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Major breakthrough with Akella

There's one thing I know for sure: if you would switch over to another game, I would definitely buy that <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/yes.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":yes" border="0" alt="yes.gif" />
 
<!--quoteo(post=231673:date=Jan 4 2008, 01:59 PM:name=Pieter Boelen)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pieter Boelen @ Jan 4 2008, 01:59 PM) [snapback]231673[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->How is this for a general idea?
1) Ask them what they mean by our wanting our "support" and promise them as much as we can actually make true
2) Finish Build 14 for PotC as good as we can
3) Possibly update the PotC Build 14 engine to Storm 2.5 (AoP) or Storm 2.8 (CoAS)
4) Move on to CoAS, trying to put as much of our Build 14 content in that game as possible

If we can do this with Akella's/seaward.ru's support, we would be able to get the proper tools to fix the ships in Build 14 and make Build 14 as good as possible. Then we could try and update the Build 14 engine and graphics and make it even better. Then we can move on to CoAS and make that game better as well.

Just a thought. Need your input. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/doff.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":doff" border="0" alt="doff.gif" /><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I know you most of all need the "heavy guys" that are actually capable of carrying out the tons of ideas, that "just-talking-people" like me is bringing up constantly, to bring their qualified input on this matter <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" />

While we are waiting, I agree on all the stuff in your agenda with the possibility in mind, that I may not be quite aware of what it actually means workwise.
 
Don't you want to wait and test CoAS first before promising to switch the Build Team on it?...
 
As far as the "heavy guys" are concerned: Maximus agrees with what I posted previously. We've been discussing it yesterday and he thinks porting over to Storm 2.5 or Storm 2.8 should be quite possible. Just quite a lot of work, as you have already found out. So if we'd want to do that, first we'd need to get access to the Storm 2.8 engine (preferrably through legal routes) and then we'd have to do some serious work on that. Perhaps better to wait with that until we at least have got Alpha 8 done.

<!--quoteo(post=231697:date=Jan 4 2008, 04:22 PM:name=a simple virtual sailor)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(a simple virtual sailor @ Jan 4 2008, 04:22 PM) [snapback]231697[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Don't you want to wait and test CoAS first before promising to switch the Build Team on it?...<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->Of course that would be nescessary. That is why we must first find out what kind of "support" they want from us. We can't switch over if not everybody wants to anyway. So we'd first need to actually be able to play the game to find out what opportunities it does and doesn't give us. One thing I would like regardless of how CoAS turns out is to update our Build mod's engine: Same game, better engine: allows for more features. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/icon_mrgreen1.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":cheeky" border="0" alt="icon_mrgreen1.gif" />
 
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->It certainly makes me more interested in City of Abandoned Ships than I ever was in Age of Pirates. It seems that they really have something worthwhile in the works there. If we could port most (some?) of our stuff to that game, I do believe it could yield some amazing results.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

<img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/piratesing.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":shock" border="0" alt="piratesing.gif" /> <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/piratesing.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":shock" border="0" alt="piratesing.gif" /> <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/piratesing.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":shock" border="0" alt="piratesing.gif" /> Pieter's falling to the dark side!!!

Lol

Well, unless something happens to change my mind completely, I'm <i>not</i> leaving POTC just like that, I think it has the potential to be "the greatest Pirate game of all time", just as much as Corsairs: City of Abandoned Pirates does, so I for one am sticking to POTC (probably).
 
The intention is definitly NOT to abandon PotC. First finish Build 14 in any case.
 
Well, after reading right the way through the interview, I am interested, but it really depends on what you all choose, I would like to stay with POTC with an updated engine just as much as going to the new game (can't remember the name). But it also depends (for me) on how much we can get across to the new game.

Really it's up to you, I really don't care, except it would be a bit annoying having to buy a new game, and, when I've just learned to mod POTC, having to learn to mod a new game.
 
City of Abandoned Ships should be pretty similar in file structure and file usage.
 
ahh, good.

OK, basically, I'd prefer to stick with POTC, but don't really mind too much, except it would probably cause money difficulties, seeng as me and my brother might, put together have enough money to afford it, but I'm saving £20 for another game, so...

