Blog update - NS2 progress update

FlayraFlayra Game Director, Unknown Worlds EntertainmentSan Francisco Join Date: 2002-01-22 Member: 3Super Administrators, NS2 Developer, Subnautica Developer
edited July 2007 in NS2 General Discussion
<div class="IPBDescription">Businessy stuff mostly</div>Post your comments about <a href="http://www.unknownworlds.com/blog/2007/07/ns2_general_update_1.html" target="_blank">this blog entry</a> here.
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  • PeabushPeabush Join Date: 2007-07-13 Member: 61575Members, Reinforced - Shadow
    edited July 2007
    Really exciting, psyched for you folks. Keep it up. Keep an eye out for artizts !
    Oh and i'm all tingly now. Duno if its the blog update or the unbalanced soda diet im on.

    To see and hear that investors are interested, and also that the scripts for the weapons are coming together.
    Toooyoota!

    <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/marine.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="::marine::" border="0" alt="marine.gif" />
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  • yodayoda Join Date: 2003-11-27 Member: 23619Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    Nice. Keep up the good work, cant wait to see some more pix <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />

    Worried about the word 'outsourcing' but I guess it would speed things up abit.
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  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Join Date: 2003-11-28 Member: 23688
    I hope outsourcing your art content doesnt cause you any trouble with keeping the NS art style consistent.
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  • korzeckorzec Join Date: 2006-11-12 Member: 58553Members
    i was a bit surprised with this investors O.o but i hope for it to be the way to have new ns in maybe ... ? one year or something <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" /> keep the updates coming ;d thanks
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  • MaxMax Technical Director, Unknown Worlds Entertainment Join Date: 2002-03-15 Member: 318Super Administrators, Retired Developer, NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators, NS2 Developer, Constellation, Subnautica Developer, Pistachionauts, Future Perfect Developer
    Outsourcing is just having external people do the work rather that people internal to the company. Since the company is just Charlie and I and neither of us are artists, all of the artwork we have to-date is outsourced (same thing is true for all of the artwork in Natural Selection 1).

    What Charlie mentioned is basically just us thinking about working with companies that do outsourcing in addition to the individuals that we're currently working with. So if we did do that, I don't think it we'd have any additional difficulty in keeping the art consistent -- probably less, since more of the artists would be located in the same geographic place and possibly in San Francisco where we're located.

    There are different reasons company's outsource work, but most people probably think of it as a means of cutting costs by using Asian workers. A common assumption is that the quality suffers when you do this (you get what you pay for...), although I'd say Gears of War demonstrates pretty well that's not necessarily the case. But that's not why we're thinking about working with outsourcing companies anyway. For it's simply an option to help us get the game done more quickly.
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  • ScytheScythe Join Date: 2002-01-25 Member: 46NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators, Constellation, Reinforced - Silver
    Good news! Sounds like you've finally found your "angel".

    --Scythe--
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  • AlcapwnAlcapwn &quot;War is the science of destruction&quot; - John Abbot Join Date: 2003-06-21 Member: 17590Members
    New project as in another casual game to keep the $$$ coming in?
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  • enf0rcerenf0rcer intrigued... Join Date: 2003-03-16 Member: 14584Members
    This is sort of a side track but if people posted concepts in the art sub-forum and they are of any substance would you consider them for ideas regardless of whether or not the person was under your employ?

    my point being I can't dedicate 15-20 hours but I dare say It would be entertaining as a volunteer side project. I drew up a load of weapons after I saw that first weapons concept where you described a more organic look as your goal - I don't post these things because I assumed that you have your own ideas going into it and mine would be useless for your purposes.

    If I'm wrong in my assumptions let me know - I'd be honored if anything I could contribute was of some value to you.
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  • AlcapwnAlcapwn &quot;War is the science of destruction&quot; - John Abbot Join Date: 2003-06-21 Member: 17590Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1638820:date=Jul 13 2007, 09:12 PM:name=Max)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Max @ Jul 13 2007, 09:12 PM) [snapback]1638820[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    Outsourcing is just having external people do the work rather that people internal to the company. Since the company is just Charlie and I and neither of us are artists, all of the artwork we have to-date is outsourced (same thing is true for all of the artwork in Natural Selection 1).

