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News => News: Generations Arena => Topic started by: Phoenix on 2008-08-05, 01:15



Title: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: Phoenix on 2008-08-05, 01:15
When:  Saturday, August 9th
Time:  9-10 PM Eastern
Where:   208.43.82.152:27960
 
Game will run however long people want to play.  I will try to make it there myself.  The more the merrier!


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: Lopson on 2008-08-05, 01:42
Well, have a god game guys, 'cuz by that time I'll be somewhere in the south of my country with the rest of my family, resting after a 6-hours long trip.

Let me just say that I really hope we can plan more and more of these online games in the future!


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: ReBoOt on 2008-08-05, 09:05
Well if i can stay up that long without falling asleep i might join in thought im very rusty at playing gen these days :P


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: fourier on 2008-08-05, 15:42
I know it's a problem for the UK and GMT+ people.  The main reason it is that late is simply because we are trying to coordinate two groups of people.  I have a forum I visit and have known the whole clan for years, so I've been trying to get them to join, but they are all est coast for the most part.  Sorry guys :(


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: Kajet on 2008-08-05, 21:40
I might try to make it, saturdays in general are kinda bad to me, and saturday nights have a LOT of stuff going on.


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: scalliano on 2008-08-07, 00:01
I'll try to make it, provided I'm not too drunk to stay awake :P


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: Moshman on 2008-08-07, 09:48
I don't know if I can make it but I'll try.


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: fourier on 2008-08-09, 19:25
I probably won't be there tonight, but hopefully people will show up.  I'll be there next saturday.


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: MarneGator on 2008-08-10, 02:50
2114 hrs - 2152 hrs EST... no people  :(


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: ReBoOt on 2008-08-10, 10:00
Sorry couldnt make it i kinda falled asleep :S


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: Phoenix on 2008-08-10, 15:46
I was not feeling well and fell asleep early, and missed the (non)game as a result.  Maybe next time. :(


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: fourier on 2008-08-10, 19:42
lol, looks like everyone missed it, so I guess I missed nothing.  Tree falling in the woods situation looks like, but I should on this saturday.


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: Phoenix on 2008-08-11, 00:55
We'll reschedule for this coming Saturday then.  :doom_thumb:


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: ~Va^^pyrA~ on 2008-08-12, 18:01
I'm very curious about how Generations plays out with full teams in CTF. Maybe if I'm on a team, I won't get slaughtered as quickly either! :)


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: Phoenix on 2008-08-12, 19:01
It can go pretty much any way depending on player skill and how the teams stack up, what classes are in play, and how the players use the classes (offense, defense, etc).  There are so many variables you can't predict it.  Some classes gravitate more toward offensive or defensive roles owing to player movement speed, armor strength, etc, but in past games I've seen every class manage to run the flag and defend it.  Personally I'd love to see a 5 vs 5 CTF game with one player of each class on each team, doing what they do best.


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: fourier on 2008-08-13, 11:31
Yeah, it does add another dynamic, but in order to really explore it we need, as you said, several players of different classes.  If we do get enough people, maybe I can choose a specific class instead of random :)


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: Moshman on 2008-08-15, 07:56
Ill make it this week.


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: MarneGator on 2008-08-15, 20:55
Most of you have already experienced it, but this could very well be my first game with a real population!  Come on Saturday!


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: Phoenix on 2008-08-16, 15:05
Barring an emergency, I'm planning to attend.  :doom_thumb:


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: ~Va^^pyrA~ on 2008-08-17, 03:52
As feared, I'm very much out of practice and completely sucked. I don't think I have ever played ANY of those maps before either. Sorry for bringing the teams down. :P

Other than that, I had fun guys. Thanks!


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: Phoenix on 2008-08-17, 05:20
No worries.  You railed me a bunch of times, and you did well by your team.  I was reminded how woefully out of practice I am.  As long as everyone had a good time, that's what matters.  Thanks to all who played!  :doom_thumb:


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: Kajet on 2008-08-17, 06:20
Seems everyone is out of practice, myself included... well... everybody except Shambler  :shifty:


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: MarneGator on 2008-08-17, 14:00
That was a blast!  And my first populated game of Gen on the 'net!  Hope we can all do this again soon.
Yeah, Shambler was clearly a little more competent than the rest of us :)


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: ~Va^^pyrA~ on 2008-08-17, 15:11
No worries.  You railed me a bunch of times, and you did well by your team. 

I figure that in CTF it's defense, not camping. Hehehe. ;)


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: fourier on 2008-08-17, 15:32
Very good games last night.  I think you did well, vamp, and you also helped balance the teams.  Marne played some good D, especially on the map we lost on when I was earth.  I just could not get in and out fast enough with the flag, which is very different compared to arena or slipgate (or doom, I guess).  I don't think I'm very good with doom.  I don't know the projectile speeds well enough to place them (unless I'm very close), they do seem slower than the rest.

