is being discussed at inside3d atm.

It would basically take existing fixes/features like extended map limits and a number of modder features, plus skybox support etc. and standards for external resources, and bundle those, and declare that TEH STANDARD.

A mapper could then just say, "this map requires a STANDARD compatible engine" instead of "needs some modern engine". There would be a hard target. Hopefully, this would also encourage modders to use more modern features, instead of just targeting GLQuake out of resignation.

In a later step, more could be added like an enhanced BSP format.

Metl, Lord Havoc and others have posted pretty detailed lists of map limits etc. that would have to be increased, and some modder features to include.

More input is needed, like what (mapping, modding) features would you like to see supported, which is why I'm posting this here.

http://forums.inside3d.com/viewtopic.php?t=1903 

It's an interesting idea, and well meant, but imho will come to nothing; for the same reasons the Linux Standard Base came to nothing.

The reasons.. they're not so easy to explain. But, in general, the standard is whatever the majority adopts. Even huge commercial entities/conglomerates like apple (firewire), microsoft (silverlight/bing) and ibm (os2) are generally powerless to change this. It's even harder to achieve with an open code base, where everyone is free to make their own changes on a whim. 

meta
if "they" have an interest for our opinion, they should
- keep the thread on topic
- structure the info. reading 8 pages of unstructured discussion was quite... bleh. Someone needs to collect all the ideas into one post (or a wiki...).
- ask the question here or use a sensible msgboard software (+ and an anon account) :)

stuff
Quakeinjector could use the different standards to automatically choose engines or warn the user. For that, the standard needs to be all or nothing. Either the engine supports every aspect of it, or it doesn't qualify as "supporting engine".

The standard must only ensure compatibility, and not bother with anything else. 

i dropped off my thoughts anyway. if nothing comes of it, that's fine. i didn't bother reading any of the other posts though. 

I remember talking to some #terrafusion folks about why I think the trend towards having no dedicated servers in games and having publishers have the capability to effectively "pull the plug" on your ability to play a specific game online was a horrible horrible thing. Some tried to laugh me off pointing to some of the older games for the original XBOX still being run.

Well, HERE is why my point holds. EA is shutting down online support for 20 of it's games, many of them as recent as being from 2009 and 2008. If you happen to own any of these games or those that were shut off during their previous round of closing over 30 different games last year, I hope you still consider it money well spent. 

this has almost nothing to do with the communication technique. If quake servers weren't communicating with a master server, how would you find them?

Instead, it's all about openness and freedom of software. if ea would release their master server software, users could still play via p2p if they setup the central structure themselves. 

If you happen to own any of these games or those that were shut off during their previous round of closing over 30 different games last year, I hope your last beer bong / joint hasn't stained the box spoiling the chances of taking it back.

. . . though I do own a couple of EA games. 

http://i.imgur.com/7162m.png

Kind of a "yeah, it'll go away when we release a new one, so be prepared to buy the next one when it comes out." 

Jago: did P2P kill your dog or something? jesus you have a 1 track mind. 

The US version of the Sega Saturn port of Quake has another music track. It's B7 from Methods of Destruction by Sonic Mayhem. Here you go:
http://www.quaddicted.com/temp/Quake%20(USA)%20(DW0576)-12.ogg

I'll write some proper post some day. I consider that abandonware whatever semi-legal awesome nostalgia fandom. 

Thanks! 

how did you find that! thanks! ^_^ 

Category: Random, Useless, Wtf, Zwiffle
Theme: Start maps
Timelimit: One weekend (Friday through Sunday)

Lols aside, this could be regarded as a sort of extended speedmapping session, a chance to build a small (or large? think SOA) map with some nice architecture, traps, cleverly hidden Nightmare entrance etc in a short time. Map sources to be included to make it not entirely useless (so people could theoretically use one of the maps for their episodes - or a chainmap). 

That's kind of a cool idea. 

Interesting, but why not just make it a speed map theme? 

I like the idea of the maps being start maps ... unless you mean make "start map" the theme. 

 

Oh sorry, he already said that was the theme. Never mind! 

No no, the idea is to start maps. Finishing them is not a necessary requirement.

Zwiffle: Because that would probably be too little time for proper detail and stuff. 

then the maps shoudn�t have monsters? 

is it a start map with a skill selection, or are we supposed to "start" working on larger maps that will take a normal amount of time to finish? 

I was under the impression we were to make start maps, skill-selection maps. 

I'm now writing this talk about Quake and its history. Didn't someone have some Quake ads from back in the day kicking around somewhere? Actually, any images or information from around the time of Quake's development/release would be great. 

I'm looking for comparison shots between old and new maps/textures, and also just really impressive screenshots (of maps, engines, effects, mods, etc). Links appreciated. 

I have http://planetquake.gamespy.com/View.php?view=POTD.Detail&id=223 in good quality at home. Also some other advertisements.

Also some magazine scans of previews and reviews (if I find those files again...).

For some older "nice engine" screenshots see Tei's best of at http://web.archive.org/web/20071009042232/http://wiki.quakesrc.org/index.php/Engines (bottom).

Kinn's Marcher Fortress or some czg07 are always impressive. But probably not to modern day gamers who are used to huge environments. If you just want to go for the "zomg wow" factor Tenebrae (the doom3ish techdemo level I just cannot find anymore, or Industri), Quake10Year might be something. I have some super sexy screenshot of apsp2 with the Generations Arena enforcer and DP's reflective water somewhere.

Remind me of it!