Natural Selection 2 News Update - Alpha Patch #2 released (Build 151)

24567

Comments

  • ViolenceViolence Join Date: 2004-10-10 Member: 32199Members
    Just messed around on a listen server. MUCH better! I was able to run around and such without going into a slide show.

    A few things:
    Sound cut out after about 15 minutes of play. Pretty sure it was after I hopped out of the command center.
    Marine structures that I dropped would hover above the ground (No flapping).
    I still wasn't able to connect to a dedicated server, although I did only try one server and it may not have been updated.
    Found a bug involving gorge spit. Spam it and they do a bullet time sort of thing. I shot one that was floating and they shot off in different directions. Am I going crazy?

    I like that marine building is back in. Go, go rushing base relocation!
    The build bot idea is cool. Apparently you drop structures through it, so it will need to be protected. Took me a few seconds to figure out how to drop structures.
    I love the weldable/lockable doors.
    Skulk hive 1 leap is going to be very powerful. I love it.
  • Soli Deo GloriaSoli Deo Gloria Join Date: 2009-06-25 Member: 67926Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1794008:date=Aug 13 2010, 06:38 PM:name=rofldinho)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (rofldinho @ Aug 13 2010, 06:38 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1794008"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->The lag is worse. Really, really bad compared to the last release. Like I'm not even pressing buttons and my skulk is moving around and leaping. And it's not even based on previous button presses, like I'm running around and it's auto-leaping.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    There seems to be a problem with the client or the server not getting button updates, so it'll realize you pressed the button, but never that you let it go. When it happens try pressing the button that seems *jammed* and it should fix itself.
  • WavesonicsWavesonics Join Date: 2006-12-02 Member: 58833Members
    Boy I really love the idea of having to escort MACs to build things, guess this battle will play out over teh Alpha & Beta though.
  • TquilaTquila Join Date: 2010-02-26 Member: 70738Members, NS2 Playtester
    Good effort.

    Still the loveable lag, but the other changes are visible. The 'rifle shoot'-loop sound is still around.

    You're getting closer and closer to the lag issue each fix, so hopefully you'll nail it soon :)
  • peregrinusperegrinus Join Date: 2010-07-16 Member: 72445Members
    Thanks for putting out another update so soon.

    After I've downloaded it how can I tell which servers are running the new version?
  • WheeeeWheeee Join Date: 2003-02-18 Member: 13713Members, Reinforced - Shadow
    player movement seems kind of twitchy i.e. watching players do mini-rubberbanding while running around is kind of disconcerting and it makes it really hard to aim at close quarters. maybe there needs to be some sort of display smoothing going on.
  • EyelessEyeless Join Date: 2010-02-01 Member: 70391Members
    patch barely did anything. lag is still real bad so who cares that you can hit people now when the server lags up after 6 people join. yay theres more stuff to test on lan games. dont add stuff just fix the lag...
  • d3f1anc3d3f1anc3 Join Date: 2010-07-26 Member: 73007Members
    Epic patch rollout, keep up the good work.
  • DGKHaploDGKHaplo Join Date: 2002-12-22 Member: 11324Members, Constellation
    Just adding my observations.

    Been running a dedicated server for the past couple hours. I haven't noticed any excessive CPU consumption average between 8-12% server side uses ~450K memory on a windows 7 machine.

    The client machine on the other hand; I notice the memory spirals up to 800K and CPU usage averages between 70 - 85% for the NS2.exe
  • scorpydudescorpydude Join Date: 2005-03-05 Member: 43603Members
    Thanks for the new patch guys - your really smashing it!

    For those of you on slow connections wondering if the patch is worth the download. I would hold of for a while.

    The bad
    - Lag issues have gotten worse especially with more then few people on the server (when the servers bandwidth starts to get a little chocked)
    - Sound stutter and looping is still there
    - Sentry turrets cant be built yet but there is a icon etc for one
    - Marine buildings are floating in the air

    The good
    - The bots are working a little better (they don't get stuck - as much)
    - The doors work well
    - The sound (when it doesn't loop) for hitting walls or a skulk etc is working a little better
  • peregrinusperegrinus Join Date: 2010-07-16 Member: 72445Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1794056:date=Aug 14 2010, 03:11 AM:name=Eyeless)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Eyeless @ Aug 14 2010, 03:11 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1794056"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->patch barely did anything.

    yay theres more stuff to test on lan games.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    huh?

