The combat mechanics are going through iteration - some is in prototype, others the underlying math is being updated to more current design pholosophies we've adopted. The "rules" or. Or more accurately, preproduction design has long since been finished. Now as we test things out, we have changed some of those "rules", and I'm sure others will change as well.

As far as contentious aspects of combat related mechanics, contentious is too strong a word. Just a few things I have my eye on which I currently find irksome, but further extensive testing is required before my concerns are either validated or alleviated.

There are some game play rules which have been shelved until we get the combat mechanics fully prototyped. These relate to our Noncombat Powers system. Some of the which has beem a topic of discussion on these forums in the past.

From time to time in the near future we may want to gauge the pulse of our supporters with regards to certain design aspects. But things are rapidly progressing where pieces are coming together.

Reserves is something I've mentioned as needing an update (among a few others). If / when that happens is another matter. My personal preference here is to show it in action rather than explaining it further ;).

I know we need more 3d artists and animators,

Tannim222 wrote:

The combat mechanics are going through iteration - some is in prototype, others the underlying math is being updated to more current design pholosophies we've adopted. The "rules" or. Or more accurately, preproduction design has long since been finished. Now as we test things out, we have changed some of those "rules", and I'm sure others will change as well.
As far as contentious aspects of combat related mechanics, contentious is too strong a word. Just a few things I have my eye on which I currently find irksome, but further extensive testing is required before my concerns are either validated or alleviated.
There are some game play rules which have been shelved until we get the combat mechanics fully prototyped. These relate to our Noncombat Powers system. Some of the which has beem a topic of discussion on these forums in the past.
From time to time in the near future we may want to gauge the pulse of our supporters with regards to certain design aspects. But things are rapidly progressing where pieces are coming together.
Reserves is something I've mentioned as needing an update (among a few others). If / when that happens is another matter. My personal preference here is to show it in action rather than explaining it further ;).
I know we need more 3d artists and animators,

I mean, this almost sounds like very early closed Alpha, right? Artists and Animators, while very important, are the final touch of making things look pretty.

This is damned exciting to hear.

Empyrean wrote:

Tannim222 wrote:
The combat mechanics are going through iteration - some is in prototype, others the underlying math is being updated to more current design pholosophies we've adopted. The "rules" or. Or more accurately, preproduction design has long since been finished. Now as we test things out, we have changed some of those "rules", and I'm sure others will change as well.
As far as contentious aspects of combat related mechanics, contentious is too strong a word. Just a few things I have my eye on which I currently find irksome, but further extensive testing is required before my concerns are either validated or alleviated.
There are some game play rules which have been shelved until we get the combat mechanics fully prototyped. These relate to our Noncombat Powers system. Some of the which has beem a topic of discussion on these forums in the past.
From time to time in the near future we may want to gauge the pulse of our supporters with regards to certain design aspects. But things are rapidly progressing where pieces are coming together.
Reserves is something I've mentioned as needing an update (among a few others). If / when that happens is another matter. My personal preference here is to show it in action rather than explaining it further ;).
I know we need more 3d artists and animators,
I mean, this almost sounds like very early closed Alpha, right? Artists and Animators, while very important, are the final touch of making things look pretty.
This is damned exciting to hear.

In the strictest since, no. For combat we're still prototyping. The traditional case of Alpha is that all your systems are in place, post-prototyped, and you're now refining and hunting down major bugs. Now, the terminilogy is all over the map with how game makers have been giving people early access - some calling it "pre-alpha", some "early alpha" and so on. In many cases I would say these games are giving people access to a "dressed up"'prototype (post gray box) .

When your're still addding systems prior to beta, you're not in allpha - but, I'm rather old school when it comes to this so I might be doing the equivalant of "back in my day..."

Also keep in mind there are different teams working on separate systems. It is when those systems are done prototyping and are hooked together we'll be in more of a true alpha.

Quote:

we could hunt down some more volunteers

Ehhhh... Hunted volunteers are probably not volunteers...