Re: [Audyssey] Linux vs Windows was Windows 7
Hi Thomas. Thank you for this very well thought out response to my question, it pretty much agrees with everything I have heard and read up to this point. The good things you point out about linux are exactly what I would have thought as are the few limitations, and these limitations are the reason why I will keep a windows box around or do a dual boot system or something of the sort, I will figure that out later on. Based on what you have said I will definitely be downloading Ubuntu8.0 to at the very least play with on my secondary system and see how it goes. In the meantime I agree with your later post that this is starting to stray rather far afield from gaming so I will not pursue this thread any further on this list because I am sure there are folks who read this that are not interested in this topic. If anyone wants to discuss this further feel free to drop me a note offlist. Best regards, Tom -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Thomas Ward Sent: Sunday, August 17, 2008 6:43 PM To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: [Audyssey] Linux vs Windows was Windows 7 Hi Tom, Well, Linux is definitely at the point that a blind user could technically adopt it as his or her only operating system. I generally use Ubuntu Linux 8.04 much more than Windows Vista or XP these days. Thanks to major accessibility improvements to the graphical Gnome desktop environment over the passed five years there is quite a growing number of Windows-like applications available to a blind Linux user such as: a MS Office clone called Open Office, a MS Outlook clone called Evolution, Mozilla Firefox 3.0, a notepad clone called gedit, a Winzip clone called File-Roller, etc. However, like a lot of blind Linux users I do keep a Windows computer on hand for a few apps that I can't either get for Linux or the Windows applications are just nicer to use. For example, Linux doesn't really currently offer a really good OCR package. There are a few OCR programs such as tesserad-ocr which works, but Openbook 8 blows it away in scanning clarity, with its scan and read features, etc. On a low budget PC something like Tesserad-ocr and a Linux compatible scanner will work. However, Openbook is certainly prefered if you have the money to spend for it. Since I already own a license for Openbook 8 I don't have any problems keeping a Windows work station around for scanning materials. Another application I use on Windows is Sony Soundforge 9. While there is a pretty decent sound editor for Linux, Audacity, it isn't Soundforge quality. As agame designer and musician I want the best and most accessible sound editing software possible. So that expensive software alone is one reason I keep Windows around rather than using a Linux alternative at this time. Finally, there is the issue of accessible gaming. Most of the new games coming out are Windows only such as the Kitchens Inc games, GMA Games, Shades of Doom, etc. That puts a Linux user in the position of trying to get wine, the Windows emulator, to run them, use avirtual machine, or keepp a Windows box around for gaming. That isn't to say gaming on Linux is non-existant. Most of the Adrift 4.0 games can be played with scare 3.9 and later. They are fairly accessible, and many Linux gaming hours have been spent playing The PK Girl and other Adrift games. Also there is a Linux port of fritz. Once you apt-get it from the Ubuntu update service you can play the inform interactive fiction games. So between scare and fritz that gives a Linux user several text adventures to play. The latest release of gnome-mud seams to be quite accessible and user friendly. You can play Diskworld, Alter Eon, Miriani, or any other mud using gnome-mud. Then, there is your web based games like Sryth. I've found it tricky to play using Firefox for Linux, but can be done. I haven't tried other games besides Sryth, but generally if they work with Firefox for Windows you can play them in Firefox for Linux too. As you might have read I am rewriting all of my games with a new multiplatform engine so I can enjoy them on a Mac, Linux, or Windows PC. I've come to relise that far too many developers are so dependant on Windows only technologies most don't even know how to break loose from it and take a wider view of the computing world. Microsoft, the evil empire, while not a monopoly per say, still holds a solid 80% of the software market. That is too bad, because for ablind user Mac OS and Linux are a much cheaper alternative. Since the screen readers come built into the operating systems that is $300 per year you could save instead of paying for a yearly SMA on your Windows screen reader. The office software I use, Open Office 2.4 for Linux, came pre-installed with Ubuntu 8. It can import and export Word and Excel files, and cost me nothing to own. That is sure better than paying $450 USD for MS Office 2007 Pro. That again is money I could spend on other things. Over the passed
Re: [Audyssey] fighting games was Re: my oppinion to the game marked
