What do we know about modding X-Rebirth?

[mark_a_condren]

Question for Apoch

It has been said that you are using 3 XML based tools for various aspects, AI control and cutscenes are 2. AI control being much like MD. The third is a little more unclear atm.

So from this info i am lead to believe the MSCI is dead, and no longer being used, is this correct?

I am going to cry if it is so, i don't think i have enough hair left to go through the process of learning a new format. And the cost in keyboards due to forehead on desk. I have NO programming skills in anything other the MSCI so i had to learn that from scratch and don't think i can do it again, *sad*.

MarCon

[Apoch]

1. Do you expect release of modding tools (encrypt/decrypt) near/simultaneous with release?
2. Will the decrypted model files be compatible with existing .bod format?

1. Can't say at this point.

2. No.

Another question.. *Are you using the same collision avoidance/detection/hitbox methods for your models as in X3, or is there a new way?

Without saying too much, there's... vanishingly little technology shared between X3 and our current project.

Have you got an auto pillock that works properly ?

*runs and hides from Egosoft*

I should hope so, as good AI control is one of my responsibilities

Question for Apoch

It has been said that you are using 3 XML based tools for various aspects, AI control and cutscenes are 2. AI control being much like MD. The third is a little more unclear atm.

So from this info i am lead to believe the MSCI is dead, and no longer being used, is this correct?

I am going to cry if it is so, i don't think i have enough hair left to go through the process of learning a new format. And the cost in keyboards due to forehead on desk. I have NO programming skills in anything other the MSCI so i had to learn that from scratch and don't think i can do it again, *sad*.

MarCon

Not quite - the mission and storyline system is similar to the MD. The AI control system is again separate and very different from any other technology we've used in the past.

Again without saying too much, we're doing a lot of things in new ways now, and that includes areas that the MSCI formerly controlled.

The bad news is that the MSCI is, more or less, totally replaced now.

The good news is that the replacement is much more powerful, much easier to understand, and substantially more productive once you get used to it. I recommend checking out the AI script example from GDC 2011 if you're curious what the new AI systems look like from a script perspective. It's different, and will have a learning curve all its own, but again as I said earlier in the thread we're going to try and really do the documentation thing right this time, so with any luck it should be pretty quick to pick up. Certainly anyone with MSCI experience should find it accessible enough.

While I certainly sympathize with the wish to not have to relearn a lot of things to do scripting/modding, the fact of the matter is that times change and things are moving forwards, and we have to evolve and adapt as a studio or risk becoming irrelevant. Part of the cost of that is that we occasionally need to do things in totally new ways, and pay the price of re-education.


But... suffice it to say, I think on the whole everyone should like where things are going in terms of the tools we're working on

[Gavrushka]

I am just praying that Apoch, slightly the worse for a bottle or two or tequila on a friday night, posts screenies of TNBT, along with detailed instructions on how to complete the final plot.

Sending my 'AlcoMart' gift vouchers now...

[Alee Enn]

Apoch, I respect the fact that you actually answered my question (now all I want is David Braben to answer my other, more serious question),
But you did realise I was joking with you?
I have every confidence that whatever Egosoft will bring us as TNBT,
that it will really be THE next big thing.

So, again, thank you.
Now to find which sand pit DB has his head buried in.

[mark_a_condren]

Thanks Apoch,

That was a lot more info than i had hoped for. So thank you very much. I do morn the passing of the MSCI though, , however, i will wait to see what tools are given us before giving up . It is true that time and tide stand still for no man, and it's up to us to keep up.

I had looked at the AI script sample before and had a read through it to get a small idea of the syntax etc used and it's flow. I think I'll start growing my hair over the interlude until game and tools release in preparation for the severe possibility of rapid hair loss.


MarCon

[A5PECT]

Not quite - the mission and storyline system is similar to the MD. The AI control system is again separate and very different from any other technology we've used in the past.

So who else went nuts after hearing this?