I think I mentioned to Phoenix that tricking has some practical applications in real games, so it can be very beneficial to learn it.  If anyone wants to better hone their strafing or anything else, just ask.  I don't play often, but I like teaching people how to strafe (or strafe better), rj, and plasma.

Also, I just wanted to add that I think I've decided to retract my statement about q1's physics.  I don't think it's identical, but it definitely does accel.  I made the comment last night that I think it felt slower when you use random just because all of the other classes have a very different movement, but once you play slippy for a few spawns, especially running the flag, you get back into the groove of it.

I think shamblers will be my permanent generations name :)


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: Phoenix on 2008-08-18, 16:55
Vamp:  CTF rules are far different from FFA.  All the normal etiquette about camping, spawnkilling, hogging powerups, etc, go out the window.  In CTF you're expected to defend the flag, and if planting yourself in on a perch and railing the other team repeatedly works, then by all means that's what you do!  It's all about doing your part for the team as best as you can.

Four:  You may not know Doom but you're lethal with the chaingun as demonstrated on the last map we played.  Technically right now the chaingun is overpowered damage-wise, but you and Tabun are the only players that can give me grief like that with the Doomer.  I think if you'd really appreciate the class if you learned his other weapons besides the hitscan guns.  As for projectile speeds, Doom's rockets fly at about 75% the speed of Arena's.  They are the second-slowest missiles, with Strogg's being the slowest, though they pack a punch for damage.  His plasma is also about half the speed of Arena's, being more suited to saturating a player at close to medium range than pinpoint precision shooting, but it's very effective if you can corner the other player owing to its decent damage and fast firing rate.

I was hoping I would be a good balance against you, but it seems my playing ability has faded a great deal from what it used to be, even with the Doomer.  Maybe if you and I both play as Earth and park on our respective flags?  The only maps that I think we really did well against your side was on Polaris, only because I know that map extremely well and outran your team, and Twisted Base.

That being said, here's a little bit of strategic analysis from past CTF games as far as class role.

Doom - Excellent offensive class due to speed and firepower.  Best class for flag running and retrieval of stolen flags.  Can help with immediate base defense but his weaker armor requires him to keep on the move.

Slipgate - Excellent escort class due to speed and firepower.  His rocket knockback can throw off pursuers or pin them in corners, allowing the flag runner to escape.  Can take over well if the flag runner is killed.  Also makes a good offensive class.

Arena - All-around.  Arena's "middle of the road" weapons loadout and movement speed makes him a good stand-in for any role.

Strogg - Sniper/Forward Defense.  Strogg's strengths are the railgun and chaingun.  He works best to soften up incoming flag runners and assist the flag defender when needed, or weaken outgoing flag runners.  His specialized weapons and overall lack of firepower make him difficult to use for a flag runner.

Earth - Base defense.  Earth's slow speed makes him best to tank up on armor and ammo and not let anyone near the flag.  While other players attack incoming flag runners, Earth's dual gatling guns can pulverize them the rest of the way.  As a last resort, the napalm launcher can be used to set a flag runner on fire or a mortar shell or rifle round can provide a parting shot, but flag retrieval should be left to the faster classes.  Earth is better suited rearming and preparing for the next flag attempt.

You may have noticed that on the map with the bridge over the water where you played as Earth that you gave me the most trouble when you stayed in the flag room and gatted, and had the least success when you charged our base.  Earth just cannot move fast enough to get away from the firepower of the faster classes.  He does best letting the fight come to him and taking enemies head-on or flanking them.  The Egyptian-themed map I wanted to use Earth as a base defense, but it's a very hard map to defend effectively.  Several times I'd have you chewed way down with the gatling guns only to have you strafe-jump out before I could finish you off.  You really need two defenders on that map since the items are so spread out.  A better map to show off Earth as a defender is Dueling Keeps.  It is extremely hard to run the flag if you have a good Earther set up on defense on that map.  I've shut out the other team that way.  Another is Heat.  ConfusedUs played an impenetrable defense on that map.  We were using CTF runes and he got a hold of the Power Amplifier.  Con doesn't play any more but he was about the best at using the Earth Soldier when he still played, and put up the hardest defense of any other player that I know.


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: fourier on 2008-08-18, 19:27
Yeah, I'm aware that Earth is better suited to defense, but on the map with the bridge over the water you guys had already started running the flag while I was talking about switching classes.  By that time, I needed to play O.  If we are already down, it would be unlikely that we would cap.  I could have played D and kept it 1 to 0, but in those situations I'm more of the "no guts no glory" mindset.

If I play seriously with real CTF players in Q3 then my best position is defense, that's why I wanted to play O as much as possible.  If I play defense it is very unlikely there will be any caps against us, but then I have to depend on my offensive players being able to penetrate the defense of the enemy.  Aside from that, offense is more "fun", and since it's just a friendly game, I might as well do what I feel like instead of play seriously and strategically.  I never play "real" ctf unless it's a scrim or other type of important match -- and I've played one of those in the past year, so I don't do it often.  I just like to have a good time.

