Jump to content

Everything you always wanted to ask...


Papi
 Share

Recommended Posts

...about BCM, but were too afraid to ask.

Yes, it's here.

With green light from SC (thnx Jaguar for asking ) we, betatesters are ready to answer your questions about BCM.

I hope that betatesters start by sending their specs in this thread, so that everyone can direct their questions to the right betatester.

My specs that I used for testing are as follows:

CPU: AMD K6 2/500

RAM: 128mb

OPERATING SYSTEM win98

OS ENVIRONMENT 1024*768/16bit

BCM ENVIRONMENT 1024*768/Full-screen/16bit/16bit

VIDEO CARD INFO Voodoo3 PCI 2000/1.07

SOUND CARD INFO SoundBlaster AudioPCI 128/4.06.00.1156

CONTROLLER INFO CH F-16 CombatStick

That's it I think, so shoot it.

[ 10-04-2001: Message edited by: Papi ]

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 269
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

What's your impression/experience of framerate optimizations that have taken place since the second demo's beta code?

Have there been any notable changes to ship/vehicle handling and general "feel" since the second demo's code-state? How so?

And I was going to post this after a search, but before I saw this thread: thus far for me, the second demo's been, for lack of a better word, "twitchy" when I drop my own MP3s into the music directory. At times they'll play, and at other times they not only refuse to, but I was unable to alt+,. to other ones. And I'm pretty sure all the experimenting with that was what led me to having to un- and reinstall at one point after the demo just flat-out stopped working for me. (It's like losing a filling, you have to just keep poking at it even though it's better if you don't.) Are there filename length/encoding type/file size/number of user MP3s accepted/etc. limitations to using one's own files, at the point when all you testers were kicked out of the pool and the police caution tape labeled "GOLD" was hung up around it?

What was your favorite bug? (Favorite as in, amusing results, absurdly convoluted way to reproduce it, most hair pulled out over, etc.)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My main computer (AMD 1.4 gig) has a KyroII 64 Mb on it. What are your opinion on this card when running the game? If this card is bad it's not really a biggie as I have several other cards to play with ( a Voodoo 3 and two TNT). It is however my best card for the moment until next month if the powers to be (daddy) sends me a GF3 Ti 500 as a belated birthday present.

Both demo runs perfectly well on both the TNT and the Kyro (haven't tried Voodoo 3 yet as it's really old). Just curious thats all.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I must admit that I never tried the 2nd demo, only the missions that were added since 1st, so I don't know about the fps rate in the demo (I suppose it's pretty much the same as beta build).

There's a great improvement between beta and release build though.

Correct me if I'm wrong someone, but I don't think there's been much changes in ships handling and overall feel, but there are few things added since 2nd demo (if I remember right) like hotspot on tacscan (clickable with info about targets).

And about MP3's, don't use VBR (variable bit rate) type, they will not work. If you take the same song and convert it to the CBR (constant bit rate) it should work.

There was some trouble with Winamp manager too, you should disable it. I never used Winamp so...

Hope this cleared things up a bit.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Fendi,

quote:


Both demo runs perfectly well on both the TNT and the Kyro (haven't tried Voodoo 3 yet as it's really old).

If demo ran well, then the released version will run even better

And about V3, well...

...toss it away, it works, but... grrrr... I want a new graphics card!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm just looking for an excuse to get a new video card. When I bought my Kyro II, I ordered the wrong one online, damn scroll function on my mouse got me into more trouble than I'd like to remember. I wanted the one with the Video output so I can play games on my TV instead of my poxy 19" monitor.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Suffice it to say, the Gold version will be unlike the Beta or the Demos due to further optimization of the code that we won't get to see until we get our hot little hands on it.

Just off the cuff, the last Beta version we tested on ran like a dream on my machine...

P-III 1 Ghz

256 MB RDRAM (PC800)

NVIDIA GeForce 2 GTS/Pro (64 DDR)

SBLive Soundcard

MS FF Pro Joystick

As for the bugs, there were some really odd ones. Some easy to reproduce, some not so easy. But we found them and the SC squashed them. Detailing them here would be long, tedious, and a tad ludicrous. So, I won't.

