Chat with Aradune: Log from #sigilgames yesterday.

Xarpolis · 01-12-2004, 08:13 AM

* Aradune has joined #sigilgames
* Aradune peers around
Xarpolis : what the duce?
Xarpolis : you're not real !
Aradune : sure i am
Xarpolis : oh... well... neat
Xarpolis : How's life on the sigil front going?
Aradune : just taking a break
Aradune : we're crunching mon-sat
Aradune : well
Aradune : actually
Aradune : the break is that im at home
Xarpolis : and... should I tell other people that you're here so the channel gets swamped, or no?
Aradune : i just was logged in for an hour or 2, then reading boards and posting before that
Aradune : tho i did get to watch the pheonix supercross and eat
Aradune : :)
Aradune : if you'd like

Xarpolis : wait, logged into "the game"?
Aradune : yeah
Aradune : testing level 1-5
Aradune : gotta start somewhere :)

Xarpolis : are you able to release info as to when we can look foward to beta?
Aradune : beta is still a while away

Arnie : So how is beta doing?
Aradune : i'd call this pre-alpha
Aradune : tho what an alpha is as it relates to an MMOG is debatable

MorbidDeath : find a webmaster yet?
Aradune : i think we're down to 4 candidates
Aradune : should make a hire soon
Arnie : how bout the programmer?
Aradune : probably
Aradune : at least one of them

Xarpolis : not much really. I personally am eagerly waiting pictures of "The Game", as well as
any other information that's to come
Aradune : we're eager to share

Xarpolis : did you sebtle down on Vanguard yet?
Aradune : we've not registered any other names :)
Aradune : so far, so good

MorbidDeath : hehe is microsoft making you rely on MS technologies? :P
Aradune : we work with them on some tech
Aradune : but there's no 'making'
Aradune : probably wouldn't be 'making' until we hook up to their hosting stuff
Aradune : closer to beta
Aradune : which is expected
MorbidDeath : k didnt know if you were trying thier backend or not
Aradune : not yet
MorbidDeath : ie 2003/sql instead of linux/oracle type of things
Aradune : well, yeah, we're using all of the microsoft public software
Aradune : thought you meant actually hooking into their hosting and/or using some of their
in-house tech

Xarpolis : As fun as EQ was, I'm deffinatly looking foward to launching myself into a new game.
Aradune : definitely looking forward to playing another MMOG and really getting into it
Aradune : short term, my hopes are personally on WoW
Aradune : we shall see
Aradune : the WoW look isn't personally my favorite (e.g. what i'd choose), but I don't have a big
issue either
Aradune : like I said, if the gameplay and content (including an interesting world to explore) is
there, I'm hoping to enjoy it
Aradune : and the challenge

Xarpolis : ok, so how soon can we look foward to seeing press release photos of "the game"?
Aradune : xarp: most likely going to do concept art first, from Keith, etc.
Aradune : might be a bit before a screenshot

Xarpolis : how functional is the game at present?
Aradune : xarp: core, basic gameplay is there, and we're focussing on that... making sure we build
a solid foundation
Aradune : I was just logged on and played a bit
Aradune : leveled too fast; too long to rest to get HP
Aradune : gotta get that straight, etc

MorbidDeath : more or less pvp oriented than EQ?
Aradune : morbid: hrm... well, same oriented, BUT we're approaching the design so PvP should be
better balanced
Aradune : e.g. it's still a PvE focussed game; PvP will most likely be via alternate rules servers
Aradune : but, we want PvP to be more fun and be more balanced
Aradune : more forethought is going into it

Xarpolis : with the possibility of a Best of the Best style tourniment? arena type zones that are
all out PVP, but just for fun?
Aradune : sure
Aradune : at some point, yeah
Aradune : im a huge believer in stuff like that... alternate ruleset servers, etc.
Aradune : gotta have enough of a sub base before you can do a lot of that tho
Arnie : hence the creation of Firiona Vie on EQ
* Aradune agrees with Arnie. FV!
Xarpolis : you were a player on FV, were you not?
Aradune : I'm kinda proud of FV... it was the last major thing I had done before I left... then leveled
my ranger to 48 or so before I got too busy at Sigil

Mdar : what about 'scripted events'? will there be more or less?
Aradune : mdar: hrm... the way we're approaching it kinda blurs the lines between a scripted and
non-scripted event
Aradune : if that makes any sense
Aradune : I guess I could say 'yes'

Valen2 : Aradune: any massive zone wide "ringwar" style events?
Aradune : valen2: absolutely -- that's one of the reasons we brought Steve Burke on board (author of
the ring quest)

Sean : What about permanent game changing stuff ala Sleeper's Tomb?
Aradune : Sean: some sleeper stuff, sure... but obviously you get limited 'bang for your buck' with
stuff like that.
Aradune : we have some other ideas on making the world more dynamic

Valen2 : I'd like to also see alternate holiday data sets.. AKA Feast of Tishe Virm or Qeytoqrg Undead
Invasion (both halloween)
Aradune : valen: holidays, seasons, etc. actually affecting gameplay would be cool

Hyarth : Will we see No-Drop items as reguarly as we did in EQ? Or will the item stats be scaled on
player ability?
Aradune : hyarth: no-drop has been a necessary evil... at this point, we want to work around it if we
can, and use it as a fallback position.

Sean : What range of PCs are you aiming at for it to be played on? low end, mid-range, high end?
Aradune : sean: hrm... the engine should be flexible, but it also needs to grow into newer tech, if
the game is going to look good long term. I think I might answer you by saying our philosophy
there is more EQ 2 and less WoW
Sean : so, scalability for that kinda stuff? gotcha
Aradune : sean: yeah, scalability, but looking forward.

Hyarth : Ooooh, wait. Here is a question. Do you have any plans to reintroduce the Monster PC concept?
I really enjoyed that in EQ and have missed it since. While it wasn't exactly appropriate for Test,
it woulda worked wonderfully on a Zek
Aradune : hyarth: honestly, too early to have given that much thought. it is a neat idea

Arnie : Hey Aradune, What are your thoughts on Wish UMMOG...
in terms of being "ultra" is it something you
are gunning for, or are you going for MMOG , multiple shards
Aradune : arnie: multiple shards seems to make sense for quite some time... it's all about content... you
have to have the content to enterain X people during peak hours

Xarpolis : How will non-paid guides be handled? Would they be as powerless (read: Useless) as those of EQ?
What could you do to give guides slightly more power to help a player without giving them too much
power where they could damage the game play of others?
Aradune : xarp: I can't answer that until more of the legalities get worked out :(
Aradune : I think the general idea of people volunteering to contribute is big, and I hope legally it doesn't
turn into something so restricted it's not worth it

Sean : what do you think of player housing done ffxi-style, sort of a "pocket-zone" people zone into off of
towns? could do that for guild houses too
Aradune : that issue and the 'who owns the virtual property' issue are 2 that really need to get worked out
Aradune : sean: I think SW:G has shown you can do housing without pocket zones (not that there aren't issues)
Sean : I never looked into SWG housing >< dunno how that's done
Aradune : sean: like UO, but bettter, but not good enough? :)

Arnie : Aradune: How is the team spirit doing? They as cranked up about it as Xarp?
Aradune : arnie: heh, yeah... very cranked up. gotta be. so much of game dev is confidence and attitude...
a lot of people can hang out and design a game on paper; actually following through and making the game
is what's really hard

Mdar : Aradune: will you have servers that are set to a certain stage only? like maybe one server is just the
original, and one is goes only to the first expansion type things? or will servers have the same access
of content? (if that makes sense)
Aradune : mdar: oh, it makes sense... :)

Sean : Oh, tell Fisher he sucks for coming around less and less. or have you been over working him?
Aradune : sean: dude, he's super busy
Sean : He's always super busy
Aradune : he's even busier
Aradune : we're on a big push right now

Arnie : How is King doing in the office? he bringing out some really nice stuff?
Aradune : arnie: very pleased with his artwork -- we just got some in the game

Hyarth : Aradune: has your team given consideration to the long term effects on the player economy of the
typical endless inflow of cash as seen as most games? I mean beyond the typical moneysinks which has
been the generic but flawed method?
Aradune : hyarth: we've probably had more long meetings and debates and brainstorming on that issue than any
other

