ffdev roll call
 

http://www.fortress-forever.com/devteam/ (*edit 3: welcome to flat land, say goodbye to dev titles)

We're remaking FF. Or more precisely, we're remaking TFC on a modern engine and the remake of FF will come naturally from that as well as a whole bunch of other awesome stuff.

Anyone willing to help, feel free to speak up.

More info real soon.

*edit*

basically, if you're a dev in the "past members" section but want to work on FF again, then we can put you in the active list. For now though, consider this a fresh start. If you don't want to work on FF, that's fine. The door's always open anyways

*edit 2*

The dev team page will be updated as more devs confirm their involvement.

It's not just Jesse and me, I assure you. There are already devs that are active like Dexter, hlstriker, Elmo, and squeek. However, the only person who has confirmed anytime recently is Jesse, who I talked to on the phone last night.

Within the next few days/weeks, we should have a good idea of which devs are still active and want to do this.

The key is wanting to do it. Nobody's going to be forced to work on FF, they have to want it.

What kind of engine it is?

That's the first thing to decide.

At this point, it's either going to be Unreal 4 or Source 2.

Until we know more about Source 2, we'll just be in pre-production.

In my opinion, Source 2 is the natural choice. However, Unreal 4 has everythign we need so we can just run with that right now. I just think we need to find out more about Source 2 before we make the decision to go with Unreal 4.

Do you find Unreal's script-based interface does all that you need to make a Fortress Game with steam workshop integration and can run one efficiently?

Yes that's a cynical statement, but I don't know tbh, maybe it's super efficient and flexible.

Yeah, I think Unreal will be a perfect fit for FF and all the workshop integration.

I also think Source 2 might be the better choice, haha.

So we'll see.

u updated the website

What it comes down to is how much work you need to put into it.

Source 2 is the best choice because it cuts your work in half. You can use the existing assets you all already have (as fugly as they may be compared to modern standards). You also don't need to worry about a new mapping format (I think). These are subject to new information that proves me wrong, but I can assume that I doubt it'll change.

The most major job is to clean up the code and get it optimized. Basically you'll be starting from scratch on that.

Unreal you get a shiny new engine and interface, but the issue is that you're starting practically from scratch. You need new assets, maps, etc. And that extends the development time significantly.

Basically, if you're looking to get the game out the door as quickly as possible, and in incremental updates, it's best to stick to source. If you want to put A LOT of effort in, use Unreal.

I wish I could contribute, but I don't have the necessary skills nor the time to devote to learn them at the moment.

And while you're at it, get rid of the fucking useless laser grenades *rages*

I'd just be worried I'd need to do something low level that the scripting engine wouldn't facilitate; particularly if you intend to model classic fortress physics. You'd need to either give up or find a hack, which is asking for problems. Also getting pretty far along and realizing the scripting engine isn't quite as efficient as you thought when there are 8 players and 10 nades in the yard.

Is anyone doing graphics and sound, or are you just porting FF's content?

Haha yeah, it's been a while. And we're gonna update a lot about it, because this site is old. It has cool stuff, but man is it old.

We're definitely starting from scratch, so the amount of work is a lot either way. However, it's not entirely from scratch since we have all the source files of FF to use as reference.

Also, because FF is old and we're making a new FF, that means we can make FF multiplatform. I don't mean some crappy port of FF on iPhone, but we could put FF or variations of FF on any platform we want. Steam for sure, so PC Mac and Linux. But what about PS4 and Xbox One? Nothing's stopping FF from being on those platforms except for the fact that FF is on old Source and the dev team needs to make that happen. Spectating on a mobile device? Why not. The possibilities are endless, all we have to do is design and develop FF for modern times.

And yeah, the laser grenade would be gone in the TFC mode. And then it might be there in the FF 2014 mode, but not in the FF 2007 mode, etc...if we even want to go that deep with variations of FF. I think the dev team will make a few modes, and the community will make a ton more.

The plan is to just make a modern TFC as pure as possible, and also as moddable as possible so we can also make vanilla FF and whatever else.

I really want an Axl mode

Licensing the Unreal Engine gives full source code. We can make FF movement in Unreal identical to FF movement in Source, or as close as possible. If not, that'd be another reason to use Source 2. However, even Source 2 would be different.

By the way, this is exactly how we made Fortress Forever. People were worried about the movement in FF being different from TFC. We matched it and then we went nuts changing it too, which some people liked and some people didn't like.

The plan is to make all new art and sound. Old FF will always be around, and it'll probably be on Steam as well. We just have to do some work to get current FF on steam. We were porting to 2013 sdk, but maybe we can just put it up the way it is now. However, the old/current FF would be an opt-in thing, because the main game would be remade to be modern.

The free license gives you code? I'd say go for it then. Unreal is a much better engine for a fast paced game tbh, and I can't see Source 2 improving upon that aspect at all.

And honestly the bhop physics in FF are almost nothing like tfc, even pre-cap.

