PlaneShift

Gameplay => General Discussion => Topic started by: Kiva on September 29, 2004, 09:54:38 pm

Title: More CB news!
Post by: Kiva on September 29, 2004, 09:54:38 pm: More CB news:

http://www.planeshift.it/main_01.html

We released the client to the closed alpha testers the last saturday and they immediately started to work on it to find out bugs and problems. The first day was quite hard, since we found 2 critical bugs in the server code that made impossible testing with more than 3-4 people on-line. The bugs were very hard to find and reproduce since were happening only when a number of players was connected and the server was crashing in very different ways each time. After about 12 hours of work, the engine team found out and solved the issues! Testing restarted more than happily and a lot of new minor bugs were found and fixed. We didn\'t add in NPCs yet to focus testing on char creation and on in-game gui. Today or tomorrow we will add monsters and NPCs to the test server.

Thanks to the testers for their patience in dealing with crashes and bugs: Axsyrus, Cad, Chris, Ciry, Gronomist, Hevrah, Kada, Keldorn, KL, Kwartz, Moogie, Nilaya, Orogor, Osy, Yangbin.

Stay tuned for more reports...

Screenshots are on the main page, but right now they don\'t seem to be working. They should be up soon, though.
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Post by: Mordaan on September 29, 2004, 10:01:15 pm: *Among many who\'s heart jumps everytime there is a news update* :D

edit: oooo, I really want to see those screenies :(
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Post by: DepthBlade on September 29, 2004, 10:01:33 pm: h00ray for hardwork prevailing over \"Evil\" Bugs!

Can you feel it we are getting that much closer to the real deal people! Or is this just a hoax? *slaps himself*
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Post by: Monketh on September 29, 2004, 10:15:40 pm: Awesome. :)

Too bad the screens aren\'t working, though. Hmm...

\"It\'s all a vast, developer-wing conspiracy I say!\"
:P
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Post by: Shadowfax on September 29, 2004, 10:46:59 pm: That is just cruel. I click on the screenshot to see what I have been waiting for for so long and I get a little square with a red x. I guess the release of the screenshots had been delayed.
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Post by: JoeyB13 on September 29, 2004, 10:50:44 pm: Edit: Pictures on the site work now, One has been replaced by the correct pictures and the one that was broken is now fixed.. All is well and post not needed :)
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Post by: Mordaan on September 29, 2004, 10:58:55 pm: Thanks JoeyB!!
I think I speak for everyone when I say:
cooooool!
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Post by: Karyuu on September 29, 2004, 11:20:00 pm: Phew, the fenkis get to keep their previous outfits! XD

*applauds at the scenery*

..*squints* I see no tail. There seems to be a lack of tail. Can someone reassure me that there are tails? I\'m panicking o_o
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Post by: Kuiper7986 on September 29, 2004, 11:23:12 pm: yup the enviroment looks very attractive and pretty. And Mogura is right, I like how everything is transparent like the chat menu and the side menu on the left.
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Post by: Exuro Interficio on September 29, 2004, 11:29:36 pm: oO

*drool*

so any clue about when the testing ends and the playing begins?
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Post by: Kuiper7986 on September 29, 2004, 11:30:42 pm: dude Exuro c\'mon your better than that, read the main news site.
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Post by: Zeraph on September 29, 2004, 11:35:52 pm: that is just such Awsome News! the environment is looking verry good! Can\'t wait to play! :D
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Post by: Smokk Duranus on September 29, 2004, 11:38:07 pm: I love those screenies they look awsome!! i hope there is nothing but more good news on the way :)

PS: Ooooo is that a in-game clock i see! yay
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Post by: Monketh on September 29, 2004, 11:43:26 pm: Dang...

I was kinda hoping that we\'d be able to go off-road in the forests. :(

Dissapointing for ranger-types who won\'t be able to roam...
Can someone please tell me there are roamable forested areas? Ones that aren\'t pre-cut?
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Post by: Kuiper7986 on September 29, 2004, 11:44:17 pm: ya I noticed that to, it almost looks like a Crash Bandicoot hehe... :p
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Post by: DepthBlade on September 29, 2004, 11:44:24 pm: was hoping to see some action with a sword or spells etc..
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Post by: Jekkar on September 29, 2004, 11:59:19 pm: WOW cool screens.
Would be cool if they record some in game like they did with the first in-game trailer.
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Post by: Waylander on September 30, 2004, 12:09:53 am: Oooh that would be cool Jekkar

And they need monsters to do that Depthblade :P
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Post by: Jekkar on September 30, 2004, 12:14:22 am: Lol yeah hopefully they add in some monsters soon.

I would really like to see some combat .
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Post by: fireofsoul on September 30, 2004, 12:26:05 am: The pics on the site work now
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Post by: Waylander on September 30, 2004, 12:28:36 am: lol I just noticed Moogie has a problem with falling :P

How many times did you injure yourself there moogs?
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Post by: Efflixi Aduro on September 30, 2004, 12:49:03 am: hip hip hurrah! hip hip hurah! :)
Ah I hope we can roam the forests though :(
I want my CB :(
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Post by: Moogie on September 30, 2004, 01:05:25 am: Karyuu: Don\'t fret. Us Enki\'s have a beautiful tail, swishing side to side in such a way I could watch for hours. ^^

Waylander: Oh boy, did I have fun that day... :P Fall damage was incredibly sensitive when we first began testing. By the time you had reached the bottom of a staircase, you were dead on the floor.

But don\'t worry, things like this will be long gone by the time everyone gets to play. :)
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Post by: Karyuu on September 30, 2004, 01:17:49 am: Thanks Moogie! :D
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Post by: KameZero on September 30, 2004, 01:35:39 am: Yay Looks Like CB is really close, I can smell it.
and good thing Enkis have tails cause they rule.
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Post by: Kuiper7986 on September 30, 2004, 01:46:14 am: wait I thought there was an introduction to combat already in CB?
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Post by: Exuro Interficio on September 30, 2004, 01:50:23 am: kuiper your right, i should check the news. i have no clue what you guys are talking about! except for tails and moogie falling

*goes to check*
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Post by: Ghostslayer on September 30, 2004, 01:56:07 am: Quote
Originally posted by Moogie
By the time you had reached the bottom of a staircase, you were dead on the floor.

