New Quadradius to come out with the new Server

[Jimmi]

I have good news and bad news, but the bad news was inevitable, and replaced by good news.

The bad news. NPT will be coming to a close. Since January first, 2007, I have released a new power into the arena for members to play with. We shot for a release date every first Tuesday of the month, usually at midnight the night before. This was both fun and promotional. It really kicked the evolution of the game into high gear. With that comes problems, including programming, dedication, and game play. You all knew I couldn’t keep it up forever.

But here is the good news, I am going to strive to finish up this year’s NPT. So we will have gotten a full twelve NPT’s all of 2007. And this doesn’t mean we won’t add new powers and game play twists into the game. We just won’t follow such a strict deadline/promotion. We will add them as we see fit, when either we, or you awesome guys, come up with some really cool ideas.

So why would I slack, just when QR should be expanding?

Oh, cause it is expanding. Now for the great news. As you have all heard, Russian Mike is working on new server code, to expand the functionality and improve stableness of the game. That requires a whole bunch of recoding on my part, too. And none of my efforts will go noticed. So what happens when the new server comes out, and the game still looks the same? Well, not as much fan fare. Since I have to regut the code to deal with the new server anyways, I have decided not to regut at all. I am going to do something I always dreaded, but now am finally looking forward to.

Programming QR from the ground up, all new! While this may seem daunting, it should go much quicker because a) I am a better programmer this time around, b) I found better tools, c) I already know what needs to be done, d) I can fix my mistakes now. Oh, and for all you esthetic, artsy people out there, it is being programmed in Flash 9, Actionscript 3 (updated from the now old flash 7). So, much more visual effects, and many speed improvements.

So this is why I am struggling with NPT’s now, and want to focus more attention on getting the new QR out the door, (codenamed QRimson). After all, this damn game has become my life to some extent, giving me my 15 kilobytes of fame, and now I feel pulled to run with it.

I hope to have some progress reports that I can make public, but now it is slow. It will pick up again in the beginning of October. And as for the new server, (codenamed Qlover), we hope to have similar progress reports too. Don’t worry about hounding us. It keeps the fire lit under our asses.

[Moose]

Thank you for the updates jimmi. A few qomments and questions to start things off:

NPT Shutdown. Awesome that you're going to ride it out until the end of the year... confusing about after that? I'm curious... would other people on the team be able to continue this for you? Would a more robust game code and server make NPT a quicker process? For dorkiness' sake... how long does it end up taking you to roll out a NPT overall? Just so we can extra-appreciate it... Yes I agree, I think we all knew this would happen. I wouldn't mind so much if I knew Cthulhu wasn't going to get shafted.

QR Expanding. So while I am naturally boner-xcited about the new game and new server, I've always been passionate about tracking the growing qmmunity and fanbase. Do you have any plans as detailed as qreating the new qontent in regards to getting more people to play the game? We've all seen a lot of guests lately, and I've actually been having a tough time finding diverse member opponents... In the past you have shown graphs logging the number of players at any given time, joinup rate I believe etc. Another update on this stuff at this point, I think, would be awesome for the hardcore group to know.

Recoding. This sounds tough, best of luck. Question though - are you subtly asking us to hold our horses on certain bugs, suggestions, and nags? Should we expect current quality to dip whilst the grand vision is being realized? I'm fine either way, just let us know what to expect if possible.

This damn game. Personal question - are you happy with your relationship with Quadradius? So many people love it so much... but that doesn't necessarily mean you like your position. Do you really really want to take this thing all the way, are you scared of qommitment, scared of letting us down? Or just can't wait to turn it into more money? I'm guessing by your Qrimson and Qlover approach, that you still love this thing and might even cuddle your computers often.

New Server. Will you be the one giving out updates, or RM? Don't tease me - I am actually going to be looking for those progress reports. Should we give YOU progress reports on your progress erm reports?

Moose. This guy kicks a lot of ass... when does he get a medal or trophy?

[robponce]

The bad news. NPT will be coming to a close.... You all knew I couldn’t keep it up forever.

I was kinda looking forward to what you came up with 5 years from now after 60 more powers. Perhaps you could turn this in to a NPC? New Power Christmas? I'd like to keep the innovation and the build up of hype and anticipation of a new power. Maybe you could announce a week before-hand that your unleashing one?

Programming QR from the ground up, all new!...Oh, and for all you esthetic, artsy people out there, it is being programmed in Flash 9, Actionscript 3 (updated from the now old flash 7). So, much more visual effects, and many speed improvements.

Congrats! When we talked at the QR Boston Convention you mentioned how you wanted to do this and how you wanted to get into better visual effects. DOES THIS MEAN WE GET AN ACTUAL BANKRUPT VISUAL!?!?!?!??!?

(codenamed QRimson). After all, this damn game has become my life to some extent, giving me my 15 kilobytes of fame, and now I feel pulled to run with it....(codenamed Qlover), we hope to have similar progress reports too. Don’t worry about hounding us. It keeps the fire lit under our asses.

Is this like the Nintendo code name Revolution? Can it be named the Qii?

