We ran an internal playtest last night - the mod is almost ready to roll out (just have to fix some issues with the win conditions). I've been in touch with a couple of server operators who would like to help us get something running for a public playtest, so join our <a href="http://steamcommunity.com/groups/ns2combat" target="_blank">NS2 Combat Mode Steam Group</a> if you want to take part in playtests or run a server!
One more thing, I noticed that the download link for <a href="http://www.unknownworlds.com/ns2/forums/index.php?showtopic=112026" target="_blank">GameOvermind</a> has finally gone... I was planning on including GameOvermind support for NS2Combat but can't get a copy of v19!
If anyone would like support for GameOvermind I think I know what I'd need to change on our side to support it, so get in touch if you need it. I may need you to send me your copy of v19 before I can make a version of Combat that works with it.
I did indeed removed the link, seeing as servers are slowly moving towards UWE's Lua-implementation, and I didn't want to set anyone up on an admin-mod that isn't actively supported anymore. I don't think you'll have to go through the trouble to support it with your combat-mod, by v1.0-release there likely won't be any servers around anymore that run it. If I'm happy with NS2's optimizations at v1.0, I'll pick up the rewrite again and make sure it's fully compatible with mods such as these. If you still feel like you want a copy of the old version, I don't actually have the exact v19-zip around anymore, but I can recompile a new one if you wish.
endarJoin Date: 2010-07-27Member: 73256Members, Squad Five Blue
I had an old copy of v19, and sent it his way. I'm not ready to make the switch from OM, still missing a few core features and some stability maturity.
I had a little test today and we now have a version of NS2Combat that works with the Overmind mod as well as a standard version for use without it. I think we've got all the features in that we will need for a playtest now, so...
SN.Wolf and endar have kindly offered to host some servers for us. I would suggest that we arrange a playtest for this week - I've provisionally made an event for Thursday 12th July at 7PM GMT - how does this work for everyone? Happy to move the time around if not enough people can make it or if another time is better for time zones.
I'm trying to work out how to get map auto-downloading working and if I can figure it out tomorrow then we'll have a way of downloading some special combat maps for people to play on as well, but it's still pretty fun on the smaller maps like ns2_tram if we can't by then. Also, I could probably get at least one server up sooner than the playtest if anyone would be interested to just have a play around.
I've opened a new thread for the faceoff map: <a href="http://www.unknownworlds.com/ns2/forums/index.php?showtopic=119375" target="_blank">http://www.unknownworlds.com/ns2/forums/in...howtopic=119375</a>
I think the problem there is that the marine start in the ns2_junction_combat map doesn't have enough places suitable to spawn. One of the tasks I need to do asap is make the marine start area a bit bigger and move the comm chair to the centre of that open space.
Internally, the code picks 100 places at random around the comm chair/hive and if it hasn't found a valid spawn point by then you just get this black screen. Unfortunately, when that happens it doesn't put you back in the spawn queue like it should so you're stuck there. The only way back is to go back to the ready room and join the team again - so I'll put a bug fix into the code to address that as soon as possible!
Also, does anyone have a copy of the old ns2_rockdown map lying around? I think that would make a better playtest map for us as it's a bit bigger but not too large. <!--quoteo(post=1950524:date=Jul 11 2012, 10:44 AM:name=endar)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (endar @ Jul 11 2012, 10:44 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1950524"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Died in game, didn't respawn and had a black screen. Junction. Happened a few times, cause unknown. Always happens after a death.
This unrelated message in server console only the first time. Subsequent times it did not appear.
Server : 583.135071 : endar died Server : 586.200928 : PlayingTeam:RespawnPlayer: Couldn't compute random spawn for player.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I am thinking we can tweak things like that - maybe focus would be a good addition as well. Will have to have a design discussion sometime soon about where we go forward in that regard.
We've already added new custom abilities like scan and resupply (and actually camo has some custom code as well) so we broadly know how to do it now and it shouldn't take too long to implement.
Copy the maps from the <a href="https://github.com/downloads/AlexHayton/NS2Combat/NS2Combat-Workshop.zip" target="_blank">https://github.com/downloads/AlexHayton/NS2...at-Workshop.zip</a> file into your Ns2 Map folder.
@WorthyRival: I've updated the OP with information about where to extract the mod to if you want to play with the optional GUI.
