MAX2Paul: I'd first like to thank everyone.. We're getting alot of great input.. lots of bugs and suggestions.. The response is MAX2Paul: just incredible. We'll try to incorporate as many of your ideas as we can into the game. We're hiring 2 new people to MAX2Paul: help handle all the mail, and organize all the bugs and suggestions for us. MAX2Paul: One of the biggest problems that we're having is with our network mailing program. It keeps screwing up, MAX2Paul: either destroying our database, or sending duplicate mails.. it's driving us crazy.. so please, bear with us.. MAX2Paul: If you get duplicate mails, please ignore them. If you don't get a particular e-mail, please write to us an we'll MAX2Paul: get you back on this list. MAX2Paul: There's been a little confusion about how the beta program is going to work, so I'd like to go over our plans for MAX2Paul: the next few weeks. We're planning on releasing new versions about every week. This will probably actually be MAX2Paul: more like every week and a half. Each version will have different parts of the game to test. We've decided to MAX2Paul: do it this way so we can concentrate our efforts on specific parts of the game, and hopefully expedite our testing MAX2Paul: procedure. MAX2Paul: And I guess we're ready to start the questions... Meghan: Okay! Meghan: Go ahead, Chimera Chimera: Hello guys MAX2Chris: Hi. MAX2Paul: Hi Chimera: IIn the networking, are you going to support Directplay? MAX2Chris: We'll check on this, but I think we have our own low-level code. MAX2Chris: One sec. Chimera: and is the going to enumerate or lobby? MAX2Chris: Nope, we are not using Directplay. MAX2Chris: Lobby. Chimera: What protocols then MAX2Chris: IPX, TCP/IP, Modem, Serial. Meghan: Thanks Chimera :) Meghan: Go ahead, CaptComal CaptComal: Since it is hard to test a game that you do not know how to play, can testers unfamiliar with MAX be provided with a preliminary manual or at least a copy of the MAX1 manual? Go Packers. MAX2Chris: Hotseat, too! Meghan: rofl Capt :) MAX2Paul: We have our manual almost finished.. we'll be providing an edited version to all the testers as soon as we can put it together Meghan: Go ahead, IceDragon IceDragon: Here's something everyone's buzzing about... IceDragon: Everyone's asking if you've made a list of core testers yet? And has anyone been cut? MAX2Paul: we've had so many problems with our database we haven't even attempted anything like this yet.. IceDragon: Crowd collectively sighs... MAX2Paul: and anyway.. the problem doesn't seem as big as we originally thought Meghan: Thanks Icedragon! Meghan: Go ahead, StratoSoft StratoSoft: Just wondering if Connectors and/or Power generators were going to be added into MAX2 MAX2Paul: Power is created by mining stations... StratoSoft: yes but IMHO i think the Power generators are a much better way to go about it Meghan: Thanks StratoSoft :) MAX2Paul: the problem with connectors is due to the elevations in our maps.. we're having trouble making them look right.. we can't see any way to get them in at this point.. Meghan: er.. I can wait ;) StratoSoft: i believe i had an idea earlier can i mention it agian? MAX2Paul: It's unfortunate.. I really like the connectors.. If anyone has ideas we'd like to hear them.. MAX2Paul: ga MAX2Chris: Stratosoft, you can always send it to us in e-mail. Meghan: Thanks :) Meghan: Go ahead, sig11 sig11: I have 3 questions really... 1.) How will you decide who is cut and 2.) Is there any chance of a Linux port? ;) (wish wish hope hope) sig11: Oh and what were the connecters? MAX2Paul: we don't want to have to cut anyone.. we reacted to what we thought was a much bigger problem.. that of many people pirating the game.. MAX2Paul: it appears it's not as widespread as we thought.. so we're hoping we don't have to take such drastic action MAX2Chris: No Linux port. Sorry. sig11: heh darn. sig11: I was hoping Meghan: Thanks sigll! Meghan: Go ahead, VicNice VicNice: hi guys i have 3 questions VicNice: what language did you create the Ai and how long did it take you to make it MAX2Paul: C++ MAX2Chris: Months and months to make the AI, it's been a long process with many revisions. MAX2Chris: Tweaking and so on. GA./ MAX2Paul: It started back with MAX1 VicNice: and are you going to do something about those people that posted messages about the game VicNice: that is bad messages MAX2Paul: nope.. MAX2Chris: Nope, this is a free country still. VicNice: o.k thanks MAX2Chris: Third message? MAX2Chris: Er, third question? VicNice: that is it Meghan: Okay.. thanks VicNice :) MAX2Chris: Neat. Thanks. Meghan: Go ahead, DragonLor DragonLor: okay I still have this question about the map and maps that will be played one DragonLor: on thing I am concerned about is that the maps are always the same and not MAX2Paul: there is only one map in the beta version.. DragonLor: changed every time you start a game.. for example Empire Deluxe uses a generating map MAX2Paul: we have 24 maps made so far.. with more to come.. DragonLor: so a map is different every time you go to play MAX2Paul: our maps are fully rendered.. so we can't have random generated ones.. MAX2Paul: ga MAX2Chris: We have maps of varying terrain density for different numbers of multiple players. MAX2Chris: ga. Meghan: Thanks DragonLor :) Meghan: Go ahead, TeaP DragonLor: Oh I see have they thought of having a generated type of mapping TeaP: Yes.. I was wondering about this piracy thing.. I know it's hard to stop it.. but i was just courious what u plan on doing.. MAX2Chris: Personally, I'm closing my eyes and hoping it doesn't happen. Meghan: laugh MAX2Paul: don't know.. our network guys