new episode up... - Alpha Centauri Forums

  Alpha Centauri Forums
  Old Test Forums
  new episode up...

profile | register | prefs | faq | search

Author Topic:   new episode up...

Mike Ely FIRAXIS posted 11-09-98 07:13 PM ET
Hi there everyone.
There's a new episode up. The full forums will be returned to their rightful place at some point, but our web host is having real connection problems right now and we're all spending all of our time in finishing-alpha-centauri-related activities.
Hopefully everyone has seen the new background posted in Cool Stuff last week.
The game is looking good!

Medivh posted 11-09-98 07:16 PM ET
That sounds great! Thanks Mike Ely.
At last some encouraging news ( okey the exact date of the demo was also great )
Hope to see more of the games soon.
SnowFire posted 11-09-98 09:03 PM ET
Another great episode, lots of dialouge and I was glad to see Imran in it. And I like chess, too, so that part definitely helped . Now, all I have to wait for is the day that a Peter Ingraham appears somewhere... a Gaian or UoP person with PK inclinations and a combination attraction/repulsion from the Believers... ah, yes. Someday... maybe...
MikeH II posted 11-10-98 07:36 AM ET
The new episode is really good. It's really good the way Mike asked for comments on the story and since then it's got better and better. Nice work.
Mortis posted 11-10-98 07:55 AM ET
Looks like Morgan's building himself a faction.
MikeH II posted 11-10-98 08:05 AM ET
What a recruit he's got in Imran!
I wonder if Santiago needs any recruits...
She certainly needs some help at the moment. I am eagerly awaiting more Santiago developments. We could only have about 10 more story elements to go which seems a bit sad. In fact maybe even fewer.
Mortis posted 11-10-98 08:09 AM ET
I don't think they can wrap it all up, their just getting into it, either they'll increace the story frequency or they'll put the ending in the manual. Won't that be interesting.
MikeH II posted 11-10-98 08:17 AM ET
I can't work out if they are writing it as they go along or not. If they aren't then they could do as you say but I think sometimes they know the story but not the exact text. The story definately got better after our comments.
tOFfGI posted 11-10-98 08:30 AM ET
The Holographic "Chess Game" is such a sucky SF Clich�- Chess has stayed the same for 600 years, who says it wouldn't last a few more?
MikeH II posted 11-10-98 08:38 AM ET
Well it has but now you can get computer chess, portable chess games and chess computers. Holographic chess may be a bit of a SF cliche but that's because it seems a likely development. The game is the same the board is different.
DJ RRebel posted 11-10-98 10:20 AM ET
Mike >>> I hope you merge the old board with this one .. there've been a few interesting threads in here .. just stick it in General !!!
DJ RRebel posted 11-10-98 10:20 AM ET
Ummm .. that was to Mike Ely of FIRAXIS .. not MikeH II !! Sorry !!!
MikeH II posted 11-10-98 10:24 AM ET
That was close I was just about to integrate the boards as well. Phew!
BigER posted 11-10-98 10:38 AM ET
Tastes great less filling.
Jimmy posted 11-10-98 12:36 PM ET
Did any one notice in the story tht it mentions the bishop piece as looking like Lara Croft? I still wonder why they do not have a real chess board with real pieces instead of the holochess. After all, a real chess board does not take up much room or ressources.
MikeH II posted 11-10-98 12:41 PM ET
...and holochess uses electricity. I think it's to add atmosphere and character myself.
Fluke posted 11-10-98 12:44 PM ET
Well you don't know how much space the holo-chessboard takes up and it would allow for customization of your pieces, like making the pawns Space Marines.
NotLikeTea posted 11-10-98 05:48 PM ET
I for one don't like the Lara Croft reference.
I mean, 50 years from now, who will remember?
Unless they mean looking like Lara Croft (ie: vaguely like her, a comparison for our sake) instead of being like her (ie: her direct image)
I dunno... it bugged me.
Antiam posted 11-11-98 06:30 PM ET
I didn't like the Croft reference either. Somehow those tight shorts don't go well with a mitre.
Antiam
outlyr242 the rebirth posted 11-11-98 06:37 PM ET
Croft ain't my cup o' tea either. But I think it is a marketing ploy by Firaxis. They know that they have the strategy games in their back pockets but the... What do you call that kind of game... whatever, those gamers are a different breed, maybe if they just hear the babe's name they will flock to the better side of the industry.
outlyr242 the rebirth posted 11-11-98 06:39 PM ET
And I think the stories are getting MUCH better. More characters are being accounted for and we see more internal character development. The characters are no longer as mysterious and dark. I still think Mike writes them on the weekends, thus posted every Monday.
