Tooth, Claw and Brains

If you’ve been mucking around with the current Alpha version of the game (and I use that term very loosely since there’s not much of a game there), then you might be wondering what the future holds.

So, here’s the plan:  There isn’t one.

Yep, that’s right.  We’ve venturing into the abyss together.  The great unknown.  We are all nostalgic about the game that was, and it will certainly influence what happens now.  However, this is a different game.   Different things will happen.  

The best part?   

You can make a big difference in how things proceed.   This might become the most awesome-ess game evah!  or it might be a big snooze-fest.  But I bet we’ll have fun getting there. 

The more vocal you are about what’s going on, the better.  As benevolent dictator, and sole implementor — I will make the final call, but you can ask.   My seventh grade math teacher always said, “The only stupid question is the one you don’t ask.”   

I’m trying to get a really good handle on the chat/map update before moving on with more complex game mechanics.    Although, the simple aspect of “claiming” a space has opened up a portal to a world of gaming possibilities — some of which Tyler helped flesh out.  Thanks, man.

So, please keep hanging out.   If you don’t want to email me, then just say something in a space — I review the logs pretty regularly for issues or problems.

Play on, my friends, play on.

Or, at least be the boss for a while.

Here’s a fun little activity.  Anyone can claim a spot on the map, but only once an hour.  The person with the most claims in a spot gets to be the boss and have their avatar displayed on that location.  If there’s a tie, the most recent claim wins.

A fun little diversion.

Hey players,

   I realize that having persistant chat is only slightly better than mibbit.  And that having a map doesn’t mean much if you can’t talk to someone on the other side of it.  Plus, there’s nothing *to do.*

   There’s a bit more infrastructure that needs to be in place before we go crazy with the gamey features, but I’m working on something fun to do in the meantime.  So, fear not dearest player — there will be something to do soon.  

  As a side note — My time estimates will always be one of four answers: 

• Soon, as in sooner than later.
• Later, as in the soon stuff comes first.
• Unknown, as in “I have no idea.”
• Probably Not.  Never say never.

These answers will be in lieu of actual release dates.

• Wider range of statuses (playing, idling, sleeping, dormant)
• No spaces in character names please
• Moved some DB code around to make it cleaner (you’ll never notice, but i will)

Heroku fixed their issues.

Sadly, there’s a really annoying screen flash with chat updates on Windows using Firefox 3.6+.   Using Chrome is the workaround, but I’m looking into the issue ASAP.

Hey all, looks like Heroku is down this time.  You can check the status if your interested at http://status.heroku.com — I’ll be monitoring it today and will jumpstart the game apps if necessary when they get their issue resolved.

<sigh> Life is so unnerving when the server isn’t serving.  

Heroku is having trouble with my new clock server.   Until they get their act back together, the sun is stuck.   To provide as much atmosphere as 4x4 world can, I’ve put the sun at sunset for all to enjoy.   If you log in and don’t see the sunset, then the clock must be ticking again.

It’s pretty.  Currently a whole day is 1 hr, which is 1 game hr every 2.5 minutes.

MongoHQ.com have resolved their issues.  Chat away.

<sigh>

The company that hosts the database seems to be having trouble tonight.  Game offline until they get their act together.