are coming up with a plan.. Meghan: Thanks TeaP :) Meghan: Go ahead, allsop MAX2Paul: many ideas have been suggested.. but I don't think we've settled on a solution yet allsop: I have two toppics if that's ok MAX2Chris: Sure, ga. allsop: first allsop: I really licked the connectors/generators in MAX 1 allsop: Could you explain how MAX2Chris: Did they taste good? MAX2Chris: :) allsop: power distribution and resource distrubution works in allsop: max2, I can't figure it out yet. * Meghan rolls on the floor laughing :) MAX2Chris: Ahh, the dreaded power question. MAX2Chris: Power is generated by reducing the amount of materials that you harvest. allsop: Oh I see, how do you do that? MAX2Chris: The resource bar currently shows the total power being used by current units, the power that will be used by units in the queue, and the remaining material production. MAX2Chris: The more mining stations you have, the more units you can support. allsop: OK, I'll play with that. Next.... MAX2Chris: We are changing the resource bar to be a little more useful. Does that help? Meghan: Thanks allsop :) Meghan: Go ahead, madmad madmad: hi i havent been able to test the game for more than a about tenhours last week :-) (stupid sleep) but the one thingi did notice was how !@#$ing annoying it si to haveunits come out of nowhere.so my Q. is will there be a Fog of war like TA or more of a C&C type thang(explor and stays explored)? oh yeah and also which graphic apps do you use in making the game? hehe...last one i promise; Whats with the "will be ready in 11 turns" when madmad: long one sorry MAX2Chris: It is intended that we will have shaded areas on the screen so you know what you can and cannot see easily. MAX2Chris: A Fog of War. Yes. ga madmad: GOOD Meghan: Go ahead allsop, didn't know you weren't finished. MAX2Paul: The graphics program we use for the maps is Bryce 3D and Photoshop MAX2Paul: ga allsop: ok is it my turn? madmad: thanx Meghan: Yes, go ahead :) allsop: The "line of site" stuff seems neat except allsop: it is very difficult to know where your blind spots are allsop: and where the enemies blind spots are allsop: Some kind of radar mode cursor would be nice allsop: You could point to a square and have all the allsop: squares that can see that square highlighted or something. allsop: The AI obviously has access to such info but humans allsop: don't know this info. MAX2Chris: That will be handled by the shading in the Fog of War. Meghan: Great question! allsop: This makes it difucult to find the computer's blind spots Meghan: Thanks madmad :) Meghan: Go ahead, D_Covell D_Covell: thanks D_Covell: I just have a few questions on my mind :) Meghan: Please keep em short ;) D_Covell: I have played a lot of action and simulation games and all of them had an editing option like in quake you could add new skins D_Covell: Will something like adding new units be possible or maybe allowing some people to create a "TC" based on a theme? MAX2Chris: No, we will not let you change the art for units. MAX2Chris: You can ban units from a game, to help customize it. And there are other options that you can adjust, but nothing touching the unit art. MAX2Chris: ga. Meghan: Anything else D_Covell? :) D_Covell: ok, just asking :) On the Multiplayer option some people can be jerks or somehow cheat. Will there be a kicking option? D_Covell: one more after this one Meghan :) MAX2Paul: you'll be able to kick other users.. cheat codes won't be allowed in multiplayer.. MAX2Paul: ga D_Covell: great, ok last one. Will you guys host your own tournaments and contests or will the leagues (Guiles Planet-X and my NetSquads) be doing that part? :) D_Covell: meaning me and Guile come up with some tournys or challenges for the community MAX2Paul: Many people have expressed intrest in this.. and I know there are some web sites already starting up to do this.. MAX2Paul: On our own server we're planning to have this.. but it won't be ready in time for release.. MAX2Paul: But it is something we want to add at some point Meghan: Thanks D-Covell :) MAX2Paul: gas Meghan: Go ahead, Grim-Reaper Grim-Reaper: i have 2 related questions, firstly, will the boat and air movement be smooth like in Total Annihilation, eg slowing down for corners on boats, and flying in circular turns for planes. Also, will the units react to the terrain. I noticed the land units seem to go up and down hills at exactly the same speed that they move on flat ground. MAX2Paul: that is ... ga MAX2Paul: Planes don't fly like in total AI.. one of the next versions there will be planes so you'll see how they work then.. Meghan: Thanks Grim-Reaper! Meghan: Go ahead, ChrisH MAX2Chris: We might be able to change the movement rate on terrain. We'll look into this. MAX2Paul: We will have different terrains, so certain units won't be able to go over certain terrains.. and we're planning on doing MAX2Chris: ga MAX2Paul: something for speeding up and slowing down units based on elevation changes MAX2Paul: ga Meghan: Go ahead, ChrisH :) Meghan: Gotta move on, sorry :( Meghan: Go ahead, Kardal Kardal: Ok.. how are you coming on the assertion failure problem? Will the next beta be more stable? MAX2Chris: (Paul's getting this one... :) MAX2Paul: The next beta will have a whole new set of problems.. :) Kardal: ok Kardal: Yay.. I think... * Meghan laughs. Meghan: Thanks Kardal :) Meghan: Go ahead, nkyb MAX2Paul: The assertion problems will probably pop up for quite a while.. each version we'll be giving you different things though.. nkyb: will you consider changing the size or color of any units?As I have talked too some people about the constructor unit is hard