Can we get a hint on when patch 2 "may" come out?

[ QUOTE ]
"it's ready when it's ready" isn't blowing smoke - as soon as the majority of the bugs are worked out, we'll put it live. Opinions range here from later this week (v. optimistic) to a few weeks - the bugs are being fixed in large droves, but we'll see.

Those opinions are all overridden by the reality of "we'll prop it when the bugs are fixed".

-jg


[/ QUOTE ]

I rather wait for the code to be fixed (most of it anyway) than have them go live and read about the complains about being out too soon.

People seem to care more about the capes than anything else...let's get real about all the issues.

Don't know if anyone's noticed this yet:

[ QUOTE ]
Statesman's Special Announcement
Tuesday, September 14, 2004

Important News!

A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FROM STATESMAN

"Fellow heroes, disturbing information have come to light. Thanks to the hard work at the Federal Bureau of Super Powered Affairs and the Portal Corporation, we have discovered an odd energy signature throughout Paragon City. Researchers believe that this aetheric energy appears to be building towards a climax at some point in the near future. We believe that this will occur on Thursday, but the authorities are not yet sure. All heroes should be on the look out for anything strange in the city that day. Be on guard; we have reason to believe that this bodes ill for our metropolis."

[/ QUOTE ]

From the main page. Could it be a hint of Update #2 going live?

[ QUOTE ]
"it's ready when it's ready" isn't blowing smoke - as soon as the majority of the bugs are worked out, we'll put it live. Opinions range here from later this week (v. optimistic) to a few weeks - the bugs are being fixed in large droves, but we'll see.

Those opinions are all overridden by the reality of "we'll prop it when the bugs are fixed".

-jg

[/ QUOTE ]
Yes.

So, basically, to paraphrase:

When it's E

[ QUOTE ]
Gaffer, I don't understand why this has to all be done as one HUGE update.

[/ QUOTE ]

Because while source code is easy to version control (i.e. you can set a marker which will give you two distinct copies of the source, one with the current build and the other with Issue 2, and change them independently) data in the database and the client wad files is much harder to keep in sync - especially with different source versions. And of course don't forget that some changes may require changes to stored character or world state (SGs, etc.) data, either adding new info, changing the structure of existing info, or more.

And we have internal versions separate from the external versions, so it's not a simple "live and test" branches in any case.

The short form is it's non-trivial to put some bug fixes up on live and test, especially when there are data changes. Cryptic does try to when possible.

As a side note, we are experimenting with trying to get more changes out in between the "big *** updates" which currently are on a 2 or 3 month schedule. Cause that's a long time to wait...on the other hand, we get better press coverage by having big cool updates like Capes+new zones+power fixes+new content all at once, which means more players which is good.

This is the least intelligible dev post I've ever made. If you can't wade through the above: "CROSS-VERSION BUG FIXES HARD. BIG UPDATES MAYBE GOOD" and ignore the rest.

-jg

Dude, it needs to come out AFTER the video contest is done (I'm too busy creating to play at the moment).

[ QUOTE ]
"CROSS-VERSION BUG FIXES HARD. BIG UPDATES MAYBE GOOD"

-jg

[/ QUOTE ]

I think that you should write all your posts this way. Failing that, make Lord Recluse post that way. Failing that (evil always winning because good is dumb and all), make geko post that way. It'd save him some typos!

In that spirit, "HULK SPEAK GOOD! GEKO TYPOS BAD!!!!"

-D

Any "official" person that calls their issues/expansions "big *** updates" is alright in my book.

[ QUOTE ]
Any "official" person that calls their issues/expansions "big *** updates" is alright in my book.

[/ QUOTE ]

Same here.

*giggles like a schoolgirl*

Gaffer said "***"

And that post folks..is why CoH has the best devs of all mmorpg's

Gaffer, that was the funniest dev post yet i think.

So, is the in-game event that Stateman posted about related to issue 2, or is it separate?

<<trolling for clues to satisfy the curiosity>>

[ QUOTE ]
This is the least intelligible dev post I've ever made. If you can't wade through the above: "CROSS-VERSION BUG FIXES HARD. BIG UPDATES MAYBE GOOD" and ignore the rest.

[/ QUOTE ]

lol, you sound like a developer at a sales team meeting... "ok, bug fixes good, empty promises of new features bad". Not that I have been that developer or been in those meetings weekly... sigh.

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Gaffer, I don't understand why this has to all be done as one HUGE update.

[/ QUOTE ]

Because while source code is easy to version control (i.e. you can set a marker which will give you two distinct copies of the source, one with the current build and the other with Issue 2, and change them independently) data in the database and the client wad files is much harder to keep in sync - especially with different source versions. And of course don't forget that some changes may require changes to stored character or world state (SGs, etc.) data, either adding new info, changing the structure of existing info, or more.

And we have internal versions separate from the external versions, so it's not a simple "live and test" branches in any case.

