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Alien Crossfire Chat with Tim Train and Greg Foertsch Sunday, October 24 1999 [NotLikeTea] What IS the "Churn", anyways? :) [Bill3000] Why were the Graphics made in .pcx format and not a simplier form, such as .bmp or .gif format? [GregF] huh? [NotLikeTea] "The Churn" from the SMAC-X stories... [Bkeela] for Tim, why isn't it possible to pick and choose who you play with in SMAC-X, much the same way as we can choose who to play in Civ II? (i do understand that you have to play both Alien Factions in any game with them) by the way, thanks for taking the time to chat with us Tim and GregF, and thanks for organising it MarkG and Dan [GregF] pcx is actually the simplist. [gooeyblob] lol [Tim] Whoa there, guys! [Bill3000] oh [tfs99] thanks for answering e-mail so quickly Tim =) [Emetri] Has the question: Which of the new factions is the strongest, and which is the weakest -- has that been answered? (I just joined recently.) [Tim] Churn: you'll have to keep tuning in! Thanks to Mike Ely for a great webstory on both games, BTW (done) [Dan] A transcript of this chat will be made available from Apolyton CS in a few days. seems to care if you're ready or not :) ) [Dan] We cannot stress that enough. Civ II, each faction [Tim] had another faction that shared its color... [Tim] so you couldn't play two factions of the same color in the game) as .bmp or .gif format? marginalized. [Tim] The aliens work like so: if you request the aliens in the game and you have any slot set to random, and Dan altered that at all? [Tim] one of the random slots will give you an alien. This is for playbalance--just one alien in the game would run rampant over the other players. [NotLikeTea] (Not using airpower? I wish! :) [GregF] pcx is actually the simplist. [Tim] If you force only one alien in the game, (no random slots) then you can play with only one alien. (done) [Bill3000] Will there be any new chasises? [gooeyblob] they don`t attack my bases when i have AAA even if they have 20 needlejets! [Tim] Emetri: Strongest is either alien. [Tim] Others are pretty well balanced with the originals, so I'd be hard pressed to pick a weak one. We trie [Tim] tried to make all of them balanced--if I thought one was weak, I'd have added some powers! (done) [LamprosWC] If you don't mind being put on the spot, when you earlier said "[Tim] I knew this was coming...", what were you expecting us to ask? (It was about multiplay, I believe) [LamprosWC] (ignore this is you've already got questions to answer, I'm not trying to bombard you) [Bill3000] I asked this - Will there be any new chasises? [Tim] Bill3k: No new chassis for SMACX. Sorry! We added something in just about every category BUT that... (done) [Avarice] Could you tell us a little bit about the Lost Terraforming Society? Why didn't they make the cut? [NotLikeTea] (Battle Ogres are ALMOST a new chassis.. not customizable, though :) [Bill3000] How about Social Engineering? Anything new? [LamprosWC] Hey Greg, would you object if I asked you a question while Tim is dealing with the bombardment? [Tim] Avarice: Well, we liked so much of the other factions better! The Lost Terraformers never really got off the ground, but [GregF] no [Avarice] No new social engineering. [GregF] go ahead [tfs99] Did you consider having a faction based upon Yin26? [jeff] So are the Battle Ogres one of the things that the aliens can find in Unity pods only, or is there another way to obtain one? [LamprosWC] Any suggestions for someone trying to get a start as an artist? [LamprosWC] or maybe just be a hobbyist and have some fun? [Tim] we were thinking terraform bonuses and Free Recycling Tanks (done) [Avarice] Cool, thanks Tim. [Tim] Avarice: we don't have any room to put any new social engineering effects on that screen! Wait until Civ III though... (done) [Tim] Not Yin26, but I'll tell ya that [Tim] I still LOVE the name Imran Siddiqui for a faction