No UM2?

[ZeroAdunn]

Wait, am I taking the news from SE.org right? After all this talk and all this plugging Hadrian is not going to release the Ulitmate Mod?

That is just crazy. Did Malfador shoot it down or something? Does it not work properly? Why aren't you going to release it? I am so confused.

[disabled]

Well this really sucks. I liked that site!

[ May 24, 2003, 23:27: Message edited by: General Talashar ]

[Elowan]

Originally posted by Hadrian Tyrael S. Aventine:
I don't have the funds required to put it for free download nor the resources to do it either.<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Please explain what you mean by this. Thanks.

[Taz-in-Space]

I'm just guessing from what I heard, but the UM or Ultimate Mod is probably a VERY LARGE mod and needs to be placed somewhere that has the bandwidth to handle the downloads. Am I correct?

[Captain Kwok]

From what I know, the UM2 mod is heavy on graphics, so that would make it really big off the bat. Hadrian could probably elaborate more...

[ZeroAdunn]

I thought you were going to sell it.

[TerranC]

Originally posted by ZeroAdunn:
I thought you were going to sell it.<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Nobody is going to pay for a mod.
Good intentions maybe, but to charge 10 dollars a "pop" is ridiculous to many.

[Timstone]

This is the first of a few Posts concerning the UM2. Well the background of this story anyway.

Thursday, September 19, 2002
SE.org's Future
Rumors, Facts, and the Future is being addressed
By Hadrian T Aventine. Filed at 4:46 am
Orlando FL, IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Many of you have heard or know that SE.org has been running on fumes. These Rumors are facts, Little cash remains in the reserves to pay our monthly expenses and a series of bad events in my life have made replensing those reserves. Thanks must be given to a few helpful fans of SpaceEmpires like Fang Tsu and Kenneth Frye we have been granted a few more months of life.

While I had completed both the Ultimate Mod II and SpaceEmpires.org 9 Last month, I decided not to release them because of some serious complaints I have with the community - and still do. In some ways, I felt SE.org didn't have a purpose or a reason to stay Online and I began preparations to shut SE.org down at the end of next month.

But thanks to the presistance of various members in the community, I'm changing my mind. I don't know if I can keep SE.org Online, but I know I'll try. I'm streamlining SE.org too - so I can provide even more with less bandwidth consumption.

SE.org will need more and more help over the coming months to stay Online, but not just financial help. 20 bucks a month keeps us Online for now, but we need manpower. We need people to help post news, check the site for errors, post strategies, and populate this site with information.

So, I hope, that in the next month and a half I can unviel SpaceEmpires.org X to all of the community.

[ZeroAdunn]

I know tim, that is what prompet me to post this.

As for paying for it, I know I probably wouldn't, however some stated they would.

Also, I was wondering exactly how big this thing is currently?

[DavidG]

The reason for the lack of UM2 seems kind of obvious: "I decided not to release them because of some serious complaints I have with the community - and still do."

Which is too bad because I'm not really sure what those complaints are and am pretty sure they are not directed at me.

[disabled]

I hope he plans to release it someday in the future or maybe upload it to shrapnel or something.

[ May 24, 2003, 23:28: Message edited by: General Talashar ]

[Timstone]

Can't you spread the download of the mod over several sites and put up a different part of the mod every month or so?

[disabled]

What about downsizing it? Like instead of one big mod, maybe a tech mod, quadrant mod, map mod, ship sets, and stuff.

[ May 24, 2003, 23:36: Message edited by: General Talashar ]

[Timstone]

Hmm... why impractical? I've seen dozens of zites doing that. Okay, it's not the same material you're trying to give us but it could work. Couldn't it? Why not ask a few good people from this board if they woulkd like to host a part or the whole mod? That is if you're willing to give it and not sell it. If you're going to sell it, then I'm out of ideas.

[Pax]

Originally posted by Hadrian Tyrael S. Aventine:
My complaints, which will remain private for now, are directed at no single person but some general actions and activities within.<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Lines like that make me wonder if your complaints are real, or not. Nothing personal, but if you won't describe the complaints when directly asked to ... you really shouldn't ever bring them up in the first place. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif

[Mylon]

I have a machine sitting in my room doing nothing but playing with idle CPU cycles on some distributed computing program. I could easily turn it into a web server and host this MOD myself. Granted, most people could only expect speeds of about 2k/s if I have 20 people Online, but it's better than nothing. If more people chip in then we could have about 5-10 people hosting the full mod and allievate some of the stress on the individual.