Hi Yohandy. Dark Resurrection rocks in my opinion. It is actually the first fighting game I have seriously tried, didn't really know if I liked the genre or not but have found out I do lol. You have way more games than me at this point so unfortunately I have no suggestions to offer. If I can be of any help with Dark Resurrection drop me a note anytime. Have fun. Tom -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Yohandy Sent: Saturday, August 16, 2008 5:22 PM To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: Re: [Audyssey] fighting games was Re: my oppinion to the game marked Hey Tom, Is Dark resurrection any good? I just picked up a copy and I'm really hoping it was worth it. I also got Parappa the rapper, street fighter alfa 3 and mortal kombat unchained. I just recently got a psp for a while so purchased these from amazon all at once. anyone got any other suggestions for psp games? - Original Message - From: Tom Randall [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: 'Gamers Discussion list' gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Saturday, August 16, 2008 4:01 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] fighting games was Re: my oppinion to the game marked Hey Yohandy and all. Yeah I too have discovered that I like the fighting games genre. I currently have Tekken Dark Resurrection for my psp and am going to pick up MK Unchained as soon as the blasted EB Games here in town gets a copy in. As for MK VS DC, that sounds cool as well, however I don't have the cash for a ps3 at this point and probably won't anytime soon so probably won't get to play that one very soon here. Best regards, Tom -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Yohandy Sent: Friday, August 01, 2008 10:28 AM To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: [Audyssey] fighting games was Re: my oppinion to the game marked I think what the community really wants is complex games, and online playability. I've played acefire, and it is fun, but I don't really like the randomness aspect. If I beat an opponent, I wanted to be due to skill, not a random number generator. I'm not criticizing the game in any way, just putting my opinion out there. I've only played the demo mind you, but I suspect the online version is almost identical, only with a real opponent and not a computer player. Now if you were to create an actual fighting game, and it had online playability, I'd be the first to buy it. I absolutely love fighting games. not sure why there haven't been any fighting audiogames created, I don't imagine it would be all that difficult. Now we're on the subject, any of you checked out the Mortal Kombat VS dc universe videos that have come out recently? The game sounds absolutely amazing. I'll be buying a ps3 for sure in the next few months mainly to play this game. - Original Message - From: Damien Sadler [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Friday, August 01, 2008 7:20 AM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] my oppinion to the game marked No. I worked quite hard on Acefire, no matter how simple it is, and things didn't go as planned for me either. As far as Acefire goes, do you guys want any new features in it? If so, what would you like? I have quite a lot of time to work on it, I've already fixed some bugs, added a message notification system so you know when an online opponent is typing, there's going to be more insults, etc. Please get back to me. Regards, Damien - Original Message - From: Thomas Ward [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Friday, August 01, 2008 12:07 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] my oppinion to the game marked Hi John, quote I think it was Che sometime last year who was lamenting that his game, which has been spoken of well by people who play it, hadn't been downloaded as much as he'd hoped. And his game is free. End quote Actually, Rail Racer is not a free product. What the issue was is that when Che initially released Rail Racer he was disappointed in the low number of sales he was making. He expected, hoped for, a much larger number of sales and it took a long time to get up to 200 sales. Che has finally managed to get a reasonable amount of sales now, but it took him several months to get the amount of sales he expected to have in the first couple of months. His disappointment is understandable. He was a brand new game developer, didn't know exactly what to expect from the market, and when it took a long time to meet those expectations he was disappointed initially. Now, that time has passed he is satisfied with his sales, but they certainly could have been better of course. The big lesson we have all learned from this is we shouldn't kill ourselves creating the most advanced game possible. Jim's games are simple, fun, games that can get completed because they don't
Re: [Audyssey] fighting games was Re: my oppinion to the game marked
If you're looking at the psp... you really don't have a lot of options. Fighting games aren't very common on the psp at the moment. - Original Message - From: Tom Randall [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: 'Gamers Discussion list' gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 9:46 AM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] fighting games was Re: my oppinion to the game marked Hi Yohandy. Dark Resurrection rocks in my opinion. It is actually the first fighting game I have seriously tried, didn't really know if I liked the genre or not but have found out I do lol. You have way more games than me at this point so unfortunately I have no suggestions to offer. If I can be of any help with Dark Resurrection drop me a note anytime. Have fun. Tom -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Yohandy Sent: Saturday, August 16, 2008 5:22 PM To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: Re: [Audyssey] fighting games was Re: my oppinion to the game marked Hey Tom, Is Dark resurrection any good? I just picked up a copy and I'm really hoping it was worth it. I also got Parappa the rapper, street fighter alfa 3 and mortal kombat unchained. I just recently got a psp for a while so purchased these from amazon all at once. anyone got any other suggestions for psp games? - Original Message - From: Tom Randall [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: 'Gamers Discussion list' gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Saturday, August 16, 2008 4:01 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] fighting games was Re: my oppinion to the game marked Hey Yohandy and all. Yeah I too have discovered that I like the fighting games genre. I currently have Tekken Dark Resurrection for my psp and am going to pick up MK Unchained as soon as the blasted EB Games here in town gets a copy in. As for MK VS DC, that sounds