This is the continuation of a discussion started in the Fun Stuff thread. I'm moving the discussion here to return that thread to on-topic "stuff", and so that I can find this discussion in the future:
Do we really think a main c&c thread will help? I'm not convinced.
What I think we should be doing is getting something tangible out there. Don't we have enough assembled already to make a fantastically good release? That would be the best advert for our endeavours and hopefully inspire folks to help make something great even better..
I agree, I've been saying that. All of the essential elements of the Lost Worlds mod are, by necessity, posted online already, save for the PediaIcons and Civilopedia text files (and Sound files, which are a different matter I'll discuss in a moment) which I would happily surrender to KA, if and whenever he requests it. But I can support a Lost Worlds thread or sub-forum within this forum for reasons I cite below.
But even such a thing might give me a kick in the pants to try to get some of the units done a bit quicker.
That would be worth a new thread. To some extent, we've been waiting on your efforts Tom- well, not you specifically, but on the units you're working on. I had offered to try to make a version of Lost Worlds without the inclusion of Barsoom; that idea that was unanimously shot down. But how to make a decent Barsoom without Thoats and Great White Apes and Worker Tharks?
It's apparent, Tom, that you've become a full member of this steampunk team by effort and default; because you've volunteered the difficult and essential task of making those units. You alone, apparently. You will be rewarded by seeing your units featured prominently in the Lost Worlds Mod and in a future stand-alone Barsoom mod. At least I hope you see that as "reward".... But I also hope you realize how much of this is now keyed to your effort in this regard. Pressure? Welcome to the club.
Even if it's premature for a main forum thread, maybe we ought to have one in this subforum.
And I really understand your point, Blue. You have your Hollow World and Sceptre & Orbs mod ideas that deserve a chance to live and breathe here as well. I would support a separate sub-forum for Lost Worlds within this forum for that reason, if no other.
And I also understand the frustration that everyone feels that this isn't finished yet. It's been like an event-horizon: the closer we get to completion, the more time seems to stand still. I'd remind everyone of just how far we've come in the last few years, from a 'blank page' to our present situation of near completion. Considering the ridiculous goals we naively set for ourselves, that's amazingly good.
As far as Lost Worlds is concerned, we have the following tasks before us, as I see it, before we're done:
1. Final Units - as discussed above, and in the Units Request Thread. Balaam-Agab has gone off the air on me again, and isn't responding to my PM's, but I have the Alice files that he sent me (with some base files missing) if anyone wants to take a stab at putting that unit together...
2. A separate tech tree for Barsoom and other civs? Buildings, wonders, for them? We haven't really discussed this yet. I'd also like to re-do the resources, as I'm not satisfied that we've got them right yet.
3. Sound files: now that we have Vernian Process' permission to use their music, those files we use will need to be converted into the proper format. I hope to contribute to the soundtrack myself, at some point, and think we should encourage other musicians, like Sr Sam Vimes, to contribute their work as well. Variety is spice.
4. Assembly: My computer is a pure mess. My cat managed to wipe all of my bookmarks and unfinished files this morning by stepping on my power strip. This doesn't bode well for me to have such a key role until I can get this beastly machine replaced, and everything ported onto a new hard drive. Too bad we don't have any good computer guys from the Cincinnati area in our group.
5. Beta: when we finally have a beta, I don't think we'll have any problem finding testers among those who have been following these threads faithfully. Moosezilla for sure; I'd like Tony Boscia, Civinator, and Plotinus to all have a look at it as well, as a preference.
The floor is wide open for discussion & dissent....
My favourite books ever.
No one said the appropriate time has arrived. There is only discussion about whether or not there should be such a thread.