Sean : er, I can't remember if this has been asked before, you guys going mostly zoneless/seamless world or lots
of zones ala EQ?
Aradune : sean: seamless
Aradune : which makes it tougher to be as content heavy, and to make an interesting world
Aradune : but we feel it can be done

Xarpolis : how does a seamless zone work? in terms of running from your life?
Aradune : xarp: too early for details there (e.g. we're still working that out)

MorbidDeath : ready to realease which engine your using aradune? or still not talking?
Aradune : morbid: by the time we release, im not sure if that question will even be relavent given the changes
we are making

MorbidDeath : well it gives us an idea for hardware requirements :D
Aradune : morbid: true, which really I don't want people worried about yet
Aradune : too early

Mdar : have you done any work on the AI yet? and if so, will NPCs be able to take advantage of the terrain to
fight the PCs, while still under the same limitations that hte PCs are under?
Aradune : mdar: we have basic ai pathing and combat in already; we hope to go well beyond that
Xarpolis : that's another good point from Mdar. Will there be mobs able to hit through walls?
Mdar : and cast through walls
Mdar : and warp ontop of you...
Mdar : etc..
Aradune : heh
Aradune : well
Aradune : they did on EQ because the servers had issues with server side collission
Aradune : we know a lot more know
Aradune : but we also seem to be making a lot more complex worlds
Aradune : so cross your fingers :)

Hyarth : Aradune: are you looking to immediately market the game to multiple nations at release as other games
plan, or is it a play by ear issue?
Aradune : hyarth: more up to MSFT

MorbidDeath : are you looking at player collision detection? or at least player vs monster?
Aradune : we'll make the collision as good as we can, howzzat :)

Arnie : Aradune: Now that you are toying around with pre-alpha, Are things going as you had planned? New idea's
popin out of everyones heads? Sometimes idea's come as things are created.
Aradune : arnie: that's the beauty of it... you always figure out stuff you never thought of before once you
start messing with it
Aradune : it's so important to move from paper and theory and into the game
Aradune : hence why we're pushing so hard right now
Aradune : and so busy

Otavia : Aradune: Since the EQ expansions were planned from the near get go, supposedly, are you planning to do
that for your game? And if so, is it going to be the "newly discovered continent" style of event or
going to explore more avenues (like the rarely touched Underworld of EQ).
Aradune : otavia: we're planning even more ahead than we did with eq... in fact, arguably, we really didn't
plan on expansions for EQ until very late in dev.
Xarpolis : HOLY CRAP, WE HAVE A MOON!
Xarpolis : let's explore it !
Aradune : lol

Mdar : will there be more interaction between the races other then "we hate them, they hate us. lets stay
here" type thing like in everquest?
Aradune : mdar: hrm... that would get into the storyline/lore... too early, sorry

Arnie : Aradune: If you can describe the pre-alpha in one word... what would it be
Aradune : arnie: satisfying (as in we have one) :)
Aradune : the producer's sense of accomplishment comes from watching it all come together
Aradune : so we should in theory get happier and happier
Aradune : :)

Xarpolis : are you able to comment on how large this world will be upon release? (or at least what you hope
it will be)
Aradune : xarp: it's big, but I wouldn't over focus on just size... it's the amount of content... EQ is
still arguably the most content-rich game at launch... that's our focus

Mdar : Aradune, what is your opinion of CR's? Good or bad?
Aradune : mdar: i'm a beliver in CRs... it's a dynamic death penalty... you're penalized more for dying in
the depths of a dungeon than on a hill outside the town
Saedyan : Aradune: won't that discourage people from exploring dungeons at all?
Aradune : saedyan: nah, cause then we put the better lewtz in the dungeons :)
Aradune : mdar: im thinking the CR should be more about fighting back to your corpse and less about where
the heck it is... espeically when you're low level. so we're working on that

Hyarth : What about EQ's current method of travel? Will there be an emphasis on travel time, or travel
being a part of the adventure, or will we see things similar to EQ's current instant gratification
teleportation?
Aradune : hyarth: we think travel can be made more fun, and that egregious teleportation is bad

Saedyan : Aradune: Do you have any plans on how to handle in game mapping?
Aradune : saedyan: yeah... but keeping it underwraps for now

Xarpolis : how much of vanguard will be loot oriented? And more importantly, how can you stop it from
becoming the greedy lewt fest that EQ has become?
Aradune : I don't know if I'd use the word 'loot-fest', but it is going to be an item acquisition centric
game

Mdar : will there be item decay? if so will it be based on use, or just a gradual time line that all items
follow
Aradune : mdar: if there is, it won't be in there to try to stop mudflation and it won't be a major hassle

Xzzit : Aradune: how in depth will you get into quests? will it be time-sink city?
Aradune : xzzit: hrm... I guess everything is a 'time sink'... we just gotta make investing time as
consistently fun as possible. that's the real challenge
Aradune : time invested is still the advancement mechanism

Xarpolis : do you have any plans to fight off the likes of say.. Yantis? who buy/sell in game currency and
items for RL money?
Xarpolis : or will you go the route of some new games and offer players a chance to spend their own RL money
on items?
Aradune : xarp: i really don't like the spending RL life money on in-game items... not sure it can totally
be stopped, but I definitely don't like it
Aradune : we play these games to escape real life... where we are financially... who we are... where we
are... none of that RL stuff should matter. we become someone else, and are somewhere else

Mdar : don't know if this has been asnwerd or not, but will player made items be as usefull as NPC dropped
items?
Aradune : mdar: can't answer that one yet, sorry

Otavia : Elipses are your friends?
Aradune : i do use too many elipses... fisher always tells me that.
Aradune : it used to be --
Otavia : And he uses too many commas.
Aradune : now it's ...
Otavia : Fisher, is like, this.
Aradune : stop the comma hataz!

Xarpolis : also, Epics: those were a GREAT creation that went bad in that players felt they needed them
or else they sucked. can we look foward to those type of items in your game? (or are you at least
brain storming?)
Aradune : xarp: hrm. I don't think that having 'epic' quests is in and of itself why people got so wrapped
up into having to have them... perhaps if there were more options... more epics, etc
Xarpolis : Ara, that's exactly what I dream of. A big number of epics per class. To give you options.
What epic do you want? It'll reflect how you play your character
Aradune : xarp: true, some will HAVE to have them all anyway.
Sean : people get all these crazy ideas in their head about how good an "epic" should be
Aradune : sean: yeah, can trivialize the word itself

Xzzit : Aradune: what's the actual game name going to be?
Aradune : xzzit: if you can, read the FAQ and the boards on sigilgames.com... you can get a pretty good
feel for the game

Arnie : 2500 members on your forum Aradune... quite an acheivement for something that just made pre-alpha!
Aradune : arnie: and not even announced :)
Aradune : I wonder if that's a record. shrug

Creslin : they are all gonna be really disapointed when you announce your title is for the GBA
Aradune : creslin: GBA? bah, cell phones

MorbidDeath : have you considered xbox live or has MS mentioned it? :P
Aradune : morbid: we're pretty platform agnostic... but i doubt an xbox could run the client
MorbidDeath : k just seeing how much MS is involved :D
Aradune : morbid: MSFT is great -- giving us the control and help we need to make a great game

Valen2 : So... Has anyone looked at the new SOE book "Inside the lore of a gameworld"?
Aradune : valen2: tell me more about this book -- haven't heard about it
Valen2 : Here's the SOE writeup on it... I haven't personally read it...
Valen2 : EverQuest Companion: The Inside Lore of a Gameworld explores the history of online gaming through
the evolution of EverQuest, the premier pioneering massively multiplayer online game. Read exclusive
interviews with past and present developers of EverQuest, plus enjoy original full-color EverQuest
artwork, including advance screenshots from the upcoming EverQuest II! You'll also find discussions
of expansions and spin-offs, incl
Valen2 : SOE's Store carrys it here: https://store.station.sony.com/hardg...-BK1003-INSDST
Aradune : valen2: fascinating... nobody at Sigil has been interviewed
Aradune : on wait
Aradune : oh wait wait
Aradune : that's the one that's been out for a while
Aradune : yeah, it's a good book
Aradune : we were very involved with it
Aradune : when you said 'new' it through me off -- sorry
Aradune : :)

Xarpolis : Ara, any hardware specifications you're trying to meet?
Aradune : xarp: the problem with talking about min specs too early is that some people do worry about their
current machines, even though by the time the game comes out they've upgraded anyway

Mdar : will there be a way for a player to enhance NPC dropped items, not via 'gems' like D2 but as in a
smith taking a sword to the forge and butting a keener edge on it, or a bower redoing the cams on
a bow, or even a amoursmith fixing spikes onto a shield
Aradune : mdar: too early for that level of detail, sorry

Saedyan : Aradune:What caffeine product of choice do you use for those late night sessions?
Aradune : saedyan: red bull or those hansen's energy drinks... i think i like the hansens better
Xarpolis : yes, but does it give you wings?

