A short statement.. Just wanted to say sorry for our e-mail problems.. * Meghan groans and adds her own apology as well. We still don't know how bad it was.. some people say they've received 4-5 bad mails.. some people say hundreds.. :( The good news is the problem is fixed (I hope :) Anyway.. I guess we can start with questions.. Okay, thanks Paul.. here we go! Go ahead, [HMT]StratoSoft <[HMT]StratoSoft> Ok Hi Stratosoft.. <[HMT]StratoSoft> I was just wondering how the pause features would be implemented in RT multiplayer Each player will have a set amount of pause time that will accumulate as the game continues. <[HMT]StratoSoft> oh Basically, it will act like a bank account. When you pause, you draw from the account. <[HMT]StratoSoft> ok <[HMT]StratoSoft> cool <[HMT]StratoSoft> sounds neat The longer you play, the more it adds to the account. ga :) Thanks Strato! Go ahead, LeJohn doa sorry was eating No prob... :) gezz, letr me come back ive got bbq on fingers,, sorty Okay :) sorry Next! Go ahead, cleric1 okay Heh. I was wondering about the problems with Turn based games (mine always crash) We're working on.. much of our emphasis was on real time, so turn based is kind of broken.. sure looked that way this should be corrected in the next rev (or the one after) ga Thanks cleric1! Go ahead, petr0 hi! Hi petr0 I noticed that planes in rev2 don't use the same LOS as ground units, as they obviously can see farther in the air. This is a strategic advantage, because AWACs can spy from behind mountain ranges without anyone knowing... What advantages will ground and sea based units have to balance this out? Hello! That's one of the special abilities of air units. Unfortunately, if they can see all air and sea units, all air and sea units can see them. Then everyone would use planes, cause having radar wins the game Line of sight is mutual. If unit A can see unit B, unit B can also see (and shoot) unit A. You need more anti-air units. :) ga Ah! I see.. Thanks petr0 :) about multiplayer.. er.. ga Yes? when you kill another player, will it be like max!? points, or what? max1, that is? Are you asking about the end screen? Or the rating system for online play? Or how multiplayer games will end (victory conditions)? yeah, victory conditions, or if you kill someone, if you get extra stuff.. The victory conditions are: Kill All Units (except invisible units), Kill All Mining Stations and Capture the Flag (which has many, many options.) cool If you kill someone, you get some points which will be displayed at the end of a game. So (when the game is done) you can see some stats. ga guess we'll have to wait for the beta :) Thanks petr0 :) Go ahead, AJensen One question. When, if ever, will we beta testers get to play with the alien units? We're planning this for the next version.. :) Fun. :) Done. It'll be similar to the way we're doing the past few versions.. The lightning cannon, shock tank and stasis units are all in. The last major Sheevat unit to be programmed is the Incubator. We'll be concentrating on certain alien units with each new release Chris.. want to explain how all these units work?? :) Sure. Lightning Cannon: Like a chain lightning gun. Similar to the human assault gun, it can attack up to 3 units with a single shot. Shock Tank: Attacks all adjacent units with a large electrical attack. Cannot harm friendly units (so stacks of Shock Tanks will not kill each other if on the same team.) Stasis Projector: Projects a field of "null-time" (bobble for some of you sci-fi fans) that freezes a unit for a period of time. During this time, the unit cannot move/attack or do anything, but cannot be harmed. An offensive and defensive weapon. Incubator: Makes tasty snacks out of humans. :) It's how the Sheevat make infantry (Spawn), by putting an egg in a human or alien lifeform and watching it pop out a turn or two later... :) Chestbursters? :) Yep! Awesome. Occasionally, a incubator will make a Psi-Spawn, an improved Spawn with cloaking abilities. Psi-Spawn can also cloak nearby Spawn (which work well in large numbers.) I guess that's a brief overview of some of their special units. ga Thanks! :) Go ahead, Jovian Maybe we got spoiled by the first beta message board, but do you guys read the message boards anymore?? I, uh, actually don't know where the new one is... * MAX2Chris looks down at the ground. rofl! ouch The one I was using went away. [Big Sheepish Grin] I do.. :) but I've been to busy to read it much.. :( ok =) In multiplayer, is there going to be