The Future for Build 14...

[Pieter Boelen]

Please post your comments on the following issues. Please also post any other questions, comments and/or suggestions you might have on improving the community, the modding, the publicity, etc. All opinions would be greatly appreciated.

<!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><i><b>Build 13 ModDB Profile</b></i><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
We now have a ModDB profile for <a href="http://mods.moddb.com/9269/potc-build-mod" target="_blank">Build 13</a>. This for the sake of more publicity. Here will be available all Build 13 files also available from my site, along with all additional downloads. I already uploaded these, but they are still pending authorization at the moment. I removed all Build 14 Alpha files and download links from the profile because these are unstable as of yet and might give a bad impression. There is another reason though:

<!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><i><b>A Name for Build 14</b></i><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
I think we should give Build 14 a new name. I have added a poll for this to this post. Having a better name than "Build" could work wonders for our publicity. Also we can make a seperate ModDB profile for Build 14 where interested people can find the latest news, as well as promotional screenshots and other interesting stuff to generate interest. Here we can also provide downloads to the most stablish Alpha releases for people to test. I think "New Horizons" is the most popular one, but I want to confirm by means of the poll.

<!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><i><b>Build 14 Artwork</b></i><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
For Build 14 we will be needing some new artwork for the loading screens, main menu and also for promotional material. It would be great if some of the forum members here could try to conjure up some new artwork for the Build 14 release.

<!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><i><b>Cleaning Up the Forum</b></i><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
This is basically just a short note to everyone: I am working on cleaning up the forum, unstickying those threads that no longer need to be sticked. This for the sake of making the important stickies easier to find.

<!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><i><b>ModDB Forum</b></i><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
The ModDB allows a mod-specific forum to be made. So do we want to do that? Do you think it would do any good? Perhaps for people to post their comments without having to register on another website?

<!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><i><b>Bug Tracker Usage</b></i><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
The Bug Tracker is a very valuable tool for keeping track of reported bugs. Provided that the Bug Tracker is actually used. So I would urge everybody to post bugs on the Bug Tracker. You can also post them on the forum, but be sure to also post them on he Bug Tracker! Also it would be great to have a new Bug Tracker Moderator to keeo everything up-to-date. Anyone up for the job?

<!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><i><b>Frequently Asked Questions Thread</b></i><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
We should make a new thread with Frequently Asked Questions and important information for new-time members. Would somebody be willing to work on that?

<!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><i><b>Modding Team on ModDB</b></i><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
Perhaps it would also be a good idea if some other modding team members were to register on the ModDB website. Just a random thought, but it would look nice if it would show more than two team members on the profile. Beta testers would also be welcome to join.

<!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><i><b>Modding Team List</b></i><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
Does anyone think it would be nice to make a list of the active forum members and write down their roles on the modpack development?

<!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><i><b>New Revamped Build Mod Website</b></i><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
Does anyone think it would be nice to have an improved website for the modpack? I made "Pieter's Pirate Page" very quickly at some time in the past. Perhaps you or somebody you know would be willing to make a revamped Pirates of the Caribbean Build Mod website?

 

[kevinatlanta]

I do like "New Horizons", but I like generating alternatives. How about...

<b>POTC: New Adventures</b>

Whatever name is chosen, it should probably also include a version number consistent with the "old" Build Mod numbers, i.e.,

"Pirates of the Caribbean: New Name - Version 14.x"

Great idea BTW

kevin

 

[Pieter Boelen]

I was thinking of just having "Pirates of the Caribbean: New Name" as the main game title, excluding the version number in the title or just having the version number added in a small font on the banner and other promotional pictures. Of course when people would start up the game, it would say "Build 14.0" in the bottom left corner of the main menu. Also the promotional text will make it clear that the new modpack is a continuation of the Build 13 mod, rather than a completely seperate from-the-ground-up mod. I just think we should keep the main title as short, simple and catchy as possible.