Also, arena is technically faster than slippy in flat out speed, but slippy's maneuverability is what gives him that edge on confined maps.  I forget the name of the map, but it's one of the original q3 3wave maps.  w2 is courtyard conundrum, and I think w1 is the one with the large fog pit; I'm guessing it's w3.  Anyway, I ran in, got the flag and outran you both not because of sheer speed, but because I could quickly turn around those corners without losing momentum.

Doom is fast, but I actually caught up to Marne's doom strafing with arena strafing.  Obviously, a single individual will strafe faster with doom compared to his or her own capabilities with arena.

Earth I just can't figure out, though.  I don't know what to do with him.  I like that he has some of the better spawn loadouts (arena also spawning with a machinegun), which helps protect from being run over after spawning.  I do have to generally agree with you about him.  Defense is almost certainly his best location.  The only other place I think he would do well is mid (which at times can be similar to mid fielders in soccer, but mostly is a mid defense type position).

Typically, the positions in serious CTF matches are as follows: D, High D, Mid, Offense.  It's been years since I played like that, but it was not to be taken lightly in pickups, scrims, and especially when ringing for a clan in an actual match.  You had to have plenty of binds, and especially on defense for notifying others if you were near death or respawned well out of position so they can pull back until you are back and well equipped to deal with incoming enemies.  Honestly, I don't care that much about quake anymore, lol.  I just enjoy having a good time  :slippy_thumb:  The only time I fall back to defense and hold it is when I know teams are heavily stacked against me.

Other than that, I like doom's plasma gun and the combat shotgun doesn't seem too bad.  I just don't think that map was any good for using the plasma, and you know what I'm capable of with hitscans (even when they aren't unlagged ;) ).  Although, in clan arena (RA3), I use just about everything, but lean heavily to rockets.  I really would love to show you how I play in there, hehe.  If you think I'm tough in generations, you ain't seen nothing yet.  The last time I played, though, I was missing way too much for what I usually do in unlagged.

All-in-all generations is still a very fun mod, so tweak when necessary or for the "balanced" mode.


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: MarneGator on 2008-08-18, 20:18
Ahh...this seems like the time to ask!  The talk on Slippy's movement brought to mind his speed.  Just how do you effectively move around with him?  I figured out some of his air control, but I haven't figured out how to get any type of straight-line speed from him.  I was never in on the QW scene, so I have not even the most remote of knowledge of how he moves about... providing for the differences between Gen and the real deal.
Oh, and fourier, I'm not sure what you're referencing with the Arena/Doom strafes; I played as Arena the whole time on Saturday.


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: fourier on 2008-08-18, 22:08
Hmmm.  You know what, I was thinking you were on my team (were you? on Polaris?).  I thought it was you, but maybe it was Kajet I was running behind... or maybe I was chasing an enemy...  Either way, I thought I was chasing a doom, and he was strafing, and I thought it was you.  Are you sure you weren't doom on polaris?

lol, forgot to answer your question about quake 1.  You don't use forward, this is the biggest difference between the other classes (although, if you want me to teach you, I can show you how to strafe in a strafe line with the others using only left or right strafe or both, or forward only or backward only, lol, I can do it all).  So what I do is a simple circle jump to begin, then switch to only strafe keys and use the mouse to maneuver.  Slippy's air control is much, much higher as you know, so moving the mouse alters direction immediately.  This means you use slight outward turns so you're doing a little whibble wabble back and forth but maintaining the same general heading.  Doing this means you gain extra speed.  A turn ends up accelerating you even more so, since you don't have to maintain a straight line and can gain all you want from the mouse movement.


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: MarneGator on 2008-08-19, 00:35
I remember briefly bounding through the large snowy fields with you on Polaris on the way to the red base, but no, I had remained Arena from when the game switched to CTF.  And the next map I was back on red.
I've never bothered to pester those blokes on the various Defrag forums, but it would be nice to get a couple pointers from somebody that appears to have trickjumping to a 't'.  Guess we need to open a new thread  :D
And I'm certainly now trying to get accustomed to Slippy's brand of strafe-jumping!  I just need some more time...
Oh!  And were some of those games recorded?  I seem to remember Pho mentioning that during one of the earlier matches.


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: Phoenix on 2008-08-19, 01:58
I got into playing and forgot to actually demo the games. :(

I was the one grabbing the flag all the time as a Doomer on Polaris.  I only encountered Four a few times I think.  I remember one instance of pinning him in the water with the chaingun and another where two opposing team members followed me down a hall.  I doubled back and fed one of them quadded plasma and the other a volley of quadded rockets.  I think Four might have ran into a rocket that time, not certain who it was though.  Otherwise I tried avoiding opposition except at the enemy base where I could use Doom's speed to get in, grab the flag, and outdistance the defenders.  I knew I could handle any attackers so long as I confined the fights to choke points, where Doom's weapons are most lethal, and then just run like hell across the open areas.  Polaris is definitely a hard map to play with a 3 on 3, you really need 5 vs 5 or more.  It's fairly simple to navigate once you learn the routes and learn how to not get lost in the middle, but it's a LONG run from one base to another and once the flag leaves the base area it's only a matter of time before one of the flag runners bites it and then the other team is almost guaranteed a cap.

