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--- releasenotes:2004 [2020/02/19 15:01] – mit
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 ===== 2004 Release Notes =====
+{{ :releasenotes:univ-screen1.jpg?400 |}}
 ==== 21-Jan-2004 ====
-**v0.1 Pre-release Notes**\\
+**v0.10 Pre-release Notes**\\
-<code>
+Aims for v0.10:\\
-Aims for v0.1
+\\
-To create an obvious progression/storyline for new players with clearer immediate goals - in general, 'make it a bit more obviously a game' (while maintaining the wider scope for general exploration, creativity and new island ideas).
+- To create an obvious progression for new players with clearer immediate goals - in general, 'make it a bit more obviously a game' (while maintaining the wider scope for general exploration, creativity and new island ideas).\\
-Integration of 'elite'-style galactic-economy with existing worlds/islands with minimal changes.
+- Integration of 'elite'-style galactic-economy with existing worlds/islands with minimal changes.\\
-Get some of the fun old gameplay bits working properly :)
+- Get some of the fun old gameplay bits working properly :)\\
-Finish fishing!!
+- Finish fishing!!\\
-The new game structure
+\\
-A brand new player to the game is initially given a character selection screen. Here you choose your style of character, grouped along the lines of Economic, Fighting, Leisure, etc. The character you choose affects your starting world. This is one of 3 or 4 specially built 24/7 worlds, all with a short & simple gameplay style. In game-terms, these starting worlds are 'Level 1'.
+**The new game structure**\\
+A brand new player to the game is initially given a character selection screen. Here you choose your style of character, grouped along the lines of Economic, Fighting, Leisure, etc. The character you choose affects your starting world. This is one of 3 or 4 specially built 24/7 worlds, all with a short & simple gameplay style. In game-terms, these starting worlds are 'Level 1'.\\
-The aim of the starting worlds, as well as to introduce new players to the basic features without overloading them with complex economic systems, is to earn enough for the player to progress to 'Level 2', by purchasing a spaceship from the world's starport. Earning enough for this will be a fairly simple task, like making a few deliveries, flying a plane from one place to another, capturing a flag from an auto-defended base, win a crow-fight, etc etc, which should take at most about an hour to complete, depending on how much time is spent prattin about nd explorin.
+The aim of the starting worlds, as well as to introduce new players to the basic features without overloading them with complex economic systems, is to earn enough for the player to progress to 'Level 2', by purchasing a spaceship from the world's starport. Earning enough for this will be a fairly simple task, like making a few deliveries, flying a plane from one place to another, capturing a flag from an auto-defended base, win a crow-fight, etc etc, which should take at most about an hour to complete, depending on how much time is spent prattin about nd explorin.\\
+Once you've got a ship, you can launch into orbit and view the details of the system you're in. Each starting world is in a star system with up to 4 other worlds. You will need to play and do well on at least one of these worlds to earn enough for a stardrive that can take you to other systems in the galaxy.\\
-Once you've got a ship, you can launch into orbit and view the details of the system you're in. Each starting world is in a star system with up to 4 other worlds. You will need to play and do well on at least one of these worlds to earn enough for a stardrive that can take you to other systems in the galaxy.
+These other worlds in the starting system will be a selection of slightly longer-term and more complex gameplay goals - like an economy game that would take a couple of days, or a fighting game that takes a few hours (and enough opponents). The emphasis of the worlds in your starting system will be related to the character selection you made earlier - so a fighting character will start in a star system where all the worlds have a fighting element.\\
+Beyond the starting systems ('Level 3') will be other staff and 'player-run' worlds and islands. Any of these that are well-run and not easily open to abuse may have additional starport items, such as longer-range stardrives and ship upgrades that can be bought in exchange for the local currency, and in time will become a part of the wider galactic economy.\\
-These other worlds in the starting system will be a selection of slightly longer-term and more complex gameplay goals - like an economy game that would take a couple of days, or a fighting game that takes a few hours (and enough opponents). The emphasis of the worlds in your starting system will be related to the character selection you made earlier - so a fighting character will start in a star system where all the worlds have a fighting element.