Arnie : Aradune: Creater of Everquest, and now Creating something totally new. How hard is it to create
something that contends with something you already created. Do you sometimes find yourself in the
same tracks as when you created Everquest.. and seeking another unpaved route?
Aradune : arnie: back to your question about creating EQ, and now this... well, I guess it's like getting
a new girl friend... you tend to forget about the older one, though still have fond memories?
Aradune : as for how we're putting it together, we're building on that experience, on a proven
foundation, but then innovating on top of it.
Aradune : e.g. it's not painful to move on, but you are still proud... I'm definitely still very proud of
EQ and what it accomplished
Aradune : but moving to the next big thing is just as fun, if not more exciting

Aradune : EQ is like your first kiss... you can't ever get that same feeling back again, but then with our
new game we're not stopping at first base :)
Aradune : here's hoping we all score

Valen2 : I think the original EQ engine had a bunch of tanarus code in it... From things like EverQuest's
"S3D" format strangely like "T3D" formats (to the point where you could run a T3D Converter but get
an error on how the first chunk was bad).
Aradune : valen2: very true. actually, tanarus was built on an engine we licensed, then the network code
was added, then Steve & I grabbed it to start working on EQ, then it was modified further, etc.
etc.
Valen2 : No wonder it runs slow now. It's using 8 year old code. :/
Aradune : it is old code, but has been modified extensively
Aradune : i think that's a good idea... start development off running, with some existing tech, and then
build on that, as opposed to totally starting from scratch

Mdar : Aradune, are you trying to make the code for this game easier to manage, not only for yourself but
when new talent comes in that has never worked with the code?
Aradune : mdar: hrm. yeah, but then the code is that much more complex too.

Otavia : Oh, here's a question Aradune: Did you guys use Maya or 3d Studio Max on EQ models, and what
about on your current project?
Aradune : otavia: max on EQ, maya on our new game

tonyyy : whoever made the original eq models is a genius
Aradune : tonyy: the guy who modeled the original EQ player characters was Milo Cooper
Sean : what type of work are you having him doing now?
Aradune : sean: he works on PCs
Aradune : player characters

Xarpolis : how much character individulization do you have planned?
Aradune : xarp: i like what SW:G did with character customization

Solmancer : What's Thomas King doing?
Aradune : valen2[he ment Solmancer]: we have T King, and Jon Wiessman, who wrote the customizable UI for EQ

Arnie : Ara : when ya gonna invite us over for a sleep over / LAN party?
Aradune : arnie: you scare me

Xarpolis : I have the entire log (so far) in .txt format. I'm going to go through little by little and pick
out all the useless chatter and post only the facts later on.
Aradune : hrmn
Aradune : probably not a good idea
Xarpolis : haha, ok ;p
Arnie : You gonna post also on the Sigil board?
Xarpolis : sure, I might as well... lemme make an account ;p
Aradune : no account?
Xarpolis : I talk in here, no need to talk there while everything is still speculation
Aradune : no beta for you!
Aradune : *grin*
Xarpolis : fine, consider your account's up to 2501 now
Aradune : hrm... was the beta cut-off at 2500?
* Aradune tries to remember
Xarpolis : ok, are some of these questions really needed?
Xarpolis : favorite color?
Aradune : blue... no, green!

Xarpolis : Ara, how much longer do you have for break?
Aradune : break?
Xarpolis : you said earlier that you were on break
Aradune : oh, just meant a day off
Aradune : e.g. i return to work tomorrow'

Sean : How many hours a day do you guys work? or does it vary?
Aradune : sean: it varies. doing 10 hours a day now, mostly

Vaiyas : Aradune: What do you think about all the MMORPGs these days and their huge focus on tradeskills
over fighting? (Sorry if you guys were already talking about this, I just got in here)
Aradune : vaiyas: well, I think the motive is good... try to appeal to more different types of games.
I don't think it's zero-sum tho... no reason why adventurers and tradeskillers can't co-exist

Xzzit : Aradune: What main feature will be new to the game that wasn't in EQ, besides graphics of course
Aradune : xzzit: yeah, can't get into the sekret sauce stuff guys, sorry
Aradune : too early

Sean : will you be using a first-person camera setup/controls similar to EQ?
Aradune : how about put the camera where you want as long as it's not stupid or exploitative
Aradune : exploitative... is that a word?
* Aradune shrugs
Aradune : that would include first person :)

Solmancer : So Brad, what's your opinion about EQ now, assuming you've read some of the news postings by
the uber-guilds, particularly Furor's discussion of the Plane of Time when FoH broke in? :)
Aradune : sol: not gonna go there... It's Their World Now(TM) is what I usually say to that question

Sean : ok, what do you think about people like Furor?^^
Aradune : and what does Sean think of Furor?
Sean : Alex is one of my best friends, my opinion is biased
Sean : so I can't say!
Aradune : Furor is a good guy... opinionated... passionate... you don't want him to cuss you out...
I banned him once... We had him down to Sigil to check the game out under NDA...
Aradune : Not sure what else to say :)
Solmancer : You personally banned him?
Aradune : sol: honestly, I can't remember.. probably
Aradune : was a long time ago
Solmancer : And did he try and take out any grudges for said banning, incidentally? ;)
Aradune : sol: nah
Aradune : which I really respect about him

Vaiyas : Hey Brad - what do you think about Cross-server tells on EQ?
Vaiyas : and item linking
Vaiyas : Do you think that's a good idea for a game?
Aradune : vaiyas: hrm... let me think on it... are they doing that now? I know we'd talked about it.
Aradune : i'd say no on item linking
Aradune : not sure if tells are bad
Aradune : people are runing icq or whatever anyway

Mdar : will people be able to atl tab out of the game?
Aradune : mdar: I don't think the OS gives us a choice on that anymore
Xarpolis : Also, is your game going to be like EQ was for ages?
Xarpolis : IE - You can ONLY do EQ? nothing else?
Aradune : well
Aradune : please understand we did that to stop casual hacking/exploits
Xarpolis : I understand that much
Aradune : i think it did help overall, although it was a bummer too
Aradune : Now, with DirectX working better with the OS, it's probably not possible anyway

Sean : Do you have an opinion on people two-boxing, three/four/five/six-boxing, and the like?
Aradune : sean: no big issue with it... tho if we could make the game more involved so that would be
more/too difficult???

