We just released a patch to the test-build for the Constellation members. Included are, among other things, balance tweaks for the new cloaking, bugfixes, one of them to the "hitreg" issues and various map updates.
To find download locations and install instructions, check your "Notes" or the Constellation forum.
Enjoy yourselves!
After a crazy week, we believe our site issues have finally been solved. Mysql seems to be stable now and the server isn't blue-screening (always a plus). I think most of you have noticed that the past few days have been rock solid.
We have one last bit of downtime while we retrofit the server with its extra gig of RAM again, which were are scheduling to be tomorrow (Sunday), between 6pm and 10pm PST. During this period, in-game icons won't work, and the site won't be accessible.
We hope this will be our last downtime for a long time. Thanks for your patience, and all the hard work from everyone that's been helping out.
Back to your regularly scheduled game development.
Last night's scheduled maintenance actually found hardware errors on the server (bad RAM). We're hoping this was the cause of our database/site crashing issues, but we're not holding our breath.
There seem to be some other problems caused after the hardware change, so the site may be up and down intermittently for a bit while we figure out what's going on.
So when do we get to work on the fun game stuff again?
Update: All mail-related functions on the site are currently not working (password reset, registration, etc). Please don't register any new accounts or use any other features that send e-mail.
Update: The site is having major problems right now (like you didn't notice). We're actively working on this and will keep you posted. In the meantime, the site will definitely be up and down. Sorry for the inconvenience.
We're still having some problems with the web server, and need to schedule a few hours of down-time in order to perform diagnostics on it.
So the site should be down tomorrow the 25th, from around 8pm to midnight PST. The site, forums and in-game icons will not be working during that time.
Sorry for the inconvenience.
We're back in business!
For you techies, this is what was done: - mysql was upgraded and the databases split to multiple 1 gig files (we think the source of the crashes was due to files over 2 gigs) - The webserver has been upgraded from Apache 1.3 to Apache 2.0 - The server was upgraded from 1 gig of RAM to 2 gigs
We hope the end result is that the site is a lot faster and that it stays up indefinitely without crashing (those mysql_connect errors).
Thanks Cagey!
This web site is going to go down for scheduled maintenance and a hardware upgrade probably within the next few hours. We think that the site will be down for no longer the 48 hours, and possibly much less then that. With a little luck, the site will be rock solid after it comes back up again (no more mysql_connect errors!).
Sorry for the inconvenience, see you shortly.
Note: The site is now down. All in-game icons will continue to work during this time. See you in 48.
We're not announcing that we're doing this, but it's something I'm thinking about.
The idea here is to raise seed money for development. There are investors and publishers that are interested in NS2, but because we're still in the early stage of development, they would take a large percentage of the company or profits.
Getting funded by the community means a greater chance of us deciding when we ship (instead of a publisher doing so), and also means we would keep more of the profits and retain control over our company, enabling us to make better games in the future.
We will still need help from investors and a publisher, but the idea is to wait as long as possible before doing so. The more of the game we have done when we talk to them, the less risky it is for them, and the better deal we'll ultimately get.
Notes: - Assume NS2 would have cutting edge single-player and multi-player play in large-scale diverse environments. - We couldn't guarantee that the game would ever come out. There is always risk associated with creating software and games, but hopefully we've shown you with NS that when we put our mind to creating something, we'll do whatever it takes to ship it. - Assume that pre-purchasing the game now would cost you $25, and that the game would cost around $55 or $60 when it was released. - Assume you would receive the game in electronic download format (ie, no box), though there's a possibility we would send out physical copies (we would probably have to raise the price to $30 or so or limit it to United States and Canada in this case). - Assume it would have the following system requirements (this is a prediction, not definite): * 2.0 GHz Processor * 256MB RAM * DirectX 7 capable graphics card (128mb) * Windows 2000/XP/ME/98 * Mouse * Keyboard * 56k+ Internet Connection
So, if you had the ability to use Paypal or a credit card to pre-purchase NS2 now (for around $25) would you do so? Please e-mail me your thoughts, or respond in this poll.
