Logging started: Wed Mar 24 21:00:01 1999
Edited by Knight. Final Version
Bounty99: When Carry-Alls are not doing anything, will they hover in the air, circle the location they last performed an activity, or land on a pad?
Erik: They will head back to a pad if there is one available. If not they will land near an expensive friendly structure.
ccrules22: Will Tiberian Sun run under Windows NT 4.0?
Erik: It sure does. Rather well, actually.
ccrules22: Will Tiberian Sun be released in South Korea?
Erik: I see no reason why not. Some of our biggest fans are in SK. :)
Drake32: What types of units, beside Infantry, will be able to detect stealth tanks, and stealthed NOD bases?
Erik: The Deployable Sensor Array can. Certain veteran units can also gain the ability to detect them. You'll have to experiment to see which ones.
Drake32: Will TS be able to run on a UNIX system?
Erik: I seriously doubt it. You can try though. :)
Gdiguy2: How do the alliances in multiplayer work? Can you control your allies units, or is there an option that would allow it?
Erik: Good question. We wrestled with that one and there weren't any good ways to do that didn't create arguements. We thought about other game types to incorporate this, but we'll have to see what kind of time we have.
Gdiguy2: Is there any way at all? Like in Red Alert you could embed rules.ini and enable this.
Erik: I'm sure someone will find away. They always do. :)
HammaTS: Was the decision to erase the Mammoth tank because of a design problem?
Erik: No, not really. We went with the Disruptor and I didn't think GDI needed TWO heavy tanks. Besides, there is always the Mammoth Mark II...
HammaTS: Will the forgotten be included at all in multiplayer missions?
Erik: Yes, several of the Forgotten units can be used in multiplayer.
Knight: Are you guys planning on porting TS to the Mac, and/or Linux (at any point), or will it run on strictly Windows?
Erik: So far the plan is only for Windows. As for the future... I dunno. It's up to the higher-ups.
Knight: Also, can you shed some light on the "Heavy Mech"?
Erik: The "Heavy Mech" is something of a misnomer. It doesn't really exist as the Heavy Mech anymore. I think it's still a secret, but it may slipped out. It's basically a prototype you see in the game.
link2229: What are some of the multiplayer only units?
Erik: Right now, there aren't any multiplayer only units. But there are several that have different requirements than they do in soloplay. There are some secret units, but they're, well, secret.
link2229: What are the game requirments?
Erik: The sys reqs are P166 with 32 megs, 2 meg video card and roughly 150 megs of HD space. It's much better with a 4-8 meg video card though.
LionKeypr:What options can we specify with the map generator?
Erik: Let's see: You can specify terrain, time of day, ruggedness of the land, how much water, how much Tiberium, how large of a city, 'connectivity' of the terrain, and there are a few more I know I'm forgetting. Like Ion Storms, meteors, Tiberium flora and fauna...
LionKeypr: How much has the AI improved on a percentage basis over other previous games? Estimate is fine.
Erik: Wow, over the previous C&Cs? I'd say about 200%. There's a night a day difference in Skirmish and solo. You'll notice them taking safer routes and making combination attacks... Cool stuff.
LtWCard01: Can you tell us anything about the Mammoth Mark II?
Erik: I can only tell you that it's something new GDI are working on.
LtWCard01: Besides flame tanks, what other ways can you start infantry and trees on fire?
Erik: There are tons of ways. Flaming debris, meteors, explosions, falling aircraft, lightning strikes, etc...
LtWCard01: Is there a unit which is a hover tank?
Erik: Yeah, there is a hover missile tank that GDI has. It's pretty effective as a water assault unit.
lugalemh: What's the minimum bandwith for multiplayer?
Erik: Good question. We're not sure yet. As things get finalized, we'll know more.
lugalemh: Will there be a cutscene viewer?
Erik: The cutscene viewer is on the list of things to do, but might get cut in favor of shipping the game some day. :)
lugalemh: Any plans for tiberiansun.com?
Erik: I dunno. We've had some trouble with NOD trying to infiltrate the site, and that causes delays, but we're not worried. :)
lugalemh: I read a while ago that there were 18 levels of elevation in the 3d terrain, does this still hold true?
Erik: 18? No, it's at about 14. But that's close.
MadMan47 : You must be playing TS a lot. Can you tell us how much AS.S TS will kick? from 1-10 ... 1 being Outpost2- 10 being TotalAnhilation.
Erik: Hmm. It's starting to feel REALLY good. (Watching ORCAs go spinning out of control and into someones base is good fun.) It's hard to say. TA had a different type of feel. I liked it, but TS is different. I would say 10 in it's own right.
MadMan47 : Can you give us an idea of what role the aliens will be playing in TS?
Erik: The aliens play a significant, but hidden role in TS. You'll have to wait and see. I don't want to spoil it all. :)
Ted: I want to jump in and mention something about the fansite contest, since I've been getting a lot of mail about it.
