Q3: Team Arena & OS's

PB... good to hear from ya!

Long story short, job requires long hours and "skool" does too... Did I mention the "PC migration" at the Univ. before?

I hope to log on to see the long lost 'Rangers soon...

:)

Anyone who thinks OSX server and OSX consumer are the same thing is highly uninformed (*cough* #21 *cough*)

The fact that OSX consumer runs on Mac hardware is about the only thing that it has in common with previous Mac OS's. And while Apple is going to make the UI as close as possible to previous incarnations, everything else about X will change the face of the Mac as we know it (or don't know it as the case may be).

So forget your old silly prejudices about Mac hardware and software (everyone knows the future of computing will rely on the internet, rather than the OS or hardware, as core hardware and OS's become more and more similar...). OSX is going to make it easier than ever to port games, hell screw porting, developers may begin to use X to write games. That is if Apple steps up and makes the right tools available at the right time (before dev's have to ask that is).

When X is officially released to the public later this summer, the Mac will never be the same again. I personally can't wait. And if OSX offers the gaming performance of Win95 in it's first incarnation, all I can say is bring it on - it won't take 3 years to get better than 98. I'm very excited to see what the id team has been able to do with it up to now, let alone the fact that the next id game will be OSX native *only*. Be afraid of OSX, be very afraid.

Bring on the flames kids...

BeOS? come on id, throw me somethin here . . .

BeOS? come on id, throw me somethin here . . .

Wow, is this multi-OS CD a first in the industry? Never heard of this being done before (like, isn't Linux a different format than Dos, etc.) Cool at anyrate, if I decide to switch to Linux, I don't have to download or bu anything else.

I've been considering writing a letter to id, addressing their upcoming port of Q3 to Dreamcast. I know they are overseeing it and not coding it, but they will still have final say I'm sure. Anyway, here's the core of the letter:
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My only exposure to Q3 retail has been the PC version, but I'm sure the other platforms are very similar. A great deal of of the gaming satisfaction of Q3 comes from playing user-made levels and the mods created in the Q3 community. I assume any technological or gametype enhancements from Team Arena to be included as matter-of-fact in the Dreamcast version, but my question is regarding Dreamcast's Q3 user-expandability issue, specifically, 'how is Dreamcast Q3 going to deal with user-made levels?' Here is my list of questions regarding this issue:

1. Will Dreamcast be able to compete against computer online players? If so, if a computer server is running a user-made level, or mod for that matter, will Dreamcast have an autodownload option, so the Dreamcast player can also participate? Or will the non-standard levels not appear as selectable in the Dreamcast Q3 in-game browser?

2. If Dreamcast players can compete against computer opponents, will this create lag or ping disadvantages for the Dreamcast player?

3. Will the Dreamcast version have a dedicated server mode?

4. If the Dreamcast version is unable to autodownload computer user-made levels, and if there is a dedicated server mode, are there plans to release a 'Dreamcast Q3 SDK', enabling players to use their computer to make Dreamcast-only user-made levels?
---
I feel the full potential of Q3 comes alive when the user-made levels and mods enter the picture. If you agree, disagree, or think a question should be altered or added, let me know. I'm sending this letter out on Monday.

Thanks!

-Lex

Well, i'm unable to back up this info with technical specifics (developers here at work had a "we're gonna explain to you how OS X is different from previous OS's" meeting and it went over most non-developer's heads), but i know some real basic stuff. From what I understand, OS X is a significant enough departure from previous Mac OS's that it can be specifically developed for. I don't think it's *necessary* to develop specifically for it, but there are certain newer and better aspects to it that can be taken advantage of by developers.
Someone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but that's what I think..

Windows is bad for you anyway. In the words of Jeff K.:

"this si good becase Populare
opinion (of course) dictates BILL GATES = FAGOT. he has been monopolizing Lunix for years now, which si
sucks becuase Lunix Torvavlededs is a genuis and he invented teh helicoptar too. VARY intellegent man too,
he has an IQ of 10 / 10 (perfect score). so with microsfot not monopolozing Lunix anymores, that means
Lunix can finally be on computars on ebay too (and watches and Lunix soap). that si vary good, but let us
listen to a counteropinion from Eipic Fagot Clify B!!!"

OS X (ten) is the latest & greatest Macintosh OS. That's probly all you need to know unless you're interested in Macs, but aside from looking all pretty and candy-ish, it's supposed to address the poor memory management inherent in the Mac OS. We'll see =) Anyways, it's being hyped pretty good by Apple, and I think most Mac people are looking forward to it.

Regarding my letter to id, here's a bit of clarification on my question #4:

The Dreamcast SDK would be allow players to make Dreamcast-only levels on a computer, but run through a computer (or if Dreamcast supports such a device, an external CD player) as a dedicated Dreamcast-only level, and only recognized by Dreamcast in-game browsers.

Thanks!

-Lex

35: I don't think that will do much. Not because it isn't a nice letter, but because your concern is one of the biggest concerns people have with the DC version. One of the guys might reply to you if they feel like it, but I'm sure they've heard it. I personally think they'll have those extra levels on the CD, but you'll be stuck with the regular game. It would be very cool if you could add stuff on though.

31, 32: I will not have my children fighting in sTeve's house. You two quiet down. =)

*DinK*

What about BeOS damnit?!?!?? OpenGL is being rewited for R5 and should be out soon!

http://free.be.com

hmmmm
times like these makes me wish i had moderator access


* N U K E D *

24, Shuddap nigger. You're no better calling blacky a fuqer. Take that up your butt.

Thanks!

-Lex

yeah this is a real nice posting by all of you *intelligent* people who have *good* manners.

8,

J004R3-4-W4R3ZMUNK3Y-D0NTP1R-8

IBM's OS, I think. OS/2 Warp? Or maybe it's some crezzy Unix thing.

First Post!
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