+The player will be free to move to any of the available star systems - providing they pay for the fuel - but the total number of star systems available will be limited by the range and capacity of their stardrive. (Which can be controlled galaxy-side.)\\
+Two key new elements to the game will be Starports and Space Stations\\
-Beyond the starting systems ('Level 3') will be other staff and 'player-run' worlds and islands. Any of these that are well-run and not easily open to abuse may have additional starport items, such as longer-range stardrives and ship upgrades that can be bought in exchange for the local currency, and in time will become a part of the wider galactic economy.
+\\
+**Space Stations**\\
-The player will be free to move to any of the available star systems - providing they pay for the fuel - but the total number of star systems available will be limited by the range and capacity of their stardrive. (Which can be controlled galaxy-side.)
+Each world has a space station in orbit around it. Space stations sell items to upgrade ships (at fixed prices determined by the galaxy server) - such as weapons, faster between-planet drives, stardrives (for travelling from star system to star system), armour etc etc. Initially, most of this isnt used or available - space is not yet 'physically' connected (See below) - perhaps a few different drives, a few different ship models and a few different stardrives. The stations also include subgame, repair and information options.\\
+\\
-Two key new elements to the game will be Starports and Space Stations
+**Starports**\\
-Space Stations
+These are a new, special building type used on the islands. When a player accesses a starport he is dealing with the galaxy server, not the island server. (Though this is not be noticeable to the player).\\
-Each world has a space station in orbit around it. Space stations sell items to upgrade ships (at fixed prices determined by the galaxy server) - such as weapons, faster between-planet drives, stardrives (for travelling from star system to star system), armour etc etc. Initially, most of this isnt used or available - space is not yet 'physically' connected (See below) - perhaps a few different drives, a few different ship models and a few different stardrives. The stations also include subgame, repair and information options.
+\\
+Starports give you the ability to exchange money or kudos earnt on the island to cash for your universal character - with the exchange rate regulated by the galaxy server and being determined by how easy it is to get money or kudos on the planet. On any player-run world or island not conforming to acceptable economy rules, this exchange rate will be limited to a minimal level. (i.e No matter how much you earnt on the planet, you wouldnt be able to make more than 1cr for your universal character).\\
-Starports
+At the starport you'll also be able to choose to buy special 'universal' items like spaceships and other extras, as well as get general game information and access to other subgames.\\
-These are a new, special building type used on the islands. When a player accesses a starport he is dealing with the galaxy server, not the island server. (Though this is not be noticeable to the player).
+A few specific features highlights and info..\\
+If you're jus interested in poppin on for a quick blast or to play on an old style staff-run 'isolated' island, you'll probably be found hanging out in dingy backwater space stations, where you can access a special limited selection of 24/7 game servers.\\
-Starports give you the ability to exchange money or kudos earnt on the island to cash for your universal character - with the exchange rate regulated by the galaxy server and being determined by how easy it is to get money or kudos on the planet. On any player-run world or island not conforming to acceptable economy rules, this exchange rate will be limited to a minimal level. (i.e No matter how much you earnt on the planet, you wouldnt be able to make more than 1cr for your universal character).
+Flight mode has been fixed up and is wayyy nice now. Proper physics and fun to fly.. better than before it got broke. :] CTF is working again, Robocrows have been polished up and new gameplay options have been added for them. Much fun when they work right. STG is also working again.\\
+A new 'remote access' screen means you'll be able to change buildings, models, textures via the client on worlds/islands you have remotely hosted.\\
-At the starport you'll also be able to choose to buy special 'universal' items like spaceships and other extras, as well as get general game information and access to other subgames.
+Theres now a multiple chat system similar to the one in subspace - once you see the message 'Universal chat server connection active' you can use ; to talk to anyone on your chat channels, no matter where they are in the universe. To join a chat channel, you type "?setchat chatname" And you can add more channels, e.g by doing "?setchat chatname,mychat" for example. (To type on the channel 'mychat' proceed your messages with ;2; ) You can have up to 6 different chat channels.\\
-A few specific features highlights and info..
+Some bits that ya shouldnt expect too much of yet :] -\\
+Galaxy economy is not gonna be anywhere near like finished for a long while yet - its basically at about the same level that a 0.009.6 island was, with jus a limited set of basic features.. In many ways, thats probably no bad thing :). Linking the output of worlds directly to the galactic economy (as opposed to thru the exchange rates in the starport) is still a way off.\\
-If you're jus interested in poppin on for a quick blast or to play on an old style staff-run 'isolated' island, you'll probably be found hanging out in dingy backwater space stations, where you can access a special limited selection of 24/7 game servers.
