Apocalypse Rising Team Posted August 17, 2012 Report Share Posted August 17, 2012 Welcome one and all to this long and overdue update from us over at the AR team! Despite the gap between our last update and this one, we're still very much alive and kicking. development has been slow this past few months as the team has gone through education, exams and other life events that take away our AR-time from us. Let me just take this opportunity to update you guys on what we've been doing and introduce a couple of new staff members before we hit into the game updates. One Winged Angel has graduated and achieved his wizard's diploma Masters of Engineering degree in Computer Games Design. Applause!! Also a picture of the man himself in some silly clothes. dtrngd has been on holidays but is now back to work. danpaul88 has recently been taken ill. We all wish him a speedy recovery! cfehunter got a placement and is now working as a programmer for a year! BogdanV is back in action and has been working on destruction animations for civilian buildings. Destructible cities in my AR? Yes please! (This also means destructible bridges too by the way). Eggman891 is going to work with ChAoS to bring good quality first person arms to AR. This means no more Rene-arms! Chevy787 has been taking a break, but will be back to work when he has time again. Guy with a wrench has gone missing. Teamwolf's been working on Isle of War, but he's also been having a lot of success with Battle For Dune: War of Assassins! The rest of the team has been busy with other things. New team members Let's give a warm welcome to TWO new members in the BHP family: Byamarro and Deik10 (formerly known as Silverlight)! Byamarro is here to do general texturing work. This is excellent since we were in desperate need of such an artist! Deik10 has joined to help us with various graphics, such as the Main Menu, the Sidebar, Help screens and so on. These great team additions should speed up our work a little bit and should bring more stuff to show you guys in the coming blogs too, so stay tuned! Game Updates Ever since dtrngd has gotten his hands over the main game build, he's been doing a lot of Level Edit work. Here are the main points he has changed since the Beta 1 test build: New Points System The points system was giving just as much score as veterancy points, which turned out to be extremely unbalanced during the test games. It has been completely revamped and should prove much better. Veterancy Upgrades The upgraded weapons of veteran/elite units have become more powerful, not to mention elite units now acquire their X-Treme weapon, which pack much more firepower than the previous elite upgrades, each with a special addition (for example, double-shell for Grizzly tanks) Here's a full list of what a promotion gives you in the current test build: Veteran Rank *15% faster reload (vehicles) *15% increased range (infantry) *15% better accuracy (spray weapons) *15% more damage dealt *15% resistance against all warhead types Elite Rank *15% faster reload (vehicles)(Note: vehicles with double shell upgrade get the regular reload time back.) *25% increased range (infantry) *25% better accuracy (spray weapons) *25% more damage dealt *25% resistance against all warhead types *Special weapon upgrade (surprise for players ) *Explosive splash damage added (rockets and tank shells) *Health + armour regeneration Battle Fortress When One Winged Angel was doing his masters thesis, he wanted it to tie in to Apocalypse Rising in some way, so when it turned out that he was doing an investigation into team-based multiplayer vehicles, the Battle Fortress was an obvious choice. This massive construction grinds over the battlefield, crushing infantry, vehicles (even tanks) and walls with equal ease. Up to five infantry units can be placed inside the Battle Fortress. These infantry units can shoot out of the many ports, adding to the carnage. In AR, the Battle Fortress will be a major threat for the soviets to contend with on the battlefield, but only if the Allies have the teamwork to utilise it's full potential. This behemoth is only armed with a machine gun when only one person is making use of it, so more players have to commit themselves to give the vehicle a wider range of potential. We're expanding the amount of abilities that the Battle Fortress has in AR, compared to RA2. That means that infantry units that had no special weapons inside a Battle Fortress will (within reason); this gives the vehicle a potential support role. Want a bigger repair vehicle? Just put 5 engineers into a Battle Fortress and repair all of your team-mates as they head into battle. You may have seen the vehicle model already on Teamspeak or Facebook, but here it is in all it's glory. dtrngd will be putting this ingame when he gets the model, so it may appear as a special crate unit in the debut release. Dolphin Ketsi is a university friend of One Winged Angel's, who specialises in modelling all sorts of organic creatures. She made the Giant Squid that was shown in the last update and has since made us an awesome Dolphin (his name is Lumpy) to counter it! Dolphins are an important naval unit for the Allied forces. Cloaked and invisible to enemy radar, Dolphins attack with a sonar amplification device. They are effective against any Soviet naval units, particularly Giant Squids or subs. We decided to take more of an inspiration from RA3 with the Dolphin, since it's RA2 incarnation hadn't really got any decent art references for us to work from. The Dolphin will be really effective at countering Giant Squids. Unlike units such as the Terror Drone and Robot Tank, that are pilot-less, the Dolphin will not be remote controlled. When you purchase a Dolphin, you will spawn in the water and become it. Here's a render of the Allies' flippery friend, Lumpy the Dolphin! Soviet Barracks update Work was halted a while ago on this structure when our former texture artist, TheBeerinator moved over to our sister project, A Path Beyond to help with their paint jobs. But now that Byamarro is with us, he and