Session Start: Wed Aug 09 17:24:28 2000 * Logging #Creators to '#creators.log' [17:28] *** Zeus sets mode: +i [17:28] ok to calm things [17:28] OK, can we get fully started now? [17:28] its invite only now [17:28] anyone changing nick will be banned from now on [17:29] ok, but I couldnt turn it off in Mirc [17:29] Fair enough [17:29] ok ready? [17:29] IMS people: [17:29] If you type /mode +e [17:29] Yes, ready [17:29] OK, you were saying about thieves? [17:29] OKies [17:29] Thieves will be downgraded this week [17:30] Battleships upgraded or reduced in price [17:30] ok [17:30] Scans: It seems to be very hard to do scans occasionally. Is there a bug, or is this just bad luck? [17:31] I am afraid not just bad luck [17:31] The logic behind the formual is ok enough, but it seems we have soem weird results at times from our Random number generator [17:32] Our problem with fixing it right now, and the last days, is that fudge is the man who made this, and he is on vacation right now [17:32] So I doubt the wave problem will be fixed until after next week, when he is back [17:32] But I promise, if we cant get the number generator to work as it should, we will change the formula to suit the generator [17:32] . [17:33] Quite a big one next. =/ [17:33] How is the amount of asteroids captured calculated? [17:33] rightie then [17:34] First of all, there is a cap on max 10% whoich can be lost per tick [17:34] Every AstroPod attacking will attempt to steal one roid [17:34] With an accuracy as the rest of the fleet [17:34] default 25% to hit [17:35] But [17:35] Each asteroid has a vcertain resistance [17:36] *** Zeus sets mode: +o vish [17:36] test [17:36] *** Spinner sets mode: +v vish [17:37] Resistance = Fleet Value (score) / 10 [17:37] Hang on, Vish is doublechecking in the sourcecode [17:38] Ouch [17:38] Ok, different [17:38] lol [17:38] It is Fleet Cost / 1000 [17:38] never mind the score [17:39] Total resistance is (Metalcost + Crystal Cost)\ 1000 [17:39] ok, there, no misunderstandings [17:39] SO the more defending ships, the higher the resistance [17:39] OK [17:39] And the less you get from attacming small planets [17:40] In the end, it is depending on how many Apods you send, since each of them try to grab one [17:40] THat should complete the answer there I guess [17:40] * Spinner hopes [17:40] A question going back to the Battleships: [17:40] yes [17:40] let me open this from invite for a few pls [17:41] What will you do with people who chose the other part of the tech tree, because battleships weren't very good? [17:41] please do [17:41] *** Messiah sets mode: +o Irons [17:41] *** Zeus sets mode: -i [17:41] I will do nothing about that...It is better to balance up all units, than to have a bunch of bad units throughout the game' [17:41] There will always be a next round, where you can choose differently [17:42] *** Zeus sets mode: +i [17:42] We knew the combat and the new ships would require a lot of tweaking to get right, and we have begun to take the first steps [17:42] So, if anyone feel bad about it, I am sorry, but it is needed [17:42] . [17:42] Next question: [17:43] What is your status on the GDF? When will the GC have control over it? And how much control will he actually have? [17:43] Yes..The GDF has certainly aroused many people's intrest [17:43] We have ot been able to do any work on the GDF yet, as of controloling it [17:43] SO an exact date when this is possible, I can not give here [17:43] But... [17:43] *** vish sets mode: -t [17:43] *** vish sets mode: +t [17:44] When it is in, it will be possible for the GC to launch it out on missions, attack or defend, as a regular fleet [17:44] Except it would require some kind of "GO" from either planets, or pherhaps some new minister..... [17:44] So it can not be abused for the GC's own egotripping (-: [17:44] The launchcost will then be taken out of the Development Fund [17:45] If there is not enough Eonium in there...it can not launch [17:45] Some people are concerned that it can be used for transferring fleets with no travel time. Will this be the case? [17:45] Note that I said nothing about the GC being able to transfer ships out from the GDF [17:45] (-: [17:45] That answers it I belive [17:46] There is some confusion over EMP