X_PennyWise

This sounds exactly like something a 5-year-old would say. Let the guy have his fun. EDIT: Correction, don't let this guy have his fun. I should have looked at the rest of the board. I stand by the the first line, though.

I'd play it about as much as I play Minecraft on my 360. Rarely. I play Minecraft on Xbox because it's the only way to reach my half-ass "gamer" friends with indie developed games. They're all CoD and Madden guys, so in that respect, I think it's a good idea to get those players to play SS. Buuuuttttt it would cost too much. We don't have millions like Notch does, unfortunately. Personally, I'd always prefer the PC client solely because of the customization aspect of it. I always felt that was the best part of SS, being able to create your own zone. Think about this approach instead. What if, instead of trying to code a new client for PC/Xbox/PS3/iPhone/Android, we try to make zone customization and hosting simpler? Run with me on this one. DCME was a great improvement to the horrid map maker (SSME? Idk, I forget what it was) that we had before. Let's improve DCME now. Make it sleeker, and simpler, and much more universal. Here's what I mean. Please forgive me if DCME has any of these features, it's been years since I've used it. -DCME will include a feature to directly access a tileset archive THROUGH the client. Browse the archive while your mapping to pick the perfect tileset. I used to hate having to download sets through ssdownloads, unzipping, then opening them only to see that the tileset is shit. Have it right there, in a clear window with clear screenshots of each set. -DCME will include a settings editor. The archaic settings editor within the SS client were a pain in the ass. Like I said before, it's been years since I've created a zone from scratch, so I don't know what people use to edit settings anymore. The point is to include a settings editor within the map editor. Also, dumb down the settings terms so even newbs can understand it. -DCME will include a testing feature which would launch your zone for testing instantly. My tiny understanding of programming makes me believe this would be the most difficult of features, but to me it seems necessary. You could elaborate on these, and even add some related features. The goal is to create a single editing program that is both simple and extremely useful. Now, for the kicker. Start a zone where it's primary draw is that it is purely player created arenas. The main map is a portal arena to the other player run arenas. Bots instantly upload arenas, advertise them, and track statistics of the most popular. Every week have a "Arena of the Week" or something. Once again, the simpler, the better. You could even include the upload feature within this new DCME I'm discussing, that would be ideal. Finally, bundle this new editing client WITH Continuum. Anyone that downloads Continuum, gets the editor right with it. Every once in a while, this community gets behind advertising in some way. The problem is we keep advertising the same thing. It's old news, and there's no reason for anyone to try the game for the first time. If you bundle this new editor, then you actually have something to advertise. "Hey check out Continuum with our new customization client that lets you create YOUR own zones instantly and easily." I think that just gave me a little wood. Put editing at the forefront of Continuum, it's what drew my friends and I to this game over a decade ago. Players want this now more than ever. You see the constant uproar about DLC and other crappy marketing practices by big name games, and companies like Ubisoft and EA have been trying to destroy the PC gaming community by denying the ability to mod more and more each year. I don't know, this is just something I've been tossing around forever. Maybe there already is something like this out there, but I think we should at least make customization the primary selling point on SS/Cont. Rather than trying to overhaul our client or port it, maybe it would be easier to make a single, simple, and universal zone editor?

The tricky part is keeping people there after the initial "MG is back" boom. It's tough. What exactly were they "harassing" you about? I don't understand how that makes a zone go under. I understand the reasoning that it was just dead, but I honestly can't believe you closed the zone due to player harassment, especially in a dead zone. And seriously, screw them. Polix, I have all the original files somewhere on my external HD. I'll have to search around for the .zip, but Kirk sent me them a few months ago and I added whatever was missing from my previous files. I'm not sure what Resol has added since he tried to start it up again, though. Just let me know, and if you need any help feel free to ask. I'm sure I could help in a limited role.

How would they know to download Infantry? Personally, I stop in SS here and there but keep it installed. What about the people who only install when they feel like playing for a few days? What happens when they install the client and see all zones down? I think it's a good idea, but I don't think you'll be able to get everyone to "make the switch" without butting a few heads. It could potentially make things worse. Some zones will merge, some won't, and that'll cause a whole bunch of unnecessary confusion. Now, going with what the Doc said, if you could prove that this would be a quick and painless switch, I'm all for it. If it's a simple process to switch over to Infantry, then I'm sure it'll make more zone owners make the merge. Oh and bring back MG.

