News - ModBlog

21 comments by INtense! on Apr 23rd, 2008 digg this super bookmark

After a few weeks work, the brand spanking new Mod DB forums have just been rolled out along with plenty of other changes which should benefit many of the sites visitors. Here is a quick rundown of the new forum features:

• New categories. We have opened a number of new forums covering coding, modelling, mapping, 2d art etc - so you can discuss detailed development stuff and show off your work
• In-place searching. Don't jump back and forth finding threads and posts. The Mod DB forums allow you to search where you are and what you want
• Favorites. In a few weeks Mod DB forums will be available to all mod teams, games, groups and more for them to include in their profiles and their own site should they wish. Best of all you can favorite the boards which interest you and quickly access them when browsing any forum on the site
• Track threads read. Mod DB now lets you know exactly which threads you have and haven't read, how many new posts their are and takes you straight to them.
• WYSIWYG editor. You can now quickly format your posts, adding quotes, the all new spoiler tag, code, images and videos (from your Mod DB galleries) and tons more quickly and easily
• AJAX features. Edit your post without leaving the page, preview your post - everything is quick and AJAXified
• New design. It's simple, its easy, its hot

There is plenty more to come, but the key change which we hope will make a massive difference on this site as we focus more on assisting mod teams with the development process, is the introduction of the new [-code-] tag, which supports 39 programming languages from html and c++ right through to unrealscript. I have included an unrealscript demo below:

We hope the introduction of the code tag leads to far more detailed tutorials and coding development on the site, as you can guarantee it will be highlighted, indented and easy to read. So if you were thinking of adding a tutorial, nows the time.

72 comments by stenchy on Apr 4th, 2008 digg this super bookmark

In the world of digital distribution on the PC platform, Steam is king. With over 15 million users and growing, Steam provides gamers with a robust selection of games they can pull down off the internet without leaving their chair. Add to this achievement awards, integrated server browsers, friend lists along with other community features and you have a service that has yet to be rivaled in the PC domain. With both independent and AAA developers clamouring to hop on-board the Steam train (yes, I went there), it seems Steam is the end all and be all of digitally distributed games (and possibly other entertainment as well) on the PC. It's hard to think of the PC game world without Steam, but what about beyond it? Here's a couple of options that could prove to be contenders in the near future:

Impulse

Impulse is Stardock's (Sins of the Solar Empire, Galactic Civilizations II) new digital distribution platform currently in beta. Impulse will not only serve as a digital hub for PC games but also serve desktop enhancements and other Windows utility programs, effectively collating all of Stardock's products into one place. Those who want to test drive the new digital storefront can do so by downloading the latest beta preview of Impulse. Given Stardock's success on the aforementioned titles — both without the use of aggravating DRM technologies — and keen business acumen contrary to the cries of many other developers, it will be interesting to see how they integrate their own Secure Software Delivery technology.

Greenhouse

Greenhouse is another digital distribution platform in beta that's the brainchild of Vancouver-based Hothead Games and the guys behind the popular webcomic Penny Arcade. While partnering together in the development of their game, On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, they realized the need for their own platform to distribution their game on, says Mike Krahulik (Gabe) of Penny Arcade,

We developed Greenhouse along with Hothead originally because we needed a way to deliver our game to you guys. What we needed was a platform agnostic digital [distribution] portal. Once it was done we realised that it could actually be super useful to other independent developers. At first Greenhouse will be the place to get our game but eventually we'd like to use it as a way of promoting great independent games that might otherwise slide under the radar.

Precipice will be the first game featured on the service and all other subsequent games are to be hand-picked Mike Krahulik and Jerry Holkins of Penny Arcade. This service could prove to give small, independent developers a commercial foothold while at the same time promoting the the diversity and creative flair that independent projects exhibit.

Overall, it's great to have a service like Steam spearheading the movement to digital distribution for PC games. It's my hope though, that some healthy competition is introduced to keep the guys at Valve honest because as great as Steam is - if no one else comes along - it's only a matter of time until they want a bigger piece of the pie (*ahem*).

54 comments by INtense! on Apr 1st, 2008 digg this super bookmark

Our indie game and mod development mantra "creativity is KEY" is something we have held close to our heart at ModDB.com for many years now, but have never officially discussed. In 2008 we are hell bent on changing this as we set out to celebrate innovation in mod and indie game titles. We are seeking titles that push the boundaries and try something different - commemorating the rise of sims mods and the growing popularity of anime themed titles.

We cannot hide our love of the companion cube and everything it and Portal stands for (simplicity, creativity and fun) any longer. This title begun its days as the basic indie game Nebacular Drop only to become something so much more. We won't shoot you companion cube.

This is why we have decided to mix things up in 2008 and celebrate what we are now officially naming YOMIL "Year of Mod & Indie Love". To show we are serious, we have ditched the sites default *boring red* theme and replaced it with something much more pink and nice. If the new theme looks messed up - do a CTRL-F5 to refresh your browsers cache. Enjoy ~ Mod DB crew.

11 comments by stenchy on Mar 28th, 2008 digg this super bookmark

I'm taking the time to post this excerpt from the latest ModDB newsletter (what, you mean you haven't subscribed yet?) to highlight some of the great work put into recent media releases. While these posts aren't perfect, they definitely set the standard for the kind of content that is effective in attracting attention. Mod teams looking to achieve the same effect should take into account not only the quality of the media, but the accompanying text and overall formatting as well.

18 comments by stenchy on Mar 17th, 2008 digg this super bookmark

In our next episode, we'll break away from the Half Life 2 modding scene for a bit and will be spending some time with the developers of the popular Company of Heroes/Opposing Fronts mod: Europe in Ruins. Here's an excerpt from the Editor's Choice 2007 awards for those who aren't familiar with the mod:

Europe in Ruins

(Company of Heroes, Multiplayer)
Company of Heroes won many awards for being the best of the RTS breed in 2006. While it was officially declared that Company of Heroes Online would only be delivered to China, (any word if it made it there yet?) fans took matters into their own hands and started Europe in Ruins. Europe in Ruins adds persistence to the army you control as you fight battles that decide an overall outcome. Veteran units that stay alive stay with your forces can be summoned in future battles. This places even more value on your units and strategies through discouraging hopelessly desperate rushes. While still early in development, Europe in Ruins now supports the expansion pack for Company of Heroes, Opposing Forces, and plans to include war-maps to track the progress of your side's campaign. For RTS nuts looking to add life to an already amazing game, Europe in Ruins should be a top choice.

We're still experimenting with the flow and structure of the Modcast to find how to best present these interviews and our discussions to all of you guys. This next episode will hopefully be a bit more focused and shorter in length.

Also, if you have any questions for the developers of Europe in Ruins, post them in the comments and we'll try to get to them during the interview. Stay tuned!