targeting. Can you shed any light on anything? [17:46] Although, that's a bit vague... [17:46] Yes, I belive I can [17:46] epm targets other ships which shoots after the emp [17:46] I will again have Vish to doublecheck in the source code [17:47] what is vague? [17:47] "Can you shed any light on anything?" The question was vague, not your answer. [17:47] But the EMP ships do not use Prefered target classes like the normal ships [17:47] They have 4 legal targets each [17:47] The Spider can target: (Vish, this is your cue) [17:48] :) [17:48] pds-emp: ship-fighters [17:48] pds-emp: ship-corvette [17:49] spider: dagger, interceptor, torpedo, astropods [17:49] tarantula: warcruiser, pirate, destroyer [17:50] Which open up the ALL TIME eye openener: [17:50] Battleships are infact immune to EMP! [17:50] But can be stolen! [17:50] * Spinner gasps!!! [17:50] Which raises the question: Why do they have an EMP resistance? [17:50] Well....I could have put 0 in there...would it really be a point? [17:51] And, for those paying attention.... [17:51] This means the War Frigate is also immune (-: [17:51] Now these targets are targetd based on percentage of the possible target [17:52] Meaning: [17:52] If 1 Spider sees 10 Interceptors and 90 torpedoes, there is a 90% chance it will target a torpedo. [17:52] I will make sure to write all this in the manual.. [17:53] Sorry for not having it right from the beginning [17:53] * Zeus nods [17:53] That, ladies and gentlemen, I belive concludes EMP targeting [17:53] . [17:54] ok [17:54] *** Zeus sets mode: -i [17:54] *** Zeus sets mode: +i [17:54] o [17:54] k [17:54] When a torpedo targets one interceptor and succeeds, does it destroy one interceptor or five interceptors? [17:55] one [17:55] only one [17:55] What other jobs are GCs going to get? [17:55] You are asking because it has a gunpower enough to kill 5, right? [17:55] yes [17:55] Only 1 gun, means only 1 kill [17:55] ok [17:55] k [17:55] GC [17:55] The GC will be able to control the Galactic Fleet as I said [17:56] Nothing more has been planned there now, execept maybe he gets a special Message of the Day thing for his Galaxy [17:56] . [17:56] ah, that was my next question... [17:56] good (-: [17:56] lol [17:56] Travel times within galaxies don't seem to be much different to travel times with a stargate. Are there any plans to improve this? [17:57] Huh? [17:57] I didnt know people had the same travel time within he galxies [17:57] This is a bug if it happensm and will hopefully be sorted shortly [17:57] I do know however... [17:57] I think what the mean is: can you reduce the time taken to travel within your galaxy. [17:57] That fleets can "skip" a tick when traveling [17:58] Ah, no (-: [17:58] Send quicker ships [17:58] (-: [17:58] k [17:58] *** Zeus sets mode: -i [17:58] that was a VERY popular question, I might add. [17:58] Oh [17:58] Ok, I can go into more details [17:58] if you belive it is wanted [17:59] .... [17:59] *** Zeus sets mode: +i [17:59] Major concern: [17:59] I think the problem is that there doesn't seem to be too much reaction time available when someone attacks with a stargate. [17:59] It must not be too easy to defend eachother, or attacks will be hard to do [17:59] Its nice to be able to defend oneanother, but it isnt nice if everyone defends everyone else all the time [18:00] * Zeus points to the gdf for defence:) [18:00] Yes, these is also the GDF [18:00] Which actually works very well for instance in my galaxy [18:00] Where everyone has contributed quite a number o ships [18:00] Highly recommende in active galaxies [18:01] SO the time to travel within a galaxy will not be shortend, due to possiblity of inbalance [18:01] . [18:01] How are things going with your line? Is that still what's causing the game to appear to go down sometimes? [18:01] * Spinner hopes that was enough [18:01] Line, yes... [18:02] First of all, within a very short periode of time, we will get some hosting help tp relieve our lines a bit, or upgrade our existing lines [18:02] This is a question of money actually.... [18:02] Which we dont quite make enough of (-: Who does anyway (-: [18:03] And our budget right now does not allow us to upgrade the lines [18:03] But we have good hopes to earn more on advertising