Seriously though dude, congrats on everything you have accomplished on your dreams. Your 15 kilobytes of fame are well deserved and if you need any consulting let me know. I just finished up with some L'Oreal, Ducatti, and IBM consulting and I'd be willing to help ya out. (just not this week, got a presentation to do)

Just so you know, the reason I've been around lately when I said I wouldnt is because I lost a friend of mine recently and needed a break from RL. Clearly you give me that outlet. I Qlove you Jimmi.

[Rhox]

All of this is very interesting, Jimmi. Just curious though - what will be different about Qrimson? I'm not all that computer savvy. Will it have an overall different look, different graphics?

[The Learned Pig]

Who knew you were a Tommy James & the Shondells fan?

[Moose]

The Face of the New Quadradius.

[Jimmi]

Who knew you were a Tommy James & the Shondells fan?

That's exactly where it came from. Joan Jette's is ok. I also like Crystal Blue Persuasion, Draggin the Line, and when they covered Tiffany. When I was about 21-23, i went through a huge oldies phase.

[bizpimp]

Oh, and for all you esthetic, artsy people out there, it is being programmed in Flash 9, Actionscript 3 (updated from the now old flash 7).

While I'm stoked about the whole server upgrade 'n all, once I read the above quote, a shiver ran down my spine and I felt an overwhelming feeling of remorse and disbelief.

The computer in which I spend the majority of my waking hours using is most certainly capable of running Flash 9; however, I do not and will not run any version of Flash other than Flash 8 on this particular computer.

So, now I wonder if I will still be able to play QR with Flash 8 instead of 9, once the new server is launched.

My reason for not upgrading from Flash 8 is simple, and perhaps stupid. Regardless, Poulaga Challenge, the other multiplayer Flash game I've been playing for the past five years (and will continue to play so long as it remains online), is not compatible with anything higher than Flash 8.

So far, this decision has cost me my ability to access my favorite part of Newgrounds.com, the Audio Portal (which now requires Flash 9, due to the launch of their new site), and I trust that it will cost me even more as time goes on. I only hope that the new QR will somehow remain compatible with Flash 8.

If not, I DO have other (less desirable) means accessing sites that require Flash 9 - via three other computers that just exceed armlength's distance... it's just that "moving" becomes somewhat of a disturbance for me once I settle down in front of this computer.

So, what do you think, Jimmi? Will there be any hope of playing QR for Flash 8 users once the new server is here?

[Jimmi]

are you sure about the upgrade breaking the chicken game? flash is supposed to be designed to be backwards compatible. yes, there have been some issues in the past, but upgrading to flash 9 should still play flash 8,7,6,5 etc. that is the purpose of flash. and many programs, from MS Word, to Photoshop.

[Russian Mike]

Complete and utter horseshit. I have Flash 9 (XP, Firefox 2 ) and I played Poulaga Challenge last night with no problem.

[bizpimp]

Complete and utter horseshit. I have Flash 9 (XP, Firefox 2 ) and I played Poulaga Challenge last night with no problem.

Problem is: I'm a Mac user (OSX 10.3.9) who wants to run Flash 9 on Internet Explorer 5.2 (the last version of IE that Microsoft put out for us). While Flash 9 might run on IE 5.2 for Mac, Poulaga won't load when the player and app try to work together.

I've heard Windows users are able to install Flash 9 on a single browser (ex. Firefox) and use an ealier version on another browser (ex. IE), but I saw no such option when I installed Flash 9 on my Mac.

I'll take all the help I can get on this matter, but I don't wanna derail this thread. I'll write to you via PM as I did Jimmi.

[Rydash]

Jimmi, quick question, does this mean the end for Wii functionality in the ways of QR?

[Jimmi]

i didnt ever think it played properly on the Wii, but either way, they should be good to update their browsers themselves. i would think Nintendo would want to stay up on top of things.

Moose:
no, others would not be able to continue NPT, but yes, it could technically be easier with the new server. but with the new code, we would want to make it bad ass, so it would probably take longer anyways (graphics, sound for every damn power!). Some of them have happened as fast as 3 hours start to finish, some about 20 hours, with stupid bugs. this may not seem like much, but i usually tweak NPT for a week after its out, then work on other stuff, then what do you know, npt time again.

As for the growth of the game, it has been steady. we hate steady. We like big surges here and there. But i cant really promote it with the way the server holds up. new grounds left us with many people not being able to connect, and i-am-bored even more so. We agreed we wont push much promotion until we get a better game. I want a better game. we all do.

you shouldnt need to worry about stopping with the suggestions. Most of them wont go into this version, but it all helps with QRimson.

I am very happy with QR. I love that this stupid game i made in highschool (then redid for Flash) has spawned so much enthusiasm. dare i say it's fucking nuts?

RM will give updates after we discuss as a group. We leak what we want to leak

This guy does kick ass... and throws good Seattle parties.

[Russian Mike]

This guy does kick ass... and throws good Seattle parties.

???

[Sinfrax]

I've heard Windows users are able to install Flash 9 on a single browser (ex. Firefox) and use an ealier version on another browser (ex. IE), but I saw no such option when I installed Flash 9 on my Mac.

If I remember correctly, when you get the flash add-on for FF, it should give you the option to only install in within Firefox.


Although, you should know better than trying to play games on a mac. Madness.