leader... (done) [Bill3000] LOL! [jeff] Needless to say everyone with is looking forward to Civ III [NotLikeTea] Any chance of new Firaxis designed factions (maybe based on a fan contest) being available for download in the future? Or will we have to wait for SMAC-X-X :) [MarkG] ir extra art? Greg? with the bombardment? [gooeyblob] how bout gas pods do you think their fair? [gooeyblob] seem to be very difficult to defend against [Bkeela] here we go again [tfs99] OH WELL [Avarice] Wacky. [MarkG] Zed is dead :) [tfs99] Did you consider having a faction based upon Yin26? [LamprosWC] I don't either [Avarice] ;-) [Bkeela] i think dreamnet has some serious problems [gooeyblob] just wanted answers to questions that bothered me [GregF] re ask? [NotLikeTea] Data Angels messing the networks, I see :) [Bkeela] hahaha [Avarice] Welcome back everyone. [GregF] lol [MarkG] Z is alive... send your thanks to able... :) [jeff] Needless to say everyone with is looking forward to Civ III [NotLikeTea] My question: Why did you choose to make some units sprites and others caviar? (I still miss [LamprosWC] lol [NotLikeTea] (I still miss the 3-d artifact from the first demo) [GregF] For customizing units ..... [GregF] caviar was the best solution at the time.... [GregF] I don't know that we would do it again how ever ...... [able] ladies and gentleman, on behalf of the network we are sorry, our london server on which u are all residing seems to have some fight with it's regular hub, we have changed the hub and hope chat will not be interupted again [GregF] the art took a real hit for the play advantage of customizable units. [Bkeela] (just for interests sake, are there any ladies here?) [GregF] that is a little off topic, huh?? [MarkG] thanks able.... [LamprosWC] true enough [MarkG] yeah Bkeela.... [LamprosWC] The question I was trying to ask before teh server meltdown, Greg [Bkeela] (sorry) [GregF] yes [MarkG] Greg, any chance we will see free art for use by fans? [LamprosWC] Was any advice or an aspiring artist, either as a career or a hobby? [GregF] I would love to..... [Dreifels] or whith what progam we can build such? [Avarice] Mmm, good question, Dreifels. [GregF] we will have to see how my scheduling goes. done. [MarkG] Greg, are you involved in Civ3 too? [GregF] Lamp email me or post on Apolyton and I will be glad to go in depth. [LamprosWC] Thanks! [connorkimbro] hello all [MarkG] a bit late connor... [GregF] no I am on a secret project that will be anounced rather soon [connorkimbro] Mark . . ahh, sorry ;) i was at dinner [Earl] I asked this just before the split: I was wondering if sales have made SMACX a worthwhile project, or is it too early to tell? [Tim] Pre-orders are strong... [MarkG] the "secret sid project"? :) [GregF] yes it was definately worthwhile..... [GregF] yes MarkG [Tim] we feel like we've chucked an awful lot into the expansion disk, so that it's somewhere halfway between [LamprosWC] Tim: If you don't mind being put on the spot, when you earlier said " [Tim] I knew this was coming...", what were you expecting us to ask? (It was about multiplay, I believe) [Tim] an expansion and a sequel (needs a full art redo for sequel, of course). [Tim] If the public agrees, we'll be very happy with the sales. (done) [connorkimbro] im guessing that crossfire is going to help tie smac into the whole sweep of time thing? or has this already been talked about?? ;) [Bkeela] i mean, SMAC is good, but after months of play, i actually think that expansion is essential to inject new life into the game [Tim] Why cause myself trouble? Wasn't about multiplay. (done) [Earl] I'm afraid to buy it - I spent 2 months absorbed by SMAC, but I'm afraid I won't get more than a week on the new one. [GregF] I found it..... [Tim] Bkeela: I agree, found myself really drawn in to the new world. Got a new [GregF] to be alot more fun than the original....IMPO. [Tim] look at the game and loved it all over again! (done) [gooeyblob] Well