cool as well, however I don't have the cash for a ps3 at this point and probably won't anytime soon so probably won't get to play that one very soon here. Best regards, Tom -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Yohandy Sent: Friday, August 01, 2008 10:28 AM To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: [Audyssey] fighting games was Re: my oppinion to the game marked I think what the community really wants is complex games, and online playability. I've played acefire, and it is fun, but I don't really like the randomness aspect. If I beat an opponent, I wanted to be due to skill, not a random number generator. I'm not criticizing the game in any way, just putting my opinion out there. I've only played the demo mind you, but I suspect the online version is almost identical, only with a real opponent and not a computer player. Now if you were to create an actual fighting game, and it had online playability, I'd be the first to buy it. I absolutely love fighting games. not sure why there haven't been any fighting audiogames created, I don't imagine it would be all that difficult. Now we're on the subject, any of you checked out the Mortal Kombat VS dc universe videos that have come out recently? The game sounds absolutely amazing. I'll be buying a ps3 for sure in the next few months mainly to play this game. - Original Message - From: Damien Sadler [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Friday, August 01, 2008 7:20 AM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] my oppinion to the game marked No. I worked quite hard on Acefire, no matter how simple it is, and things didn't go as planned for me either. As far as Acefire goes, do you guys want any new features in it? If so, what would you like? I have quite a lot of time to work on it, I've already fixed some bugs, added a message notification system so you know when an online opponent is typing, there's going to be more insults, etc. Please get back to me. Regards, Damien - Original Message - From: Thomas Ward [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Friday, August 01, 2008 12:07 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] my oppinion to the game marked Hi John, quote I think it was Che sometime last year who was lamenting that his game, which has been spoken of well by people who play it, hadn't been downloaded as much as he'd hoped. And his game is free. End quote Actually, Rail Racer is not a free product. What the issue was is that when Che initially released Rail Racer he was disappointed in the low number of sales he was making. He expected, hoped for, a much larger number of sales and it took a long time to get up to 200 sales. Che has finally managed to get a reasonable amount of sales now, but it took him several months to get the amount of sales he expected to have in the first couple of months. His disappointment is understandable. He was a brand new game developer, didn't know exactly what to expect from the market, and when it took a long time
[Audyssey] USA Games News 8/20/2008
USA Games News Aug. 20, 2008 Introduction Greetings gamers, Welcome to another friendly USA Games news letter. This one really is a lot more up beat and positive then the passed two or three news letters. Also we have some good news to release this time so stay tuned. Before I actually get into the topic of our games I'd like to let everyone know that my wife and I are now moved back into our apartment and are finally setup again. I have all of my computers back up and running, and as a result I have a Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Ubuntu Linux 8.04 computer to do development and testing on our products with. This is very good as our new game engine we are working on is now being designed to be multi-platform supporting Mac, Linux, and Windows. It also may eventually be possible to port our games to cell phones and other mobile devices with a compatible Java 6 runtime environment. Yeah, you heard that right. We have finally decided to adopt Java 6 as our new programming language and API for all of our new games. The reason is that we converted one of our games to use SDL.net for C-sharp, and decided it wasn't good enough for our needs. While SDL.net was a fairly decent programming API we wanted all the power of DirectX. We discovered Java's J3D graphics and audio API fit our needs perfectly. It is multi-platform, renders equal 3D audio support on all platforms, and I already know Java fairly well so the switch isn't all that big an issue for me. Obviously, with the change in language and API we will go back to using pre-recorded speech for the majority of our games. While there is a Java sdk for Sapi 5 it is pretty expensive, and of course is not multi-platform. Besides that, while we were supporting Sapi in Montezuma's Revenge we got a lot of technical support issues with Sapi. In many cases the end users Sapi broke for whatever reason, and it had to be fixed to play our games. We feel just dropping Sapi will add greater stability and replayability to our games long term as well as not tie the game to a proprietary Windows technology. With all that said let us get on with the news we have for you today. Tomb Hunter Mysteries of the Ancients We are happy to announce despite the disruptions to our programming schedule our replacement game for Montezuma's Revenge, Mysteries of the Ancients, is back in active development. Over the passed two weeks we have been working hard on translating our C-code from C-Sharp to Java, and that process is going very well. Actually, it is going better than expected. One reason we can account for this very fast translation process is that Java and C-Sharp are very similar in a lot of ways. They both use the same lexical and syntactical structure, use the same variable declarations, and sometimes similar functions and class names. As a result some parts of the game code just need a few changes here and there