    Anyway the devs work on different stuff so theres no point telling them to only focus on the lag.
  • LorenzoLorenzo Join Date: 2004-01-23 Member: 25624Members
    edited August 2010
    <!--quoteo(post=1794056:date=Aug 13 2010, 09:11 PM:name=Eyeless)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Eyeless @ Aug 13 2010, 09:11 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1794056"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->patch barely did anything. lag is still real bad so who cares that you can hit people now when the server lags up after 6 people join. yay theres more stuff to test on lan games. dont add stuff just fix the lag...<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    modern warfare 2 its that way. ---->




    trolls aside, good work wrapping up the patch, its a little more playble with good hit detection.(at least now i can kill ppl with the skulk! :D )

    some things:

    - range on lerk spikes its supposed to be so short? or some sorta bug? (never played lerk on the alpha)
    - marine buildings and gestating aliens floating in the air.
    - remaining with the left mouse button pressed (aka, attacking an RT with a skulk :D ), pressing the general chat button, writing something and furthermore releasing the mouse button, blocks the chat mode, leaving you to "enter" it.

    keep up the good work and take your time. :)
  • peregrinusperegrinus Join Date: 2010-07-16 Member: 72445Members
    The lerk spikes are supposed to be medium range I think.
  • LlamaFarmerLlamaFarmer Join Date: 2010-02-01 Member: 70388Members
    Every IP and armour i build seems to float about 4ft off the air. also am currently able to have an IP built on 1 of the stick thin beams near the roof.
  • OroxOrox Join Date: 2005-01-07 Member: 33139Members, Constellation
    Still can't really play. My FPS are at 3-12 max on my 6800GT.
    Yes it's old, but I still can play Crysis, STALKER, BF:BC etc on it and not NS2 :/
  • Revi.ukRevi.uk Join Date: 2010-04-12 Member: 71354Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1794065:date=Aug 14 2010, 04:17 AM:name=Orox)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Orox @ Aug 14 2010, 04:17 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1794065"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Still can't really play. My FPS are at 3-12 max on my 6800GT.
    Yes it's old, but I still can play Crysis, STALKER, BF:BC etc on it and not NS2 :/<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    And?

    This is a considerably newer game than all of those. Just because you can play "better" games doesn't mean you can play this one, upgrade from your crappy 6800GT (AGP?) and get a proper card.
  • remiremi remedy [blu.knight] Join Date: 2003-11-18 Member: 23112Members, Super Administrators, Forum Admins, NS2 Developer, NS2 Playtester
    <!--quoteo(post=1794046:date=Aug 13 2010, 05:34 PM:name=Soli Deo Gloria)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Soli Deo Gloria @ Aug 13 2010, 05:34 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1794046"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->There seems to be a problem with the client or the server not getting button updates, so it'll realize you pressed the button, but never that you let it go. When it happens try pressing the button that seems *jammed* and it should fix itself.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Sounds like a symptom which could be caused by critical UDP messages being dropped and no reliability layer to ensure critical messages are resent if not received.
  • QuovatisQuovatis Team Inversion Join Date: 2010-01-26 Member: 70321Members, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue
    I keep getting circumstances where a marine building won't build. I place it, the MAC moves to the location and acts like it's building, but the model never shows.
  • TheGivingTreeTheGivingTree Join Date: 2003-01-09 Member: 12070Members
    Awesome job guys! The marine building is a huge asset to have back in the game, its like they say, you don't know what you got until its gone. With the huge improvements from every update.. I can't wait to see whats coming next.
  • Baron_Bad_EggBaron_Bad_Egg Join Date: 2004-07-09 Member: 29823Banned
    id just like to test the beta that i payed for... lemme know when that can happen.
  • TheGivingTreeTheGivingTree Join Date: 2003-01-09 Member: 12070Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1794077:date=Aug 13 2010, 10:51 PM:name=Baron_Bad_Egg)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Baron_Bad_Egg @ Aug 13 2010, 10:51 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1794077"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->id just like to test the beta that i payed for... lemme know when that can happen.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    It happened about a month ago.. it's called beta, welcome to it.
  • Revi.ukRevi.uk Join Date: 2010-04-12 Member: 71354Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1794078:date=Aug 14 2010, 04:53 AM:name=TheGivingTree)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (TheGivingTree @ Aug 14 2010, 04:53 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1794078"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->It happened about a month ago.. it's called beta, welcome to it.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    It's called Alpha actually.
  • Baron_Bad_EggBaron_Bad_Egg Join Date: 2004-07-09 Member: 29823Banned
    edited August 2010
    you don't need to use ur initials if your name shows you edited it. i was done saying anything. u delete my post then let other people talk ######. mmk. whatever.
  • juicejuice Join Date: 2003-01-28 Member: 12886Members, Constellation
    Incredible improvements in such a short time. There are still both performance and lag issues but a couple more patches and it should be playable - can't wait!
  • schkorpioschkorpio I can mspaint Join Date: 2003-05-23 Member: 16635Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1794065:date=Aug 14 2010, 01:17 PM:name=Orox)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Orox @ Aug 14 2010, 01:17 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1794065"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Still can't really play. My FPS are at 3-12 max on my 6800GT.
    Yes it's old, but I still can play Crysis, STALKER, BF:BC etc on it and not NS2 :/<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    my 8800GT had trouble with those games on any decent res - so don't know how you were playing them on at 6800gt - it would have had to be waaaay low settings.
  • KatanaSwordfishKatanaSwordfish Join Date: 2009-09-17 Member: 68813Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1794077:date=Aug 14 2010, 03:51 AM:name=Baron_Bad_Egg)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Baron_Bad_Egg @ Aug 14 2010, 03:51 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1794077"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->id just like to test the beta that i payed for... lemme know when that can happen.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Beta comes after alpha... you know, in ALPHABETICAL order...