dtrngd resumed work on the Soviet Barracks internals. Here are a few images of the latest changes: Purchase Icons Deik10 has already jumped into deep water, he is working on the sidebar graphics. Here's a sample of his first attempt at the IFV and V3 Launcher purchase icons: Forum Skins The forum skins we've had on this new forum, haven't really been very C&C-ish, so One Winged Angel has set about making some new ones. He's made an excellent start on a replica of the old A Path Beyond forum skin which will hopefully be rolled out publically soon. This will follow with a Reborn skin, an AR skin, a BHP skin an possibly some faction specific skins as well. Let us know if you have an idea for a skin and we'll consider it, but for now, here's the APB skin in all it's new-old glory. Recruitment We have a shiny new recruitment image! Feel free to spam it around to support AR and help us finish the game faster! AR Team's Funny Corner <center><iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/68ceVELA-VA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> 4 Year Old Calls 911 For MATH HELP!! <iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/QxcCC2g1Ke0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> Police academy guy does electric guitar with his VOICE o_O</center> Grand Finale We're going to hopefully try and squeeze out a new update once a month, so watch this space! 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Nodlied Posted August 17, 2012 Report Share Posted August 17, 2012 Looks epic as always. A big congrats/get healthy/etc to all team members. Also, can't wait to use the new (old) forum skin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Killing_You Posted August 17, 2012 Report Share Posted August 17, 2012 My only question is: When are you hiring new testers?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kamuixmod Posted August 17, 2012 Report Share Posted August 17, 2012 Its not that Yuri wants you. He makes you join AR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voe Posted August 18, 2012 Report Share Posted August 18, 2012 lol, a new blog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moonsense715 Posted August 18, 2012 Report Share Posted August 18, 2012 lol, a new blog Have you found the easter eggs hidden in the blog? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ImperialKaskins Posted August 18, 2012 Report Share Posted August 18, 2012 (edited) A question, is it possible that the Battle Fortress crush other vehicles when drove over them? :8 If I remember Battle Fortress Crush many vehicles. ( If I remember correctly ) Edited August 18, 2012 by ImperialKaskins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triattack Posted August 18, 2012 Report Share Posted August 18, 2012 nice new blog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moonsense715 Posted August 18, 2012 Report Share Posted August 18, 2012 A question, is it possible that the Battle Fortress crush other vehicles when drove over them? :8 If I remember Battle Fortress Crush many vehicles. ( If I remember correctly ) It will be possible later, yes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest APB_ICE Posted August 19, 2012 Report Share Posted August 19, 2012 That Battle Fortress looks AWESOME!!! Nice icons, too! Although, as a suggestion, I think they'd look better with an outdoor background, similar to their RA2 counterparts. Anyway, awesome work guys! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Dukat863 Posted August 19, 2012 Report Share Posted August 19, 2012 (edited) You'd better replace «Free to play» with something else (maybe «Freeware»?), because Free to play always got hats or (overpowered) weapons that cost money. Edited August 19, 2012 by Dukat863 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OWA Posted August 19, 2012 Report Share Posted August 19, 2012 You'd better replace «Free to play» with something else (maybe «Freeware»?), because Free to play always got hats or (overpowered) weapons that cost money. That's true I guess. Freeware is the proper term for it, I'll get it changed in the next revision. Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pyryle Posted August 20, 2012 Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 Nice blog! I can't wait until AR finally gets released! (what's AR?) Also, nice rework of the old forum skin! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Nod00 Posted August 20, 2012 Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 GIVE ME SKIN please Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SgtSavage67 Posted August 22, 2012 Report Share Posted August 22, 2012 Yay! An update! High marks on the battle fortress, an congrats to one-winged-angel for graduating. Cheers mate! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Alstar Posted August 23, 2012 Report Share Posted August 23, 2012 Can i ask, will there be possibility to change the class from dolphin to standard infantry? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bfranx Posted August 23, 2012 Report Share Posted August 23, 2012 Hey look! An update! That's cool and stuff....i guess... But seriously, it looks great. Keep it up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OWA Posted August 23, 2012 Report Share Posted August 23, 2012 Can i ask, will there be possibility to change the class from dolphin to standard infantry? Good question! We'll probably incorporate some extra scripting into the sell zone, so that when you're done, you can sell your Dolphin and reappear as a G.I. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Killing_You Posted August 24, 2012 Report Share Posted August 24, 2012 Can i ask, will there be possibility to change the class from dolphin to standard infantry? Good question! We'll probably incorporate some extra scripting into the sell zone, so that when you're done, you can sell your Dolphin and reappear as a G.I. Is that same principle going to apply to the Giant Squid? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Generalcamo Posted August 24, 2012 Report Share Posted August 24, 2012 Interesting update guys! Looks good. One thing about the battle fortress: could you change some of the weapons offered? A lot of the mods for the game do that, and I think that it is a good idea as I don't think it is fair for Tanya to just get a better version of the SEAL's weapon. Maybe an anti-vehicle/infantry laser that is useless against structures? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OWA Posted August 25, 2012 Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 Can i ask, will there be possibility to change the class from dolphin to standard infantry? Good question! We'll probably incorporate some extra scripting into the sell zone, so that when you're done, you can sell your Dolphin and reappear as a G.I. Is that same principle going to apply to the Giant Squid? Yup. Although one could make the argument that there should be a guy controlling the squid since it's been brainwashed. We'll have to see. Interesting update guys! Looks good. One thing about the battle fortress: could you change some of the weapons offered? A lot of the mods for the game do that, and I think that it is a good idea as I don't think it is fair for Tanya to just get a better version of the SEAL's weapon. Maybe an anti-vehicle/infantry laser that is useless against structures? We could change some of the weapons offered for sure. Not too keen on the laser idea since Tanya doesn't wield one. Something else could certainly be theorycrafted up though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest dangles20 Posted August 25, 2012 Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 (edited) Tanya can just throw sticky bombs that kills anything in one hit out the windows at the speed of light, with such intense accuracy that all soviet buildings die in less then a minute. Tanya drives past: "soviet everything has been destroyed" Nah but seriously Tanya shouldn't be anti vehicle in a battle fortress, we have GGI for that she should be an upgraded version of the seal and possibly at a longer range. Edited August 25, 2012 by dangles20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Generalcamo Posted August 25, 2012 Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 (edited) That I really don't like. Then players would just say: "Why would I just get a 1400 credit Tanya when the SEAL is a much better choice at only 500 credits." I think that Tanya should be Anti-Infantry AND Vehicle as Tanya unlike the SEAL has a C4 charge that can destroy vehicles. But not Anti-Building as that is a little too over the top. And the GGI wouldn't be made useless: There can only be one Tanya. Edited August 25, 2012 by Generalcamo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Alstar Posted August 25, 2012 Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 And the GGI wouldn't be made useless: There can only be one Tanya. Not, if you have Cloning Vats <ba dam tss> But Imo, i agree with GeneralCamo. But what weapon she will have while in BF? Standard AP or she will get a AT one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moonsense715 Posted August 25, 2012 Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 And the GGI wouldn't be made useless: There can only be one Tanya. Not, if you have Cloning Vats <ba dam tss> But Imo, i agree with GeneralCamo. But what weapon she will have while in BF? Standard AP or she will get a AT one? She doesn't pack a rocket launcher on foot therefore IF we allow her to get inside the battle fortress she'll get anti personnel weaponry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OWA Posted August 25, 2012 Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 We could do something crazy like when Tanya gets into the Battle Fortress it becomes amphibious as well as granting her an AP weapon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Killing_You Posted August 26, 2012 Report Share Posted August 26, 2012 Perhaps Tanya's Battle Fortress/IFV weapon should essentially be an AT version of her AP pistols that kill like crazy. This would give more incentive to protect her with SEALs for AP purposes in the Battle Fortress and GGIs (whose rocket would have a faster rate of fire but lower damage, and be able to kill air units) for AT purposes. This would essentially make the Battle Fortress a death machine like in the original game, and would be a major target for the Soviets. Then we could allow only 1 Battle Fortress on the battlefield at once for balance purposes. Just an idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OWA Posted August 26, 2012 Report Share Posted August 26, 2012 Perhaps Tanya's Battle Fortress/IFV weapon should essentially be an AT version of her AP pistols that kill like crazy. This would give more incentive to protect her with SEALs for AP purposes in the Battle Fortress and GGIs (whose rocket would have a faster rate of fire but lower damage, and be able to kill air units) for AT purposes. This would essentially make the Battle Fortress a death machine like in the original game, and would be a major target for the Soviets. Then we could allow only 1 Battle Fortress on the battlefield at once for balance purposes. Just an idea. Just remember that the Battle Fortress is fairly useless unless it is fully garrisoned. So if the entire team buys Battle Fortresses it would be impressive, but not very good in terms of winning the game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SgtSavage67 Posted August 27, 2012 Report Share Posted August 27, 2012 Another thing to keep in mind is that while SEAL's would do just as well as Tanya in a Battle Fortress, the whole point of bringing Tanya along is so when you are in the enemy base, she can jump out an wreak merry havoc with her C4. To an extent you can do the same with a SEAL (provided tanks aren't involved), but you see my point. The idea is that there IS no difference between a garrisoned Tanya and a garrisoned SEAL in RA2, so there really shouldn't be one in AR either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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