in the future [18:03] And also to get some good hosting help [18:03] click banners is main income @ mo [18:03] The first step will prolly be to put the images and the manual on a totally different line, maybe with the boards [18:03] so get fingers clicking:) [18:04] So we will have more capacity for our game itself [18:04] But I promise [18:04] The minute we run this game with a profit [18:04] We WILL upgrade lines! [18:04] . [18:04] *** Zeus sets mode: -i [18:05] *** Zeus sets mode: +i [18:05] ok [18:05] What happens with people who go inactive in Vacation Mode? [18:06] That is a good question [18:06] We should have a set time limit for vacation mode also, but right now, nothign happens to them [18:06] I dont know what would be a possible time frame which we could delete them after a certain length on the vacation or something, but pherhaps about 4 weeks? [18:07] Not many people are on vacation any longer than that [18:07] that seems to be the general concensus [18:07] I will start a thread in Questions to the players about it [18:07] Hm, that wasnt much (-: [18:07] excellent. [18:07] SO you mean we are done? [18:07] Of course not!" [18:07] ah [18:07] We're just over halfway. [18:07] ;-> [18:07] Go on then... [18:07] There's been a lot of alleged "Newbie Bashing". Do the creators have a stance on this? [18:07] (-: [18:08] :-/ [18:08] Get to the juicy multi stuff (-: [18:08] Newbie bashig: [18:08] right [18:08] Naturally, we dont encourage Newbie Bashing [18:09] I thought pherhaps that the 10% cap on stolen roids would reduce this [18:09] Also, that you steal (woth cargo ships) from income, not from resources available would help [18:09] Finally, the GDF is important here [18:10] and fuel [18:10] If it is used, newbies in a galaxy share protection from their bigger galaxy-,ates [18:10] Ah, yes, certainly.. [18:10] Launching big fleets costs Eonuim, and it is not very likely that you will make a Newbie Hit with profit [18:10] SO I dont really understand why peopel do it [18:10] * Zeus nods:) [18:10] k [18:10] *** Zeus sets mode: -i [18:11] We will not hardcode a solution where you can not attack anyone smaller than this or that [18:11] As it breaks away from some of the whole cooperation setting we have in PLanetarion [18:11] People should be able to sort most of this by using the GDF [18:11] *** Zeus sets mode: +i [18:11] As far as I can tell, it is a much smalle problem now than it was last round [18:11] But I might be misinformed [18:12] Is there any chance of Planetarion going commercial in the future, and charging for play? If not, is there a planned "end" to planetarion? [18:12] Going commercial? I thought we had done that! (-: [18:12] There is no plan to charge players tfor playing PLanetarion [18:12] :) [18:12] Absolutely not [18:13] free, made by gamers for gamers [18:13] indeed [18:13] Thank you , Zeus for handing me word on a golden platter (-: [18:13] * Zeus hides [18:13] Do you think you'll ever get bored of planetarion, and sell it to some money grabbing corporation? [18:13] EA slogan, isnt it? [18:13] Or something? [18:13] No [18:14] Selling Planetarion is not an option either... [18:14] We made it because we wanted to make it [18:14] And we want to keep making games like it [18:14] Because it is fun [18:14] We just have to learn how to do it and make a profit (-: [18:14] You asked for an "end"... [18:14] I am not sure PLanetarion will ever end.. [18:14] Not as long as poeple play it [18:15] Of course, if people stop playing it, well, it sort of has ended... [18:15] k [18:15] But there will be resets [18:15] *** Zeus sets mode: -i [18:15] (-: [18:15] that's not going to happen for a while yet... ;-> [18:15] I hope not! [18:15] Next! [18:15] The WAP phone thing that has been mentioned, would it be possible for people without WAP phones to make their own thing, designed for non-WAP phones. [18:15] *** Zeus sets mode: +i [18:15] WAP / PDA / SMS services [18:16] I am happy to announce, that we are looking at possibilites to have support for some of these things [18:16] Next week actually, we will be in a meeting with a company who claims to be able to do all the work for us to implament this, which would be the very best solution [18:16] So it doesnt take valuable