    -- Moving on... --

    <i>The lag issue is the #1 top priority thing that needs fixing as of now.</i> Until the lag is fixed it's very difficult for us to test anything else. <b>The core game mechanics (walking around, shooting, building, net-code, etc.) need to be really nailed down and worked on before anything educated can really be said about the way the game plays. It's far to soon to be deciding if certain game-play aspects of the game design work or not.</b> I have some reservations about some of the changes to the game play dynamic (built bots and commander/marine independence, etc.) but I can't really say for sure at this point if my concerns are legitimate until the game's core mechanics are functioning smoothly.

    I have to say that I really appreciate the devs work and the overall scope of their ambitions with NS2. For every glitch and bug that is in the alpha right now, there is a lot of really impressive stuff that is working perfectly behind the scenes.

    It's easy to get caught up on the latest problem with the engine, and it's even easier to let that make us have 'tunnel vision' and become ignorant of everything that the developers have done exceptionally well up until this point. However, I think it's really worth noting that MANY (if not all) of these problems are indicative of the game's current stage of development (early alpha) and are a very natural part of the game development process. We (as a community) have to work hard to insure that these problems get fixed in due time, however, we also have to respect the quality of the engine so far. Sure it has it's small kinks right now, but we also should commend the devs for starting from 100% scratch and coming up with a very solid and great looking engine with tons of modding potential.

    As of right now, there are no NS2 players. There are only testers. We have to do our duty as testers to help illuminate these problems and help the developers find a suitable solution.
  • samurai_jeffsamurai_jeff Join Date: 2004-11-18 Member: 32853Members, Reinforced - Supporter
    edited August 2010
    <!--quoteo(post=1794082:date=Aug 13 2010, 11:00 PM:name=Baron_Bad_Egg)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Baron_Bad_Egg @ Aug 13 2010, 11:00 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1794082"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->as much as id like to say something nasty to you, tree, i cant because revi takes too much of the jackass points. im saying i just would like to be able to test the <b>beta</b>. at the moment i cant do ###### or help in any way besides shellin out cash<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    This is an <b>Alpha</b> release. People have gone over this a million times. Not everyone will be able to play it, let alone run it. Heck, i have to put it down to 640x480 and use r_mode albedo to even load a map.. and that's with 2 fps. So you paid an extra $20 (OH NO?!?!?!) for this <b>Alpha</b> access- which is meant for testing this kind of thing, getting feedback from a pool of people with different machines so that they can, in <b>future BETA</b> releases, make it more optimised for a wider range of hardware. Most Dev teams don't even release <b>Alphas</b> because they're still in <b>TESTING</b> phase- WHICH they warned you about.

    tl;dr <b>ALPHA</b>
  • EyelessEyeless Join Date: 2010-02-01 Member: 70391Members
    i wasnt trolling by the way just saying the lag is still terrible possibly worse. I love NS so call me a troll all you want lol. Just work on the lag guys.
  • tk-421tk-421 Join Date: 2006-11-03 Member: 58315Members, Reinforced - Shadow
    So hard to read these threads sometimes with the community insisting the devs focus on this or that. Really rude in my opinion. I'm sure they're getting to all the problems.

    There's a difference between, "hey there's a lag issue, here are my rig specs and some more info" and "hey devs do what I say - work on the lag, this game sucks, wtf alpha = fully playable game."

    Great list of changes btw, thanks for all the progress updates.
  • resresresresresres Join Date: 2007-10-16 Member: 62652Members
    Press F1 to post your feedback to the GetSatisfaction. Or, click the tab to the right, in here, that says feedback.
    Posting here just makes double work for the team, I'd imagine. Coz then they'd have to check here, find your issue some where in a few pages of forum posts, possibly missing it outright. But in the GS board, it will be there with many other issues that go immediately to their attention.


    Was gonna ask: Did they fix the buy menu removing the UI bug? Did they add mouse overs or explanations to what the icons around the UI/Screen means?
Sign In or Register to comment.