too see on some terrains ?And HELLO GUYS !!!! MAX2Paul: so there'll most likely be a host of different bugs each time.. MAX2Chris: nkyb, yes, the units art is being adjusted to better fit the different terrains. MAX2Chris: Most of the units in the beta have temp art. GA. nkyb: Thank You Meghan: Thanks nkyb! Meghan: Go ahead, Ilmari * Ilmari smiles and waves Ilmari: 2 questions Ilmari: 3. Will you be able to have a multi-player game with both Humans and Computer players? ( Example: 4 human players + 2 computer players) Ilmari: did you get that? MAX2Paul: we tried this in MAX1 and it really slowed things down, so we didn't release with this ability.. * Ilmari nods Ilmari: 3. Will you be able to have a multi-player game with both Humans and Computer players? ( Example: 4 human players + 2 computer players) Ilmari: sorry ;) Ilmari: Why do away with power and fuel? MAX2Chris: Power hasn't really gone away. It's now been rolled into the Mining Stations/unit maintanence costs. MAX2Chris: Fuel went away because it was really frigging hard to control in real time. Ilmari: Is that for easy of RT play? MAX2Chris: Does that answer suffice? * Ilmari laughs Ilmari: okay thanks guys =) * Ilmari nods Meghan: Any more Ilmari? Ilmari: nope =) Meghan: Thanks :) Meghan: Go ahead, kamikaze0 Meghan: kamikaze0? Are you there? :) kamikaze0: i fogrgot kamikaze0: heh kamikaze0: sorry kamikaze0: wait kamikaze0: i remember Meghan: laugh.. okay kamikaze0: was turn based mode broken in 0.91 kamikaze0: or do turns take a realllllllllly long time * MAX2Chris defers to Paul the Wise. kamikaze0: most people had the same problem MAX2Paul: in the simultaneous mode it's broken.. is that what you're playing? kamikaze0: turn based never seems to get based turn1 for the computer? kamikaze0: real time works fine MAX2Paul: are you playing in Simultaneous mode? kamikaze0: and simultaneous is broken too kamikaze0: yeah kamikaze0: same problem in simul AND turn based MAX2Paul: guess it's broken then.. I think I saw a workaroung for it on our message forum on the MAX2 web site kamikaze0: ok kamikaze0: didnt see that one kamikaze0: thanks Meghan: Thanks Kamikaze :) MAX2Paul: we'll try to have this fixed by the next rev.. kamikaze0: been sick with flu last few days MAX2Paul: ga Meghan: Go ahead, ChrisH MAX2Paul: hope you're feeling better.. kamikaze0: oh what does ga mean ChrisH: I have a saved game that, on loading, immediately gives an assert failure. Would this be of any help to anyone? MAX2Paul: go ahead MAX2Paul: yes.. you can attach it to an e-mail Meghan: Anything else, ChrisH? ChrisH: (Error is:'Assertion Failed. FALSE at line 1898 in file c:\Interpla\Mander\Dev\unitinfo.cpp. MAX2Paul: we'll hopefully get something in place so people can upload their saved games to the web site ChrisH: Reason:Found FINISHED_BUILDING_STATE && parent_unit == 0 ChrisH: Who should I email it to? MAX2Paul: yes.. we know about this one.. MAX2Paul: to max2@interplay.com Meghan: Thanks ChrisH :) Meghan: Go ahead, Duffy Duffy: The alien units in M.A.X. 1 were supperior to human units. Are you going to change this in M.A.X. 2 else the players with alien units would have a great advantage MAX2Chris: The Concord units are now available to all Human players, in order to help battle the Sheevat threat. Duffy: one more question MAX2Chris: The Concord units will still have their special abilities: experience and regeneration. ga. Duffy: Is it true that the alien units will have own personality MAX2Chris: (Oops: Concord units will also be a lot more expensive.) Duffy: Loke aggressive, hysterical, afraid, depending on situation MAX2Paul: he's talking about the adaptive personalities.. MAX2Chris: I don't understand? Alien units will gain power with experience. Oh, yes, there is an adaptive unit speech thing we are working on. MAX2Chris: It will change what they say and how they react (but you are still in complete control) when they feel really aggressive or panicky. MAX2Chris: ga. MAX2Paul: they're going in to the studio early next week to record all the voices Duffy: thanks, that's it ... Meghan: Go ahead, Lancelot Lancelot: Was wondering why the trainer levels weren't included? Hard to test if you keep getting your butt kicked. Just started to understand the game yesterday. Love the game though, great work. And thanks for the opportunity to test this game. MAX2Paul: Did you play MAX1? Lancelot: No Lancelot: Didnt have a PC then MAX2Paul: The way things are currently, it's pretty hard to really win.. Lancelot: figured that the hard way :-) MAX2Paul: At this point we were just looking for the most obvious bugs and not really expecting anyone to be able to play a game all the way through.. MAX2Paul: future versions will test other areas.. MAX2Paul: eventually testing play balance etc.. MAX2Paul: ga Lancelot: ok, I'll keep trying to win,thanks. Meghan: Thanks Lancelot :) Meghan: Go ahead, Joker Joker: Hey guys here it is: Joker: one of my few complaints about MAX1 was that after Joker: about 200+ units the game would do strange things, Joker: is there a cap on the unit count in MAX2 or have Joker: you found a way to overcome this? MAX2Chris: Two things: MAX2Chris: We've improved the speed so that it should be less of an issue, and the maintanence cost does have a ingame balancing effect on the number of units. MAX2Chris: ga. Meghan: Thanks Joker! MAX2Paul: Plus.. hopefully the AI will kill you before you get 200 units.. :) Joker: That's it, thanx :) Meghan: Go ahead, Jeremy Jeremy: What will the next testing phase be? I have at least 2 more questions. MAX2Paul: The next version will give you aircraft or sea units.. haven't decided