    What Charlie mentioned is basically just us thinking about working with companies that do outsourcing in addition to the individuals that we're currently working with. So if we did do that, I don't think it we'd have any additional difficulty in keeping the art consistent -- probably less, since more of the artists would be located in the same geographic place and possibly in San Francisco where we're located.

    There are different reasons company's outsource work, but most people probably think of it as a means of cutting costs by using Asian workers. A common assumption is that the quality suffers when you do this (you get what you pay for...), although I'd say Gears of War demonstrates pretty well that's not necessarily the case. But that's not why we're thinking about working with outsourcing companies anyway. For it's simply an option to help us get the game done more quickly.
    <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Some of Gears work was outsourced?

    Which? Art, Level Design etc?
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  • NS-SkorpioNNS-SkorpioN Join Date: 2006-10-31 Member: 58101Members
    Thx again for yours works in progress; really appreciate.

    For concept art artist maybe can check this site:

    <a href="http://www.conceptart.org/forums/" target="_blank">http://www.conceptart.org/forums/</a>

    Art by Jakkas
    <img src="http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a314/JakkaS/COW85-Silver-Tooth_d.jpg" border="0" alt="IPB Image" />

    Ary by Tyranx
    <img src="http://www.tyranx.com/poximages/Vindrax.jpg" border="0" alt="IPB Image" />

    <a href="http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=95713&page=2" target="_blank">http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthrea...5713&page=2</a>
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  • ChromeAngelChromeAngel Join Date: 2002-01-24 Member: 14Members, NS1 Playtester, Contributor
    edited July 2007
    Do you really need all that much concept art for a sequel? Can't you just point the artists at NS 1 and say "like this only without the HL 1 restrictions" ?
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  • J!J! NS2 Artist Join Date: 2004-11-14 Member: 32788Members, Retired Developer, NS1 Playtester
    edited July 2007
    In short: No, because every artist and level designer has a different view of what a sequel to NS should look like "without the HL1 restrictions". Concept art keeps us all on the same page.
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  • HazeHaze O RLY? Join Date: 2003-07-07 Member: 18018Members, Constellation
    edited July 2007
    <i>Touche'.</i>

    Enjoyed the update, keep up the good work. It's so nice to actually see what headway is being made instead of there being a giant iron curtain of gaming doom set up where nothing goes in, and nothing comes out. Poor Max needs at least one ray of sun into his coding cage per day, and the hot poker you jab him with to keep him moving doesn't count! =(
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  • BluePhishBluePhish Join Date: 2003-12-14 Member: 24364Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    Its alway good to have a workaholic machine on his side, isnt it?
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  • QuaunautQuaunaut The longest seven days in history... Join Date: 2003-03-21 Member: 14759Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    Making better tools to make the game better > *

    Keep it up, Flay.
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  • RadixRadix Join Date: 2005-01-10 Member: 34654Members, Constellation
    edited July 2007
    <!--QuoteBegin-Blog+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Blog)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteEBegin-->At the end of my talk at the GDC this year, I was approached by a very cool investment group. It's funny that my talk basically said "don't get investors, build your company yourself", but I guess he liked my honesty.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    LOL. Wish there was a screenshot of your face right after they approached you.
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  • AhnteisAhnteis teh Bob Join Date: 2002-10-02 Member: 1405Members, NS1 Playtester, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1638926:date=Jul 14 2007, 03:08 PM:name=Radix)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Radix @ Jul 14 2007, 03:08 PM) [snapback]1638926[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    LOL. Wish there was a screenshot of your face right after they approached you.
    <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Most people call those photos. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" />
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  • the_x5the_x5 the Xzianthian Join Date: 2004-03-02 Member: 27041Members, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1638936:date=Jul 14 2007, 07:21 PM:name=Ahnteis)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ahnteis @ Jul 14 2007, 07:21 PM) [snapback]1638936[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--><!--QuoteBegin-Radix+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Radix)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteEBegin-->LOL. Wish there was a screenshot of your face right after they approached you.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->Most people call those photos. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" /><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->Just caught that. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" /> That's bad if I didn't notice it at first.
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  • ChocolateChocolate The Team Mascot Join Date: 2006-10-31 Member: 58123Members
    Good stuff, good stuff. I'm happy to see that things are going relatively smoothly in development. I know that there is still a lot of work left to do but it seems like more and more things are coming together everyday (or I'm just not used to the frequency of the blog updates that are all technically... technical). I'm also glad to see that you have found the right investors you need to make NS2 what you want it in reasonable time.

