Constellation Test Faq
Nemesis_Zero
Old European Join Date: 2002-01-25 Member: 75Members, Retired Developer, NS1 Playtester, Constellation
Old European Join Date: 2002-01-25 Member: 75Members, Retired Developer, NS1 Playtester, Constellation
<div class="IPBDescription">now with new line about 3.2 constellation test!</div>[insert by Marik]This thread was originally titled "3.1 / Constellation Test Faq." We do have a 3.2 test FAQ in the works; when it's ready for posting we'll unsticky this old thread and sticky the new one. Until then, I figure I'll put in one of the most common Q&A things:
Q: Where is the Constellation Donation website so I can become a Constellation Member and participate in the private 3.2 testing?
A: As of October 31, 2006, Flayra has stated "The Constellation system isn't functional yet so if you haven't donated previously I'm afraid you're out of luck and you'll have to wait until the public release."
If you are particularly interested in passing money towards Unknown Worlds Entertainment, even if it's in a way completely unrelated to playtesting NS 3.2, there is an alternative: check out the demo of <a href="http://www.zenofsudoku.com/" target="_blank">Zen of Sudoku</a> to see if you'd enjoy the full game enough to warrant a purchase. Purchasing Zen of Sudoku is completely independent of the Constellation Membership benefits; the only similarity is that money from either does go towards Unknown Worlds Entertainment & development of its new game(s).
Original post by Nemesis Zero follows:
As everyone who has checked the <a href="http://www.unknownworlds.com/ns/" target="_blank">frontpage</a> knows, we are going to open NS 3.1 to Constellation members this weekend. This thread is supposed to answer all arising questions.
<b>General 3.1 Questions</b>
<b>Q.: Will 3.1 include Nexus?</b>
<b>A.:</b> No. We had planned to include it, but discovered during development that all other changes planned for 3.1 would be done much faster. Faced with the choice between sitting on a de-facto finished product or another non-Nexus release, we decided an extra, earlier update was the better option.
<b>Q.: I remember Zunni talking about backwards flight for the Lerk in the 'Developer's Corner' show on NSRadio, but can't find it in the published changelog. What's up?</b>
<b>A.:</b> A number of variations to this concept have been tried during our tests, none of them ultimately satisfying. We're back at the drawing board.
<b>Q.: Will this be the last version of NS on the HL engine?</b>
<b>A.:</b> No, we plan to work on further versions parallelly with the port on Source. NS 3.2 is already in development.
<b>Q.: I heard that NS might make it on the Steam 'My Games' list. Is this true?</b>
<b>A.:</b> The NS team and Valve programmers have successfully adapted NS to work under My Games and it has been tested there by some of our PTs. Valve and the NS team are currently trying to negotiate terms for releasing NS to the public My Games list.
<b>Q.: Are there going to be any new maps in 3.1? None are listed in the changelog.</b>
<b>A.:</b> It is possible, but at this point not likely.
<b>Constellation Test Questions</b>
<b>Q.: Just to be sure, who exactly is eligble to take part in these tests?</b>
<b>A.:</b> All Constellation members, that is - everyone who <a href="http://www.unknownworlds.com/ns/view?action=donate" target="_blank">donated</a> $20 or more at one point.
<b>Q.: When will the tests take place?</b>
<b>A.:</b> They will begin at the 6th of August and last for upwards of two weeks depending on the amount of testing that seems beneficial.
<b>Q.: What access restrictions will be in place?</b>
<b>A.:</b> There'll be an authentication control that allows only Constellation members, Playtesters, or developers access to the servers, which will be supplied from our side (thanks to the server donors!).
<b>Q.: Will there be organized events?</b>
<b>A.:</b> The Playtest Leads will schedule regular games where players can meet and have large matches. Outside those events, players will be free to join whenever they feel like it.
<b>Q.: What do you expect from these tests?</b>
<b>A.:</b> Support in fine-tuning NS 3.1 to ensure a polished final product.
<b>Q.: What's that '328' behind the 'NS v3.1' in my server browser?</b>
<b>A.:</b> This is an internal version number. Please note it if you are going to make a bug report.
If you have further questions, please post them below, and we will answer when we can.
Q: Where is the Constellation Donation website so I can become a Constellation Member and participate in the private 3.2 testing?
