Hard Light Productions Forums
General FreeSpace => FreeSpace Discussion => Topic started by: Turnsky on December 27, 2004, 12:42:09 am
-
just a thought on this one, i dunno whether i'll be a good one or not, but has anybody thought about what if we got a storyline/campaign sorta sanctioned by the guys at V?.. y'know, like the Halo books wire approved by bungie as canon, etc.
sorta like the fans bounce all sorts of ideas between themselves and Volition.. it'd be kinda cool...
any thoughts?
-
It's really hard to contact V.
-
Originally posted by Carl
It's really hard to contact V.
a tad unfortunate. but it'd be cool if we could contact them..
-
okay, i have yet another idea here.. i think it's reasonably cool
a Freespace Platinum campaign pack..
put all the best mods/campaigns (pre SCP ones) maybe putting them all in the same VP file for ease of use.. y'know all the ones like Warzone, Derelict, Aeos affair, and the like basically have them all running off the same table, depending on how many mods are present, it'll help keep things relatively clean.
-
didnt icefire or steak get in contact with those guys a couple times?
-
V might not even be allowed to comment, owing to the whole ownership of rights issue.....
-
Originally posted by aldo_14
V might not even be allowed to comment, owing to the whole ownership of rights issue.....
true, 'dat, but, like i said, bounce a few ideas off of V they give us ideas, we give them ideas, and so on. could be of anything, story, ships, species, that sorta thing.. a good ol' brainstorming session.. :)
-
Originally posted by Turnsky
okay, i have yet another idea here.. i think it's reasonably cool
a Freespace Platinum campaign pack..
put all the best mods/campaigns (pre SCP ones) maybe putting them all in the same VP file for ease of use.. y'know all the ones like Warzone, Derelict, Aeos affair, and the like basically have them all running off the same table, depending on how many mods are present, it'll help keep things relatively clean.
Before that, the SCP really needs to be more accessible.
Consider you're a complete and total n00b who's heard of Freespace 2, doesn't have the full game, but wants to play it anyway. What do you do? Hell, even I don't really know. Grab the files off of HOTU, and use Fractux's FTP, I think. But it's still a long, arduous process compared to games nowadays.
Really, what we need is a big fat "Run Freespace!" link, better news reporting for the SCP, and a much more streamlined process. Ideally, the Installer would let you specify a FS2 Retail directory, or if you didn't have it, download the necessary VPs to your computer.
Contrary to popular belief, all you need to run FS2_Open in 'vanilla mode' are the retail VPs. You don't need to install anything. I'm pretty sure you don't even need the retail launcher.
Install is ludicrously easy, as long as all teh bugs are ironed out, but as of now you have to search around to find everything to play a fully functional version of FS2.
-
Well, we have the media vp's. We basicly need some sort of all integrated installer thad does retail, fsOpen, and media VP's
-
Originally posted by WMCoolmon
Before that, the SCP really needs to be more accessible.
Consider you're a complete and total n00b who's heard of Freespace 2, doesn't have the full game, but wants to play it anyway. What do you do? Hell, even I don't really know. Grab the files off of HOTU, and use Fractux's FTP, I think. But it's still a long, arduous process compared to games nowadays.
Really, what we need is a big fat "Run Freespace!" link, better news reporting for the SCP, and a much more streamlined process. Ideally, the Installer would let you specify a FS2 Retail directory, or if you didn't have it, download the necessary VPs to your computer.
Contrary to popular belief, all you need to run FS2_Open in 'vanilla mode' are the retail VPs. You don't need to install anything. I'm pretty sure you don't even need the retail launcher.
Install is ludicrously easy, as long as all teh bugs are ironed out, but as of now you have to search around to find everything to play a fully functional version of FS2.
you have a point there. like.. "FS2 in a shoebox" that contains either the links for /everything/ or one big Rar/Zip file for those with high speed connects that contains all the things you need to get the HOTU version up to Spec, as well as "FSO in a Shoebox" with the latest of /everything/ the SCP has to offer, models, textures, the lot.
but, as you say, make it very accessable to your casual newbie. and things will go a long way. :nod:
-
Well, not just that, but publicity as well. Right now FS2_Open has encountered the fate of the original...the guy I mentioned in my recent thread in the SCP forum was one of two people that I recently talked to that knew of FS2 but not about FS2_Open. A lot of people have *heard* of FS2, but no one really knows about the SCP outside of HLP.
