Plan for Joe Maruschak
by Joe Maruschak · 02/20/2003 (9:09 pm) · 10 comments
ThinTanks
Time for a little update on our gameThinkTanks. We had anticipated being done by now, but prodding from GG forced us to rethink our decision to ship as a multiplayer only game. ThinkTanks will now have a single player component. This addition will only set us back a few weeks as getting the AI working and fun to play with took a lot less time than we had anticipated. At this point the biggest obstacle to finishing is the amount of time we are spending watching the AI fight each other. It is mesmerizing.
We are getting really close and we are beginning the last round of tests to fine tune the tanks, missions, art content, shell and finishing up all the various tasks related to finishing the game.
We will have a build running at the GDC. If you are there, come by the GarageGames booth and say hi to the team and try it out.
The GarageGames Community
I wanted to give a public thanks to everyone for recognizing our contributions to the community. Recent neagtive comments about the release of our content packs was frustrating to us, but the overwhelming support of individuals both here on the GarageGames forums and offline boosted our spirits.
We are committed to helping make this community stong, and through the submission of resources, helping people when we can with problems, and talking about our experiences, we hope to show that we are putting our money where our mouth is.
Hopefully, some of the things we have done and are doing now will help others to see ways to make their dreams a reality. With the release of the content packs, we hope to reduce the barrier to entry to creating a game, giving developers the tools to make games more quickly, to prototype their ideas and attract team members, and to lessen the cost and the time of bringing a finished title to market.
With the impending release of ThinkTanks, we hope to show that releasing an unfunded independent game can be done.
We are collaborating closely with the 21-6 guys, and if you read Justin's plan you can catch a glimpse of how working together can help us all to succeed.
We hope that others will follow our lead and work toward making this community stronger, share their knowledge so that we can all succeed together, and work together to produce sellable product that will bring more $$$ to GarageGames and the GarageGames community. Lets turn the idea of Indie Success into the reality of Indie Success. We are stronger together than apart".
To quote Jay, " We are indie because we want to be, not because we are wannabes".
Joe Maruschak
BraveTree Prodcutions
Time for a little update on our gameThinkTanks. We had anticipated being done by now, but prodding from GG forced us to rethink our decision to ship as a multiplayer only game. ThinkTanks will now have a single player component. This addition will only set us back a few weeks as getting the AI working and fun to play with took a lot less time than we had anticipated. At this point the biggest obstacle to finishing is the amount of time we are spending watching the AI fight each other. It is mesmerizing.
We are getting really close and we are beginning the last round of tests to fine tune the tanks, missions, art content, shell and finishing up all the various tasks related to finishing the game.
We will have a build running at the GDC. If you are there, come by the GarageGames booth and say hi to the team and try it out.
The GarageGames Community
I wanted to give a public thanks to everyone for recognizing our contributions to the community. Recent neagtive comments about the release of our content packs was frustrating to us, but the overwhelming support of individuals both here on the GarageGames forums and offline boosted our spirits.
We are committed to helping make this community stong, and through the submission of resources, helping people when we can with problems, and talking about our experiences, we hope to show that we are putting our money where our mouth is.
Hopefully, some of the things we have done and are doing now will help others to see ways to make their dreams a reality. With the release of the content packs, we hope to reduce the barrier to entry to creating a game, giving developers the tools to make games more quickly, to prototype their ideas and attract team members, and to lessen the cost and the time of bringing a finished title to market.
With the impending release of ThinkTanks, we hope to show that releasing an unfunded independent game can be done.
We are collaborating closely with the 21-6 guys, and if you read Justin's plan you can catch a glimpse of how working together can help us all to succeed.
We hope that others will follow our lead and work toward making this community stronger, share their knowledge so that we can all succeed together, and work together to produce sellable product that will bring more $$$ to GarageGames and the GarageGames community. Lets turn the idea of Indie Success into the reality of Indie Success. We are stronger together than apart".
To quote Jay, " We are indie because we want to be, not because we are wannabes".
Joe Maruschak
BraveTree Prodcutions
About the author
#2
The comments on Multi-player only tends to scare me a bit - Trajectory Zone is pretty much multi-player only (TZ does have a single player mode called Alien Invasion - basically designed as a way for testing the game, and for players to have an offline mode to practice in before getting trounced online.) Similar comments from Dave are makin' me think I might have to redo my strategy, and put bots in (shudder).
02/20/2003 (9:24 pm)
Ignore the negative comments from some people - it's BS in the first place. If someone doesn't like the business model, they can do the work themselves and compete with ya. However, me personally, I'm much more likely to use BraveTree's work - releasin' a game tends to prove ya' know exactly what a game developer is gonna need for the objects to be of value :-) Ignore the f'ers - ya'll have been in the community for quite a while, and 'give back' a lot.The comments on Multi-player only tends to scare me a bit - Trajectory Zone is pretty much multi-player only (TZ does have a single player mode called Alien Invasion - basically designed as a way for testing the game, and for players to have an offline mode to practice in before getting trounced online.) Similar comments from Dave are makin' me think I might have to redo my strategy, and put bots in (shudder).
