Red Alert2 Den (RADEN) - cncgames.com | games by Westwood Studios

Delphi : hehe
Harvard : Hi Everybody
Delphi : Hi guys we will begin in just a sec
Harvard : Delphi?
Delphi : Alright. For those of you who are new, here's how we work it...
Delphi : The channel is "moderated" which means only a few of us can talk.
Delphi : This keeps the chatting down to a minimum, and allows us to answer as many
Delphi : questions as we can in the time that we're online with ya.
Delphi : if you have a question, please PRIVATELY send me the question you would like to ask
Delphi : and we'll answer it in turn.
Delphi : you can send me a message privately by highlighting my name.
Delphi : So let me introduce harvard!!!
Delphi : BTW Harvard cannot see whispers
Harvard : HI everybody. Bring em on
Delphi : First up
Delphi : I have heard rumors of Westwood working on a new patch for RA2, is this true? If so, what can we expect to see?
Harvard : Yes, actually 2 patches. 1.004 is a feature/fix patch which has a truck load of additions, etc. Delphi is going to post the readme for 1.004 right after this session.
Harvard : It includes things like Observer mode, new hotkeys and a load of Westwood Online fixes/additions
Harvard : The full list will be available in the RA2 News section after this session
Harvard : We also have the 1.005 patch which allows for players to play through firewalls and NAT setups
Delphi : Nex up.. Will the maps be added to the Quickmatch rotation? And why can't we use ALL the maps in Quickmatch?
Harvard : We don't allow some since they are too big. The most we'll allow are 4 player maps. We have enlarged the number recently but I'll check to make sure it took
Delphi : Ok
Delphi : Next, What about those of us with Firewall problems, Delphi mentioned that you guys are working really hard to fix this, when can we expect to see something?
Harvard : we have both patches in QA right now being tested
Harvard : We expect to release the 1.004 patch by the end of next week or earlier.
Harvard : We expect to release 1.005 a few after that. You should see it by the end of Feb if all goes well.
Harvard : There are so many firewalls, etc that we need to do an awful lot of cross testing to make sure it all works properly.
Harvard : Wow 262 in here!
Delphi : Awesome game, and the ranking system is my favorite part so here is my question. In tournament play, a lot of the top players select only one type of map and set rules for other players to play by. I love quick match and think it's a very fair way to play, is there any chance Westwood could make all tournament games quick match?
Harvard : Good question. Delphi has been hounding me with this one!
Delphi : hehe
Harvard : Its possible, just not now. Maybe the Expansion Pak is the place to introduce this. Maybe even a 4 player Quick Match? Just speculating
Delphi : Next up.. my question is "will there be an expansion pack and if so what new things will it have and when will it come out" ?
Harvard : Right now we're looking at various ways to extend the RA2 universe in the near and long term future. An expansion pak is one of the long term ways to do this.
Harvard : We are still evaluating the "what, how & when" of an expansion pak. We really want to do something a bit special for it.
Harvard : Many of the paks recently have just been "more of the same". While quality products, we would like to give a bit more than that.
Harvard :Besides that, patches are a good way to add to the community too - in the short term. As long as you add some value rather than just fix bugs that shouldn't have been there in the first place.
Delphi : Why is the screen resolution limited in World Domination and Quick Match? I use a 21" screen and the gi's are about 8 inches tall.
Harvard : Wow! Pretty large. The reason we limit the res is because we want this part of the game to run at a max FPS. When you do Custom Match you can do any settings you want.
Delphi : Next... Are there any plans to release anymore themed co-op maps for RA2? They are really fun and I'm sure they'd make a great addition to your map packs.
Harvard : Good question. We probably won't be hitting the Co Op for patches but I can tell you we are exploring much more fun ways to incorporate them in future products. Maybe Expansion? Not sure yet
Harvard : Right now they are ok but little more than an organized skirmish. I want to play Co Op missions with specific objectives in them that vary from map to map.
Harvard : Delphi says the questions are really good! Keep it up
Delphi : Next What changes have you made with the unit balancing in the new patch?