I thought about writing a slashdot news article about 3.6.5 being released, but realized it would probably be too hard for people to find everything and run it.
Edit: Yeah, that's pretty much it. Point the installer to your current version of FS2 (if any), select what you want as an end result, and have it figure out what you need.
Edit 2: Definitely not my week for saying what I mean.
-
and squash the bugs.
Dont forget to squash the bugs!
really, if you want to show off the SCP, just take some of the latest, greatest pics lying about from the various projects that show off it's ub3r l337ness, starting from the wee days before Shine to today, and you'll have a presentation that not only kicks ass, but will get a lot of attention too.
The downside of course....are the newbies....
-
Originally posted by WMCoolmon
Well, not just that, but publicity as well. Right now FS2_Open has encountered the fate of the original...the guy I mentioned in my recent thread in the SCP forum was one of two people that I recently talked to that knew of FS2 but not about FS2_Open. A lot of people have *heard* of FS2, but no one really knows about the SCP outside of HLP.
I thought about writing a slashdot news article about 3.6.5 being released, but realized it would probably be too hard for people to find everything and run it.
Edit: Yeah, that's pretty much it. Point the launcher to your current version of FS2 (if any), select what you want as an end result, and have it figure out what you need.
i get what you mean, we need something like your one-stop freespace shop, a... "Headz-Mart" if you will :p
i could try drumming up publicity for this on the keenspace forums, see what happens there, it couldn't hurt, now, could it? ;)
but, as you said, we need something that's accessable before we try to pimp.. :nod:
-
The next problem is finding someone with the bandwidth and the willingness to host the stuff...
I don't think the current FTP will cut it, most of the time I've checked it out it's been full.
*Wonders what happened to GS's offer to host a release of the SCP*
-
Originally posted by WMCoolmon
The next problem is finding someone with the bandwidth and the willingness to host the stuff...
I don't think the current FTP will cut it, most of the time I've checked it out it's been full.
*Wonders what happened to GS's offer to host a release of the SCP*
I don't think GS could host the SCP due to the license terms, because they couldn't milk it for cash in any way.
-
might as well ask though. If nothing else, it'll just confirm that they are money-milking ****tards.
-
Well, they're hosting HLP, and all they get from that is the revenue from the ad banners.
If they could host the SCP, while the ad banners went towards service/bandwidth charges, they could benefit from it. Freespace 2 was a pretty popular game.
-
These are great ideas, and all true. I agree, we need a shoebox of fs2, and publicity.
The faintest hope is if it gets popular enough, V or someone may see it, and retake a intrest in Fs. Would be interesting. But im not betting on that.
Anyways, for the publicity, if people pitched in, what could hapen is we could put a 'page add' in the biggest newspapers, or you know, a bigger one. Many parents see newspapers and may wana tell their kids about it. Expecially when they dont need to 'buy a game' or anything, just click and download.
What you guys think of that?
-
Not a hope in hell of making enough money for that; you're talking hundreds of thousands of pounds / euros / dollars for anything with a decent readership. Plus 90% of adult readers would just ignore that advertising (never try to second guess what a teenager wants.....)
-
Originally posted by WMCoolmon
I thought about writing a slashdot news article about 3.6.5 being released, but realized it would probably be too hard for people to find everything and run it.
We could make that one of our goals for 3.7.
-
Originally posted by Goober5000
We could make that one of our goals for 3.7.
You should submit that to bluesnews as well..... or maybe try and set up a pseudo alliance with other open-sourced 'niche' games to help publicise each other in some way.
-
Originally posted by aldo_14
Not a hope in hell of making enough money for that; you're talking hundreds of thousands of pounds / euros / dollars for anything with a decent readership. Plus 90% of adult readers would just ignore that advertising (never try to second guess what a teenager wants.....)