Wait till the SC gets my bill for cleaning the bug guts out of my system.

Prepare to be blown away boys and girls. The JPEG screenshots don't come anywhere near an accurate preview of the game in action.

There will be many posts with words like...

GASP!

OMG!

WOOHOO!

SOMEBODY KICK SHIRLEY IN THE ARSE FOR BEING A COMPLETE IDIOT!

AFTER PLAYING BCM, I WILL NEVER PLAY THOSE POS SPACE SIMS AGAIN. EVER!

BCM TOPS THEM ALL!

BCM! BCM! BCM!

DEREK SMART FOR PRESIDENT!

ALL YOU BIGTIME PUBLISHERS JUST GOT SMACKED UPSIDE THE HEAD BY AN INDIE! SERVES YA RIGHT!

A DAY WITHOUT BCM IS LIKE A DAY WITHOUT SUNSHINE!

SO, YOU'RE LOOKING FOR THE ULTIMATE IN GALACTIC COMBAT? BCM! 'NUFF SAID.

I'm looking forward to multiplayer with great anticipation. But, I must caution you all because I will be in a real Bugnor mood.

[ 10-04-2001: Message edited by: Wolferz ]

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What kind of cool things can you do with the Interdimension Jump Pads? Anyone have time to come up with sneaky tactics using them? Or are you keeping these secret to smack us come MP time?

Talk a little about the economic model - that was something unavailable last question time. Who gets to trade, and what do you trade? Can my hard working commander still earn cash on the side for that "special" upgrade? Any big changes we'll immediately notice different from BC3K in this respect?

How does the ATI Radeon fare with it (in other words, any improvements since demo 2)? Did anyone try their (ATI's) current Beta drivers with it?

And are there any easter eggs to be on the watch for?

I'm trying not to cover stuff that was in the VCF - but hey, that's only text, and an impression/experience is worth 1000 feature bulletins.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have uploaded my last Beta VCF update of the VCF. It probably is missing a few items I did prior to burning the Gold version, but I dunno. Anyway, it will give you an idea of whats IN THE BOX.

btw, Papi, this thread is a pretty good idea. Hopefully it will distract the natives from beating up on Shirley and co over at VE.

[ 10-04-2001: Message edited by: Supreme Cmdr ]

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Alright, comparison between the universe of BC3k,

Are the trade items the same?

Any new weapons?

Any new upgrades?

What's the deal with the moon now, is it in Earth region?

How do Saturn's rings looks this time around?

Where is the R.A.N.D.O.M. weapon?

How is the pay scale for your commander? Same old pay?

Does Navitron use the new galaxy map?

If so how does it look?

Any interface changes we should be aware of?

Any nagging problems left over?

What happens when you beam all your marines into the middle of the ocean?

I couldn't find self destruct... not implemented?

Does your crew manage your ship better when you leave it?

Any funny experiences/mistakes while playing?

Did testing the game excite you sexually?

If so please don't describe how you relieved it...

Any asteroid fields we should be aware of?

Any nebula?

Anything interesting on those gas planets?

Do the AI shoot STO missiles at you?

If so are they accurate?

How does the STO missle work? does TACOPS on the planet allow for space view?

Are there surprises we haven't been told of yet?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have so many questions I want to ask, but part of me just wants to be surprised when I get my greedy little hands on the game.

There was some talk of issues with frame rates dropping when a massive fire fight starts up. Has that been cleared up?

(Not that I care too much. I'm planning on upgrading to a 1.5 Ghz machine, and from what I understand, 1 Ghz should handle it, but it's the only question I could ask that has nothing to do with the content of the game.

I'm so excited, I can't take it!!!) pokeball_smile.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'll just answer the fuzzy ones. I'll leave hte others to the Beta testers.

  1. I couldn't find self destruct... not implemented?

    Read the final VCF I just posted

  2. Does your crew manage your ship better when you leave it?

    They never did. What are you talking about?