Harvard : Off the top of my head...we hit the Libyan Truck, Terrorist, IFV + Chrono Legion and a few others. One key is that you can start with 0 units! Hooray! Such a simple change will
Harvard : alter game dynamics
Harvard : These are all in the readme that Delphi will post after this session
Delphi : Next up.. Will there be any latency issues with Observer mode and can anyone watch your game?
Harvard : Essentially, since most RTS games are peer-to-peer, this is an issue. We are only allowing one per game. Its specifically designed for easy tourney set up rather than massively watched games.
Harvard : The observer will be another "player" but can't interact on the battlefield. The only interaction is chatting - but he must chat to ALL players.
Harvard : I would suggest that ladder games steer away from including Observers. Make sure you know who he is and that he plays fair.
Delphi : In Custom matches r there any plans to include ping times, persons clan name, and their rank ?
Harvard : Yes, all of that in the patch. You'll also be able to tell what map players are playing before you enter a game.
Harvard : The pings in game match lobbies will help a lot
Harvard : We have also added more paging options like /page username and /r for replying
Harvard : Delphi?
Delphi : What do you think of the FinalAlert map editor?
Harvard : I actually like it. It has some key issues but with a little more work it could be pretty cool.
Harvard : Delphi!
Delphi : hey Harvard my question is ... is it possible to make a "anti-cheat" patch.. something that will limit what a cheat can do?
Harvard : We'll all we can do to help fix these issues. We are reviewing the trainers, etc. Most of the game is synched up so thankfully its not WAY out of control.
Harvard : The best best best thing that can be done is for you guys, as a community, to also pressure those who feel the need to cheat (cuz they can't win otherwise) to see the error of their ways.
Harvard : We'll do what we can but we need help from everyone out there too.
Harvard : I thinking cheaters are the lowest form of gamers. Just don't play with them. Send us their names and we'll keep track of them.
Harvard : That said, there are a whole lot of people out there that have gotten so good that it just seems like they're cheating.
Harvard : I just got back from Korea to visit the gamers there and there are some GREAT players there. FAST!
Delphi : Next up.. Have you considered the suggestions made by users on the message board - about additional units, rules etc.? Any chance of any of these being included in an add on package/patch file?
Harvard : We are always looking at the boards and have found some really good ideas in there.
Harvard : I try to look at it everyday. Some are just so good they deserve a bit more time in the cooker so you may not see them tell an expansion comes out.
Harvard : When we generated patch 1.004 I personally spent a lot of time looking around the boards and gathering data.
Harvard : Also, just playing Westwood Online against so many real players has really helped me decide what should go in.
Harvard : You guys take no prisoners!
Delphi : Are you going to be the producer of the next C@C game?
Harvard : Ack! What next C&C game?!!! Depends on what you mean. We've got a lot of great stuff coming out that may fall into the category this year.
Harvard : Renegade is looking good and so is Dune: Emperor.
Harvard :If you mean the next C&C branded RTS (not counting an expansion for RA2) - then yes! I hope I've learned enough to really hit the next one out of the park! RA2 is fun a cool but I know this team has so much more to give creatively.
WW-Staff: Skier05 You have been selected to win a prize from Westwood Studios!
Harvard : Skier05, you won a prize!
Harvard : Cool
Harvard : Next up... HELLO!:) GREAT GAME!:) i heard rumors about a Red Alert 3 is this true?
Harvard : Aaron, I know that's you!
Harvard : WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! to early to talk about!
Harvard : C&C will not stop with RA2.
Delphi : Toad boy is up this is a pretty stupid question but are the chrono/IFVs suposed to miss their first shot if they are moving?
Harvard : Hmmmm. I've seen something like that myself. I'll take a look at it. Couldn't pin it down.
Harvard : I've got a guy looking at the Chrono IFV thing as we speak.
Delphi : The Readme will be posted after the chat guys
Delphi : be sure to check out the RA2 news section...
WW-Staff: Chad You have been selected to win a prize from Westwood Studios!
Harvard : Chad won too! What about me?!!!
Delphi : Next up TAl! =) <[IGN-PC]Tal> Will there be a page feature similar to the one in TS's interface?