[jimbob]

I'm really looking forward to seeing UM2. The first one was a ton of fun, and was the first mod I ever tried. Your graphics are always amazing, and well worth the effort (I can say this, because my effort is really limited to downloading and installing http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif ). I want to extend my morale support and appreciation.
[I'd offer to help out, but I'm suspending commitments to see if the Star Trek Mod (Captain Kwoks) can use me (being a die-hard trekkie and all)]

Originally posted by Hadrian Tyrael S. Aventine: My complaints, which will remain private for now, are directed at no single person but some general actions and activities within.<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif"> Lines like that make me wonder if your complaints are real, or not. Nothing personal, but if you won't describe the complaints when directly asked to ... you really shouldn't ever bring them up in the first place.<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I think that the complaints are best kept private, and dealt with outside of the general forum. Please, I've seen a lot of forums die in the past - going back to the old BBS days in the late 80s especially - when private disputes are aired in the general forum. I just hope the SEIV community doesn't go down that road is all.

Cheers and good luck on the UM2. If need be, I'll mail you a blank disk with return postage and a chunk of Maple Sugar Candy (slurp, the best of Canadian, eh?) for your trouble.

[Taz-in-Space]

I'll mail you a blank disk with return postage and a chunk of Maple Sugar Candy <font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I hope not in the same package. That would be one SWEET disk for sure! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

As far as UM2 is concerned, it looks to be just too large for casual download. At least on a modem setup like mine. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif (approx 12Mb/hr):

50MB = 4+ hrs
130MB = 10+ hrs

[disabled]

I with Taz, a download is out of the question! It would take a day to download that and there is no way I can maintain that connection!

[ May 24, 2003, 23:35: Message edited by: General Talashar ]

[Urendi Maleldil]

Haddy, don't let Space Empires rule your life. It's not worth it. If you are working so hard to support it, I'd say ditch it. Don't sell your life to a computer game.

[disabled]

Good point, but if he loves the game, why should he ditch it?

[ May 24, 2003, 23:34: Message edited by: General Talashar ]

[Timstone]

I'm with Jimbob. I'm living in Holland, but a friend of my sister lives in The States and she would be happy to send you a checue and/or disk for your time and effort. That way she can take it to my beloved country.

[disabled]

That's the spirit! where do I mail my check to? Or is a money order prefered?

[ May 24, 2003, 23:33: Message edited by: General Talashar ]

[ZeroAdunn]

What exactly is project dauntless?

[Timstone]

Yes, what precisely is PD? You've been very secretive about it. Please elaborate, enlighten us. Oh ye wise maker of the Ultimate Mod part two.

[disabled]

If you tell us, we'll be your friends http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

[ May 24, 2003, 23:32: Message edited by: General Talashar ]

[geoschmo]

Hadrian, I'll say one thing for you. What you lack for in specifics you certainly make up for in hyperbole. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Can you give us a hint what Dauntless is about, other than just "something really really great". I am assuming it's Space Empirs related. We can't really tell that from any comments you have made, by by context it's probably safe to make that assumption.

"Unfortunately, no one can be told what Project Dauntless is. You have to see it for yourself." http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Geoschmo

[ September 24, 2002, 14:27: Message edited by: geoschmo ]

[Timstone]

You see hadrian?! Even the great Geoschmo is curious and wants to know more. I say, blabber loose and tell us everything.

[geoschmo]

Heh, well don't call me the "great geoschmo", sounds like I am a cheezy nightclub magician or something. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

I just like teasing Hadrian about it. If he doesn't wish to tell anyone anything that is certainly his right. And it is a quite effective way of developing a lot of interest. Although it also tends to get people very worked up to where a letdown is possible. Case in point is the "People Mover" thingy with the months long "It is coming..." marketing campaign. Once it finally came everybody was like, "That's it?". lol

Geoschmo

[Timstone]

Cheesy magician? Hmm... you might consider it. Might be a cool way of living.

Hear, hear! The Great Geoschmo is preforming this night at the Moulin Rouge! He's going to do the most daring act ever! He's going to the Gryphin Position!

[ZeroAdunn]

mmmmmmmm....

Cheese Magician....

*gurgle*

[jimbob]

I'm going to hold on releasing it for now and even selling it. I've listened to the music I made for it...

It really sucks after a while. Sounds cool at first, then it really starts to suck afer 4 or 5 listenings.<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Hey, it's gotta be better than the original SEIV score! I listened to it for the first 2 or 3 days of playing the game (read first 24-48 hrs of game play) and got sick of it. Turned it off and never intend to turn it on again.
I'd imaging most of us will only listen to the UM2 sound track for a while... heck, it could be Eric Clapton doing the soundtrack, but after 24 hrs straight even he would get stale...

just my .02$Cdn. Don't be too hard on yourself bud.