You'd have to make a new client. That's the only way to keep the game from fading away. The thing is after you would complete the client, then you have essentially opened a can of worms. If you wanted to appeal to the regular people, you would need a staff willing to update/upgrade on a regular basis. A staff and updates/upgrades cost money. How do you get money? You advertise, but then the ownership issues come into play. The way I understand it was that as long as we didn't make any money off of the Subspace client, then we could use it without repercussions. I'm not completely sure how that understanding applies to the Continuum client, and how it would (or if it would) apply to a new client. I'm pretty sure it doesn't apply to us anymore, but I would personally be weary of VIE if you decided to start generating revenue from the game. I do agree with your initial point, though. I don't think you would necessarily need to make it in FB, but a mobile version would absolutely kick ass. Mobile is the future IMO, and social media could certainly help influence that. Like I said though, this all requires a new client. I've personally always felt that the ability to create your own zones or even arenas was what made SS/Cont special. I've always thought that if we could simplify the map and settings process so that the common peasant had the ability to create zones then it would improve the population. That's how I fell in love with this game, and we all know the PC gaming community loves the ability to mod their games. If it was simple to create the map and settings, and even simpler to get that zone hosted (even temporarily), then I think you could draw another last breath into SS/Cont. Don't let the pessimists deter what you want to accomplish. SS is full of them, and it seems they're the only ones left. If we didn't have people like you occasionally reminding us that our game is slowly fading away, then no one will do anything to stop it, even if it is inevitable.

If someone could magically drop 50k to benefit SS, we'd hire coders, and lots of them. After we did that, we could figure out what to have them work on. There's an endless list of shit that people would want in a new version of Continuum.

The only way it would work is if metalgearctf.net was back up. A sub-forum here would be a ghost town IMO. Old players like myself would still frequently check out the old mgctf.net address and see if anything was going on, and with a few exceptions I doubt those same old players check here. Bottom line, a sub-forum wouldn't help revive it's population initially, but if something was started, it'd be worth trying.

There's a lot more to it than just putting the zone up. First off, you have zone ownership issues. I think it's pretty much up for grabs right now, so I don't think that would be a problem. It could still be a concern down the road, though. Secondly, how are you going to get a community? I mean there was a large community for MG, but it revolved around our metalgearctf.net forums, which are dead. Those kept players involved, even though they weren't actively playing. If your goal is to revive the community, your first step would be reviving the forums on the old address. I would assume TT still owns the domain. Once again, ownership issues. Third, it's not just one person who runs a zone. You need a dedicated staff that consist of hosts/ERs, development, and staff organizers. Yes, you need someone that will organize all that, but without a community, who do you hire? You could give it a shot, I have the majority of the files needed if you'd like them. My only concern is the general loss in population of SS as a whole. EG and TW have trouble keeping 100+ anymore, and MG was popular when both those zones had an avg of 300. MG was my favorite zone in SS, and it always will be, but helping the SS community at large would be much more worth dedicating your resources to. I mean christ, if a game like Minecraft can become popular, we shouldn't be struggling that bad. P.S.- I love Minecraft EDIT: I don't know why the topic was closed either, especially when it ended with what seemed to be a love note. "Audrey is busy with me!! So now I'm closing this topic that has little to do with Audrey! "

Kirk? I can't believe my eyes. I'll be dropping you a line to get some of those old files. I have most of them, but I'm looking for the Realms and the first MG map. They've both disappeared, I think you might be one of the few people left with them. Good to see you again. EDIT: Wow, didn't notice Meld posted here too. Haven't heard anyone mention Vore or IP in years. Good to see you as well.

I was just wondering the exact same thing, I'd love this.

I'd have to agree with Polix on this one. I can't remember a time when there was 100+ in DS. Screenshot or GTFO

I laughed. DS and MG were two separate zones with different game-plays, settings, graphics, and maps. Meh, perhaps the DS/MG rivalry isn't what it used to be. That was meant for laughs, not for completely obvious facts.