if this is just gonna be a backslapping exercise i`m off pah! [LamprosWC] Alright then, its always interesting to know what was hard though, sometimes gives insight into a project. I rescind my question though :) [Tim] Just kidding...there may be a bug [LamprosWC] So was there anything that didn't make it into the final product, but that got tosssedaround as a good idea? [Tim] with both aliens not always appearing. Gotta check into it. (done) [Avarice] Mmm... great question. [LamprosWC] Well, thanks, apologize though [Tim] We had tons of ideas that didn't make it in, including underwater tubes, [connorkimbro] i have to say, the whole idea of aliens having created planet instead of it being a natural thing is VERY cool :) [Yuk] Hey GregF. when are you going to pop the question? [GregF] very funny [LamprosWC] ............... [Tim] (opening up my SMACX design list) expansion is essential to inject new life into the game [Avarice] the tension mounts... [Bkeela] will there be any major delays in the shipping of SMAC-X to Australia? [LamprosWC] (directed @ yuk) [GregF] That is Greg Cunningham...... [MarkG] Yuk????????? [MarkG] oh... [GregF] He is one of our artist and was good enough to.... [LamprosWC] oh ok, so you two know each other :) [GregF] do alot of SMACX testing when we needed it. [Yuk] I am the other Greg at Firaxis and I am having some fun at Greg f's expense that got tosssedaround as a good idea? [LamprosWC] Cool! [Tim] {snicker} [GregF] I am the original. [LamprosWC] lol [Yuk] wish him well for he is about to go down a dark path [Avarice] heh [GregF] any other art q's [Tim] I'm not long for this world, so I'll jump back on topic... ;-) [MarkG] so, guys, now that official forum will close, will we see yuo more on apolyton? ;) [LamprosWC] Now now, its not nice to make fun of other ppl's love lives. :) [GregF] Yes, when there is anything.... [LamprosWC] Any regrets you have about the art? [tfs99] I wish you would have finshed the armor differentiation stuff, looked cool [GregF] that i can talk about I gladly respond. [Tim] Ideas that didn't make it: some new Planetary Council resolutions, Red and Blue monoliths, Precision Guided Munitions (able to [LamprosWC] We appreciate your taking so much time, BTW, and telling us so much. [Tim] target specific units in a stack or base facilities at a base) [NotLikeTea] Just a comment.. as an amature 3-d artist, I was very impressed with the artwork in SMAC-X. The Free Drone base artwork is a thing of beauty! [LamprosWC] Cool! [Avarice] woah, new planetary council resolutions (drool) [MarkG] yup, this is one of our longest chats now!! :) [Earl] has anyone looked at the problem of factions/civs becoming all powerful and then the game is basically over, because they? In the real world, empires crumble. [GregF] Sure, we had a pretty short time span so there somethings taht I would change given teh time [NotLikeTea] Red and Blue monoliths? [Tim] Mind Worm reproduction (Demon Boil can split into three larval masses) (done) [LamprosWC] interesting. [LamprosWC] Anything specific? [Earl] oops... has anyone looked at the problem of factions/civs becoming all powerful and then the game is basically over? In the real world, empires crumble. [GregF] The Drone base was one of my Favorites too. [Avarice] mind worm reproduction, wow. That's pretty amazing. Another time, another game perhaps. [Tim] Earl: In many games there is that rise and fall, but on the whole I'd worry that the game was going to drag out for too long if there was much more of that! ;-) (done) [Bkeela] thats a good question Earl, it would be fascinating if say, the Hive got to big, that a civil war would erupt, and thus the drones would enter the game (especially when allot of the factions have been already conquered or destroyed) [Tim] One last round of questions, then I gotta go grab some dinner and my paintbrush! [LamprosWC] Yeah but it wouldn't be muhc fun. [Avarice] Good