Why did it have to come out in the middle of finals week?!? This game is sooo great. Now I just have to wait till I get my registration number in the next day or two, and I can unlock some more missions!
ps starfleet: if you take out the "escape velocity," I think it would look awesome, and would want to steal a copy of the icon from you
<strong>if you take out the "escape velocity," I think it would look awesome, and would want to steal a copy of the icon from you</strong><hr></blockquote>You mean... like this?
Just copy-paste it over EV Nova's icon. You may need to relaunch the Finder for it to show up right. Your mileage may vary. I take no responsibility for your use of this file. Yadda, yadda, yadda...
Just copy-paste it over EV Nova's icon. You may need to relaunch the Finder for it to show up right. Your mileage may vary. I take no responsibility for your use of this file. Yadda, yadda, yadda...</strong><hr></blockquote>
As you can see, many thanks! Ok, must focus on finals, then play EV Nova... Prioritizing in college is so challenging.
sidenote: seems as though everyone has transparent docks.
I just got as far as I can go without registering. So now I have to wait for my registration number to show up...why can't this be on the fly?...
Anyway, the Vell-os thread is pretty cool, except that I'm now stuck to Vell-os type ships...
and I'm stuck with the Arrow until I get my registration code...argh...no more special missions till then. I did take the time to go to every planet possible though...
FYI, once you start a main mission thread, that's probably all you can do. You can't start other key threads unless you create a new pilot. So, for example, once you've finished the Vell-os missions, you've reached the end of the game (with exception to cargo runs and ferrying people around). There are, however, two main threads that can lead to secondary main threads. Just try all sorts of possibilities before you totally give up.
Also, if you start to think the Vell-os is kinda boring and limiting, that's because it was designed to be an extension of the tutorial and to teach you about the going-ons of the Nova universe. There's also a bug in the Vell-os thread that won't re-enable the purchase of certain ship upgrades when you get to the end. There's already a plugin that acts as a temporary patch.
I probably shouldn't say any more 'cuz I don't want to give any more spoilers.
actually, i think i may have found a bug in the game. there is a system, i won't say where just yet, where i made over 1mil. credits in under an hour. turns out you can trade within system for an item with a price difference of 600 credits per item!
i just bought that POS transport shit w/ 125 cargo space, and started trading. i made a fortune in no time flat, never even had to refuel. i can't think they meant to leave that in there.
I love this game and this series, but I think Ambrosia has really missed the boat by not being willing to put any time or resources into making this playable online....
<strong>but I think Ambrosia has really missed the boat by not being willing to put any time or resources into making this playable online....</strong><hr></blockquote>Nooooooo!!!!
Have you read none of the reasons from Matt, Andrew, and the ATMOS staff regarding why it would be nearly impossible to design a *working* online system? Here's one hint: time. No, not time to develop the software, but how exactly time in the game would be handled. There's no way to do it.
<strong>Have you read none of the reasons from Matt, Andrew, and the ATMOS staff regarding why it would be nearly impossible to design a *working* online system? Here's one hint: time. No, not time to develop the software, but how exactly time in the game would be handled. There's no way to do it.</strong><hr></blockquote>
I read those discussions. I think there were good points about how it might not be economical for a Mac-only shareware-ish developer to create such a game.
The point remains though, that such a game could be REALLY fun. I think the gamers in the discussion correctly pointed out that it would be really really fun, and that point must stand. Then the developers and others correctly pointed out that they couldn't easily make a game, considering that EV:Nova was at best a part-time endeavor for its creators.
The bits about the in-game time were red herrings, i think. Clearly it would not be inconceivable to create a game much like EV that would have a networked component. Have faith in the wit and intelligence of humanity that the details could be worked out.
Anyway, even though I'm a developer, for this one i wear my 'gamer' hat and say, well, an online, multiplayer (even if not persistent) game based on space travel and warfare would be really fun. It wouldn't have to be EV:anything, but it still would be fun, and playing EV reminds me of that daily.
I read those discussions. I think there were good points about how it might not be economical for a Mac-only shareware-ish developer to create such a game.
The point remains though, that such a game could be REALLY fun. I think the gamers in the discussion correctly pointed out that it would be really really fun, and that point must stand. Then the developers and others correctly pointed out that they couldn't easily make a game, considering that EV:Nova was at best a part-time endeavor for its creators.
The bits about the in-game time were red herrings, i think. Clearly it would not be inconceivable to create a game much like EV that would have a networked component. Have faith in the wit and intelligence of humanity that the details could be worked out.