A: As of October 31, 2006, Flayra has stated "The Constellation system isn't functional yet so if you haven't donated previously I'm afraid you're out of luck and you'll have to wait until the public release."
If you are particularly interested in passing money towards Unknown Worlds Entertainment, even if it's in a way completely unrelated to playtesting NS 3.2, there is an alternative: check out the demo of <a href="http://www.zenofsudoku.com/" target="_blank">Zen of Sudoku</a> to see if you'd enjoy the full game enough to warrant a purchase. Purchasing Zen of Sudoku is completely independent of the Constellation Membership benefits; the only similarity is that money from either does go towards Unknown Worlds Entertainment & development of its new game(s).
Original post by Nemesis Zero follows:
As everyone who has checked the <a href="http://www.unknownworlds.com/ns/" target="_blank">frontpage</a> knows, we are going to open NS 3.1 to Constellation members this weekend. This thread is supposed to answer all arising questions.
<b>General 3.1 Questions</b>
<b>Q.: Will 3.1 include Nexus?</b>
<b>A.:</b> No. We had planned to include it, but discovered during development that all other changes planned for 3.1 would be done much faster. Faced with the choice between sitting on a de-facto finished product or another non-Nexus release, we decided an extra, earlier update was the better option.
<b>Q.: I remember Zunni talking about backwards flight for the Lerk in the 'Developer's Corner' show on NSRadio, but can't find it in the published changelog. What's up?</b>
<b>A.:</b> A number of variations to this concept have been tried during our tests, none of them ultimately satisfying. We're back at the drawing board.
<b>Q.: Will this be the last version of NS on the HL engine?</b>
<b>A.:</b> No, we plan to work on further versions parallelly with the port on Source. NS 3.2 is already in development.
<b>Q.: I heard that NS might make it on the Steam 'My Games' list. Is this true?</b>
<b>A.:</b> The NS team and Valve programmers have successfully adapted NS to work under My Games and it has been tested there by some of our PTs. Valve and the NS team are currently trying to negotiate terms for releasing NS to the public My Games list.
<b>Q.: Are there going to be any new maps in 3.1? None are listed in the changelog.</b>
<b>A.:</b> It is possible, but at this point not likely.
<b>Constellation Test Questions</b>
<b>Q.: Just to be sure, who exactly is eligble to take part in these tests?</b>
<b>A.:</b> All Constellation members, that is - everyone who <a href="http://www.unknownworlds.com/ns/view?action=donate" target="_blank">donated</a> $20 or more at one point.
<b>Q.: When will the tests take place?</b>
<b>A.:</b> They will begin at the 6th of August and last for upwards of two weeks depending on the amount of testing that seems beneficial.
<b>Q.: What access restrictions will be in place?</b>
<b>A.:</b> There'll be an authentication control that allows only Constellation members, Playtesters, or developers access to the servers, which will be supplied from our side (thanks to the server donors!).
<b>Q.: Will there be organized events?</b>
<b>A.:</b> The Playtest Leads will schedule regular games where players can meet and have large matches. Outside those events, players will be free to join whenever they feel like it.
<b>Q.: What do you expect from these tests?</b>
<b>A.:</b> Support in fine-tuning NS 3.1 to ensure a polished final product.
<b>Q.: What's that '328' behind the 'NS v3.1' in my server browser?</b>
<b>A.:</b> This is an internal version number. Please note it if you are going to make a bug report.
If you have further questions, please post them below, and we will answer when we can.
Comments
We miss our Flayra lovin'. What's he been up to?
Are there going to be any new maps in 3.1? None are listed in the changelog.
We miss our Flayra lovin'. What's he been up to? <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Zunni is neck-deep in RL, Flayra is deeper in UWE <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
To be honest while I've been critical of a few of the changes throughout the versions of NS, there's always been much more good than bad. Especially regarding bugs.
Working NS:S source in parallel to 3.2?! Seems awfully difficult.
*concern* <!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/confused-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Zunni explained that he thought it should be done with the version changes (ie: 1.xx, 2.xx, 3.xx, 4.xx).
At some point it would be nice to see more of the great ideas in the next and future version subforums of the I&S be included with new versions.
It helps NS evolve in the never ending pursuit for the perfect game.
It gives the people who thought of the idea an incredible sense of pride and connection tot he game.
It encourages new ideas to be invented.
and
It makes the gaming industry one step closer to the ideal of a game made entirely by the community, continuously modified by the community, and for the community.