luck with the painting. [GregF] I would have loved to have more aien units for starters. [LamprosWC] So greg what do you think of the colour scheme on Tim's house, since you're the chief arist? :) [NotLikeTea] Thank you for the information! It's been an entertaining chat! [GregF] well i am not really the chief artist.... [LamprosWC] oh no? [Tim] I'd love Greg's advice, but he hasn't seen it yet...I do plan to buy some Atherholt originals for my dining room, however... [Yuk] you got that right [GregF] haven't seen it yet [Yuk] :) [LamprosWC] lol yuk [LamprosWC] Any job openings at firaxis? [Avarice] Since there are no other questions, I'll just go ahead and ask what the "lost" council resolutions were. [LamprosWC] need a mail boy? [Avarice] ;-) [Bkeela] haha [GregF] yes..... [Avarice] Funny. [GregF] check the site [Tim] Scientific Collaboration (everyone 2x research rate for 10 years) [LamprosWC] Cool, I was just kidding aroudn actually, although it sounds like a fun place to work. [Tree] off subject-do you guys know if antietam will have a scenario editor? [Avarice] Oh, exciting. [Tim] Prouction Methods Symposium (Everyone 3\4 Production Rate for 10 years) [GregF] It really is pretty cool... [MarkG] last question: firaxis seems to be creating a "we hate firaxis" fan club, for some reason... thoughts? [Yuk] Free coffee!!!!!!! [LamprosWC] B/C people are bored [Avarice] Wow, very cool. [Tim] Patent Reformation (New techs become public domain after 20 years of first discovery) [LamprosWC] Is it good coffe yuk? [Earl] any advice for someone starting their own game company? [Yuk] ok [LamprosWC] Wow, that'd be killer [SG_slee] hey guys [GregF] I think .... [MarkG] Hey Stephan! [Yuk] oh no it's the crazy intern [SG_slee] stephen ;-) [Avarice] That's amazing. [SG_slee] hehehe [LamprosWC] lol [MarkG] sorry, stephen.... [GregF] that alot of people think that because we don't always... [SG_slee] i still can't get over "Apple"-"Eye"-"Ton" [Tim] Advice for game company: you gotta have fun to make fun! Official Firaxis motto ;-) [GregF] post that we aren't listening to them..... [LamprosWC] Anything you'd like to do in the future? A project that might be fun to work on? [MarkG] I see Greg.... [Earl] Fun is not a problem.. money is!! [GregF] they couldn't be more wrong. [LamprosWC] That's encouraging to hear. [Tim] Future games: lots of stuff in the works. I'm really looking forward to Civ III, and the stuff that we haven't announced yet will be lots of fun--getting away from the Civ-style game. [Bkeela] will there be any major delays in the shipping of SMAC-X to Australia? [LamprosWC] If Sid or anyone could come up with a new type of game that'd be incredible, yeah. [Yuk] Hey... [Tim] Earl: Now is a great time to get funding, as many companies are scrambling for dev talent. However [MarkG] since you mentioned it: where exactly are things now on Civ3??? [SG_slee] hey cunningham [GregF] Tim? [Tim] you've got to have a prototype, not just a design doc. The prototype will showcase what could be fun about your idea. (done) [Yuk] that reminds me that I've got to go back to work on "Sid's Next Game"... [Tim] Australian ship--shouldn't be any [Yuk] Bye [Avarice] A fine question indeed. [MarkG] cu Yuk.... [SG_slee] i guess Yuk meant... *BANG* (slee drops dead from sniper fire) [Earl] Thanks Tim, sounds like solid advice. I'll keep that in mind. I'll send you an autographed copy when my first game ships! ;) [Tim] major delays--you guys actually got the original first! But of course that's up to EA, not us, and I don't have any more specific information. (done) [MarkG] he hope we can arrange a civ3 chat soon... ;) [LamprosWC] Anybody in here with hacking ablities like to get us some info on the new project? :) [GregF] You should see something soon...... [GregF] keep checking our website [Tim] Good luck Earl! [LamprosWC] We do, I assure you :) [Tree] this may have been asked - Tim do you know when we'll hear about