Lol.. the deadly staircases of doom! ;)

Very nice screenshots :D. Good to see some major bugs have been squashed.
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Post by: Efflixi Aduro on September 30, 2004, 02:50:51 am: Quote
Originally posted by Kuiper7986
wait I thought there was an introduction to combat already in CB?

Correctme if im wrong but I think their gonna add the combat a little later after they get rid of the othr bugs. so yes there will be combat
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Post by: Monketh on September 30, 2004, 03:09:34 am: Quote

PS Official News:
Today or tomorrow we will add monsters and NPCs to the test server.

No combat screenies are availible yet. None exist. Please stand by.
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Post by: Kerbox on September 30, 2004, 03:22:52 am: Just wanted to say one thing: the game looks freaking awsome! Thanks for the screenshots =)
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Post by: fireofsoul on September 30, 2004, 03:29:18 am: Kerbox that may be an understatment, i cant wait to see some combat screenies
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Post by: Tzur on September 30, 2004, 03:46:14 am: *sniffs and wipes a tear from his eyes*

It looks excellent. Here\'s to a bigger and brighter planeshift!

Ironic however, that we get an update like this the day some prophet claimed would be \"the-end-of-the-world\" =P.

I vote we keep those staircases of doom(or at least one for keepsake), they sound like fun! :D
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Post by: fireofsoul on September 30, 2004, 03:56:56 am: Fight someone and lead them there hehe
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Post by: tangerine on September 30, 2004, 04:04:56 am: Quote
Originally posted by Monketh
Dang...

I was kinda hoping that we\'d be able to go off-road in the forests. :(

Dissapointing for ranger-types who won\'t be able to roam...
Can someone please tell me there are roamable forested areas? Ones that aren\'t pre-cut?

No there are no real forests now :-/
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Post by: tangerine on September 30, 2004, 04:05:32 am: Quote
Originally posted by Monketh
Quote

PS Official News:
Today or tomorrow we will add monsters and NPCs to the test server.

No combat screenies are availible yet. None exist. Please stand by.

There is combat already, just PvP only.
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Post by: Kuiper7986 on September 30, 2004, 04:21:45 am: sorry Tangerine just confirming so you mean that

There is already PVP but tomorrow they will add monsters so people can fight it then?
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Post by: Exuro Interficio on September 30, 2004, 04:24:37 am: PvP is player vs player right?
<
are there weps and armors and stuff? or is the PvP like boxing style?
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Post by: fireofsoul on September 30, 2004, 04:26:13 am: yes pvp is person v person
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Post by: josephoenix on September 30, 2004, 04:26:36 am: Random note: Just noticed that some screenies got switched and now cb2 is what cb3 used to be, and cb3 is different :-/

josePhoenix
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Post by: fireofsoul on September 30, 2004, 04:34:54 am: Im gonna be in the magic shop alot :)
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Post by: Boldstorm on September 30, 2004, 05:25:38 am: WOW Amazing.
Everything is looking really really good. Makes waiting that much easier after I saw those shots. Keep up the great w...

Sorry tripped and fell down the stairs and had to get a rez :P
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Post by: varsity on September 30, 2004, 05:27:35 am: Paths... feeling... claustraphobic... *cough* ;)

Yey, coming along great though!
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Post by: Kiva on September 30, 2004, 08:47:49 am: The screenshots on the site seem to be working again. Talad was having some FTP problems. :)

3 of them are mine! Yay me! I\'m so good at screenshooting! :)
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Post by: Boldstorm on September 30, 2004, 09:26:15 am: *gives Grono a hug for great screenshots :D
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Post by: Tulfutzian on September 30, 2004, 04:54:19 pm: I am gonna write another boring \"great stuff, wow\" reply.

Great stuff! Wow!!!
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Post by: XpYtZ on September 30, 2004, 06:51:52 pm: Geez, this huge thread springs up overnight and I missed it all. I\'ll have to make up for it. He heh he.

WOW GREAT WORK I LOVE IT ALL!
There that should do it.
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Post by: Quwaar on September 30, 2004, 10:24:58 pm: wiii, Now Im really lookin forward to it even more. Mmmm, I wanne play

Great Work!!!
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Post by: Seytra on September 30, 2004, 10:49:18 pm: Quote
Originally posted by Gronomist
3 of them are mine! Yay me! I\'m so good at screenshooting! :)

Bah! At which distance were you standing? It\'s not a moving target and also isn\'t small. I just wonder how you\'re going to keep testing after shooting all your screens? :D

Anyway, I\'d love it if every single tree was \"real\". There\'s nothing like getting lost in a giant forest! I\'d prefer it if there were no non-modelled things in the game! No crates that aren\'t actually there, no tree that isn\'t there, no hole in the wall, no glass of wine, no dirt on the streets that isn\'t there... ooooh, that\'d be absolutely fabulos *dreams*, but also absolutely impossible. :(

Anyway, it\'s looking quite good. Just a question: the shapes seem to be very rough and edgy, is it going to stay this way?
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Post by: Monketh on September 30, 2004, 11:50:24 pm: Quote
Originally posted by Seytra
Anyway, I\'d love it if every single tree was \"real\". There\'s nothing like getting lost in a giant forest! I\'d prefer it if there were no non-modelled things in the game! No crates that aren\'t actually there, no tree that isn\'t there, no hole in the wall, no glass of wine, no dirt on the streets that isn\'t there... ooooh, that\'d be absolutely fabulos *dreams*, but also absolutely impossible. :(

It\'s called \"The Matrix\"
Wait 100~200 years. :P
(Ok, ok, bad joke)

I wonder if we can expect in future releases to see forests with each tree individually placed, (no sane man would model an entire forest of trees,) so we can walk through it. In any case, it\'s looking good. Hopefully we won\'t all die from fall damage running down the paths...

Edit: Lemme rephrase that. \"No sane man would individually model each tree in an entire forest of trees.\"
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Post by: Efflixi Aduro on October 01, 2004, 12:40:57 am: Quote
Originally posted by Monketh
I wonder if we can expect in future releases to see forests with each tree individually placed, (no sane man would model an entire forest of trees,) so we can walk through it.