[disabled]

Anything can be better than the SE4 Score!

[ May 24, 2003, 23:32: Message edited by: General Talashar ]

[ZeroAdunn]

Ok, so what we know about project dauntless:

First of its kind
All done in CGI
Fans will have input

Ok, I have decided to draw conclusions from these statements:

It is a tap dancing monkey, done entirely in CGI, and the fans will vote on what dance it does every week...

I think I've figured it out....

[disabled]

Zero, man, you're nuts! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

[ May 24, 2003, 23:29: Message edited by: General Talashar ]

[Timstone]

Sadly not an American Idol. Tjeez, as if we haven't got enough of those.

Say, what are your plans with UM2? Are you going to sell it? If so, what is the price going to be? Are you going to offer it for download? If yes, where?
I just want to know more, coz I'm very anxious to play the UM2. Please tell us more, if there is more that is.

[Unknown_Enemy]

The only thing I am ready to pay for is PBW.

Will I be stoned if I suggest it could be the same for a score of SE4 fans ?

[Jmenschenfresser]

This is probably a cheezy suggestion, but what the hell.

Since you say it would cost too much to have a designated server set up to hand it out, why don't you distribute it to a few of us who have larger bandwidth capabilities (cable or DSL) and we can put it up on Kazaa?

I don't mind leaving my puter on for a few days out of the week so some can pull it down from there. We could even post times when it we will be on and people can pull it down then.

I realize this isn't a perfect solution, but it beats not distributing it at all.

[Timstone]

Rocks! Nice hard rocks! Purchase your rocks here! We've got everything, from pebbles to gigantic boulders!

Or as the cool bartender from Dusk Till dawn puts it:
We've got black rock, white rock, yellow rock, heavy rock, light rock, cheap rock, expensive rock and pebbles. If you find cheaper rock... throw it!

[disabled]

I was willing to pay, I'm always willing to help one-man shows. SE.org was quality and more people should have helped out.

[ May 24, 2003, 23:30: Message edited by: General Talashar ]

[Pax]

Originally posted by jimbob:
I think that the complaints are best kept private, and dealt with outside of the general forum. Please, I've seen a lot of forums die in the past - going back to the old BBS days in the late 80s especially - when private disputes are aired in the general forum. I just hope the SEIV community doesn't go down that road is all.<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">In general I agree, but if the disputes are brought up as reason not to release soemthing ... the person bringing them up should be prepared to define and describe them.

Or, as I suggested, the issue should hever have been raised to begin with.

[Timstone]

Okay, okay, enough of that stupid bickering. Let's just wait untill Hadrian is allowed to bring out the mod. I really can't wait.

[ZeroAdunn]

Ummmm, nobody is bickering. And the whole conversation is about whether or not hadrian is going to bring out the mod or not....

[disabled]

Someone start a petition or a bake sale! I want to play that mod! the first mod was great!

[ May 24, 2003, 23:31: Message edited by: General Talashar ]

[Timstone]

I revered to Pax talking about "If Hadrian should talk about his complaints or should shut up about them."
I got a bit tireds of that. Hadrian should dicide for himself wether or not he wants to talk about them or not. I didn't mean to attack someone.

[Pax]

Originally posted by Timstone:
I revered to Pax talking about "If Hadrian should talk about his complaints or should shut up about them."
I got a bit tireds of that. Hadrian should dicide for himself wether or not he wants to talk about them or not. I didn't mean to attack someone.<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Just to clarify -- my position is, if a person (in this case Hadrian) is unwilling to describe 'complaints' and so on, then, those 'complaints' should never be brought up in the first place. That's all. 8) It's not an attampt to cast aspersions on Hadrian (I've no reason to), just observing that it's ... shall we say, "bad form" ... to bring up "I have X problem with the community, and it's part of why I'm not doing Y" ... and then refuse to give details on what "x problem with the community" is.

FWIW, if the "sales model" of $5 or $10 to get a full copy of UM2 is needed to keep SE.org running, I personally can't blame Hadrian for at least considering it. From the sizes he's quoted, UM2 is godawfully frikkin' HUGE. That means a LOT of work went into it; it might just be WORTH $5 or $10. Consider it an XPac, not a mod, if that helps you with the idea of buying it ...

[disabled]

Maybe he doesn't want to divide the community or make mountains out of molehills? I mean, why dig into the man's affairs.

[ May 24, 2003, 23:30: Message edited by: General Talashar ]

[Timstone]

Pax: Okay, I understand now about the complaints stuff you brought up. I see your position in it. I don't agree, but I see what you mean.
And about the possible price tag, I'm willing to pay for it. I also stated that some time ago.