Q & A Session

Aether surprised us over the week-end with a possible Q & A Session with Jon Underdog Wiesman. Topics were limited to User Interface (UI) and related subjects. Troy threatened us with pinching should we ask about beta!

At first Aether started a thread at the WSC Forum, but we were too shy to ask questions right away and then we got started on IRC at #wildstar. You can find the full chatlog at the end of this post. Here is a mix of questions from both sources.

What can we expect of the default UI?

• Before anyone posts a question, one of the first things I wanted to address was a concern that if we are allowing the UI to be modifiable, then that might mean that we are not giving 100% to making sure that the default UI is worthy of a AAA title. I can assure you that will not be the case. Our lead UI designer is passionate about making the WildStar UI a great UI, and for the people out there who never ever want to install new Addons, we are committed to making the default WildStar UI just as good as the rest of the game.

Why is there even a need for UI Api?

• I think having a modifiable UI is essential to creating a long-term MMO that people want to play, not just for a few months, but for years. Game studios have long realized that UI design and implementation is not just an afterthought. This stuff matters a lot. Unfortunately when certain types of games dominate an industry for a period of time, they sometimes tend to have a persistent effect on UI design for years afterwards, and studios are reticent about breaking out of established patterns. This is where you guys come in.

Do you have macros and keybindings?

• Yes, we do have macros in the game, but they are currently much simpler than they are in other games. Part of that is a desire to limit the possibility of botting, and part of that is because other areas of the UI API make macros less important. We will absolutely document all the macro commands. We still need to prevent botting, so our solution to that does mean tying certain kinds of actions to on-screen widgets.
  Keybinding is pretty straightforward, and will allow you to bind most key combinations to any action you want. If you want multiple rows of action bars, you can make that happen. It’s up to you.

Will there be an ingame map?

• Our map UI will have lots of cool features built in at launch, including features like showing friends, zooming in, highlighting objectives, etc. If it doesn’t do something really cool that you think it should… well, either you or somebody else will fix that soon we expect.

What kind of information you’d expose to the UI Addon API?

• Honestly, the answer is…….. pretty much EVERYTHING. The in-game UI will be 100% completely modifiable.You can completely recreate the UI to look however YOU want it to look. Seriously. One thing you will love about our API is the ability to create a new Addon based on an existing Carbine Addon, change it, make it your own, and then use it.

How do you deal with possible killer UI addon that you HAVE to use to be competitive are large?

• I’m not sure that’s true. Honestly, the way I set this up was with these kinds of issues in mind. We’re doing something a little different in terms of API.
  and more via Forum: One concern that is brought up is the invention of a “Superaddon” or something that basically makes it necessary to have that particular Addon in order to compete at all. I think our API should make that less of a concern, but we will deal with those kinds of things as they come up. We are going to be very much involved in the Addon development community. We won’t be just throwing the API out there and then ignoring everyone. And when we do need to make changes to the API, we will be forthright about the reasons why.

How do you make sure people can properly see the UI elements?

• We use what is called the “authored resolution” which sets a minimum virtual resolution for the screen. If you shrink the app so that it would be below that, we start scaling. The biggest challenge with that was with making sure fonts are still readable.

Can you use frames that are independent from gobal scale?

• Pretty much all the windows (we call them windows, not frames, but essentially the same thing) use the same UI scale. But I think you’ll find it works well. We will probably expose the function for getting absolute app size, so if you wanted to create a window at a specific size you could do that. All our window positioning uses a combination of % from parent edges (or the whole app if no parent) + an offset

Will the user interface allow profiles?

• Yes, you will be able to switch your UI for characters/realms/accounts. You could load a PvP addon for example only on PvP Realms. I think you should be able to accommodate those needs without reloading the UI

Would I need to set up 2 profiles for fullscreen and windowed mode?

• The window should adapt to that with no problem.

The UI Addon API is based on XML, why do you use LUA?

• XML is used for defining forms and other data-ish stuff. Lua is used for logic

How much does the game rely on reasonable latency?

• Certain aspects of MMO server architecture are just facts of life, for the foreseeable future, and dealing with latency by using strategies like client-side simulation, prediction, and resolution (when you are wrong about the predictions) will always lead to certain expected (and possibly undesirable visual) phenomena on the margins. Some games are better at making this feel more natural than others, but all of them deal with it in one way or another.

These questions are taken from Wildstar Central and the IRC chatlog from #wildstar channel, you can read the sources below. Hope that was interesting for you! Thanks to Troy and Jon for giving us this unexpected Q&A session!

Source

• Wildstar Central – http://wildstar-central.com/
• Chat – chatlog

Chatlog

(2012-05-08 23:23:02) starspun: http://wildstar-central.com/index.php?threads/hello-folks-meet-jon-wiesman-lead-client-engineer-at-carbine.593/

(2012-05-08 23:23:43) CosmicDebris: But maybe if it is skedule maybe this problem will not

(2012-05-08 23:23:47) Myrddin: yeah kgpanels, too

(2012-05-08 23:24:31) dpi209: New news have been newsed!

(2012-05-08 23:31:54) News: WildStarCentral: Oh look! A @Carbine_Studios #WildStar developer on WSC @ http://t.co/oJbJgob7 – come say hello, ask a question or two! – ZR – Twitter / WildStarCentral – http://twitter.com/WildStarCentral/statuses/199973753931833344

(2012-05-08 23:33:00) Myrddin: Is noone asking a question, yet?

(2012-05-08 23:33:09) Myrddin: Thought you had somehting nice

(2012-05-08 23:33:43) starspun: We're shy

(2012-05-08 23:34:57) dpi209: lol

(2012-05-08 23:37:18) Aether [webirc@209.203.107.218] hat den Raum betreten.

(2012-05-08 23:37:26) Aether: Tada!

(2012-05-08 23:37:49) Myrddin: Hello Troy!

(2012-05-08 23:38:04) Myrddin: we jsut realized that we are shy!

(2012-05-08 23:38:06) Myrddin:

(2012-05-08 23:38:16) dpi209: Har har

(2012-05-08 23:39:04) UnderdogBPL [webirc@209.203.107.218] hat den Raum betreten.

(2012-05-08 23:39:20) dpi209: I sense a distinct lack of [CRB] here

(2012-05-08 23:40:28) Myrddin: Hello UnderdogBPL

(2012-05-08 23:40:30) UnderdogBPL: I'm here

(2012-05-08 23:40:40) dpi209: Who's there?

(2012-05-08 23:40:41) Myrddin: welcome

(2012-05-08 23:40:45) UnderdogBPL: Thanks!

(2012-05-08 23:40:49) Aether: Dips! I see you!

(2012-05-08 23:40:58) Aether: Jon is UnderdogBPL.

(2012-05-08 23:40:59) ***dpi209 hides behind starspun

(2012-05-08 23:41:05) dpi209: AH!

(2012-05-08 23:41:18) Aether: Starspun! Myrddin! This is like old home week.

(2012-05-08 23:41:27) Myrddin: haha

(2012-05-08 23:41:37) dpi209: Hello Jon, nice to meet you.

(2012-05-08 23:41:43) UnderdogBPL: I hope everyone enjoyed my thrilling tale of programming in Ruby

(2012-05-08 23:41:49) UnderdogBPL: Hi dpi

(2012-05-08 23:41:58) starspun: Heeey you guys!

(2012-05-08 23:42:02) Myrddin: good to have you here!

(2012-05-08 23:42:18) Aether: So ya'll promise to be nice to Jon, right? I have to step away for a quick meeting.

(2012-05-08 23:42:18) Zap-Robo: Argh! Who let them in!

(2012-05-08 23:42:26) dpi209: UnderdogBPL: Yes

(2012-05-08 23:42:27) Zap-Robo: lo guys

(2012-05-08 23:42:34) starspun: We'll treat him right Aether, don't worry!