No wonder people were asking me if MG was coming back... Anyway, I'll throw my two cents into the issue. First off, if TT is not involved, anything and everything that's been discussed is possible. TT really did MG a service after Jules tried selling it on ebay by taking over, but in the end, he helped destroy it. Freak did everything he could to keep this zone running, but he did not have the time, nor did he ever step up to TT. When I was there, every major change had to be run through TT. If you haven't noticed yet, he's damn near impossible to get a hold of. The only way we could ever contact TT was to get Audry to contact him through e-mail or MSN (I believe, might've been AIM) because he wouldn't reply to freak and I, only Audry. You cannot increase development in a zone with an MIA owner, it just doesn't work. The kick in the teeth was our forums. The only way we were able to communicate with our old player base was through the forums. They were "hacked" and TT refused to restore them after that point. Not only was it our only communication tool with the players, but it also had all our schedules/league scores/events on them. There were countless staff topics that were extremely useful, and they are now gone forever. If we were able to at least restore parts of the forums, I'd still be there and so would MG. Unfortunately, that was not the case. With all that said, and if this does actually happen, be sure to keep leadership open. Do not give it to one lone person. Have three sysops, all willing to make changes on the fly without waiting for the inactive one to show up. Announce the date MG is coming back, don't just start it up and expect people to arrive. Announce a date, host events, etc. Any of you reading that were former staff members of mine and are contributing, you know what I'm talking about. Have a day where everyone remembers why they love MG. If you bring back the vets for even just a day or two, that population will entice others to stop in. The bots need to be more automated, like Blocks said. We tried this shortly before the forums were destroyed, but really couldn't find someone willing to help with the needed experience. As far as I know (and I don't know a thing about bots past MERV), AS3 is the way to go. I believe freak had a dev zone up at some point with an AS3 bot. If you get in contact with him, ask him about it. If you are missing any files, give me a shout on here or SS (I typically stop in once every few days to read my ?messages) and I'll see what I have. I know I have most, if not all, the maps and I have most of the bot files. EDIT: DS is a ripoff of MG, I thought people only played DS for a few days until the novelty wore off.

The first real squad I joined was called }{TREME (hence the X_ in front of my name), and that was back in '99ish. Even then we had to be creative with squadnames, so this isn't really a new issue. Plus, I have a few of my squad names where the owner is an alias of mine that I don't use frequently, and I'd be PISSED if I found out my squad was given out due to activeness.

This 1:20 Gimme them greenbacks

That brings back some memories. God I wish DalNet still let you use fservs...

Zone Name: SSCC Halo Evolved IP / Port: 209.59.175.210 13000

Get the comments back up and I'll be happy. Some of the files have a terrible description, and last I checked the comments were still disabled. Makes it impossible to find out what the hell your downloading

Couldn't you just set up two stations for SS radio that plays the same songs, just one censored and one not censored? Each zone could agree which link to advertise depending on their rules

I'm in, let me know what you need

The first and probably last time I'll ever agree with Ori's post. I felt the exact same way as the good captain at this point in the thread.

I started when I was 12-13. Learned HTML and built my first website, been my family's computer repair man since then. Plus I'm currently finishing a degree in Web Design. All thanks to the people I met in SS. The big thing was making my first arena. After I realized I could program an arena's settings, I moved on to HTML. The rest is history

All these little things are helping, including Google Adwords. We just have to keep coming up with more of them

Be sure to stop by SSCC Metal Gear CTF on Saturday, January 16th for your chance to win a FREE Xbox 360!! Signups have started on our forums here. You cannot signup after 11 AM EST on Saturday. After the event kicks off at noon, signups for our new MGFL will begin, and league is set to start on Saturday, January 23rd. Be sure to stop by MG and sharpen your skills. Also, if you'd like to apply for staff, or just to host league, apply here. Hope to see you there!

MG is up to 30 ppl, rather than our typical 8 on a Sunday afternoon. Although we have been hitting that every few hours or so in the last couple days, it was a bit unexpected for today.