Harvard : Shoot, can't barely remember that but I can tell you how RA2's works.
Harvard : You can page anyone from anywhere now but /page username. This includes from in-game and in-bunkers.
Harvard : This can be done in the chat line.
Harvard : I love the Buddy List but I didn't like adding and subtracting a player just to page him/her. Harvard : Also, /r has the same parameters. It'll just reply to the last page
Harvard : We also added /on which just tells you if a player is online without paging him/her.
WW-Staff: salamando7 You have been selected to win a prize from Westwood Studios!
Harvard : Delphi! Why haven't I won anything!!! I see salamando7 just got something!
Harvard : Man, and I work here too! :)
Delphi : Nice! Congrats!
Delphi : any chance of a official map editor?
Harvard : We are evaluating all possibilities related to this for the expansion. This request is coming through loud and clear. We have a few options and are looking for the best one right now. It is actively being reviewed as to how to deliver it the most efficient way possible.
Delphi : Next up.. Will there be any chance of a game in the Ra game universe like renagade?
Harvard : Wow, that would be cool. Tanya in lots of polys!
Harvard : You'd have to talk to those guys but that sounds like an exciting concept.
Harvard : First, Renegade, then who knows? Woud be cool, huh?
Delphi : Why are the map packs limited to only 3 maps, and why do they take so long to release?
Harvard : We release 2 a month with 3 maps a piece. They take a little while to polish them up too. Keep in mind we have to juggle the other tasks our designers are working on. Hopefully everyone likes the ones so far.
WW-Staff: slyphid You have been selected to win a prize from Westwood Studios!
Delphi : Grats!! Whoo hoo!!!
Harvard : Wow! 334 in here! Getting crowded! Thanks to everybody for stopping by.
Delphi : I was wondering if RA2 will have a voice chat? I've heard Direct X 8 supports voice.
Harvard : Doesn't right now since we're on DX 7. We are looking at the Voxware stuff but no news yet.
Harvard : Where's those IGN dudes?!!! I know they're out there!
Harvard : Ooops, Delphi locked up! He's rebooting! I'll just talk a bit then - unfiltered!!!!!!!!!
Harvard : Please post your expansion pak ideas to WOL. We want to know what everyone wants.
Harvard : We have some good ideas but I'd love to hear more.
WW-Staff: Lawnmower You have been selected to win a prize from Westwood Studios!
Delphi : Will the mirage promo bug be fixed? (opponent can see stripes on promoted mirages, even when cloaked).
Harvard : Erk! Will look at. I've never seen it after ages of playing on WOL. I'll get somebody to track that down.
Harvard : We're checking that Mirage Tank thing right now. I've never seen that sucker.
Delphi : Next up... Could you add more Colors to chose from in multiplayer games? In particular more "military" like colors? Gray, back, Dark green, etc?
Harvard : Ahhh, believe it or not we try and carefully select colors so as not to get them confused. Even now I get the pink and purple mixed up sometimes. So, probably not - unless we go infrared
Delphi : Last Question guys! We have tp wrap things up... The new map packs are great! They are well polished and fun. Will you be making larger maps that allow for 6-8 players. Most of the current map-packs only allow for 2-4.
Delphi : Sorry not the last one
Delphi : We have one more =)
Harvard : yea, we find that most people play over WOL so we limit the maps to 4 players. We have some coming but you'll need to talk to Delphi about when he wants to release them.
Harvard : maxed at 340? Cool!
Harvard : Nice job everybody!
Harvard : Hope this has been informative
Delphi : Last question!! Will future packs limit the number of Tanyas and Yuris???
Harvard : No plans now. We'll see!
Harvard : Sorry for that non-answer but I doubt we will.
Harvard : Ok, that wraps it up. Check the RA2 News for the 1.004 Patch readme. It should be up in about 10 minutes.
Delphi : I would like to say thanks to everyone for stopping by! We'll see you all next! A big thanks to Harvard as well!!!
Harvard : Thanks to everybody for showing up. We'll have another of these soon to answer some more questions.