Gripe Thread

#21

Quote:All I can say is the end of EA is probably sooner than most would think.

I hope this isn't true since I doubt that the functionlity that everybody talked about can be finished soon.

And taking a certain EA release and simply tagging it as "final" isn't be a good idea. On the other hand, those who know the hopefuly-to-come-features already paid. And it might be a better buisness model to sell those features as "add-ons" to the users.

#22 I'm trying to be careful what I say since it isn't my place to say it, just want to reassure you all.

The end EA is sooner than most would think... but keep in mind GG is very careful about the quality of their products. They will not drop the EA until it is at that level of quality. T2D has been growing rapidly behind the scenes very well :) Rather than release a handful of updated versions it seems they'd rather get the work done and give you a more complete product. Personally I like this better, considering the sooner we get to the final feature set the better and that is a lot sooner than what people probalby think (don't quote me)... its not there yet, but its getting there :) Again not my place to give details.

After its released there still will be updates to T2D, just like TGE.

#23 Melv is a coding maniac, most TGE owners knew this before T2D because of his contributions to TGE. Though now with T2D hes proved himself more than enough times to be a quick, efficient, and stable coder.

Justin is creating those editors like a mad man, they're coming out great too, so the editor front is really looking good.

and I'll be assisting Josh W. with documentation (besides all the other couple handfuls of things hes doing :)...

All in all when GG gives it the ok for a Final Release, it will definately not be given lightly and I haven't given any indication of when, just that if the numbers mentioned ("I'd guess we're talking 12 months+ here.") represent when people think the Final Release will be ready, then its sooner than you think. Rofl ok I'm not normally the one to say the "read between the lines" type of thing, but again I'll repeat this, its not my place to say. Just trying to give you the info you seem to be wanting while reassuring you that things are going better than any of you could probably guess.

EDIT: Ok enough on this from me :)

#24 I am actually quite happy with the state of the engine right now, because I know it is "early adopter" i know that it isnt polished yet, but that is some hella code there... I've spent a good many hours exploring the C++ source for T2D and think it's some crazy code, but crazy code that works.

of course, I am not into "game dev" phase yet, but rather still following the samples... if I was in game phase, maybe there's some issues I would see...

but I actually agree with Joshua about the "This is an early adopter release!"... we know it's not done yet.. we can wish all we want, but hell, I'm glad this engine is in development, and is as refined as it is.. I did a *lot* of research and T2D is still the best i've found for 2D game progamming, even in it's unpolished state...

@Matthew: Anyway, I think (most of) the T2D purchasers are generally "okay" with the product.. it's only a few people stamping their feet.

At least we get a head start on the tech people!

#25 Thanks for the info, King Bob. Working overtime, as usual. :)

Speaking for myself only, I'm not insterested in hurrying up to finish. I'd just like to know when things get done after they're in the code, so I know what's coming and what I may or may not decide to do based on that knowledge. I don't care when it gets done. I just would like to see what's getting done and what has changed about each release. Doesn't matter how soon it's released; I only want information to help me plan decisions.

Imagine a fun forum post like, "Hi gang, the new file format is done. And so are animatable properties!! (That one's for Jason M)." :) Something that simple every couple or few weeks would really make a big difference. No need for a complete roadmap or a timeline or release date. Just keep us updated as things are confirmed to be in the engine after they're done.

That way I won't spend a month building systems that will be duplicated in an update that suddenly appears without any knowledge of what was in it. Or maybe I will choose to spend a month doing it, knowing that it's coming, but at least I can make an informed decision. Knowing what's done and coming may affect decisions of how to design code, etc. This is not a fit of impatience, it's a plea for insight to make better decisions for my games.

Sneak peaks are cool, but they create expectations, and the devs seem to not like to do that, so just give us the info on what is already done.

Ok, now I have to go finish some more games with this great engine.

#26 @Jason's: I'm glad... keeping an attitudes like that you will be pleasently surprised :)

#27 Well, if the isometric code with normally working physics is in that final, I'd be extremely pleasently surprised.
Actually, even fully supported networking would ensure that I'd be very pleasently surprised.
Even support for multiple pointing devices would fill my heart with joy (or has this been implemented already?)

Oh, and just in case that those features aren't (or never have been) on a feature list (not sure here) - all I'm saying is that these features have been discussed and that it was hinted that they might come. And, well, since we don't have an actual roadmap to look at (and thus no idea what final features we can expect) those hints are the features I think will take quite some time, esp. if you want to provide documentation and editors.

#28 Note: these are my personal views and estimations :)

ISO I'm guessing will be later down the line after release, its not in the original feature set (as far as I know) but I know they're considering it in the future (Gian's ISO solution is still brilliant, though it doesn't work with a lot of T2D systems, like physics... a lot would have to be modified to get it in T2D properly. Still think Gian's solution is great though :)

Turn Based Networking will be (hence my latest plan)... fully supported real-time networking on the other hand I do not know (though I know physics create a huge consideration for this). I think that will take longer than expected.

Multiple Pointing Devices should already be there... mouse0 mouse1 :)

#29 Ok :)
Let's see when one of those features is in T2D. And then let's check if I was right with my 12months+ estimation. That's what Jeff T. said on 03/04:
"T2D currently has RPC networking, good for turn based games. Next up is full TNL based networking, but we really need to be careful. Great networking requires much more work on the programmer's part, and part of the appeal of T2D is its ease of use. "

So I guess it was on the list from early on ;)

#30 Yup it is... I only said I don't think ISO is in the feature set. Also the RPC networking needed some tweaking, which should be in the next release, what my plan talks about :)

Your right, the real-time networking was talked about since before T2D was released, though always was said to be a concern due to the physics.

Also the 12+ months I mentioned is going off what you said

"It's an EA and it will stay in this phase for a long time - I'd guess we're talking 12 months+ here."

Not going off of what Jeff said.

#31 Sorry, I thought the first final would contain those features. And since I'm assuming that the implementation of these will take some time, I was guessing that it'll take around a year before the final is ready.
Then you said that the release date might be sooner - and I feared that in this case these features won't make it into this "final". And I was expressing my fear that those features might either never make it into t2d at all, or that they might be turned into an "add-on" creating an additional revenue stream.

I think we all agree that RT networking would be a very cool feature. And since it was advertised from the very beginning, it's a feature I'd expect in the final.
But judging from what you just wrote, I'd say chances are rather slim to get this feature.

#32 Don't take my words either way... especially with RT networking... though even without RT networking T2D could easily be a very stable game engine. If GG were to wait and do RT networking after the final release they would do it an no extra charge... T2D will be like TGE, more updates to come even after the official release :)

Again don't take it from me though, not saying it either way... mainly was just commenting on ISO. Things are going much better in T2D than I thought, so just wanted to relay that same thing back to you.

#33 Keep up the great work guys..

- J