gothaggis

I can't playing Tribes with a console controller. Tribes Aerial Assault for the PS2 was a travesty. If they do end up releasing it for the consoles, have fun with autoaim.

i'm glad they are focusing on PC only, as they should be. Still a bit worried about all of the changes to the game they are making that got leaked out......however i'm still open to whatever they want to try to help make Tribes a popular game again.

(for the record, Tribes 1 was a better game than Tribes 2....but I still love them both. I won't even speak of the disaster that was Tribes Vengeance)

edit: HiRez announced the other day that they will be showing off Tribes:Ascend at both Quakecon and PAX Prime

I'll still play the game, but I'm really unimpressed with the trailer. Can't place my finger on why that is exactly....I think it's the animations or something. Granted, the game isn't even close to release (or is it?? hmmmm)

I'm a former game developer....we always worked long hours during crunch time and didn't get paid overtime...i don't know any game developers that get paid overtime as a matter of fact. this is common place in the industry, not limited to team bondi. the only way it will ever get fixed is for game developers to unionize, like it or not.

HiRez did an interview with Tribes Network recently and answered some questions about the new game.....copy/pasted the cliff notes from Tribalwar.com 
 
Listen to the podcast interview here:  
http://www.tribesnetwork.com/apps/podcast/ 
 
Rough Notes From the Interview....

Going to be at E3?
No Games is not polished enough. Been concentratiing on gameplay. Will be at PAX West in August and will have game playable there.

When are we getting a gameplay video?
By the End of June. Again game is not polished enough yet.

Server Support?
Hi-Rez will host all servers. Sounds like we will be able to "sub-host"? But Hi-Rez wants overall control.

Worked with other developers?
Not to his knowledge, but the hi up developers used to be part of mod teams. Not necessarily from tribes but from other game. One of em did BattleField Mods.

He noted that Playtesters liked the overall feel of the Jetpack. Also said there were multiple types of shooter players. Regular Shooters and some from T1, T2, and T:V.

Game Login?
Will have an Authenticated Login System.

Said Ascend is "quicker" that todays shooters. More Body Control and Agility.

Skiing is in the map design influence.

Will there be out of bounds?
Unanswered

Map size?
Said there were some large maps for outdoor outdoor gameplay but within those maps there were smaller bases to promote indoor gameplay.

Max player amount?
32 total ( 16 vs. 16)

Map Quantity so far....?
So far there are 4 that they playtest.

DryDock - Promotes a basic Generator Based CTF game with Vehicles and Outdoor combat.

Crossfire - Inspireed by Broadside with different layout. (Maybe just close bases?)

Katabatic (so sorry if i mis-spelled.) - Recreated and Updated from T2. Has same size and dimensions as original.

Arcs Nivena (Dunno if thats how u spell it) - Map that is urabn based with buildings, streets, and even a sewer system. Harder to fly around but can be done with skill.

Mod Support?
No. But they dont plan on going away either. They will supply updates and patches constantely. People to run servers will have options like having generators or not. Also another options might be... Can u use a vehicles pad if u have no power (generator down)? Updates will supply new guns and maps.

Game types so far?
They playtest CTF, Team DeathMatch, and Rabbit so far. More to come. No other confirmed.

PC vs Console?
They will primarily work on and release the game on PC. They will work towards Consoles as a secondary option.

Weapons?
All they would confirm is that the Spinfusor/Disc Launcher for sure.. (cause the screenshot) and that you will be able to repair things. Said they will remake classic weapons and make new ones. But wouldnt confirm and more.

Questions about Unreal Engine?
They will use latest of Unreal Engine 3. Which has a better user interface that is easier to "author" and he said it is really "sexy" compated to earlier version of Unreal Engine 3.

What seperates Ascend from other Tribes games?
Better Graphics/More modern
Level Design embraces skiing/flying more.

Earning things/Achievements?
You will get credits for doings things withing the map that you can use to buy deployables/Turrets and vehicles.
There will be some kind of level/ranking system.
There will be character persistence within the level/ranking system. (Will make you look more "badass".
There will be more tools for higher ranks/levels.

Closed/Open Beta?
Said definentely closed by summers end. Aiming for Open Beta by summers end. They recentely successfully remotely tested the game. (outside the studio)

I believe Sierra/VUG actaully contacted DICE to make the next Tribes game after Tribes 2...but then EA bought DICE...and VUG went with Irrational instead to make Tribes Vengeance....so Tribes Vengeance had a pretty great single player, but a not so great multiplayer...just imagine if DICE had made it.  oh well.  Hopefully HiRez can do the series justice.   I have faith.