teamplay?? We are trying to do it. But it's all a question of time. Put in the ability to be able to share units, resources, and map =) and... The programmers are trying to scrounge out the time to do it, since it's a great idea. Do you think you will get MAX2 out before Starcraft?? It's all a question of how complicated we want to make it. The more complicated, the more time, the less likely it gets done. And if we don't do it right, we don't want to do it. =) the last question was a joke Maybe.. When are they shipping?? March, supposedly. They keep slipping their date.. so it's hard to tell.. Yes. :) that was the point =) ok done! Thanks Jovian! Go ahead, Dantes9th As far as Gold Refineries go, if a refinery is built over 16 gold, will it convert 16 gold to credits per turn in simo-mode? If not, then how will this work? thanx. Yep. That's the way it works. 16 per turn? (That was an easy one. Thanks... :) Hehe cool! :) Thanks Dantes9th :) tanx guys Yep. 16 per turn. Only in the scenario editor will there be large gold deposits. You're welcome@! next Go ahead, Ilmari hi! Hello! Are the questionnaires going to be clearer on what they are asking and the supposed results of the questionnaires? Hi Ilmari * MAX2Chris looks at Paul. Hope so.. They weren't meant to be misleading.. * Ilmari nods They turned out that way,... =( The questions were mostly written by our programmers.. It's information they wanted for the game That's a bummer. It's not intentional that we meant to be misleading. It's probably a question of not being able to see the forest because of the trees. It was very upsetting to see people were taking this on the message forum.. We know we want some piece of information, but we are too closely tied to make it as clear as it should be. SB is importaint and should have a class of its own! We'll try harder in the future to make sure it isn't misleading. okay thanks =) SB? Sim base game mode Simultaneous Turn Based? Ahhh. ga Thanks Ilmari! Go ahead, shadowolf Hi all! I was just wondering how often the Autosave feature saves the game you can set that in the options.. Also will there be a save feature in Multiplayer? At the end of each turn (in turn based) and every 30 seconds in real time. Yes, there is a save feature in MP. (Sorry for the brainfart.) Great :-) Thanks Thanks shadowolf :) Go ahead, [HMT]StratoSoft <[HMT]StratoSoft> I was wondering if youve heard about the vote/pole going on at max2.gamestats.com and what you think about it. I look at it. I think it is a good thing. I looked at it a few days ago.. it was at about 80% for connectors <[HMT]StratoSoft> i believe it has about 150 votes in each category now Our new questionnaire asks the same questions.. <[HMT]StratoSoft> what (if any) influence will this have on the final game? We are still talking about connectors. <[HMT]StratoSoft> what about pgs? hope hope Paul really wants them. I really like them. Ali (the division director) is watching all the online polls and comments. We're not ignoring you. :) <[HMT]StratoSoft> OK When will the next beta be released Probably not until Monday or Tuesday this time.. <[HMT]StratoSoft> Why were there no responses from you guys to any of our posts in the last week or so Power Generators as they were realized in MAX1 will not make it into MAX2. Something like them might (a small chance) <[HMT]StratoSoft> ga <[HMT]StratoSoft> Just as long as you stop Stratosoft, I didn't know where the webboard was... :) I'll look in on it now. <[HMT]StratoSoft> the build HV plants right near enemies <[HMT]StratoSoft> base stratey (I leave for one weekend to play ASL and I come back and everything has changed. That'll teach me.) WE've been too busy.. I've been here 7 days a week.. 12+ hours a day.. and still don't have time to answer messages :( <[HMT]StratoSoft> well, it really made a lot of people mad We need to clone Paul. <[HMT]StratoSoft> and caused more then one to drop out of the beta <[HMT]StratoSoft> some saying that you guys dont care what we think anymore Sorry, that's just not true. We appreciate all the comments. Sorry.. we've just been to busy.. :( As long as people realize that we can't implement every suggestion, we want to hear what you have to say. <[HMT]StratoSoft> I know its not true, but others think it is <[HMT]StratoSoft> and were very angry and dissappointed That's a shame. I would like to believe that we've been very open during this process. <[HMT]StratoSoft> you have been That's one of the problems we're having.. We didn't realize how much extra