Marnegator:  Slipgate movement involves holding a left or right strafe key while jumping and turning at the same time.  It's... odd.  Best thing I can recommend to see a bit of how it works is load up Q3DM17 and play with the bounce pads.  Bounce pads add to Slipgate's acceleration in Gen so you can do some crazy stuff in the air.  Practice choosing a direction, then just turning left and right and see what it does.

Now regarding balance, just wait until I get "oldschool" mode coded.  That's when the kid gloves come off and Doom and Slipgate are going to hurt people in a serious way.  Strogg might get a new (nostalgic Q2) toy, and I'll have to think of something clever for Earth since he's sort of half-Wolf, half our own invention.


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: fourier on 2008-08-19, 02:34
Well, Marne, I don't consider myself a trick jumper.  Too the normal quake player, I might seem to be, but at best I'm a novice.  I good at plasma climbing and that is something I should demo sometime for you guys -- like a run through of tr1ckhouse-beta3.  Strafe jumping... I'm better than most people, but I'm nothing special when compared to real trick jumpers speed wise.  Now, I did teach myself to strafe with all methods: normal single and double, half beat, quarter beat, inverted, forward or backward only quarter beat, and the reverse versions of those.  I can try to explain it in words, but to be honest, I'm not good at doing that.  I can try to explain the physics and draw some diagrams to explain how Q3 acceleration actually works.  This could be a sort of primer for you, but I would recommend hopping in a server with me and going through some basic training :) .

I definitely did eat one of those rockets in that tight hallway.  You killed the other two, and I either was out of ammo or had a shotgun.  But what else could I do?  I had to chase and hope for a miracle kill to keep you from capping -- if I didn't you were assured a cap :)  Normally, I don't like chasing down a player with quad with a shotgun or whatever I was using ;)

The spawns are a problem with that map, though.  Unless I'm not remembering correctly, all the spawns are in base, which makes it very hard to catch a flag carrier.  That map could do with some mid spawns.

I've meant to ask you about earth.  Is the half-Wolf side based solely on wolf3d?  Or is there some rtcw in it?  I don't think the sniper rifles in rtcw were projectiles (that big one with night vision type thing was instant).


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: ~Va^^pyrA~ on 2008-08-19, 03:24
Now regarding balance, just wait until I get "oldschool" mode coded.  That's when the kid gloves come off and Doom and Slipgate are going to hurt people in a serious way.  Strogg might get a new (nostalgic Q2) toy, and I'll have to think of something clever for Earth since he's sort of half-Wolf, half our own invention.

Outside of the Sniper Rifles, isn't the Earth class pretty on par with their classic incarnation? I mean, the Napalm Launcher and Mortar were in the SNES version after all. I guess that an argument could be made against the Duel Gatling Guns, but their presence seems justified enough after showing up in the hands of all those Grosse characters.

I still wouldn't mind seeing old Sarge's grandson, Commander Keen, in game to some extent to another...


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: ReBoOt on 2008-08-19, 07:40
Yeah old school gameplay is something i look forward to..its totally imbalanced so best played aginst the same class but however it's fun to spread mayhem abit ;)

Commander Keen? Imo we already have enough classes as it is whould be a totally waste of putting more time into making another class, so that's prolly a no no.


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: Phoenix on 2008-08-19, 17:31
Nothing in the Earth Soldiers class is based on RTCW.  We drew from Wolfenstein-3D, continued on some of the ideas in Generations Q2, and added a few of our own.  The knife, Luger, MP-40, and gatling gun, plus the health pickups are based straight on Wolfenstein-3D.  The dual gatling guns was based on the Grosse family as well as their presence in Generations Q2.  The Mac version of Wolf3D had a bazooka and a flamethrower, which translated into similar weapons in Generations Q2.  I did not work on Gen Q2, but my exposure to it is what eventually landed me in this spot, and early on we drew from some of that for the Earth Soldiers.  The change from the bazooka to the mortar was an idea I cooked up to differentiate his "missile" weapon from everyone else's.  We already have fast rockets, heavy knockback rockets, slow rockets, almost useless rockets, etc, what more can you do with rockets?  The inclusion of the Barrett rifle was a team idea as Earth's slow speed meant he'd be a pin-up target for Arena and Strogg to just rail him at range.  So you have a fast mortar shell and a rifle that can hit at distance when needed, but long-range gunning is not his strongest point since they're tricky to use.  We also gave him some hand grenades since, well, makes sense doesn't it?