Valen2 : The problem with disabling multitasking was... The dedicated cheaters found a way to get around
it... And casual users started becoming cheaters and using workarounds just to do things like
browse the web or play an MP3.
Aradune : valen2: I still think it slowed the casual ones down big time, and was worth it. I mean, if you
look back at EQ, it's been relatively exploit-lite in the grand scheme of things

Vaiyas : How's your CS system gonna work - if you guys have even planned that out very much yet? Will you
have guides, or just GMs?
Aradune : vaiyas: guides will depend on some legalities that probably aren't worked out yet (the whole
volunteer issue)
Aradune : as for CS in general, it's still being worked out
Sean : Are you going to have dedicated server GMs? Unlike EQ's horrible new "rotating" ones
Aradune : I'm not a big fan of rotating... It's nice having a GM you can get to know... but again, still
pretty early to talk about that stuff

Xarpolis : and ara: Any idea how soon you'll be showing the world the concept art?
Aradune : xarp: soon, only not yet? :)
Aradune : I just can't say yet when we'll announce, which dictates when we'll put up some concept art,
that's all. sorry

Rhaski : will your new game have in game maps? i liked not having any maps available
Aradune : I'm not a fan of mapping that spoils the game... I'll say that for now

kaziq : ara, do you plan to make it harder for people to write programs like Showeq?
Aradune : kaziq: if at all possible, yes. the client really needs to be as much of a graphical dumb terminal
as possible

Vaiyas : You know Aradune, I really loved the old EQ Interface - where the game was in a little area in the
middle
Vaiyas : and the interface surounded the screen
Vaiyas : Now, with most game interfaces, everything is on top of the screen
Vaiyas : actually limiting what you can view
Vaiyas : I find that annoying - but I Think I'm alone there
Aradune : vaiyas: hrm.. I liked rev 2. where you went full screen and the interface elements were on top. I
used that mostly
Aradune : the main thing, is if it's customizable, you should be able to make most people happy

Sean : Do you plan to limit damage/combat information so people don't break it down as much as they do in EQ
and bitch about the tiniest of things?
Aradune : sean: gonna try. easier said than done, and there's no stopping some people from bitching :)

Vaiyas : Brad - what do you think about the Bazaar? I find that it takes out SO much human interaction
Aradune : vaiyas: I'm not a fan of global bazaars. In fact, I'm not a fan of anything that messes with an
interesting world with regional differences.
Hyarth : yeah FFXI auction houses were pretty good. but ffxi's mail system was horrible
Sean : It's an auction house in each town... each town pretty much has their own community
Sean : and economy
Aradune : sean: yeah, that's better

kaziq : Aradune, do you favour a system where the effects of stats on the players characters is immediately
obvious and open or do you think that some of the fun for the players is to figure it out themselves
with only a general explanation?
Aradune : kaziq: I personally prefer it being more vague, but there's probably a happy medium

Valen2 : Aradune: what do you think about SOE's new "Digital Distribution" idea.. The one where you
(pre)download the game from a patcher.
Aradune : valen2: it's cool, tho I still think you need product in stores too
Aradune : valen2: maybe one day it will all be dloadable, but not yet

Arnie : Will there be a "Making of" video in a possible expansion set :P
Aradune : arnie: that would be cool.. we are keeping as much stuff.. old builds, screenshots, etc. as we can

Vaiyas : Are raids going to be the main focus of this game, like in EQ?
Vaiyas : Because I hate these new "casual" games
Aradune : I think a world can support more casual, small group, and large group content
Aradune : all in the same world
Aradune : raiding is important, but shouldn't be the sole focus
Vaiyas : Yeah Aradune - but eventually
Vaiyas : the focus will all fall to one...
Vaiyas : Whichever becomes most popular
Aradune : vaiyas: not if all are kept viable even at high levels

kaziq : Aradune: one more question =). Would you prefer to release an expansion with an introductory cinematic
or do you think it's just added expense?
Aradune : kaziq: if there's a cinematic, I'd prefer it was using the actual game engine
Aradune : I like games that do that... keeps you more immersed... you can just switch to letterbox or something

Otavia : Aradune: Have you experienced the FFXI 'cut-scene' animations before/after mission completion?
Aradune : otavia: yes
Aradune : was pretty cool
Aradune : Would be nice if it coudl be more integrated with the game

Valen2 : EQ eventually got what I call a "forced storyline"
Aradune : but I agree, EQ did and does have a pretty decent lore behind it
Vaiyas : Yeah - it just never made it's way into the game
Solmancer : And don't forget the "IS LUCLIN THE BOSS OF SOL?????" rumors
Aradune : sol: yeah :( that is her tower in the painting tho

Vaiyas : Brad - you left before SoL didn't you?
Aradune : about 2 months before i think, yeah
Aradune : worked on it for a bit

Solmancer : Brad, do you know who came up with the idea behind the Akheva? They own
Aradune : sol: not sure, no

Valen2 : The newbie zones were always nifty.
Vaiyas : TOWER OF FROZEN SHADOW
Vaiyas : Was SO awesome
Valen2 : Oh... FrozenShadow!! Loved that zone.
Aradune : Crystal Caverns was fun
Aradune : the revamped Runnyeye was awesome
Valen2 : Sadly.. Both crystal and frozenshadow are never used.

Sean : PoP had a mandatory under water raid zone, so my hate for that expansion is unsurpassed
Vaiyas : Powater was SO bad
Sean : I hate underwater things with a passion
Aradune : hrm... actually, I think more water zones would be cool
Aradune : shrug
Aradune : different environments where you have to use differnet tactics and such...
Aradune : variety = good
Vaiyas : Yeah
Vaiyas : but in EQ
Vaiyas : the tactic was "Don't lag out!!!"
Vaiyas : And if you get pushed into a wall
Vaiyas : "Hey, I'm back at the zone in!"
Aradune : think out of the EQ box :)

Aradune : well, gonna take off all... going to get the Tivo going and watch the new 24 episdoe
Aradune : er, episode
kaziq : later ara
Vaiyas : Ok - see ya Brad
Valen2 : Bye Aradune.
tonyyy : later man
Vaiyas : Good luck with the game
Aradune : thanks all
Aradune : was fun
Arnie : Cya around Aradune
Vaiyas : don't forget to let me into Beta!
Otavia : cya
Xzzit : bye Brad
* Aradune bows
* Aradune has left #sigilgames

Jaryn · 01-12-2004, 08:46 AM

Thanks for posting it.

Beeffy Jeerky · 01-12-2004, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Solmancer : So Brad, what's your opinion about EQ now, assuming you've read some of the news postings by
the uber-guilds, particularly Furor's discussion of the Plane of Time when FoH broke in?

Aradune : sol: not gonna go there... It's Their World Now(TM) is what I usually say to that question

Sean : ok, what do you think about people like Furor?^^
Aradune : and what does Sean think of Furor?
Sean : Alex is one of my best friends, my opinion is biased
Sean : soI can't say!
Aradune : Furor is a good guy... opinionated... passionate... you don't want him to cuss you out...
I banned him once... We had him down to Sigil to check the game out under NDA...
Aradune : Not sure what else to say

Solmancer : You personally banned him?
Aradune : sol: honestly, I can't remember.. probably
Aradune : was a long time ago
Solmancer : And did he try and take out any grudges for said banning, incidentally?

Aradune : sol: nah
Aradune : which I really respect about him

lol, run for president!

Bazael · 01-12-2004, 09:43 AM

Interesting stuff.

Thx for the log Xarp

Lenardo · 01-12-2004, 09:47 AM

nice nice, with vanguard over a year away....

it looks like the team is going well, hope they have something good at E3...

Hwed · 01-12-2004, 09:54 AM

Let me sum it up for those of you who don't want to waste ten minutes of your life:

Quote:

When will it be released?

No comment.

What will it look like?

No comment.

I want a pony. A pretty pony. A pretty pony that can do tradeskills and recover my corpse while I broadcast MP3s from the veranda of my in-game house.

That would be a neat idea.

Tindel · 01-12-2004, 09:54 AM

Thanks for posting it

Was a damn good read

Sean · 01-12-2004, 10:07 AM

He misinterpretted my question there heh. I meant vocal webpage people in general, not him specifically. Didn't really get a chance to correct that though.

Archeiron · 01-12-2004, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Xarpolis
Aradune : EQ is like your first kiss... you can't ever get that same feeling back again, but then with our
new game we're not stopping at first base
Aradune : here's hoping we all score

nice.

xilsharn · 01-12-2004, 11:16 AM

One of the most useful, interesting, and informative posts about an MMORPG in development I've ever seen on this forum, even if it was an IRC log and not an original writ.

Quality work, Xarp. Thanks.

Evan Nash · 01-12-2004, 11:26 AM

I'm wondering if Sigil has a very big staff. If not, then it could take quite a long long time before we see the game from them. I remember Mythic's biggest problem was a small staff that just couldn't keep up with the demands of patching/new content.

We'll see what happens.