which.. Jeremy: With shaded regions for fog of war, will there be different colorings for different color schemes, or will the general color schemes be brightened a bit? The current map would be a bit to dark, IMHO, for shading to be effective at showing LOS.. MAX2Paul: we'll also supply you with more information about the game.. (instructions) MAX2Paul: you mean a gamma correction feature? Jeremy: Also, will there be any way of turning structures off, as in MAX1, to conserve power? Yes, I guess I mean Gamma.. MAX2Paul: yes... we'll ahve a gamma.. MAX2Paul: correction MAX2Chris: Structures will not be able to be turned off. Jeremy: What about use less power when inactive? Jeremy: or not building, in the case of factories? MAX2Chris: The power cost has nothing to do with whether the unit/building is functioning or inactive, it's a maintanence cost. MAX2Chris: That's the way the programmer explained it to me... :) MAX2Chris: ga. Jeremy: That's it.. Meghan: Go ahead, Fletch Fletch: hi guys MAX2Chris: Hello,. MAX2Paul: Hi Fletch: well unfortainly my question was just asked: what in the next beta Meghan: Hehe.. okay, thanks Fletch :) Meghan: Go ahead, LeJohn LeJohn: just a couple of things, first i want to qualify my question MAX2Chris: Okay. LeJohn: I have beta tested software/hardware for 14 years,, and the point of beta testing was to shoot LeJohn: bullets/chrash the software to find the bugs.. I stoped listing bugs for max 2 after LeJohn: my 5th page.. question: what are we suposed to be testing??? MAX2Paul: In this version.. pretty much the core game engine. Many people are asking this.. and many are complaining that it is so buggy.. MAX2Paul: Granted, we probably started this a bit early, but we are getting reports of many bugs that we had no idea about MAX2Paul: so all of this information will be helpful.. LeJohn: yes its in alpha stage, but i guess the question is what exactly are you loking for.. gameplay, bugs Meghan: OK, thanks. Meghan: Go ahead, CaptComal MAX2Paul: As we progress, we'll ask for more specific testing on various aspects of the game.. CaptComal: I have 45 questions.. 1) Is the questionaire up yet? 2) If so, where is it? 3) Go Packers 4) what happened to Gus ...I searched the web for MAX info and found a message forum with many MAX quesitons replied to by Gus Smedstad as if he was the author of MAX. 5) Goto #3 Meghan: One at a time, please. :) Meghan: laugh MAX2Paul: the questionnaire has been delayed.. MAX2Chris: 1) No. 2) NA. 3) Denver Rules. 4) Gus is lead designer/AI programmer. He's around. Just very busy and a lot more quiet. 5) Endless loop. CaptComal: :) MAX2Chris: Only 40 more to go! :) CaptComal: THANKS! * Meghan laughs her head off, then goes running to catch it. CaptComal: ga Meghan: Thanks Cap'n :) Meghan: Go ahead, SwampFox CaptComal: endless loop took care of the rest SwampFox: Comment and a question -- First off it seems like the "core" group is here tonight...much smaller than last week :) Question -- Will the manual in the retail version be in-depth or just cover the basics? A lot of people complain about the lack of a good manual in a game. MAX2Chris: The manual will be very indepth. it will cover every aspect of the game. I've seen the rough, and it is very nice. MAX2Paul: Yes.. the group here must be the most dedicated testers.. :) SwampFox: OK -- Thanks MAX2Chris: It should suffice, and it will not require you to purchase a "strategy guide" to learn how to play. MAX2Chris: ga. Meghan: Thanks SwampFox :) Meghan: Go ahead, IceDragon MAX2Paul: But there will be a strategy guide too :) IceDragon: Have you seen the various suggestions given on the forum about connectors? IceDragon: And posted with the suggestion form?? Cuz, connectors are what set the game apart, IMO. IceDragon: To tell you the truth Paul&Chris I'd be happy playing MAX1 with just Real Time IceDragon: added... Go Broncos! :D MAX2Paul: haven't looked at all the suggestions yet.. but connectors were one of my favortie things about MAX as well.. so I want them in there as much as anyone.. IceDragon: thanx Meghan: Thanks :) Meghan: Go ahead, clank clank: I wanted to know if the downloads are going to be a whole new section of the game or if they will be added to what we already have, ie, the ground units we already have plus whatever units you give us next MAX2Paul: if someone has come up with a way to make them work we'll try our best to get them back in.. MAX2Paul: Besides the map, they'll be whole new files.. MAX2Paul: units will roll over from one version to the next.. clank: also, are you going to put a web page up with the known bugs MAX2Paul: sorry.. will NOT roll over.. clank: oh well... Meghan: Thanks clank.. Meghan: Go ahead, StratoSoft MAX2Paul: This is another huge manpower problem we're trying to deal with.. we have 2 new people starting Monday to help, so hopefully we'll get a lot more organized and be able to do this.. StratoSoft: Ok here goes StratoSoft: Why exactly did u decide to get rid of Power Generators and Power Stations the truth this time... MAX2Chris: Because they were an extra step that did not add any real complexity to the game. StratoSoft: oh but it did MAX2Chris: We think the new Mining Station/Maint rule is a lot more interesting. ga. StratoSoft: darting in with a scout and destroying a PG and shutting down a base is better MAX2Chris: Paul agrees with you. :) StratoSoft: everyone who played the first max likes power generators MAX2Chris: I think it is a different flavor. StratoSoft: could there at least be an option or something? MAX2Chris: "everyone who played the first max likes power generators" - You know you cannot make general