Fallout: BGE development release

[Karel]

OK, not what you expected, no files right now

Fortunately, we are considering regular releases of development version of BGE (or rather daily snapshots pulled from svn repository). This doesn't mean a demo, beta version or anything like that - just a development version, as it is, with all the bugs and quirks, sometimes crashing right after the start.

There are several pros and cons. The pros are:

• attracting more high quality recruits (by proving that BGE is alive and something is actually done), probably with different skill sets than now ("graphic converters" rather than artists, etc.)
• getting feedback from the "community" (either negative or positive)
• getting bug reports (in the later stage of development)

The cons:

• people are not used to the concept of releasing development versions, they might consider it to be a demo, beta version or whatever and judge the final product
• the story will be known to many more people before any actual final version is done, which may spoil the experience

I don't think there are any other risks, the development version is quite useless without script sources, design documents and, of course, the Team of skilled Fallout modders

What do you think? Do you want to see development version (which won't come with a comfortable installer, think about deleted proto's and preventing that happening, if you know what I'm talking about)?

 

[ArekBalcerzak]

I want to see development version. This is good idea becouse we can test it and have fun in the same time. How do you assess the completion of game in % ?

 

[Karel]

How do you assess the completion of game in % ?

Who knows? All locations have design documents, some have maps, some have dialogues (may not intersect with finished maps), some dialogues are scripted but not tested... You can't assess mod progress in percent's, a grave bug can cost you several hours.

 

[ArekBalcerzak]

How can i join to your team? Now i'm making my mod but it's very time-consuming when i making it alone. Soon i will release demo and you can assess my modding skills.

 

[Karel]

So, it seems there will be no development release, I've been literally stoned to death for such a heresy - releasing version for other modders which won't be 110% finished and ready (wait 2069 till every single bug is caught), how could somebody even suggest it.

No open-source minds in the wasteland - expect BGE to be another black box like FMF, releasing several screenshots every three months for another several years, till something is either released or the project dies because of lack of interest. I believe it's a shame, because from the outside, you don't really know what people inside the mod accomplished and whether it isn't just another hoax (I won't mention Fallout Made Forever again ). Maybe there is really a reason to not release development versions - because even team members, inside the mod, didn't grasp the idea of development versions (by developers, for developers, not for gamers), so I wonder if causal "fans" could understand that it's not the "finished product", just a release representing "we finished something, look, catch bugs, join the team".

By this logic, 70% of internet servers (running open-source programs), 2% of world's desktops and great games such as OpenTTD shouldn't exist because everybody who releases work-in-progress is doomed (unless it's called Windows, in that case, everybody just calmly waits for three service packs ).

 

[Jesterka]

How can i join to your team? Now i'm making my mod but it's very time-consuming when i making it alone. Soon i will release demo and you can assess my modding skills.

Just PM me to get a closer info.