Lenardo · 01-12-2004, 11:35 AM

http://www.sigilgames.com/cat_our_team.php

looks like ~28 people on the team.

Tongue · 01-12-2004, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Mdar : Aradune, what is your opinion of CR's? Good or bad?
Aradune : mdar: i'm a beliver in CRs... it's a dynamic death penalty... you're penalized more for dying in
the depths of a dungeon than on a hill outside the town
Saedyan : Aradune: won't that discourage people from exploring dungeons at all?
Aradune : saedyan: nah, cause then we put the better lewtz in the dungeons

Aradune : mdar: im thinking the CR should be more about fighting back to your corpse and less about where
the heck it is... espeically when you're low level. so we're working on that

That comment alone is enough for me not to even give this game a look. Fuck CRs, I don't know how anyone in thier right mind can think that shit is fun.

Edit: In addition making a completly new game that still even requires CRs is a huge step backwards regardless how badass the game might be.

Tolanin · 01-12-2004, 11:35 AM

not all crs were fun but it was better than no death penalty at all and it stoped people from doing retarded shit all the time.

Lalala · 01-12-2004, 11:41 AM

The worst part of CR is being naked to go back there.

If they made it so that you respawn at your bind point with all your gear on but have to fight back to where you died to get your XP lost back (part of it or all of it) to, say, pray on your tomb there like in DAoC, it could be worth it.