Sorry that we're having problems with the maps - it looks like they will continue to cause us problems until Steam Workshop's map auto-downloading is working properly. For now, at least on SN.Wolf's server in Australia, the game is just playing ns2_tram so there's no problems with anyone using the maps.
By the way, ironically I now can't make the playtest tonight, but if enough people turn up and you do discover any bugs or have any feedback, let me or JimWest know!
Was just playing this (finally), and its fantastic. Great job. :)
Only issue though is (as with vanilla) is gorges cannot heal hive fast enough if marines are nearby or have jp. No crags or whips make this worse. Nothing you can really do about it though.
Comments
If anyone would like support for GameOvermind I think I know what I'd need to change on our side to support it, so get in touch if you need it. I may need you to send me your copy of v19 before I can make a version of Combat that works with it.
<img src="http://home.arcor.de/jim_west/ns2/2012-07-08_00001.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
SN.Wolf and endar have kindly offered to host some servers for us. I would suggest that we arrange a playtest for this week - I've provisionally made an event for Thursday 12th July at 7PM GMT - how does this work for everyone? Happy to move the time around if not enough people can make it or if another time is better for time zones.
I'm trying to work out how to get map auto-downloading working and if I can figure it out tomorrow then we'll have a way of downloading some special combat maps for people to play on as well, but it's still pretty fun on the smaller maps like ns2_tram if we can't by then. Also, I could probably get at least one server up sooner than the playtest if anyone would be interested to just have a play around.
I'll happily help out with Faceoff to help bring back the buzz for Combat mode :)
<a href="https://dl.dropbox.com/u/17532519/ns2_junction_combat.7z" target="_blank">https://dl.dropbox.com/u/17532519/ns2_junction_combat.7z</a>
This unrelated message in server console only the first time. Subsequent times it did not appear.
Server : 583.135071 : endar died
Server : 586.200928 : PlayingTeam:RespawnPlayer: Couldn't compute random spawn
for player.
Internally, the code picks 100 places at random around the comm chair/hive and if it hasn't found a valid spawn point by then you just get this black screen. Unfortunately, when that happens it doesn't put you back in the spawn queue like it should so you're stuck there. The only way back is to go back to the ready room and join the team again - so I'll put a bug fix into the code to address that as soon as possible!
Also, does anyone have a copy of the old ns2_rockdown map lying around? I think that would make a better playtest map for us as it's a bit bigger but not too large.
<!--quoteo(post=1950524:date=Jul 11 2012, 10:44 AM:name=endar)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (endar @ Jul 11 2012, 10:44 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1950524"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Died in game, didn't respawn and had a black screen. Junction. Happened a few times, cause unknown. Always happens after a death.
This unrelated message in server console only the first time. Subsequent times it did not appear.
Server : 583.135071 : endar died
Server : 586.200928 : PlayingTeam:RespawnPlayer: Couldn't compute random spawn
for player.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
celerity is so useless lol.
Are there plans to make abilities like they were in ns1? things like marine sprint and celerity.
Also focus and adrenaline would be good additions, really notice how strong JP+sg marines vs skulk are in this.
But it was pretty fun, the buy menu is a bit monotonous but i saw that the GUI is almost complete.
Hopefully more people get involved.
We've already added new custom abilities like scan and resupply (and actually camo has some custom code as well) so we broadly know how to do it now and it shouldn't take too long to implement.
C:/ Program Files/Steam/steamapps/common/natural selection 2/???????????
which once you download it off the steam workshop you move it to the ns2/maps folder.
Any ideas?
Sorry that we're having problems with the maps - it looks like they will continue to cause us problems until Steam Workshop's map auto-downloading is working properly. For now, at least on SN.Wolf's server in Australia, the game is just playing ns2_tram so there's no problems with anyone using the maps.
By the way, ironically I now can't make the playtest tonight, but if enough people turn up and you do discover any bugs or have any feedback, let me or JimWest know!
Only issue though is (as with vanilla) is gorges cannot heal hive fast enough if marines are nearby or have jp. No crags or whips make this worse. Nothing you can really do about it though.
Now you guys have this up and running, I can start making Proving Grounds into something that isn't NS2 DM.
Looks like I got back online at the right time :)
Can't wait to test this out, PC should be here by Monday :)