statements like that... :) StratoSoft: oh but i can MAX2Chris: Our schedule doesn't allow us to make it an option. StratoSoft: it seems to me that u are just dumbing max down for the mass market MAX2Chris: Gus is going to answer this one: StratoSoft: ok shoot MAX2Chris: GUS: We want to make the decisions in the game as interesting as possible. MAX2Chris: GUS: Building power generators was not an interesting decision. MAX2Chris: It was, in fact, kind of an automatic decision. StratoSoft: If u really want our opinions then why not take a vote? MAX2Chris: GUS: We're trying to add decisions which are not trivial. MAX2Chris: CHRIS: Because this is not a democracy... :) StratoSoft: obviously u guys wont listen so go ahead with the next person :) MAX2Chris: We want to see common comments, and power generators have generated a small noise, but have not been a major issue with most playtesters and internal QA teams. MAX2Chris: ga. Meghan: Thanks Strato! Meghan: Go ahead, Lantherick Lantherick: 1 Question and 2 comments: Q1: Is Interplay planning on letting us FTP in to pick up future versions? Comment1: They could make a private User and password that changes with each version... comment 2: I found a loading problem with a save game.. Try loading it 2 times in a row and it crashes Max2 with a IPF do you want me to send the file?. If so then to where? MAX2Chris: (Connectors, on the other hand... :) :) :) MAX2Chris: The loading multiple times was just fixed today, it should go in the next beta. MAX2Paul: we're still working on figuring out the best way to help with the downloads and piracy problems.. Lantherick: Nod.. Understandable.. The FTP would work best for me... Ftp clients are more forgivving and will retry where as IExplorer if it crashes hates me and won't try to continue.. Meghan: Thanks Lantherick! Meghan: Go ahead, Vampirio Vampirio: I just want to know about the LOS problems..It is making it difficult to progress very far and test deeper into the game.Limits testing greatly. GO COWBOYS:::next year?PS Please find a way to incorporate connectors in some way!Almost a necessity.and......POWER!MUST HAVE POWER!and qustion 2=..........I didn't get no stinkin' new e-mail.How can I fix that problem? (3) oh yeah CLAN EDITOR possible? Vampirio: Too many? * MAX2Chris struggles to keep up. MAX2Chris: :) * Vampirio sends regrets in the length MAX2Paul: For now, you can turn the LOS off.. there's too many problems with it and we don't have all the fog of way and color options in yet.. MAX2Paul: ga Meghan: Thanks :) Meghan: Go ahead, JadeDragon JadeDragon: Will supply trucks and surveyors be in MAX2, and will the engineers need to be resupplied by the mines or storage units. MAX2Chris: Connectors would be really nice. And Gus and I agree that Power Stations/Generators add nice flavor, but they don't really add to the gameplay, and that's what we are concentrating on. Meghan: Thanks! Meghan: Go ahead, DragonLor MAX2Paul: No.. trucks are gone.. there's no need to transfer materials now. Right now, every unit can do the surveying, but this will also change in later versions.. MAX2Chris: ga Meghan: Go ahead, sig11 sig11: okay sig11: nevermind It was answered a few minutes ago sig11: ;) sig11: ta ta Meghan: Thanks :) Vampirio: me again-I need to know who to tell about the e-mail, Or lack of it? Meghan: Go ahead Vamp, sorry for cutting you off. MAX2Paul: send it to max2@interplay.com Vampirio: DUH thanks Vampirio: go cowboys Meghan: All done? Vampirio: si. Meghan: Thanks :) Meghan: Go ahead, allsop allsop: ok... allsop: I know the work arround for the AI not finishing in allsop: simul and turn based play in 0.91... allsop: did anyone see it? Meghan: What? allsop: You must save the game and reload. allsop: This makes the computer finish. allsop: now for a quick question allsop: Can we descuss this kind of stuff about MAX2 in notes groups? allsop: ga Meghan: Folks.. please don't ask me where you are in the queue.. it takes forever to check :) MAX2Paul: I'd prefer you talk on our message board so we can respond or at least see them.. Meghan: Thanks allsop! Meghan: Go ahead, phrantic phrantic: Will MAX2 have the 'lock' feature where you can select more than one enemy unit at a time? I found this extremely useful in MAX when maneuvering units to attack the enemy. And 1 more real quick question... MAX2Paul: I don't have time to read any other message boards.. :( MAX2Paul: yes.. It might work in the version you have.. but there's no button for it.. phrantic: How will Interplay try to prevent hacking in multiplayer?? MAX2Paul: The next version has the real interface and has the lock button.. MAX2Paul: don't know the technical part.. but our network programmer has lots of ideas.. phrantic: thanks :) Meghan: Thanks phrantic :) Meghan: Go ahead, VicNice VicNice: o.k I have a couple of questions and coments, first are you going to be adding more anti air units as well as aniti water units like mines, because i only saw one anti air unit MAX2Chris: There are three anti-air units in the game: Mobile AA, AA tower and Escort (for the humans at least.) VicNice: second and you going to put in somethink like a spy plane MAX2Paul: also land and sea mines.. VicNice: are you going to put something like depending on the amount of kill an unit has it will upgrade or something similar MAX2Chris: No. No spy plane. Interesting idea. We have added more cloaking units (Spawn and Psi-Spawn.) MAX2Paul: Yes.. there is a spy plane.. VicNice: finally are there going to be advantages to play with one race than playing with another much like in RED ALERT MAX2Paul: isn't that what the AWAC is?? MAX2Chris: Sheevat