#3
These practice/training/challenge things can give people something to do offline, and also give them an easy way to practice.
Another thing to condsider, which I admit is not applicable for many games, is having the offline component be more of configuration. Magic: The Gathering (card and PC game) is a good example of this. Offline (or without warm bodies around) you can't play, but you can still mess around with your deck.
02/20/2003 (9:45 pm)
There is something to be said for single-player. One thing people might want to consider if bots are too tough is some sort of practice mode type of thing, challenges of some sort. Like run your vehicle around the course in X time, beat up on some practice dummies, target practice sort of stuff...These practice/training/challenge things can give people something to do offline, and also give them an easy way to practice.
Another thing to condsider, which I admit is not applicable for many games, is having the offline component be more of configuration. Magic: The Gathering (card and PC game) is a good example of this. Offline (or without warm bodies around) you can't play, but you can still mess around with your deck.
#4
Keep up the good work, and looking forward to your continued success!
02/20/2003 (10:11 pm)
As said above, ignore people who complain about you creating products and *gasp* asking for money. Far too many people feel they are entitled to everything for free. The funny thing is, these complainers are the people who also tend to contribute the least..Keep up the good work, and looking forward to your continued success!
#5
Alc
02/21/2003 (12:36 am)
I think the content packs where a great idea. Cheers to you for getting them together and out to the community. It's not like your charging an arm and a leg for them and by getting them from you guys they know they are getting quality. Definately worth it.Alc
#6
Talking about multiplayer and single player - there is something about multiplayer-only games that makes me feel a bit like not getting a "full product".
Maybe it has something to do with the fact that until recent time multiplayer was more like an Addition to the Game. I think that kind of thinking will change and pretty soon, but for now its good to have basic single just to convince those archaic minds (like mine:) that this here is full package :)
Good luck with the game. Do not let bots hypnotise you :D
02/21/2003 (12:36 am)
Indeed, Joe, there are many who think about Brave Tree content packs as an affordable alternative. Those who think otherwise, well they can simply ignore them. It`s not that you spam their mailboxes and beg for buying your products.Talking about multiplayer and single player - there is something about multiplayer-only games that makes me feel a bit like not getting a "full product".
Maybe it has something to do with the fact that until recent time multiplayer was more like an Addition to the Game. I think that kind of thinking will change and pretty soon, but for now its good to have basic single just to convince those archaic minds (like mine:) that this here is full package :)
Good luck with the game. Do not let bots hypnotise you :D
#7
On the subject of single vs. multi, I think games nowadays should focus on both to have a mass appeal. After all, not everyone takes advantage of online play yet, and I know some that dread meeting the common creeps that inhabit many games and drive down the fun for the rest of the players by cheating and harrasing people. But they should be allowed to play a game efficiently enough to enjoy it even if they're alone, and after all, most games focus the single player game to tell the story and have multiplayer for all-around fun, but it depends on the game as well.
Anyways, I offer my sincere thanks to BraveTree and I look forward to ThinkTanks being a great game!
- Chris
02/21/2003 (3:26 am)
You guys have been an inspiration to us all and I hope you stick around with those same goals you mentioned. Teamwork can be a powerful tool, and here at GG it makes for a more reasonable effort when indies gather on a project and I only see that becoming more commonplace as this community grows and becomes more mature.On the subject of single vs. multi, I think games nowadays should focus on both to have a mass appeal. After all, not everyone takes advantage of online play yet, and I know some that dread meeting the common creeps that inhabit many games and drive down the fun for the rest of the players by cheating and harrasing people. But they should be allowed to play a game efficiently enough to enjoy it even if they're alone, and after all, most games focus the single player game to tell the story and have multiplayer for all-around fun, but it depends on the game as well.
Anyways, I offer my sincere thanks to BraveTree and I look forward to ThinkTanks being a great game!
- Chris
#8
Always keep one eye on these guys, before you know it they will be the next gas powered games!!
-Ron
02/21/2003 (5:18 am)
I think the community should look to BraveTree and 21-6 as examples of a working indie concept. They, in a way should be our role models. We should look to them for guidance, advise and learn from their trials and tribulations. If you realy want to make it in the indie community and need an example to follow, look no futher than these two excelent companies.Always keep one eye on these guys, before you know it they will be the next gas powered games!!
-Ron
#9
02/21/2003 (6:50 am)
I'd just like to chime in on the single-player bit -- I'm here at college, and though the network is wonderful, UDP is blocked. So virtually all modern online games are off-limits to me. I'm desperate for some entertainment, but I refuse to plunk down $60 for a retail game when I won't even be able to play its better half. Give me some quality, replayable, single-player action games, and I will beat a path to your door :) 
#10
Let's continue your nice story and bring us your great game and useful content packs.
02/21/2003 (9:27 am)
I agree with Ron comments. Let's continue your nice story and bring us your great game and useful content packs.
Torque Owner Judah Himango