Varium Info

[Dihnekis]

more details on multiplayer please!!!

[anon]

[Robotbeat]

[Robotbeat]

Seriously, though. You could have a really simple tile-based map editor for quick making of maps, with simple bitmap heightmaps that you can make inside the program instead of having to import stuff to make a map. Heck, you could even do that on the PPC, but I don't think that you'd want to. You could have simple options for placing objects, powerups, and spawn-points and stuff like that, with an easily accessed library of tile textures so that you could make a map in like five minutes. Then, if people wanted, they could make new tile textures, skins, and whatever, and eventually after they got beyond that stuff they could use something like Blender or Worldcraft or whatever. Since it's like tile-based or something, you wouldn't have to worry about a lot of things and it will be pretty optimized that way, too.

Anyways... Now that I think about it, you guys probably are too close to releasing the game for this comment to be much good, but yeah. Maybe you could make your models/maps some open format so that you can use other editors to do whatever. And then you might need a converter or something.

[sponge]

The maps are full 3D, ala Quake style. Tile based won't work out at all.

[randall]

Multiplayer... I don't know where to start with that one. There will be a generic world on the server that anyone can join (as long as they have the registered version). This is basically the lowest-common denominator of the three worlds. More people will probably be logged on to this game, since it doesn't matter if they are using the WWII, Cartoon or Alien modules.

Beyond that, each module will also have its own dedicated levels. Each of those worlds have their own rules and style of gameplay.

with the hardcore gameplay of WWII, you can only carry so much ammo and a couple weapons. However, weapons are more deadly and you don't have armor, so it pays to stay out of the enemies gunsights. Its pretty difficult to cheat death here, but stealth and strategic hiding definately help. Its not a battle to collect big guns, ammo and health- this is straight-up warfare.

The Alien world might offer something a little more familar to most people- you can carry ALL the weapons in the world, since they are built into your biosuit. You only need to power them up on occasion. Your biosuit also converts to a hoverbike, allowing you to traverse the terrain at about 3 times running speed. A few of the weapons are organisms that will strike unnanounced, allowing you to set traps. We've also been toying with numerous other "tricks" that will be implemented if they don't unbalance the game.

The cartoon world doesn't take itself seriously. Armed with a machingun toaster capable of ejecting 8 slices of toast a second, you are amidst THE foodfight battle that could determine the fate of Schnoogie. Numerous other gadgets and improbable weapons are at your disposal, including the deadly spitwad shooter and a few squirts from a mustard bottle. Depending on the map, There may be a series of catwalks and platforms that you can knock your enemies into the abyss below.

[hockeydude]

So exactly how much time can we expect to wait yet for a release? Or is that confidential?

[Robotbeat]

Randall, my "idea" was just a way that would let anyone with half a brain create a map in like five minutes. It would get more people interested, I think. This would definitely not be any sort of tool for developers. It would be too crappy for that. The only reason it would use tiles is because it would be quicker and easier to make maps that way. You wouldn't actually have to draw anything really to make a map. But whatever. Just a simple idea. Not like I think you guys are doing the wrong thing. It's just an idea, you guys! I'm not trying to start an argument!

[Dan East]

[randall]

[Dihnekis]

so... how much is it going to cost?

[randall]

A bajillion dollars. We only need to sell one copy that way.

We really haven't established a price yet. We are still coordinating efforts with marketing and etailers in order to figure out how to best sell it.

For the engine and a single module, it probably won't exceed $12 (we hope). Additional modules will be a couple dollars. But don't quote me on that- it really depends on input from the marketing/estore side of things. We can build the registration, modules and installation package based on their pricing/marketing model.

[James S]

And modules would mean episodes like Wermacht or Planet Schnoogie? So we get one episode for the "$12" and then another one for "a couple dollars?" I see... that actually sounds like a good plan. I like it.

[randall]

well, I find it ridiculous to force someone to load/unload/buy all three modules if they don't particularly like Cartoons or WWII. This way, its scalable.

The public can DL a single demo, test drive all three modules and then make the decision which ones to buy. The demos will be restrictive, of course. The full version will allow the multiplayer to be any character in the game- unlike Half-Life that doesn't allow you to be a monster. Plus you get expanded weapons, access to the exlusive servers, missions, new maps and mods...

The demo will [eventually] allow a single map in multiplayer, just so that people can determine playability, access and speed. All three modules will share that map.

[James S]

Can you do me a favor? When this game is released, can you please please PLEASE put an estimated amount of data it takes for an average multiplayer game, (like: it takes 500KB for a 3 minute game)?! I want to know this for Snails, too! Because my AT&T cell phone is limited to 4MB's a month and I don't want to suck that up with one game of Varium! I'd like to have a rough idea before hand so when the bill comes I won't be surprised! PLEASE!