Tooth, Claw and Brains

Here's the plan

Tue, 18 May 2010 11:14:25 -0700

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.

Claim your rightful throne

Mon, 10 May 2010 21:41:00 -0700

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.

Bored-b-Gone

Fri, 07 May 2010 10:49:39 -0700

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.

Some little updates...

Fri, 07 May 2010 10:48:21 -0700

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)

Game back

Tue, 04 May 2010 10:31:14 -0700

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.

Game down - thanks Heroku

Tue, 04 May 2010 07:29:49 -0700

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.

The Sun is Stuck

Mon, 03 May 2010 17:36:56 -0700

<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.

Don't miss the sunset

Mon, 03 May 2010 16:02:05 -0700

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

Database Up. Good Database.

Sun, 02 May 2010 20:41:24 -0700

MongoHQ.com have resolved their issues. Chat away.

Database Down

Sun, 02 May 2010 19:34:26 -0700

<sigh>

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

Updates

Sun, 02 May 2010 19:25:02 -0700

Click on same square no longer creates “entered/left” messages
Smarter server polling for reduced server load
Little UI tweaks to sleepers

New Support Forums and such

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 14:33:53 -0700

I’m trying out a new service for the support forums. Let’s see how it goes. You can submit ideas or suggestions. Discuss them. Vote on them. etc.

The link is at the bottom of the game screen and opens in another window (so you can see both at the same time).

Updates from 4/29

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 07:21:29 -0700

Well the first day was pretty exciting for me. Sure, there’s not much to do, but now we have a place to hang out and chat.

Chat box quits resetting every few seconds
Show avatars only in chat
Tried 15 lines in chat, group decided 10 looked better
Will add scrolling chat at some point
Chat box auto-clears after you send a message
You can now edit the email associated with your account (and your avatar)
Locations now show sleepers (a temporary fix)
Locations show who’s active (name, avatar)
Looking into an issue with IE

Some things to note:

Locations remember the chat for 24hrs
- We’ll have solutions for privacy later
Everything is in flux - make no assumptions
Yesterday was a test of some new server-side work and so far it’s working great

I’ll be setting up an area for testers to make notes of bugs and such soon. Until then, write things down or email support@toothandclawgame.com so we don’t forget them.

Let the Alpha begin

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 15:05:16 -0700

http://dev.toothandclawgame.com

Things are happening...

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 17:43:54 -0700

New accounts are creatable. Emails go out when your invitation is approved. Chat works, but the radio is down for now. Fortunately, the map is small. It’ll be easy to see where people are and go there.

I’m waiting for some DNS changes to go through and I’ll be sending out a notice soon. In order to reach the most “old timers” — I guess I’ll post something to the old discussion board. Unless you have a better idea.

Chat is coming along. These are real messages in the system. ...

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 12:02:00 -0700

Chat is coming along. These are real messages in the system. New database technology has made this so much easier. Like a breath of fresh air compared to the old way. Haven’t decided about the avatars showing up here…just doing it because I can at this point.

I have a couple of more tests to run and then I’ll be opening up the player registration. This will give you a “spot” in the game and from there I’ll be inviting people in on a case by case basis. Once, things have proven to be stable — I’ll then let you invite a few people of your own.

I spoke to Jon Maier the other day (who was the Art Director and production artist) and he was very excited to see new life coming to TnC. Although he is currently too busy with real work to produce any more art for TnC2. I’m considering sort of crowd-sourcing the art, but more on that later.

WHVZ out.

Login functional

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 11:08:00 -0700

~~I know it sounds lame, but~~ One thing about programming is that a lot of underlying code has to be done to get the first bit of functionality going. In the wee hours of this morning, I finally finished the user registration/login system along with a bit of profile editing.

Initially, I’m using www.gravatar.com for avatar pictures — so, go check it out and get yours ready.

Chat will be functional before initial signups are allowed.

"Saxon’s new project to port the guide using fb connect http://toothandclaw2.webs.com/"

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 18:59:36 -0700

“Saxon’s new project to port the guide using fb connect http://toothandclaw2.webs.com/”

- langers2uk

"It does not matter how slow you go so long as you do not stop"

Sat, 10 Apr 2010 08:29:18 -0700

“It does not matter how slow you go so long as you do not stop”

- Wisdom of Confucius

Step by step

Sat, 10 Apr 2010 08:26:07 -0700

Greetings. Tooth & Claw development is progressing. After many months of fits and starts — things are starting to gel.

I’m working on allowing people to create accounts, quickly and easily. And for the few selected for the alpha test, they will be allowed to try out the new UI. Everyone else will be on a waiting list for an invite.

Using RPX Now for login allows players to log in with their Facebook, Twitter, and Gmail accounts.