(2012-05-08 23:42:49) Modus (+vv Aether UnderdogBPL) von starspun

(2012-05-08 23:42:50) Aether: Also, remember- he is doing this while he is doing other programmery and such.

(2012-05-08 23:43:05) Myrddin: Sure, we will be nice, I suppose there isn’t much that will be worse thanbeing pinched and forced to come here

(2012-05-08 23:43:09) UnderdogBPL: So I posted a quick hello in that thread that Aether started

(2012-05-08 23:43:31) starspun: I'm about to post a reply there with some questions I really don't expect to be answered

(2012-05-08 23:43:49) UnderdogBPL: Those are my favorite kinds!

(2012-05-08 23:43:57) Zap-Robo: And I've upgraded your account to tag you as a Carbine peep

(2012-05-08 23:44:05) UnderdogBPL: YES! I have the power!

(2012-05-08 23:44:10) UnderdogBPL: (Is there any power?)

(2012-05-08 23:44:19) starspun: Your name turns yellow.

(2012-05-08 23:44:20) dpi209: As long as you don't morph…

(2012-05-08 23:44:32) UnderdogBPL: Yellow names are pretty powerful

(2012-05-08 23:44:35) dpi209: Mighty Morphin Carbine Rangers!

(2012-05-08 23:44:39) starspun: Some might even say… gold!

(2012-05-08 23:44:53) Myrddin: We realized that it is not, yet easy to come up with good questions.

(2012-05-08 23:45:12) Zap-Robo: (There might be a hidden forum or two)

(2012-05-08 23:45:26) Zap-Robo: No promises

(2012-05-08 23:45:37) dpi209: Especially when limited to UI addons, not the engine itself

(2012-05-08 23:46:00) UnderdogBPL: Ok, so I guess I will chat in here with you guys for a bit, and then go back and make a post summarizing anything I discussed here?

(2012-05-08 23:46:04) UnderdogBPL: Does that sound good?

(2012-05-08 23:46:23) Zap-Robo: Whatever you like – make yourself at home

(2012-05-08 23:47:11) CosmicDebris: Hello Troy

(2012-05-08 23:47:19) UnderdogBPL: *kicking off shoes* cool. Well, Zap asked if there will be Profiles and the answer is sort of. You can tag certain Addons to only load for certain characters/realms/accounts.

(2012-05-08 23:47:33) starspun: Hmm, maybe I'll ask the questions I got from friends here instead, then…

(2012-05-08 23:47:40) CosmicDebris: I am writting my questions, but i am long

(2012-05-08 23:48:16) UnderdogBPL: so if you have an Addon that deals with PvP (not that I am making any news about PvP) and you only wanted that Addon loaded on PvP servers, you could do that

(2012-05-08 23:50:14) dpi209: *bites his tongue and asks a serious question instead*

(2012-05-08 23:50:37) dpi209: You mentioned you built the UI Addon API on XML – why are you using LUA then?

(2012-05-08 23:51:08) UnderdogBPL: XML is used for defining forms and other data-ish stuff. Lua is used for logic

(2012-05-08 23:52:06) dpi209: I know I'm quite of leaving the grounds of addons, so feel free to decline that question, but…..

(2012-05-08 23:52:24) dpi209: Most pressing issue for me is, UI scaling is a frequent issue in games. Having to deal with resolutions from your stock 19" to a HDTV – how do you make sure people can actually properly see the UI elements?

(2012-05-08 23:52:56) UnderdogBPL: We use what is called the "authored resolution" which sets a minimum virtual resolution for the screen

(2012-05-08 23:53:14) UnderdogBPL: if you shrink the app so that it would be below that, we start scaling

(2012-05-08 23:53:35) CosmicDebris: (Is there a UIparent to refer?)

(2012-05-08 23:53:38) UnderdogBPL: The biggest challenge with that was with making sure fonts are still readable

(2012-05-08 23:53:46) UnderdogBPL: but I think we solved it pretty well

(2012-05-08 23:53:58) dpi209: I'm curious to see

(2012-05-08 23:54:18) UnderdogBPL: Cosmic, I don't quite understand that question

(2012-05-08 23:55:17) dpi209: I think he's asking whether there's a parent container UI addons refer to

(2012-05-08 23:55:33) CosmicDebris: UIParent I mean a great frame that can give the global scale and if we ask a frame to anchor it, it depend of its scale, but frames wich have others anchor may be independant

(2012-05-08 23:56:44) CosmicDebris: (sorry it isn't easy for me to explain)

(2012-05-08 23:56:53) Myrddin: I often switch from windowed mode, my normal playing one to full screen for frapsing. Would I need to use 2 profiles for that or will the window adapt?

(2012-05-08 23:58:38) UnderdogBPL: Answering Cosmic: hmmm, interesting. Pretty much all the windows (we call them windows, not frames, but essentially the same thing) use the same UI scale. But I think you'll find it works well

(2012-05-08 23:59:27) UnderdogBPL: We will probably expose the function for getting absolute app size, so if you wanted to create a window at a specific size you could do that

(2012-05-08 23:59:59) UnderdogBPL: Answernig Myrddin: The window should adapt to that with no problem

(2012-05-09 00:00:08) Myrddin: ok, thanks

(2012-05-09 00:00:15) CosmicDebris: So strictly absulute and no in %?

(2012-05-09 00:00:53) UnderdogBPL: All our window positioning uses a combination of % from parent edges (or the whole app if no parent) + an offset

(2012-05-09 00:01:18) CosmicDebris: Ah great

(2012-05-09 00:01:28) UnderdogBPL: so you can basically have both. Strictly % if you want (with 0 offset) or absolute if you want

(2012-05-09 00:02:10) dpi209: Have you decided already what kind of information you'd expose to the UI Addon API?

(2012-05-09 00:02:17) UnderdogBPL: Yes.

(2012-05-09 00:02:19) UnderdogBPL:

(2012-05-09 00:02:39) CosmicDebris: (<3)

(2012-05-09 00:02:57) UnderdogBPL: Honestly, the answer is…….. pretty much EVERYTHING

(2012-05-09 00:03:12) dpi209: So, chances to get a killer UI addon that you HAVE to use to be competitive are large?

(2012-05-09 00:03:53) Myrddin: (Ã la decursive on the early wow)

(2012-05-09 00:04:21) UnderdogBPL: I'm not sure that's true. Honestly, the way I set this up was with these kinds of issues in mind

(2012-05-09 00:04:32) Zap-Robo: Right, my working day is done – time to head home Have fun UnderdogBPL – don't be a stranger!

(2012-05-09 00:04:38) UnderdogBPL: We're doing something a little different in terms of API

(2012-05-09 00:04:43) Aether: Thanks for having us Zap.

(2012-05-09 00:04:48) Myrddin: ah, great to hear

(2012-05-09 00:04:53) CosmicDebris: Thank you Zap

(2012-05-09 00:04:59) Zap-Robo hat den Raum verlassen (quit: Quit).

(2012-05-09 00:05:01) UnderdogBPL: By Zap, nice chatting

(2012-05-09 00:05:02) Myrddin: cu later Zap

(2012-05-09 00:05:19) starspun: Posted some questions in the forum thread, I see my last one was pretty much intercepted by Myrddin just now

(2012-05-09 00:05:49) Myrddin: I got your question even more intercepted starspun "Think the question above about the profiles, were more situational than a per realm profile. For instance if you planned to do an instance, that you could use profile 1, when you are done you want to do some crafting and need other skills for that and switch to profile 2 for crafting, or pvp (not that there is pvp, just as example)"

(2012-05-09 00:06:08) starspun: Not THAT question!

(2012-05-09 00:06:36) starspun: Besides, that's what Zap wanted to know, wasn't it :p

(2012-05-09 00:07:00) UnderdogBPL: Well, I think you should be able to accommodate those needs without reloading the UI

(2012-05-09 00:07:05) CosmicDebris: thrully yes :p

(2012-05-09 00:07:13) Myrddin: ok, thanks

(2012-05-09 00:07:59) dpi209: I know this question might be a bit mean, but why is there even a need to have a UI API?

