play balancing though? In which case - yeah I'd not be much good

Otherwise - where else do I sign up

Rich

Velociryx · August 27, 2002, 09:14

Hiyas Rich! Absolutely we could post a thread regarding Alpha updates and such, and DeepO is quite right....they're coming out at a fairly rapid clip! Excellent thought, and a good way to keep the information flowing while we continue working toward a beta release.

As to signing up....Yep, I've still got my list of beta testers at the ready for when we reach that stage. Essentially, the testers we've got looking at the program now are the ones with a coding background, making sure everything works as advertised so that there aren't quite so many mysterious happenings for the beta crew to spot....

But, if you'd like to sign up for that end of it, shoot me a note!

-=Vel=-

DeepO · August 27, 2002, 11:17

Quote:

Originally posted by BigRich
Quick question though DeepO. How did you make the testing team? I've signed up over on the Renaissance forums as a playtester, and apart from a 'Welcome aboard' mail from Vel, not heard anything back since.

I presume that 'testing' at this stage more involves code testing and writing, rather than playtesting, bug spotting and play balancing though? In which case - yeah I'd not be much good

Yes indeed, as Vel already said. Testing is primarily a code testing thing now, not really a play testing. We aren't that far yet. Plus I managed to talk Vel into giving me a job by bragging about all the industrial bugtesting I did up to now

(He returned the favor, and gave me a design role as well

)

DeepO

TechWins · September 1, 2002, 16:41

Sounds cool guys, and I think it's smart on waiting a while to release a beta.