The short form is it's non-trivial to put some bug fixes up on live and test, especially when there are data changes. Cryptic does try to when possible.

As a side note, we are experimenting with trying to get more changes out in between the "big *** updates" which currently are on a 2 or 3 month schedule. Cause that's a long time to wait...on the other hand, we get better press coverage by having big cool updates like Capes+new zones+power fixes+new content all at once, which means more players which is good.

This is the least intelligible dev post I've ever made. If you can't wade through the above: "CROSS-VERSION BUG FIXES HARD. BIG UPDATES MAYBE GOOD" and ignore the rest.

-jg

[/ QUOTE ]

thanks for the new sig.

[ QUOTE ]

This is the least intelligible dev post I've ever made. If you can't wade through the above: "CROSS-VERSION BUG FIXES HARD. BIG UPDATES MAYBE GOOD" and ignore the rest.

-jg

[/ QUOTE ]
Fair enough, but I won't be ignoring:
[ QUOTE ]
we are experimenting with trying to get more changes out in between the "big *** updates"

[/ QUOTE ]

--Ariel

[ QUOTE ]
thanks for the new sig.

[/ QUOTE ]
LOL, I think MY new sig may have to be something like

[ QUOTE ]
----
Gaffer - "...we are experimenting with trying to get more changes out in between the "big *** updates""

[/ QUOTE ]

ROFL! Gaffer, you are TOO cool for school and the BOMB.COM.

Dwimble

I'm sure you already know the flip side to your argument, but I'll say it anyway: Yes, all the coverage from a "big ***" update may indeed garner new players, but on the other hand, the lack of updates for several months means you may lose your existing players.

I love CoH, but I want to see new things. To me, that's why I pay a monthly fee - in order to see an ever evolving game. When things get "stale," I lose interest.... and I'm sure I'm not alone in that regard.

Wonderful post, Gaffer. And a good explanation of why you guys use the big updates. Thanks.

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
"CROSS-VERSION BUG FIXES HARD. BIG UPDATES MAYBE GOOD"

-jg

[/ QUOTE ]

I think that you should write all your posts this way. Failing that, make Lord Recluse post that way. Failing that (evil always winning because good is dumb and all), make geko post that way. It'd save him some typos!

In that spirit, "HULK SPEAK GOOD! GEKO TYPOS BAD!!!!"

[/ QUOTE ]

You know, there are quite a few fairly humorous things that come across these boards. I get at least a couple of daily smiles from this community. There's an occasional audible chuckle from me.

But that above made me laugh so hard my throat shut down and I began to choke. It was an interesting accelerated sequence. Not minutes of laughing and stressing my muscles, but a brief, 15 second or so build up and then the clutch siezed and I almost rolled out of my chair.

Note that the current text of the special announcement does not say Thursday, it says "over the next several days" where the above poster has 'Thursday'.

Now, just try to guess Statesman's definition of 'several'...

[ QUOTE ]
I'm sure you already know the flip side to your argument, but I'll say it anyway: Yes, all the coverage from a "big ***" update may indeed garner new players, but on the other hand, the lack of updates for several months means you may lose your existing players.

I love CoH, but I want to see new things. To me, that's why I pay a monthly fee - in order to see an ever evolving game. When things get "stale," I lose interest.... and I'm sure I'm not alone in that regard.

[/ QUOTE ]

Just to kinda rebuttal your rebuttal (thats a lot of butts!) EQ came out with their expansions, 1 a year and you had to pay for them. If COH can do 3 to 4 a year for free, I dont see the problem. And the issues that CoH does DO have content. They aren't just "lets throw [censored] in to please the masses" stuff. It all has stories and reasons, etc. The way they release as I said, is ok in my books!

Awesome, it's good to know that there is a chance that it is soon.
Maybe I can find a TF again when it hits, portals are getting so boring.

I can't believe a dev replied to my first post You guys rock I never got this kind of attention from FFXI. I remember their typical answer for everything was:
Me: "Can you do such and such?"
Them: "I'm sorry I can't answer/do that"
Me: "Well thats cool, what about this other entirely different thing?"
Them: "DIDN'T YOU HEAR ME?"
Me: ; ;

LOL.... thats why I like COH, the customer service rocks here

[ QUOTE ]

As a side note, we are experimenting with trying to get more changes out in between the "big *** updates" which currently are on a 2 or 3 month schedule.

If you can't wade through the above: "CROSS-VERSION BUG FIXES HARD. BIG UPDATES MAYBE GOOD" and ignore the rest.

-jg

[/ QUOTE ]

Thumbs up to this, heh!

People are only wigging out because they want respec and capes so badly. (and upcoming super strength changes too ;P)

once they get them I bet people will be cool for at least 2 months....when the clamor for update 3 will reach peak levels.

[ QUOTE ]
Any "official" person that calls their issues/expansions "big *** updates" is alright in my book.

[/ QUOTE ]

My thought's exactly!!!