Warscale 31 - GuiSceneView and heavy Rant.
by Guimo · 12/29/2008 (3:18 pm) · 5 comments
Hi everybody reading this series!
Heavy and serious rant
This is a heavy and long section. Feel free to skip it all.
I hope you've had a great xmas with your family as I did with mine. Being far away from home makes you understand that your family, parents, brothers, uncles, cousins and friends are the most important thing in your life. At least for me it was a mix of feelings. I was thankful for my wife and son having a good health, thankful because my wife got this amazing job with a big company (which means now I can put more resources to Warscale), thankful because my parents and brothers are in good health and fortunately in a months my brother will have his second daugther.
On the other hand I got very bad news about a really close friend, he got a really bad gambling problem which costed him his marriage, his job and has damaged a lot of people around him. Im really sad for him as he is a very very close friend, he is my son godfather and after 20 years my wife and I considered him almost a brother and part of our family. We have tried to help his family economically and will keep supporting him on his therapy as long as we can but we are talking about a ridiculously huge ammount of money. He is lucky Im not there to be with him right now or I would kick his out of him.
I really feel relieved for not accepting this job on a gaming company even when they offered me more than my current job. Thinking myself as part of an industry that destroyed my friends life would have destroyed myself too.
That makes me wonder about the thin line between Game and Gaming (not necesarrily gambling). When does a game turns into a vice and starts destroying a person and families? When do people starts betting all his hard earned and live in anguish the rest of the month? When do people gets into a game so much they just wont understand their families need them?
When I read the news where somebody dies after gaming for 3 days playing an RTS/FPS/MMORPG and drinking enough caffeine to kill a horse. Or when people wont get out of their houses for a breath of fresh air because they are leveling-up. Or when an 8 year old is found with a knife and the list of the people we was going to kill. Or when a guy kills a taxi driver with a knife because he wanted to see if it was he same as in the game. Its not fun at all.
Its easy to create a game and then clean our hands under the excuse that those are cases of people which are mentally unstable. The problem is that many games try exactly to do that. We try to create a game which is the next hit and draw the attention of the players for long periods of time. And of course in that case, from time to time you will get somebody who loves your game so much that will try to imitate your game hero and goes into a killing frenzy. Fanboys they are called, and unlike the monsters in your game they are real.
Just make you this question. Say one day you create a game which is a real hit and everybody buys it and you get tons of money. Suddenly one day the media says it was the reason for somebody to harm people in the real world. How would you feel about that? Is money a justification for a life?
Of course morality varies and each one of you will answer this question in a different way. But if you are like me I really dont think you could live with that. I guess everybody here is a programmer and that means you are a creator and that means you like to build things and I really dont think you want to see people relate your creation to a destruction act.
I really dont think playing Mario Bros, Zelda, Chess, Scrabble, Soccer, Katamari Damacy, Force Unleashed, Rock band, Lips, Shrek or lots of other games will make somebody to kill themselves or other people. But I do think some games (and I wont give names) try to recreate reality so much that they may potentially affect somebody. Dont get me wrong. I love games and game programming but only now I understand that this is also a responsability.
So please, when you start designing your next game, level or anything, just stop for five minutes and think if this game may somehow negatively affect somebody whose brain is just developing or maybe somebody who is already unstable. And if you consider there is but the slightest chance of somebody loving your game so much that he may try to recreate the cool scene where you throw a grenade inside a lift full of zombies and destroy them then please, please, try and replan your game because you dont know if somebody, some day, will try to recreate that same scene but with real people.
But if your game need to be realistic, then at least add a disclaimer saying something like - This is a game. The scenes are fictional. Dont try to do it at home - or somethign like that.
Also, I may try to recommend you to keep a timer and if the game has been on for a long time, show some messages increasingly suggesting the player to stop and take a walk, a shower, some sleep or maybe even shut down the game or preventing save games. That way, if you hear in the news somebody dies after 7 days in a row of playing your game then at least you did something to prevent it.
And I beg to you, keep away from programming gambling games or joining a company related to this business. It destroys people every day. They may pay nice salaries, even higher than game programming companies, but its really not worth it.
What was planned
Green Ear integration
I really dont see the point of implementing this right now. The game is stable and working fine with it internal IM. I have moved it to the Alpha to Beta stage.