I agree with the spawns being only in-base on Polaris, but on the flipside I absolutely detest spawning in the enemy base as happened on some maps.  I'm not sure if that's a map issue or if I need to check something in our spawn code, but I dislike it for two reasons.  First, I don't expect to spawn in the enemy base.  It's disorienting and usually leads to a quick demise.  Second, I don't like enemies spawning in my base.  What's the point of having a defensive strategy if someone's going to spawn behind the choke points and maybe get a lucky flag run or get a lucky kill on your flag carrier that just did all the work getting back and is low on health?  Other players have complained about that as well, so it's something I need to look into.  If it's a code issue I'll fix it.  If it's a map-issue I'm not quite sure what can be done with it.


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: scalliano on 2008-08-19, 22:14
I still wouldn't mind seeing old Sarge's grandson, Commander Keen, in game to some extent to another...

Final boss ..? 8)

There is a Keen skin for Slippy kicking around the net, but I couldn't tell you where to get it now. If I can find it on my old Q3 mod backup disks I'll post it.

Thoroughly enjoyed the game on Saturday night but as an old Euro-baddie the mental lag starts kicking in at about 4am. Got a few caps, though :doom_thumb:


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: fourier on 2008-08-19, 22:31
Well, the point I was making about polaris is that it needs some mid spawns, not spawns in the enemy base.

Regarding the enemy base spawns, there are more than a few 3wave maps that have enemy base spawns, so I doubt it has something to do with your spawn code.  While spawning in the enemy base is good for trying to get the flag or kill an FC, you also are more likely to be killed quickly before you get a chance to do either of those things (depending on the overall level of teamplay going on).


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: Kajet on 2008-08-20, 00:19
Yeah... Polaris is effing huge... almost as big as Mpterra2, but at least Team Arena had the scout pickup to up your speed...


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: Phoenix on 2008-08-20, 16:41
Polaris has two haste spawns, one near each base, that last for quite a while.  I was grabbing them every chance I could so I could run even faster with the Doomer.  That does help a bit.  Polaris is actually geared for Team Arena.  That's part of why there's a grappling hook that spawns on top of I think a lightning gun, and a Teleporter/LSOV combo that spawns on top of a medkit.  It's an item spawn issue with some items being Team Arena-specific.  I coded in a sanity check for spawn flags on the items so that no longer double-spawns stuff like that when using a map with missionpack item spawns in Gen.

At some point I'm planning on making a CTF option where there are team-specific runes available for play on maps with Team Arena powerup spawns.  They'll spawn and apply to the players like in Team Arena (only blue can get blue techs, etc) but they'll be our current set of CTF techs, with one set per team.  It will not replace the normal tech spawn mode but be an alternative mode.  It will also be the default mode for techs when playing with Team Arena maps using the +set fs_basegame missionpack startup arguments, but more on that later.


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: fourier on 2008-08-23, 21:01
I should be there tonight.  Hope to see you all there.


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: ~Va^^pyrA~ on 2008-08-24, 00:12
I won't be around tonight. I'm leaving for the week tomorrow and have other things to do beforehand. Sadly, real life is sometimes a bit more important than video games. :(


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: fourier on 2008-08-30, 23:08
I should be in there tonight, so I hope no one forgot  :slippy_thumb:


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: Phoenix on 2008-08-31, 05:42
I got on late, but at least we had a game.  :doom_thumb:


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: fourier on 2008-08-31, 21:24
We had some good games last night.  Here's some demos from this saturday and last:
http://puma.chezurn.com/demos/demos.rar

I'll be getting my replacement mouse soon, but honestly it doesn't affect gaming nearly as much as it does general pc usage.  It's extremely frustrating with the constant double clicking.  I only think it stopped clicking once last night.  Hopefully by next saturday, I can have a memorial service for my 5 or 6 year old intellimouse optical 1.1a, and an introduction to my new ..... Intellimouse optical 1.1a!  The best mouse.


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: MarneGator on 2008-09-01, 03:38
I wish I stayed for Dark Places.  :(   The demo only made me further lament the decision to leave.  Next weekend I suppose!
*Love watching insane rail gun shots*


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: fourier on 2008-09-04, 01:22
Good news!  My mice came in today.  I got a 3pack, since the next time I will probably have to replace this mouse would be in 5 years give or take -- I wasn't sure if they would still be around to buy.  I haven't put mouseskates on this one since its feet are brand new and should be smooth gliding. :doom_thumb: :slippy_thumb:


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: Lopson on 2008-09-05, 00:27
Good news!  My mice came in today.  I got a 3pack, since the next time I will probably have to replace this mouse would be in 5 years give or take -- I wasn't sure if they would still be around to buy.  I haven't put mouseskates on this one since its feet are brand new and should be smooth gliding. :doom_thumb: :slippy_thumb:
Well, we can't just leave it at that, can we? How about we test that mouse of yours in a game of Gen? Saturday, perhaps... ?