The devs better be insane then :)
I really really hope the land gets coverd with forests and not with just paths.
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Post by: Seytra on October 01, 2004, 02:27:37 am: An option would IMO be to \"grow\" forests. Similar things are done everywhere. You \"seed\" it (like seeding a randomiser) and then have a set of pseudo-random functions generate a reasonably unique forest based on the seed and certain manual parameters (like predefined paths, hills, rivers, whatever). The result would then be saved and put in the zone. After creating the function(s) once, it can be used to create almost infinite numbers of forests with minimal effort. This way, nobody would have to individually place plants to create a forest, but the plants would be distinct objects and thus the forests roamable. By periodically using this function(s) on a particular forest, you can have the forest change, adding mystery to it. There could also be \"morphing\" functions, which would create a set of transitions (ideally using the current state as basis, so that player-made modifications would affect the cange), to gradually change the forest so that it is \"alive\", just like a real forest. I think the number of objects wouldn\'t be greater than in a library with distinct books, so it should be feasible, but maybe I\'m wrong.

I\'d like some matrix if it was voluntary! :)
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Post by: Stydracos on October 01, 2004, 04:12:33 am: Thanks for the screenshots, its really appreciated and gives an idea of what to expect. The screenshots look really impressive

@ Moogie : thanks for clearing that other thing up :).
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Post by: Pegasus on October 01, 2004, 09:43:27 am: Quote
Originally posted by Monketh
Quote
Originally posted by Seytra
... ooooh, that\'d be absolutely fabulos *dreams*, but also absolutely impossible. :(

It\'s called \"The Matrix\"
Wait 100~200 years. :P

Actually its called \"lucid dream\". And you dont need to wait for that - just practice (and since you got time waiting for CB i suggest you start now :) if you need resources ask).

Its really nice to get an update and a few teaser screenshots :)

And i think that you will get your forest sooner or later - it just is too early atm for that.
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Post by: Syzerian on October 01, 2004, 11:06:59 am: Hmmm, there are a lot of messages saying \"You fall and injure yourself\" but everyone has full health ?(
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Post by: Androgos on October 01, 2004, 11:25:42 am: It\'s called Regeneration, just wait and your wounds will heal
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Post by: Adeli on October 01, 2004, 12:41:31 pm: I\'m confused as to why you started talking about lucid dreams... I don\'t recall anyone asking what sort of dream it is when you are conscious and aware that you are dreaming, which is what a lucid dream is.
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Post by: Pegasus on October 01, 2004, 01:51:55 pm: Well Adeli you are correct that no one asked for it but a lucid dream is also a tool to create yourself a world as Seytra described.
There are actually some lucid dreamers out there that are trying to play a RPG in their dreams (afaik they started with tic-tac-toe and now they are writing on the rules of the rpg). The interactivity with other players is a bit slim though.

And a lucid dream is just a bit more than only be conscious and aware that you are dreaming but also that you can change your dream in any way you want (ie spawn other people, create a new landscape etc.)
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Post by: MrKaKe on October 01, 2004, 02:09:00 pm: I liked the FPS and Clock down in the corner :)
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Post by: josephoenix on October 01, 2004, 03:57:55 pm: *cracks a whip at Adeli and Pegasus*
Back on topic!

< restatement >
The screenshots are very nice. Did anyone else notice that the coriginal cb2 disappeared and now is what cb3 used to be?

Anywho, Thanks to the insomniac developers and the testers \"Building a better Crystal Blue for You!\"

good luck finding bugs and whatnot

josePhoenix
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Post by: Watcher on October 01, 2004, 05:26:12 pm: Devs, testers I have to say from the bottom of my heart
We salute all the work you are doing for the country and bringing peace to the RPG community

My first though on seeing those screens was OH HOLY SMEG!
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Post by: Androgos on October 01, 2004, 07:43:50 pm: SMEG?
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Post by: Moogie on October 01, 2004, 07:49:59 pm: Most likely Watcher used the word \"smeg\" because he\'s a Red Dwarf fan. He wouldn\'t have said it if he knew what the word actually means. ;)

Let\'s just say it\'s not something nice...
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Post by: Zeraph on October 01, 2004, 10:00:44 pm: Wow! that is incredible!
I have an idea on how to make a realistic full dark forest, but will wait till I sign up for being a Dev. :D

Btw, I always have semi-lucid dreams & they are so fun!
If I have a nightmare it usually turns into a lucid dream because I know it\'s not really real right away... but anyway, I love the CB screenies! Great Job! :]
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Post by: Syzerian on October 01, 2004, 10:10:39 pm: I must say that the HUD and GUI are perfect! They tell you everything you need to know without cluttering up the screen. Good job!
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Post by: Adeli on October 02, 2004, 02:51:56 am: Just wondering, what was the original image that has been replaced? I was out of town for a few days, and never saw the original.

OT: I know you can control your dreams, it\'s a great form of therapy. I\'m a psychology student at university. I just couldn\'t be bothered going into all details.

I for one have never had a lucid dream.
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Post by: Pegasus on October 02, 2004, 11:18:39 am: Quote
Originally posted by Adeli
Just wondering, what was the original image that has been replaced? I was out of town for a few days, and never saw the original.

I missed that one too.
From the news post: \"Stay tuned for more reports...\" I am really looking forward to those (although i hope they dont spoil too much).

OT: Yeah i think LDs are good for therapy. However i am more into the aspect of fun (stuff like flying, exploring the dream world, creating objects) and afterwards (when my LDs are a bit more stable) personal development.

I really hope that you will be on the dev team Zeraph - since your work with the Klyros model is wonderful :D
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Post by: kastirin on October 02, 2004, 01:30:56 pm: Quote
Originally posted by Moogie
Most likely Watcher used the word \"smeg\" because he\'s a Red Dwarf fan. He wouldn\'t have said it if he knew what the word actually means. ;)

Let\'s just say it\'s not something nice...

Apparently the creators of Red Dwarf invented a word as a replacement for swear words on the show. So it doesn\'t technically mean anything... http://www.wordiq.com/definition/Red_Dwarf_(television)
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Post by: Bobkat on October 02, 2004, 09:47:30 pm: Quote
Originally posted by Moogie
Let\'s just say it\'s not something nice...

