Rebirth release date. - Part 2

[BarrenEarth]

I have no time for people attacking Egosoft and even less time for individuals that come on this forum talking out of their a**** and whining about things they know nothing about, but for the sake of peace i will now sit back and eat popcorn and get into the comic relief spirit.

I write accounting and retail management software for a living. I designed the only system known to mankind that takes all the old Xenix programming and translated it into a workable graphical interface through Windows 7 using a firebird SQL database.

I also have made it universal to work with multiple predecessor platforms including Xenix, DOS, Unix and Win NT. It is a server/client based system and it sells for around $30k a pop.

So the next time you claim someone is talking out their ass, stop and think that they might be a little more tuned in to what it takes to write and design a complete software package from scratch.

And to answer your question, I will buy whatever egosoft puts out because I have more money than sense. I still contend that a pre-beta stage after all this time but being unable to answer a simple question like "do you have an example of your new engine" is crazy.

[Nanook]

...
I also have made it universal to work with multiple predecessor platforms including Xenix, DOS, Unix and Win NT. It is a server/client based system and it sells for around $30k a pop....

And did you post public updates on a public forum so everyone could see what you were doing, and potentially rip-off your ideas? I'll bet not.

Game design is highly competitive, and thus rather secretive. Posting propriety game engine secrets on a public forum about a brand new game engine long before it's ready for release doesn't seem like a wise business decision to me.

And note the majority of the moderators on these forums, including myself, are strictly volunteers with no affiliation to Egosoft. So we have no more knowledge of the game than anyone else.

[BarrenEarth]

...
I also have made it universal to work with multiple predecessor platforms including Xenix, DOS, Unix and Win NT. It is a server/client based system and it sells for around $30k a pop....

And did you post public updates on a public forum so everyone could see what you were doing, and potentially rip-off your ideas? I'll bet not.

Game design is highly competitive, and thus rather secretive. Posting propriety game engine secrets on a public forum about a brand new game engine long before it's ready for release doesn't seem like a wise business decision to me.

And note the majority of the moderators on these forums, including myself, are strictly volunteers with no affiliation to Egosoft. So we have no more knowledge of the game than anyone else.

I posted concept design and individual module examples to investors and potential clients before release in 2011. I also implemented a beta program for half off final release.

And at any point in time if a prospective client inquired, I would send them literature, videos and software samples including a partial working demo.

But I am sure video games are more complex than fully integrated accounting/retail packages with credit card integration and full database support... built in remote tech support and fully customizable interfaces.

Carry on.

[BarrenEarth]

Look, I just want some info beyond "before Beta... after concept art"

A new youtube video of some graphics or gameplay and I would shut up.

I have been around here a long time, I have been playing X games a long time, I didn't just join today to troll here. I really do want new info.

[A5PECT]

Look, I just want some info beyond "before Beta... after concept art"

A new youtube video of some graphics or gameplay and I would shut up.

I have been around here a long time, I have been playing X games a long time, I didn't just join today to troll here. I really do want new info.

Since you're apparently a commercial programmer, I'd expect you to be a little more familiar with the concept of a non-disclosure agreement.

[elexis]

A new youtube video of some graphics or gameplay and I would shut up.

You might, but noone else would.

[Fallent]

@ Mighty CBJ, is there any traces of info you can give us?

The thing I'm wondering about is that video footage from 2011 Gamescon clearly says ALPHA on it, so surely we're atleast in the Beta stage by now?

But then CBJ did mention it's being tested but not Beta level yet... So are we to conclude still in Alpha?

I don't know anymore. I'm so confused.

[Nikola515]

They told us just little more long time ago
I think hi was jus't messing around about testing to change subject
Anyway i wouldn't be surprised if hi is home testing game right now ... After all Ego is small team and short on staff Game might be done alredy and they are waiting for GO from Deep

[eladan]

But then CBJ did mention it's being tested but not Beta level yet... So are we to conclude still in Alpha?

I don't know anymore. I'm so confused.

The answer is completely obvious, if you think about it!

Now, we can theorise that the game was in beta, but was delayed because of problems (as CBJ has mentioned,) causing the game to be backtracked to an alpha-like state that we will now define as gamma. Now CBJ has also said that release will occur in 2013, so the game must be getting close to release, and possibly will enter the next beta-like state which can't be beta because we were already there, so we will define that new state as delta.

So, there you have it. The game is in late-gamma, early-delta.

[BarrenEarth]

Look, I just want some info beyond "before Beta... after concept art"

A new youtube video of some graphics or gameplay and I would shut up.

I have been around here a long time, I have been playing X games a long time, I didn't just join today to troll here. I really do want new info.

Since you're apparently a commercial programmer, I'd expect you to be a little more familiar with the concept of a non-disclosure agreement.