Also, I've just thought, does this mean we'd make content put it in Corsairs thingey, then end the build mod? 'cause if we're working with the makers of this game, then I expect they'd want everything we can do in the game, not in a mod for the game. Or would vesions of the build mod become expansion packs? I'm confused...
 
We do not know yet ourselves. That's what we're trying to figure out and decide. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":rolleyes:" border="0" alt="rolleyes.gif" />
 
Ahoy mates.

I really love the realism you have all brought to this game and let me start by thanking you.

I have a few suggestions.

Firstly. Being a group of piraticly inclined gents and ladies. How about we vote for a "team leader" "representative"
If you take up that idea I vote for Pieter Boelen, Reasons. Whenever I look on the forum he seems to eb the most active, is very friendly and helpful and he actualy made the contact with Akella.

Now I've played games from Voyage Century *shudder* to Pirates of the burning sea in closed beta and I put this to you.

Realistic pirate MMO.

Lets show the arcade noobs what prime seamen can do eh?

I was thinking you could use the builds, if Akella agree and have two servers. Arcade (For persona/make beleive RP and general messing around) and a realism server for strict realistic rp/ re enactment etc.

Just my thoughts. It's all I can offer and you're welcome to them. I'd love to see a good pirate mmo out there. Might make both you AND Akella some money that way.
 
I don't think the game engine supports MMO gameplay. Especially not with an open PROGRAM folder allowing anyone to cheat in any way they like. Wouldn't work. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/no.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":no" border="0" alt="no.gif" />
 
Ehh..Zander Black?
Since you played this game and really like the realism we have brought into it, did you ever come across a button called "multiplayer"? Because I still can´t find it <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/whistling.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":wp" border="0" alt="whistling.gif" />
 
First of all.

PeterWillemoes, Stow the sarcasm mate. That's no way to awnser me. I am just putting forth an idea and also a dream of mine.

As for the "No multiplayer" and the people can cheat issue. Thats where Akella come into it.

I thought maybe they could lock/close the program folder , develop the work you already have and put it in a stable MMO.

In simplier terms. YOU + AKELLA = STABLE MMO.

It'd take some work but I think it's possible. As I said. just an idea and a dream.

On a side note. A multiplayer button would work just as well. I find the problem with MMOs is too many idiots ruin the game enviroment., For example, Pirates saying "Lol pwned" I don't think so.... Itd be nice to have a strict roleplay server though.

But yeah if Akella can put in a multiplayer button I suppose you could make a mini direct connect MMO of sorts XD. Lan party anyone?



Also Edit - PeterWillemoes was the one who made contact with Akella.
 
I agree, I was over the top. Please excuse me. Its just, that PotBS is being discussed in several threads all around this forum, if you look for it (the "Search" option can seperate searches for both threadnames and words). And with the "Akella" word, you will probably find, how little we regard Akella as a cooperation partner (except for now - we just got connected, really - 5 years after the release of PotC although they´ve always known our existence!)
The will, Akella has to listen to the fans of their games (at least in the western world), equals zero. We have only seen a few patches for some of their games. What is worse, half of them is only released in Russia!

I cant seem to understand, what is driving Akella. I dont think its money. And if it is, they lack perspective. The modern game developer (especially in the FPS-shooter category) has turned into game-engine developers, making their gamereleases into examples of what can be done with their engine.
The main strategy for big game sales for the PC of today is to release modding tools before the game is even released in order to make the modders keep the game alive for years and years of further development. As far as the professional modding teams concern, they are usually picking and franchising a game-engine on basis of the released modding tools for it (i.e. HalfLife, FarCry or Crysis).
In Akellas case, modders have always had a hard time getting any support or modding tools for any of their games (we actually had to make the only tool we have for modding, ourselves). We also have a converting tool for the .gm format for Maya, but that is something we got via some Russian and it lacks the ability to convert collision data correctly, so we are still not able to make new stuff, we can only edit the ingame items.
So, as you can see, Akella seems to be on a tragic course. Even though their gameengine is well designed for modding, I have tried to explain to them, how important it is to support the modding communities, but in the end, I regard it as pure luck getting through <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/dry.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="<_<" border="0" alt="dry.gif" />