Improved GuiObjectView
One of the things I loved from Warcraft was the aimated 3D backgrounds behind the menues. Those were simple scenes with some additional objects loaded like a character, a banner, a tree or something like that. I really wanted that but the original objectview from Torque was really limited.
So, I decided to rewrite all the object. I respected the original structure but refactored all the classes and objects, added transformations, scales, light control, world rotation and lots of other things. So, let me introduce to the GuiSceneView.
Features
Multiple skins - Allows you to setup the texture by using the SetSkinName method. It can handle skin groups.
Mesh hiding - Allows to turn on and off portions of the models.
Mounting node selection - Allows to select the point to be used on the object as a mounting point. Preoviously it only considered the origin.
Scaling - Any object can be scaled, even mounted ones.
Transformation - You can use SetTransform with any object meaning you can rotate and translate any object, even mounted ones.
Multiple base objects - You can load multiple objects at the same time allowing for complex scenes.
Increased object count - Allows for up to 128 loaded objects.
Camera Rotation - When dragging the mouse, the camera will rotate around the central point.
World Rotation - When dragging the mouse, the world will rotate, lights and camera will stay put. Nice for lighting effects.
I was originally planning to implement particle systems and I have it almost finished. But I noticed I can create the effect I wanted but without the particles so I will leave this out for now.
Now... I intended to give this control away for free but I really want to help my friend so I will resort ot this. I dont know if GarageGames would be interested in selling this control for a really low ammount (I was thinking $20) or if you, as a programmer, would be interested. This is TGE 1.5.2 only but I think I could do the same modifications to the TGEA one if you feel more interest on it.
What wasnt planned
Dedicated servers
As I commented once... I have a laptop whose video card is dead and will only take the basic windows drivers. This allows the laptop to work but prevents it to run any 3D app or run Torque. So, I decided to fix the servers to run in dedicated mode only so no graphics are loaded. Warscale servers are a very specific solution so this was a very specific adjustment too, it is not just to run it as a -dedicated mode. The good news is that after the conversion the servers are running at least at 10x the speed. It is really blazingly fast really. And the best parti is that I can use this laptop which is decently powerful (dual core processor, 2GB Ram) as the game server and its the perfect excuse to negotiate buying a new laptop with my wife :)
Screenshot!
This screenshot shows the control loading 3 creatures. Each one has its own mounted objects and their own animations. I need a nice 3D background in order to get rid of the back image.
Alpha almost finished!
With this last control, I have almost finished all the alpha version. I need to polish and remove some bugs but everything in my checklist is finished. I guess I will be able to announce Alpha in the expected date.
Heavy and serious rant
This is a heavy and long section. Feel free to skip it all.
I hope you've had a great xmas with your family as I did with mine. Being far away from home makes you understand that your family, parents, brothers, uncles, cousins and friends are the most important thing in your life. At least for me it was a mix of feelings. I was thankful for my wife and son having a good health, thankful because my wife got this amazing job with a big company (which means now I can put more resources to Warscale), thankful because my parents and brothers are in good health and fortunately in a months my brother will have his second daugther.
On the other hand I got very bad news about a really close friend, he got a really bad gambling problem which costed him his marriage, his job and has damaged a lot of people around him. Im really sad for him as he is a very very close friend, he is my son godfather and after 20 years my wife and I considered him almost a brother and part of our family. We have tried to help his family economically and will keep supporting him on his therapy as long as we can but we are talking about a ridiculously huge ammount of money. He is lucky Im not there to be with him right now or I would kick his
I really feel relieved for not accepting this job on a gaming company even when they offered me more than my current job. Thinking myself as part of an industry that destroyed my friends life would have destroyed myself too.
That makes me wonder about the thin line between Game and Gaming (not necesarrily gambling). When does a game turns into a vice and starts destroying a person and families? When do people starts betting all his hard earned and live in anguish the rest of the month? When do people gets into a game so much they just wont understand their families need them?
When I read the news where somebody dies after gaming for 3 days playing an RTS/FPS/MMORPG and drinking enough caffeine to kill a horse. Or when people wont get out of their houses for a breath of fresh air because they are leveling-up. Or when an 8 year old is found with a knife and the list of the people we was going to kill. Or when a guy kills a taxi driver with a knife because he wanted to see if it was he same as in the game. Its not fun at all.