(2012-05-09 00:08:38) UnderdogBPL: that's it, I'm insulted. See ya!

(2012-05-09 00:08:38) UnderdogBPL: kidding!

(2012-05-09 00:08:38) dpi209: -.-

(2012-05-09 00:08:54) UnderdogBPL: I have a wild theory about MMOs and moddable UIs

(2012-05-09 00:09:04) starspun: Careful, dip, we might have to get the chips out

(2012-05-09 00:09:37) UnderdogBPL: I think having a modifiable UI is essential to creating a long-term MMO that people want to play, not just for a few months, but for years

(2012-05-09 00:09:39) dpi209: Once I was an MMO gamer, but then I took an arrow to my knee

(2012-05-09 00:10:42) starspun: I've thought just about the same thing, haha

(2012-05-09 00:10:53) CosmicDebris: And will be possible to bind spells without a visible slot to have a clean UI and in the purpuse to bind all our spells and RP-items/trinkets/vehicle etc..?

(2012-05-09 00:10:54) starspun: It's my #1 theory that WoW is still going strong

(2012-05-09 00:11:05) UnderdogBPL: Yeah, I'm pretty passionate about it. I will go on and on if someone doesn't stop me

(2012-05-09 00:11:18) UnderdogBPL: I agree with you starspun

(2012-05-09 00:11:48) dpi209: Okay, I don't play WoW – could someone explain to me WHY that makes people play WoW?

(2012-05-09 00:12:01) starspun: Playing any MMO with UI elements that are just flat out annoying and completely unchangeable… ugh

(2012-05-09 00:12:09) CosmicDebris: UI addons: D

(2012-05-09 00:12:28) Myrddin: I have some friends that love to set up their ui and spend an awful lot of time with it

(2012-05-09 00:12:41) UnderdogBPL: CosmicDebris: we still need to prevent botting, so our solution to that does mean tying certain kinds of actions to on-screen widgets

(2012-05-09 00:13:08) CosmicDebris: I am one of them and realy, i spent sometimes mote times to work on my UI than play the game

(2012-05-09 00:13:12) starspun: dip, I think it has something to do with the fact that you can make your UI look exactly the way you want to, so you don't have to be annoyed by certain bits and pieces

(2012-05-09 00:13:22) dpi209: Setting up the UI is great, but why don't companies just build a UI that makes people don't need addons?

(2012-05-09 00:13:33) UnderdogBPL: Yeah, so the thing is, everyone is different

(2012-05-09 00:13:35) starspun: People have different things they expect

(2012-05-09 00:13:40) CosmicDebris: (oki )

(2012-05-09 00:13:46) starspun: I guess that's the tl;dr of it, anyway

(2012-05-09 00:13:47) Myrddin: because you can’t make an ui that pleases 10 million players

(2012-05-09 00:14:06) starspun: Exactly :p One person wants one thing, another wants something else, a third wants something entirely different

(2012-05-09 00:14:27) starspun: I'm sure you've seen people arguing over the Skyrim UI, even

(2012-05-09 00:14:42) CosmicDebris: and we can see that on swtor, it is realy frustrating

(2012-05-09 00:14:45) starspun: I think it's (mostly) fine, a lot of people go UGH GET THIS THING AWAY FROM ME.

(2012-05-09 00:14:53) UnderdogBPL: yes, and merely allowing people to turn things on/off, move them around, etc, will be okay for maybe 85% of people, but the remaining 15% want MORE

(2012-05-09 00:15:07) dpi209: You got me on the 15%

(2012-05-09 00:15:30) UnderdogBPL: but again, I have some wild theories about this

(2012-05-09 00:16:01) UnderdogBPL: and soon we will see if I am crazy or… slightly less crazy

(2012-05-09 00:16:12) starspun: Soon… soon!

(2012-05-09 00:16:19) UnderdogBPL: soon….ish?

(2012-05-09 00:16:24) dpi209: You are per definition crazy, and it's good that way.

(2012-05-09 00:16:25) starspun: Is that with or without the trademark

(2012-05-09 00:16:35) dpi209: With.

(2012-05-09 00:16:47) dpi209: Game companies NEVER leave out the trademark :p

(2012-05-09 00:17:21) starspun: dpi209â„¢

(2012-05-09 00:17:31) ***dpi209 bows respectfully

(2012-05-09 00:17:38) dpi209: Thank you, but I'm no game company

(2012-05-09 00:17:55) starspun: Too bad, you're now a trademark

(2012-05-09 00:18:01) starspun: Not registered, but still

(2012-05-09 00:18:10) UnderdogBPL: how many of you guys have written Addons for a game?

(2012-05-09 00:18:26) dpi209: Never felt the need to.

(2012-05-09 00:18:34) starspun: Programming is scary.

(2012-05-09 00:18:38) Myrddin: <-

(2012-05-09 00:18:40) dpi209: The most I've written is manuals

(2012-05-09 00:18:55) CosmicDebris: I have to leave, thank you realy for this time and your answers. I hope we will have an overview of all this discuss. See you soon all of you

(2012-05-09 00:19:02) Myrddin: but I suck at it, need to find some addon and tweak it to my needs

(2012-05-09 00:19:07) starspun: I think there was a point where I wanted to try, but learning how to was intimidating

(2012-05-09 00:19:14) starspun: See you, CosmicDebris!

(2012-05-09 00:19:16) Myrddin: Thaks for joining cosmic

(2012-05-09 00:19:33) dpi209: Bye, CD, see ya

(2012-05-09 00:19:49) dpi209: starspun: Can't be worse than trying to code Ruby on Windoes

(2012-05-09 00:19:51) Myrddin: one whsipered people for missing buffs, and the other one helped with ressing after a wipe

(2012-05-09 00:19:52) dpi209: *Windows

(2012-05-09 00:19:55) UnderdogBPL: So, Myrddin, one thing you will love about our API is the ability to create a new Addon based on an existing Carbine Addon, change it, make it your own, and then use it

(2012-05-09 00:20:06) Myrddin: but I lack the skils to make somehting powerful

(2012-05-09 00:20:23) CosmicDebris: (Oh sorry before leaving: I am bad in programming but I 'm relying for a good initiation with guides^^)

(2012-05-09 00:21:21) starspun: I might have to try with WildStar… maybe. I really would like a decend mount/vehicle randomizer. :p

(2012-05-09 00:21:29) starspun: Also a decent one.

(2012-05-09 00:21:45) Myrddin: that is great, but hard to imagine at the moment. since we do no tknow what kind of addons will come with the game, what kind of helperaddons we’d like to use to improve/make stuff convenient, etc

(2012-05-09 00:23:23) Myrddin: For my needs sophisticated wow macros are all I need. Playing petty much with the default ui. Will there be macros, or can’t you talk about that?

(2012-05-09 00:25:22) UnderdogBPL: we have macros

(2012-05-09 00:25:50) starspun: Will they be crazy unlimited like in Rift? (Please no)

(2012-05-09 00:27:31) UnderdogBPL: I'm not familiar enough with Rift macros

(2012-05-09 00:27:34) starspun: You just ended up with a build compressed into a 1-3 button mash build if you wanted to be an effective player

(2012-05-09 00:27:58) Myrddin: I like macros, anything that helps me to keep the amount of buttons on my screen low

(2012-05-09 00:29:41) starspun: You'd just put all your abilities into one macro, arranged by cooldown time, and have at it. A tank with a macro was better than one without, it was… rather sad :\

(2012-05-09 00:30:04) dpi209: That is always the danger with macros

(2012-05-09 00:31:32) Aether: ZOMG I CANNOT BELIEVE JON SPILLED THE BEANS ABOUT MACROS!

(2012-05-09 00:31:39) starspun: Hahaha

(2012-05-09 00:31:41) Aether: THIS INTERVIEW IS OVER!

