Server ModicationsDark_Phoenix_{9thIL}: For starters, can people modify the # of players per server outside of the normal 32 person limit in order to make it larger, such as a 64 person server?
Trajan: You probably can do that, but unless the upcoming patch for T:V fixes the netcode in a major way, going over 32 would be...not a good idea …
Dark_Phoenix_{9thIL}: So even people with high-end bandwidth capable of running dedicated servers would doubtfully go above 32?
Trajan: The server code would bring even moderately powerful server to their knees….I suggest you check the tribalwar forum>tribes talk and do a search for "servers" for more info.
Engine Preference
IVIaedhros: Thnx for the link, I'll ask a question: if you could transfer SS:2845's current work over to another engine, what would you pick?
Trajan: UT2k4
IVIaedhros: Why is that...I've heard a lot about the source engine...what makes it better?
Trajan: Source may be better but it would require us to rework 90% of our assets, not an option. UT2k4 already has the majority of vehicle code we need, only thing we'd have to put in would be HERC code, but that's not an option either because it's not owned by VU.
32 vs 64 player gameplay
Dark_Phoenix_{9thIL}: In a similarly related question, do you consider being able to only have 32 people per server a drawback and why?
Trajan:: Of course, but we have to play the hand we're dealt. If we could, 64 and up would be ideal. Like I said earlier, hopefully the upcoming patch tweaks the netcode, otherwise 32 is it.
Dark_Phoenix_{9thIL}: So you believe that tactics might be limited by 16 people? Considering the amount of teamwork required for the WAR game type, it might be challenging to with 32.
Trajan: I didn't say that. I believe 64 people would allow for more monumental feeling gameplay.
Tactical design
IVIaedhros: I have a development question: do you guys design gameplay to favor certain tactics or do you mostly design the game and let people come up with their own stuff?
Trajan: The last one; trying to design a game that forces people to play only a certain way leads to the bargain bin. We're giving you the tools, and multiple ways to achieve objectives. it's up to the players to figure out how they want to do it .
In-Game Voice Support
Dark_Phoenix_{9thIL}: Will SS2845 support an In-Game Voice chat system using Microphones, or will users have to get an additional client, such as TeamSpeak, to talk to each other?
Trajan: Additional client, the net code is problematic already. Why would we add to that load? Also, having to listen to dumb asses spew racist/sexist/profanity filled remarks every pub...
Cheating
Dark_Phoenix_{9thIL}: So what are you guys going to do to address the issue of cheaters?
Trajan: We're not doing anything, this is a MOD, we have no control over that unless it's a cheat enabled by something we added.
Map DL'ing
Dark_Phoenix_{9thIL}: So it will be much like StarSiege where the only 'mods' will be done by the server not by the client?
Trajan: Any changes made to the game have to be server side, there is no client side scripting .
Chemeleon: Keep in mind that there is no longer anything like server side mapping, so even the slightest change will require the client to download the map.
Fears for 2845
IVIaedhross: Alright I have question: what are you most of afraid of that could go wrong with this mod?
Trajan: Let's just say I'm not afraid of anything going wrong with the MOD and leave it at that.
Sectaurs: Well said, Trajan; I've no worries about our team fulfilling expectations.
Chemeleon: The main problem I worry about at this point is the internet overloading and going down due to our huge popularity upon release
Map Hubs
Dark_Phoenix_{9thIL}: Will the SS2845 site support the download of new maps as a 'hub' of sorts, or will we have to search for them or get them from the makers directly?
Chemeleon: Not sure…Trajan would have to answer that...I know ut2k could download maps when you connected to the server, but I vaguely remember seeing someone say that was broken in Tribes: Vengeance, so not sure if that is currently supported.
Trajan: T:V auto download works. A fix was found for it by the community. I believe that is one of the things that will be fixed in the patch. And to answer the [original] question, we won't offer the map downloads but we will advertise and rate them. Mapraider.com will be the site that functions as the map depot. We've already worked out the hosting with them and they have some nice community features.
IVIaedhross: Yes, you mentioned that before...besides them and TWL,, are there any other 3rd parties your planning to get help from?
Trajan: Definitely, we've gotten approached by some other leagues and such, like shout casting stations, but it's premature to even bother lining anything up this early,
Vortex: Just trying to clarify, new maps will be downloaded via website as well as streamed by connecting in game, correct?
Trajan: Yes
The EMPDark_Phoenix_{9thIL}: HERC-Combat wise, do you expect people will go for the EMP + Other combo weapons still, or will we see more 'unique' figures?
Trajan: The EMP will not be as important in this game as it was in SS. The game is being designed to be more armor centric, not shield centric.
ClanCore
Vortex: I'm curious, what makes ClanCore different from all other companies that claim to be community based? Many (like bungie) state they are gamers themselves and such, so what makes Clancore different from all those that have had the same mantra?
Trajan: We don't get paid. It doesn't get any more community than that. While this presents certain hardships, the plus side is we have no budgets, stockholders, time constraints, etc, to worry about.