Its easy to create a game and then clean our hands under the excuse that those are cases of people which are mentally unstable. The problem is that many games try exactly to do that. We try to create a game which is the next hit and draw the attention of the players for long periods of time. And of course in that case, from time to time you will get somebody who loves your game so much that will try to imitate your game hero and goes into a killing frenzy. Fanboys they are called, and unlike the monsters in your game they are real.
Just make you this question. Say one day you create a game which is a real hit and everybody buys it and you get tons of money. Suddenly one day the media says it was the reason for somebody to harm people in the real world. How would you feel about that? Is money a justification for a life?
Of course morality varies and each one of you will answer this question in a different way. But if you are like me I really dont think you could live with that. I guess everybody here is a programmer and that means you are a creator and that means you like to build things and I really dont think you want to see people relate your creation to a destruction act.
I really dont think playing Mario Bros, Zelda, Chess, Scrabble, Soccer, Katamari Damacy, Force Unleashed, Rock band, Lips, Shrek or lots of other games will make somebody to kill themselves or other people. But I do think some games (and I wont give names) try to recreate reality so much that they may potentially affect somebody. Dont get me wrong. I love games and game programming but only now I understand that this is also a responsability.
So please, when you start designing your next game, level or anything, just stop for five minutes and think if this game may somehow negatively affect somebody whose brain is just developing or maybe somebody who is already unstable. And if you consider there is but the slightest chance of somebody loving your game so much that he may try to recreate the cool scene where you throw a grenade inside a lift full of zombies and destroy them then please, please, try and replan your game because you dont know if somebody, some day, will try to recreate that same scene but with real people.
But if your game need to be realistic, then at least add a disclaimer saying something like - This is a game. The scenes are fictional. Dont try to do it at home - or somethign like that.
Also, I may try to recommend you to keep a timer and if the game has been on for a long time, show some messages increasingly suggesting the player to stop and take a walk, a shower, some sleep or maybe even shut down the game or preventing save games. That way, if you hear in the news somebody dies after 7 days in a row of playing your game then at least you did something to prevent it.
And I beg to you, keep away from programming gambling games or joining a company related to this business. It destroys people every day. They may pay nice salaries, even higher than game programming companies, but its really not worth it.
What was planned
Green Ear integration
I really dont see the point of implementing this right now. The game is stable and working fine with it internal IM. I have moved it to the Alpha to Beta stage.
Improved GuiObjectView
One of the things I loved from Warcraft was the aimated 3D backgrounds behind the menues. Those were simple scenes with some additional objects loaded like a character, a banner, a tree or something like that. I really wanted that but the original objectview from Torque was really limited.
So, I decided to rewrite all the object. I respected the original structure but refactored all the classes and objects, added transformations, scales, light control, world rotation and lots of other things. So, let me introduce to the GuiSceneView.
Features
Multiple skins - Allows you to setup the texture by using the SetSkinName method. It can handle skin groups.
Mesh hiding - Allows to turn on and off portions of the models.
Mounting node selection - Allows to select the point to be used on the object as a mounting point. Preoviously it only considered the origin.
Scaling - Any object can be scaled, even mounted ones.
Transformation - You can use SetTransform with any object meaning you can rotate and translate any object, even mounted ones.
Multiple base objects - You can load multiple objects at the same time allowing for complex scenes.
Increased object count - Allows for up to 128 loaded objects.
Camera Rotation - When dragging the mouse, the camera will rotate around the central point.
World Rotation - When dragging the mouse, the world will rotate, lights and camera will stay put. Nice for lighting effects.
I was originally planning to implement particle systems and I have it almost finished. But I noticed I can create the effect I wanted but without the particles so I will leave this out for now.
Now... I intended to give this control away for free but I really want to help my friend so I will resort ot this. I dont know if GarageGames would be interested in selling this control for a really low ammount (I was thinking $20) or if you, as a programmer, would be interested. This is TGE 1.5.2 only but I think I could do the same modifications to the TGEA one if you feel more interest on it.
What wasnt planned
Dedicated servers
As I commented once... I have a laptop whose video card is dead and will only take the basic windows drivers. This allows the laptop to work but prevents it to run any 3D app or run Torque. So, I decided to fix the servers to run in dedicated mode only so no graphics are loaded. Warscale servers are a very specific solution so this was a very specific adjustment too, it is not just to run it as a -dedicated mode. The good news is that after the conversion the servers are running at least at 10x the speed. It is really blazingly fast really. And the best parti is that I can use this laptop which is decently powerful (dual core processor, 2GB Ram) as the game server and its the perfect excuse to negotiate buying a new laptop with my wife :)
Screenshot!