(2012-05-09 00:31:44) Aether: Just kidding.

(2012-05-09 00:31:45) starspun: Better go pinch him

(2012-05-09 00:31:45) UnderdogBPL: woops, time to update the resume

(2012-05-09 00:31:51) Aether: haha

(2012-05-09 00:31:57) ET`afk [ET@Community.staff.globalgamers.net] hat den Raum betreten.

(2012-05-09 00:31:58) dpi209: I can't believe jon spilled the beans about pvp servers either

(2012-05-09 00:32:45) starspun: Anyway, as far as macro systems go, I prefer WoW's to Rift's :p Really the only two I have any sort of experience with

(2012-05-09 00:33:01) UnderdogBPL: I only spilled hypothetical beans

(2012-05-09 00:33:12) UnderdogBPL: hypothetical beans make a very small mess, if any at all

(2012-05-09 00:33:14) starspun: Beans are pretty gross anyway

(2012-05-09 00:33:32) starspun: Hypothetical or not, I'm completely okay with spilling them :p

(2012-05-09 00:33:44) dpi209: Why can't we spill cucumbers instead?

(2012-05-09 00:33:58) starspun: Why, cucumber is delicious

(2012-05-09 00:34:01) Aether: There were no PvP server beans spilled.

(2012-05-09 00:34:06) UnderdogBPL: The bean lobby is particularly strong

(2012-05-09 00:34:58) starspun: Mr. Bean?

(2012-05-09 00:35:09) UnderdogBPL: I think I've lost control of this chat

(2012-05-09 00:35:10) dpi209: Don't get your pickles in a twist

(2012-05-09 00:35:41) Aether: hahah

(2012-05-09 00:36:21) Aether: Yes, when pickles get involved, things have clearly taken a turn.

(2012-05-09 00:36:39) ***dpi209 hides behind starspun again

(2012-05-09 00:37:11) starspun: You're such a gentleman, dip

(2012-05-09 00:37:32) dpi209: I know, right?

(2012-05-09 00:37:37) dpi209: Just covering your back

(2012-05-09 00:38:57) starspun: Thanks

(2012-05-09 00:39:13) starspun: UnderdogBPL! What is your favorite UI addon? :p

(2012-05-09 00:39:20) Etrigan hat den Raum verlassen (quit: Ping timeout).

(2012-05-09 00:40:02) UnderdogBPL: One of the versions of Gatherer, probably. TBH, it's been a while since I've played WoW

(2012-05-09 00:40:40) starspun: No time anymore or just sick of it? ;D

(2012-05-09 00:40:53) Myrddin: "Aether: There were no PvP server beans spilled." thanks for pointing my nose on it, I almost overlooked it!

(2012-05-09 00:41:12) Aquilus: What's all this.

(2012-05-09 00:41:19) Aquilus: People talking? Here?

(2012-05-09 00:41:22) UnderdogBPL: Now, my favorite WildStar Addon would probably be… oh gosh, look at the time

(2012-05-09 00:41:31) Myrddin: yeah gatherer, is nice

(2012-05-09 00:41:34) starspun: People were talking here when I poked you, Aquilus

(2012-05-09 00:41:41) starspun: Jeez, pay attention

(2012-05-09 00:41:48) Aquilus: I was busy levelling! :p

(2012-05-09 00:41:53) starspun: Pfff

(2012-05-09 00:42:14) dpi209: Achievement unlocked.

(2012-05-09 00:42:33) Myrddin: it is kind of nice to see how addonsbuild up on each other, each version a bit more sophisticated than the next

(2012-05-09 00:42:33) dpi209: All right, I'll call it a day.

(2012-05-09 00:42:37) Aquilus: Guess I owe you three pokes.

(2012-05-09 00:42:50) ***starspun pokes Aquilus three times

(2012-05-09 00:42:59) dpi209: Jon, it was nice of you to stop by and answer a few q's, thanks a lot for that.

(2012-05-09 00:43:10) Aquilus: Fine, six then.

(2012-05-09 00:43:14) Myrddin: gatherer, then calculate the perfect routes, drawing them on the minimap, onscreen, etc

(2012-05-09 00:43:19) dpi209: Aether, a drive-by pleasure as always :p

(2012-05-09 00:43:22) ***starspun pokes Aquilus six times

(2012-05-09 00:43:37) Aquilus: I'm starting to sense a pattern here.

(2012-05-09 00:43:41) Aquilus: Are you bored, perhaps? :p

(2012-05-09 00:43:52) starspun: Oh, you said you owe ME pokes

(2012-05-09 00:43:54) dpi209: Good night, folks

(2012-05-09 00:43:56) UnderdogBPL: it was fun, I'm sure we'll do it again

(2012-05-09 00:43:59) starspun: Night dip!

(2012-05-09 00:44:43) dpi209 hat den Raum verlassen (quit: Quit).

(2012-05-09 00:45:42) starspun: Aw, if you're heading out as well Jon, I guess the questions I posted on the forums will go unanswered for now … which really isn't unexpected since they're a little off-topic. *cough*

(2012-05-09 00:46:35) Myrddin: Thanks for joining up, hope the next time you won’t need to be pinched to come by

(2012-05-09 00:47:13) starspun: Yes! We appreciate it!

(2012-05-09 00:48:37) Aquilus: Oh, that was Jon.

(2012-05-09 00:48:44) Aquilus: I guess that's what I get for not paying attention :p

(2012-05-09 00:49:05) UnderdogBPL: don't worry, I'll write a post summarizing this chat (minus the pickle tangent) and answer some of the questions in there

(2012-05-09 00:49:25) UnderdogBPL: Aquilus, hi.

(2012-05-09 00:49:41) starspun: Awesome. I still don't expect answers to three of my four questions, but awesome.

(2012-05-09 00:50:00) UnderdogBPL: I'll see what I can do. Some of the questions were, er, loaded.

(2012-05-09 00:50:04) Aquilus: Hi, UnderdogBPL.

(2012-05-09 00:50:20) Aquilus: I wouldn't have known what to ask about either way, so it's fine. Kind of forgot about the game :p

(2012-05-09 00:50:36) starspun: UI addons.

(2012-05-09 00:50:44) Aquilus: This is the one with the bunny girls, right?

(2012-05-09 00:51:02) starspun: You forgot the bunny boys :<

(2012-05-09 00:51:11) Aquilus: That was deliberate.

(2012-05-09 00:51:36) starspun: Tsssh

(2012-05-09 00:51:37) Zap-Robo [zaphod@Zap-Robo.user.globalgamers.net] hat den Raum betreten.

(2012-05-09 00:51:37) Modus (+o Zap-Robo) von ChanServ

(2012-05-09 00:51:39) Myrddin: Pretty sure we will hear much more of Wildstar the coming months

(2012-05-09 00:51:45) Aquilus: But yeah, UI addons is an interesting topic.

(2012-05-09 00:51:50) Zap-Robo: And now, comfy at home

(2012-05-09 00:51:55) Myrddin: welcome home

(2012-05-09 00:51:56) starspun: Shame you're late

(2012-05-09 00:51:57) Aquilus: It's a fine balance, allowing for custom elements without allowing for what is effectively cheating.

(2012-05-09 00:52:12) Zap-Robo: I'm not late – I'm exactly on time (for me!)

(2012-05-09 00:52:21) Aquilus: You're late for us, though.

(2012-05-09 00:52:31) Aquilus: Well, not for me. I'm always here =/

(2012-05-09 00:53:52) UnderdogBPL: It IS a fine balance, and one I hope we are able to achieve. We have a plan, and I think it's a good one.

(2012-05-09 00:54:17) Zap-Robo: Kill them all, and let the gaming gods decide?

(2012-05-09 00:54:25) UnderdogBPL: I'm not going to make any grandiose statements and suggest that we will be perfect, but we are committed to getting it right

(2012-05-09 00:54:40) starspun: There are no gaming gods, only game masters

(2012-05-09 00:57:31) Aquilus: How would you prevent something like Gatherer from WoW, if you're familiar with that?