  3. Any funny experiences/mistakes while playing?

    Tons. Like sending your AE to a fighter and having Mother takeover before you had the chance to give the CC a suitable order which wouldn't put it in harm's way. i.e. HALT

  4. Any asteroid fields we should be aware of?

    No. I disabled debris fields because I didn't have time to optimize the code and the way it was handled (there was a huge cheat hack in the BC3K handling. Hopefully will be in the first post-release update.

  5. Any nebula?

    Never were any in a BC title

  6. Anything interesting on those gas planets?

    Yes. Gas

  7. Do the AI shoot STO missiles at you?

    No. Those are for mp only - due to player ability to be in a simulated orbit and killing everyone on the surface below. In sp mode, since you can enter a planet without having to get close to it, putting in specific target tracking AI for STO batteries, was a time-waster; especially since there were other important things to do.

  8. does TACOPS on the planet allow for space view?

    Why should it?

  9. Are there surprises we haven't been told of yet?

    The manual is 125 pages in MS Word and 80 pages in QuarkExpress (the final layout program) and I did it in two days - straight. From scratch.

  10. There was some talk of issues with frame rates dropping when a massive fire fight starts up. Has that been cleared up?

    There was nothing to clear up. More NPCs in a region means more processing.

[ 10-04-2001: Message edited by: Supreme Cmdr ]

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This thread was an excellent Idea Papi, tells you what a gentleman Papi is, he Private messaged me to make sure that it would be OK for him to start the thread instead of me. I just asked the question, Papi came up with the idea. Thanks papi!!

And check out Silk!! Talk about questions!! We'll see, got lots to do this morning, but if I get the chance I'll see what I can answer!! LOL

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'll answer and clarify some of my questions and SC's answers

quote:

I couldn't find self destruct... not implemented?

Read the final VCF I just posted


Thanks, read it right after I posted. Didn't know it was back yet.

quote:

Does your crew manage your ship better when you leave it?

They never did. What are you talking about?


Well I was kind of hoping that I could leave my ship under orders to patrol or waypoints, and take a shuttle two systems away and come back later and find it in one piece.

quote:

Any funny experiences/mistakes while playing?

Tons. Like sending your AE to a fighter and having Mother takeover before you had the chance to give the CC a suitable order which wouldn't put it in harm's way. i.e. HALT


Understood... hehe

quote:

Any asteroid fields we should be aware of?

No. I disabled debris fields because I didn't have time to optimize the code and the way it was handled (there was a huge cheat hack in the BC3K handling. Hopefully will be in the first post-release update.


I hope so, perhaps just as a hazard in the event of plotting your course or something... or just simulating the belt around the area of Jupiter and Saturn... would be fun to have ship to ship battles among asteroids too... kind of like in KLINGON ACADEMY

quote:

Any nebula?

Never were any in a BC title


Okay, just wondering with the volumetric fog in the planning if there would be any surprises in the space area.

quote:

Anything interesting on those gas planets?

Yes. Gas


LOL .... really?

quote:

Do the AI shoot STO missiles at you?

No. Those are for mp only - due to player ability to be in a simulated orbit and killing everyone on the surface below. In sp mode, since you can enter a planet without having to get close to it, putting in specific target tracking AI for STO batteries, was a time-waster; especially since there were other important things to do.


So I'm assuming in MP you have to be within a certain distance of planet to use OTS missiles, allowing for jackasses on planet to shoot back...

quote:

does TACOPS on the planet allow for space view?

Why should it?


So you can see what you are shooting at up there...

quote:

Are there surprises we haven't been told of yet?

The manual is 125 pages in MS Word and 80 pages in QuarkExpress (the final layout program) and I did it in two days - straight. From scratch.


Ouch... thank you.

If I think of anything else I will post more later...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

quote:


Well I was kind of hoping that I could leave my ship under orders to patrol or waypoints, and take a shuttle two systems away and come back later and find it in one piece.

Go play BC3K and you'll have your answer

quote:


So you can see what you are shooting at up there...

Then you should be up there, shouldn't you?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What I meant by shooting into space, I wasn't thinking, I was thinking that running an STO silo would give you tacop access...

How will it work for MP?

An STO silo won't give you access to anything. You can't control it.