Kurn posted 11-11-98 11:16 PM ET
lol! Mike just throws them quickly onto a typewriter and laughs as he realises that for the next 3 years, millions of computer nerds around the world will be scrutenizing his game of holo chess and inventing their own variations. Reminds me of the simpsons ep where Homer goes on Itchy and Scratchy.
"Uh, in the fourth level of the Itchy and Scratchy Video Game, how do you find the 3rd dungeon key?"
"What the hell are you talking about!?!"
thats a classic
Yo_Yo_Yo_Hey posted 11-11-98 11:27 PM ET
"In epsiode24B, Itchy played Scratchys skeleton like a guitar, but he hit the same bones, but produced two different notes! What are we supposd to believe this to be some sort of "magic" instrument??
"I'll take this one. Listen kid, let me ask you a question, if your shirt says "genius at work", why are you spending all your time watching a childrens cartoon show??"
"I withdraw my question" he pulls out a candy bar & starts eating it
***************************************************
I just realized something, in Mike Ely's post in here, he said we are to busy(& I quote) doing-alpha-centauri-related activities. I think he was making a subtle little statement about our little off-topicness there
Your faithful & hell-bent NIMadier general,
YYYH
Old_Guy posted 11-12-98 03:07 AM ET
Ah chess. Maybe the story was making a subtle statement about multiplayer turn-based games. Did you notice how fast the game between Morgan and Imran went even while they were conversing?
It's amazing how one game (chess) is used for so many different metaphors in life. You could definitely argue that Morgan uses people like chess pieces.
As for the Lara Croft reference, maybe the guys at Firaxis have been cooped up in their offices too long.
My favorite chess piece: the Knight.
I would love to watch a chess match between Morgan and Saratov. That would be an epic battle.
YYYH--Isn't it amazing how many Simpsons quotes are dead-on appropriate for other situations in life?
Kurn posted 11-12-98 03:35 AM ET
Everything about the simpsons is relivant in life!
Apu climbs up to a very high peak in India
"Here we are! The first ever conveniant store in the world!"
Homer "Well, it certainly isnt conveniant!"
"Must you badger everything we do"
How is it relivant? Its funny, and thats good enough, now shutup and laugh you bastard!
JB posted 11-12-98 04:14 AM ET
I love chess... I beat everyone at the competition at the library Student Center.
Old_Guy posted 11-12-98 01:50 PM ET
My chess highlight was when I went to my university's Student Center and saw one of those guys who plays ten people at once. I decided to play for the heck of it. It was funny to watch him killing everyone else and then suddenly have to concentrate on me as I got an early material advantage. I won in about 35-40 moves.
Sure I had an advantage, but it was a contest so I ended up winning a tape!
SnowFire posted 11-12-98 03:35 PM ET
I'd probably be better at chess if I played more of it. I do okay at non-timed chess, but I tend to panic with a clock (or run out of time). And I'm utterly hopeless at speed chess. I still like the game, I think my greatest "victory" was setting up a position in this game that looked like I was going to win, but actually imminent defeat was in my future. I offered a draw and got one, saving my hide (I went 1.5-2.5 in that tourney, which I considered good considering the quality of the players there).
P.S. Our chess club teacher, while in college, had an interesting experience. he college had this grandmaster come in and play 50 people at once, moving down the line taking about a second for each move. He concentrated on one thing: getting a passed pawn. As the other players started falling out, he hung in there, until he was the only person stil left playing, with a pawn that was going to become a queen in two turns. The grandmaster resigned. Later, he found out the stats he put up: 46 wins, 3 draws, and 1 loss. Nothing like being the only one to beat a GM...
Saint Randerolf posted 11-15-98 01:41 AM ET
You could look at Lara Croft in the chess game as putting a superficial action game hero in a time honored strategy game of masters. The stories are getting much better. I'm just glad that we can see all of the profiles now. That was so seductive. I could wait to se all of 'um.
My favorite chess piece: The Rook
It seems that Morgan only wants wealth because of its security. It seem to like him better
Perhaps, Santiago will be playing cards (with Mario and Luigi on them) with her guard. She will then paper cut him or her and then later Kill Captain "Crunch" Garland.