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: fourier on 2008-09-05, 00:30
That's the plan  :slippy_thumb:


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: Phoenix on 2008-09-05, 02:11
I've been practicing my Q2 rail a bit.  Hopefully I won't get so thoroughly trounced this weekend.  I'll try to make it, but can't guarantee what time.

Four:  You might want to restart the server sometime randomly during the day Saturday.  We seem to be playing the same maps at the same times.  Would be nice to have a bit of a mix up.  :doom_thumb:


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: fourier on 2008-09-05, 03:45
Well, I'll be there, so I'll just vstr d(randomly picked number)


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: Lopson on 2008-09-06, 11:06
Same server, same time I assume?


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: fourier on 2008-09-06, 12:01
The same as listed in the first post by phoenix in this thread.  I usually come in around 9, but sometimes people don't show up for a half hour.


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: fourier on 2008-09-11, 13:30
I'm pretty sure I won't make it this weekend, at least not until very late (past midnight EST).  Next weekend I should be there though.  Have fun without me  ;)


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: MarneGator on 2008-09-12, 00:14
NOO!  You, Phoenix and myself were starting to become "the regulars" (tm)!  Five consecutive Saturdays or something?  At least the maps will maintain their consistency  :P
Oh!  Did anybody get a recording of Dark Places?  I love a good clusterfu * * !


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: fourier on 2008-09-12, 05:42
Well, that's life, but I should be there next saturday.

What do you mean when you say dark places?  Every time I hear one of your say it, I think of the Q1 engine.  I assume it must also be the name of one of the maps we played on.

demos from this past saturday:
http://puma.chezurn.com/demos/demos2.rar


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: ReBoOt on 2008-09-12, 07:25
To my knowledge there are no quake 1 map named dark places the dark zone exist thought.

But darkplaces is a really good quake engine ;)


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: MarneGator on 2008-09-12, 13:19
LOL!  Can't believe I was mixing names that badly!  Yeah, I really mean dm4, the bad place!
I would seem as though I've been away from Q1 a little to long...


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: Phoenix on 2008-09-12, 17:54
I'll try to make it Saturday, but I can't guarantee anything.  My day is pretty up in the air.  I have some important things to do early and I'll have to just wait and see.  Expect me closer to 10-11 PM eastern if I do make it though, so if I'm not on at exactly 9 pm don't lose heart.  :slippy_thumb:


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: MarneGator on 2008-09-13, 14:24
To an appearance!  :slippy_thumb:
Unless you or Shamb join, there's a pretty good chance of it being a quiet night.  People need to slavishly dedicate a little of life to the Sat games, regardless of time zone!  :D


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: fourier on 2008-09-13, 16:08
lol, remember 11pm is 4am in the UK  :!:  I was pretty surprised lopson was up that late considering he's in Portugal.


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: Lopson on 2008-09-18, 14:49
lol, remember 11pm is 4am in the UK  :!:  I was pretty surprised lopson was up that late considering he's in Portugal.
It surprised me as well! But it was fun, and that's all that matters.
So, what about this Saturday? Anyone up for it?


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: fourier on 2008-09-18, 16:59
I should be there.  I might be able to come in earlier too if I see someone in there.


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: Phoenix on 2008-09-18, 19:59
I'm uncertain.  I will be away all day and I am not sure at what time I will return.  I will play if I can but don't wait up for me.


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: MarneGator on 2008-09-18, 23:24
I can't believe it, but I've got a train to catch during the coming game  :(  Thank goodness I'm a rail foamer so at least the pain will be minimal.


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: fourier on 2008-09-19, 21:49
Would anyone be interested in a game during the week as well?  Thursday is what I'm considering at maybe 8pm EST, but only if others would be able to make it.

edit tuesday also, but in an either/or situation.


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: Lopson on 2008-09-21, 02:50
It's impossible for me to play during the week, due to the different time zones. :( Sorry man, no can do.


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: Phoenix on 2008-09-21, 06:45
I also cannot play during the week.  Occasionally I might be able to catch an early game on the Euro server, but 8 pm is not possible for me.


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: fourier on 2008-09-21, 20:47
That's a shame.

Aside from that, we had some good games last night.  I should be there next weekend.


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: Phoenix on 2008-09-28, 02:08
I'm not going to be able to play tonight.  I'm involved in a rather messy data archiving operation.

Edit:  It took less time than I thought, so I managed to get in one round of CTF at least.


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: MarneGator on 2008-09-28, 15:49
About that... sorry for putting an end to CTF lads!  Just a little behind on my reading, academic and personal.  In fact, what am I doing here?!
*runs off for book*


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: fourier on 2008-10-08, 00:59
Well, it looks like I forgot to post in here last week.  I was out-of-state this past weekend, so I wasn't able to attend.  I knew I would be out of town this past weekend for several weeks.  This weekend and beyond, I should be there as I have no more plans to be away on the weekends -- for the most part I should be there every weekend fairly consistently for a while.