while others more language specific need to be rewritten. In any case it is going faster than I had first anticipated. The programming language isn't the only thing we have upgraded in this new version. We also have done a massive sound upgrade to the game, and it sounds, well, a lot more realistic than ever. We have updated the background ambiance, character effects, footstep sounds, and several other sound effects. Some sounds we have digitally remastered to sound better. All and all we have done an excellent job on giving the game all new audio effects. In addition we have redesigned the game somewhat, and given it a more Tomb Raider style make over while preserving its original side-scroller format. In addition to swords Angela Carter will be able to pick up various firearms such as a Browning 9MM pistol, 357 Magnum, 12 gage shotgun, and an Uzi. As well as weapons Angela will be able to collect various items such as: diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, gold coins, ancient scrolls, healing potions, and torches to light her way. The enemies in this new side-scroller have also undergone an upgrade as well. The skulls are now undead skeleton warriors armed with bow and arrows. Some of the skeletons are, however, undead priests that are able to throw fire balls. In addition to the skeletons there will be plenty of rattle snakes and gray wolves inside the ancient ruins to avoid or kill. New and deadlier enemies aren't your only obstacle to face. There are several new traps to avoid such as: poison darts, chasms to jump over, fire pits, spikes, and rolling boulders to name a few deadly traps you will have to avoid a long the way. As far as a schedule we are hoping to have a beta out by Christmas, but we can't promise a December 25 dead line. Obviously this year has proven difficult enough to keep a schedule for our games do to people and events out of our control. Not only that, much of that time was spent on researching and testing alternatives to Microsoft DirectX and the .NET Framework. While both
Re: [Audyssey] USA Games News 8/20/2008
I certainly like where this is going. And MOTA is exactly the sort of game I think we need to see more of. Vell look, Zaphod's just this guy, you know? - Original Message - From: Thomas Ward [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 11:52 AM Subject: [Audyssey] USA Games News 8/20/2008 USA Games News Aug. 20, 2008 Introduction Greetings gamers, Welcome to another friendly USA Games news letter. This one really is a lot more up beat and positive then the passed two or three news letters. Also we have some good news to release this time so stay tuned. Before I actually get into the topic of our games I'd like to let everyone know that my wife and I are now moved back into our apartment and are finally setup again. I have all of my computers back up and running, and as a result I have a Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Ubuntu Linux 8.04 computer to do development and testing on our products with. This is very good as our new game engine we are working on is now being designed to be multi-platform supporting Mac, Linux, and Windows. It also may eventually be possible to port our games to cell phones and other mobile devices with a compatible Java 6 runtime environment. Yeah, you heard that right. We have finally decided to adopt Java 6 as our new programming language and API for all of our new games. The reason is that we converted one of our games to use SDL.net for C-sharp, and decided it wasn't good enough for our needs. While SDL.net was a fairly decent programming API we wanted all the power of DirectX. We discovered Java's J3D graphics and audio API fit our needs perfectly. It is multi-platform, renders equal 3D audio support on all platforms, and I already know Java fairly well so the switch isn't all that big an issue for me. Obviously, with the change in language and API we will go back to using pre-recorded speech for the majority of our games. While there is a Java sdk for Sapi 5 it is pretty expensive, and of course is not multi-platform. Besides that, while we were supporting Sapi in Montezuma's Revenge we got a lot of technical support issues with Sapi. In many cases the end users Sapi broke for whatever reason, and it had to be fixed to play our games. We feel just dropping Sapi will add greater stability and replayability to our games long term as well as not tie the game to a proprietary Windows technology. With all that said let us get on with the news we have for you today. Tomb Hunter Mysteries of the Ancients We are happy to announce despite the disruptions to our programming schedule our replacement game for Montezuma's Revenge, Mysteries of the Ancients, is back in active development. Over the passed two weeks we have been working hard on translating our C-code from C-Sharp to Java, and that process is going very well. Actually, it is going better than expected. One reason we can account for this very fast translation process is that Java and C-Sharp are very similar in a lot of ways. They both use the same lexical and syntactical structure, use the same variable declarations, and sometimes similar functions and class names. As a result some parts of the game code just need a few changes here and there while others more language specific need to be rewritten. In any case it is going faster than I had first anticipated. The programming language isn't the only thing we have upgraded in this new version. We also have done a massive sound upgrade to the game, and it sounds, well, a lot more realistic than ever. We have updated the background ambiance, character effects, footstep sounds, and several other sound effects. Some sounds we have digitally remastered to sound better. All and all we have done an excellent job on giving the game all new audio effects. In addition we have redesigned the game somewhat, and given it a more Tomb Raider style make over while