work the beta work create.. If that's not true, that's a shame, too. We're tired, but we are doing our best to finalize this game and make it great! :) We didn't have the manpower to handle it (and still don't) :) <[HMT]StratoSoft> so will something like this happen again? something like not answering messages? <[HMT]StratoSoft> ok everyone seems annoyed with me now so ga meghan <[HMT]StratoSoft> yes I don't know. It's been a Grand Experiment. I would like to think we would do it again (especially since we have learned a lot from this time.) probably.. Like all the suggestions we receive.. and all the bugs.. it's impossible for us to respond personally to each one.. <[HMT]StratoSoft> no i meant try not to let let this happen again (the no response thing) We'll try as hard as we can.. I do read the MAX2@interplay.com mail every day.. and answer almost eveything there.. The best way to get a definite answer out of me is to use my e-mail account (ctaylor@interplay.com) that way I can't help but notice it. :) Thanks Strato :) Go ahead, Lantherick In the aircraft are you going for reality or ????... It is hard to see the a big AWACS just hovering over an enemy.. Will they move around or ??? It's two things: 1) the aircraft are all VTOL capable, and 2) in a turn-based game, if they moved around realistically, they would not be under player control. We think player control is more important than realism in this case. ga Thanks :) Go ahead, CaptComal Could I get clarification on three previous comments (answers)? Sure. Line of sight is mutual. If unit A can see unit B, unit B can also see (and shoot) unit A. This makes it sound like all units have the same range of sight (scan?) That sounds wrong - right? This is purely an LOS issue. The units still have to be within Scan range to see them. The comment was that planes had unlimited LOS to units, and I just wanted to point out that the LOS was mutual. I assumed that both units were within Scan range of each other. ga so what you said is only applicable if the units aer identical then Each player will have a set amount of pause time that will accumulate as the game continues. What if everyone wants a timeout (happened now and then in War2) … is there a group timeout that is not debited? And if PLAYER1 does a PAUSE, is that player the only one who can UNPAUSE? Ohh, that's a good question. Yes, that's true. Only the person who pauses in a MP game can unpause. ga If multiplayer does not have team play it should not be called multiplayer. MAX2 is a game where teams are naturally assumed. just my view of course I assumed that there would be teams because it allowed 6 players * MAX2Chris is a little confused. Previously it was answered that teams were not in and might be if there was time It's multiplayer because multiple players can play at the same time. You can form your own teams. The "Team Features" that people were asking about, and the ones that we don't know if we have time to implement properly, are features like: So it is true ... there is no teams then? * Sharing Information, Units * Team Victory Conditions * Team points for online play * and so on. If me and my brother are both in the game and "team up" ... will my units shoot his automatically? At this time, Team Features like those are not in. If we have time, we will add them. They are very high up on our "If We Have Time, Let's Do This Cool Feature" list. That's one of the features we really need to add to make Teams work properly. OK ... thanks. Thanks Capt :) It is possible to set it so your units will not automatically attack enemy units. That would be helpful for a team game as it stands. ga Go ahead, cleric1 when will the enemy be able to actually construct ships, and not just gather together uselessly? The AI should be building ships. The code is there for it to do so. We watch it build ships all the time. It should also be attacking aggressively and not just clumping up uselessly (that was a bug that was fixed.) ga Thanks cleric1 :) Go ahead, LeJohn ok this question was sorta askeduthere goes Ok. * Meghan looks bewildered. The first questionare was slanted toward RT because it grouped TB/Sim modes togather and the new questionare is a little better (as beta testers we should be testing all modes) Would you consider adding the question: "Which mode do you prefer?" Would you consider adding the question: "Which mode do you prefer?" Would you consider adding the question: "Which mode do you prefer?" Ahhhh! Spam! Major spam! :) no my keyboard