working hours from us on the core team [18:17] :) [18:17] But no promises, we still dont know that anyone will do it [18:17] But rest assured, we know the wish is out there! [18:17] *** Zeus sets mode: -i [18:18] Are there any plans to implement the "boot" function in the galaxy, where the GC can nominate someone to be kicked out of the galaxy? [18:18] . [18:18] *** Zeus sets mode: +i [18:18] Ah, yes, the booting thing [18:19] We decided against it the last time, as the poeple asked to share their opinions on the boards were split indeed. [18:19] But [18:19] We see that some galaxies would definately benefit from soemthing like this, so it might go back onto our to-do list again. But right now, I dont know [18:19] . [18:20] On a more personal note: [18:20] What do you like best about working on Planetarion? [18:20] AH, that is an easy one! [18:20] Well, not that easy [18:20] no fair....! [18:21] gameing questions only pls:) [18:21] 1: I really like to be a part of this great creative team [18:21] 2: I like to create things, been making games most of my career [18:21] 3: I like all the interaction with the players [18:21] * vish likes bugs [18:21] lol [18:22] 4: I love to get emails telling me what a great gam we have made (-: [18:22] * vish smiles [18:22] 5: I like bothiering Vish and Fudge so they fix the bugs [18:22] (-: [18:22] And.. [18:22] Its a good feeling having started up a company by ourselves... [18:22] Taking a hobby / game into business [18:23] And even if not that great, we do make a living out of it [18:23] That should sum it up I think (-: [18:23] k [18:23] *** Zeus sets mode: -i [18:23] gotta run [18:24] Oh, and I love getting all these new friends here! [18:24] my computer just crashed. [18:24] =( [18:24] lol [18:24] *** Zeus sets mode: +i [18:24] so i'll probably quit in a second. [18:24] Last question from my list, [18:24] the one that plagued ops for what seemed like centuries: [18:24] When is the reset?!? [18:25] The next reset! [18:25] ? [18:25] I reckon the game will run about 6 months [18:25] yes [18:26] Unless something drastic happnes [18:26] So 10th of july, plus 6 months..or so... [18:26] whats your views on multis... and where do you draw the line? [18:26] hehe [18:27] My view on multies should hardly come as a surprise to anyoone [18:27] I am certainly a bit both angry with people who cheat, and also a bit sorry [18:28] It isnt very cool to see people actually going to an effort to try to ruin what I have devoted much of my recent life in [18:28] So [18:28] Babysitting someones account while they are on vacation = Delete of accounts [18:28] Making many accounts to try to get two in the same galaxy = Delete of accounts [18:29] Logging into someone elses account = Delete of accounts [18:29] Threatening me with lawsuits because of closed account = PERMENTLY DELETE INSTANTLY [18:29] rofl [18:29] rofl [18:29] That was not a joke [18:29] Happened yesterday [18:30] ????? [18:30] Anyway [18:30] The rules are very simple: [18:30] any NEW feature either ships or anything new you have in mind you havent told anyone about? [18:30] 1 account each! [18:30] Hm, any new things or ships? [18:30] * Spinner is thinking hard [18:30] No, I dont think so [18:31] Except for some address book features when it somes to messages [18:31] kewl:) [18:31] But our tasklist is filled up with stability issues, cheating stuff, bugs and various problems [18:31] can you make new news appear at the top of the screen? [18:31] Yes Messiah, we probably can [18:31] I will put it on the list [18:31] k [18:31] But it is not a high priority for now [18:32] of course. [18:32] anything more? [18:32] not from me. [18:32] or can u spend few mins with the bombardment? [18:32] there's plenty people here with questions, do you want to answer them? [18:33] Is i ok to channel the questions through Messiah? [18:33] argh! [18:33] No. [18:33] =( [18:33] Zeus? [18:33] I must leave you all now. [18:33] Ok, thaknsfor helping out Messiah! [18:33] I will remain to answer more questions... [18:34] Zeus, can you help? [18:34] shall I -m and you answer a few question...quickly frm the other [18:34] sure [18:34] STOP MESSAGING ME!! [18:34] *** Zeus sets mode: -mi [18:34] what happened to one? [18:34] do you have