Tonight we had the privilege of having Arthur with us in the Shout Box for approximately 15 minutes. Here is the transcript from this moment;
Xay: No, LDW is in California.
Arthur: LDW is all over the place lol
emerald_cat: lol
skipper45mn: hi arthur lol
Arthur: Because Barbara and Heather are in CO, some of us in SF. Our iPhone guy is in UK.
Havoria: Hi Arthur!
Xay: *grins at Arthur*
Arthur: Working hard on the game here....really trying to get it out tomorrow. It won't be morning, I am pretty sure of that.
Havoria: How's the baby Arthur?
Arthur: He's insanely cute, although he has discovered yelling and is fond of practicing it. I just had to have Carla remove him from my office. BANISHED
Havoria: Oh how joyful >insert sacrasm< Bring earplugs
Xay: LOL
Havoria: LOL
skipper45mn: lol welcome to the real world. they don't get much quieter as they get older
emerald_cat: lol, he will be interesting when hes older, but hes so cute!
sliddi_101: ha awww lol
Arthur: Ya seriously.
Havoria: I heard that you were using a new server for games is that right?
Arthur: We are using a "Cloud" server for the downloads of VV4.
Havoria: SB= Shoutbox
emerald_cat: its says it in the video
Arthur: It should be faster and not get as jammed up as we normally see on launch day.
Xay: Arthur stated it during the video
Arthur: We'll see. As all of you know, everything always goes wrong and the forums will very likely crash.
Havoria: Yes we know O.o Well I hope it fixes it. Or at least can hold more before crashing
Arthur: The map being 'hand drawn' refers to it being painted by a team of artists, not using 3d modeling software (for the most part), and not being "tiled" which is where maps are generated by lots of little square tiles for different terrain types and shapes.
Havoria: Really? I guess that's what I get for not having headphones on while listening in a niosy room LOL
Arthur: The result is usually a smaller, prettier and denser map. Tiled maps are like what you'd see in sim city terrain...they can be repetitive, but limitless in size.
Havoria: Oh I see what you mean. And I've played Sim City so I know exactly what your talking bout.
Arthur: We never really wanted the maps in VV to be TOO huge, or you'd never be able to find anyone and the tribe would be too spread out. Also it would be annoying to navigate a ginormous map using the UI that we use in these games.
skipper45mn: it makes the maps prettier and I think a bit more detailed
Sammygirl99: yep
Havoria: So Arthur what does it take to game a game uploaded and ready for the public?
emerald_cat: i agree
Britney: I can't wait until tomorrow. So many people will be here.
Havoria: Yeah large map= problams finding anything
Arthur: A lot of work on both the game, and on the ecommerce side we have to set up prices and products and download links. It gets hectic.
Britney: and we will haVE A huge stream of memoriable members and newbies
emerald_cat: im not going to fall asleep until 3 a.m., tonight
Britney: I can imagine, its really hectic
Arthur: We'll have a separate mac version that runs in DEMO mode, and a PC version with the typical 1-hr timer, and we have to make sure all (or most!) of the cheat codes are removed.
Britney: what time tomorrow are you planning for release
Arthur: I couldn't sleep last night.
Britney: cheat codes?! *froths at the mouth* Give them to us...
Britney: Arthur, did you drink some tea? It helps with sleeping.
Arthur: I actually got up at 3 and watched tv.
Arthur: HEY I DIDN'T SAY A TIME when it will be released. FOR THE RECORD.
Havoria: And I hope I'm not bombarding you with too many questions, Arthur. I'm sort of hoping posting this info might make everyone a little calmer waiting for the release
Arthur: It could even get bumped to tues or wed if we encounter problems, but that is not our intention. Software is software.
Arthur: No, you know its a miracle I'm actually here long enough to interact. I usually pop into SB, say something, then get distracted by work and don't stick around for the reponses lol
Britney: I appreciate that you're sticking around. D