This screenshot shows the control loading 3 creatures. Each one has its own mounted objects and their own animations. I need a nice 3D background in order to get rid of the back image.
Alpha almost finished!
With this last control, I have almost finished all the alpha version. I need to polish and remove some bugs but everything in my checklist is finished. I guess I will be able to announce Alpha in the expected date.
#2
I dont believe that something done with love, even a game of pure killing and violence (although cant imagine such a game as a result of a meditated and enjoyed process), could ever do harm to anyone.
You see, I dont believe at all on the connection between games and harm. Or better said, in a world where profit is undisputedly more important than life (human or any other kind), to connect the dots between a game and a broken mind (or a broken spirit) seems arbitrary to me. There is a *much* wider context.
Ok, lets step back a bit to help express myself more clearly: World of Warcraft, is adictive, not as rethoric, but in plain psicological terms; the process is rather simple, time vs [fake]reward, but that is better explained by specialized people, so lets leave that. The real questions are: it is an emergent issue, or a meticulous search for a mega hit, with zero morality?
Whatever the answers be, the *Main* question always remains the same: in what kind of world, a human beeing at any age is so lonely, so alienated and so in need of brutal escapism, that is capable of dying or killing in the name of... a computer screen?
I specially agree with you in this: we need a sense of morality, or this industry will keep beeing just another arm of the monster, carrying us with it to the abyss. However, the morality cant be the proposed for the very system, but something more primitive and simple: "Am I doing this with love?".
Anything decorating that answer will prove itself futile... even the old con: "I want to live of what I love to do"... which basically means, Im prepaired to sacrifice part of what I love, if I can get money of it. Maybe we should reconsider it.
You would like what Jonathan Blow has to said about it.
Go figure, the modern [Indie]game developers are also philosophers! ...maybe that sould always be like that.
Happy New Year mate!
12/29/2008 (5:01 pm)
Im sorry for your friend. I understand your distresses, however dont feel like its in your shoulders as a friend, or as a game developer; I think you are a bit misguided in your reasoning right now.I dont believe that something done with love, even a game of pure killing and violence (although cant imagine such a game as a result of a meditated and enjoyed process), could ever do harm to anyone.
You see, I dont believe at all on the connection between games and harm. Or better said, in a world where profit is undisputedly more important than life (human or any other kind), to connect the dots between a game and a broken mind (or a broken spirit) seems arbitrary to me. There is a *much* wider context.
Ok, lets step back a bit to help express myself more clearly: World of Warcraft, is adictive, not as rethoric, but in plain psicological terms; the process is rather simple, time vs [fake]reward, but that is better explained by specialized people, so lets leave that. The real questions are: it is an emergent issue, or a meticulous search for a mega hit, with zero morality?
Whatever the answers be, the *Main* question always remains the same: in what kind of world, a human beeing at any age is so lonely, so alienated and so in need of brutal escapism, that is capable of dying or killing in the name of... a computer screen?
I specially agree with you in this: we need a sense of morality, or this industry will keep beeing just another arm of the monster, carrying us with it to the abyss. However, the morality cant be the proposed for the very system, but something more primitive and simple: "Am I doing this with love?".
Anything decorating that answer will prove itself futile... even the old con: "I want to live of what I love to do"... which basically means, Im prepaired to sacrifice part of what I love, if I can get money of it. Maybe we should reconsider it.
You would like what Jonathan Blow has to said about it.
Go figure, the modern [Indie]game developers are also philosophers! ...maybe that sould always be like that.
Happy New Year mate!
#3
We (me and my wife) think the same way you do. Unfortunately the case is complicated and he just cannot declare bankruptcy. Im trying to do this not to help him directly but others which have also been affected. This is the worst error on his life so even with this help (which will be minimal) he still will have a lot of problems to solve just by himself. Im not trying to solve his problem... just to lessen it for him.
@Novack
I think every Indie developer does it with love. I like my game and try to put all my effort into it. I just mentioned some small things that maybe we can do just to draw a line between a indie game and the monster as you mention it. Maybe big companies just doesnt care about people, only about money. But thats just something where we, as indies, can be just different. Im not saying not to do it, just think about your players.