God bless Sister Miriam and paladins willing to fight.
To close this thread, click here (moderator or admin only).


Hop to:

Contact Us | Alpha Centauri Home

Powered by: Ultimate Bulletin Board, Version 5.18
© Madrona Park, Inc., 1998.

Author	Topic: new episode up...
Mike Ely FIRAXIS	posted 11-09-98 07:13 PM ET Hi there everyone. There's a new episode up. The full forums will be returned to their rightful place at some point, but our web host is having real connection problems right now and we're all spending all of our time in finishing-alpha-centauri-related activities. Hopefully everyone has seen the new background posted in Cool Stuff last week. The game is looking good!
Medivh	posted 11-09-98 07:16 PM ET That sounds great! Thanks Mike Ely. At last some encouraging news ( okey the exact date of the demo was also great ) Hope to see more of the games soon.
SnowFire	posted 11-09-98 09:03 PM ET Another great episode, lots of dialouge and I was glad to see Imran in it. And I like chess, too, so that part definitely helped . Now, all I have to wait for is the day that a Peter Ingraham appears somewhere... a Gaian or UoP person with PK inclinations and a combination attraction/repulsion from the Believers... ah, yes. Someday... maybe...
MikeH II	posted 11-10-98 07:36 AM ET The new episode is really good. It's really good the way Mike asked for comments on the story and since then it's got better and better. Nice work.
Mortis	posted 11-10-98 07:55 AM ET Looks like Morgan's building himself a faction.
MikeH II	posted 11-10-98 08:05 AM ET What a recruit he's got in Imran! I wonder if Santiago needs any recruits... She certainly needs some help at the moment. I am eagerly awaiting more Santiago developments. We could only have about 10 more story elements to go which seems a bit sad. In fact maybe even fewer.
Mortis	posted 11-10-98 08:09 AM ET I don't think they can wrap it all up, their just getting into it, either they'll increace the story frequency or they'll put the ending in the manual. Won't that be interesting.
MikeH II	posted 11-10-98 08:17 AM ET I can't work out if they are writing it as they go along or not. If they aren't then they could do as you say but I think sometimes they know the story but not the exact text. The story definately got better after our comments.
tOFfGI	posted 11-10-98 08:30 AM ET The Holographic "Chess Game" is such a sucky SF Clich�- Chess has stayed the same for 600 years, who says it wouldn't last a few more?
MikeH II	posted 11-10-98 08:38 AM ET Well it has but now you can get computer chess, portable chess games and chess computers. Holographic chess may be a bit of a SF cliche but that's because it seems a likely development. The game is the same the board is different.
DJ RRebel	posted 11-10-98 10:20 AM ET Mike >>> I hope you merge the old board with this one .. there've been a few interesting threads in here .. just stick it in General !!!
DJ RRebel	posted 11-10-98 10:20 AM ET Ummm .. that was to Mike Ely of FIRAXIS .. not MikeH II !! Sorry !!!
MikeH II	posted 11-10-98 10:24 AM ET That was close I was just about to integrate the boards as well. Phew!
BigER	posted 11-10-98 10:38 AM ET Tastes great less filling.
Jimmy	posted 11-10-98 12:36 PM ET Did any one notice in the story tht it mentions the bishop piece as looking like Lara Croft? I still wonder why they do not have a real chess board with real pieces instead of the holochess. After all, a real chess board does not take up much room or ressources.
MikeH II	posted 11-10-98 12:41 PM ET ...and holochess uses electricity. I think it's to add atmosphere and character myself.
Fluke	posted 11-10-98 12:44 PM ET Well you don't know how much space the holo-chessboard takes up and it would allow for customization of your pieces, like making the pawns Space Marines.
NotLikeTea	posted 11-10-98 05:48 PM ET I for one don't like the Lara Croft reference. I mean, 50 years from now, who will remember? Unless they mean looking like Lara Croft (ie: vaguely like her, a comparison for our sake) instead of being like her (ie: her direct image) I dunno... it bugged me.
Antiam	posted 11-11-98 06:30 PM ET I didn't like the Croft reference either. Somehow those tight shorts don't go well with a mitre. Antiam
outlyr242 the rebirth	posted 11-11-98 06:37 PM ET Croft ain't my cup o' tea either. But I think it is a marketing ploy by Firaxis. They know that they have the strategy games in their back pockets but the... What do you call that kind of game... whatever, those gamers are a different breed, maybe if they just hear the babe's name they will flock to the better side of the industry.
outlyr242 the rebirth	posted 11-11-98 06:39 PM ET And I think the stories are getting MUCH better. More characters are being accounted for and we see more internal character development. The characters are no longer as mysterious and dark. I still think Mike writes them on the weekends, thus posted every Monday.