Apparently the creators of Red Dwarf invented a word as a replacement for swear words on the show. So it doesn\'t technically mean anything... http://www.wordiq.com/definition/Red_Dwarf_(television)
[/QUOTE]

if you hang around with a & p students long enough you learn all kinds of interesting stuff, according to some of them smeg is used as somewhat shorthand for the longer word:
smegma
http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=smegma&x=0&y=0

which is kind of like using feces as a curse word and shortening it to four letters, which since feces sounds so technical we just use crap or other variations

meow
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Post by: Watcher on October 03, 2004, 12:36:14 pm: Oh I do know what smeg means and thats why I used it. I will not say on this forum what it means (for fear of a nice little ban sign next to my name.)

Anyway lets wip each other back on topic *pulls out kinky wip* or else
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Post by: Adeli on October 03, 2004, 03:19:58 pm: While walking back on topic, makes a short stop off topic.

Whip has an H.

Finishes his grueling journey back on topic.

What was the original image, did anyone see it?
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Post by: WiseKran on October 03, 2004, 03:28:15 pm: I was curious about the landscapes. do you think they will be smoothed out before cb is released? they look kinda sharp and angular,

also i was hoping that the walls that enclose the path are a temporary fix, because even though they are textured with some great trees, they still lack alot of realism
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Post by: jorrit on October 03, 2004, 04:08:31 pm: Quote
Originally posted by WiseKran
I was curious about the landscapes. do you think they will be smoothed out before cb is released? they look kinda sharp and angular,

Perhaps in the future but not for CB.

Quote

also i was hoping that the walls that enclose the path are a temporary fix, because even though they are textured with some great trees, they still lack alot of realism

As far as I know this is not temporary. This is a path between two levels. I think they look nice though. Perhaps we\'ll come up with something nicer in the future but at the moment it is not considered temporary.

greetings,
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Post by: Seytra on October 03, 2004, 10:07:05 pm: Quote
Originally posted by jorrit
Quote

also i was hoping that the walls that enclose the path are a temporary fix, because even though they are textured with some great trees, they still lack alot of realism

As far as I know this is not temporary. This is a path between two levels.

Cool, we can now walk from lvl to lvl! No grinding necessary! :D
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Originally posted by jorrit
I think they look nice though. Perhaps we\'ll come up with something nicer in the future but at the moment it is not considered temporary.

So this means that the actual zones will have distinct trees if there are forests? I mean, it looks nice, but nothing beats strolling off the beaten paths. ;)
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Post by: Parts on October 04, 2004, 03:11:49 am: I wonder what the chances are that SMEG might become the \'clean\' and \'in\' profanity for CB?

Its got to be better than spouting off with the regular four letter obscenities and for anyone who knows Smeg from Red Dwarf, it should at least bring a smirk to your lips ;)
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Post by: WiseKran on October 04, 2004, 03:15:03 am: can somebody please tell me about SMEG?

i have no idea what you guys are talking about :P

and im way to lazy to click all those links you provided.. a 5 sentance description, and a few lines for its uses will be substancial..lol
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Post by: Moogie on October 04, 2004, 03:18:34 am: Let\'s stop talking about the word \"smeg\" here now, please? :P Look it up on Google or something if you\'re that interested. *cracks the on-topic whip*
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Post by: gogg on October 04, 2004, 07:26:47 pm: For some reason the news never made it to the mailing list...
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Post by: Toru on October 07, 2004, 11:13:06 pm: CB is looking great and the sharp cuts in the objects don\'t matter! (the make things work better for you punks with old pc\'s!!)

Though, I completely agree that walking off the path is very important. I hope the planeshift team will consider replacing the tree-walls with an area which we could roam in. I don\'t mind the tree-walls I saw behind the magic shop as much but the paths show the tree-walls so upclose that it is quite shocking to the realism of the game.

Keep up the good work! I look forward to a wonderful planeshift future.

- Toru
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Post by: Keyaz on October 07, 2004, 11:37:49 pm: get bill gates\' personal super computer with a texte \'paste\' speed of 3 million have it paste woohoo for 300 hours, thats not near half of how im feeling :D looks so good i could die from excitement
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Post by: Pegasus on October 08, 2004, 11:10:49 am: Quote
Originally posted by Toru
I hope the planeshift team will consider replacing the tree-walls with an area which we could roam in. I don\'t mind the tree-walls I saw behind the magic shop as much but the paths show the tree-walls so upclose that it is quite shocking to the realism of the game.

Currently its just a path leading to the next map/level. So it probably will be different in a year or 5 ;)
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Post by: John_Thazer on October 08, 2004, 05:35:06 pm: Quote
Originally posted by WiseKran
can somebody please tell me about SMEG?

i have no idea what you guys are talking about :P

and im way to lazy to click all those links you provided.. a 5 sentance description, and a few lines for its uses will be substancial..lol

There is nothing much to say about Smeg...smeg is officially a replacement of all swear words in TV series Red Dwarf, Smeg can be represented by Ioian sign which consists sticking your middle and index fingers up.

Smeg is known to mean ther things in different countries but that has nothing to do with Red Dwarf, for they just abriviations.

Good example of use of smeg as from Red Dwarf
Quote
The credits roll just as Rimmer discovers the contents of the \'alien\' vessel: \"It\'s a smegging garbage pod!\"

or

Quote
Lister: The red, green and blue alert signs are all flashing. What the smeg does that mean?
Kryten: Well either we\'re under attack sir, or we\'re having a disco.

Here\'s some other random Red Dwarf quotes:

Quote
I am Holly, the ship\'s computer, with an IQ of 6000, the same IQ as 6000 PE teachers.

Quote
A pub - ahh yes. A meeting place where people attempt to achieve advanced states of mental incompetence, by the repeated consumption of fermented vegetable drinks.

Quote
Rimmer : Step up to Red Alert!
Kryten : Sir, are you absolutely sure? It does mean changing the bulb.

Quote
My mind is so numb and brain-dead, I feel like I\'ve just attended a 3 day seminar entitled \'The Future of Plumbing\'. Have you any idea how irritating you have just been? You\'re a master, there are things you could teach to tropical skin diseases.