As we announced shortly before Christmas, we're going to open the test of Natural Selection 3.0 Beta 6 to the Constellation members. We are now testing beta 6 with the Constellation members, Playtesters, and Developers.
If you are a Constellation member and interested in participating in the test, please keep an eye on the Constellation forum (the password to which can be found in your notes). You may also receive mail if your profile e-mail address is up to date. If you'd like to participate, you can donate, and then check your profile 'notes' after you've been authorized for links to the download.
The test build is based on the [file=changelogs/v30b6-changelog.html]beta 6 changelog[/file] that was announced before Christmas, which has only been slightly extended since then.
We'll see you in-game!
OK, the site is wicked fast now. Send puzl a thank you letter for his divine inspiration in tracking this problem down!
If you're reading this, that means the new site is now live! It took a WHOLE lot longer then we wanted it to, but at least it should be relatively stable and bug-free. I think this new site will really facilitate communication, organization and efficiency between the developers and the community.
Important member information 1. All members on the old NS forums have had their accounts migrated over to the new site, preserving their posts, join date, etc. Click 'login', and enter your handle and password from the old NS forums and you should be in.
2. Your handle may have been changed to comply to our new handle naming rules (to reduce 'l33tspeak' and keep names readable), but if your handle was changed, you'll be given the opportunity to change it to something you'd prefer. Choose wisely, as you won't be allowed to change it later, and (if I have anything to say about it) this will be your identity for many years to come.
Important Constellation member info We won't start private Constellation beta testing beta 6 until the end of the week, when most of you guys have your icons working, so don't worry about missing it.
Only about half of the Constellation members have Constellation icons, and are signed up on new mailing list, due to details of the site move. You can get your icon back, and sign back up on the list by following these steps:
Step 1. Click 'profile', and change your e-mail address to the e-mail address you donated with (or more accurately, were registered on the old mailing list with). Once you validate this e-mail address, your icon should show up. Be sure to go to the mailing lists page to be sure you're subscribed to the Constellation list as well.
Step 2. In order for your icon to show up in-game, you'll need to make sure your SteamID is entered into your profile. You can change it at any time, and changes will be generally take 1-2 hours to propagate to all NS servers.
Step 3. After the Constellation icon shows up in your profile, you'll want to sign back up on the mailing list. Go to Community -> Mailing lists -> Constellation and click 'subscribe'. You will ONLY be allowed to subscribe if you have Constellation access, which is indicated by display of the Constellation icon in your profile. Mails sent to the mailing list will always be sent to the e-mail in your profile, so you can easily update that yourself.
Sorry for the inconvenience. If you're having problems with anything, check the Constellation forum or write us and we can help fix your problem.
This site will form the base for the community for all future games from Unknown Worlds. We think that if you liked NS enough to participate in the community that you'll enjoy our future work even more. Your account here is meant to last for many years to come.
It's good to have you with us.
As is typical in the world of software development, the 'few days' that we thought we needed for upgrading the site has turned into three or four weeks! We're sorry for the 'information blackout' caused by this delay. We're doing everything we can to make sure the new site functions properly, and that it is open again as soon as possible. The site is now going through a last testing effort by the QA folks to ensure that once we open it, it will stay open. Right now we're planning to release it around Christmas.
The issues with the new site did not halt development on the actual game, however. NS v3.0 beta 6 continues to be worked on and is looking good, which is why we are at last comfortable with making this announcement: we will soon open the testing to the Constellation members, both to thank them for their continued support, and to help ensure that this release represents a well-balanced and polished gaming experience. We expect to open testing to our donors by the 30th of December, just when everyone's digestion will have made it possible to control a mouse again.
So what will the Constellation members test? The following is not a 'complete' changelog - it excludes minor 'polish' items as well as fixes to exploitable gameplay aspects, but it should give you an impression of what we have been working on since the release of NS v3.0 beta 5: [file=changelogs/v30b6-changelog.html]beta 6 changelog[/file].
In case you have questions regarding one of the points above, feel free to contact and ask us directly (NemesisZero or Zunni).
Thanks for your patience and interest, and we'll see you soon on the new site!