and Concord units will have experience upgrades based on their number of kills. VicNice: thanks Meghan: Thanks VicNice :) MAX2Chris: There are racial differences, (much like the old human clans), but the Sheevats are different - not necessarily better, just different. MAX2Chris: ga Sid: Thanks again Meghan, and aloha nui to everyone at Interplay! Meghan: Go ahead, Sid Sid: 2 ?'s --:In a RT game, your still have to wait for units based on # of turns, have you thought about a graphical representation of a turn? Meghan: Hi! MAX2Chris: Yes, that is what we are going to. A bar graph. ga. Sid: And where exactly is the resource bar?? MAX2Chris: The resource bar is beneath the unit picture. It's the red/yellow/green big thing. It will also be changing in the very near future. Sid: thanks for the answers Meghan: Thanks Sid! MAX2Chris: It will go to two bars, one for maint costs and one for material production. Meghan: Go ahead, DrPepper Meghan: Go ahead, DrPepper Meghan: Go ahead, DrPepper DrPepper: Don't know if this has been asked yet or not, I came in late. Does the AI ever "cheat", meaning magically creating resources or moving units, etc.? Meghan: ack! DrPepper: 8^) MAX2Chris: No, the AI does not cheat. It has a little more information (it does know where your radar is.) MAX2Chris: By that I mean, what squares you can see for each unit. DrPepper: Like we can do with the "scan" overlay? MAX2Chris: Mostly, it has a little more information than you get with scan. It knows all the safe squares on the map. ga. DrPepper: Ok. Thanks. MAX2Chris: And that's all the advantage it has over a human, MAX2Chris: ga. Meghan: Thanks DrPepper! Meghan: Go ahead, cyberfart Meghan: Go ahead, cyberfart cyberfart: OK....will the maps have trees and rocks etc to add more detail..?...and right now the "scan" thing is deceptive because of the hills and such..will this be changed so it "moulds" around hills or something? (talking about the yellow circle here, not FOW or anything) thx :) PS. Power gens would be a great addition to minning stations incase u r low on power :) * MAX2Chris watches Paul run to the bathroom. cyberfart: biggy :) MAX2Chris: Yes. Maps will have trees, shortly, from what I've been told by the artists... :) cyberfart: =)) MAX2Chris: Scan will show all squares your unit can actually see. MAX2Chris: I like POwer Generators, they just don't add a whole lot to gameplay in my opinion. GA Meghan: Thanks cyberfart :) Meghan: Go ahead, nkyb nkyb: What will be the next units that will be available too us ??And will there be a new map ??And will you keep the requirement of only 16 meg of memory or will it be upgraded??If you run the game along time it gets slow on 16 meg.I tried at minimum requirements,Then upped it to 32 meg which was much better !!In other words I tried to create a game too the effective size of say 4 people ??And GREAT GAME SO FAR !!!If we get all the bugs worked OUT!!! Meghan: Holy cow nkyb! MAX2Chris: The next units will either be Air or Sea units (the sea units have been dramatically improved.) MAX2Chris: No new map. nkyb: :( Meghan: hehe MAX2Chris: The memory requirement is 16/32 (ie, 16 is really, really tight). We highly suggest 32. nkyb: ok thanks MAX2Chris: Thanks! We'll crush the bugs.. We will, we will. GA Meghan: Thanks nkyb :) Meghan: Go ahead, Ilmari Ilmari: Okay guys I have a few questions (3) Ilmari: Will constructors beable to produce things at an increased rate,.. ie x2, x3 ,x4?? MAX2Paul: yes.. MAX2Chris: They can right now, but there is no damn interface for it. We hope to change that. Ilmari: Defense had quite an advantage over offense in MAX1. How is that being addressed in MAX2? * Ilmari nods MAX2Chris: Terroritory is much more important in MAX2. We are pretty much forcing the player to move out and spread the defenses. MAX2Chris: (This was also one of the reasons connectors are not in, they become too hard to use.) Ilmari: Will water have ripple effects or movement? (Maps look GREAT! now,.. but that would push them over the TOP!) Ilmari: ah I see MAX2Chris: Also, buildings armor can be destroyed by the Sheevat and it cannot be repaired (unlike mobile units destroyed armor.) MAX2Chris: There is a thing in there right now to ripple water. Hit ALT-W. And that will start the effect. Ilmari: hard is part of the game ;) (GO CONNECTORS,.. please please make it into the game!) * Ilmari smiles MAX2Chris: It's very subtle right now and it needs a lot of tweaking to make it look right. Check it out. (And you thought you would get nothing for staying late! Hah!) Ilmari: realy? kewl MAX2Chris: ga Meghan: The queue is closed, we will try to finish it out so we'll go a little past 8pm. MAX2Chris: I'm taking the Connectors to beat Green Bay by 3 points. Any takers? :) Ilmari: thanks thats all! Meghan: Go ahead Dragonlor :) DragonLor: 1)I am woundering about the alliens, when you play can you will they just sit there and do nothing, or will they fight back. 2)Also will you be making it so that you can steal the others buildings. 3)also is there any changes to the research and how many building you need to use.4) I also know how to make the connectors work for multi levels. 