Have a smegging good time reading this! :P

[Edit by Moogie: Fun as that was to read as a RD fan myself ;), it is completely OT, and after I made a post saying \"no more smegging smeg talk!\" :P Any more posts about it will be deleted. Thanks]

[Edit by John_Thazer: :P]
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Post by: WiseKran on October 08, 2004, 10:03:27 pm: Thanks for the claridication, i guess that brings it together, although i live in the united states, so i have never heard of Red Dwarf. am i missing something? or is it only in Europe? (sry to get off topic moogie, but i just have to know how socially secluded i am)

oh and------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Originally posted by Pegasus
Quote
Originally posted by Toru
I hope the planeshift team will consider replacing the tree-walls with an area which we could roam in. I don\'t mind the tree-walls I saw behind the magic shop as much but the paths show the tree-walls so upclose that it is quite shocking to the realism of the game.

Currently its just a path leading to the next map/level. So it probably will be different in a year or 5 ;)

does this mean there will be zone loading time in between?
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Post by: Waylander on October 08, 2004, 10:26:28 pm: God! Red dwarf, I haven\'t seen that in.....ages.

*runs off to imesh*

And it was in North America for about 2 seasons maybe, one of the main guys now is on robot wars.

OT: God! I hope not, I hate load times
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Post by: Kiva on October 08, 2004, 10:30:43 pm: Quote
Originally posted by WiseKran
Quote
Originally posted by Pegasus
Quote
Originally posted by Toru
I hope the planeshift team will consider replacing the tree-walls with an area which we could roam in. I don\'t mind the tree-walls I saw behind the magic shop as much but the paths show the tree-walls so upclose that it is quite shocking to the realism of the game.

Currently its just a path leading to the next map/level. So it probably will be different in a year or 5 ;)

does this mean there will be zone loading time in between?

I doubt your computer, nor NASA\'s, could possible hold all the current (and future) PS maps in the memory at the same time. So yes, loading time is inevitable.
Title:
Post by: Iamthom on October 08, 2004, 10:42:17 pm: *coughs* My computer could hold two copies of planeshift in memory at once.....includng all these fancy new maps.....oh wait, nevermind

*cries, then pets his 7 year old computer that is still standing strong*

Im guessing this \"loading\" time would be just about the same amount of time it takes to load PS now? Though I guess it could be quicker if it doesnt have to load things such as player entities and client info since that should already be loaded in memory.....bah, what do i know?
Title:
Post by: Seytra on October 08, 2004, 10:46:11 pm: Quote
Originally posted by Gronomist
I doubt your computer, nor NASA\'s, could possible hold all the current (and future) PS maps in the memory at the same time. So yes, loading time is inevitable.

Sure? Even my old system could...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v490/Seytra/Planeshift/cray-t916.jpg)

:D

Anyway, I prefer larger zones to smaller ones, because loading will be less frequent, albeit take longer. Maybe this can be made dynamically, according to user setting in the client?
Title:
Post by: Xordan on October 08, 2004, 10:51:31 pm: Quote
Originally posted by Gronomist
I doubt your computer, nor NASA\'s, could possible hold all the current (and future) PS maps in the memory at the same time. So yes, loading time is inevitable.

I think my pc should be able to hold CB in it\'s memory, which I\'ll be trying of course ;)

Seytra: rofl :D
Title:
Post by: Seytra on October 09, 2004, 12:27:54 am: Quote
Originally posted by Xordan
I think my pc should be able to hold CB in it\'s memory, which I\'ll be trying of course ;)

Also, if there will be 100+ GB of maps one day, it might be an option to load all maps that can be directly accessed from the current map. This loading could be done in the background, and also, if memory doesn\'t permit, be done according to some statistical likelyhood that could be dynamically determined by

1) actions and usual ways of each player

2) current missions

3) current stats (being wounded, you\'ll go to places where healers are likely to be found; with an empty backpack you\'ll head out, with full packs you\'ll head to markets, whatever)

4) proximity: if you\'re near to some exit spots, the appropriate zones could be loaded, and unloaded while you approach other exit points.

5) A player-selectable list of \"priority maps\", which will always be loaded if they can potentially be accessed from the current map.

Just my 0.02 tria
Title:
Post by: Cha0s on October 09, 2004, 01:18:34 am: Gronomist: NASA\'s computer would have no problem with it. (And many people could probably cope with the current maps now as personal computers can hold up to 8 GB of RAM).

Let\'s say PS becomes a whopping 100 GB of maps (We can dream, I guess).
One rack of Apple XServes can have up to 42 units each with up to 8GB of RAM (320 GB total). I\'m sure NASA can meet/beat that (their super computer is ranked 32 in the top 500 list, FYI. The Apple one with 1100 XServes is 3rd. That supercomputer could hold 8800 GB of data in RAM. :D ).

Theoretically, a single 64-bit computer could hold hundreds of GBs of RAM, but we\'re not quite at the point where we can run something like that without it exploding do to the heat. ;)

EDIT: Typo
Title:
Post by: Efflixi Aduro on October 09, 2004, 07:29:06 am: YOU arent at that power ;)
Oh wait, Im not eigther :P Hmm 100 gigs of map.... how long would THAT take to make O_O

Oh and the loading times better not be as long as the ones in RoE -_-
*straps on Mr.Bomby again*
Title: reducing the # of loading points...
Post by: Fiegmund on October 09, 2004, 10:05:35 am: There\'s always the option of doing it like they did DAoC. Have some kind of \"bubble\" around your char. As you move, what enters the bubble is loaded, what exits is unloaded. That allowed the game to have huge connections of \"regions\" that you can travel through without encountering a single loading point. In fact, for each of the 3 realms, the mainland is 1 huge zone, the Shrouded Isles expansion land is another, Atlantis is another, and same thing for the housing zone, and finally the Frontier (PvP area...well realm vs realm to be exact). Then there are the dungeons...each dungeon is on its own map (here by \"map\" I mean an area you can explore without having a \"loading\" screen pop in your face)

This could apply for both the line of sight and the handling of objects themselves (client-server communications regarding the state of spawned items, npcs, other players, etc), thus reducing the burden on the client pc as well as on the server.