Chemeleon: ^^ We do it entirely because we want to, whereas those at Bungie or wherever have a regular paycheck as incentive.
and we have no people getting pissy over why bob the concept guy gets paid more than I do
IVIaedhros: It sounds like you guys set enough time constraints on yourselves without someone else
Trajan: I'm an impatient asshole
, actually I'd say it's a combination of everyone constantly being amazed at what they contribute being handled by many other people and the cool way it turns out in the end. ATR playability
Vortex: Hey, about the ATR…I can't recall, but didn't you state earlier that it would be usable only for a limited time?
Trajan: Yeah, but...some things have changed, that may…repeat "may" no longer be an issue. The thing people need to remember is this, the ATR is NOT representative of the final game. It is simply something were releasing so people can run around like idiots.
T:V and the ATR
Vortex: Another ATR question, will the ATR still require T:V to play?
Trajan: Yes
IVIaedhros: They have a legal agreement about that right?
Trajan: Yes, there is a legal agreement.
Hardest assigment
IVIaedhros: What have been some of the hardest assignments that you, personally, have had to take on?
Chemeleon: I think the brid models overall are the hardest. Keeping all the curves smooth while staying on target for poly count can be tricky. The human models tend to be sharp angles and straight edges, and therefore much easier to model
Sectaurs: I agree completely. Plus, we're in charge with creating things from an 'alien' point of view, and while we have excellent concept artists, sometimes it's tricky to really capture the vibe. We all know what a human machine looks like... but what's a Cybrid one look like?
Chemeleon: There are times when I think the concept artists delight in coming up with the trickiest designs possible
Design Themes
IVIaedhros: To the artists: is it hard sometimes having to switch between so many different design themes? I mean, you have Metagen, Promethean, Colonial, and Imperial in-game alone, so that's not counting anything in the Compendium or any generic stuff.
Chemeleon: It's usually not too bad and the fact that we nearly always have concepts to work from helps a good bit.
Sectaurs: Yup, as long as we let the concept artists do their job, its not too hard and [things] go much quicker.
Previous Work
IVIaedhros: Alright, this is to everyone again, what other things have you worked on before SS:2845?
Chemeleon: Legends was my first project, since then I've worked on gravrally with 21-6, several contract jobs, and a run and gun platformer that's something of a private project.
Level DesignIVIaedhros: This one's to Super Powio: are there any specific things you try to build into maps? Maybe you always have several good back-routes, some cover, a certain amount of base defense, etc
Super Powio: Well at the moment I haven't actually delved into BSP editing too much. Sentinel and I have been hard at work though making sure the alpha maps for the terrains look right though.
Sectaurs: Let me just say... they're purdy. :nudge
Super_Powio: Yeah, he's been doing some of the textures for the ATR while I've been working on the alphamaps. For the terrain layout, the rolling hills from SS isn't going to cut it for the mod, but the way we have doing things have taken care of that part by itself.
IVIaedhros: How are you planning on making it different?
Super_Powio: Well, we needed some kind of compromise between SS terrain and T:V terrain, so obviously there are going to be more hills than you might have seen in SS, but that's a given. Trust me though; they'll still be plenty of room to roam with HERC's.
Favorite Concepts
IVIaedhros: To dragonspit: can you name one or two concepts that your particularly proud of and/or like?
dragonspit: I was real happy to see my original foray into the scene get finished a week or two ago, It is a long range weapon. I don't know if I am allowed to say it, but it was very cool. It was nice to see that brought me into the group and become something more. I am more excited about the mission environment stuff, I am getting ready to do.
I did the human repair station as well, and that turned out cool. I have to tell you. I have done so many concepts, I am unsure where they all are.
Vortex: As in HERC repair?
dragonspit: Vortex , I believe so. I think it was in a pub last month. But, every time one of the modelers picks it up, they make it better. Same with the skinners.
Chemeleon: Yea, Trinity recently finished the skin for the HERC repair station, not sure when Trajan will release pics of it though
IVIaedhros: Cool, I look forward to seeing that
Rearming Stations
Vortex: Does this mean we will also have rearming stations? Or is that function incorporated into the repair station?
Chemeleon: No idea, I dont recall trajan saying one way or the other.
dragonspit: I'm not sure. I just draw pretty pictures, most of the time.
Lujan: I believe that is classified information at this point.
Chemeleon: Oh, hi Lujan, didn't notice you there.
Lujan: I just came in a moment ago
dragonspit: Uh oh, sneaky little bastard ain't he?
Final Thoughts:
"You guys have barely seen anything when it comes to the cool shit, think of how badly WE want to play it." Sectaurs
"Are you suggesting there's a life outside of SS?"Trajan
"Yes, I am. The fact that you've appointed someone to keg keeping duties is a testament to that fact." IVIaedhros
Jake "Trajan" Massie (USA) – Producer
Matthew "Chemeleon" Mitman (USA) - 3d modeling
Ian "Sectaurs" Wells (USA) - 3d modeling
Bob "Dragonspit" Ryder (USA) - Concept artist
Jeremy "Super Powio" Matias (USA) - Level design
Colin "Lujan" Campbell (USA) - General Project Manager
Related Links:
