Game Development: Salem & Haven

[DatOneGuy]

They're most likely focusing more effort to fix the problems that plague us and so much more, so that when Salem hits it isn't a shithole with all of us who know the common bugs loftar tends to leave in killing off all the newbie fuckers.

Seriously they will need a lot of bug testing, a smart thing would be an extensive beta phase like most games have.

Most MMOs (p2e, but I'm assuming this is p2p or shelf) start with an alpha, move on to a closed beta, then an open beta, then an official. If any major bugs present themselves in any phase it would get wiped before moving on.

Unless they're really 100% on everything they have I'm sure a lot of bugs will present itself and tweaking to full systems as well. Either way I hope to see it, Q2 2012 sounds like a pretty good date. 2~ years is a very short term for an MMO to be done, so 11/11/11 would have probably been quite rushed. I really don't expect it out til probably Q3 2012 despite the date.

[MagicManICT]

You make some great points, DoG. Just remember that the core is based on HnH, so a lot of the code can be reused saving on debug time.

Hopefully us HnH people will get early beta (and maybe even some alpha) testing.

[Demiwar]

Do we know Salem is going to be in java?

[EnderWiggin]

Client is definitely java, and may be even open source as haven's. But server for sure will be not java - just like haven's are.

[sabinati]

Client is definitely java

hmm are you sure? i kind of hope it isn't.

[EnderWiggin]

I think I've seen loftar said it somewhere. Why you don't like it being written in java?

[sabinati]

because java doesn't need to be open source to be able to hack the client. first custom client was months before haven client went open source. custom clients have kind of ruined a lot of gameplay elements. no offense to you, of course. but nightvision, xray vision, automapper and various other features have made some ingame items and mechanics useless, removed the ability of players to hide behind a tree and ambush someone, etc. granted a lot of these elements were flaws in the client, imo (darkness caused eye strain due to lack of contrast, light sources not powerful enough, due to 2d nature it was hard to interact with things in some areas, mapping was unfinished (couldn't compile region maps together, or mark points of interest, etc). and don't get me started on 800x600 window size.

[TheVampirate]

I am glad Salem got pushed back. More dev time is higher quality, plus there are too many good q3 and q4 games coming out this year.

[MagicManICT]

More dev time is higher quality, plus there are too many good q3 and q4 games coming out this year.

Not always. Look up the term "Feature Creep" as it relates to software design.

Isn't there always a slew of games coming out q3 and q4 each year?

[DatOneGuy]

I'd just be happy that since it's 3D hopefully most of the problems with graphic writing and lag will be gone, it really is a bitch.

Hopefully us HnH people will get early beta (and maybe even some alpha) testing.

I'm actually hoping against that, so much. I'm hoping if anything they have a proper 'closed beta' with a key system/pre-order bonus or something of the sort, but nothing directly related to HnH. :V