Kurn	posted 11-11-98 11:16 PM ET lol! Mike just throws them quickly onto a typewriter and laughs as he realises that for the next 3 years, millions of computer nerds around the world will be scrutenizing his game of holo chess and inventing their own variations. Reminds me of the simpsons ep where Homer goes on Itchy and Scratchy. "Uh, in the fourth level of the Itchy and Scratchy Video Game, how do you find the 3rd dungeon key?" "What the hell are you talking about!?!" thats a classic
Yo_Yo_Yo_Hey	posted 11-11-98 11:27 PM ET "In epsiode24B, Itchy played Scratchys skeleton like a guitar, but he hit the same bones, but produced two different notes! What are we supposd to believe this to be some sort of "magic" instrument?? "I'll take this one. Listen kid, let me ask you a question, if your shirt says "genius at work", why are you spending all your time watching a childrens cartoon show??" "I withdraw my question" he pulls out a candy bar & starts eating it *************************************************** I just realized something, in Mike Ely's post in here, he said we are to busy(& I quote) doing-alpha-centauri-related activities. I think he was making a subtle little statement about our little off-topicness there Your faithful & hell-bent NIMadier general, YYYH
Old_Guy	posted 11-12-98 03:07 AM ET Ah chess. Maybe the story was making a subtle statement about multiplayer turn-based games. Did you notice how fast the game between Morgan and Imran went even while they were conversing? It's amazing how one game (chess) is used for so many different metaphors in life. You could definitely argue that Morgan uses people like chess pieces. As for the Lara Croft reference, maybe the guys at Firaxis have been cooped up in their offices too long. My favorite chess piece: the Knight. I would love to watch a chess match between Morgan and Saratov. That would be an epic battle. YYYH--Isn't it amazing how many Simpsons quotes are dead-on appropriate for other situations in life?
Kurn	posted 11-12-98 03:35 AM ET Everything about the simpsons is relivant in life! Apu climbs up to a very high peak in India "Here we are! The first ever conveniant store in the world!" Homer "Well, it certainly isnt conveniant!" "Must you badger everything we do" How is it relivant? Its funny, and thats good enough, now shutup and laugh you bastard!
JB	posted 11-12-98 04:14 AM ET I love chess... I beat everyone at the competition at the library Student Center.
Old_Guy	posted 11-12-98 01:50 PM ET My chess highlight was when I went to my university's Student Center and saw one of those guys who plays ten people at once. I decided to play for the heck of it. It was funny to watch him killing everyone else and then suddenly have to concentrate on me as I got an early material advantage. I won in about 35-40 moves. Sure I had an advantage, but it was a contest so I ended up winning a tape!
SnowFire	posted 11-12-98 03:35 PM ET I'd probably be better at chess if I played more of it. I do okay at non-timed chess, but I tend to panic with a clock (or run out of time). And I'm utterly hopeless at speed chess. I still like the game, I think my greatest "victory" was setting up a position in this game that looked like I was going to win, but actually imminent defeat was in my future. I offered a draw and got one, saving my hide (I went 1.5-2.5 in that tourney, which I considered good considering the quality of the players there). P.S. Our chess club teacher, while in college, had an interesting experience. he college had this grandmaster come in and play 50 people at once, moving down the line taking about a second for each move. He concentrated on one thing: getting a passed pawn. As the other players started falling out, he hung in there, until he was the only person stil left playing, with a pawn that was going to become a queen in two turns. The grandmaster resigned. Later, he found out the stats he put up: 46 wins, 3 draws, and 1 loss. Nothing like being the only one to beat a GM...
Saint Randerolf	posted 11-15-98 01:41 AM ET You could look at Lara Croft in the chess game as putting a superficial action game hero in a time honored strategy game of masters. The stories are getting much better. I'm just glad that we can see all of the profiles now. That was so seductive. I could wait to se all of 'um. My favorite chess piece: The Rook It seems that Morgan only wants wealth because of its security. It seem to like him better Perhaps, Santiago will be playing cards (with Mario and Luigi on them) with her guard. She will then paper cut him or her and then later Kill Captain "Crunch" Garland. God bless Sister Miriam and paladins willing to fight.