Nor do I understand how Flying Labs could spend 5 years developing a game like PotBS. The game seem very simple to me, and they even had Akella make the ships and possibly also the gameengine??! They certainly spent a lot of time balancing the game, but we all know how it will turn out in the end: a MMO is always full of morons, no matter what barriers you set up to block their behaviour <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" />

As a pirategame modder, I of course like your idea and I think there is indeed a huge, unexploited market for these games. But very few seem to want to risk anything.
Edit: Note, that I only speak for myself - not this entire modding site <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" />
 
So what are we going to send to Akella next? Can anybody write something up? Or should I write the letter again? <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":rolleyes:" border="0" alt="rolleyes.gif" />
 
<!--quoteo(post=231673:date=Jan 4 2008, 01:59 PM:name=Pieter Boelen)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pieter Boelen @ Jan 4 2008, 01:59 PM) [snapback]231673[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->How is this for a general idea?
1) Ask them what they mean by our wanting our "support" and promise them as much as we can actually make true
2) Finish Build 14 for PotC as good as we can
3) Possibly update the PotC Build 14 engine to Storm 2.5 (AoP) or Storm 2.8 (CoAS)
4) Move on to CoAS, trying to put as much of our Build 14 content in that game as possible

If we can do this with Akella's/seaward.ru's support, we would be able to get the proper tools to fix the ships in Build 14 and make Build 14 as good as possible. Then we could try and update the Build 14 engine and graphics and make it even better. Then we can move on to CoAS and make that game better as well.

Just a thought. Need your input. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/doff.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":doff" border="0" alt="doff.gif" /><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Fearing, the number of postings tonight will make the forum autoreplace my surname with "Terror", I dare yet to say: You´re the boss! <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" />

Howeverm if you want us to write it, I would start with something like this:

<!--c1--><div class='codetop'>CODE</div><div class='codemain'><!--ec1-->Dear Edward,

Thank you for Your reply. It was nice to read, how You and AlexusB managed to transfer your great mod, "Sea Legend is Back" into the AoP 2.5 Storm engine and how the "City of Abandoned Ships" is coming along just fine - we are very excited about when it is released and look forward to play it!

We certainly could use the support of both Akella and Seaward.ru. Supposed Mr.Arkhipov have given You the permission to send us the tools, we would first of all like to finish the final and last version of our Build Mod. We will call it "PotC: New Horizons"when it is finished.

Next, we would like to transfer our mod into Storm 2.8 if possible. If that is not possible, we would like transfer our mod into the Storm 2.5 engine. We consider your team as experts in this and would love if your team would help us in this matter.

Finally, we would like to buy your game, "City of Abandoned Ships". If we can have the modding tools for this game, we will for sure start modding it as well. We have high expectations for this game and we are sure, it will be a success.

Best regards,

Pieter Boelen
etc etc<!--c2--></div><!--ec2-->

Of course, a lot will need to be added. Especially in the end. Just an..erh dont-know-what-its-called..draft?
 
I consider myself extremely good with a grease-gun to make things running smooth between the lines hehe...if this turns out well (which I really hope it will) my mission here is completed <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" />
 
<!--quoteo(post=232542:date=Jan 6 2008, 09:43 PM:name=PeterWillemoes)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PeterWillemoes @ Jan 6 2008, 09:43 PM) [snapback]232542[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=231673:date=Jan 4 2008, 01:59 PM:name=Pieter Boelen)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pieter Boelen @ Jan 4 2008, 01:59 PM) [snapback]231673[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->How is this for a general idea?
1) Ask them what they mean by our wanting our "support" and promise them as much as we can actually make true
2) Finish Build 14 for PotC as good as we can
3) Possibly update the PotC Build 14 engine to Storm 2.5 (AoP) or Storm 2.8 (CoAS)
4) Move on to CoAS, trying to put as much of our Build 14 content in that game as possible

If we can do this with Akella's/seaward.ru's support, we would be able to get the proper tools to fix the ships in Build 14 and make Build 14 as good as possible. Then we could try and update the Build 14 engine and graphics and make it even better. Then we can move on to CoAS and make that game better as well.