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: Phoenix on 2008-10-08, 01:39
My ability to attend will be a question mark over the next few weeks.  Play on, and I'll join if I can.


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: MarneGator on 2008-10-10, 05:29
Looks like I'm going for 3 consecutive games missed.  One of my good mates is in the city so it's a case of brotherhood before Quake.  Always a compromise worth making!


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: fourier on 2008-10-19, 18:38
I was there last night from 8:40 to 10:20 EST; no one showed up :(


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: Phoenix on 2008-10-19, 20:33
I was indisposed with some urgent matters.  Hopefully next week I'll drop in.


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: Krypto on 2008-11-01, 18:14
Just to let everyone now I'm equipped and ready for a few bloodbath's tonight, in case anyone has the opportunity for an evening of Gen. Euro or U.S server I don't mind  :slippy_thumb: I reside in morbid and gloomy England otherwise known as the United Kingdom (GMT 0).


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: Phoenix on 2008-11-02, 01:03
I'll be there for the US game tonight.  :doom_thumb:


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: MarneGator on 2008-11-06, 03:44
I wish it weren't so but I can't attend this weekend  :(   Basically, I need to go and get myself a new laptop.  I don't anticipate being ready by Sat so I'll just drink to the player's mirth!


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: fourier on 2008-11-08, 19:26
Probably not going to make it tonight, but we'll see.


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: Phoenix on 2008-11-09, 05:09
I dropped in at about 10:30.  Xaero and Bryson kept me company, but nobody showed up.  Better luck next week?


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: Visimar on 2008-11-09, 17:10
I was in a few times earlier, one of those times being in Phoenix's server, but the only person I saw timed out as soon as I connected to aforementioned firebird's server. Afterwards I started to get tired and gave up so I could head to bed.


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: Lopson on 2008-11-10, 15:05
Well, it's kinda hard for me to play these days, what with college making me go to bed early and whatnot. It's not easy to stay awake all the way 'till 4 in the morning, you know :P. It's a shame, really...


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: Tabun on 2008-11-10, 18:06
To my shame and detriment, I haven't played Generations in a long time. I'm sure I'll get back to it at some point, but right now it's not happening. I'm glad to see some people are still die-hard Genners, though.. :]


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: Nonanonymous on 2008-11-11, 00:34
I play Gens often, offline.  But the instant shots are going off online, I'm lagging so bad that the person I was shooting at will be halfway across the map.   :shout:  Damn this 56K modem!


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: MarneGator on 2008-11-14, 18:30
Laptop still not in my hands.  Guess I'll be sitting this weekend out as well.  I was going to hang out IRC - the first time I would have used it! - but my dying laptop was just stolen... so I guess I'll do nothing!


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: Phoenix on 2008-11-14, 23:21
I'm not sure if I'll be available or not.  I have some business to take care of tomorrow and I may or may not make it back to my nest in time to play.

Nonanonymous:  Have you checked out the FAQ?  I put some pointers in there that may help with dialup play.  Granted you'll not make too many shots with the railgun, but they should at least keep you from lagging all over the map.  That's assuming you're running at actual 56k speeds of course.  I finally got fed up with dialup after my (supposedly 56k) provider was only providing 16k.  Trying to WALK in Quake 2 caused me to phone jack, and Quake 3 was impossible.  That and not being able to get a connection 9 out of 10 calls, and getting bumped offline after an hour provided great encouragement for switching to broadband.  I understand there are some out there still stuck in dialup hell due to lack of availability, but if you can get cable or DSL I definitely recommend doing so, not just for gaming but because dialup is a tremendous time waster and headache in general.


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: fourier on 2008-11-14, 23:49
I don't know whether I'll be there at 9pm.  I might be able to make it in earlier, but I'm not sure.


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: MarneGator on 2008-11-21, 23:43
New laptop in hand but... I don't have my Q3 disc!  Again I'll be absent  :(  But at least I have a laptop again!


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: fourier on 2008-11-23, 18:08
I was in there last night from 9 to 10pm EST; I didn't see anyone :(


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: Phoenix on 2008-11-24, 01:34
I checked the server about 11:30 PM, and saw only bots.  I could not attend any sooner as I was away from the nest on an urgent errand all of yesterday.


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: Phoenix on 2008-12-06, 19:07
Barring any emergencies, I should be able to make it tonight.  :doom_thumb:


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: MarneGator on 2008-12-07, 01:13
Urgh... I REALLY need to get some proper sleep tonight; playing gen will only insure that I don't get it so I guess I'm out this weekend  :(


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: Phoenix on 2008-12-14, 00:01
I most likely won't be with you tonight.  I have to get an early start tomorrow to take care of some urgent matters, and I have much to do tonight that will preclude my involvement in a game.


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: fourier on 2008-12-14, 05:51
Server is moving.  It will be up well before next saturday.  I just have to upload the files (gen is a heavy weight, and host to host transfers seem to corrupt more often).