    Keep up the good work! <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" />
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  • HazeHaze O RLY? Join Date: 2003-07-07 Member: 18018Members, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1638926:date=Jul 14 2007, 05:08 PM:name=Radix)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Radix @ Jul 14 2007, 05:08 PM) [snapback]1638926[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    LOL. Wish there was a screenshot of your face right after they approached you.
    <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->


    WHAR IS MY PRTSCR KEY?!?12
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  • the_x5the_x5 the Xzianthian Join Date: 2004-03-02 Member: 27041Members, Constellation
    In all seriousness though thank you for listening to me and others with regards to the <a href="http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/index.php?s=7796350588581105664&showtopic=101990" target="_blank">Moar Blogs thread</a>. Hopefully you are hearing what I wrote about the benefits of a developer and its community working as a team and listening to each other. I really, really hope your team read that. We got your back UWE. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" />
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  • BryBry Join Date: 2003-01-23 Member: 12609Members
    wow, i must admit nice update there. It is nice to see NS2 progressing a long
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  • XopherMVXopherMV Join Date: 2003-12-02 Member: 23854Members, Constellation
    edited July 2007
    There's a good set of images that reminded me of Natural Selection concept art, located here:
    <a href="http://algebraoflife.blogspot.com/2007/07/japanese-sewers-photo-gallery-first.html" target="_blank">http://algebraoflife.blogspot.com/2007/07/...lery-first.html</a>

    <img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/29/52615699_e23e977cce_o.jpg" border="0" alt="IPB Image" />

    <img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/28/52615698_4e0dd44e7a_o.jpg" border="0" alt="IPB Image" />

    <img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/24/52615702_19e386598e_o.jpg" border="0" alt="IPB Image" />

    <img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/27/52615724_ae42e1252a_o.jpg" border="0" alt="IPB Image" />

    <img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/33/52615706_f63407d4f6_o.jpg" border="0" alt="IPB Image" />

    <img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/29/52615716_0370186c57_o.jpg" border="0" alt="IPB Image" />

    Interestingly enough, the photos are of the Japanese sewer system.
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  • RadixRadix Join Date: 2005-01-10 Member: 34654Members, Constellation
    ns_sewer sounds like a blast.
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  • douchebagatrondouchebagatron Custom member title Join Date: 2003-12-20 Member: 24581Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    edited July 2007
    edit: nevermind
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  • DepotDepot The ModFather Join Date: 2002-11-09 Member: 7956Members
    Nice work so far Charlie.

    I just PM'd max regarding an error I am getting when I try to validate your RSS feed <a href="http://www.unknownworlds.com/blog/atom.xml" target="_blank">http://www.unknownworlds.com/blog/atom.xml</a>, "We could not find any channels in the RSS feed (nothing to import)."

    I'd like to import your RSS feed to modNS to keep the community informed - thanks in advance.
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  • coriscoris Join Date: 2003-07-08 Member: 18034Members, Constellation
    The reason for that *could* be that the feed which you're referring to is an Atom feed and not RSS.

    <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atom_%28standard%29#Atom_Compared_to_RSS_2.0" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atom_%28stand...ared_to_RSS_2.0</a>
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  • DepotDepot The ModFather Join Date: 2002-11-09 Member: 7956Members
    Good catch coris, this is exactly what Max thought. Unfortunately IPB RSS import feeds won't work with Atom. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":(" border="0" alt="sad-fix.gif" />
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  • coriscoris Join Date: 2003-07-08 Member: 18034Members, Constellation
    Max/Charlie shouldn't have any problems setting up an RSS2.0 feed via the admin panel in MovableType.
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  • DepotDepot The ModFather Join Date: 2002-11-09 Member: 7956Members
    Correct. IPB (the version they use here) has the ability to "Create New RSS Export Stream", but there may be difficulties since the development blogs are not produced by these forums.

    I'm not sure why they opted to blog externally. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/confused-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="???" border="0" alt="confused-fix.gif" />
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