+Full collision detection systems for really good proper jumping off ramp type stuff is being worked on intermittently and will hopefully be added in sometime this year. For now, there are some simplified but stable collision detection options available - these are effective for doing things like stopping ppl driving thru buildings but no use for any serious fun yet :)\\
+Flying around and fighting with other ppl in space is obviously something that would be.. umm.. 'Nice'. If you think thatd be so nice that you want to pay me to write it.. well, then thats jus sweet :)\\
-Flight mode has been fixed up and is wayyy nice now. Proper physics and fun to fly.. better than before it got broke. :] CTF is working again, Robocrows have been polished up and new gameplay options have been added for them. Much fun when they work right. STG is also working again.
+Finally -\\
+Special thanks to hedge and fooli who've pretty much been working fulltime on the game for the last few months - hence why its so pretty lookin now :)\\
-The stardrive is generally described as "cool".
-A new 'remote access' screen means you'll be able to change buildings, models, textures via the client on worlds/islands you have remotely hosted.
-Theres now a multiple chat system similar to the one in subspace - once you see the message 'Universal chat server connection active' you can use ; to talk to anyone on your chat channels, no matter where they are in the universe. To join a chat channel, you type "?setchat chatname" And you can add more channels, e.g by doing "?setchat chatname,mychat" for example. (To type on the channel 'mychat' proceed your messages with ;2; ) You can have up to 6 different chat channels.
-Some bits that ya shouldnt expect too much of yet :] -
-Galaxy economy is not gonna be anywhere near like finished for a long while yet - its basically at about the same level that a 0.009.6 island was, with jus a limited set of basic features.. In many ways, thats probably no bad thing :). Linking the output of worlds directly to the galactic economy (as opposed to thru the exchange rates in the starport) is still a way off.
-Full collision detection systems for really good proper jumping off ramp type stuff is being worked on intermittently and will hopefully be added in sometime this year. For now, there are some simplified but stable collision detection options available - these are effective for doing things like stopping ppl driving thru buildings but no use for any serious fun yet :)
-Flying around and fighting with other ppl in space is obviously something that would be.. umm.. 'Nice'. If you think thatd be so nice that you want to pay me to write it.. well, then thats jus sweet :)
-Finally -
-Special thanks to hedge and fooli who've pretty much been working fulltime on the game for the last few months - hence why its so pretty lookin now :)
-</code>
 \\
 ==== 25-Feb-2004 ====
@@ Line 122: / Line 105: @@
 - a new field in the player record for the amount of 'fixed rewards' earnt - this is for islands that, for instance, give a one-off reward of 100s for a certain lap time or something. This field stores how much they've had from the rewards, so the game knows when to stop givin em more. The limit for the rewards is set in the subgame settings
 - Multiple wildlife types now possible
+</code>
+\\
+**28-Jun-2004**\\
+====0.27====
+<code>
+- players will be able to set a 'Minimum Investment Limit' on any buildings they own.
+This controls the level of investment below which the building will not buy in or produce new stocks. (But it will still pay wages and can still sell items).
+For example, you might set the limit to 100s, and invest 300s in your building, it will be able to buy in 200s worth of stocks, after which any more sales to the building will be rejected. So even if someone turned up and sold lots of stuff to your building you'd still have a hundred sheckles in reserve to cover wages.
+This should help ensure more stable jobs and wage incomes on many world types.
+</code>
+\\
+**10-Jul-2004**\\
+====0.28====
+<code>
+New items.. when you possess these items :
+Biosuit - you cannot lose health thru starvation or thirst.
+Liquisuit - your thirst won't go up
+NutriSuit - your hunger won't go up
+NeedsSuit - Neither hunger or thirst will go up
+Armour2 - Doubles your armour
+Armour4 - Quadruples your armour
+DivingSuit - Means you will not suffer water damage when underwater
+ScubaGear - The water damage is reduced.
+Tires - Makes your vehicle handle better
+types of Turbo - Make your vehicle faster
+Also theres a bunch of new 'book' items that'll link to text files on the server. Selecting the item downloads the text file and displays it on screen.