Just my 2 copper...uhhh...I mean 1/100 tria :P

btw I also like Seytra\'s idea. it might take some logging/surveys to check out the players\' habits regarding travels, but once this is done it shouldn\'t be too hard to implement, I guess
Title:
Post by: Seytra on October 09, 2004, 07:58:07 pm: This bubble idea sounds interesting (no loading points at all certainly does have some appeal!), but they\'d need to be fairly large. They could, however, be identical to the limit of vision (where the rendering is being cut off to reduce load). Of course, this might add problems with extreme-range attacks (if the object you attack is out of the bubble, you can\'t attack it, and also, if their bubble is larger than yours, they could still attack you, so it might be a good idea to not have this selectable (but it\'d need to be done serverside in this case, to avoid modding. Attacks can easily be checked for by this, and I believe that vision can also be, but I\'m not sure)). So maybe they\'d be identical to the maximum limit of vision that can be selected?
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Post by: jorrit on October 09, 2004, 09:12:06 pm: Quote
Originally posted by Seytra
This bubble idea sounds interesting (no loading points at all certainly does have some appeal!), but they\'d need to be fairly large. They could, however, be identical to the limit of vision (where the rendering is being cut off to reduce load). Of course, this might add problems with extreme-range attacks (if the object you attack is out of the bubble, you can\'t attack it, and also, if their bubble is larger than yours, they could still attack you, so it might be a good idea to not have this selectable (but it\'d need to be done serverside in this case, to avoid modding. Attacks can easily be checked for by this, and I believe that vision can also be, but I\'m not sure)). So maybe they\'d be identical to the maximum limit of vision that can be selected?

The problem with this approach is that instead of long pauses when loading a new map you will get smaller loading pauses all the time. I personally think that will be more annoying then a long loading pause that you can also avoid by not going to that part of the map unless you have to.

Greetings,
Title:
Post by: Efflixi Aduro on October 09, 2004, 10:23:58 pm: I say about 8 second loading times are the highest they should go. Now that may seem short but staing at a screen for 10 seconds is a lot longer that out would think.
Title:
Post by: jorrit on October 09, 2004, 10:35:42 pm: Quote
Originally posted by Efflixi Aduro
I say about 8 second loading times are the highest they should go. Now that may seem short but staing at a screen for 10 seconds is a lot longer that out would think.

Don\'t get your hopes up. It will be considerably longer then 10 seconds for most maps :-)

Greetings,
Title:
Post by: KougrA on October 09, 2004, 10:43:50 pm: could somebody please rename this thread because every time i see i think \"What new cb news!\" and this thread is beggining to get older than NEW

or is there being posted new cb news in this thread... im too lazy to read it all!
Title:
Post by: Cha0s on October 09, 2004, 11:04:11 pm: Jorrit, would there be some way to implement a style similar to Diablo II? There is no loading (except between acts) in Diablo II, and the \"small loading pauses\" are practically unnoticeable (and I\'m on a 667 with only 512 RAM :P ). If something like that could be done in PS I\'d be impressed... :D
Title:
Post by: Entamis on October 10, 2004, 12:20:02 am: Quote
Originally posted by Cha0s
Jorrit, would there be some way to implement a style similar to Diablo II? There is no loading (except between acts) in Diablo II, and the \"small loading pauses\" are practically unnoticeable (and I\'m on a 667 with only 512 RAM :P ). If something like that could be done in PS I\'d be impressed... :D

Uh.. There\'s a huge difference between maps in Diablo II and Planeshift.. And I really mean huge.
Title:
Post by: Syzerian on October 10, 2004, 01:27:48 am: Diablo II is 2D all it has to load is textures and blocking volumes. Im expecting the loading times to be around the time it takes to load a UT2k4 map, but I get frustrated by games that dont have loading bars because otherwise if your comp freezes while loading it is often quite awhile untill you realise it.
Title:
Post by: Enter_the_Xero on October 10, 2004, 01:45:18 am: When I first ran PlaneShift, I thought that the game was stuck cuz I have an AMD 3000. Some system that decreases loading times and stuff would be nice. A loadging bar would be a nice and usefull thing to implant into PlaneShift too.

PS,
How is the CB beta testin\' coming?
Title:
Post by: Adeli on October 10, 2004, 02:24:26 pm: Moogie answered this in a thread in the arts forum. She answered me actually.

Quote
Originally posted by Moogie
As for the CB testing, things are a little slow right now. The good news is, we\'ve eliminated almost all of the crashes that are capable of bringing the server down. I think we\'ll only find more when more testers are let in to cause more server stress. We\'ve tested new maps, new features, new player models, combat, ingame merchants, and the enhanced NPCs (although they are currently mute, due to bugs). I\'d say more, but then I\'d be shot, and you\'d be next.

So no more asking.
Title:
Post by: leji on November 01, 2004, 03:35:20 pm: Hmm .... *looks at his old computer*... I think that lots of loading points are better than long loadings ... Of course it depends on the definition of \'long\', but I guess that loading a whole forest with real trees would be very very long

Could we have some new screenshots ? the ones on the website are quite old ... and some more NEWS NEWS NEWS !!! pleaaaase !!!
*sneaks behind Gronomist to catch a glimpse of CB*
Title:
Post by: Watcher on November 01, 2004, 10:07:05 pm: I recon we should have a option, those who wish to load a gaint area (divide the map into 4 squares) for those who wish to wait. Then smaller loading zones for pepole who cant wait.
Title:
Post by: Adeli on November 01, 2004, 11:54:32 pm: I\'m not sure, but wouldn\'t that be hard to implement?
Title:
Post by: Watcher on November 01, 2004, 11:59:53 pm: Well I think its just the client telling the server how much to load but I dont exacty know. We would need a dev or something to englighten us.
Title:
Post by: dfryer on November 02, 2004, 12:25:14 am: Currently everything is broken up into zones... some of those zones are large (e.g. hydlaa) and some are not. It is possible to command your computer to load all those zones at once, which is a bad idea if you don\'t have enough memory... Currently there is no easy way to automatically break up the zones into smaller pieces.