(2012-05-09 00:58:22) Aquilus: If that's even a concern, I guess.

(2012-05-09 00:58:27) UnderdogBPL: I am familiar with Gatherer; it's one of my favorites

(2012-05-09 00:58:30) starspun: Haha, I guess you didn't see the part where Gatherer is (one of) his favorites

(2012-05-09 00:58:35) Myrddin: hehe

(2012-05-09 00:58:35) Aquilus: Ah. Hehe.

(2012-05-09 00:58:44) [1]RedLynk heißt jetzt RedLynk

(2012-05-09 00:58:48) RedLynk: Yo yo yo

(2012-05-09 00:58:52) Aquilus: I used it myself, still felt like cheating.

(2012-05-09 00:58:53) ***starspun pinches RedLynk's cheeks

(2012-05-09 00:59:00) RedLynk: MY CHEEKS

(2012-05-09 00:59:01) RedLynk: VIOLATED

(2012-05-09 00:59:10) Aquilus: Oh, pipe down.

(2012-05-09 00:59:14) starspun: If Gatherer felt like cheating, I wonder how you'd have felt about using Recursive back in the Molten Core days

(2012-05-09 00:59:22) Aquilus: I used that.

(2012-05-09 00:59:31) UnderdogBPL: So, the "problem" with Gatherer is not at the UI Addon level, but in the fact that resource nodes are consistent

(2012-05-09 00:59:33) starspun: It was different back then :p

(2012-05-09 00:59:40) UnderdogBPL: it's not a question of API at all

(2012-05-09 00:59:56) Aquilus: I suppose that's right.

(2012-05-09 01:00:22) Aquilus: I have no idea how Recursive even worked. I just vaguely remember it as some sort of magic button that fixed everything.

(2012-05-09 01:00:26) UnderdogBPL: So, I'll just say that if Design wants those kinds of things to be hidden, then it's their job to hide them. *ducks*

(2012-05-09 01:00:50) Myrddin: I am kind of torn, I don’t like bots, but I also like bots … for example in Asheron’s call there were portal bots, basically characters that stood there and made portals if you traded them items/money … loved those, think they are a great idea. But at the same time I hate bots that let you walk around and fight/xp for you.

(2012-05-09 01:01:13) Aquilus: I assume the Explorable stuff is going to be at set places, so I guess people would make map mods for those.

(2012-05-09 01:01:32) Aquilus: But then again, you could just get that from a third party site if you wanted to, so I guess it's not a particularly important concern.

(2012-05-09 01:01:38) starspun: Aquilus, originally you just had Recursive running and it would decurse and stuff for you without having to even press anything

(2012-05-09 01:01:49) Aquilus: I recall having to mash a button.

(2012-05-09 01:02:07) starspun: Yeah, Blizzard changed how it worked because it was ridiculous to have it the way it was

(2012-05-09 01:02:07) Aquilus: For the first boss of molten core, I forget his name.

(2012-05-09 01:02:09) UnderdogBPL: We have ways to prevent that, but it's an arms race you know?

(2012-05-09 01:02:45) Myrddin: Lucifron

(2012-05-09 01:02:45) Aquilus: Guess I have to check up on Wildstar, see if I missed any fun reveals.

(2012-05-09 01:02:51) Aquilus: Yes.

(2012-05-09 01:03:03) Myrddin: and the addon was Decursive (from de-cursing)

(2012-05-09 01:03:21) Aquilus: See, that makes more sense.

(2012-05-09 01:03:24) starspun: Yeah I guess that might've been it :p

(2012-05-09 01:03:33) starspun: It's a long time ago, shhh

(2012-05-09 01:03:37) Aquilus: Though I suppose it was more of a recursive decursing.

(2012-05-09 01:03:41) Aquilus: :p

(2012-05-09 01:03:43) UnderdogBPL: The basic Decursive design (from what I remember) would not work in our API

(2012-05-09 01:04:07) ET`afk heißt jetzt Etrigan

(2012-05-09 01:04:18) starspun: No automatic "use X if Y is applied"? Excellent

(2012-05-09 01:04:34) UnderdogBPL: Absolutely not

(2012-05-09 01:04:38) Myrddin: do you protect windows in combat? so that they can’t jsut display "clickable" windows over each other n certain events?

(2012-05-09 01:05:14) Aquilus: Did they reveal the races of the other faction yet?

(2012-05-09 01:05:22) Myrddin: for example "boss loses armor debuff" and a button to re-apply that debuf would be displayed

(2012-05-09 01:05:29) UnderdogBPL: Myrddin, yeah. Certain types of windows (and their parents, grandparents, etc) will become locked during combat

(2012-05-09 01:05:37) Myrddin: great, thanks

(2012-05-09 01:05:43) starspun: Not other than humans, Aquilus :p

(2012-05-09 01:05:56) Aquilus: Alright.

(2012-05-09 01:06:05) Aquilus: Anything about server tech?

(2012-05-09 01:06:11) Zap-Robo: There have been race reveals, just not (necessarily) for another faction

(2012-05-09 01:06:21) Aquilus: I don't want to see old-school server selection in an MMO ever again.

(2012-05-09 01:06:38) starspun: Your face is an old-school server selection

(2012-05-09 01:06:40) starspun: Deal with THAT

(2012-05-09 01:06:41) Myrddin: its only about UI Aquilus!

(2012-05-09 01:06:49) Aquilus: Thank you for your thoughtful comment, starspun.

(2012-05-09 01:07:09) starspun: I know you love them so

(2012-05-09 01:07:26) starspun: Almost as much as I love sleep, which I should get to

(2012-05-09 01:07:26) Aquilus: I do.

(2012-05-09 01:07:33) Aquilus: You? sleep?

(2012-05-09 01:07:38) Aquilus: At a reasonable time of day?

(2012-05-09 01:07:40) Aquilus: I don't believe it.

(2012-05-09 01:07:54) starspun: I guess you haven't noticed I've been doing that for… two weeks now?

(2012-05-09 01:07:58) starspun: :p

(2012-05-09 01:07:59) Aquilus: Nope.

(2012-05-09 01:08:10) Aquilus: Guess I'm not that great at stalking =/

(2012-05-09 01:08:17) starspun: This is a good thing

(2012-05-09 01:08:26) Zap-Robo: I'm glad I've finished with my last night shift – although I'm going to be back in the UK next week…

(2012-05-09 01:08:58) Zap-Robo: Anyone ask what the most innovative/favourite new UI feature is?

(2012-05-09 01:09:08) Zap-Robo: (To be ontopic for a second!)

(2012-05-09 01:09:57) starspun: I really have no questions and I'll blame it on being dead tired… like I always do Good night, and thanks for your time, UnderdogBPL!

(2012-05-09 01:09:58) UnderdogBPL: Hmmm, I'm not sure if I can answer that

(2012-05-09 01:10:16) Aquilus: Is there an "awesome button"?

(2012-05-09 01:10:17) Zap-Robo: Ah, fair enough

(2012-05-09 01:10:21) Aquilus: That sounds like a UI feature.

(2012-05-09 01:10:33) Myrddin: Tell us and we can help you decide!

(2012-05-09 01:10:36) UnderdogBPL: I should make an "AwesomeButton" Addon

(2012-05-09 01:10:40) Zap-Robo: Feel free to be vague, if it helps!

(2012-05-09 01:10:41) UnderdogBPL: put it in the game

(2012-05-09 01:10:49) Aquilus: 14.99 DLC?

(2012-05-09 01:11:02) UnderdogBPL: Or maybe a "Beans" addon with a single button labeled "Spill"

(2012-05-09 01:11:48) UnderdogBPL: Well, I've avoided actual programming for long enough. Thanks guys for hosting me. I'll get a post up soon in that other thread answering some questions and summarizing this chat

(2012-05-09 01:11:52) starspun: That needs to be a mini-game

(2012-05-09 01:12:02) Aquilus: What sort of coding do you allow for when making custom GUIs?