5) when do they expect to have this out for retail sales? DragonLor: thanks Ilmari: All take that bet! MAX2Chris: Some of the indig life will fight back, some will not. Depends on their species. MAX2Chris: Yes, you can steal buildings now. MAX2Chris: Research is being totally revised. Stay tuned. MAX2Chris: Connectors. Please e-mail us! MAX2Chris: Retail? I don't know. :) * MAX2Chris dodges a bullet. MAX2Chris: ga Meghan: Thanks DragonLor :) MAX2Paul: Soon as we fix all the bugs.. :) Meghan: Go ahead, CaptHook CaptHook: Alright I have a couple of questions. Keeping a resupply line active was one of MAX 1.0 best features, IMHO. You say that trucks are gone. How are you going to keep the gameplay the supply lines added with the new supply model? You always were forced in an offensive position to protect your supplies otherwise your offensive could disapear. MAX2Chris: Hmmm. That was a neat feature of MAX1. CaptHook: I thought so =) MAX2Chris: It's not part of MAX2, with the exception that you need to move your units back to base to upgrade them. CaptHook: ok question 2 then: Unit AI is IMO the most import part of Real-Time "strategy". If I have to spend my time baby sitting every unit decision it becomes a click fest instead of a game of strategy. Is advanced unit AI being designed into the units? Things like when my mine layer runs out of material he goes back for more, or I can click on a tank and say go get repaired and it will seek out the nearest repair droid. MAX2Chris: Supply trucks became impossible to use in real time. MAX2Chris: We have a plan for advanced unit AI. We hope to implement it. It all depends on the number of bugs and other features that go in. MAX2Chris: There are two parts that have to be accomplished: interface and actual unit AI. MAX2Chris: Both are designed (most of it is already done), but they will take time. Just a question of time. MAX2Chris: ga. CaptHook: Thanks for all the work you are doing and .... go PACKERS! Meghan: laugh.. thanks CaptHook :) Meghan: Go ahead, Backlash_ * Backlash_ has professional beta testing experience MAX2Chris: Question? Meghan: Is that all you had to say? ;) Backlash_: didn't you guys get that MAX2Chris: No, no question. Backlash_: sorry i don't have better questions i'm not in the beta test yet Meghan: All we got was that you have professional beta testing questions. Meghan: Okay. Meghan: Thanks :) Meghan: Go ahead, Lorien Lorien: Hi Paul, Now that the beta has started, when do you think the final release will be ? Also, Do you intend to have a Macintosh version for the game . Last one , how long will the beta testing go on for ? thanks . Oh by the way, is there a possiblity the game will be released in Europe / Middle east at the same day as the US ? ( COMMENT : I think the Max2 team kicks ass , you care about the gamers - thank you !! ) Meghan: Omigod Lorien :P Lorien: sorry .. :) MAX2Paul: not sure of the final release date.. No.. there won't be a Mac version.. MAX2Paul: Beta testing will go on until we kill all the bugs :) and yes.. we're planning on worldwide simultaneous release.. MAX2Paul: and Thanks.. :) MAX2Paul: ga Lorien: u are ? wow ! thanks allot Meghan: Thanks Lorien :) Meghan: Go ahead, GUILE GUILE: Ok, I have a few questions and some comments. The first question is a general question that probably can be answered by all and the rest apply to Meghan (I think) GUILE: ....Ok, first question. I know this is REAL early to be asking this, but what do you guys feel about the scheduled March release date? Has this become tentative? Or, is it reasonably attainable? MAX2Paul: Not sure.. March is the month is GUILE: to Meghan: Understanding that M.A.X.2 has a limited budget, what are your plans for Marketing the game? For example: magazine ads, sponsored tournaments, etc. In addition, what is the predicted sell rate of the game (if this has been calculated). MAX2Paul: it's supposed to happen.. but we're not sure at this point.. MAX2Paul: everyone's busy fixing bugs.. we'll have a better handle on a date soon.. (hopefully :) MAX2Chris: Software release dates are 50% science, 50% art and 50% luck (and we should could use another 50%.) :) GUILE: ok Meghan: Guile, I know that print ads are running but I couldn't tell you what else is going on for promotions. I will most likely do at least one online promotion after the release. GUILE: ok...my comment Meghan: I do general online marketing and PR; M.A.X.2 has its own marketing and PR managers. GUILE: My comments... to Chris: I would like to say that the only thing in the U.S. that isnt a democracy is the Military :-). OK, this next comment is in defense for all of the MAX1 fans out there... I understand that there are many programming restraints when dealing with speed and playablity (I am a c++ programmer myself), however, the sleeper success of MAX1 was what ignited the development of MAX2 (please correct me if I am wrong). If you ch GUILE: rhetorical question GUILE: Thanks guys MAX2Chris: The last part of your comment was chopped off. GUILE: ...rhetorical question GUILE: that was the last part MAX2Chris: After "If you ch" it's cut off. Meghan: Okay. Thanks Guile :) GUILE: If you change the things that made MAX1 so great, woulnd't this be going against the sole reason for why MAX2 was thought of in the first place? (This is more of a rhetorical question than anything).... MAX2Chris: MAX1 was very successful (critically) and deserves a second chance, IMHO. MAX2Chris: I would tend to agree with you, but if we made no changes -- then it would do the same as the first game. For a sequel, you must make some changes (hopefully, improving the game.) MAX2Chris: Ga Meghan: Thanks Guile!! Meghan: Go ahead, gcope gcope: Any thought about unit specific upgrades? In other words, allow some units to have special types of upgrades not available to other units? What about changing unit visual after x-number of upgrades....different animations, different sounds...just to add some additional flavor? On a side note, does MAX2 use threads? If so, would testing on a dual PII be of interest in NT? Have "one-shot" weapons been considered...using a truck