Anyway, even though I'm a developer, for this one i wear my 'gamer' hat and say, well, an online, multiplayer (even if not persistent) game based on space travel and warfare would be really fun. It wouldn't have to be EV:anything, but it still would be fun, and playing EV reminds me of that daily.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Good points. I think that perhaps they may be thinking to limited. As much as I hate the idea if they made it a crossplatform game then it may be financially viable (of course they don't have the rescources to do this so they'd probably have to sell the rights to another larger company & be brought on as consultants or something).
I'm hopeing that oneday there'll be a Star Trek based one that's something along the lines of EV & online (mac compatable too of course, low powered enought to play in VPC ... of course if not I'd probably be tempted to put together a cheapo PC ... na, I don't think even S.T. can motivate me to do that ...)
I've read everything they've said about doing an online version, and I quite simply disagree with them. I wouldn't speak up if I didn't already have a solution About a year ago my mentor and I were working on pitching a MMORPG to TNT to promote one of it's television shows. I can't really get into specifics, but development time and costs were inline with other promotions. My mentor holds the web contract to do all the interactive work for tnt.tv, so we had our foot in the door.
After September 11 thing went downhill, TNT was less interested from a financial standpoint. We couldn't even sell them on a $15,000 promotional campaign for Witchblade, their big show right now.
Anyhow, we actually came up with a lot of work that actually explains how everything would operate in a mmorpg version. It's completely possible, and I've got about 100 pages detailing the specifics
We're currently shopping the idea around, but I dobut anyone is going to bite.
For the curious, I think handling time is rather easy. Say for instance every 24 hour RL cycle in this online universe were actually a week in virtual time. You do have to rework how travelling between systems is explained. If you invent a technology, such as a "hypergate" like EV Nova calls it, and say that to travel from Point A to Point B should take X amount of game time.. so if we think travelling between the points should take an hour game time, it really only ends up taking a few seconds of real time. Worst case scenario you would have a jump that takes 15 seconds of real life time...
At any rate, it can be done, and we've actually written a pretty solid foundation for it
holy christ watch its downloads soar at macgamefiles! i was on the site when it went live and a refresh every 2 seconds revealed 10 or so more downloads!
...so far thats 150 downloads an hour, for a *75mb* file- and this doesnt include idisk, or ambrosia's own servers!
Comments
-alcimedes
Well, I'm going back to Nova now....
woo hooooooo
i'm getting no sleep tonight for sure.
-alcimedes
ps starfleet: if you take out the "escape velocity," I think it would look awesome, and would want to steal a copy of the icon from you
<strong>if you take out the "escape velocity," I think it would look awesome, and would want to steal a copy of the icon from you</strong><hr></blockquote>You mean... like this?
Download it <a href="http://brad.project-think.com/downloads/Nova_Icon.sit.bin" target="_blank">here</a>.
Just copy-paste it over EV Nova's icon. You may need to relaunch the Finder for it to show up right. Your mileage may vary. I take no responsibility for your use of this file. Yadda, yadda, yadda...
<strong>You mean... like this?
[snip]
Download it <a href="http://brad.project-think.com/downloads/Nova_Icon.sit.bin" target="_blank">here</a>.
Just copy-paste it over EV Nova's icon. You may need to relaunch the Finder for it to show up right. Your mileage may vary. I take no responsibility for your use of this file. Yadda, yadda, yadda...</strong><hr></blockquote>
As you can see, many thanks! Ok, must focus on finals, then play EV Nova... Prioritizing in college is so challenging.
sidenote: seems as though everyone has transparent docks.
[ 03-19-2002: Message edited by: agent302 ]</p>
Anyway, the Vell-os thread is pretty cool, except that I'm now stuck to Vell-os type ships...
and I'm stuck with the Arrow until I get my registration code...argh...no more special missions till then. I did take the time to go to every planet possible though...
Also, if you start to think the Vell-os is kinda boring and limiting, that's because it was designed to be an extension of the tutorial and to teach you about the going-ons of the Nova universe. There's also a bug in the Vell-os thread that won't re-enable the purchase of certain ship upgrades when you get to the end. There's already a plugin that acts as a temporary patch.
I probably shouldn't say any more 'cuz I don't want to give any more spoilers.
[ 03-19-2002: Message edited by: ]</p>
i just bought that POS transport shit w/ 125 cargo space, and started trading. i made a fortune in no time flat, never even had to refuel. i can't think they meant to leave that in there.