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: fourier on 2008-12-17, 02:13
I put it up yesterday.
115.124.100.62:27960

Some information: We moved because ET seems to have some pretty obvious hit detection problems (at least in unlagged based mods, I really don't play lagged mods enough to be able to differentiate between a miss and odd hit detection).  The new server occasionally has lag spikes (we had it before, and we didn't have them).  It's not a big deal, and we (the few of us who got the box) decided we'd rather deal with occasional lag spikes than constant troubles from ET.

We decided on a central US location, Chicago, for the other server.  Since they are all on the same box, this means the UK/Europe players will probably have +20 ping over the old one :(


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: MarneGator on 2009-01-04, 03:16
First time online since the holiday vacation and... whoa!  Hopefully this was just a nasty night for me because otherwise I won't really be around on the new server  :(  Everyone that's seen me these past months knows that I have a flaky connection, but today was quite a lot worse.  I might need to run over to a friend for the Sat games!


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: Phoenix on 2009-01-04, 08:47
Sorry I couldn't drop by tonight.  I've been having some hardware problems.  My primary computer is fine, but I've been having interface problems on another machine and it's making Phoenix grumpy.

Marne:  The new server has been fine for me so far.  What kind of connection problems are you having?  Maybe if we can both get on next week we can sort it out.


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: Phoenix on 2009-01-08, 05:03
I will probably not be on this weekend.  I have some hardware changes to make on all my systems, and it's going to take up all my time.  The good news is I'll have a new server and my current server will be free for development use again, which will give me lower-end and higher-end hardware for testing Gen, as well as access to my Linux install.  I'll have two working development stations that I can switch between for testing, and a dedicated server running on a clean XP install.

I may also be skipping weekly games for a while to try to get in some coding time.  I'd rather develop Gen at present than play .99f.  Don't let that stop you guys from playing!


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: MarneGator on 2009-01-09, 15:35
I have something to do this weekend so I'll be skipping Gen tomorrow.  Unlike the lazy holiday season, this is a bit legit!
Pho, I dropped by on the server the other night to check and although it's slower for me than the prior server, it was playable for me this time around.  I guess last Saturday was just a fluke... or so I'm hoping!


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: fourier on 2009-01-09, 23:42
You had those bad lagouts on the old server before.  It could be a bad route, but I would think it was your connection flaking out.  You might have tried connecting to a few other servers and see if the problem remained; then you would know for certain whether it was that server or a bad route, or just your ISP.


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: MarneGator on 2009-01-19, 17:50
About those issues with lag... my connection was so terrible that last Saturday (go figure) I just decided to sit out.  The weekends are becoming more and more of a crap shot for me so my participation will be very hit and miss for the foreseeable future.
Anybody actually play this last weekend?


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: Phoenix on 2009-01-19, 19:44
I wasn't there, so I do not know.  Regarding your connection problem, perhaps we could help figure it out if you told us a little bit more about your internet connection as a whole.  Let me ask a few questions here.

1)  How do you connect to the internet?  Are you on cable, DSL?  Are you plugged in or do you use wireless?  If wireless, is it your own service or are you leeching off someone else?  If its your own service, do you share the connection with anybody?  Are you... God forbid... on dialup?
2)  Geographically, where are you generally located?  eg, California, Ohio, Michigan, England, Australia, Canada, etc.
3)  Have you run an internet speed test to see what your general connection health is?  I recommend Speed Test (http://www.speedtest.net).  Choose the recommended server for testing.  Compare your results there from what your internet service provider says you should be getting.  If it's bad, you may have a defective cable or DSL modem.   Also, run at least one test at various times during the day - Morning, noon, night, late night, and see if there's a speed difference depending on time of day.  Heavy traffic can affect your connection.

Let me know what's going on there and we'll try to track this down.  There's no point in recommending game settings to help out until we know how your overall internet connection health is.


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: fourier on 2009-01-19, 23:03
I was there for a bit.

You can also do the Tweak test at broadbandreports:
http://www.broadbandreports.com/tweaks


Title: Re: Gen CTF Game Planned
Post by: MarneGator on 2009-01-23, 04:13
Ah yes!  Coming back from my coma and here's what's up:
1) Haha!  I'm indeed on a "borrowed" wireless connection.  I thought I made disparaging comments about it in the past, but yeah, no connection to call my own! 
2) NYC
3) Ran the test and it's apparently good which is what I expected; most days I have no issues with getting on the Internet.  Heavy traffic hours do give me a couple fits and I have not yet had the opportunity to run the test during those times.
Saturdays in the past were generally good (sans those wretched drops), but around the time the server changed to Chicago I was having a rough time getting on the 'net anyway.  I don't remember how many Saturdays it has been, but it has been consistently poor on that day for a little while.  Maybe when the markets again calm down (ha!) and people stop putting in weekend "Sell" orders I'll be better able to join the games  ;)
And I just played with the broadbandreports so I'll see if any difference was made this coming weekend.  Appreciate the advice!