to deploy...Obv gcope: ;) MAX2Paul: I'll answer the thread part.. MAX2Chris: I think you will be pleasantly surprised by the Sheevat units. They are really different. To answer your question, no specific unit upgrades are planned -- but it's a neat idea (MAX3!) MAX2Chris: One-shot weapons are not part of the MAX design ideal. MAX2Paul: Yes.. we use separate threads.. one for the game, one for the mouse, one for the music.. gcope: But all AI runs in a single thread? MAX2Paul: Haven't fully looked into making one for the AI, but planning too.. MAX2Paul: Thought of this a while back, but haven't got around to doing it yet.. gcope: I was thinking that AI in threads for some units may have an advantage... gcope: Especially for realtime play MAX2Paul: Yes.. it'll speed it up too... gcope: on a dual PII be of interest in NT? gcope: I take it that NT is a dead duck in this respect? MAX2Paul: you can try.. we're not activly supporting NT though.. gcope: okay, that should do me. Thanks. Meghan: Thanks gcope :) Meghan: Erm.. moving along.. Meghan: Go ahead, IceDragon IceDragon: I have 2: IceDragon: For those of use who are supporting MAX2 Teams, is it possible to add custom IceDragon: logos to our buildings inplace of the existing (default)clan logo's. IceDragon: and: IceDragon: How do I turn off the slanted view??? MAX2Paul: There is nothing in place for this now.. but it doesn't sound like it would be hard to do.. IceDragon: cool IceDragon: doit!!!! MAX2Paul: Be sure to send a suggestion in for this.. IceDragon: k MAX2Paul: hit delete to reset the view IceDragon: Will it give me the max1 view? MAX2Chris: Yes. IceDragon: excellent thanx Meghan: Thanks IceDragon! Meghan: Go ahead, drEAdrOsE drEAdrOsE: all my lock-ups happened while playing realtime,a unit gets killed that has more builds in its que.then the game looks for it and its not there...is this being worked on.This NEVER happened while playing turn-based play,with me anyway.....Love the game....Thanks MAX2Paul: Yes.. this is on our list.. drEAdrOsE: sorry if this has been answered I got here late drEAdrOsE: ga Meghan: Thanks drEAdrOsE :) Meghan: Go ahead, Duffy Duffy: Did you actually noticed that the clan descriptions on the website and in the game are different ... And are you going to animate the maps (like water ripples, wind, dust when an unit fires). MAX2Chris: Yes, it is currently broken in the game. Duffy: One more MAX2Paul: Yes.. we ahven't updated the clans in the game MAX2Paul: Water can ripple now... sort of.. hit ALT-W MAX2Paul: we'll be improving the look of that alot though.. Duffy: Is the height going to affect the range of the units and how much. I mean it would't be very great if a missile crawler gets it's range up by 50% only by standing on higher ground MAX2Paul: Units will smoke and burn when hit.. there's no plan for wind and dust.. MAX2Paul: Elevations will affect line of sight.. yes.. Duffy: one more ... are the air units going to bank when turning (like in TA) ... would look great MAX2Paul: I think we're still planning on having longer ranges for units on higher ground.. Meghan: ga? MAX2Chris: No the air units will not bank. Neat idea, however. Just not enough artist and programmer time to add. MAX2Chris: ga MAX2Paul: no.. no plans for banking annoying planes that fly all over the place out of your control.. :) Duffy: that's it ... thanks for great support Meghan: Thanks Duffy! Meghan: Go ahead, stevie1 stevie1: Great start so far! AI question: I know the AI isn't finished yet, but in the games I've played so far, I can easily see that if the AI rushed me, I'd be dead. Can the AI be improved to sense a rushing situation? Also trying to 'probe' better? MAX2Paul: Yes.. The AI kind of sits around right now.. stevie1: Best thing for me about MAX I MAX2Paul: You're right.. if it came after you with full force you wouldn't have a chance.. :) stevie1: ;) Meghan: Thanks stevie1! Meghan: Go ahead, Fletch Meghan: Go ahead, Fletch Meghan: Go ahead, Fletch MAX2Paul: This needs a lot of tweaking to get it just right.. But at least we won't have the opposite problem of a lame AI :) Meghan: ack Meghan: This is the last question. * MAX2Chris blinks his eyes. Fletch: you mentioned that we would be seeing the real interface in the next beta, will we be testing the custimization of the interface and will you be realising add=on packs with new units and how will the incubation factor into game play you guy's did an awesom job MAX2Chris: The Incubator is a Sheevat unit. It is how the Sheevats produce their infantry units (Spawn and Psi-Spawn). MAX2Chris: The Incubator must be adjacent to a unit to attack. The attack will cause the incubated unit to die in a couple of turns. MAX2Paul: Yes.. the new interface will hopefully be completely in.. You can hit TAB now to go to the various interfaces.. but they're not the final art yet.. MAX2Paul: No plans for add on packs yet.. but this is a possibility.. depends on Fletch: cool MAX2Paul: how the game sells.. MAX2Chris: Some Spawn will appear in the dead unit's square (the exact number depends on the size of the unit -- oh yah, the Incubator can only target living units.) Fletch: cool very cool thannks guys Meghan: Thanks for coming everyone! Be here next Thursday.. same bat time, same bat channel. If you came late, the transcript will be posted to the website tomorrow. :) MAX2Paul: we'll also have an alien interface when you're playing as the Sheevat.. MAX2Paul: thanks everyone... Good night! :) Meghan: Thanks for your time Paul and Chris :) MAX2Chris: Good night all! * MAX2Chris bows to Meghan. Meghan: :) * CaptComal Thanks Paul and Chris for taking the time here