outsourcing

[Shamu]

I just wanted to ask Zwieb if outsourcing stuff to other people would be an option, since it would allow for faster progress or more different directions and he doesn't have the time to do all kinds of things.

I know that Zwieb did say in a post somewhere that all the legit people are too busy or aren't interested, but maybe you could find someone here on the forums who can do one thing or another. It could range from "LF someone who can design items" and "LF someone who can create models" to bigger things like "LF someone who can do the entire minigame thing" and "LF someone who can create a new class, possibly with class quest".

Of course it only makes sense to outsource things that Zwieb doesn't really like to do, or things that he doesn't mind not doing. It should not be about taking away his hobby, and I assume he kind of enjoys working on the mapin general.

Also, it would make no sense to outsource things if it would decrease efficiency, meaning that only people who know what they are doing and have some sort of qualification or work they can show should be considered. It also means that you can't outsource every minor thing, since correspondence, instructions and implementation will take up some time.

So, directed at Zwieb, is outsourcing an option for you, if qualified people can be found, and if yes, what would you be ready to let other people do, and, directed at the rest, is there anyone here who can do... well, things?

 

[grekern]

Most of the thing that can be made externally is already being handled by other people (Ihazdialup and BoxOfFaith are doing/have done the items for the next version). And what I have heard, most people that was supposed to help with internal parts (that require the source map) of the map didn't follow through or didn't have the time. This is why zwieb is (understandably) reluctant to hand out the map to "random" people.

 

[Ihazdialup]

Does anybody know how to code in JASS?

 

[Zwiebelchen]

Ihaz and box made all the items for the next version and from what I've seen so far (I haven't checked out all items yet), it looks great, so I will definitely come back to you guys when I need more.

Muzzel always helped me out writing some customized systems for Gaias, like the bag system.

Terraining was almost always outsourced (everything starting from the foothills done by me, but all other regions were made by other people, mostly Shapy and Teh.Fellow) and could be again; but I never managed to find a skilled terrainer that didn't have his own project.

I still need someone who does a detail pass on the existing snow terrain. It still lacks some fluff here and there.

Then of course, there's also soulseeker usually doing the english->english translation of quest texts.


However, aside from items and terraining and the occasional quest dialogues, there's not much that can be outsourced. This game doesn't require new systems to be implemented, as everything is pretty much finalized and bug free. Never change a running system, etc., yada yada.


Contrary to popular believe, making content in this game doesn't take that long:
- scripting quests is a matter of minutes per quest, considering it only involves picking up an item or killing units ... escort quests take much longer to make, but 1.2B won't have any
- making items takes a long time; but that is already outsourced
- coding spells ranges from pretty much a couple of minutes to weeks of headache, depending on the spells (mind control spell... I will hate you so much!)
- designing creeps and bosses also only takes a couple of minutes (plus the time to create spells for them)


So as you can see, it's not that much work as soon as the terrain is done. And it pretty much is. Once I can actually start creating content for 1.2B, the job will be done in a couple of weeks. But there's still a lot of stuff do to before that.

I'm still not done with the overhaul of the thief model. I started, but there's some difficulties with that particular model that makes it not fit so well with the texture template. But I'll get it done soon. I'm called in sick for two weeks starting wednesday due to a surgery. And my girl does not have holidays, so I might find plenty of time to work on Gaias during that time.

I know you guys want that update badly - and it will come, don't worry, just have a little bit more patience. The new swappable textures and haircolor selection method are awesome. It's totally worth the wait!

 

[Kyuzo_dono]

I know you guys want that update badly - and it will come, don't worry, just have a little bit more patience. The new swappable textures and haircolor selection method are awesome. It's totally worth the wait!

Me gusta mucho

 

[EloTheMan]

I know you guys want that update badly - and it will come, don't worry, just have a little bit more patience. The new swappable textures and haircolor selection method are awesome. It's totally worth the wait!

Ohh my


I'll be ready with my game recorder as soon as it launches.