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Turns out I'm going to release afterall

KenFisherKenFisher Member UncommonPosts: 5,035
Long story made really short...

Back in 2007 a game developer released an MMO framework for Torque (a game engine).  I licensed all the artwork (that was how they made money since the framework was free) and started on the project of making an MMO.

It was pretty much one disaster right after the other.  I didn't know what I was doing (still don't), had no clue how hard game design was, and couldn't make up my mind what kind of game I wanted to build (made even tougher since the framework was basically an EQ1 clone).

Last year I was close to release, and shit blew up (financial) and that didn't happen.  The crisis resolved and I'm back to working on getting my MMO released.

It's not a commercial game.  It's a hobby project.  No hype, certainly not designed to fill any market demand.  Just an MMO done by an old-fart networking guy.

I'm renaming the game as "XAP : Alien Ancestors".  Web site (once I get it started) will be www.XAP.net

Quickly summarized: grindy, PVE, not much storyline, very bare-bones, extremely low budget (< $5,000).  There is a hero system that's pretty cool (I think).  The MMO framework supported pets, and I rewrote that as AI controlled henchhmen who assist in combat.



Just posting this to say hello (a regular here since 2007) and let you know that I'm too bull-headed to give up. *BIG GRIN*

Ken Fisher - Semi retired old fart Network Administrator, now working in Network Security.  I don't Forum PVP.  If you feel I've attacked you, it was probably by accident.  When I don't understand, I ask.  Such is not intended as criticism.

Comments

  • JaimlJaiml Member UncommonPosts: 130
    It sounds like you are enjoying the project!  I'm sure it has been a huge labor of love.  It must be exciting to see things coming to release!

    Big gratz on bringing it to near completion!


  • GladDogGladDog Member RarePosts: 1,097
    If you are having fun but would like to make money on it, release a demo (on MMORPG.com of course) and see if there is any interest in a kickstarter.  If you have gotten this far with a budget of below 5 grand, just think what you could do with 50 grand, or even more!  Maybe get a couple of your knowledgeable friends to work on the side for LOW pay + pizza and beer, and see what you can develop.  Having people involved that you can bounce ideas off may help 'kickstart' the game more than you would think!

    If it is a labor of love, and you really want to finish it on your own, I think making a demo for us to play would be good for support - just remember to ignore the Negative Nelly or two or 67 you may run into that love bashing everything that comes across the website. 


    The world is going to the dogs, which is just how I planned it!


  • PhaserlightPhaserlight Member EpicPosts: 3,077
    Grats!  I look forward to checking it out.

    "The simple is the seal of the true and beauty is the splendor of truth" -Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar
    Authored 139 missions in Vendetta Online and 6 tracks in Distance

  • NanfoodleNanfoodle Member LegendaryPosts: 10,900
    grats =-) keep up updated.
  • LynxJSALynxJSA Member RarePosts: 3,334
     You've been having fun hammering away at this for a while. Awesome to see it is panning out for you. Congrats!
    -- Whammy - a 64x64 miniRPG 
    RPG Quiz - can you get all 25 right? 
    FPS Quiz - how well do you know your shooters?  
  • Abuz0rAbuz0r Member UncommonPosts: 550
    Sounds fun let me be a tester please =)
  • LIOKILIOKI Member UncommonPosts: 421
    Good. This is how these games are meant to be created. By passion, not finances, although finances sure help.
  • AlbatroesAlbatroes Member LegendaryPosts: 7,671
    I wish you luck
  • cobaltshadowcobaltshadow Member UncommonPosts: 40
    Very impressive that you've come this far, and its near ready to release!  I'd definitely give it a spin.

    After reading the www.XAP.net I'm impressed that you have managed it all alone until now.  If you are going to be doing a beta anytime soon, give some of us a chance to check it out! :awesome:
    Cobaltshadow

    • "The face of tomorrow is forged from the broken mask's of yesterday."
  • Loke666Loke666 Member EpicPosts: 21,441
    Cool, the genre need people like you. :)
    Keep us updated.
  • AlpiusAlpius Member UncommonPosts: 247
    wow havent heard from you in ages, good to know youre still around.

    ive played your past iterations and had a blast, ill gladly jump in and help ya test anything at any time once youre up and running again.
  • sketocafesketocafe Member UncommonPosts: 950
    Nice, keep at it.
  • RasiemRasiem Member UncommonPosts: 318
    Gratz man I love seeing this kind of news..
  • 45074507 Member UncommonPosts: 351
    I'll be sure to play this once it's released - free without an item shop is, after all, the utopian model for games.

    A word of advice, though: your website in its current form reads like a semi-critical review. I understand not wanting to overhype, but you should really emphazise the parts that are good and unique.
  • inmysightsinmysights Member UncommonPosts: 450
    NICE! I was going to start working with the same engine and MMO framework years ago but just procrastinated as usual because well, playing games is so fun! Let me know when you need a playtester would love to try it out.

    I am so good, I backstabbed your face!

  • DeivosDeivos Member EpicPosts: 3,692
    And bookmarked, will be happy to see what you do and think of/about with your hobby.

    "The knowledge of the theory of logic has no tendency whatever to make men good reasoners." - Thomas B. Macaulay

    "The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge." - Daniel J. Boorstin

  • Gamer54321Gamer54321 Member UncommonPosts: 452
    @OP

    What is it that you like about games when playing them?
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