I made 100+ million credits in 2-3 hours without cheating...
[ 03-19-2002: Message edited by: Eugene ]</p>
HOW COULD MY MAC BE GONE FOR THE WEEK!?
Hobbes: Do you think theres a god?
Calvin: ... Well SOMEBODY's out to get me!
And due to puny processers (even if they are reaching 4ghz) PCs cant emulate macs right? DAMN IT!
Still though, I'm enjoying Nova. EV done right
i'm willing to bet it's taken out next patch though. otherwise it's way to easy to get those really nice ships.
<strong>but I think Ambrosia has really missed the boat by not being willing to put any time or resources into making this playable online....</strong><hr></blockquote>Nooooooo!!!!
Have you read none of the reasons from Matt, Andrew, and the ATMOS staff regarding why it would be nearly impossible to design a *working* online system? Here's one hint: time. No, not time to develop the software, but how exactly time in the game would be handled. There's no way to do it.
<strong>Have you read none of the reasons from Matt, Andrew, and the ATMOS staff regarding why it would be nearly impossible to design a *working* online system? Here's one hint: time. No, not time to develop the software, but how exactly time in the game would be handled. There's no way to do it.</strong><hr></blockquote>
I read those discussions. I think there were good points about how it might not be economical for a Mac-only shareware-ish developer to create such a game.
The point remains though, that such a game could be REALLY fun. I think the gamers in the discussion correctly pointed out that it would be really really fun, and that point must stand. Then the developers and others correctly pointed out that they couldn't easily make a game, considering that EV:Nova was at best a part-time endeavor for its creators.
The bits about the in-game time were red herrings, i think. Clearly it would not be inconceivable to create a game much like EV that would have a networked component. Have faith in the wit and intelligence of humanity that the details could be worked out.
Anyway, even though I'm a developer, for this one i wear my 'gamer' hat and say, well, an online, multiplayer (even if not persistent) game based on space travel and warfare would be really fun. It wouldn't have to be EV:anything, but it still would be fun, and playing EV reminds me of that daily.
<strong>
I read those discussions. I think there were good points about how it might not be economical for a Mac-only shareware-ish developer to create such a game.
The point remains though, that such a game could be REALLY fun. I think the gamers in the discussion correctly pointed out that it would be really really fun, and that point must stand. Then the developers and others correctly pointed out that they couldn't easily make a game, considering that EV:Nova was at best a part-time endeavor for its creators.
The bits about the in-game time were red herrings, i think. Clearly it would not be inconceivable to create a game much like EV that would have a networked component. Have faith in the wit and intelligence of humanity that the details could be worked out.
Anyway, even though I'm a developer, for this one i wear my 'gamer' hat and say, well, an online, multiplayer (even if not persistent) game based on space travel and warfare would be really fun. It wouldn't have to be EV:anything, but it still would be fun, and playing EV reminds me of that daily.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Good points. I think that perhaps they may be thinking to limited. As much as I hate the idea if they made it a crossplatform game then it may be financially viable (of course they don't have the rescources to do this so they'd probably have to sell the rights to another larger company & be brought on as consultants or something).
I'm hopeing that oneday there'll be a Star Trek based one that's something along the lines of EV & online (mac compatable too of course, low powered enought to play in VPC ... of course if not I'd probably be tempted to put together a cheapo PC ... na, I don't think even S.T. can motivate me to do that ...)
After September 11 thing went downhill, TNT was less interested from a financial standpoint. We couldn't even sell them on a $15,000 promotional campaign for Witchblade, their big show right now.
Anyhow, we actually came up with a lot of work that actually explains how everything would operate in a mmorpg version. It's completely possible, and I've got about 100 pages detailing the specifics
We're currently shopping the idea around, but I dobut anyone is going to bite.
For the curious, I think handling time is rather easy. Say for instance every 24 hour RL cycle in this online universe were actually a week in virtual time. You do have to rework how travelling between systems is explained. If you invent a technology, such as a "hypergate" like EV Nova calls it, and say that to travel from Point A to Point B should take X amount of game time.. so if we think travelling between the points should take an hour game time, it really only ends up taking a few seconds of real time. Worst case scenario you would have a jump that takes 15 seconds of real life time...
At any rate, it can be done, and we've actually written a pretty solid foundation for it
...so far thats 150 downloads an hour, for a *75mb* file- and this doesnt include idisk, or ambrosia's own servers!