No, the $19 per month license of Unreal give full source code access.

I agree, I'm not sure about Source 2. We don't know enough. I have a feeling it will be good, but we also don't know how far along it is.

So before we wait forever for that, eventually we'll just make the decision to go with Unreal.

However, that doesn't matter right now. We're just in pre-production, so the engine doesn't matter at all. We're designing and planning the game, and part of that planning will be deciding on the engine to use.

This game (current ff) has suffered long enough and truthfully needs to be put out of it's misery. It never accomplished what it set out to do and never will. I truly think that breathing new life into the fortress series while sticking to its true tf roots is a really good thing. I support this 1000%. Change is good. Change is needed.

You need some way to make someone completely new enjoy the game enough to stay (keep in mind what modern gamers expect), and to expose the game to enough new players to build a community. That's what's missing. You cannot rely on the player base from the previous games (TFC/FF) to build the community. There are a number of reasons this ends in disaster, it didn't work with FF, and hasn't worked for other attempts and modernizing old games.

Tbh unless you're actually making a Garry's Mod clone aesthetic and gametype modability is a secondary perk, it will keep people interested in a game they already like, but won't give them a reason to like it to begin with.

In short I don't think this is going to work, but this game doesn't have a lot to lose and I'll be interested to see how it pans out. Best of luck.

Also, (and thanks for reminding me FDA_Approved) welcome to flatland (valve handbook), so say goodbye to dev titles.

One thing we'll do is add skill tags to devs or something, so we'll at least know who can code vs who can map vs who can slap hands, but most indie gamemakers wear multiple hats, so the titles are gone...sorta. It's a broken way to think of things and definitely not how to make a game like FF.

Great news !
I am happy someone with a backbone and a bit of punch is taking charge, my kinda of attitude, expletives included, no pissing about.

I would personally prefer source2 as I guess hammer will still exist with intuitive tools, can't say I want to learn ur4 mapping.

The current ff weapons look high enough poly to be used to get the new mod off the ground ( beta at least ), but the player models will really need some work.

Looking forward to a future ff that has the looks of next gen but the game play still largely the same.

Couple of things, I really would love, model replacement to work, sg's to be built on movable platforms.

The porting of maps to source2 would also be a bonus, even if it is just for scale purpose.

I don't consider myself good enough a mapper to apply for level design but I will make some anyway.

FDA cut the shit. I know you have valid concerns, but asking them like a two year old isn't going to go anywhere. If your question is not clear cut, you won't get a clear cut response. Stop beating around the bush and ask simply.

We're adults, aren't we? Stop slinging shit around like monkeys, it's unbecoming.

--

Moved my inquiries to another topic: http://forums.fortress-forever.com/s...625#post503625

As for explaining this... I suspect you mean there'll be toggles for players to choose out different modes of play? I.E. different convars for different types of things such as bunny hopping or replacing the laser grenade with the nail grenade for instance? If this is what you meant Jon, then awesome.

You can gain access to the source code for Source 2. The Black Mesa devs did this for their retail version of the game that is currently in development; how much it cost to obtain it is unknown to me. Best bet would be to contact Valve directly and hash out some sort of deal. You'll be bound by an NDA then though, so it's up to you guys on what you want to do.

Good luck with your development, I look forward to seeing progress.

I'm around and willing to work on stuff.

I'm in as well for marketing /social media/beta testing/voice over, or what ever else is needed.

As far as i see things it's about having a open mind and a glass half full attitude, rather than a closed mind and half empty.

Yes we have all been playing FF, pickup or pub , but there is a difference between a creator and a consumer and a team of creators need focus and direction.

In my day job i have to take charge of situations and lead my team of workers to deliver targets, i see no difference here to what Jon is doing. I have to decide on an autocratic approach or a laissez-faire depending on the situation. This is positive for FF and the genre as far as i'm conerned, progress, moving forwards. There is no ego swinging e-peen happening here, it's an open invitation, a vision to continue the great work already achieved.

I'd like to help.

Things I'm good at:
- Web design (though a bit rusty I will admit)
- Graphic Design
- Computers (specifically I am a software analyst at my job and a great problem solver, squashing bugs is what I do.)

I'm currently still learning how to map so maybe even if I'm not able to help build any official maps, I might be able to provide feedback and testing on other people's maps.

Things I have no clue what I'm doing but would still like to learn:
- How to model & animate characters (Including the initial drawing and design of each character and how to translate that into something real)
- Improving FF sounds to make it more hifi and rich as well as adding more personality to each character.
- Make some music videos
(I plan to go back to school in the next year or two to get my AA in Graphic/Multimedia Design)

I know this is a roll call for existing devs, but has anyone considered trying to reach out to any retired FF devs who could maybe make a comeback for the remake?

Welcome back, buddy.

We're going to have a great time, do some amazing stuff.

I work in radio. I can do sound stuff.

But I would like to know what the goals are.