Sid's secret project? [MarkG] oh, great, you should be geting version 2 of The List soon too :) [GregF] soon. [LamprosWC] (soon) [Tim] Civ III status: already got a cool prototype up and running, but that's for another chat... ;-) (done) [Tim] Sid's new project: details imminent, keep tuned in to the website! [LamprosWC] I wish the girls I knew would say that "(done)" thing. [Tree] k [Tim] I gotta go--thanks to all for your time, and I'll look forward to another chat in the future! [Tree] thanks [Tree] lol [Bkeela] thanks [LamprosWC] Yeah, thanks all [Avarice] Thanks for answering our questions, Tim, Greg. Very classy. [MarkG] thanks for coming Tim! cu on the forums! :) [Avarice] And patient. [Earl] yes thanks a lot! [GregF] anything else? [Tree] these will be up on apolyton I assume .. [Avarice] Happy painting. Avoid the fumes. ;-) [LamprosWC] hey greg, is your email gfoertsch@firaxis.com, in the generall pattern? [MarkG] yup, pergaps tomorrow.... [GregF] yes [Tree] k, thats cool whenever you gwt to it [Tree] get [LamprosWC] Ok, Thanks. [LamprosWC] Yeah, t hanks alot for coming and thank all the rest for us. [Tree] yeah!! It was cool [GregF] Anything else??? [MarkG] thanks for coming Greg, and thanks to everyone who was here, and asked questions! [Bkeela] and thanks again for organising all this MarkG, bye [SG_slee] umm [Tree] thanks for the time and a great expansion! [SG_slee] hey greg [MarkG] I think not Greg... [GregF] hope you all enjoy it [LamprosWC] Thanks, we do. [SG_slee] darn it.. i come in.. and everyone leaves! [GregF] have a great night [GregF] you should be use to that ... [SG_slee] hehehe [LamprosWC] Its cuz of your BO. [MarkG] BO? [LamprosWC] n/m, dum joke [SG_slee] yeah.. err.. i'd refer to something but [LamprosWC] esp,. since I have never met SG [GregF] do you know slee too. [SG_slee] i'm a mere intern [LamprosWC] nope. [SG_slee] and am kicked about [LamprosWC] lol, is it accurate? [LamprosWC] What do you get to do as intern? [SG_slee] pray for my life? [LamprosWC] I think someone has a dilbert complex [SG_slee] no.. be the target of countless intern jokes? [LamprosWC] It can't be that bad. [SG_slee] hehehe [SG_slee] no.. it's great actually [LamprosWC] Well maybe it can. [SG_slee] i work on the web site [GregF] you finally got that 21 inch monitor? [SG_slee] with a big ole Firaxis logo burned in [LamprosWC] Cool, any tips on finding backdoors? [SG_slee] go figure [SG_slee] umm [LamprosWC] j/k [SG_slee] drug Dan Magaha? ;-) [LamprosWC] lol [LamprosWC] They gave you a burned monitor? [LamprosWC] lol, that was nice of them [SG_slee] yeah [SG_slee] it's like i was branded [GregF] it is still a 21 [LamprosWC] true. [SG_slee] not really.. more like they're just trying to imprint it in my head [SG_slee] sure [LamprosWC] Well, you should wear it with pride. [SG_slee] it's sorta blury towards the center of the screen too [Jeff-1] If I visited the studio, would you guys let me in? :) [SG_slee] but.. yes.. it is a 21" [SG_slee] better than the 15" [LamprosWC] that's for damned sure [GregF] probably not with out an appointment..... [Tree] I'll see you guys later, got work to do, and a midterm tomorrow. [MarkG] Stephen, is sidgames up? [SG_slee] or lots of money [SG_slee] no.. the DNS entries are screwed up [SG_slee] the site's there [Tree] yeah whats up with sidgames? [Tree] oh [SG_slee] but.. the address isn't working [LamprosWC] Where should I send it slee? [SG_slee] umm.. [SG_slee] *shrug* [LamprosWC] Anyone know the IP for sidgames until the DNS servers get hooked up? (hoping I know what I'm talking about) [SG_slee] yup [SG_slee] i do ;-) [GregF] not much [LamprosWC] Couldn't think of anything witty enough? :) [SG_slee] 63.74.140.101 [LamprosWC] Not that it ever bothers me :) [Tree] thanks [LamprosWC] Thanks [SG_slee] watch out for lots of dead links [SG_slee] cuz lots of links point to www.sidgames.com [SG_slee] hence they're dead for the moment [LamprosWC] what a pain [MarkG] Stephen, is sidgames up? [SG_slee] the site should be back tomorrow [SG_slee] stupid web host [SG_slee] i wish i had an email address for you guys to flame [LamprosWC] lol [SG_slee] but.. unfortunately, i don't. [Tree] hey Markos I went to strategy planet, and geez! half their content was from apolyton! [LamprosWC] they didn't give you an email? [LamprosWC] Too bad, we could send you all the questions that would just annoy anyone else :) [SG_slee] no.. i don't have an email at the web host to flame [MarkG] hehe Tree, yep, we're wuite often a source for them... [MarkG] no problem with it, quite opposite... [Jeff-1] Greg: How many hours is the average working day there? [GregF] It depends... [Tree] almost a gamespy affiliate:) well I gotta get on that midterm, see you guys later. [SG_slee] rephrase: how many hours do you NOT spend there on average? ;-) [LamprosWC] what hours are they? :) [GregF] During SMACX it was crazy.... [SG_slee] cuz.. greg works too much [LamprosWC] Well, it doesn't count if you bring your sleeping bag [SG_slee] but... we all appreciate greg's super work (brownie point!) [LamprosWC] Its the american way. [GregF] I have slept here many times [LamprosWC] Did you just get brownie points from an intern? [GregF] I was in the ofice every day for about 3 months... [LamprosWC] That's dedication [LamprosWC] I imagine it will show, although I haven't seen the game yet [GregF] during the week I was here till about midnight. [LamprosWC] Christ. [LamprosWC] Either you really love your job or they pay you alot, or both. [SG_slee] i like firaxis' t1 [LamprosWC] or you're really different from us. [LamprosWC] Alien Artists. [LamprosWC] lol [GregF] more of the first [LamprosWC] Ok, that's what I figured [LamprosWC] I dunno, if I had a good job doing art I might be willing to do that [LamprosWC] you should go back to college slee if you like internet connections [SG_slee] i think working for firaxis is cool regardless of what you do. [GregF] It is only a job sometimes [LamprosWC] althouh I guess my dorm room isn't much bigger than most cubicles [LamprosWC] Well, yeah, its amazing if it is ever not only a job. [LamprosWC] to me anyway [LamprosWC] although it seems to be more common now for ppl to put in alotof hours. [Jeff-1] I would love to work on a game [LamprosWC] It does seem to be a big industry. [GregF] there is a ton of stuff to consider..... [LamprosWC] You mean when picking a job? [GregF] it isn't [GregF] not really... [LamprosWC] I imagine it will show, although I haven't seen the game yet [LamprosWC] Well, compared to what? [MarkG] hi... [LamprosWC] I dunno, is it something you reccomend going into? [DaOne] how r u all? [MarkG] stephen, how did this thing with sidgames happened? [LamprosWC] fine, you missed the big event :) [DaOne] what was it? [SG_slee] no idea 8( [LamprosWC] (look at the subject :) ) [MarkG] anny comments for apolyton? :) [GSquid] Yeah. The IP ban doesn't work [SG_slee] umm [SG_slee] well.. our web host screwed up teh DNS entries [GregF] well, i'll see you all in the forums.... [LamprosWC] nice site, it'd be cool if more stuff were up there, but I can't imagine there is much more to put up [LamprosWC] alright [SG_slee] and consequently our site's domain disappeared [LamprosWC] bye, thanks for coming. [SG_slee] off teh face of the earth [SG_slee] l8r greg [SG_slee] good job on the art ;-) [Jeff-1] Bye Greg! [MarkG] GS, I removed the ban, cause I had a complaint from another user of home.com [GregF] nice suck up!!! [SG_slee] hehehe [MarkG] cu Greg [Zug_The_Great] Ha! SidGames finally gets what it deserves, and the darkness is vanquished from the Earth. [GregF] thanks for your interest.... [LamprosWC] lol [SG_slee] umm.. what zug? 8) [Zug_The_Great] Bye Greg. Great game, thanks [GregF] take it easy. [LamprosWC] yeayh, we appreciate all the time you've put into it :)
...and that was about it.... :)
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