(2012-05-09 01:12:03) starspun: Spill the Beans

(2012-05-09 01:12:14) Aquilus: Alright. Always great to see devs being active in the community. Builds confidence

(2012-05-09 01:12:16) UnderdogBPL: It's all Lua Aq

(2012-05-09 01:12:22) Aquilus: Ooh, fun.

(2012-05-09 01:12:28) Aquilus: I know that, so it suits me alright.

(2012-05-09 01:12:29) Zap-Robo: Pleasure to have you here UnderdogBPL! Feel free to stop by again (in official or unofficial capacity!)

(2012-05-09 01:12:37) Aquilus: Even though the scoping is weird :p

(2012-05-09 01:12:40) UnderdogBPL: ok, thanks everyone!

(2012-05-09 01:13:02) Zap-Robo: (And you Aether – we see you lurking and keeping tabs!)

(2012-05-09 01:13:26) Myrddin: Thanks for joining us

(2012-05-09 01:14:16) Aquilus: Heh, may actually want to make a GUI mod or three for this then.

(2012-05-09 01:14:21) Aquilus: Never done that for an MMO before, only MUDs.

(2012-05-09 01:15:00) UnderdogBPL hat den Raum verlassen (quit: Quit).

(2012-05-09 01:15:12) Aquilus: And yes, you're a MUD, starspun.

(2012-05-09 01:15:46) starspun: But you've never made a GUI mod for me

(2012-05-09 01:16:08) Aquilus: OR HAVE I!?

(2012-05-09 01:16:22) starspun: Also thanks for making that public knowledge, you will be my go-to person for all my addon demands

(2012-05-09 01:16:38) Aquilus: Decursive, for Starspun v0.753

(2012-05-09 01:16:55) starspun: Pff, that's not something I'd demand

(2012-05-09 01:17:09) Aquilus: No, that's the GUI mod for your face.

(2012-05-09 01:17:22) starspun: Well that's just rude

(2012-05-09 01:17:45) Aquilus: It's hard to come up with quality material so late at night.

(2012-05-09 01:17:49) Aquilus: Better get some sleep I suppose.

(2012-05-09 01:18:14) starspun: Oh god Aquilus

(2012-05-09 01:18:21) starspun: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1675907842/699266310?token=8687d29d

(2012-05-09 01:18:49) Aquilus: Hmm.

(2012-05-09 01:19:48) Aquilus: It's too late, better look at it tomorrow.

(2012-05-09 01:20:38) Aquilus: But if it gets the game made, I'm all for it.

(2012-05-09 01:21:25) starspun: I want to throw my money at them

(2012-05-09 01:21:27) starspun: All my money

(2012-05-09 01:22:04) starspun: But I'm not sure I'll throw my money at this :p

(2012-05-09 01:26:01) Aquilus: How'd you find that anyway?

(2012-05-09 01:26:34) starspun: Massively

(2012-05-09 01:27:26) Myrddin: since brian fargo had that success with wastelands 2, kickstarter projects are all over the news

(2012-05-09 01:27:45) Myrddin: I mean, I grew up with his games, bar’S tales was my first rpg

(2012-05-09 01:28:01) Myrddin: bard’S tale, but now he needs to deliver

(2012-05-09 01:28:26) starspun: The one comment on the Massively article is just… facepalm to the max

(2012-05-09 01:28:27) Myrddin: can only hope that wastelands 2 will be worth it

(2012-05-09 01:28:32) Zap-Robo: The one Kickstarter I supported raised 1.2mil

(2012-05-09 01:28:34) Aquilus: Haha, yeah.

(2012-05-09 01:28:34) starspun: "wow you have to pay 1000 to get into beta?! Remember the more money you pay the more important you are to the games community…"

(2012-05-09 01:28:51) starspun: Not beta, alpha. And you don't have to. :p

(2012-05-09 01:29:01) Zap-Robo: Speaking of betas, time to log into one! Catch you all later!

(2012-05-09 01:29:07) Myrddin: wastelands 2 got 2.9 million form kickstarter and 100k via paypal

(2012-05-09 01:29:13) starspun: HMM

(2012-05-09 01:29:17) Zap-Robo hat den Raum verlassen (quit: Quit).

(2012-05-09 01:29:21) Myrddin: hf zap

(2012-05-09 01:29:23) starspun: I'm going to beta test this new sleep thing I've heard of

(2012-05-09 01:29:31) Myrddin: haha

(2012-05-09 01:29:31) starspun: Good night… like I said earlier :p

(2012-05-09 01:29:35) Myrddin: nighty

(2012-05-09 01:29:41) Myrddin: I am heading to bed, too

(2012-05-09 01:29:51) Myrddin: glad that the carbne guys came by

(2012-05-09 02:45:22) Aether: Especially that Aether guy!

(2012-05-09 02:46:08) RedLynk: Oi

(2012-05-09 02:46:22) RedLynk: Maybe

(2012-05-09 02:47:59) Aether hat den Raum verlassen (quit: Quit).

Related Posts

• Wildstar hits 10k Fans!
• Where are the real Wildstar updates?
• Layer System in Combat and Paths
• Metal Maw – Lore and Animations
• Villains of Algoroc

Congratulations to Carbine Studios! It seems that the crowd anticipating their upcoming MMOPRG Wildstar is growing day by day and has reached 10000 fans on Facebook. As reward they are giving away a nice T-Shirt.

On Facebook

If you’d like to have an opportunity to get a nice, new, unique T-Shirt head to this thread and post a comment.

Nice to see that people slowly realize that this game has potential and is something unique. The main reason for posting this info here is to encourage you to like the Wildstar on Facebook (if you haven’t already) and show your support. They aren’t spamming news and the ones they post are usually nice and eloquent written, I am certain you’ll like it!

Source

• Wildstar Online – http://www.facebook.com/WildStarOnline

Related Posts

• Q & A with Lead Client Engineer Jon Wiesman
• Where are the real Wildstar updates?
• Layer System in Combat and Paths
• Metal Maw – Lore and Animations
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Monstrosity

So far we have learnt that Metal Maw has been altered by the ancient Race of Eldan. Scientists have uncovered that Metal Maw was an attempt to create an aggressive cybernetic organism that could be used in a wide range of environments. Creation of Metal Maw was however only one step of an even larger experiment. Even larger?!?!?

Wildstar Online has a lot more background information on their recent Wildstar Wednesday post here.

Video

Click here to view the embedded video.

Long ago Robert “robeardo” Land was so excited to hear players reactions

(2011-10-05 20:57:24) Myrddin: cool more metal maw! he starts to look terryfiyng

(2011-10-05 20:59:52) Robeardo: I cannot wait to hear people tell stories of how badly he destroyed them!

Source

• Wildstar Online – http://www.wildstar-online.com/en/blog/wildstar_wednesday_boss_lore_-_metal_maw.php

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• Wildstar (Mini-)Bosses!
• Metal Maw’s becoming Part2!
• Metal Maw’s becoming Part1!
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Rogue Parties

The Exiles mining parties have trouble on multiple fronts at once. Being outcast for a good thousand years the Deadstar Marauders had to to survive on their own, pillaging freighters and eventually turned into the ruthless band of cutthroats they are now. The force on Nexus is lead by Captain Thokov who is after profits and hostages close to Tremor Ridge.

Morek Throg a krogg enforcer and head of the local band of The Darkspur Cartel took charge of the town of Gallow by removing the town’s peacekeepers. Currently they are gaining control over the local mines and prepare for arrival of the lawman Judge Kain.

The Crowe Gang has allied with the Darkspur Cartel and took hold north of Gallow where they brew slush, a strong liqor. This Alliance protects the Crowe from law enforcement, however they are uneasy about the imminent arrival of Judge Kain.