Handgrenades will actually be useful! Half the cost, half the fuse time, twice the stock, AND they got moved to slot 5 where they belong! <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
We miss our Flayra lovin'. What's he been up to?
Are there going to be any new maps in 3.1? None are listed in the changelog. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Shiva and fenris... <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/sad-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
The devs have agreed that the Onos could benefit from a rework. That much isn't rumour. Whether it'll happen in 3.2 or another version isn't something I know enough about to answer.
I play on Extralevel servers and even with 1000+ hp and carapace and redemption, Onos can still be a meatbag... and I am talking about marines without getting hardly any of the extra upgrades.
And when I played on pubs, Onos was still a meatbag, even when handled by a decent enough player such as myself.
- Invoking a query from the popupmenu ("Follow me", "Covering you", "<b><i>Weld/Heal me</b></i>") displays an icon over the player issuing the query. This lasts for 6 seconds.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Finally, only took a year or so to be implemented.
- Skulks can now vault from walls. When attached to a wall, pressing jump will make the skulk jump in the direction the player is facing.
- Precision wallwalking: While holding +speed (aka walk) the skulk will stick to walls much more rigorously then before. This makes it possible to navigate difficult architecture.
- Wallwalk is now disabled when walking on the floor.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Excelent. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
One question: Does the change to mine placement mean that mine ladders are no longer possible. As a mapper I should be familiar with 15 units, and without going into Hammer and checking I'd guess that you just have to be a bit more careful with your placement, and that it's still possible, but an official statement on this would be great. I'm assuming that this change was made to stop double-mines and not to nerf mineladders.
---
I just signed up as a constie and wow! I really wanna play this now! Pity I won't be able to play it until the end of this month because I'm abroad.
For anyone wondering about whether they should donate to the Constellation, here are some questions answered:
- It's really easy to do if you have <b>your own</b> Visa/MasterCard - (even debit cards). It took me about 10 minutes. [Edit] Most of this time was reading the paypal policy.
- Paypal doesn't have any hidden scum in the policy agreement. The only third-parties that could ever be shown your details are Credit Assessment agencies. These same agencies are used every time you make a secure payment for anything online.
- It's 20 bucks! Even a skint bum like me can afford it! If you work out how many dollars (fractions of a cent in my case) per hours play that works out at, you'll realise how ungrateful you've been all this time!!!!!
- Look at the Changelog! LOOK AT THE CHANGELOG!!!!!
Maybe someone could pay for me? <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Maybe someone could pay for me? <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Use paypal and you can choose which currency you pay in <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
It has minimal impact on them. If you were placing them that close together when making your ladder you probably were going through lots of mines to get anywhere.
One question: Does the change to mine placement mean that mine ladders are no longer possible. As a mapper I should be familiar with 15 units, and without going into Hammer and checking I'd guess that you just have to be a bit more careful with your placement, and that it's still possible, but an official statement on this would be great. I'm assuming that this change was made to stop double-mines and not to nerf mineladders.
---
I just signed up as a constie and wow! I really wanna play this now! Pity I won't be able to play it until the end of this month because I'm abroad.
For anyone wondering about whether they should donate to the Constellation, here are some questions answered:
- It's really easy to do if you have <b>your own</b> Visa/MasterCard - (even debit cards). It took me about 10 minutes. [Edit] Most of this time was reading the paypal policy.
- Paypal doesn't have any hidden scum in the policy agreement. The only third-parties that could ever be shown your details are Credit Assessment agencies. These same agencies are used every time you make a secure payment for anything online.
- It's 20 bucks! Even a skint bum like me can afford it! If you work out how many dollars (fractions of a cent in my case) per hours play that works out at, you'll realise how ungrateful you've been all this time!!!!!
- Look at the Changelog! LOOK AT THE CHANGELOG!!!!! <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yay welcome to the Consties <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Oi you other bums cough up <!--emo&:0--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wow.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wow.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Also fantastic changelog, the skulk movement changes..fantastic
Hand grenades are now useufull to an extent
Weld Icons yay
It has minimal impact on them. If you were placing them that close together when making your ladder you probably were going through lots of mines to get anywhere. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Ah what I thought. Just to clarify I signed up to consties before this announcement, but now everyone has even more reason to...
Debit card? I only have and want to use my bank passes and stuff.