After a lot of system work, the new Natural Selection site is online. Unfortunately, around two days of posts were lost in the move, but that's the price to pay for progress. This server is dedicated to NS, so the forums are blazing fast, more bandwidth is available, and the team has direct control over it. This server should stay up and provide good service during the guaranteed-hectic release.
Be sure to thank MonsieurEvil for his hard work. Welcome back.
The Natural Selection web site is still in transition as we discover that our new host still can't handle our traffic and usage needs. Many users are seeing errors when trying to access the forums, including the developers. So, the web site is moving yet again, but this time will be hosted on a machine under our direct control. Expect smooth sailing in a couple days, as the DNS propagates again. Sorry for the downtime, but things will be stable and working better then ever very soon.
The Natural Selection web site is moving to a new server. There will be some downtime for the next few days, but everyone should have access to it again by the end of the week (9/21/02) as the DNS propagates. The new server will help make sure the site stays up when Natural Selection is released.
By popular demand, here's an updated progress report for the status of Natural Selection.
Artwork: 95% done Finished icon, death message sprites, weapons sprites. Redoing some alien animations and doing some heavy marine animations, assorted small miscellaneous tasks (console background, a couple animated sprites).
Business & legal: 100% done The last items here won't hold up the release.
Coding: 96% done Bug fixes, software compatibility, server performance, scripting Merkaba's tutorial map.
Design and balance: 97% done Added droppable heavy armor and jetpacks, this is the last major change.
Maps: 98% done Level 5 alien movement issues, occasional llama-proofing.
PR and community: 94% done Web site move, PR blitz, trailer work. Much of this work will happen after gold, and won't hold up the release.
Sound design: 97% done Finalize voice actor choices, post-processing on voices, the occasional weapon sound tweak.
World and manual: 93% done Manual written and layout designed. Still needs proofing, feedback and final layout.
Website: 92% done New website designed, need to update screenshots section. New ISP chosen, initiating move.
After working with VALVe software, the NS Team can now announce that Natural Selection will be available on Steam! VALVe's Steam will allow easy and automatic updates for players with fast connections. For Steam-users, downloading patches, maps and new content will be a thing of the past.
It is important to note that Natural Selection will always be available in non-Steam form. Players will [b]never have to pay for NS to play.[/b]
The Steam beta is publicly available, and is currently allowing players to try Half-life, Day of Defeat, Counter-strike for free. Natural Selection is not available yet, but when it is, it will show up in Steam and you'll be able to play without even installing it.
The NS Team is excited about new gaming experiences possible with Steam technology, especially in creating a world that is constantly updated and network-aware...