You can find further details and screenshots at Wildstar Online.

Source

• Wildstar Online – http://www.wildstar-online.com/en/blog/wildstar_wednesday_algoroc_rogues_gallery.php

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Loftite Infestion

Fame and fortune has been a a strong motivator for humans and aliens alike. Abundance of Loftite drives adventurers from all over the galaxy to Nexus in order to secure their claim.

This may prove more difficult than thought. There is dangerous environment, influenced by the Borderlands, and the Deadstar Marauders are roaming the area to pillage and enslave. Everything is turning worse with more hostile factions looking to make some coin.

Loftite is not the only treasure that you can find in Algoroc. An ancient Eldan facility has been located in the western mountains and the Exile Academy of Science is busy a the excavation site.

You can read the whole overview and many beautiful pictures here!

Source

• Wildstar Online – http://www.wildstar-online.com/en/blog/wildstar_wednesday_introduction_to_algoroc.php

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• Villains of Algoroc
• Northern Wilds Bestiary
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Video

For me it makes a huge difference to have a good score for a game and especially if it comes from a real orchestra. This video shows Jeff Kurtenacker in action, enjoy!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Carbine Studios has 2 sample tracks for you to listen and download here, 2 more here (at the bottom), and the earliest pieces here.

Update!

Found quite a bit of Jeff Kurtenacker here!

Source

• Wildstar Online: http://www.wildstar-online.com/en/blog/wildstar_wednesday_wildstar_music.php

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More Dangers!

Last week Atreid reported dangers of the Northern Wilds wildlife to us. But even these foes get bested by this week creatures, the Minibosses you have already seen in various videos. Reading over their special attacks, abilities I recalled hearing that these minibosses scale ingame with the amount of players in vicinity. This sounds like an interesting feature and I’d like to hear more about that.

Read more about Deathrays, hair styles and bite sized chunks of meat at the Wildstar Website.

Video

Here is a gameplay video featuring all the Minibosses – Frost Giant at 1:59; Xenobite Queen at 5:12 and Ultrabot at 8:07

Click here to view the embedded video.

Source

• Wildstar Online: http://www.wildstar-online.com/en/blog/wildstar_wednesday_northern_wilds_minibosses.php

Related Posts

• Metal Maw – Lore and Animations
• Metal Maw’s becoming Part2!
• Metal Maw’s becoming Part1!
• Villains of Algoroc
• Algoroc has been hit by Loftite fever!

Northern Wilds Bestiary

The Northern Wilds are the the home of manifold species. We have seen Yetis, Crystal Guardians, Dagun, and a Xenobite Queen in videos and screenshots. Atreid shows us the 3 afore mentioned creatures in detail and starts with the Rootbrutes, an omnivorous fungus animal hybrid which reminds me of the “swamp thing” if you are old enough to know the movie Atreid mentions that Rootbrutes are an excellent ingredient for your supper!

Skeech

The Skeech, as seen on the small picture above, are featured as intelligent, humanoid and despite all efforts though hostile species. They are primitives with a tribal culture and shamanistic religion. Atreid praises their cooking skills (see the cooking pot in the background).
So far we have seen creatures that make excellent food and others that are excellent cooks! Wonder if the usage of too much Rootbruteshrooms help the Skeech shamans to enter their spirit world!

Girrok

The Girrok are agressive and heavy muscled predators. They are intelligent, agile and dangerous foes that can use boulders to incapacitate tehir victims.

You should not miss out on the full article by Atreid, where he goes further into detail with each of these creatures, their attacks and shows more pictures.

Sources

Wildstar Online: http://www.wildstar-online.com/en/blog/wildstar_wednesday_northern_wilds_bestiary.php
Wildstar Central Wiki: http://wildstar-central.com/index.php?wiki/index/

Related Posts

• Metal Maw – Lore and Animations
• Villains of Algoroc
• Algoroc has been hit by Loftite fever!
• Bikes ‘n Babes!
• Wildstar (Mini-)Bosses!

Hover Bike Revealed

I’m so happy that we finally got some new in-game footage, seems that other players are happy, too. The previous “140 Characters Quest Text” Wildstar Wednesday got 11 likes on Facebook over a week, while the Hover Bike earned 41 within the first hour. They should definitely hire me!
Don’t get me wrong, it is not that I don’t want to hear about Carbine’s departments and their incredible work, but after all this time since gamescom we welcome posts like this! Thanks, Carbine for listening!

Anyway You are not here to read through another wall of text, here are my 2 favorite pictures. More pictures can be found here at the official Wildstar Site. Enjoy!

What else can we see?

You’re still here, cool! Let us take a closer look at the pictures. The first thing people seemed to mention was the “morning hair” or “wild hair” of the Aurin But fewer noticed the red heart brooch I suppose! Sweet little detail!

The Aurin looks a bit different, the whole appearance is a bit more feline, especially the form of the face and the eyes (initial Aurin screenshots).

Other Footage

The location seems to be a new one, too. The color theme and buildings reminded me a bit of this area, an early concept art.

At gamescom Jeremy Gaffneys presented Wildstar, showcasing the Northern Wilds starter zone. Towards the end of the interview he talks about the second zone, a mining area and shows some bits and pieces of it. You can see that it is indeed the zone the pictures have been taken in. Start the video at 47:50!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Tried to find the name of the zone, Jeremy Gaffneys seems to mention it at 48:14, but the low sound quality makes it impossible to understand. If you understood what he says, please leave a comment below!

Anyway, the pictures have been taken in the second zone of the game, you can see the location at ~49:57!

Thanks Carbine!

Source

• Official Wildstar Blog: http://www.wildstar-online.com/en/blog/wildstar_wednesday_hover_bike.php

Related Posts

• Villains of Algoroc
• Algoroc has been hit by Loftite fever!
• Northern Wilds Bestiary
• Metal Maw – Lore and Animations
• Wildstar (Mini-)Bosses!

If you followed my site you will realize that I stopped posting information about Wildstar during the past months. Don’t get me wrong, I anticipate the game and have high hopes (you can read the posts here) but the information policy and the community managers are driving me nuts.

–> Update <—

WTF am I doing here?

This exact phrase has been rushing through my mind while writing last post about Wildstar Wednesday. It was the one about the music composition. This would have been a perfect example to not only introduce the artist, but to show off some audio excerpts and create some atmosphere. Instead the whole Wildstar Wednesday was 99% wall of text and 1% music, nothing to soften it up …

Carbine does not miss a chance to mention Wildstar’s unique art style and it makes me wonder why they don’t make more use of it. They must have tools like the WoW’s Modelviewer – which allows fast screencaps of ingame 3d object/characters/gear – to illustrate posts, maybe even something we haven’t seen before.

At this moment I came to realize that I was simply quoting stuff, stuff I found boring and useless, uninteresting – stuff I did not want to read about myself and decided to stop to writing about Wildstar until they start posting some real infos.

Wildstar Wednesday

To me Metal Maw is the perfect example that Carbine has real talented staff. The results from gamecom Metal Maw life drawing event was a bit disappointing at first. They did not create a monster, they created a fat chicken. But what the art team made of it is truly impressive. The fat chicken turned into a truly unqiue, fierce monster.

But what are 3-4 good posts over the last half year? It is too little and gives the impression that Carbine posts because it is Wildstar Wednesday and not because they have something interesting to share.

“They could make a flythrough video of some of their zones even without any mobs, make it last 20 seconds and it’ll be far more interesting than all the wilstar wednesdays together” – Source IRC

Presentation at Gamescom

Carbine Studio’s credo is “We don’t talk about it if we cannot show it.” While I agree and respect this I must say there is a difference between answering player’s questions without revealing details and saying “sorry dude, we have nothing to tell you, but check our website for future updates”, especially on a live Q&A session.

I have seen many many many press conferences, announcements and interviews. There were always questions about content that isn’t ready for public discussion, but they always find a way to at least talk generally about things. It seems that only Jeremy Gaffneys has these skills, his interviews were always at high level and interesting to see and read.