Absolutely. That is why I am asking Egosoft to release the info. I personally couldn't care less what the mods on here give us or don't give us. I respect their work in other areas, but would prefer the info come from the people who will eventually get my money.

[BarrenEarth]

But then CBJ did mention it's being tested but not Beta level yet... So are we to conclude still in Alpha?

I don't know anymore. I'm so confused.

The answer is completely obvious, if you think about it!

Now, we can theorise that the game was in beta, but was delayed because of problems (as CBJ has mentioned,) causing the game to be backtracked to an alpha-like state that we will now define as gamma. Now CBJ has also said that release will occur in 2013, so the game must be getting close to release, and possibly will enter the next beta-like state which can't be beta because we were already there, so we will define that new state as delta.

So, there you have it. The game is in late-gamma, early-delta.

Before you go to beta you do what is called Code-Freeze. At which point your core coders stop work and are let go or assigned to other projects. Beta ensues to work out functionality bugs.

If something was to get passed as a Release Candidate and subsequently be approved for Code Freeze, then after beta is sent back to groundwork... well sir that is where you have to call in the big guns and 99% of projects are canceled right there.

Passing Code-Freeze barrier is not a whimsical decision, if a team approves Beta testing and is later found to have been lacking in core code work... that team, the whole project is then in serious jeopardy.

You had better hope that your theory is not reality, or there will be no game for a very, very long time.

[CBJ]

The thing I'm wondering about is that video footage from 2011 Gamescon clearly says ALPHA on it, so surely we're atleast in the Beta stage by now?

Don't get too hung up on what it said on the video. That label was just to make it clear that it was still very much in development and shouldn't be taken as footage of the final game.

But then CBJ did mention it's being tested but not Beta level yet... So are we to conclude still in Alpha?

Yes, we're still in the relatively early stages of testing, with the testers familiarising themselves with the game. We've certainly not reached the code freeze point mentioned by BarrenEarth yet.

Another little snippet for those who are interested: I'm currently working on functionality intended to help provide support for mod packages. The aim will be to allow you to develop and install your mod in your personal folder alongside your savegames, as an alternative to installing it directly in the game folder, though the latter should still be possible.

[eladan]

You had better hope that your theory is not reality, or there will be no game for a very, very long time.

Ok, I realise that my jokes are fairly weak, but I thought that my previous post was almost shouting that I wasn't serious...

[Gupster]

Look, I just want some info beyond "before Beta... after concept art"

A new youtube video of some graphics or gameplay and I would shut up.

I have been around here a long time, I have been playing X games a long time, I didn't just join today to troll here. I really do want new info.

Unless i am missing something here i believe there have been quite a few official statements on this forum as to why there are no updates at this time,
i have read them myself and understand them, you too have the ability to read them so may i ask you what it is that you do not understand ? you are a programmer so you must be able to understand these written statements ?
I make a living as a concert pianist and they seem clear to me but to a programmer they are not ?

[DaMuncha]

The thing I'm wondering about is that video footage from 2011 Gamescon clearly says ALPHA on it, so surely we're atleast in the Beta stage by now?

Don't get too hung up on what it said on the video. That label was just to make it clear that it was still very much in development and shouldn't be taken as footage of the final game.

But then CBJ did mention it's being tested but not Beta level yet... So are we to conclude still in Alpha?

Yes, we're still in the relatively early stages of testing, with the testers familiarising themselves with the game. We've certainly not reached the code freeze point mentioned by BarrenEarth yet.

Another little snippet for those who are interested: I'm currently working on functionality intended to help provide support for mod packages. The aim will be to allow you to develop and install your mod in your personal folder alongside your savegames, as an alternative to installing it directly in the game folder, though the latter should still be possible.

Like what Mount & Blade 2 does is has a seperate folder structure for profiles and added content. So if need be, you can switch back to default (For multiplayer).

[elexis]

Modders rejoice!

[Henkie]

Being a developer myself, not for Egosoft btw, I get asked a lot how development is progressing and when I expect it is done. I made the mistake in the past to give an estimate which was then used as a deadline, in the end an unfinished product was released because of said deadline and I got blamed for the state of the product.

In the end nobody will remember when the game was released but everybody will remember in what state the game was released. I want to play the game as badly as you all, but I understand that there is no second chance when the game is released.

[Dr2i]

Being a developer myself, not for Egosoft btw, I get asked a lot how development is progressing and when I expect it is done. I made the mistake in the past to give an estimate which was then used as a deadline, in the end an unfinished product was released because of said deadline and I got blamed for the state of the product.

I think Egosoft clearly demonstrated that they had no respect for estimates/deadlines.

[theeclownbroze]

Um...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8C_CufNy2aM

new X rebirth video guys.....

[DaMuncha]

Wow, for a second there I thought you were going to Rick Roll us.