The Lands of Arda

Fin · Joined: 20 Feb 2007 Posts: 3

Hey guys,
Was just curious about what kind of time frame you think the new Arda might be built in. Just gettin anxious....

Salith Grinn · Vala Joined: 28 Jan 2007 Posts: 336 Location: Baltimore

still hoping for sometime this summer....right when I think I've escaped long hours at work they pull me back in again.

I'd say most of the areas for our "Phase 1" are complete, but there is still a lot of polish to add, especially in my areas since I haven't done the NPCs or quests yet.

....we may have some kind of semi open/closed beta earlier on....will have to see.
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Lord of the seas and one of the Valar. He is famed for bringing Tuor to Gondolin, and so ultimately bringing about the downfall of Morgoth in the War of Wrath.
-Encyclopedia of Arda: Ulmo

illuminus · Vala Joined: 29 Jan 2007 Posts: 382

We should get a beta test going for the Arda regulars to participate in. That would give folks here something to look forward to and something fun to do together after too long apart. If it is ok for each participant to keep one beta character, that would alleviate the possible "novice area bottleneck" once Arda 2 is ready to go public.

Exavior · Joined: 28 Jan 2007 Posts: 309

I'd happily play test if you guys wanted. Don't even need a starting char after beta finishes Razz

hehe...anyway, I'll keep an eye on the message ting at the top which I usually ignore for months on end!

Salith Grinn · Vala Joined: 28 Jan 2007 Posts: 336 Location: Baltimore

just watch for those Red Dots, and the announcements forum. We are still at least a month out from any beta test though i'm afraid.
_________________
Lord of the seas and one of the Valar. He is famed for bringing Tuor to Gondolin, and so ultimately bringing about the downfall of Morgoth in the War of Wrath.
-Encyclopedia of Arda: Ulmo

Buddhafist69 · Posted: Sat May 05, 2007 12:58 pm Post subject:

Any signs of arda this summer perhaps? Question

Big V · Vala Joined: 28 Jan 2007 Posts: 53 Location: MI

Things are coming together, but please have patience. All of us have our jobs to keep us busy, but building a world really comes in layers. Just to give you an idea of some of the concerns of a finished module:

-item balancing vs mobs, as well as the caster vs warrior debates
-mob balancing vs players (equipment and classes)
-materials and reductions balancing (probably wont even be in phase 1)
-area creation and playtesting for aesthetics/functionality, then tying areas together
-scripting and other unique goodies like camp kits
-vendor balancing and pricing
-custom content decision and implementation, on the model, 2da, and tlk levels
-droplists and encounter difficulty

So as you see, lots. Just know that we are not only going to try to bring everyone an experience as soon as possible, but also a fun, balanced, and polished experience. Nobody wants to jump into a plethora of bugs. Playtesting and beta testing will be there but if there are any bugs we notice, we want them ironed out before they even have to be reported.

In the words of the Devs of a NwN1 PW (Neversummer):

Soon... Smile

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Tagnar · Joined: 28 Jan 2007 Posts: 28

nooooo, plz plz don't start that Nevesummer "soon"...it was enough to drive me insane back then Laughing

Salith Grinn · Vala Joined: 28 Jan 2007 Posts: 336 Location: Baltimore

ok then "not soon"
_________________
Lord of the seas and one of the Valar. He is famed for bringing Tuor to Gondolin, and so ultimately bringing about the downfall of Morgoth in the War of Wrath.
-Encyclopedia of Arda: Ulmo

Tagnar · Joined: 28 Jan 2007 Posts: 28

bah, okay...the "soon" was more than good Very Happy

Salith Grinn · Vala Joined: 28 Jan 2007 Posts: 336 Location: Baltimore

truth is i think the bulk of the work for our first phase is done. nearly all our areas are created and "playable". I am working on a hand full of quests and I know work is being done on items (with a LOT left to do).

Unfortunately it takes me a few hours to put a quest together that many will probably ignore, and those who dont will complete them in a fraction of the time it takes to make them...

then there is still a long list of little things to add that make arda special....not to mention all the tweaking it will take to balance things like BigV mentioned above.

I think originally I said expect it by summer...well it might be more like mid-late summer, but we will see
_________________
Lord of the seas and one of the Valar. He is famed for bringing Tuor to Gondolin, and so ultimately bringing about the downfall of Morgoth in the War of Wrath.
-Encyclopedia of Arda: Ulmo

illuminus · Vala Joined: 29 Jan 2007 Posts: 382

My portion of phase 1 areas are all built and stocked now. From what I can tell, we should be positioned for a beta test in about a week.

Salith Grinn · Vala Joined: 28 Jan 2007 Posts: 336 Location: Baltimore

a week is far too optimistic, there is a lot to do before the mod is ready for outside testing, I'd say we'll re-evaluate progress after the long weekend of memorial day
_________________
Lord of the seas and one of the Valar. He is famed for bringing Tuor to Gondolin, and so ultimately bringing about the downfall of Morgoth in the War of Wrath.
-Encyclopedia of Arda: Ulmo