[Ketraar]

Good thing about not knowing how to mod the game from day 1 is that chances are higher you get to actually play the darn thing first before you replace you RL with modding.

3 xml based ways to control the game, does that mean interactivity between them? Unlike now where MD <-> MSCI (SE) hated each others guts.

MFG

Ketraar

[Observe]

Thank you Apoch for taking time to answer our questions!

[X2-Eliah]

Any chance of some info suited for us people who actually plan to play the game and not blindly rip it apart from the get-go, by the way?

[Apoch]

3 xml based ways to control the game, does that mean interactivity between them? Unlike now where MD <-> MSCI (SE) hated each others guts.

They can cross-communicate where needed, yes.

Any chance of some info suited for us people who actually plan to play the game and not blindly rip it apart from the get-go, by the way?

April 28th

[Observe]

Pasted from other thread because deemed relevant to this one:

Following the announcement would/will Egosoft be able to let us know the required/minimum (so we know to triple it ) specifications, multi-core/process with GPU, multi or otherwise.

In other words, what hardware would be best thrown at it?

Specs are one of those tricky things to nail down; it can literally come down to the last couple weeks of production to find out what exactly the game can run on effectively, and what it needs to really hit its stride. So although we could speculate at this point, it wouldn't be much use, as it's all fairly fluid.

But... I will have to sadly inform you that it will not, in fact, run on the dusty Amiga in your attic.

[gmargaro]

But... I will have to sadly inform you that it will not, in fact, run on the dusty Amiga in your attic.

Bah, on the amiga, you could always run Elite or Frontier

I think that one can say that, seiing X games history and hints given, you'll need
- lot of memory (if 64 bits)
- multicore
- midlle to high end graphic card

[amtct]

Bah, on the amiga, you could always run Elite or Frontier

I think that one can say that, seiing X games history and hints given, you'll need
- lot of memory (if 64 bits)
- multicore
- midlle to high end graphic card

You need the same PC the devs have right now

I guess its a i7 990x with billion of graphics cards ,not more than 640Kb (according to Bill Gates ofcourse) ,a high speed internet connection ,a huge SSD (the game will be for sale on blue ray disks )

[EmperorJon]

Multicore is a big question.

[gmargaro]

Multicore is a big question.

I don't see a compagnie preparing an AAA game in 2011 and not using multicore.

[aka1nas]

Multicore is a big question.

I don't see a compagnie preparing an AAA game in 2011 and not using multicore.

I'm just as interested in 64-bit support. TC was hitting 32-bit memory limits already until they got the LAA working properly. I have no problem upgrading to 24GB of RAM if TNBT will make use of it.

[AgamemnonArgon]

A mass market requires a mass solution, and I don't know how many people can afford the very best of everything.
I would hope to see a reasonable specification otherwise it might leave some people behind.

[Alee Enn]

With so many threads now about TNBT, I posted this in a TNBT thread in the X Universe section. I have changed my mind and would rather post it here. I deleted that post (so I don't get told off). If anyone would like to let me know where I should post it, feel free.
............................................

Cpt Jericho and I got to talking again about TNBT and what those four little letters might mean ...

Alien : The Net Bots Takeover
Alien : This Needs Booting Twice
Cpt J : The Noobs Bite Toastie
Alien : Training Nyana* Brings Terror
Cpt J : The New BurnIt! Transfer
Alien : This Never Becomes Tasteless
Cpt J : Transgalactic Normality Born Twice
Alien : Trying Neurological Brain Technology
Alien : Traders Never Buy Trash
Cpt J : Taking No Belches Transformed
Alien : This Never Beats Transformers
Cpt J : They Need Blood Transfusions
Alien : Tinsel Night Begins Tomorrow

* Nyana is someone we know in MOUL

[Sorkvild]

I played TNBT already

http://www.thenextbig-game.com/index.php?rub=game

[builder680]

I played TNBT already

http://www.thenextbig-game.com/index.php?rub=game

Well...

Looks like the secret's out.