aesop

I think the solution is Richard's redesign of SS, where he has the ability to code in the kinds of changes the game needs. Such as, a tiered playing system to separate players by skill levels. I haven't seen Richard mention this, but he would have the ability to add new content and therefore reduce the skill gap through evolving game dynamics. The 10,000 hour warbird vet is countered by the 10 hour newb exploiting a new technique in a new ship that people are still learning to use. As it is, the SS game has several critical design flaws (stemming from its age) that need to be addressed by a developer. I realized I didn't add a suggestion on how to help, which is not very helpful. So, here goes: Split map solution. Or map within a map, however you choose to think about it. If the map was split into 2 sections, considering the size, it should be possible, you can effectively separate vets from newbs, but consolidate the population and improve chat. You have a newb side and vet side, maybe the maps are copies side by side, or similar but different maps, or maybe very different entirely. This way new players can observe vets, talk with vets, but play against newbs. The vets would be able to moderate the newb side of the map (they are already in the zone playing) but won't be able to fight the newbs. How to implement this would be the challenge, given the limits of the existing client.

Hi Richard, I'm a bit busy with real life, but would love to help out with map design and theory crafting if you're in the market for another helper. Cheers, aesop

I had to take a break from map making, I was burning alot of time--so I'll be back in a few months when my studies are a bit less demanding--Hallu has a copy of the most recent map if anyone wants to fiddle with it. BTW, what a terrible site for uploading stuff to--I thought the forum had an upload function, now I know! Cheers!

So its not the map, thanks Hallu for putting it up and testing it. Looks like its something about my server config that is broken--such a shame, it worked fine until I started tweaking the tileset, but now its in-op!

No reps is so much better! Makes the game a ton more fun--in my opinion the rep, an item which a single player can hold multiple copies of and effects all players in the vicinity, is more than a tad overpowered!

Still no go--re-installed continuum, DCME and the server folder, verified all values in .ini files. Here is the Subbill, Server, and map files. http://www.filehosting.org/file/details/398434/subbill.ini http://www.filehosting.org/file/details/398433/server.ini http://www.filehosting.org/file/details/398435/Snowflake7.lvl Has anyone been able to try loading the map into a localhost server to see if it actually is the map?

Here is the map--if someone is willing to try running it [on a local server] to see if it is my DCME/Subspace server folder I would appreciate it. http://www.filehosti.../Snowflake6.lvl

Ok, so I captured the error the subgame was giving, then auto closing, it says: Could not find specified file (changeme.lvl). Make sure a level file with this name is in the server directory. So, if I change the title of my .lvl to "changeme.lvl", the subgame won't auto close, but it won't find the billing server. Any ideas? The tileset is quite nice, and there is alot of work (the tedious kind) in the map now, rather than just structure it is looks that I want to hold on to, so I need to find a way to get this tileset to work! http://img15.imagefra.me/i5bs/aesop/11tl_bcf_ucyhi.png

BTW, I'm also trying to figure out how to change a regular tile into a "fly under" or "fly over" tile. And I'm trying to figure out how to get a .gif into the tileset (similar to the goal tile that flashes colors).

Ok, so I reduced my text size--but got the tileset to load by exporting the tileset, and editing the entire thing in paint. Then simply importing it. But, now the map seems broken... After launching the Subbill, when attempting to launch Subgame, the Subgame won't load--it flashes up for a second then closes, similar to when you have the zone pointing to an incorrect .lvl in your server settings. So, I tested it by going back to the old bzw.lvl, which worked fine, but any map I import the tileset to results in the Subgame failingng to load. Any ideas? Here is the tileset: [edit: tileset below]

Keep getting an error--tile needs to be 304x160 pixels and 8 or 24 bit. The tile I'm making is 24 bit color, and 16x16, just like the tile it is replacing. Any idea what the problem is?

I currently don't have access to the minegoboom forums, and wanted to ask how to alter an existing tileset. I would like to swap 2 tiles, so that the "goal" tiles on the map are all replaced with a new, similar .gif. I need to know, assuming it is possible, how to swap the tiles, and how to create a tile which I can load into the existing tileset. Anyone know how to do this? http://img14.imagefra.me/i5bq/aesop/12c3_afa_ucyhi.png

So I got a zone going which helped me finish a map--but I wanted to try and edit the "greens" so that, like on the Halloween map, the "greens" have a new icon. On the Halloween map they were pumpkins, and I was hoping to make them "presents". Also, any idea how to make it so when holding a flag, a ships abilities are increased, i.e. stronger guns, bombs?

I think what means is, a long time down the road, Richard could form a gaming company, if the product he builds is successful. I think having player run servers is the perfect place to develop the game, but long term the community would need to settle on a standard that everyone enjoys (that would become the finished game) and can be marketed successfully--this means a map, physics, and play style. LOL has created 2 unique game styles that are very different, but the core of their product is the equivalent of SS 4v4 (LOL is 5v5). I think the reason for this league style play being so successful is players want to "win". Freeplay (Chaos zone) is fun, and a great way to learn, but "winning" and rankings are typically more universally rewarding experiences for players who will invest in a game--meaning, get good at it, and put money into it. Here is a bit of history about Riot, the gamers who took a Warcraft 3 scenario map and made it into alot more: Riot Games, Inc. was founded in 2006 by entrepreneurial gamers, Brandon "Ryze" Beck and Marc "Tryndamere" Merrill, with the goal of being a player-focused game development studio. The company launched its debut title League of Legends in October 2009[3] On May 1, 2012, Riot Game announced its Season 2 Championship with a $2,000,000 prize pool, the largest in eSports history.[4] Some of their notable employees include Steve "Guinsoo" Feak, a former developer of the Warcraft 3 custom map Defense of the Ancients and Steve "Pendragon" Mescon, creator of the Defense of the Ancients fan site, DotA-Allstars.com.[5] Riot Games also employs about a dozen former Blizzard developers, including Tom Cadwell.[6] Riot Games obtained around US$1 million from venture capital firms to create League of Legends. In later rounds of funding, the company raised $8 million in capital from venture capital firms Benchmark Capital and FirstMark Capital.[12] In early 2011, the Chinese company Tencent Holdings invested in a majority stake in Riot Games valued at $400 million, according to Dow Jones business news.[13] The deal allowed Riot Games to maintain independent operations and its existing management team.[14]

I think it may also be important to point out that the reason players are hosting their own zones is because the game hasn't been commercially successful. If the game becomes commercially successful, the zones would (ideally) become centrally operated. That doesn't mean other players can't "do their own thing", but the strategic objective would be creating a product people will pay for, which is quite different than players hosting their own zones. I do understand this may violate the sense of culture that currently exists.