Just a thought. Need your input. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/doff.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":doff" border="0" alt="doff.gif" /><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Fearing, the number of postings tonight will make the forum autoreplace my surname with "Terror", I dare yet to say: You´re the boss! <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" />

Howeverm if you want us to write it, I would start with something like this:

<!--c1--><div class='codetop'>CODE</div><div class='codemain'><!--ec1-->Dear Edward,

Thank you for Your reply. It was nice to read, how You and AlexusB managed to transfer your great mod, "Sea Legend is Back" into the AoP 2.5 Storm engine and how the "City of Abandoned Ships" is coming along just fine - we are very excited about when it is released and look forward to play it!

We certainly could use the support of both Akella and Seaward.ru. Supposed Mr.Arkhipov have given You the permission to send us the tools, we would first of all like to finish the final and last version of our Build Mod. We will call it "PotC: New Horizons"when it is finished.

Next, we would like to transfer our mod into Storm 2.8 if possible. If that is not possible, we would like transfer our mod into the Storm 2.5 engine. We consider your team as experts in this and would love if your team would help us in this matter.

Finally, we would like to buy your game, "City of Abandoned Ships". If we can have the modding tools for this game, we will for sure start modding it as well. We have high expectations for this game and we are sure, it will be a success.

Best regards,

Pieter Boelen
etc etc<!--c2--></div><!--ec2-->

Of course, a lot will need to be added. Especially in the end. Just an..erh dont-know-what-its-called..draft?
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

<img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/me.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":onya" border="0" alt="me.gif" />

Good letter!
I say cut off the two etc-s under the signature and send it!
<img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/yes.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":yes" border="0" alt="yes.gif" />


<img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/no.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":no" border="0" alt="no.gif" /> ... They shouldn't wait for the replies that long in the first place... <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/no.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":no" border="0" alt="no.gif" />
 
<!--quoteo(post=232518:date=Jan 6 2008, 08:34 PM:name=PeterWillemoes)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PeterWillemoes @ Jan 6 2008, 08:34 PM) [snapback]232518[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I cant seem to understand, what is driving Akella. I dont think its money. And if it is, they lack perspective...
... I have tried to explain to them, how important it is to support the modding communities, but in the end, I regard it as pure luck getting through <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/dry.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="<_<" border="0" alt="dry.gif" />
...
...<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I can not emphasize enough what a great job you did in establishing the contact !

Do not be frustrated for the fact... that the western world made the mistake of putting the cold war behind and thus enabled Russia to grow economically selfsupporting and without a collective need for "hard currency" from the west.
The old Sea Dogs, built almost to perfection at that time IN ENGLISH, with Moscow's Symphony Philarmonic Orchestra actually recording the music background for the gameplay, and then supported and patched for European versions, is actually the last product of that era, no matter what we are raised to believe.
Akella makes great games... and real good money... only problem being that Europe is no longer an interesting market for them compared with their own.
We are very small compared to their own community in terms of developing potential.

Regardless the fact that such a thought could make some of us sleepless, truth is we are no longer offering while the Russians are asking but the other way round. Unfortunately this is not a computer game but the everyday life where I see a corporate trend in asking the Russians politely to be allowed on their marked and on their terms.

And no matter how many jokes we make about it, Russia is big enough to stay selfsupporting at a scale uncomprehensible for us.
<img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin.gif" /> Take that joke about their LADA cars for example... and regardless what we say we'd rather drive they are cheap and robust. But what happened when
Europe issued terms... Russia closed LADA EUROPE and said that if you want them you know were to buy them.
How many LADA cars are being now sold in Europe? You can actually count on one hands fingers what you see in a whole week.
How many cars LADA is offering in Russia you can see right here: <a href="http://www.vostok-lada.ru/eng/VLe_catalogue.asp" target="_blank">http://www.vostok-lada.ru/eng/VLe_catalogue.asp</a>
Russia is selfcontaining! So is Akella now!

So this being the Russian way for the time being, and most certainly for the future too, I wouldn't be frustrated at all if I were you.

You really did great!
I mean it
<img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/me.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":onya" border="0" alt="me.gif" />
 
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