got wet earler Yikes.. take it apart and hairdryer it :) i spit tea last time meghan called on me:-) rofl! At least tea dries and it wasn't BBQ sauce. did you see the question? Oh yes, we saw it. As we said before.. we'll try to make the questionnaires read better in the future.. We can add a question like this, yes.. :) i was eating I'd personally like to know the answer to that question. Paul is typing madly to answer it as I type. Hmmm, that didn't make any sense. :) Next? in a nutshell as testers we test all modes equally not just what modes we would play. All modes are staying in.. so it's just an informational question.. none of the modes are in danger of being removed if that's what's worrying you.. no just that the sim/t seems to be taking a back seat to RT The question should have read as you requested.. Which mode of play do you normally prefer.. not test.. that what i thought ok next question ga I know you guys have been busy but have you seen the post there were a lot of good ideas from everyone? Which one.. we've been getting hundreds of great suggestions.. all of the posts I found 3 diffrent ones efore b not sure which ones you mean.. well if you look at the archived post they seem to be from a driffrent group We are compiling lists of all the suggestions.. obviously it's impossible to do everything that everyone is asking for.. but if it's a good idea and we can do it we'll try our best to get it in... none of the names including mine ,,, ok thats it then thanks Thanks LeJohn! Go ahead, Jovian There were some good suggestions for group movement controls that we just put in the other day.. ih oh watching olympics =) Are we going to beta test all the units together?? So we can test the REAL gameplay! We're not sure exactly how this will work but here's the plan so far... Of the testers that stay with the process for the next few versions, we'll send a version that will have the multiplayer feature.. They'll then be able to play over the Internet matching service we're making.. we're still not sure exactly what will be in this version (which units) and how it will be distributed.. so you will be cutting soon?? The "cutting" process is in the testers control.. people who stay with the program.. that is.. people who continue sending in reports will stay on as testers.. ok! Only those we don't hear from for several versions will be cut umm...im done Thanks Jovian :) soo...what kind of car do you have?? rofl * Meghan smacks Jovian. =) Wanna answer that? laugh I'll be right back. He's got a Rolls Royce Silver Cloud. j/k Go ahead, Ilmari I have a really crappy unregistered car.. :( Will the complexity of game play in Turn Base (TB) and Simultaneous Base (SB) game play modes be less complex/in-depth in MAX2 than in MAX1? If the answer is yes… do you think this will result in MAX2 being less fun for SB and TB players? In some ways it's going to be more complex.. there's the maintence pools.. research and upgrades are not inter-related.. * Ilmari smiles and trys to buy time for Chris and Paul I'm back. (Silly artists.) We tried to take out some of the automatic things that didn't require a lot of thought and add more things that do require thought.. sorry.. UPgrades and Research ARE inter-related now.. maintence pools? Also.. all the new alien weapon systems add complextity as well.. Chris you've played MAX1 a bit (I hope) is MAX2's full verson as complex/fun as MAX1? maintence rules.. sorry again.. if playing if SB or TB Yes, I've played MAX1 (I played it even before I was on the MAX2 team, even before I was in Strategy division.) * Ilmari nods Some of the things that added detail, without adding depth, have been removed. Ammunition is the major missing complex element that has been removed. And it was removed for RT play. However, we have added a lot more types of units to play with. And some more strategic elements that require new thinking. Has any concrete decision been made to replace ammo? I think overall, with the streamlined interface, the game is still fairly complex, but a little easier to play. * Ilmari nods and smiles: sounds good Ammo is gone. Supply trucks are on the list of units to rework, but it probably won't be added into MAX2 during the initial release. Thats too bad We won't add them unless we can come up with a good design to make them fun to play. There is a lot of new interaction with the terrain. There are the new alien units. There's a lot of new stuff. I think the game realy needs some sort of supply truck... to keep the