Write about it to a gaming magazine.... free, and you reach the people you want to reach (gamers). most gaming magazines have a Mod-spot... only problem is.. will/can/are they allowed to do it... I think that with a good SCP trailer, clear guide for how to get it (best would be a CD with the "shoebox" version) and a good story, they might be interested.
Oh, and I think something in a magazine is better than something on a gaming-website... it looks more impotant.
only, didn't the license say something about non-profit....?
((this is just speculating.. don't flame me for it:nervous: ))
-
Well, I know that FS2 has been supplied with a german gaming magazine last months - we already got some new members that way. At least that magazine could be a possible "target".
-
Hundreds of thouzands?
Anyone know how much for one popular mag. add?
-
I wasn't talking about an ad, I was talking about an article, or even about putting SCP stuff on the CDs/DVDs they supply with the mag - if they're are willing to do that and once the SCP is ready for that.
-
Originally posted by Turnsky
true, 'dat, but, like i said, bounce a few ideas off of V they give us ideas, we give them ideas, and so on. could be of anything, story, ships, species, that sorta thing.. a good ol' brainstorming session.. :)
HEll, wouldn't it be better to invite the [V] guys to stop at this forum every now and then?
-
Originally posted by mitac
I wasn't talking about an ad, I was talking about an article, or even about putting SCP stuff on the CDs/DVDs they supply with the mag - if they're are willing to do that and once the SCP is ready for that.
The issue with distributing the SCP is really the legal issues over giving stuff with a commercial magazine.... however, I can't see a reason why a mag wouldn't be able to feature at least an article on the SCP and soforth - it's far from without precedent.
-
Originally posted by TrashMan
HEll, wouldn't it be better to invite the [V] guys to stop at this forum every now and then?
the invite's open, but they're like that favorite relative that doesn't visit much. :p
-
Legal issues would be big in putting the SCP in a gaming mag. If its possible without getting in the legal side, it would be good for FS. But, would the glory of the SCP conpare to stuff like Halo2 and Half Life. Thats probley why they wouldn't put it in a gaming mag. And that people wouldn't really care in a spruced up 1999 game, that has very little multi-player, as of right now.
-
Originally posted by WeatherOp
Legal issues would be big in putting the SCP in a gaming mag. If its possible without getting in the legal side, it would be good for FS. But, would the glory of the SCP conpare to stuff like Halo2 and Half Life. Thats probley why they wouldn't put it in a gaming mag. And that people wouldn't really care in a spruced up 1999 game, that has very little multi-player, as of right now.
there's more support out there than you might think, PcPowerplay has made mention of the Source Code's release, and they have a "garage games" segment, so the SCP /can/ be pimped there.
i think most "legal issues" arise from making a profit from the source code, in which case, there is no profit, because all the SCP Modders, the campaign-makers, etc, have put their free time into all of this. :nod:
-
PcGamer (UK) also has a big section devoted to mods now, which includes open-sourced games... they've carried Quake 2 standalone games before.
-
Originally posted by aldo_14
PcGamer (UK) also has a big section devoted to mods now, which includes open-sourced games... they've carried Quake 2 standalone games before.
also, a bit of publicity would be good in attracting fresh talent, and brand new ideas into all this, models, SCP, everything. :nod:
-
And as a bonus! Think of all the n00bs we'd attract!
-
Originally posted by Charismatic
Hundreds of thouzands?
Anyone know how much for one popular mag. add?
http://www.marketing.pcworld.com/site/print_rates.html
PC World (US edition I presume); ranging from $23,000 (single black and white 1/4 page ad) to $106,000 for a (back cover) for 1 issue. The really big magazines (Sports Illustrated, Newsweek - different demographic, large readership however) cost up to $500,000.
Times is priced per 1000 pages; see http://www.timesonline.co.uk/section/0,,464,00.html
Odds are you'd only get a small percentage 'response', also; no really recognisable brand name (to new gamers at the least), a small-ish target demographic (Pc gamers with broadband and willing to DL a 5 year old game are a limited group IMO), and the simple fact of a single and thus low-visiblity advert.
-
Originally posted by Turnsky
the invite's open, but they're like that favorite relative that doesn't visit much. :p
Someone should give them a little nudge in the right direction....