It was kind of interesting to see how the first Q&A session influenced the crowd, after the third question was answered with “Sorry we don’t talk about this”, the crowd perceptibly lost interest in asking more questions. It took T-Shirts and other goody rewards to encourage more questions. Some forms of “we can’t talk about it” sounded a bit harsh and nothing I’d expect from people who want to get positive attention to their games.

Trying to get into contact

Yeah, I tried to introduce this portal to Jeremy Gaffneys, Robert Land, Loic Claveau and Troy Hewitt. Troy Hewitt even replied “Hi Michael! I’ve just gotten back to the world after a week-long rest, and I noticed your message upon getting home. Can you send me a note to [...] ? Looking forward to talking with you this week!” this was on september 7th and I am still waiting for the reply to my mail.

To be honest I find it disturbing if Community Managers don’t get in touch with you. I recall Atreid using tweeting this: “I am Atreid, and I send this message to any #WildStar fansites who took refuge among the stars. Send me a contact email; we need to talk! [:)]”

Since December 1st I am waiting for a reply to this.

Sure, this isn’t the biggest site, this portal has only 2500-4500 visitors a day (more at the week end), but I’d at least expect a friendly “we are interested in other sites for now”, especially when they ask to get in contact with you. Isn’t that what communita managers do?

In fact, even though the name was leaked (pcgames.de) I decide to hold this back till after Jeremy Gaffney’s announcement. With no access to any material and no NDA I could have done so, instead I even delayed comments on the subject. Next to the superb Wildstar Central (you guys are truly amazing!) there was only my site back then with some (general) information.

During gamescom Robert “Robeardo” Land announced the mount from the trailer was already ingame and I jested via Twitter:

• “@Team_WildStar Since the bike from the cinematic trailer is already ingame, can we see a Screenshot of an Aurin riding it? Bikes & Babes you know! 6:51 PM – 25 Aug 11“

and got the reply

• “@myrddinde haha- that’s a great request. We’ll see what we can do once #WildStar finishes up our world tour. #PAX“

Needless to say that I am still waiting for this, further questions/reminders remained unanswered.

Potential

Don’t get me wrong. The game looks very interesting and I have a big interest in it, want it to be a success and help where I can. At the moment I do not agree with their information policy and I am actually happy that carbine never bothered to contact me. I’d feel obliged to share even the most boring stuff. I have understood that they don’t really want the contact, but I sense huge potential in this game. Would love to promote Wildstar, post some artwork, screenshots, videos, post about lore, the wildstar universe, races, classes, player paths or the layer system, but I can’t due to lack of resources.

IRC Quotes

This is from our IRC (not from the inofficial Wildstar IRC), but without that Chat it would be just another MMO for me and I’d probably not even read about the game. Over the past half year the tone changed from interested to disappointed though. It is not representative, but maybe it is something to think about.

aaaa: It’s now wednesday, the weekly day to get trolled by the wildstar PR team!
aaaa: I heard they officially renamed Wildstar Wednesday to Wildstar weekly trolling
aaaa: Well, i’m gonna spend the next 24 hours hitting F5 for wildstar news

bbbb: nah, but they did say Q&A at the end of january, and they are sending stuff to fansites on friday, right?
bbbb: Not that its a gaurantee for anything good, but at least SOMETHING will happen (probably equally as disappointing as their wildstar wednesday lol!!)
cccc: I bet if you had written “equally exciting” everyone would ahve known what you meant …. everyone but carbine

dddd: Yeah, honestly, the wildstar PR is a disaster to be polite
dddd: Just compare the GW2 showing at Gamescom 2010 (when they first showed it to the public) and Wildstar at Gamescom 2011, games at that time had been in production roughly for the same amount of time
dddd: Wildstar was able to show off their starting zone with hardly any classes, game systems, paths or anything else of interest really and the demonstration was very short and bad
dddd: Not to mention in the months after Gamescom, wildstar have showed absolutely nothing new
dddd: And the stuff they keep talking about or showing is incredible lame
dddd: It honestly gives off the vibe that they dont have ANYTHING completed, besides their starting zone and the game is looking at a 2014/2015 release
eeee: I mean, it’s a massive difference in information revealed, and the real issue here is that Wildstar keeps giving the impression that they just DONT have more to show than what we saw at Gamescom

ffff: Our #WildStar Community #Uplink tomorrow on FB will ask you a very important question: What do you want to see more of? http://ow.ly/8DJcs
ffff: should i tell them, “if you have no clue then you have the wrong job mate!”

gggg: A new WildStar Column is up! Today’s theme is: “What is an Art-Style?” Check it out and give your opinion …
gggg: yawn, it is as interesting as it sounds
hhhh: wildstar keeps impressing with their articles!

iiii: Tomorrow is going to be a great day
iiii: Looking forward to wildstar wednesday!
jjjj: hahahaahha, I thought for a second you were serious
iiii: hahaha

kkkk: I have a very long post ready for that, but it sounds too much like a loooooong complaint, so I never published it
llll: haha, there’s no reason to go crazy
llll: but really, the current system they use for WW just seems retarded
llll: I was more interested in the game based on the developer interviews and concept arts shown before the game was showcased at gamescom
llll: The current PR stuff is really retarded, it doesn’t take much to make people feel some interest in the game
llll: Show off different zones, either concept art or ingame shots, then add in some music that fits the zones instead of writing articles about how difficult it is to make the music for their zones
llll: Make a short video showing off some different skills in combat situations (like blizzard did with D3)
llll: Maybe take a look at ArenaNets blog articles they’ve released during the games development
llll: They’ve not only been very long and detailed, but also included screenshots, concept art and at times videos
llll: ArenaNet had skill videos for warriors and 1 more class back in 2008 or whenever
llll: I remember first hearing about GW2 when that rogue from premonition linked a skill video
llll: I can’t understand how a game have been in development for soon 5 years and all we’ve seen is a few minutes of the starting zone and a cinematic trailer made by ANOTHER STUDIO
llll: Really gives you a strong impression that there really is no product

Update

Seems like Carbine was trying to get in touch, but there was an error with my email adress. This means I was waiting for their mail and while they were waiting for my replies. Thanks at the Carbine Team for clearing it up!

Related Posts

• Layer System in Combat and Paths
• Q & A with Lead Client Engineer Jon Wiesman
• Metal Maw – Lore and Animations
• Villains of Algoroc
• Algoroc has been hit by Loftite fever!

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• Q & A with Lead Client Engineer Jon Wiesman
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3D modelling

Senior Character Artist, Brandon Dix starts out by modelling 2 very basic models of the creature. The one we know from previous sketches and an unaltered one. This would save a lot of time in case they decide to introduce a normal version of the monster at some point.

Zbrush Basic Model

The next step is done by adding more details and fine tuning the model, before adding the tech pieces.

Initial Sculpt

Now the surfaces are being modeled and tech is added to the model

Adding Tech

The model is ready for a full render, without textures though, but the details are visible and the model looks already really nice badass.

Full Render

While I found the sketch from Gamescom kind of disappointing this model is beginning to show the potential of the Wildstar Team. All I could see after the fun event at Gamescom was an ugly fat chicken and nothing that would scare anything but the tiniest Nexus rainworms The Artwork however started to look really nice and the 3D model even more.

Here is a nice quote from Robert “Robeardo” Land at Wildstar IRC

(2011-10-05 20:57:24) Myrddin: cool more metal maw! he starts to look terryfiyng
(2011-10-05 20:59:52) Robeardo: I cannot wait to hear people tell stories of how badly he destroyed them!

You can read the original article here at the Wildstar Website, the next steps of the process inclusive.

Related Posts

• Metal Maw – Lore and Animations
• Metal Maw’s becoming Part1!
• Wildstar (Mini-)Bosses!
• Villains of Algoroc
• Algoroc has been hit by Loftite fever!