Luck to all!
Guimo
12/29/2008 (5:39 pm)
@RandyWe (me and my wife) think the same way you do. Unfortunately the case is complicated and he just cannot declare bankruptcy. Im trying to do this not to help him directly but others which have also been affected. This is the worst error on his life so even with this help (which will be minimal) he still will have a lot of problems to solve just by himself. Im not trying to solve his problem... just to lessen it for him.
@Novack
I think every Indie developer does it with love. I like my game and try to put all my effort into it. I just mentioned some small things that maybe we can do just to draw a line between a indie game and the monster as you mention it. Maybe big companies just doesnt care about people, only about money. But thats just something where we, as indies, can be just different. Im not saying not to do it, just think about your players.
Luck to all!
Guimo
#4
BTW.,... Game looks good.. Keep it up:)
12/29/2008 (5:50 pm)
Understand... And hope it all works out...for everyone..BTW.,... Game looks good.. Keep it up:)
#5
Still, game playing is bad for a number of reasons:
Waste of Time
-------------------
Yeah, game playing is a vice of sorts. It does take time away from "real life" and being productive. But its not really too much of a waste of money, unless you stop going to work (or school) to stay home and play games. What did I ever get out of playing games? Well the whole FPS genre has convinced me to stay away from armed conflict at all costs.
Violence
-----------------
I think there is a clear line between real life violence and game violence. I think bad people use TV, movies, books and games as an excuse for their violent behavior. If they did not have these excuses they would use the old saying "the devil made me do it." These people are simply bad people and are looking for a way to shift the blame and avoid responsibility for their own evil actions.
If anything, game violence has taught me its best to avoid real life violence. I die really fast in the video game world.
Addiction
-----------------
Yep its real. People do get addicted to game playing. We can be addicted to anything. Gambling, smoking, drinking, drugs, playing games, sex, procrastination or anything else that brings you momentary satisfaction in life. Of all these I say that game playing has the least negative impact on your health an finances. Its also probably the easiest addiction to break, just uninstall the games... Again its not the thing that causes the addiction, its the addict that has something wrong that needs to be fixed. when 92% of the population can play games and not be addicted ... I'd say there is nothing wrong with games.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_game_addiction
You tube game addiction documentary
...
12/30/2008 (12:39 am)
Guimo, seems like you have several thoughts here. I'd like to post my thoughts about your thoughts. But, I'd like to focus on game playing rather than gambling. I think we can all agree a gambling addiction is far more serious and can quickly ruin a person financially.Still, game playing is bad for a number of reasons:
Waste of Time
-------------------
Yeah, game playing is a vice of sorts. It does take time away from "real life" and being productive. But its not really too much of a waste of money, unless you stop going to work (or school) to stay home and play games. What did I ever get out of playing games? Well the whole FPS genre has convinced me to stay away from armed conflict at all costs.
Violence
-----------------
I think there is a clear line between real life violence and game violence. I think bad people use TV, movies, books and games as an excuse for their violent behavior. If they did not have these excuses they would use the old saying "the devil made me do it." These people are simply bad people and are looking for a way to shift the blame and avoid responsibility for their own evil actions.
If anything, game violence has taught me its best to avoid real life violence. I die really fast in the video game world.
Addiction
-----------------
Yep its real. People do get addicted to game playing. We can be addicted to anything. Gambling, smoking, drinking, drugs, playing games, sex, procrastination or anything else that brings you momentary satisfaction in life. Of all these I say that game playing has the least negative impact on your health an finances. Its also probably the easiest addiction to break, just uninstall the games... Again its not the thing that causes the addiction, its the addict that has something wrong that needs to be fixed. when 92% of the population can play games and not be addicted ... I'd say there is nothing wrong with games.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_game_addiction
You tube game addiction documentary
...
Torque Owner Randy Hearn (Magnum)
Default Studio Name
Although I understand what you are saying, I have to disagree with the delivery method. Everybody is responsible for their own actions. If I took your position, I would not be a firearms instructor for fear that someone I teach to shoot a gun, will kill someone.
From someone who has gone through a similar situation with a friend. The best therapy you can give him, is NOT help him pay his bills. Let him file bankruptcy get it over and move on. If not, he will do it again, and think his friends will be there to bail him out again. Just make sure you keep in touch so he does not take more drastic steps and learn the warning signs.