Loading in the background is something that would also be difficult right now, so for CB you\'re just going to have to suffer the load times.
Title:
Post by: Kuiper7986 on November 02, 2004, 01:47:23 am: shucks, it\'ll take us dialupers like 15 minutes too load, oh well...

edit: Also is there going to be percent meter that tells us how many percent of the new zone is loading until it hits 100%?
Title:
Post by: Seytra on November 02, 2004, 02:20:07 am: Huh? I think that the zones are loded from the local storage (i.e., harddisk), where they have been placed by the installer, so the type of your connection doesn\'t matter at all once you have downloaded the installer... new zones will be patched in using updates, so it\'s all on your disk... it would be really, really stupid to have the client download tha maps each time you visit them, as they don\'t change frequently...

Edit: Did you all miss that there are even more CB news out there? :P

Quote
Originally posted on the news page
2004.10.31

We are working so intensely that we forgot to post news!

Alpha Test Phase 1 was completed 2 weeks ago. We tested the installer, the char creation and the basics of game controls. 20 people participated to it.

Alpha Test Phase 2 started just after with two sets of 25 people admitted to the testing, raising the total population of testers to 70 people (not all active). Players for phase 2 were chosen on the forums with a \"first in first served\" process.

This phase is a lot more complex since we are testing the main features of the game. At start we introduced just few non-fighters NPCs to test interaction, then we added some monsters to check fighting rules. Spells have been unlocked just this week and just the base ones are available for now. We prefer to go step by step, even with that approach there is a lot to fix! Over the last 3 weeks 120 bugs were found, classified and fixed. About 50 are still under our fingers.

We planned Phase 2 to complete 2 days ago, but there are those 50 bugs that need our attention before going on, plus we have to add more content to see what testers discover.

Wow, 2 days ago? CB seems to be really, really, really close now! Must. Buy. New. Computer. Immediately.
Quote
Originally posted on the news page
When Phase 2 will be completed we will have a migration period, in which we will shutdown the MB server and allow players to transfer their characters to the new server. This phase should last no more than 2 weeks. After this the old db will be deleted and we will allow new characters to be created. So the new release will be finally available to anyone. Seems a long process, but while you relax and watch TV, all this is going forward :)

Obviously, despite common belief (like mine :P) chars will be transferrable. Strange, but hey. :)
Quote
Originally posted on the news page
We are very positive about the current status of Crystal Blue release and, even if not a complete game, we think it will be an enjoyable tech demo for many.

Whee! :tup:
Title:
Post by: Ghostslayer on November 02, 2004, 02:40:39 am: Quote
Originally posted by Kuiper7986
shucks, it\'ll take us dialupers like 15 minutes too load, oh well...

edit: Also is there going to be percent meter that tells us how many percent of the new zone is loading until it hits 100%?

Quote

*** 2004-10-23 by Trent Waddington
- Added a progress bar to the load screen.

And Seytra is correct, the server does not stream every map to your comptuter everytime you change sectors. The bandwith usage on the server would be crazy after a while ;)
Title: Good news...
Post by: John_Thazer on November 02, 2004, 09:44:00 am: Ah! Finally some good news regarding PlaneShift, after all these years we are closer to CrystalBlue than ever...(well apart last year...:P)
Title:
Post by: Mordaan on November 02, 2004, 02:25:35 pm: They mention about transferring characters, but not about crystals. Has a desicion been made on that? ?(
Title:
Post by: jorrit on November 02, 2004, 09:38:16 pm: Quote
Originally posted by Mordaan
They mention about transferring characters, but not about crystals. Has a desicion been made on that? ?(

As far as I know that is what is being meant by that.

Greetings,
Title:
Post by: Adeli on November 03, 2004, 04:50:50 pm: I never even knew there was new news... I was at my girlfriend\'s house. I\'m always there when something big happens (like phase 2 selections), maybe I should camp there, and CB will be out sooner..?
Quote
Alpha Test Phase 2 started just after with two sets of 25 people admitted to the testing, raising the total population of testers to 70 people (not all active).
Umm, not all active?? What\'s the point in a non-active tester? Am I missing something here?

The migration, I want my name (and crystals if possible) but I don\'t want to be an Ylian... is this possible? Having the name Tyralus is a must for me... It\'s who I\'ve become in Hydlaa.
Title:
Post by: John_Thazer on November 03, 2004, 04:55:47 pm: Strange I am looking at the page and those news are gone now!!!
Title:
Post by: Adeli on November 03, 2004, 05:03:24 pm: http://www.planeshift.it/main_01.html
Quote
We are working so intensely that we forgot to post news!

Alpha Test Phase 1 was completed 2 weeks ago. We tested the installer, the char creation and the basics of game controls. 20 people participated to it.

Alpha Test Phase 2 started just after with two sets of 25 people admitted to the testing, raising the total population of testers to 70 people (not all active). Players for phase 2 were chosen on the forums with a \"first in first served\" process.

This phase is a lot more complex since we are testing the main features of the game. At start we introduced just few non-fighters NPCs to test interaction, then we added some monsters to check fighting rules. Spells have been unlocked just this week and just the base ones are available for now. We prefer to go step by step, even with that approach there is a lot to fix! Over the last 3 weeks 120 bugs were found, classified and fixed. About 50 are still under our fingers.

We planned Phase 2 to complete 2 days ago, but there are those 50 bugs that need our attention before going on, plus we have to add more content to see what testers discover.

When Phase 2 will be completed we will have a migration period, in which we will shutdown the MB server and allow players to transfer their characters to the new server. This phase should last no more than 2 weeks. After this the old db will be deleted and we will allow new characters to be created. So the new release will be finally available to anyone. Seems a long process, but while you relax and watch TV, all this is going forward :)

We are very positive about the current status of Crystal Blue release and, even if not a complete game, we think it will be an enjoyable tech demo for many.
Title:
Post by: Seytra on November 03, 2004, 06:29:04 pm: Quote
Originally posted by Adeli
I never even knew there was new news... I was at my girlfriend\'s house. I\'m always there when something big happens (like phase 2 selections), maybe I should camp there, and CB will be out sooner..?

Nah, CB will be out the next time you are there, so just ensure that you go there as soon as possible. :D
Quote
Originally posted by Adeli
Quote
Alpha Test Phase 2 started just after with two sets of 25 people admitted to the testing, raising the total population of testers to 70 people (not all active).
Umm, not all active?? What\'s the point in a non-active tester? Am I missing something here?