01-12-2004, 08:13 AM	#1 (permalink)
Xarpolis Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Philly, PA Posts: 87 +0 Internets	Chat with Aradune: Log from #sigilgames yesterday. * Aradune has joined #sigilgames * Aradune peers around Xarpolis : what the duce? Xarpolis : you're not real ! Aradune : sure i am Xarpolis : oh... well... neat Xarpolis : How's life on the sigil front going? Aradune : just taking a break Aradune : we're crunching mon-sat Aradune : well Aradune : actually Aradune : the break is that im at home Xarpolis : and... should I tell other people that you're here so the channel gets swamped, or no? Aradune : i just was logged in for an hour or 2, then reading boards and posting before that Aradune : tho i did get to watch the pheonix supercross and eat Aradune : :) Aradune : if you'd like Xarpolis : wait, logged into "the game"? Aradune : yeah Aradune : testing level 1-5 Aradune : gotta start somewhere :) Xarpolis : are you able to release info as to when we can look foward to beta? Aradune : beta is still a while away Arnie : So how is beta doing? Aradune : i'd call this pre-alpha Aradune : tho what an alpha is as it relates to an MMOG is debatable MorbidDeath : find a webmaster yet? Aradune : i think we're down to 4 candidates Aradune : should make a hire soon Arnie : how bout the programmer? Aradune : probably Aradune : at least one of them Xarpolis : not much really. I personally am eagerly waiting pictures of "The Game", as well as any other information that's to come Aradune : we're eager to share Xarpolis : did you sebtle down on Vanguard yet? Aradune : we've not registered any other names :) Aradune : so far, so good MorbidDeath : hehe is microsoft making you rely on MS technologies? :P Aradune : we work with them on some tech Aradune : but there's no 'making' Aradune : probably wouldn't be 'making' until we hook up to their hosting stuff Aradune : closer to beta Aradune : which is expected MorbidDeath : k didnt know if you were trying thier backend or not Aradune : not yet MorbidDeath : ie 2003/sql instead of linux/oracle type of things Aradune : well, yeah, we're using all of the microsoft public software Aradune : thought you meant actually hooking into their hosting and/or using some of their in-house tech Xarpolis : As fun as EQ was, I'm deffinatly looking foward to launching myself into a new game. Aradune : definitely looking forward to playing another MMOG and really getting into it Aradune : short term, my hopes are personally on WoW Aradune : we shall see Aradune : the WoW look isn't personally my favorite (e.g. what i'd choose), but I don't have a big issue either Aradune : like I said, if the gameplay and content (including an interesting world to explore) is there, I'm hoping to enjoy it Aradune : and the challenge Xarpolis : ok, so how soon can we look foward to seeing press release photos of "the game"? Aradune : xarp: most likely going to do concept art first, from Keith, etc. Aradune : might be a bit before a screenshot Xarpolis : how functional is the game at present? Aradune : xarp: core, basic gameplay is there, and we're focussing on that... making sure we build a solid foundation Aradune : I was just logged on and played a bit Aradune : leveled too fast; too long to rest to get HP Aradune : gotta get that straight, etc MorbidDeath : more or less pvp oriented than EQ? Aradune : morbid: hrm... well, same oriented, BUT we're approaching the design so PvP should be better balanced Aradune : e.g. it's still a PvE focussed game; PvP will most likely be via alternate rules servers Aradune : but, we want PvP to be more fun and be more balanced Aradune : more forethought is going into it Xarpolis : with the possibility of a Best of the Best style tourniment? arena type zones that are all out PVP, but just for fun? Aradune : sure Aradune : at some point, yeah Aradune : im a huge believer in stuff like that... alternate ruleset servers, etc. Aradune : gotta have enough of a sub base before you can do a lot of that tho Arnie : hence the creation of Firiona Vie on EQ * Aradune agrees with Arnie. FV! Xarpolis : you were a player on FV, were you not? Aradune : I'm kinda proud of FV... it was the last major thing I had done before I left... then leveled my ranger to 48 or so before I got too busy at Sigil Mdar : what about 'scripted events'? will there be more or less? Aradune : mdar: hrm... the way we're approaching it kinda blurs the lines between a scripted and non-scripted event Aradune : if that makes any sense Aradune : I guess I could say 'yes' Valen2 : Aradune: any massive zone wide "ringwar" style events? Aradune : valen2: absolutely -- that's one of the reasons we brought Steve Burke on board (author of the ring quest) Sean : What about permanent game changing stuff ala Sleeper's Tomb? Aradune : Sean: some sleeper stuff, sure... but obviously you get limited 'bang for your buck' with stuff like that. Aradune : we have some other ideas on making the world more dynamic Valen2 : I'd like to also see alternate holiday data sets.. AKA Feast of Tishe Virm or Qeytoqrg Undead Invasion (both halloween) Aradune : valen: holidays, seasons, etc. actually affecting gameplay would be cool Hyarth : Will we see No-Drop items as reguarly as we did in EQ? Or will the item stats be scaled on player ability? Aradune : hyarth: no-drop has been a necessary evil... at this point, we want to work around it if we can, and use it as a fallback position. Sean : What range of PCs are you aiming at for it to be played on? low end, mid-range, high end? Aradune : sean: hrm... the engine should be flexible, but it also needs to grow into newer tech, if the game is going to look good long term. I think I might answer you by saying our philosophy there is more EQ 2 and less WoW Sean : so, scalability for that kinda stuff? gotcha Aradune : sean: yeah, scalability, but looking forward. Hyarth : Ooooh, wait. Here is a question. Do you have any plans to reintroduce the Monster PC concept? I really enjoyed that in EQ and have missed it since. While it wasn't exactly appropriate for Test, it woulda worked wonderfully on a Zek Aradune : hyarth: honestly, too early to have given that much thought. it is a neat idea Arnie : Hey Aradune, What are your thoughts on Wish UMMOG... in terms of being "ultra" is it something you are gunning for, or are you going for MMOG , multiple shards Aradune : arnie: multiple shards seems to make sense for quite some time... it's all about content... you have to have the content to enterain X people during peak hours Xarpolis : How will non-paid guides be handled? Would they be as powerless (read: Useless) as those of EQ? What could you do to give guides slightly more power to help a player without giving them too much power where they could damage the game play of others? Aradune : xarp: I can't answer that until more of the legalities get worked out :( Aradune : I think the general idea of people volunteering to contribute is big, and I hope legally it doesn't turn into something so restricted it's not worth it Sean : what do you think of player housing done ffxi-style, sort of a "pocket-zone" people zone into off of towns? could do that for guild houses too Aradune : that issue and the 'who owns the virtual property' issue are 2 that really need to get worked out Aradune : sean: I think SW:G has shown you can do housing without pocket zones (not that there aren't issues) Sean : I never looked into SWG housing >< dunno how that's done Aradune : sean: like UO, but bettter, but not good enough? :) Arnie : Aradune: How is the team spirit doing? They as cranked up about it as Xarp? Aradune : arnie: heh, yeah... very cranked up. gotta be. so much of game dev is confidence and attitude... a lot of people can hang out and design a game on paper; actually following through and making the game is what's really hard Mdar : Aradune: will you have servers that are set to a certain stage only? like maybe one server is just the original, and one is goes only to the first expansion type things? or will servers have the same access of content? (if that makes sense) Aradune : mdar: oh, it makes sense... :) Sean : Oh, tell Fisher he sucks for coming around less and less. or have you been over working him? Aradune : sean: dude, he's super busy Sean : He's always super busy Aradune : he's even busier Aradune : we're on a big push right now Arnie : How is King doing in the office? he bringing out some really nice stuff? Aradune : arnie: very pleased with his artwork -- we just got some in the game Hyarth : Aradune: has your team given consideration to the long term effects on the player economy of the typical endless inflow of cash as seen as most games? I mean beyond the typical moneysinks which has been the generic but flawed method? Aradune : hyarth: we've probably had more long meetings and debates and brainstorming on that issue than any other Sean : er, I can't remember if this has been asked before, you guys going mostly zoneless/seamless world or lots of zones ala EQ? Aradune : sean: seamless Aradune : which makes it tougher to be as content heavy, and to make an interesting world Aradune : but we feel it can be done Xarpolis : how does a seamless zone work? in terms of running from your life? Aradune : xarp: too early for details there (e.g. we're still working that out) MorbidDeath : ready to realease which engine your using aradune? or still not talking? Aradune : morbid: by the time we release, im not sure if that question will even be relavent given the changes we are making MorbidDeath : well it gives us an idea for hardware requirements :D Aradune : morbid: true, which really I don't want people worried about yet Aradune : too early Mdar : have you done any work on the AI yet? and if so, will NPCs be able to take advantage of the terrain to fight the PCs, while still under the same limitations that hte PCs are under? Aradune : mdar: we have basic ai pathing and combat in already; we hope to go well beyond that Xarpolis : that's another good point from Mdar. Will there be mobs able to hit through walls? Mdar : and cast through walls Mdar : and warp ontop of you... Mdar : etc.. Aradune : heh Aradune : well Aradune : they did on EQ because the servers had issues with server side collission Aradune : we know a lot more know Aradune : but we also seem to be making a lot more complex worlds Aradune : so cross your fingers :) Hyarth : Aradune: are you looking to immediately market the game to multiple nations at release as other games plan, or is it a play by ear issue? Aradune : hyarth: more up to MSFT MorbidDeath : are you looking at player collision detection? or at least player vs monster? Aradune : we'll make the collision as good as we can, howzzat :) Arnie : Aradune: Now that you are toying around with pre-alpha, Are things going as you had planned? New idea's popin out of everyones heads? Sometimes idea's come as things are created. Aradune : arnie: that's the beauty of it... you always figure out stuff you never thought of before once you start messing with it Aradune : it's so important to move from paper and theory and into the game Aradune : hence why we're pushing so hard right now Aradune : and so busy Otavia : Aradune: Since the EQ expansions were planned from the near get go, supposedly, are you planning to do that for your game? And if so, is it going to be the "newly discovered continent" style of event or going to explore more avenues (like the rarely touched Underworld of EQ). Aradune : otavia: we're planning even more ahead than we did with eq... in fact, arguably, we really didn't plan on expansions for EQ until very late in dev. Xarpolis : HOLY CRAP, WE HAVE A MOON! Xarpolis : let's explore it ! Aradune : lol Mdar : will there be more interaction between the races other then "we hate them, they hate us. lets stay here" type thing like in everquest? Aradune : mdar: hrm... that would get into the storyline/lore... too early, sorry Arnie : Aradune: If you can describe the pre-alpha in one word... what would it be Aradune : arnie: satisfying (as in we have one) :) Aradune : the producer's sense of accomplishment comes from watching it all come together Aradune : so we should in theory get happier and happier Aradune : :) Xarpolis : are you able to comment on how large this world will be upon release? (or at least what you hope it will be) Aradune : xarp: it's big, but I wouldn't over focus on just size... it's the amount of content... EQ is still arguably the most content-rich game at launch... that's our focus Mdar : Aradune, what is your opinion of CR's? Good or bad? Aradune : mdar: i'm a beliver in CRs... it's a dynamic death penalty... you're penalized more for dying in the depths of a dungeon than on a hill outside the town Saedyan : Aradune: won't that discourage people from exploring dungeons at all? Aradune : saedyan: nah, cause then we put the better lewtz in the dungeons :) Aradune : mdar: im thinking the CR should be more about fighting back to your corpse and less about where the heck it is... espeically when you're low level. so we're working on that Hyarth : What about EQ's current method of travel? Will there be an emphasis on travel time, or travel being a part of the adventure, or will we see things similar to EQ's current instant gratification teleportation? Aradune : hyarth: we think travel can be made more fun, and that egregious teleportation is bad Saedyan : Aradune: Do you have any plans on how to handle in game mapping? Aradune : saedyan: yeah... but keeping it underwraps for now Xarpolis : how much of vanguard will be loot oriented? And more importantly, how can you stop it from becoming the greedy lewt fest that EQ has become? Aradune : I don't know if I'd use the word 'loot-fest', but it is going to be an item acquisition centric game Mdar : will there be item decay? if so will it be based on use, or just a gradual time line that all items follow Aradune : mdar: if there is, it won't be in there to try to stop mudflation and it won't be a major hassle Xzzit : Aradune: how in depth will you get into quests? will it be time-sink city? Aradune : xzzit: hrm... I guess everything is a 'time sink'... we just gotta make investing time as consistently fun as possible. that's the real challenge Aradune : time invested is still the advancement mechanism Xarpolis : do you have any plans to fight off the likes of say.. Yantis? who buy/sell in game currency and items for RL money? Xarpolis : or will you go the route of some new games and offer players a chance to spend their own RL money on items? Aradune : xarp: i really don't like the spending RL life money on in-game items... not sure it can totally be stopped, but I definitely don't like it Aradune : we play these games to escape real life... where we are financially... who we are... where we are... none of that RL stuff should matter. we become someone else, and are somewhere else Mdar : don't know if this has been asnwerd or not, but will player made items be as usefull as NPC dropped items? Aradune : mdar: can't answer that one yet, sorry Otavia : Elipses are your friends? Aradune : i do use too many elipses... fisher always tells me that. Aradune : it used to be -- Otavia : And he uses too many commas. Aradune : now it's ... Otavia : Fisher, is like, this. Aradune : stop the comma hataz! Xarpolis : also, Epics: those were a GREAT creation that went bad in that players felt they needed them or else they sucked. can we look foward to those type of items in your game? (or are you at least brain storming?) Aradune : xarp: hrm. I don't think that having 'epic' quests is in and of itself why people got so wrapped up into having to have them... perhaps if there were more options... more epics, etc Xarpolis : Ara, that's exactly what I dream of. A big number of epics per class. To give you options. What epic do you want? It'll reflect how you play your character Aradune : xarp: true, some will HAVE to have them all anyway. Sean : people get all these crazy ideas in their head about how good an "epic" should be Aradune : sean: yeah, can trivialize the word itself Xzzit : Aradune: what's the actual game name going to be? Aradune : xzzit: if you can, read the FAQ and the boards on sigilgames.com... you can get a pretty good feel for the game Arnie : 2500 members on your forum Aradune... quite an acheivement for something that just made pre-alpha! Aradune : arnie: and not even announced :) Aradune : I wonder if that's a record. shrug Creslin : they are all gonna be really disapointed when you announce your title is for the GBA Aradune : creslin: GBA? bah, cell phones MorbidDeath : have you considered xbox live or has MS mentioned it? :P Aradune : morbid: we're pretty platform agnostic... but i doubt an xbox could run the client MorbidDeath : k just seeing how much MS is involved :D Aradune : morbid: MSFT is great -- giving us the control and help we need to make a great game Valen2 : So... Has anyone looked at the new SOE book "Inside the lore of a gameworld"? Aradune : valen2: tell me more about this book -- haven't heard about it Valen2 : Here's the SOE writeup on it... I haven't personally read it... Valen2 : EverQuest Companion: The Inside Lore of a Gameworld explores the history of online gaming through the evolution of EverQuest, the premier pioneering massively multiplayer online game. Read exclusive interviews with past and present developers of EverQuest, plus enjoy original full-color EverQuest artwork, including advance screenshots from the upcoming EverQuest II! You'll also find discussions of expansions and spin-offs, incl Valen2 : SOE's Store carrys it here: https://store.station.sony.com/hardg...