so I guess it's time for my yearly rant. I Hate seeing the TU like this. This is the only game I have kept coming back to for a decade now. I feel like I have a ton of memorable moments in this game. I have been looking for a great community and a game that was exactly what I want for years now; none are a better fit than TU.
It's sad because I feel the few players who still hang on like the game more than Mit does.
I would pay for this game. I would help support it. But I feel like the people who did donate have been shafted. It's not ethical to accept money/donations from people and then just leave the game in an unplayable state. I get it, kids/family/job. then don't promise a functional game and ask for donations.
I still love TU and would donate/sub, but come on a small anemic patch once a year, then stripping the game down to alpha, then leaving it for months without even saying hi or anything?
Here is a few questions:
1. Were people happier back in A Tractor?
2. Did space kill planets?
3. What does Mit even think about this game anymore?
space doesnt make sense right now
1. Yes and No
Game design wise: No.
I think the game has vastly improved since the A-Tractor days. Graphics are better, the GUI is very flexible and allows more stuff, the connection methods and file transfer are better, scripting allows us to do things unimaginable back in AT days and the model format is much better. These are just things that come immediately to my mind when typing this.
Player base: Yes.
I miss the community we had back then. Economy worlds were really different back then. This could simply be due to the larger player base though. Severe undercutting wasn't much of an issue and it was very easy for anybody to make money transferring stuff between buildings. Partly because of people being happier to help each other and partly due to programmed limitations we had back then.
2. I don't believe so.
Some players like space more then planets.
Some players like planets more then space.
Space offers something additional to the game. It expands the options for playing and allows a greater variety of players. You are not required to play space besides to obtaining an infimp drive.
However, as above, you need to play space to obtain an infimp drive. I do wish there was a way for players to completely avoid space if they don't like it. I, for example, always found space boring. It has nothing to do with how this game is though. Flying around in a vast emptiness just doesn't appeal to me in any game.
3. yes
He hasn't been around lately due to working on something that is taking a lot of time. As I understand it, he is avoiding the the game in order to concentrate on finishing an addition that will expand the ways to play the game. That being said though, I do remember worrying about Mit's activity when he first announced plans to do the chapter stuff after being gone for nearly two years.
Game design wise: No.
I think the game has vastly improved since the A-Tractor days. Graphics are better, the GUI is very flexible and allows more stuff, the connection methods and file transfer are better, scripting allows us to do things unimaginable back in AT days and the model format is much better. These are just things that come immediately to my mind when typing this.
Player base: Yes.
I miss the community we had back then. Economy worlds were really different back then. This could simply be due to the larger player base though. Severe undercutting wasn't much of an issue and it was very easy for anybody to make money transferring stuff between buildings. Partly because of people being happier to help each other and partly due to programmed limitations we had back then.
2. I don't believe so.
Some players like space more then planets.
Some players like planets more then space.
Space offers something additional to the game. It expands the options for playing and allows a greater variety of players. You are not required to play space besides to obtaining an infimp drive.
However, as above, you need to play space to obtain an infimp drive. I do wish there was a way for players to completely avoid space if they don't like it. I, for example, always found space boring. It has nothing to do with how this game is though. Flying around in a vast emptiness just doesn't appeal to me in any game.
3. yes
He hasn't been around lately due to working on something that is taking a lot of time. As I understand it, he is avoiding the the game in order to concentrate on finishing an addition that will expand the ways to play the game. That being said though, I do remember worrying about Mit's activity when he first announced plans to do the chapter stuff after being gone for nearly two years.
Last edited by zaroba on Tue Mar 25, 2014 10:51 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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morbydvisns
- Posts: 1889
- Joined: Sun Jan 30, 2005 12:51 am
I'm one of those who appreciates space a little more than planets. Always loved planetary play but I really cut my TU teeth in space. Removing space completely would prolly kill the game for me.. I love the emptiness, too. I like aiming my trade vessel at a planet and having to wait 5 minutes playing the tractor minigame till i get there.
It's just really good stuff!
It's just really good stuff!
I am fairly sure we have never promised anything other than Alpha. Well, maybe Beta.
I imagine there are few people Mit would prefer speaking on his behalf than me, since a) I'm a fool(i) and b) I'm often wrong about things and c) I haven't had nearly as much time in the last 5 years to be involved with the game (I have a kind of dormant involvement these days)...
However...
I can tell you:
a) if you feel bad, it is not by design!
b) i.e. mit is not taking your money and running off with it. Or taking your investment of time and energy playing the game, and running of with it (should such a thing be possible).
We've always been clear. This is not some kind of mini kickstarter - we get a number of donations, for which we are extremely grateful (they pay for hosting and so forth) - and the aim is still to keep developing this strange little place to keep things fun for the smallish number of people that enjoy it. The updates might be few (though they have been almost frequent, of late) - but there is still the will to keep it growing, and keep it moving.
c) nobody's saying that, one day, it might not take off and be something bigger...
d) ...but there are no guarantees of that, owing to life, work, kids etc.
I have been almost entirely absorbed in a job with a start-up, and two small boys, and life in general. Mit has been almost entirely absorbed in a job with a major software company, and two small girls, and life in general. We'd both like this all to be much bigger/better/etc... just like you. That hasn't changed.
Such sentiments do not, unfortunately, help to produce instant code and patches and new assets and so forth. Sorry :)
I imagine there are few people Mit would prefer speaking on his behalf than me, since a) I'm a fool(i) and b) I'm often wrong about things and c) I haven't had nearly as much time in the last 5 years to be involved with the game (I have a kind of dormant involvement these days)...
However...
I can tell you:
a) if you feel bad, it is not by design!
b) i.e. mit is not taking your money and running off with it. Or taking your investment of time and energy playing the game, and running of with it (should such a thing be possible).
We've always been clear. This is not some kind of mini kickstarter - we get a number of donations, for which we are extremely grateful (they pay for hosting and so forth) - and the aim is still to keep developing this strange little place to keep things fun for the smallish number of people that enjoy it. The updates might be few (though they have been almost frequent, of late) - but there is still the will to keep it growing, and keep it moving.
c) nobody's saying that, one day, it might not take off and be something bigger...
d) ...but there are no guarantees of that, owing to life, work, kids etc.
I have been almost entirely absorbed in a job with a start-up, and two small boys, and life in general. Mit has been almost entirely absorbed in a job with a major software company, and two small girls, and life in general. We'd both like this all to be much bigger/better/etc... just like you. That hasn't changed.
Such sentiments do not, unfortunately, help to produce instant code and patches and new assets and so forth. Sorry :)
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morbydvisns
- Posts: 1889
- Joined: Sun Jan 30, 2005 12:51 am