ICQ, Spinner?? [18:34] if GC does get power to delete accounts or whatever, how will it work? he nominates then u need a certain number of votes? [18:34] thanx spinner cya good luck with the mobbing :D [18:34] Cannot attack if attacker_score > 10 * defender_score [18:34] how do you detect multis? what about brotherE? [18:34] What about offensive player names? [18:34] is there going to be posted a transcription somewhere of this irc session? [18:34] ship time home being 8 hours ALWAYS, when it should be 6, or 7, bug? - if so when fixed? [18:34] When are the new stats on the battleships going to be implemented? This week or next month? :) [18:34] temper temper [18:34] what are u going to change aboyut thievs [18:34] Spinner, can the military status part of the overview window going to be used to display short fleet information ? [18:34] You're ruining it with all this new stuff! [18:34] PLAN the next meeting okay? [18:34] LOL [18:34] :) [18:34] PLAN the next meeting okay? [18:34] LOLOL [18:34] ROFL [18:34] lol [18:34] <[IPC]KappaX> will some one get deledted if they have friend that check ther account on your computer?? [18:34] haha [18:34] roofl [18:34] +, again.. [18:34] ROFL!!! [18:34] ROFL [18:34] oh dear [18:34] do not abuse spinner [18:34] lol [18:34] *** Zeus sets mode: +m [18:34] jez! [18:34] ok, maybe that's not such a good idea. [18:34] ;-> [18:34] i'll leave you all to deal with it. [18:34] see you guys. [18:35] OK, I see a couple of questoin up there... [18:35] ill try ans answer my pm......my screens going damn bonker....and I need to get home for food here guys! [18:35] 1: GC power to delete or boot: As I said before, this is undecided, so for now, I dont know. It will not be put in shortly [18:35] :) [18:35] Travel time issue: [18:36] This is Fudges departement, so I hope he will find the bug and solve it when he gets back home. [18:36] Just about his Top Priority when he returns, after next week [18:36] New stats on Thieves and Battleships are liekly to be imeplented and updated in the manual by the end of this week [18:37] The limit on the "You can not attack planets smaller than this" has been answered previsouly, and will not be made [18:38] You're ruining it with all this new stuff! [18:38] Well, hardly a questio, but I hope you are wrong... [18:38] As for multi detection, I am not going into details [18:38] whats going on about the ship return time bug where your ships take longer to return to your plant than they should after being auto returned from a planet ??? had to get in quick :) [18:38] chris^^ [18:38] But there are a certain number of flags that go "MULTI MULTI MULTI" if they fit a certain pattern [18:39] Um, already answered Zeus [18:39] This is Fudges departement, so I hope he will find the bug and solve it when he gets back home. [18:39] Just about his Top Priority when he returns, after next week [18:39] More about multies: [18:40] What about Brothers playing on the same machine? [18:40] right [18:40] I would like to point you all to a certain page on our message board, where I have put in a length post about this [18:40] You recall the URL Zeus? [18:41] http://metal.planetarion.com/ubb/Forum2/HTML/004536-3.html [18:41] there we are [18:41] Scroll down and read my post on the matter [18:41] Bottom line: [18:41] All multies are emailed [18:42] Those who reply, have a chance of explaining themselves [18:42] Hence avoiding deletion [18:42] Those who dont bother to reply..... [18:42] Were probably farms [18:42] spinner maybe amisty.... any muti should delete their accounts as the tools are being used? [18:42] Through email communication, I hope to be able to tell who is cheating and who is not [18:42] ? [18:43] Ah, themselves you mean? [18:43] To avoid being deleted.. [18:43] Sure, if I find a multi, but he has set his second planet for DELETE, I see that immidiately, and will spare him of course [18:44] ok i gotta go now as my irc client is crashing here... [18:45] I know the feeling [18:45] *** Zeus sets mode: -m [18:45] Would you like some proper proofreading/editing/web help on the manual? Who do we contact? [18:45] - HiRr - [18:45] Spinner are you going to make Pirates more effective? cause thieives seem to last longer despite their larger armor :) [18:45]