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richard
Forum Admin
Joined: 7 April 2008 GMT
Location: UK
Posts: 137
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We are about to launch our beta test program for Everplanes and first of all we would like to thank everyone who has volunteered to help us. We have written some notes in FAQ form on the proposed rollout and we hope these will be helpful. They are available in Everplanes section of the website under 'Beta 1' and are also included here.
1. How will the rollout work?
Our intention is to start slowly with a few people so that we can resolve problems as we go. The Elflight Engine is a large system and it would be naive to suppose that we will not hit difficulties. As we progress we hope to add more testers. Testers will be notified by email as we work through the program.
2. Who will be the first testers?
The Everplanes system is designed for users to build their own worlds and games from their own assets. Initially we would like to invite enthusiasts who wish to make use of this aspect of the system so that any problems with the current build of the World Builder can be dealt with.
3. How will I know how the beta testing is going?
A broad review of progress will be available on our website.
4. What is the main channel of communication for active beta testers?
When a tester is contacted and given a world, they will be able to use their login details to access a private section of the forum. This can be used to ask questions, seek advice and express opinions.
Whilst online in the World Builder there is a global chat channel for chatting with other users.
5. What should I do if I feel I have been missed off the list?
Please check the forums for public updates on the status of the beta testing. If you feel you have been missed off the list, or your email address has changed, please feel free to contact us directly.
6. What can we expect to see?
Each tester will receive 1Km^2 of real-estate, a login name and password. They will also be able to visit Lesser Howling which is a small (very small) village containing a few assets. This is our basic test area.
7. What is the current state of the World Builder
World Builder Beta 1.00 allows terrain to be imported or exported in the form of height maps and geometry for editing in an external 3D graphics package. At the moment, the terrain editing facility is disconnected but this will be enabled during the early stages of the beta program. The terrain editing will provide real-time sculpting and painting tools.
Beta 1.00 also allows the uploading of assets and the ability to walk around, examine and edit those assets. Three cameras are provided - third person, first person and above view.
8. What kind of assets can I upload?
Worlds must be suitable for viewing for ages 12+ and must be such as to not cause offense. Broadly what you would expect to find in current online games.
The system accepts assets in MilkShape, Wavefront .OBJ and Collada format. When accepted, these are converted into an efficient internal format optimised for streaming. Note that assets cannot be recovered from the worlds in their original formats and so backups must be kept by the user locally. The worlds themselves and their contents are continually persisted.
9. What about AI?
We have spent the last few weeks modifying the engine to accept the AI system. Elements of the system at beta 1 launch use the AI engine and it is our intention to release an AI script editor into the World Builder during the beta program.
10. What are you looking for initially?
Apart from general feedback, we note that our beta testers are spread around the World. At the moment we have servers in the U.K. We will be looking at aspects of performance associated with latency. As we develop, we hope to install servers in other locations. We also would like feedback on different systems and graphics processors.
11. What is your general advice?
Please be patient. We are about to start testing over 200,000 lines of code! We have a long list of enhancements to the system in the pipeline. Some are obvious, some less so and our wish is to work with the community to build a system from which many people will get enjoyment.
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