You say "remake TFC and in the process we remake FF". This confuses me. TFC is a remake of QWTF, FF is a remake of TFC, I"m unclear on what the "non-negotiables" are.

You said in another thread that you're not necessarily attached to 9 classes, are you necessarily attached to CTF/AvD/CP gameplay?

Pffffffffffff, finally..let's do this.

Really need a timeline on Source2, let's get that going. I'm all about UE4, but keeping it Source is the Right Thing To Do.

When I say remake TFC, I mean just that.

Open Steam, run TFC. Now imagine that on a modern engine.

That's what we start with, that's the base.

No need to argue about features and classes and whatever else.

We just remake that.

Once that's remade, we can make any other mode we want, like a version of FF with 2 classes or something, or a sidescrolling mode, or a singleplayer level/campaign/game.

That's the plan, we just remake TFC and everything else will fall into place.

Thread cleaned up, let's keep it positive and focus on the good.

More announcements are coming, sit tight.

Stop disrespecting each other (that goes for me too).

Do not attempt to derail this thread anymore.

So, why was my post deleted?

Check your PM, and stop derailing the thread.

Hi, I'm Nugzilla.

I'm an artist. I'm going to get started on TFC character concepts. I take inspiration from the original versions of the TFC character class. My goals are to remake characters that are high quality/definition to match the expectations of today's gamer and to pay respect to the original game.

TFC, more than any other game, inspired me to become a developer. I've been excited about being a part of this team for a long time. It is good to see it gaining momentum. I intend to fuel the excitement with some concepts and adding art where I can.

Woohoo!

When you say original TFC characters, do you mean the old or new TFC models? I tend to lean toward liking the newer TFC models myself, but I didn't start playing TFC until the newer models had been released (in 2001 maybe?) so my opinion might be somewhat biased.

If you need any help with ideas/concepts, please let me know. I may not be the best artist in the world, but I went through high school taking 2 art classes each year and then some in college.

Anyway, good luck to you. I can't wait to see some new character designs.

I feel like both old and new models would be cool, aswell as toon models of both http://mrclan.com/avi/file.php?id=165 since I know a shitload of TFC players used the toon models.

My character designs will draw from both versions of the TFC characters (not to be confused with TF2), but more from the originals. The style that I'm thinking is like battlefield or CoD, but a bit more over the top with some key elements from TFC. Like I want the soldier to have the classic berret, but update his body armor to what a modern day soldier would wear. The heavy guy would have more armor almost like a bomb squad soldier would have on. The heavy in both classic versions has his eyes covered, so I want to throw some goggles on him. So for all the characters, they'll all have something to tie them back to the originals.

It'll all make more sense with the concepts. My first pass will be simple silhouettes to make sure each character can be read without having any detailing yet.

At any phase feel free to comment or bounce around ideas.

That, my friend, is a very good idea!

Also just to be clear, are you a concept artist or will you draw the skins for the models too?

One thing I felt when FF first started is that the concept art was great but the models never even got close to them. Be great this time for us to get concept art and then see it come alive.

Looking forward to the concepts, while you at it can we please have the models also in wheelchairs.

I really want to make ff_cripplecap

wheelchair ramp sliding is a must, kinda what Jon said, slightly diff game mode, well game play remains the same but just every player in a wheel chair that is available to the mapper. (model replacement)

On player death they fall out of the wheelchair, TeamFortressDisabled ?
Also the animation would be cool if one arm was moving a wheel.

Maybe the hw would have the gun resting on his lap, soldier would have the rocket launcher on a framework attached to the back of the chair etc etc.

+1

It's mostly the body and animations that need work. Atm they're just kind of vaguely human shaped polygons with a weird camo texture smeared all over them. Needs a higher res and better designed wireframe, more realistic animations, and enough variation in texture or accessories to avoid the "amorphous blob" effect you get when you shade a mass of polygons with the same texture. Self shadowing helps too. Unreal seems to handle all that stuff pretty well at a fast pace.

To clear things up a bit, I'm not just a concept artist. I'm experienced in concepting, modeling (these will be modeled in Zbrush), texturing (what I call skins), rigging (the skeleton), skinning (how the skeleton affect the model), and animation. I can complete a character from concept to finished product, or at the very least help other artists through the pipeline so we have a polished, consistent product. I'll start with the concepts, then I'd like to complete one character so they we have a benchmark for the other character models.

There were a few issues with the current FF models. The models weren't consistent with their concept art. The rigging and skinning weren't polished causing random polygons and verts to look weird when it was animating. The team didn't have access to the source models, so those problems couldn't be fixed. And, they're a few years old now.

I do voicework.

Every class needs a unique voice.

"More armor for the win, yeah?" coming from the hw AND scout is just stupid.

Also each class needs its own melee. Just for aesthetics.

Bully gets dibs on Civilian voice, with out a doubt. :mrgreen:

nope

I too can do some voice work!