 

[kevinatlanta]

<!--quoteo(post=215693:date=Sep 28 2007, 11:52 AM:name=Pieter Boelen)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pieter Boelen @ Sep 28 2007, 11:52 AM) [snapback]215693[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I was thinking of just having "Pirates of the Caribbean: New Name" as the main game title, excluding the version number in the title or just having the version number added in a small font on the banner and other promotional pictures. Of course when people would start up the game, it would say "Build 14.0" in the bottom left corner of the main menu. Also the promotional text will make it clear that the new modpack is a continuation of the Build 13 mod, rather than a completely seperate from-the-ground-up mod. I just think we should keep the main title as short, simple and catchy as possible.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

If the goal is to re-brand the "mod", and attract NEW players/modders then I agree that the New Name should probably be the focus. Keep in mind though, that this MAY cause confusion among exiting users. I have been a software consultant for years and have gone through this kind of thing before - and it ALWAYS causes end user confusion when there is a significant name change. However, it can also generate new users and give you a fresh start... Just keep in mind, there WILL be resistance and complaining from existing users on a new name. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/icon_wink.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="icon_wink.gif" />

Personally, I think it is a GREAT idea.

Back to the "new players/modders" issue, for a novice (new user), these forums are a daunting and scary place. Topics seem to be spread all over the place and information is not that easy to find. There needs to be a very easy way for a new user to visit the forum, click one or two links, and have a general idea what the POTC mod is about, where they can download it and how they can play the game. Maybe it's time for a reorganization of the forums? Also, I think it might help to have a couple of new sticky topics (possibly in a new sub-forum called "For New Users" or something simliar):

- an updated GAMEPLAY and GENERAL FAQ for the stable and alpha versions

- a CHANGE LOG / VERSION LOG which lists updated features in each of the versions and a projected release date of the next version

- a DOWNLOAD links page - where the FIRST topic in that thread is updated to show available downloads and / or links to important stuff (bug tracker, etc.)


kevin


PS - Pieter, I see that you are doing some cleanup on the forum today and I applaud your efforts!

 

[Shingen]

I think "New Horizons" was the title for Uncharted Waters II, an old SNES/PC sailing game.

 

[Sherlockzor]

what about PotC:Tavern Tales
cause PA! is our virtual tavern and the community writed the virtual tales

 

[Pieter Boelen]

I'VE GOT IT!
<img src="http://www.georgiasouthern.edu/homecoming/PiratesLogo.gif" border="0" class="linked-image" />
Sorry, couldn't resist. Found that one accidentally on the internet... <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/whistling.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="whistling.gif" />

A more serious try this time. I thought we could make the banner something like this:
<img src="http://www.s31clan.com/privateftps/pietersmods/others/potc_new_horizons.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
This is not meant to be in any way final. For one I really don't like the colour scheme: too blue. I only conjured it up very quickly, but it does show a bit what I would like: The regular PotC logo with the new name as subtitle in the middle. "Build 14" will still be on the title banner, but not in the actual title. It would also be nice to incorporate some PotC movie elements as well as a nice ship painting. I think it would be awesome if we could use some custom-made imagery from forum members for the final title design.

 

[morgan terror]

prrffft...bwahaha! <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/24.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="24.gif" /> that beak looks rediculous! <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" />

well, i guess i could give a shot at drawing something. do you have a ship battle in mind, or something else? i'll just give it some work once in a while. of course, it won't be finished very quickly that way. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/unsure.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":?" border="0" alt="unsure.gif" /> my previous big drawing took me 2 or 3 weeks.

i've been thinking about the bug tracker moderator thing, and there's one point bothering me and preventing me from saying yes: when is something actually classified as a bug? i've been seeing a lot of things lately that are only user-specific bugs, and not bugs that are actually part of the mods. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/unsure.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":?" border="0" alt="unsure.gif" /> that could get pretty confusing.

 

[Sherlockzor]

Drawin competition maybe
prize:credits

 

[morgan terror]

CJPJ would win that for sure. there's no way i'm going to beat him, although the best thing i can draw ARE ships. unless he can't draw anything, of course.

 

[Sherlockzor]

at least try you noob

 

[morgan terror]

pah! i'm far from being a noob at drawing. i've been drawing nothing but ships the past 4 years. and as i said, i'll give it a shot, although i have no idea when it will be done. but as i've seen from another topic, i have about a month, which should be enough. i'll need a few guidelines of what to draw though.

BTW, who chose for beyond reason as i title?