preserving its original side-scroller format. In addition to swords Angela Carter will be able to pick up various firearms such as a Browning 9MM pistol, 357 Magnum, 12 gage shotgun, and an Uzi. As well as weapons Angela will be able to collect various items such as: diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, gold coins, ancient scrolls, healing potions, and torches to light her way. The enemies in this new side-scroller have also undergone an upgrade as well. The skulls are now undead skeleton warriors armed with bow and arrows. Some of the skeletons are, however, undead priests that are able to throw fire balls. In addition to the skeletons there will be plenty of rattle snakes and gray wolves inside the ancient ruins to avoid or kill. New and deadlier enemies aren't your only obstacle to face. There are several new traps to avoid such as: poison darts, chasms to jump over, fire pits, spikes, and rolling boulders to name a few deadly traps you will have to avoid a long the way. As far as a
[Audyssey] miriani, liam's sound pack extension
finally after I got my email working, I can post this. Note, this message may be old, but it still is interesting. copy start Message Board Network - OOC / General - Subject: sound pack update! Sender: Bastian Jiles Date: Wed Aug 29 19:11:29 2353 GST Reference: 5184 - Hey guys, just when you thought the sweet sounds Liam and comapny made for Miriani couldn't get any sweeter, introducing the sou nd pack extention. Just go to: http://www.chris-snyder.com/miriani Download the miriani.zip file, and if you already have the sounds from version 6, extract the zip file over the old miriani fold er. All new sounds include: slapping, punching, kicking, smacking and kissing as well as subwarp, slip drive, ftl drive, laser reflectors and solar pannels, repair sounds, new laser and cannon sounds, artifact detection and asteroid detection beeps, hatch bomb and docking sounds. There's more, but I can't remember it all. Oh, and just so they don't have to: Toastsoft is not responsible for anything about these files. They don't have anything to do with them at all, and claim no respo nsibility for them. If you good sighted folks want to join in, If the moo client you use uses xml files, you can join in the fun too. Trust me, you' ll love it. Thanks. - copy end. well this isn't available on the link supplied, so my question is: does anyone have this? if so then could you please upload it on sendspace or send it to me? I really would appreciate this. Regards, peter. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [Audyssey] USA Games News 8/20/2008
Hi Bryan, Thanks for the encouragement. Yeah, I have done a lot of thinking about this new and improved side-scroller, and after reading all of James North's development documents I felt the game was just too plane for my tastes. I have seen a lot of new and more modern ideas applied to side-scrollers over the years such as weapon and item inventories, save game features, more complex puzzle solving, you name it. Yeah, some might argue they paid for a classic arcade game because as blind players they never had the opportunity to try the originals way back in 1984. Thing is, though, technology has changed allowing for more interesting game play, more realism, and more sophisticated side-scrollers to be created. For example, one idea I have been seriously considering for some time is adding a grappling hook to Angela Carter's basic inventory. Rather than using ropes that just happen to be hanging around Angela can draw her grappling hook, fire it, and swing across a chasm, fire pit, spikes, etc. We have all probably seen Indiana Jones do exactly that sort of thing with his bull whip, and I have always thought it was cool when he pulls out his trusty whip, swings to safety, and it would be one more level of fun in my opinion. Although, a grappling hook might make jumping over certain traps too easy. Although, this comes right back to the realistic factor I was talking about before. Anyone who has had experience with mountain climbing, caving, or does any kind of exploration in areas like that come prepared with ropes, grappling hooks, and other climbing gear. So having her carrying a grappling hook in her backpack isn't totally far fetched seeing the kind of archeological work she is doing. Bryan Peterson wrote: I certainly like where this is going. And MOTA is exactly the sort of game I think we need to see more of. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [Audyssey] USA Games News 8/20/2008
SOunds great. One request, please make the game easy to install on linux. Too often the new linux user has to compile sources and I think the installer should be as automatic as it is on windows. Just my thought. Mike --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [Audyssey] USA Games News 8/20/2008
Yeah, that does sound fun. And don't forget Samus from the Metroid games. She has the same ability, albeit in a different form. She can fire a magnetic beam from her arm cannon that attaches to nearby grapple points. Then she starts swinging back and forth bwtween her original position and the grapple point. The idea is to time it so that you let go when you reach the new area. If you let go too soon you'd either end up back where you were or land in one of the traps. You could incorporate something like that into the game, which would make sure that even using the grappling hook wouldn't be totally failsafe. That way it would still be up to the player to use his or her own judgment about when to release the grapple. Vell look, Zaphod's just this guy, you know? - Original Message - From: Thomas Ward [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 2:38 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] USA Games News 8/20/2008 Hi Bryan, Thanks for the encouragement. Yeah, I have done a lot of thinking about this new and improved side-scroller, and after reading all of James North's