-BK1003-INSDST Aradune : valen2: fascinating... nobody at Sigil has been interviewed Aradune : on wait Aradune : oh wait wait Aradune : that's the one that's been out for a while Aradune : yeah, it's a good book Aradune : we were very involved with it Aradune : when you said 'new' it through me off -- sorry Aradune : :) Xarpolis : Ara, any hardware specifications you're trying to meet? Aradune : xarp: the problem with talking about min specs too early is that some people do worry about their current machines, even though by the time the game comes out they've upgraded anyway Mdar : will there be a way for a player to enhance NPC dropped items, not via 'gems' like D2 but as in a smith taking a sword to the forge and butting a keener edge on it, or a bower redoing the cams on a bow, or even a amoursmith fixing spikes onto a shield Aradune : mdar: too early for that level of detail, sorry Saedyan : Aradune:What caffeine product of choice do you use for those late night sessions? Aradune : saedyan: red bull or those hansen's energy drinks... i think i like the hansens better Xarpolis : yes, but does it give you wings? Arnie : Aradune: Creater of Everquest, and now Creating something totally new. How hard is it to create something that contends with something you already created. Do you sometimes find yourself in the same tracks as when you created Everquest.. and seeking another unpaved route? Aradune : arnie: back to your question about creating EQ, and now this... well, I guess it's like getting a new girl friend... you tend to forget about the older one, though still have fond memories? Aradune : as for how we're putting it together, we're building on that experience, on a proven foundation, but then innovating on top of it. Aradune : e.g. it's not painful to move on, but you are still proud... I'm definitely still very proud of EQ and what it accomplished Aradune : but moving to the next big thing is just as fun, if not more exciting Aradune : EQ is like your first kiss... you can't ever get that same feeling back again, but then with our new game we're not stopping at first base :) Aradune : here's hoping we all score Valen2 : I think the original EQ engine had a bunch of tanarus code in it... From things like EverQuest's "S3D" format strangely like "T3D" formats (to the point where you could run a T3D Converter but get an error on how the first chunk was bad). Aradune : valen2: very true. actually, tanarus was built on an engine we licensed, then the network code was added, then Steve & I grabbed it to start working on EQ, then it was modified further, etc. etc. Valen2 : No wonder it runs slow now. It's using 8 year old code. :/ Aradune : it is old code, but has been modified extensively Aradune : i think that's a good idea... start development off running, with some existing tech, and then build on that, as opposed to totally starting from scratch Mdar : Aradune, are you trying to make the code for this game easier to manage, not only for yourself but when new talent comes in that has never worked with the code? Aradune : mdar: hrm. yeah, but then the code is that much more complex too. Otavia : Oh, here's a question Aradune: Did you guys use Maya or 3d Studio Max on EQ models, and what about on your current project? Aradune : otavia: max on EQ, maya on our new game tonyyy : whoever made the original eq models is a genius Aradune : tonyy: the guy who modeled the original EQ player characters was Milo Cooper Sean : what type of work are you having him doing now? Aradune : sean: he works on PCs Aradune : player characters Xarpolis : how much character individulization do you have planned? Aradune : xarp: i like what SW:G did with character customization Solmancer : What's Thomas King doing? Aradune : valen2[he ment Solmancer]: we have T King, and Jon Wiessman, who wrote the customizable UI for EQ Arnie : Ara : when ya gonna invite us over for a sleep over / LAN party? Aradune : arnie: you scare me Xarpolis : I have the entire log (so far) in .txt format. I'm going to go through little by little and pick out all the useless chatter and post only the facts later on. Aradune : hrmn Aradune : probably not a good idea Xarpolis : haha, ok ;p Arnie : You gonna post also on the Sigil board? Xarpolis : sure, I might as well... lemme make an account ;p Aradune : no account? Xarpolis : I talk in here, no need to talk there while everything is still speculation Aradune : no beta for you! Aradune : grin Xarpolis : fine, consider your account's up to 2501 now Aradune : hrm... was the beta cut-off at 2500? * Aradune tries to remember Xarpolis : ok, are some of these questions really needed? Xarpolis : favorite color? Aradune : blue... no, green! Xarpolis : Ara, how much longer do you have for break? Aradune : break? Xarpolis : you said earlier that you were on break Aradune : oh, just meant a day off Aradune : e.g. i return to work tomorrow' Sean : How many hours a day do you guys work? or does it vary? Aradune : sean: it varies. doing 10 hours a day now, mostly Vaiyas : Aradune: What do you think about all the MMORPGs these days and their huge focus on tradeskills over fighting? (Sorry if you guys were already talking about this, I just got in here) Aradune : vaiyas: well, I think the motive is good... try to appeal to more different types of games. I don't think it's zero-sum tho... no reason why adventurers and tradeskillers can't co-exist Xzzit : Aradune: What main feature will be new to the game that wasn't in EQ, besides graphics of course Aradune : xzzit: yeah, can't get into the sekret sauce stuff guys, sorry Aradune : too early Sean : will you be using a first-person camera setup/controls similar to EQ? Aradune : how about put the camera where you want as long as it's not stupid or exploitative Aradune : exploitative... is that a word? * Aradune shrugs Aradune : that would include first person :) Solmancer : So Brad, what's your opinion about EQ now, assuming you've read some of the news postings by the uber-guilds, particularly Furor's discussion of the Plane of Time when FoH broke in? :) Aradune : sol: not gonna go there... It's Their World Now(TM) is what I usually say to that question Sean : ok, what do you think about people like Furor?^^ Aradune : and what does Sean think of Furor? Sean : Alex is one of my best friends, my opinion is biased Sean : so I can't say! Aradune : Furor is a good guy... opinionated... passionate... you don't want him to cuss you out... I banned him once... We had him down to Sigil to check the game out under NDA... Aradune : Not sure what else to say :) Solmancer : You personally banned him? Aradune : sol: honestly, I can't remember.. probably Aradune : was a long time ago Solmancer : And did he try and take out any grudges for said banning, incidentally? ;) Aradune : sol: nah Aradune : which I really respect about him Vaiyas : Hey Brad - what do you think about Cross-server tells on EQ? Vaiyas : and item linking Vaiyas : Do you think that's a good idea for a game? Aradune : vaiyas: hrm... let me think on it... are they doing that now? I know we'd talked about it. Aradune : i'd say no on item linking Aradune : not sure if tells are bad Aradune : people are runing icq or whatever anyway Mdar : will people be able to atl tab out of the game? Aradune : mdar: I don't think the OS gives us a choice on that anymore Xarpolis : Also, is your game going to be like EQ was for ages? Xarpolis : IE - You can ONLY do EQ? nothing else? Aradune : well Aradune : please understand we did that to stop casual hacking/exploits Xarpolis : I understand that much Aradune : i think it did help overall, although it was a bummer too Aradune : Now, with DirectX working better with the OS, it's probably not possible anyway Sean : Do you have an opinion on people two-boxing, three/four/five/six-boxing, and the like? Aradune : sean: no big issue with it... tho if we could make the game more involved so that would be more/too difficult??? Valen2 : The problem with disabling multitasking was... The dedicated cheaters found a way to get around it... And casual users started becoming cheaters and using workarounds just to do things like browse the web or play an MP3. Aradune : valen2: I still think it slowed the casual ones down big time, and was worth it. I mean, if you look back at EQ, it's been relatively exploit-lite in the grand scheme of things Vaiyas : How's your CS system gonna work - if you guys have even planned that out very much yet? Will you have guides, or just GMs? Aradune : vaiyas: guides will depend on some legalities that probably aren't worked out yet (the whole volunteer issue) Aradune : as for CS in general, it's still being worked out Sean : Are you going to have dedicated server GMs? Unlike EQ's horrible new "rotating" ones Aradune : I'm not a big fan of rotating... It's nice having a GM you can get to know... but again, still pretty early to talk about that stuff Xarpolis : and ara: Any idea how soon you'll be showing the world the concept art? Aradune : xarp: soon, only not yet? :) Aradune : I just can't say yet when we'll announce, which dictates when we'll put up some concept art, that's all. sorry Rhaski : will your new game have in game maps? i liked not having any maps available Aradune : I'm not a fan of mapping that spoils the game... I'll say that for now kaziq : ara, do you plan to make it harder for people to write programs like Showeq? Aradune : kaziq: if at all possible, yes. the client really needs to be as much of a graphical dumb terminal as possible Vaiyas : You know Aradune, I really loved the old EQ Interface - where the game was in a little area in the middle Vaiyas : and the interface surounded the screen Vaiyas : Now, with most game interfaces, everything is on top of the screen Vaiyas : actually limiting what you can view Vaiyas : I find that annoying - but I Think I'm alone there Aradune : vaiyas: hrm.. I liked rev 2. where you went full screen and the interface elements were on top. I used that mostly Aradune : the main thing, is if it's customizable, you should be able to make most people happy Sean : Do you plan to limit damage/combat information so people don't break it down as much as they do in EQ and bitch about the tiniest of things? Aradune : sean: gonna try. easier said than done, and there's no stopping some people from bitching :) Vaiyas : Brad - what do you think about the Bazaar? I find that it takes out SO much human interaction Aradune : vaiyas: I'm not a fan of global bazaars. In fact, I'm not a fan of anything that messes with an interesting world with regional differences. Hyarth : yeah FFXI auction houses were pretty good. but ffxi's mail system was horrible Sean : It's an auction house in each town... each town pretty much has their own community Sean : and economy Aradune : sean: yeah, that's better kaziq : Aradune, do you favour a system where the effects of stats on the players characters is immediately obvious and open or do you think that some of the fun for the players is to figure it out themselves with only a general explanation? Aradune : kaziq: I personally prefer it being more vague, but there's probably a happy medium Valen2 : Aradune: what do you think about SOE's new "Digital Distribution" idea.. The one where you (pre)download the game from a patcher. Aradune : valen2: it's cool, tho I still think you need product in stores too Aradune : valen2: maybe one day it will all be dloadable, but not yet Arnie : Will there be a "Making of" video in a possible expansion set :P Aradune : arnie: that would be cool.. we are keeping as much stuff.. old builds, screenshots, etc. as we can Vaiyas : Are raids going to be the main focus of this game, like in EQ? Vaiyas : Because I hate these new "casual" games Aradune : I think a world can support more casual, small group, and large group content Aradune : all in the same world Aradune : raiding is important, but shouldn't be the sole focus Vaiyas : Yeah Aradune - but eventually Vaiyas : the focus will all fall to one... Vaiyas : Whichever becomes most popular Aradune : vaiyas: not if all are kept viable even at high levels kaziq : Aradune: one more question =). Would you prefer to release an expansion with an introductory cinematic or do you think it's just added expense? Aradune : kaziq: if there's a cinematic, I'd prefer it was using the actual game engine Aradune : I like games that do that... keeps you more immersed... you can just switch to letterbox or something Otavia : Aradune: Have you experienced the FFXI 'cut-scene' animations before/after mission completion? Aradune : otavia: yes Aradune : was pretty cool Aradune : Would be nice if it coudl be more integrated with the game Valen2 : EQ eventually got what I call a "forced storyline" Aradune : but I agree, EQ did and does have a pretty decent lore behind it Vaiyas : Yeah - it just never made it's way into the game Solmancer : And don't forget the "IS LUCLIN THE BOSS OF SOL?????" rumors Aradune : sol: yeah :( that is her tower in the painting tho Vaiyas : Brad - you left before SoL didn't you? Aradune : about 2 months before i think, yeah Aradune : worked on it for a bit Solmancer : Brad, do you know who came up with the idea behind the Akheva? They own Aradune : sol: not sure, no Valen2 : The newbie zones were always nifty. Vaiyas : TOWER OF FROZEN SHADOW Vaiyas : Was SO awesome Valen2 : Oh... FrozenShadow!! Loved that zone. Aradune : Crystal Caverns was fun Aradune : the revamped Runnyeye was awesome Valen2 : Sadly.. Both crystal and frozenshadow are never used. Sean : PoP had a mandatory under water raid zone, so my hate for that expansion is unsurpassed Vaiyas : Powater was SO bad Sean : I hate underwater things with a passion Aradune : hrm... actually, I think more water zones would be cool Aradune : shrug Aradune : different environments where you have to use differnet tactics and such... Aradune : variety = good Vaiyas : Yeah Vaiyas : but in EQ Vaiyas : the tactic was "Don't lag out!!!" Vaiyas : And if you get pushed into a wall Vaiyas : "Hey, I'm back at the zone in!" Aradune : think out of the EQ box :) Aradune : well, gonna take off all... going to get the Tivo going and watch the new 24 episdoe Aradune : er, episode kaziq : later ara Vaiyas : Ok - see ya Brad Valen2 : Bye Aradune. tonyyy : later man Vaiyas : Good luck with the game Aradune : thanks all Aradune : was fun Arnie : Cya around Aradune Vaiyas : don't forget to let me into Beta! Otavia : cya Xzzit : bye Brad * Aradune bows * Aradune has left #sigilgames __________________ Szader - 60 Orc Warrior Xarp - 30 Undead Warlock Last edited by Xarpolis : 01-12-2004 at 10:22 AM.