Ted: The contest will involve 5 sites which will have a mention in Tiberian Sun in some way (Erik can explain exactly)
Ted: We will pick 2 sites completely at random from the listing on www.tiberiansun.com
Ted: the 3rd site to be awarded will be the site we feel has been the most active (in users).
Ted: 4th site will be the one with the best graphics throughout the site.
Ted: UNIQUE graphics are what we're looking for.
Ted: and the 5th and final site will be the one which is most innovative.
Ted: Involving new features for the users, new technology, etc.
Ted: And, I'll let erik explain how this will work, since i don't quite understand it myself.
Erik: We wanted to do something more than just thank you guys for all your hard work in the credits.
Erik: So, we thought it would be cool to name some of the structures in the game after some of the cool sites.
Erik: I don't have many left that aren't specific, but there are a few.
Erik: Sound cool? Immortality in a C&C game?
Ted: We're going to pick one winner each day next week and post the winning site at tiberiansun.com
Ted: The site we select must be updated as of the day we visit it, or we move on to another site.
Ted: On Friday, we will pick the last site.
Ted: Alright, let's keep going...
MoDmooshy: Will It have its own server, and will it be faster in Multiplayer?
Erik: TS will have it's own server on Westwood Online. Is that what you mean?
MoDmooshy: Is The Land Like Dune 2000? Or Command and Conquer Land?
Erik: The land is considerably different than either Dune 2000 or C&C. It has it's own physical properties and 3D data.
MoDmooshy: Can You Like Allie & Like in Reg. CnC will it show is/her base? when allied?
Erik: Yes, when both players agree to the alliance, each sides units and structures are revealed.
NODCABAL: Did you fix the bug in skirmish where your allied side crushes your infantry?
Erik: I don't remember that bug, but if it shows up in TS, we'll squash it.
OliverTS: Are there any intermediate experience ranks or just veteran and normal?
Erik: There are 2 above normal and one below. I haven't found a reason to use the one below normal yet, but it's nice to know it's there. :)
OliverTS: Will you be able to save multiplayer games? that would be a very helpful feature =)
Erik: Yes, it would be. I know the guys are working on it. I'm sure saving multiplayer games will be in there.
OMEGAxxxx: Will there be any FlameThrower Units or Chemical Units, excluding the Flame Tank?
Erik: There is a Forgotten Flame Thrower unit right now. She's kinda nasty. We'll see if she survives. There is a chemical missile as well.
OMEGAxxxx: Is air to air battle still a feature in the game?
OMEGAxxxx: If not, then does voxel limit the playing field to land units, and not air units in attacking each other on the same plane?
OMEGAxxxx: If yes, how will the player be able to engage the target?
Erik: Aircraft can fire on each other, but they can't be directed at each other. I'm not sure I understand the second part of the voxel limitation question. The problem isn't with using voxels instead of sprites. It has to do with finding out what the player was clicking on. The aircraft are a secondary classification of objects, so that causes a few snags.
OMEGAxxxx: Can units help out the player by providing such information as suggesting strategies, report what they saw, or give feedback ?
OMEGAxxxx: If yes, is this done by strictly audio, or will there be a movie clip?
Erik: Certain veteran infantry can instruct normal infantry around them and in certain solo missions the units provide very specific feedback. In some cases it's done with audio, in others it's a movie. It depends on how big of a plot point it is.
Quantumus: Will you impose any tournament rules? Strictly FoW or non-FoW maybe?
Erik: With the tournament, yes there will be resolution and basic setup rules. Just to be fair.
RedScorp: Do you think that Tiberian Sun would make a succesful port to any other systems?
Erik: I think it could be technically done on the Mac, but maybe not on the Dreamcast. Hard to say. The PSX versions of C&C and RA were well received, so I think they would be successful, yes.
Quantumus: Did you decide what type of sidebar to use? Are you using any classifications?
Erik: Yes, we stayed with an upgraded but familiar sidebar. No classifications.
rainman77: Do you have a cast roster, listing which actor will be playing which character, including the EVA and CABAL voices?
Erik: Yes, there is one for the credits in the manual and I'm sure there are other lists laying around. The credits list is long. Plays like a movie. :)
ScreamSA: How many people are working on TS right now?
Erik: Right now? Jeez, about 22 I think. Big group.
ScreamSA: What exactly are you working on right now... and to make it more interesting what exactly did you do today :)
Erik: I'm working on bug fixes in my missions, play balancing the game in multiplayer, and 'field testing' the other designers missions. Today, I did those things, and captured some footage, and chatted with you guys. :)
ScreamSA: Since Lands Of Lore is out, can we rest assured that all resources are being used for TS?