development documents I felt the game was just too plane for my tastes. I have seen a lot of new and more modern ideas applied to side-scrollers over the years such as weapon and item inventories, save game features, more complex puzzle solving, you name it. Yeah, some might argue they paid for a classic arcade game because as blind players they never had the opportunity to try the originals way back in 1984. Thing is, though, technology has changed allowing for more interesting game play, more realism, and more sophisticated side-scrollers to be created. For example, one idea I have been seriously considering for some time is adding a grappling hook to Angela Carter's basic inventory. Rather than using ropes that just happen to be hanging around Angela can draw her grappling hook, fire it, and swing across a chasm, fire pit, spikes, etc. We have all probably seen Indiana Jones do exactly that sort of thing with his bull whip, and I have always thought it was cool when he pulls out his trusty whip, swings to safety, and it would be one more level of fun in my opinion. Although, a grappling hook might make jumping over certain traps too easy. Although, this comes right back to the realistic factor I was talking about before. Anyone who has had experience with mountain climbing, caving, or does any kind of exploration in areas like that come prepared with ropes, grappling hooks, and other climbing gear. So having her carrying a grappling hook in her backpack isn't totally far fetched seeing the kind of archeological work she is doing. Bryan Peterson wrote: I certainly like where this is going. And MOTA is exactly the sort of game I think we need to see more of. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [Audyssey] USA Games News 8/20/2008
I agree with that principle... but I would also suggest that if you were going to do that after all, make it so not only do you have to use judgement while using the grapple... but make it so some places have to be used via a swinging rope. Make it so some places, there's no area for the hook to grip on to. - Original Message - From: Bryan Peterson [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 1:51 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] USA Games News 8/20/2008 Yeah, that does sound fun. And don't forget Samus from the Metroid games. She has the same ability, albeit in a different form. She can fire a magnetic beam from her arm cannon that attaches to nearby grapple points. Then she starts swinging back and forth bwtween her original position and the grapple point. The idea is to time it so that you let go when you reach the new area. If you let go too soon you'd either end up back where you were or land in one of the traps. You could incorporate something like that into the game, which would make sure that even using the grappling hook wouldn't be totally failsafe. That way it would still be up to the player to use his or her own judgment about when to release the grapple. Vell look, Zaphod's just this guy, you know? - Original Message - From: Thomas Ward [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 2:38 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] USA Games News 8/20/2008 Hi Bryan, Thanks for the encouragement. Yeah, I have done a lot of thinking about this new and improved side-scroller, and after reading all of James North's development documents I felt the game was just too plane for my tastes. I have seen a lot of new and more modern ideas applied to side-scrollers over the years such as weapon and item inventories, save game features, more complex puzzle solving, you name it. Yeah, some might argue they paid for a classic arcade game because as blind players they never had the opportunity to try the originals way back in 1984. Thing is, though, technology has changed allowing for more interesting game play, more realism, and more sophisticated side-scrollers to be created. For example, one idea I have been seriously considering for some time is adding a grappling hook to Angela Carter's basic inventory. Rather than using ropes that just happen to be hanging around Angela can draw her grappling hook, fire it, and swing across a chasm, fire pit, spikes, etc. We have all probably seen Indiana Jones do exactly that sort of thing with his bull whip, and I have always thought it was cool when he pulls out his trusty whip, swings to safety, and it would be one more level of fun in my opinion. Although, a grappling hook might make jumping over certain traps too easy. Although, this comes right back to the realistic factor I was talking about before. Anyone who has had experience with mountain climbing, caving, or does any kind of exploration in areas like that come prepared with ropes, grappling hooks, and other climbing gear. So having her carrying a grappling hook in her backpack isn't totally far fetched seeing the kind of archeological work she is doing. Bryan Peterson wrote: I certainly like where this is going. And MOTA is exactly the sort of game I think we need to see more of. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [Audyssey] USA Games News 8/20/2008
