New engine, new approach

As reported recently, we have been toying with the idea of abandoning jme as an engine and using a C++ engine. We have done that and have adopted a new open source engine we can use. The decsion behind this was driven by the fact that the only real reason we were using Java over C++ is so we could make applet version to run in a browser window. After some careful consideration and research we’ve determined that the benefits of having an applet version are too small compared to the benefits of using a C++ engine. As such we have switched to the far more versatile and easily modified C++ engine. This really should affect anything for the rest of the dev team or for the end user.

Welcome, draconlord

We’d like to extend a warm welcome to draconlord, the final member of our writing team. I h ave little doubt that the work provided by draconlord will be of the high standard required of those contributing to the project.

Welcome, Barkly

We’d like to extend a warm welcome to Barkly, a new member joining the dev team as a Writer. No doubt you’ll be seeing a lot of his good work soon. Congratulations Barkly and welcome to the team.

Welcome

I would like to extend a warm welcome to the newest member of our developement team, Nekobyte. Nekobyte is joining the team as our Website and Forums coordinator. We look forward to the great things to come.

Some changes

Yeah, I know, another long break between updates, but really, what is there to say? A few important things actually. Firstly on the issue of engines. Since the beginning we have been intent on using jme, a Java engine, so that we have the flexibility to make the application both an applet and standalone application. However, we are now looking further into both the feasibility and the actual advantages offered with a applet version. If it is decided that the applet is either not worth the extra effort or is technically infeasible then we will likely look towards a C++ or C# based engine as the library support is much greater.

Secondly our development strategy has been completely revised, moving from an open design community to the standard closed development team. Unfortunately this also means a change to our company aims and ethos but it is an insurmountable legal hurdle. The about pages will be changed later on today. Along with this change in team setting is a change in development media. Instead of using an open wiki like originally intended the focus of development has moved to the forum medium for communication and directly using our server for storage of files.

We are still looking for dev team members however, people skilled with art especially and perhaps another couple of people skilled with words. Please check the Positions board on the forums.

Recruiting

Hi all, been a while I know, we’ve been fairly busy getting things all set up. I’ve decided it’s not really worth bringing over the old news and announcements as it serve no real purpose to the website.

So, what’s happening now you ask? We are currently transferring all our information from our personal development space to the new open wiki for everyone to see. We’ll be opening up applications for volunteer developers very soon. Email kceltyr@bluefireforge.com for an application form. We have spaces for content moderators, idiot moderators, artists and wiki knowledgeable people. Currently all positions are volunteer (hey, we ain’t earning anything off this either) with a possibility of something more a lot further down the track.

That’s about all I have for now. I promise to keep this updated a little more often.

Forums and Wiki

The forums and wiki have been created. The forums are fairly well setup in terms of structure although most of the basic content is still to be added. The wiki is bare but will be expanded to include the development notes and progress for ED2.0. If you wish to contribute to ED2.0 or any other game please head over to either the forums or the wiki.

Website Launched

Well, here I am, announcing the new website as operational. Over the next few days I’ll spend some time transferring all the old news and information onto this website so it doesn’t look so anorexic. The forums work but the skin is not complete and none of the boards have been set up as of yet, but no doubt that will come in time.

Right now Matt and I are moving into a high productivity phase now that university is on break for a while. We’ll be devoting most of our time to ED2.0 so don’t expect to see much, if any, progress from the other games. Not to worry though, they haven’t been forgotten and they’ll have some attention turned on them in due course.

Spent some time tonight playing with a new logo too. I’m happy with the background but I couldn’t quite get the text to hang right, so I went with something plain and boring. If anyone wants to give it a better shot just download it and email it back to me.