That most likely means that the total population (i.e., number of characters) is 70, but that the actual active testers is about 50, since the phase 1 testers will probably not all be actively participating (that\'s what the phase 2 testers have been icked to do).
Quote
Originally posted by Adeli
The migration, I want my name (and crystals if possible) but I don\'t want to be an Ylian... is this possible? Having the name Tyralus is a must for me... It\'s who I\'ve become in Hydlaa.

See my other post on the \"migration period\" thread. :)

@ John_Thazer: the news are there, you just need to hit the \"reload\" button of your browser to get it to refresh the cache with the new page.
Title:
Post by: Kiva on November 03, 2004, 06:32:45 pm: Quote
That most likely means that the total population (i.e., number of characters) is 70, but that the actual active testers is about 50, since the phase 1 testers will probably not all be actively participating (that\'s what the phase 2 testers have been icked to do).

It\'s more like some are on vacation, some are sick, some forgot about PS after signing in the thread, etc. And the P1 testers still test.
Title:
Post by: Adeli on November 03, 2004, 07:27:19 pm: Imagine signing up and not checking if you got in...

Thankyou both, between the two of you, my questions were all answered.

Seytra, I should go there soon... even if it isn\'t released... I get to spend time with her, and that\'s my favourite thing in the world right now.
Title:
Post by: Xordan on November 04, 2004, 12:34:29 am: Imagine being a tester and deliberatly refusing to test :rolleyes:
Title:
Post by: Seytra on November 04, 2004, 02:36:53 am: Imagine stealing from the community. (by occupying a space (thereby denying it to real testers) but not fulfilling the duties you promised to fulfill (in conjunction with the first point effectively denying the whole PS community the service of effective testing))
It is my opinion that the ppl. who signed up for testing but don\'t have any good reason to explain why they are not testing should be permanently banned from PS, game and board, as this is just as bad as cheating.
Title:
Post by: |Zidewinder| on November 04, 2004, 03:14:03 am: At the very least they should be removed from the test, and someone else should be given the opportunity to take their slot.
Title:
Post by: Myrtl on November 04, 2004, 04:16:44 am: Quote
Originally posted by Xordan
Imagine being a tester and deliberatly refusing to test :rolleyes:

Ha, ya that wouldnt make sence would it :P
Title:
Post by: Adeli on November 04, 2004, 08:07:34 am: Surely there isn\'t anyone like that?

I agree with Seytra on this one, unless something big came up to stop them testing, having no reason should result in a ban... perhaps temporary.
Title:
Post by: Madouc on November 04, 2004, 11:23:38 am: do i sense some frustration here?
people nog being selected complaynig about people being selected but not testing?

if it would be a big problem, more or other testers would be selected woudn\'t there?
Title:
Post by: Karosh_Steinkatz on November 04, 2004, 12:24:10 pm: The thing is that there are really some who are spotted only rarely online :(

[my impression]
The first days they are testing stuff, but after a few days they get bored or think it\'s untestable, so they wait until some bugs are eliminated :rolleyes:
[/my impression]
Title:
Post by: Adeli on November 04, 2004, 12:39:26 pm: Madouc you are misunderstanding our complaint.
The fact that we were not selected is irrelevant.
We are annoyed that people who did get selected, are not doing what the devs asked for, and what they are needed to do.
This is Irresponsible. There will not be anything done, because phase two is almost over.
Title:
Post by: dfryer on November 04, 2004, 08:19:43 pm: Personally I don\'t think that (given the method of selection) 100% active participation/useful contribution was expected.
Title:
Post by: Xalthar on November 04, 2004, 10:49:30 pm: 6 hours per tester was the only amount of time requested to be spent on testing.
Title:
Post by: Adeli on November 04, 2004, 10:51:08 pm: Six hours? In total?
Title:
Post by: Xalthar on November 04, 2004, 10:53:34 pm: during the one week it was supposed to be running. Obviously it has been running for more than 1 week, so more than 6 hours has been spent per tester.

Quote
Originally posted by Talad
- possibility to dedicate at least 6 hours in the next week to testing
Title:
Post by: Xordan on November 04, 2004, 11:41:38 pm: Well lets just say I\'ve done everyone elses share by doing 6h a day :D
Title:
Post by: Boldstorm on November 04, 2004, 11:46:02 pm: Quote
Originally posted by Xordan
Well lets just say I\'ve done everyone elses share by doing 6h a day :D

Well I have thought about how I would like to be playing/testing for at least 6 hours a day if that counts for anything. :P
Title:
Post by: Adeli on November 04, 2004, 11:55:24 pm: I knew I could count on you Xordan.
At least some are there to pick up the others\' slack.
Title:
Post by: AendarCallenlasse on November 05, 2004, 01:02:41 am: Quote
Well lets just say I\'ve done everyone elses share by doing 6h a day

Yes we now know how the game will affect bug exploiters and spawn-campers :]

And those of you complaining about people not testing: Let\'s not forget that some of us are in differrent timezones. Unless any tester has spent 24 hours non-stop in-game they can\'t say who is or isn\'t testing.[/COLOR]
Title:
Post by: Seytra on November 05, 2004, 02:35:57 am: Adeli is correct, we\'re not complaining \"because we didn\'t get in\". If you check the selection threads, you\'ll notice that I have had plenty of time to put my name in the US timezone one. However, I didn\'t, because I knew that I wouldn\'t be of any use due to my sub-standard system.

No, as Adeli has pointed out, it\'s that if you sign up for the test, you promise to be available. You just don\'t forget about PS after signing in the thread!

So if you don\'t have a good reason for not testing (and no, getting bored does not count, as you should know what testing is about if you sign in!), you obviously only wanted to steal someone elses place.

I know that the testers are in different timezones and I\'m not complaining about that. If anything, the server logs will show how active each tester has been, so that\'s what\'s important IMNSHO.
Title:
Post by: Adeli on November 05, 2004, 04:26:17 am: I agree Seytra, I was going to comment on the server logs too, I had naturally assumed that is where the fact that not all were active had come from... Timezones are irrelevant when you have logs.
I laughed at \"IMNSHO\"