MAX feel MAX1 was a great game. I know we are doing some different things with MAX2, but bear with us and we'll make it a great game, too! If too many new elements are added you might lose what the old had... * Ilmari nods and hopes so!! I think it can be done! Keep up the hard work! True. True. And something we are paying close attention too. good The queue is closed! We will be wrapping up soon. Go ahead, Fusion ga All your comments about connectors, power stations and supply trucks are being looked at. Hi, Rev. 3 doesn't work on my computer. I went to the mirror site and got 3 files the resource, map, and executable but the game thinks I have rev. 2 did you delete all the old files? What do you mean the game "thinks" you have rev 2? I downloaded the rev. 3 files put them into the directory started the game but I was using air units! Hmm.. did you go to the new address to get the files?? The old address still worked for a couple of days and had the old files up.. yes I went to the gamestats pagge and got the three files I thought I needed * Ilmari (~ashaman@sea-ts1-p37.wolfenet.com) grins don't know.. did you get the e-mail telling you about rev 3? Try using that address.. I don't know what could have happened.. the files on gamestats now are the correct ones.. Fusion, email max2@interplay.com with a description of the problem. Thanks :) Go ahead, Smoke Delete the old directory, and reinstall the new rev. My question was answered but let me not be the first to say you guys are doing an excellent job of Supporting your customers. Despite the rumors. There are many worse. Thankyou from all of us. ga Aaaw, thank you Smoke :) :) that was fast :) thanks.. :) ---Last Question!--- Go ahead, [HMT]StratoSoft Thanks!@ <[HMT]StratoSoft> Are we ever going to get a full version (with ALL units and features) to beta test? This still hasn't been decided exactly how we're going to do this.. <[HMT]StratoSoft> Well I just think that if the rest of the beta is going to be like 0.95 and 0.96 and doesnt have any REAL gameplay its just a waste of all our times We want to give it out to as many people as possible.. but are still taking about piracy issues.. If the full game is released to testers, it will be up on the net in a matter of hours. We're getting plenty of bug reports.. so it's not wasting our time.. <[HMT]StratoSoft> But ALL games are that way <[HMT]StratoSoft> whether beta are new releases <[HMT]StratoSoft> are = or <[HMT]StratoSoft> you could give everyone their own personal password to run the beta Yes, but having your beta out on the internet means the world (and your competition) gets to see your code. So it will have to be planned carefully. <[HMT]StratoSoft> that way you could know who leaked a password <[HMT]StratoSoft> But that is a risk that ALL companies who do public betas must take passwords can be hacked.. then we'd be blaming the wrong person.. As I said.. we want to do this.. we're still talking about how.. That's why nothing has been decided yet. It will have to be carefully planned. <[HMT]StratoSoft> Piracy is going to happen no matter what you try and do about it...and not letting us have a full beta is punishing us and not stopping the piraters <[HMT]StratoSoft> they just have to wait until the full release <[HMT]StratoSoft> np for them Again, nothing has been decided one way or the other and it will take careful planning. <[HMT]StratoSoft> Well Id like to know now :) <[HMT]StratoSoft> So I wont be wasting my time if you decide not to <[HMT]StratoSoft> Thats the point <[HMT]StratoSoft> I mean, if your not going to give us anything, then we should at least be given SOME sort of actual gameplay to test Strato, nothing has been decided. how said we're not giving you anything? who i mean <[HMT]StratoSoft> umm....you guys i believe There are incentives to beta test. Those who are active in the beta will receive something, especially if they submit a lot of crucial bugs. We never said that. <[HMT]StratoSoft> So, when will you make a descicion nope.. we said some beta testers would get prizes It's been said from the beginning of the beta that we will be giving things to the people who are working the hardest on the beta. <[HMT]StratoSoft> so what will the lucky winners recieve? copies of descent to undermountain? :) When it's made, StratoSoft. and ask the least number of questions.. :) :) Thanks :) sure.. we'll save a copy for you :) That's it for tonight.. thanks everyone for coming :) thanks.. :) goodnight everyone.. Bye all! arg Night all :)