unless you have to find the hook first before you can continue. maybe you have to go somwehre else to get it One could maybe invissage a cut-scene at the start of the game where angela is maybe attacked by the wolves and the skelletons? maybe they rob most things off her that she has come prepared with will On 20 Aug 2008, at 21:38, Thomas Ward wrote: Hi Bryan, Thanks for the encouragement. Yeah, I have done a lot of thinking about this new and improved side-scroller, and after reading all of James North's development documents I felt the game was just too plane for my tastes. I have seen a lot of new and more modern ideas applied to side-scrollers over the years such as weapon and item inventories, save game features, more complex puzzle solving, you name it. Yeah, some might argue they paid for a classic arcade game because as blind players they never had the opportunity to try the originals way back in 1984. Thing is, though, technology has changed allowing for more interesting game play, more realism, and more sophisticated side-scrollers to be created. For example, one idea I have been seriously considering for some time is adding a grappling hook to Angela Carter's basic inventory. Rather than using ropes that just happen to be hanging around Angela can draw her grappling hook, fire it, and swing across a chasm, fire pit, spikes, etc. We have all probably seen Indiana Jones do exactly that sort of thing with his bull whip, and I have always thought it was cool when he pulls out his trusty whip, swings to safety, and it would be one more level of fun in my opinion. Although, a grappling hook might make jumping over certain traps too easy. Although, this comes right back to the realistic factor I was talking about before. Anyone who has had experience with mountain climbing, caving, or does any kind of exploration in areas like that come prepared with ropes, grappling hooks, and other climbing gear. So having her carrying a grappling hook in her backpack isn't totally far fetched seeing the kind of archeological work she is doing. Bryan Peterson wrote: I certainly like where this is going. And MOTA is exactly the sort of game I think we need to see more of. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] . You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [Audyssey] USA Games News 8/20/2008
Hi Mike, Have no fear the Linux installation of my games will be as easy as installing them on Windows if not a bit easier. On Ubuntu 8.04 it a typical installation might go like this. 1. Press alt+f1 for the applications menu, arrow to accessories, and press enter on the terminal icon. 2. Install the Sun java runtime environment by doing sudo apt-get install sun-java6-jre 3. Install the game you just downloaded by doing a sudo dpkg -i mota-1.0-i386.deb and press enter. However, given the number of different Linux operating systems out there I might want to write a custom installer in C that asks you some basic questions about your setup. For example, which brand of Linux are you using Fedora, Debian, Ubuntu, Suse, or other? Do you want an icon on your desktop? Do you want a program launcher icon installed to the Gnome Applications pull down menu? Do you want files installed to /usr? When i think about it the second option might be better. This way it is not package manager dependant, and it allows you to customize your installation to a degree. Cheers. Mike Reiser wrote: SOunds great. One request, please make the game easy to install on linux. Too often the new linux user has to compile sources and I think the installer should be as automatic as it is on windows. Just my thought. Mike --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [Audyssey] USA Games News 8/20/2008
Hi Bryan, That does make sense. There are several games that do the same thing where you actually have to swing high enough to clear whatever it is you are trying to swing over. In the Tomb Raider games you have to press a key to get Lara swinging, and she will get faster and faster, and higher and higher. After you get high enough and fast enough letting go of the cable, rope, or grappling hook she is hanging on she will fly right over the lava pit, fire, spikes, chasm, whatever. Release too soon and you will go splat into it. One way of identifying this in an audio only format would be to slightly increase the pitch of the file and the faster and higher you are the rope sound will sound faster or slower until you reach the right speed and height to make the jump. Bryan Peterson wrote: Yeah, that does sound fun. And don't forget Samus from the Metroid games. She has the same ability, albeit in a different form. She can fire a magnetic beam from her arm cannon that attaches to nearby grapple points. Then she starts swinging back and forth bwtween her original position and the grapple point. The idea is to time it so that you let go when you reach the new area. If you let go too soon you'd either end up back where you were or land in one of the traps. You could incorporate something like that into the game, which would make sure that even using the grappling hook wouldn't be totally failsafe. That way it would still be up to the player to use his or her own judgment about when to release the grapple. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [Audyssey] miriani, liam's sound pack extension
There is a soundpack on his website that corwin made that's pretty good. - Original Message - From: piotru[ [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 2:10 PM Subject: [Audyssey] miriani, liam's sound pack extension finally after I got my email working, I can post this. Note, this message may be old, but it still is interesting. copy start Message Board Network - OOC / General - Subject: sound pack update! Sender: Bastian Jiles Date: Wed Aug 29 19:11:29 2353 GST Reference: 5184 - Hey guys, just when you thought the sweet sounds Liam and comapny made for Miriani couldn't get any sweeter, introducing the sou nd pack extention. Just go to: http://www.chris-snyder.com/miriani Download the miriani.zip file, and if you already have the sounds from version 6, extract the zip file over the old miriani fold er. All new sounds include: slapping, punching, kicking, smacking and kissing as well as subwarp, slip drive, ftl drive, laser reflectors and solar pannels, repair sounds, new laser and cannon sounds, artifact detection and asteroid detection beeps, hatch bomb and docking sounds. There's more, but I can't remember it all. Oh, and just so they don't have to: Toastsoft is not responsible for anything about these files. They don't have anything to do with them at all, and claim no respo nsibility for them. If you good sighted folks want to join in, If the moo client you use uses xml files, you can join in the fun too. Trust me, you' ll love it. Thanks. - copy end. well this isn't available on the link supplied, so my question is: does anyone have this? if so then could you please upload it on sendspace or send it to me? I really would appreciate this. Regards, peter. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [Audyssey] USA Games News 8/20/2008