01-12-2004, 09:43 AM	#4 (permalink)
Bazael Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Minnesota Posts: 434 -1 Internets	hmmm Interesting stuff. Thx for the log Xarp __________________ New Hotness: Bazz http://www.fusion-guild.org

01-12-2004, 10:07 AM	#8 (permalink)
Sean Fires of Heaven Officer Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Washington Posts: 5,152 +17 Internets	He misinterpretted my question there heh. I meant vocal webpage people in general, not him specifically. Didn't really get a chance to correct that though. __________________

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01-12-2004, 08:46 AM	#2 (permalink)
Jaryn Waiting For Something Else™ Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Povar Posts: 84 -1 Internets	Thanks for posting it.

01-12-2004, 09:47 AM	#5 (permalink)
Lenardo Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 2,283 -5 Internets	nice nice, with vanguard over a year away.... it looks like the team is going well, hope they have something good at E3...

01-12-2004, 09:54 AM	#7 (permalink)
Tindel Rar Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 329 +0 Internets	Thanks for posting it Was a damn good read

01-12-2004, 11:16 AM	#10 (permalink)
xilsharn Definitely a chick Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 1,735 +0 Internets	One of the most useful, interesting, and informative posts about an MMORPG in development I've ever seen on this forum, even if it was an IRC log and not an original writ. Quality work, Xarp. Thanks.

01-12-2004, 11:26 AM	#11 (permalink)
Evan Nash Slave to DVDs Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 391 -1 Internets	I'm wondering if Sigil has a very big staff. If not, then it could take quite a long long time before we see the game from them. I remember Mythic's biggest problem was a small staff that just couldn't keep up with the demands of patching/new content. We'll see what happens.

01-12-2004, 11:35 AM	#12 (permalink)
Lenardo Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 2,283 -5 Internets	http://www.sigilgames.com/cat_our_team.php looks like ~28 people on the team.

01-12-2004, 11:35 AM	#14 (permalink)
Tolanin h8 Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 2,879 -15 Internets	not all crs were fun but it was better than no death penalty at all and it stoped people from doing retarded shit all the time.

01-12-2004, 11:41 AM	#15 (permalink)
Lalala Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 356	The worst part of CR is being naked to go back there. If they made it so that you respawn at your bind point with all your gear on but have to fight back to where you died to get your XP lost back (part of it or all of it) to, say, pray on your tomb there like in DAoC, it could be worth it.