Post by xorange90x on Sept 4, 2008 16:34:58 GMT -5
Here is what callisto talks about GZ2 (somewhat in response to Wat dost thou desire of us thread):
Let my try to put the different aspects mentioned in this thread apart a bit:
1.) Developing a new game on a new platform
Short answer: It's NOT gonna happen. You're completely blending out the amount of time that it takes to re-develop a game on new code. And to be frank: It's mostly me spending that time and I just don't have it available. After a year of developing a new game, we'd probably end up were we are right now. And in general, I'm quite OK with the XNA platform. What that the platform is really lacking is simple: an installer.
2.) "Finishing" the guitar game first.
I started implementing the drums now and it has caused many (code-) changes that I don't want to roll back. Therefore, you will get drums with the next releases, whether you like it or not
Also, what's wrong with having a game that supports drums as well? The RB Guitar Singleplayer tour delivers an experience that is basically identical to what GH offers - so why have a guitar only game in the first place?
3.) Customization
Let me make a general note: Making something customizable is mostly a cheap way out of a situation where you're unable to take a decision. It ends up with the game feeling blurred. I'd be happy if we were able to take more decisions and not always end any discussion with "make it customizable". Sounds weird, but when I'm asking you whether I should go for the "RB graphics" style, the answer "make it customizable" is not helpful, because you can assume that I already considered that. In fact, I'm going to ban the next person to mention that word *g*
4.) Motivation / Community participation
Participation of this community is fading. But putting up a new project is NOT gonna change that for very long. Instead, let's broaden our community base by getting much more people to play the game.
So here is what I think we should do:
1) Goal 1: Not release buggy betas anymore.
- We form a team of beta testers and artists. Only those get the new versions.
- Artists adapt the art for new features, testers check for bugs.
- This team communicates in a private forum part.
- Only when bugs have been worked out, do we make a release.
2) Goal 2: Improve "distribution" of the game
- Each publically released version shall come with an installer, a better graphics mod.
- Song packs need to be assembled for the default version.
3) Goal 3: Improve our "community face".
- The primary way of distribution new game versions should be a webpage, not the forum.
- The page needs to be simple, friendly looking and should NOT require a login to download the game (I still like the original layout proposal by s1ntex s1ntex.dyskietka.org/gz/)
- I'd really like to switch to a different forum provider. Possibly one that use phpBB - it looks so much friendlier than this one.
- The page shall include complete modpacks and songpacks for the current version. Mod packs should not be updated anymore by only distributing the changed "menu.xml" at page 31 in a forum thread.
4) Goal 4: Actively approach the community:
- Only after we got the previous points covered.
- Contact gaming pages (magazines like PC Gamer, Freeware pages etc.) and hint them at the game and our page.
Now swallow, think about this for a second and tell me what you think. I specifically mention this so detailled because I'd like your help in doing it.
1.) Developing a new game on a new platform
Short answer: It's NOT gonna happen. You're completely blending out the amount of time that it takes to re-develop a game on new code. And to be frank: It's mostly me spending that time and I just don't have it available. After a year of developing a new game, we'd probably end up were we are right now. And in general, I'm quite OK with the XNA platform. What that the platform is really lacking is simple: an installer.
2.) "Finishing" the guitar game first.
I started implementing the drums now and it has caused many (code-) changes that I don't want to roll back. Therefore, you will get drums with the next releases, whether you like it or not
Also, what's wrong with having a game that supports drums as well? The RB Guitar Singleplayer tour delivers an experience that is basically identical to what GH offers - so why have a guitar only game in the first place?3.) Customization
Let me make a general note: Making something customizable is mostly a cheap way out of a situation where you're unable to take a decision. It ends up with the game feeling blurred. I'd be happy if we were able to take more decisions and not always end any discussion with "make it customizable". Sounds weird, but when I'm asking you whether I should go for the "RB graphics" style, the answer "make it customizable" is not helpful, because you can assume that I already considered that. In fact, I'm going to ban the next person to mention that word *g*
4.) Motivation / Community participation
Participation of this community is fading. But putting up a new project is NOT gonna change that for very long. Instead, let's broaden our community base by getting much more people to play the game.
So here is what I think we should do:
1) Goal 1: Not release buggy betas anymore.
- We form a team of beta testers and artists. Only those get the new versions.
- Artists adapt the art for new features, testers check for bugs.
- This team communicates in a private forum part.
- Only when bugs have been worked out, do we make a release.
2) Goal 2: Improve "distribution" of the game
- Each publically released version shall come with an installer, a better graphics mod.
- Song packs need to be assembled for the default version.
3) Goal 3: Improve our "community face".
- The primary way of distribution new game versions should be a webpage, not the forum.
- The page needs to be simple, friendly looking and should NOT require a login to download the game (I still like the original layout proposal by s1ntex s1ntex.dyskietka.org/gz/)
- I'd really like to switch to a different forum provider. Possibly one that use phpBB - it looks so much friendlier than this one.
- The page shall include complete modpacks and songpacks for the current version. Mod packs should not be updated anymore by only distributing the changed "menu.xml" at page 31 in a forum thread.
4) Goal 4: Actively approach the community:
- Only after we got the previous points covered.
- Contact gaming pages (magazines like PC Gamer, Freeware pages etc.) and hint them at the game and our page.
Now swallow, think about this for a second and tell me what you think. I specifically mention this so detailled because I'd like your help in doing it.