Erik: As for LOL resources, no we have about all we can handle right now. Those guys are going to take a well deserved break and start planning the next one.
rainman77: sorry folks, my other question was what is the planned max resolution for TS and at what color depths?
Erik: Max res is 800x600 with 16 bit color. The game can go to higher resoultions, but it started to make the menus and movies look weird. :)
Shadow117: Will Tiberian Sun have a way of keeping people from copying CDs like it was possible to do with Red Alert
Erik: We took some measures to protect ourselves, but I think it's impossible to keep people out forever. Someone always finds a way.
Shadow117: Will the Banshee be taking off from a helipad or will it be taking off from another structure....and if so what is the name (that's 1 question)
Erik: The Banshee takes off from a NOD helipad.
Shadow117: Do infantry get poisoned or mutate if they stand in Tiberierium too long
Erik: Infantry get poisoned and die if they stay in Tiberium too long. OCCAISIONALLY something else can happen...
ShawnSJC: How is the time of day going to be incorporated into game- is there going to be a clock, or something of the sort, or is it the same throughout the mission?
Erik: It's mission based. Some missions are at night, others at daylight. (Even dusk and dawn.) Some missions transition from day to night.
ShawnSJC: How is the build queue going to be set up- can you build only one type of unit at a time, or multiple types? Can you have it set to build two mechs then a hover MRLS?
Erik: You can build multiple types, even put types on hold and remove them from the que.
ShawnSJC: Is there anyway for a person in multiplayer to say, start an ion storm or something of that nature?
Erik: There is a way, but it won't happen in all multiplayer maps. You'll have to experiement to se what conditions must be met in order for it to work.
Nimd3: When an aircraft is destroyed, does the pilot bail out or is he destroyed?
Erik: They are destroyed most of the time. Occaisionally they bail out. I guess they think they can pull their craft out of tghe spin they're in. :)
SonicFS: What is the official name of the heavy mech?
Erik: We have and I can't tell you. :) Sorry. It will make sense when you see it though.
SonicFS: Will we be able to command special characters inthe game like Chandra like we were able to in StarCraft?
Erik: Yes, we have a number of Commando and Tanya like characters in the game. Umagaan, Ghostalker, etc... They talk to you and give feedback on what's happening.
Tacey: Will the Sites that get picked by You guys get a prize (besides immortality in a C&C game)???
Erik: What's the matter? Immortality not GOOD enough for you?!! I dunno, actually. That's up to Ted. :)
Tacey: Will there be a little movie for C&C 3 at the end of C&C 2...or can't you talk about that :)
Erik: I doubt we will put ourselves in that situation again. I don't think there will be a C&C3 trailer in TS.
Tacey: Can you send me a build? :)
Erik: I could, but then I would get fired. And I like my job., Sorry. :)
Tesluck: I'm really interested in an mission editor for TS no matter how cumbersome. Are there plans to release one with the game or shortly after?
Erik: I'm not sure. That's not a decision I get to make. We'll have to wait and see. Sorry, but that's the best I can do.
Tesluck: At what stage of completion is the game today?
Erik: Hmm. I haven't seen a bug list this week, but it's so close. Numbers are nebulous at this point, but I would guess and say 93%.
Tesluck: How does it feel to be creating a game which will be the BEST Real Time Strategy game ever?
Erik: I feel..... tired... :) But I feel good.
Warmaker0: I havn't really heard anything about the Kodiak for ages, any news on it?
Erik: The Kodiak is still in there. Mostly as a mission objective and story point.
Warmaker0: Also, there was a bit of a rumour a month or two back about another trailer video being released in the near future. Do you guys still have plans to do that, or was it just simply a rumour?
Erik: I keep hearing about it and I keep generating in game footage, but I don't know. They have to be doing SOMETHING with all that tape. :)
WPT13: A few weeks ago you all stated that the 4 legged looking thing above the medium mech was just a test unit. Why would you need to test the vocels so late in the game?
Erik: We needed a 'worst case' unit. All the voxels that animate do so with a hierarchial animation system. The more pieces, the more painful it gets. A four legged thing was VERY painful, but the game handeled it.
WPT13: What is this Heavy Mech we keep hearing about?
Erik: The Heavy Mech has been renamed, so it doesn't really exist anymore as the heavy mech. That was sort of a temporary name.
Zander11: You say that there are safe and unsafe areas, will there be a button to show you what areas are "safe" for your harvester to go?
Erik: No, the harvester avoids the unsafe areas automatically. It takes it into account when plotting it's movement.
Zander11: If a hunter seeker drone attatches to an MCV .. what could/will happen??
Erik: The MCV would be damaged pretty heavily, but as of today's build, it won't get destroyed.
Ted : Thanks erik.
Ted : Just want to let everyone know that Erik is seriously not feeling well, but he came in to do the chat tonight.
Erik: My pleasure. Good questions tonight.