+(Note actual item names may differ on worlds)
+- Tidied the census screen (removed unused buttons) and added 3 new info screens to give a beginners guide, a command ref, and an island specific 'background' text. Each is accessible via shift + f3, shift + f4, shift + f5 respectively.
+- Updates for the textbox control so it automatically formats text nicely and creates a scrollbar when necessary
+- "Set min invest limit" on investment menu of buildings you own. This value can be used to control how much your building spends on supplies on production and helps ensure there is always enough in your building to pay wages. Set it to 100s for instance, and when the investment drops below 100s, ppl will no longer be able to sell supplies to your building - but wages will still be paid till it runs out completely.
+- Stopped wildlife ai type 1 reacting violently to ppl crowing, and added an AI type 3 for slightly vicious killer sheep
+- Fix for some 'infinite' weapons
+- Fix for building sales sometimes not updating the sellers wealth
+- When a player buys his first skill, a msg is displayed indicating that further skills will cost more and take longer to learn
+Extra animations available (gesture 2 on shift + tab, gesture 3 occasionally instead of bored - requires models that include these animations)
+Animated turrets now possible
+Player list setting to display crow kills n deaths
+Made small mode a lil smaller
+Option to prevent ppl speccing other teams
+Settings for waves in the sea
+Extra lighting modes for darker/lighter landscapes
+Some fixes for ultrakricket
+new landscape rendering modes (using blended detail maps etc.)
+Extra options for islands with an automatic map reset after a specified time
+New fixed reward options for giving a cash prize when a player reaches a certain number of kills
+Evileye weapons fixed
+Hopefully a fix for a fullscreen -&gt; small on certain systems (particularly those using DirectX 9)
+-- Galaxy Client specifc stuff..
+Partial fix for galaxy connect failing sometimes
+New world connection and landing sequence
+Point drive button on system map
+'Cutscenes' for launching and docking with space stations and for landing on planets
+Worlds wont allow exchanges unless the galaxy connection is active
+-(Oh and maybe a few weird graphical crashes (particularly after relogging a few times) that i'll try to fix up soon :] )
+</code>
+</code>
+\\
+**12-Jul-2004**\\
+====0.29====
+<code>
+Next version of the game (coming shortly) includes a replacement for the rather convoluted weapons system that is currently used. Instead of the pre-defined list of weapons theres now a script file that the world owner can edit to change any aspect of the weapons available.
+Heres an example of the script format and a brief explanation of what things do..
+Weapon 1
+{
+Fire=Basic
+Control=Javelin
+damage=3
+graphic=2
+item=WEAPON4
+prox=low
+param=0
+delay=800
+object=projectile
+sound=1
+anim=AnimFire
+}
+Weapon 2
+{
+Fire=Bomb
+Control=Basic
+damage=6
+graphic=3
+item=NONE
+prox=low
+param=0
+delay=300
+object=projectile
+sound=2
+anim=AnimFireWeap2
+}
+"Fire= " determines how the weapon is launched (i.e. is it thrown upwards - or horizontally - or lobbed like a projectile )
+"Control=" determines the procedure for launching the weapon - Can be simply when the fire key is pressed, or there are more complicated options such as a mode where the strength of the launch depends on how long the key has been held for.
+"delay=" determines how long a gap must pass between shots being fired
+"object=" assigns the weapon a certain set of physical properties, defining such things as whether it bounces, how much air-resistance is applied, whether it leaves smoke trails, whether it explodes when it hits something..
+"graphic=" sets the weapon model that will be displayed - linked to the server-configurable list of 'weapon models'
+</code>
+\\
+**23-Oct-2004**\\
+====0.35====
+<code>
+Building triggers now working :
+- Building explosion
+- Wargames end game sequence is activated
+- K.O.T.H. building type for fixed rewards
+----------
+Configurable wall textures have now been added. Please note this will change the appearance of any walls you currently have, and may need a bit of tinkering with to get lookin normal. Will put up some new versions of the default textures somepoint soon.
+------
+Fixed reward additions :
+As well as cash-based 'fixed rewards' , certain modes now also allow a fixed kudos reward.. This is set by having the Subgames -&gt; Fixed Reward Param set to 1 for the following events:
+Holding the KOTH building
+Capturing a flag
+Scoring a hornball goal
+Acquiring one of the Kudos Items
+The amount of kudos earnt is specified in the 'Fixed Reward Amount'
 </code>