[ 10-04-2001: Message edited by: Supreme Cmdr ]

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Epsilon 5:

Q: You mean selecting your target directly on the radar screen? If yes, w00t!

A: Yes, that's exactly what I mean

$ilk:

Q: Are the trade items the same?

A: Yes and no, artifacts are valid trade items now. (as you could already see from VCF)

Q: Any new weapons?

A: All FPS weapons of course and there is some more, but I have to do some more research before I can answer precisely

Q: Any new upgrades?

A: No that I remember (correct me if I'm wrong)

Q: What's the deal with the moon now, is it in Earth region?

A: Yes, it's in the same region as Earth.

Q: How do Saturn's rings looks this time around?

A: I gotta leave this one up to someone else (damn the crappy V3 card )

Q: Where is the R.A.N.D.O.M. weapon?

A: I don't quite understand what you mean, but it's for sale

Q: How is the pay scale for your commander? Same old pay?

A: It depends on career:

COMMANDER

Supreme Commander: 500,000 Tacops Commander: 300,000 Strategic Commander: 200,000 Fleet Commander : 125,000 Commander: 75,000

EXPLORER: 75,000 MERCENARY: 50,000 SCIENTIST: 150,000 PARAMEDIC: 75,000 RAIDER: 25,000 TRADER: 100,000 ASSASSIN : 50,000 COMMERCIAL: 75,000 DIPLOMAT: 100,000

Q: Does Navitron use the new galaxy map?

A: Yes

Q: If so how does it look?

A: Nice

Q: Any interface changes we should be aware of?

A: Tacscan was already mentioned, passive radar is one very good one on planet side.

Q: Any nagging problems left over?

A: Have you ever heard about betatesters that don't nag

Q: What happens when you beam all your marines into the middle of the ocean?

A: They all take a bath in the sea

cut here ----------------------- cut here

Q: Did testing the game excite you sexually?

A: Enormously, even my wife says that I don't need viagra no more (even though she will not let me hang the BCM starmap over our bed )

Q: If so please don't describe how you relieved it...

A: Ooops, I already did...

Q: Anything interesting on those gas planets?

A: Gas. No, really, thunder and lightning is pretty awesome in there

cut here-------------------------cut here

I hope you find even some of my answers satisfying

[ 10-04-2001: Message edited by: Papi ]

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On plantetary surfaces, there's going to be plenty of people to shoot, right? Thought so. I like the way the moon is in the same region as Earth. The way it was handled in BC3K was silly.k

Is the territory each race/caste controls dynamic? Meaning, could a coordonated Gammulan assault push the Terrans back a system or two? Without being directly involved yourself?

For a marine carreer, is it possible to move to another planet, or are you stuck where you first start? How do finances work in the pilot and marine careers?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Joel Schultz:

Q: What kind of cool things can you do with the Interdimension Jump Pads? Anyone have time to come up with sneaky tactics using them? Or are you keeping these secret to smack us come MP time?

A: Only SC knows the answer, pads were not implemented in the time of beta

Q: Talk a little about the economic model - that was something unavailable last question time. Who gets to trade, and what do you trade? Can my hard working commander still earn cash on the side for that "special" upgrade? Any big changes we'll immediately notice different from BC3K in this respect?

A: I think Pugwash is one of the right persons to answer this, but in my experience commander is still able to trade items and raise money by trading, I gotta do some research before answering the rest of your question

Q: How does the ATI Radeon fare with it (in other words, any improvements since demo 2)? Did anyone try their (ATI's) current Beta drivers with it?

A: Gotta pass this, I have crappy V3 (has anyone counted how many times I've said that in this thread)

Q: And are there any easter eggs to be on the watch for?

A: If there is SC surely has hidden them good

I'm trying not to cover stuff that was in the VCF - but hey, that's only text, and an impression/experience is worth 1000 feature bulletins.

JJ:

Q: The one thjing that always confused me was when commanding a ship you could control fleets or progress in rank...

in fleet flight how would you go about doing this in BCM

A: The same way as in BC3K

Q: also with fps roles?

A: This I gotta leave to someone else...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share


×
×
  • Create New...