From my, albeit limited, understanding of things...developing games for Vista doesn't cancel out if being something that'll work on other Windows builds or OS's.  At least, until the DX10 behemoth is in full swing...odds are seemingly remote-imaginary that MS will see fit to force DX10 capabilities out for XP seeing as how it is the main carrot to entice the gaming population to upgrade.

I was under the impression that the Games for Windows initiative was primarliy designed at streamlining the mire of system requirements for games to their 1-5 scale should publishers, devs, etc register up with them.  Also, I keep wanting to think there was a part about those who do choose to officially go at it get some form of aid in regard to getting the most out of the new OS, DX10, and so forth---with the aim being a higher quality product to sell/promote the Age of Vista.

I haven't come across any Vista v. Open-Source/OpenGL/etc articles or testimonials...hence my curiosity here considering this to be the only "Open" project I keep up with.  Clearly, Vista is going to become the new standard unless something bizarre happens if by no other virtue than being the new default for PC's sold via DELL and the like.  Same goes for the push to increase the strength of the PC gaming side of things---which is the part that'd perhaps have the largest potential effect on the future of PLaneshift.

Edit: Upon randomly looking through the Gameplay FAQ just now, it seems as of Jan 9th Vista was declared a no-go based on a lack of driver support.  Has anything changed since then in terms of thinking necessary drivers are en route at some point or does that present a perpetual "no-go" as far as everything shakes out?

Getter,

PlaneShift's development will never cease. We will never have a "final" version simply because that's not what we're aiming at. There will always be new features, new items, new graphics, even new worlds (the name does have some meaning, after all). So there should be absolutely no worries about limited numbers of things - we're nowhere near any "this is enough for the final game" limit :]

Regardless, my only issue with Valorius' suggestion was to include the "Tai-Chi" name. If Claymores are alright with the project director, well, that's his choice. It's also his choice that we have dwarves and elves, but never any dragons - PlaneShift is his brainchild and he gets to pick and choose what makes it in :} I think the majority of gamers no longer see claymores as something very specific to a certain place or time period, while the more exotic eastern weapons are still very location-specific. At least, this is the way I personally see it and this is the overwhelming mentality I have seen in others.

But would hearing "Tai-Chi" in-game break the roleplay immersion for me? I think the answer is a yes.

Ah, my mistake...I could've worded myself better.  I understand that growth of the game is essential and ongoing...I'd just object to that growth running into any "invisible walls" made from limitations from other games' mindsets/biases and such.  Planeshift simply isn't any of those other games.  Were it to try to be an amalgam of several popular insular, derivative games it would never manage to go the distance.

I'd venture that Rageway mentioned it specifically as Tai-Chi as a point of reference...what with that being the more common nomenclature.  Essentially, it doesn't really matter what it was called...what matters is the essence of it...the style...the implementation.  We could just translate everything into the game into a Sanscrit variant and slim to nobody would have any idea what was what if not for the fact that, names/language aside, things are what they are and function as they do.  Would we have to incorporate "Kung-Fu" and the "Gatka" from my link into the game as a whole?  Of course not.  But we probably should incorporate their features/distinctions/nuances in order to beget a much wider range of options to enrich both the RP and combat.

Simply:  It'd be unwise to get hampered by the language or origin of stuff like this within reason(outside of the esoteric, because that can serve even better purposes in terms of mystery and intrigue)...the critical thing to focus on is the root features, philosophy, and designs of it.  Unless the aim is there to just forsake a tremendous amount of relevant weaponry in lieu of user created weaponry that may arrive at similar, if not identical, designs in a crapshoot...why not avail ourselves of the rich and often mysterious if not unknown legacy of human combative ingenuity and creativity that the outstanding majority of other games across multiple genres have largely ignored or just touched upon?  Wouldn't having a broad representation of human endeavors thus far within the scope of this area be an especially excellent springboard for new ideas especially relevant to the Planeshift experience?  They say one has to come to grips with History before one can be certain you are actually making new, innovative progress as opposed to coming up with a 7,000 year old idea all over again.  Time scale indicators of progress/level of development are highly artificial afterall.

Sorry if I'm not making much sense?   

I'll also commend the site redesign...quite a nice update.   

The hilarious thing is that the design will only get better and better as the commmunity grows while the game improves by leaps and bounds.  Just think of how much more there'll be to draw from come Happy New Year '08.