News 1/18/2009: A New Year, A New Beginning
The colored rooms project is over a year old, and we're only getting started. Although this seems bad in a way, when you consider the size of the project, and the small team which has worked on it, it is a fairly significant step. The next update will be coming shortly for team members.
I'm taking a few days more than I had planned to get some additional things worked out to make what we have seem more finished. This is because the next update will be used to create some promotional videos that people can watch to get an idea of what has been done with the project. Afterall, every video needs to have a few "OMG, that's cool" moments. I'm hoping that I can get those working right for the update.
In addition to that, I will be restarting recruitment for the project, offering 2 options.
Team Member
Joining the team as a full member, where you get assignments specific to things that you can do, and I want done. Which is essentially the only option we had previously. While this is a good position for those who want to help, but don't know where to start. It also gives you a closer connection with the team, and a greater say in how you think the mod should be done. Additionally, as the work you do is more focused for a specific part of the mod, the work is less intensive, and usually made of smaller pieces of the whole. However, people were reluctant to join, ask for work, or had some other reason why they didn't want to join, which is why another option is being made available.
Associate
Joining as an associate, which is a position which offers the sort of freedom some people may be more interested in. Those wanting to be an Associate need to submit an application describing their abilities, and agree to the terms of using the mod. With this, they get sent the link to the mod download, and access to most of the information available to the team. They can then make their own additions to the mod as they see fit, as long as it doesn't conflict too strongly with the general tone of the mod. In this way, people can see the mod, work on it, but not be quite as restricted. Mods which associates make may be used later as additional plugins for the mod, or may be blended into the project if they are found to fit well. In addition, whole groups may join as associates to help create the other rooms if they so choose. Essentially, it's a way for people to contribute to the project without any of the responsibilities, or limitations of working with a team. More information will be given for anyone interested in becoming an associate.
In short, it is my hope that by doing this, although it may corrupt the vision of the mod, more of the realm may be completed without me sitting there, guiding it every step of the way. Naturally, team members will be able to submit their own things as associates. As most team members know, right now the only area open for free work is the Golden Plains, but I hope to expand this to a few other environments which may not be so limiting. but people have to be interested in this first.
As far as the plan of the project goes. As usual, the plan is to complete the Black Pit, and get a public alpha version out sometime before the spring. This may, or may not happen, but this is our goal. As most of the interiors for the Black Pit are defined and laid out, and most of the meshes are already completed, much of the remaining work lies in all the scripting and minor bits of detail that make the mod something people will want to play long term.
It is my personal goal to get more active with this mod, and try to keep things more up to date around here. Even if it is just flushing out ideas for some part of the mod, I'm going to try to post it so that others can get more involved with the mod, and have their own say in how things are being done. Let's all have a safe and productive 2009.
And of course you should go check out the forums.
News 8/23/2008: Gallery Update
Added plenty of new images to the gallery today! Go and check them out!
And of course you should go check out the forums.
News 6/29/2008: Website finished
Well, after many long days of coding. The website is finally finished. A couple tweaks here and there are to be expected. However, it should work fine. Things the site includes:
News Page - You are viewing it right now
Information page - With a very nice overview
Custom gallery - Worked my butt off learning Javascript and heavily edited the gallery source code I found. Still working out a few bugs
Team page - List all active and retired team members
Hope you enjoy the site. And of course you should go check out the forums.