 

[Pieter Boelen]

I wouldn't really go for the ship-to-ship battle. Instead I would suggest having a wide drawing of a ship at sea with an island at the side of the picture or something like that. A nice blue sea, with a nice brown ship with white/yellowish sails and a white-sand-beach island with green palm trees. Something like that. But that is something for us all to decide. Especially for the person who wants to make the drawing. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/icon_mrgreen1.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="icon_mrgreen1.gif" />

When can something be posted on the bug tracker? When you think it's not right. When is something classified as a real bug? When it is a problem with the program, even though it's installed correctly. It doesn't matter if issues are posted that are not real bugs though. If they're user-specific, you can set the bug's status to "Can't replicate" or when it's solved by the user, you can set the bug to "Closed". In any case: It can't hurt to post as many issues on the Bug Tracker as possible.

<!--quoteo(post=215731:date=Sep 28 2007, 09:35 PM:name=morgan terror)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(morgan terror @ Sep 28 2007, 09:35 PM) [snapback]215731[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->pah! i'm far from being a noob at drawing. i've been drawing nothing but ships the past 4 years. and as i said, i'll give it a shot, although i have no idea when it will be done. but as i've seen from another topic, i have about a month, which should be enough. i'll need a few guidelines of what to draw though.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->Everyone wanting to try their hand at making drawings for the next Build mod has got all the time in the world: We only need everything done by the time Build 14 is finished. Which is going to take a while. Only it would be nice if we could get at least <i>a</i> version of the main banner done on short notice so that we can create the new ModDB profile and use it there and start promoting the next Build before its release. Of course we first need to decide on the title before making the ModDB profile, but we can always post an improved banner when its made.

 

[morgan terror]

hmm....i could make such a drawing. i guess it should be more or less the size of your mock-up? or should it be bigger? there's one problem though: i've got very limited access to colors. but i'll see what i can do.

 

[Pieter Boelen]

If you want to make a drawing for the banner, it should have about the same size as my mock-up, only perhaps a bit wider and less high. On the other hand, you could also decide to try your hand on a different drawing, for example a drawing for one of the loading screens for starting the game, new game and loading a game or something like that. As far as colour is concerned: Perhaps the drawing could be enhanced/coloured later on the computer or something? We should try and figure out what options we have available to us.

I updated the first post with some more things to ponder about: "Frequently Asked Questions Thread", "Modding Team on ModDB", "Modding Team List" and "New Revamped Build Mod Website".

 

[morgan terror]

what i could do is paint it after drawing it with pencil. i'll simply use my free hours at school to go to art class and work on it there, where i have all the equipment and advice i need! that way, i should be able to completely finish it without needing help from anyone else.

to improve level of detail, i might make it on an A4 and shrink it down with a scanner. of course, i won't use the entire space so it has the right dimensions. as far as loading screens are concerned, i don't really know how to get the right size to fit it on the screen properly. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/unsure.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":?" border="0" alt="unsure.gif" /> i guees i'll just have to make a good guess, or measure the size of my own screen to know the size for the picture. but the loading screens are for later. i'll start work on the banner on monday, and maybe even earlier.

 

[Kazeite]

Me, I like "Expanded Horizons", because that's what we did: we've expanded the horizons of the gameplay. haven't we? <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="biggrin.gif" />

 

[Thomas the Terror]

I was thinking of a chart as background (brown weathered etc) with the pirates of the caribbean logo, but then with the awe skull (already cut that skull out, so it is seperated) and then with some ingame screens (so instead of the jack sparrow, the black pearl sailing (with it's bow toward you)

 

[Pieter Boelen]

That could easily be done with the GM Viewer. There you have a gray background which you can use to cut out the background. I'd say: Go for it and we'll see what we get. We could even use multiple banners. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/icon_mrgreen1.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="icon_mrgreen1.gif" />

All Build 13-related uploads are now available from the ModDB, so if anybody ever needs those, you can get them from there as well. Now as soon as we decide on the Build 14 name, I can make the Build 14 profile and start uploading the relevant files there.

 

[morgan terror]

i'll won't be adding any text, but i'll leave a space of sorts where it can be inserted by someone else. i'm tempted to use the bermuda sloop sailing for an island with the viewer's position from behind the ship, and with the island to the right of the ship. any objections?