I started up the 2.1 project and just when I'd had enough of the nonsense, I ran into someone who was still putting in a lot of work. So rather than leave him doing all the work himself, I decided I better get back to business.
So now the word is, we're not gonna touch the stock tracks. They're not fun to run day OR night. So I asked Yeastman if he would hand over a couple and he ok'd it. I got an old fav and an MX style track that I'll be adding lights to. have two of my own, yet unreleased, except one is actually a remake of an old multiplayer zone favorite. It really looks awesome now with the new models all over it.
The trucks are under consistant heavy construction. I just got a couple screenshots of Bigfoot and Black Stallion and they look very nice. Everything I'd expect from one of the best. He IS cutting a few corners though, but in the end, I think they will please all but the pickiest people.
I haven't been able to do much as far as editing because I had a Binedit mindgame thrown on me... It seemed that I could not insert an MTM model into another and save until I decided 'Sure - I'll convert face type to mtm' which I thought it should have been already...
But in the meantime, I thought I'd have at the UI makeover. It would help a lot of people submitted some pics to use, because the last time I had people telling me I'd step on some toes by using pics without permission. It would also be good if I could have a session or two with the truck man to see if we could photo texture... but that would mean lots of work being redone, and more textures added. He's been trying to reduce that number and is doing a killer job at it.
Finally, I snatched out a real peice of work from the game's CB department. After taking a few moments, I figured I could probably do no worse than the original. I had a fun time learning Xara's vector graphic features, and found it to be super easy incomparison to say, flash editing, which uses the same graphic principles. So here's what became of the CB Radio after some intense trial and error learning sessions...
http://www.iw.net/~alpine13/radio21.jpg
If anyone is still game for helping, please give me a hollar. The more people I have lending a hand for a 1/2 hour or so, the less we have to wait for the tracks to be finished. I know the trucks will be finished 1st, and if I have no help with odd tasks here and there, it'll be all year before I can get things ready for release.
Here's the duties layout:
Trucks: - should all be taken care of. No help needed in that department that I know of.
Tracks: Custom checkpoint markers would be GREAT! Especially if they have a light attached and an 'Madness 2.1' or 'MonsterStyle' logo on them. Custom billboards are also a plus for decoratives. For that matter, I've also found truck trailers and boxcars make good advertisement areas.
Game screens: I've been stuck on wanting to do that myself, but I do need images submitted before I have to hunt them down and steal them lol I plan on redoing every image in the UI pod, and thats a huge project in itself, so if anyone wants to help by doing image or button sets, we can square away which we'll handle. So far, I have no idea what I wanna do with the options/button allocation images...
Promotions: Web editing/site hosting will be taken care of but nothing is definate. I'd rather have at least a few choices. I am one of them...I'd love to get stuck into Xara Webstyle 4 and kick a little flash. As for advert and link images, we can use all we can get so if you feel like taking a stab at one of the many flash editing programs available, I think I can probably set you up with the goods. I know Im sure gonna be having fun with it when the game editing is complete!
Finally, (and Phin or Mal would be those I'd turn to first...) I'd like finished projects sent in for safe keeping, testing, and trouble shooting. I'll have my hands full as usual just thinking my way thru lazy days. lol I definately think someone who's used to running thru trucks and tracks on a regular basis would be perfectly suited for this. It would also be interesting to have record of the work involved in the 2.1 project. It should have all the images and screenshots, sort of a walk thru of the project being created.
Well, thats it for me... I've waiting up for +DakotaSky to bring home a report on the birth of yet another grand daughter. And I think the pepsi I just drank has fueled me just enough for typing this post.
Hope I get some feedback on this... and at least a couple of people that now realize this project wil indeed bring just about everyone who has the game installed asking for it. I mean, we got people skinning their zone images... because they are STARVING for something new. So Im gonna give them what they want... I'm even gonna redo the truck select screen garage bin AND the winners circle crown! lol
Oh, and if you need a little initiative, those who make a decent contribution get to have their personal truck and favorite track included in the install. And if you dont have a personal truck, gimme a hollar and I'll personally paint a truck so tight you'll almost be affraid to roll it.
http://www.iw.net/~alpine13/setup.gif