Hi, Well, the current intro scene at the start of the game has her just walking through the jungle, and her opening the temple door. I do admit a combat intro scene does sound a little cooler. However, I don't think they would be able to steel much since she is armed with a Browning 9MM to begin with. Not a very powerful gun going up against these bad guys, but good enough to keep them at bay in small numbers. Though, losing some items would make sense since she does use torches instead of something you might expect like a flashlight. After all you would think someone entering a temple would use a flashlight, and currently she doesn't have one in her inventory. Cheers. will lomas wrote: unless you have to find the hook first before you can continue. maybe you have to go somwehre else to get it One could maybe invissage a cut-scene at the start of the game where angela is maybe attacked by the wolves and the skelletons? maybe they rob most things off her that she has come prepared with will --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [Audyssey] USA Games News 8/20/2008
how about inventing a game based off the tv show macgyver - Original Message - From: Thomas Ward [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 7:18 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] USA Games News 8/20/2008 Hi, Well, the current intro scene at the start of the game has her just walking through the jungle, and her opening the temple door. I do admit a combat intro scene does sound a little cooler. However, I don't think they would be able to steel much since she is armed with a Browning 9MM to begin with. Not a very powerful gun going up against these bad guys, but good enough to keep them at bay in small numbers. Though, losing some items would make sense since she does use torches instead of something you might expect like a flashlight. After all you would think someone entering a temple would use a flashlight, and currently she doesn't have one in her inventory. Cheers. will lomas wrote: unless you have to find the hook first before you can continue. maybe you have to go somwehre else to get it One could maybe invissage a cut-scene at the start of the game where angela is maybe attacked by the wolves and the skelletons? maybe they rob most things off her that she has come prepared with will --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [Audyssey] USA Games News 8/20/2008
Let's get MOTA and Raceway out the door before we talk about new titles. Vell look, Zaphod's just this guy, you know? - Original Message - From: dennis [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 5:40 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] USA Games News 8/20/2008 how about inventing a game based off the tv show macgyver - Original Message - From: Thomas Ward [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 7:18 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] USA Games News 8/20/2008 Hi, Well, the current intro scene at the start of the game has her just walking through the jungle, and her opening the temple door. I do admit a combat intro scene does sound a little cooler. However, I don't think they would be able to steel much since she is armed with a Browning 9MM to begin with. Not a very powerful gun going up against these bad guys, but good enough to keep them at bay in small numbers. Though, losing some items would make sense since she does use torches instead of something you might expect like a flashlight. After all you would think someone entering a temple would use a flashlight, and currently she doesn't have one in her inventory. Cheers. will lomas wrote: unless you have to find the hook first before you can continue. maybe you have to go somwehre else to get it One could maybe invissage a cut-scene at the start of the game where angela is maybe attacked by the wolves and the skelletons? maybe they rob most things off her that she has come prepared with will --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [Audyssey] USA Games News 8/20/2008
Hi Dennis, Before I can answer a question like that I first have two complete MOTA and Raceway. Those games have given me nothing but ggrief ever since I took them over, and I need to settle my accounts with my customers before I take on a new project. Generally speaking though, I write games that interest me, and about something I am really interested in. I am a big Star Trek TNG fan so that is why my first game was a Star Trek title. I am a big fan of the Tomb Raider games and movies so my next game, Mysteries of the Ancients, is in a similar kind of game to Tomb Raider, but without the specific copyright issues that would land me in hot water with Edos. dennis wrote: how about inventing a game based off the tv show macgyver --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [Audyssey] USA Games News 8/20/2008
Hi, My thoughts exactly. I don't mind game suggestions, but last thing I need to do is get distracted now that I am getting into a schedule working on Mysteries of the Ancients, and am making real progress. Believe me if I didn't have two games I took over from James North on my hands I would be writing something else I would really really like to do. Who knows, I wouldn't mind starting up a free and open source version of a true Tomb Raider game with sound effects, music, and character dialog, but that way is definitely the danger zone where I don't want to go with a commercial product. Bryan Peterson wrote: Let's get MOTA and Raceway out the door before we talk about new titles. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
