Last month, we announced that the next phase of the beta test is about to start. Since then, we’ve been overwhelmed by the number of requests we’ve received to beta-test. We’ve invited a number of new testers in, but if we’ve missed you then don’t worry - we will continue to invite more testers as the release date draws nearer.
Over the months following the start of the beta test, we’ve continued to listen and monitor discussions and requests related to the game design. We are still quite open to ideas. As we are adding finishing touches and smoothing over any wrinkles the beta testers find, the game comes closer and closer to completion. As it stands we're about 67% through the beta test and we're close to mastering the first 18 missions.
We thought we would take a little time out to explain what we’ve changed, improved and added:
- There are a number of small improvements, some are very subtle but all of them combine to make the game work smoother and faster.
- Music is a wrap. The quality and effort our composers put into the production is to be commended.
- Introducing new ships is always a challenge - a lot of game balancing had to be made to find the right gameplay dynamics.
- We’ve also completely changed the way Saga handles player’s voice - his lines are no longer put through a radio filter to make them sound like they're coming over a low-bandwidth connection. This makes it easier to connect to Sandman and identify the lines which are spoken by “us”.
- We’ve redesigned the in-flight communication system. Everybody has commented on a marked improvement of immersion feeling by now. We’ll go more into detail in one of our upcoming update.
Looking amazing fellas
Was just wondering what was up with you guys lately. Awesome to see you're still going. :D
We are still alive, if that's what you mean. Don't worry, we'll get there. ;)
Looks great so far! I especially LOVE the dynamic shadows on the lower-right screenshot - especially because FSO is FINALLY getting dynamic shadows implemented (see Hard-light.net ) and are incredible.
These are not dynamic shadows (as seen on hard-light.net), what we do have are dynamic light sources.
To be honest I do not expect to see shadows in the original release. First of all, it is very unlikely that the code in question will be ready by the time the game is ready for launch. Secondly, we have entered code freeze a year ago - at this stage of development we are not adding new features to the code unless absolutely necessary. Our aim is to provide a stable, bug free game - after all, we are making it for you.
This looks pretty awesome! I'll be keeping an eye on this.
I came across this by pure chance, and was blown away, how hard.core fans keep the WC alive!
Kudos mates!
Tracked!
You won't be disappointed. :)