STATE OF THE PROJECT:

Concretely:

The design team has done the bulk of the work of understanding the features necessary to create robust territory management and diplomacy systems and outline their features and capacities. Company, resource, and NPC management systems are becoming more readily defined. Combat encounter and event systems are becoming clarified and better understood due to testbeds and the holistic design process.

We are nearing the point where we may be able to commit to a two-dimensional graphical interface in the 1.0 release due to the efforts of new programmers that have been brought onboard in the last few days.

We are maintaining better than expected architectures in terms of making the game mod-friendly.

As coordinator I can also say the following:

-The design team is either locked in four to eight hour meetings detailing features or working independantly in researching technical aspects of the project or developing content and narrative related aspects. This is done on a daily basis.
-The programmers are working independantly on coding specific features, setting up a proper codebase, or working with the design team.
-The artists and writers are being given direction by our narrative and art leads.
-Individuals capable of providing other assets (sound files, for example) or functions (lore gurus and so on, for example) are being contacted, and processes are being set up in order to utilize their skills in full effect.
-An overall structure and process to maximize progress is taking shape.

HOW TO CONTRIBUTE:

We're eager to get as much help as we can. The development process so far has clarified some guidelines in terms of what will be most helpful.

However, anything outside these guidelines is welcome and will be considered, so if you want to put your lore knowledge to good use, pull together music files, contribute a chat server, or run a bug tracker for us, we're not gonna show you the door. All help is accepted.

Some specifics follow:

-Support
Obviously the most important thing is sustaining community interest. Without a playerbase/fanbase/audience, the rest of the project loses its reason for existence. Therefore, participation in these threads and IRC discussions is very meaningful, provides motivation and direction, and generally keeps the wheels greased (yes, lurkers are welcome). See below for some specifics.

-Programming
If you have any programming skills, even minor ones, you're welcome to contact us through the means provided below and let us know what your skillset is. At the moment the primary languages are Visual Basic and C++ because most of our programmers feel comfortable working together in those languages, but feature testbeds and one-off development is proceeding with programs written in whatever's handy. Those of you following the project will have noticed that our programmers have produced testbeds in whatever languages they're comfortable using.

It should be noted that coders willing to leave contact information and get stuck into application prototyping, features discussion, and document authorship have made the most substantive contributions so far.

-Artists of every stripe
As we are moving towards committing to a graphical 1.0 release, our artists have far more direction at the moment than they did previously.

We would like any artist that wants to be directly involved in the project to reach us by email or on IRC, give us their relevant contact information, and inform us what skills they're willing to put at out disposal (experience with specific programs, experince developing assets for games, experience making certain kinds of content like sprites, pixel art, large illustrations for loading, intro, or other important stills or animations, experience with simple cinematics, machinima, who knows what else). From there, we will ask them to fill the most useful roles available.

There will also be specific instructions and requests made further in the thread.

Aside from that, art to add to the wiki gallery and sketches people want to append to threads are quite welcome for their considerable assistance in maintaining good spirits and focus. Nothing reinforces project vision like art.

-WE NEED YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION:

Anons with skills useful to the project: Don't just say you're up for something in the thread, LEAVE US A WAY TO REACH YOU IN THE THREAD OR ON IRC, IN PRIVATE OR PUBLICLY. If you want to be involved directly, and you know programming or you're a great artist or you can make music or coordinate a huge list of emails, we need you to stop just saying 'hi, I'll do stuff' and start giving us ways to contact you. We don't mind if you have to quit on us for some reason later or something, just let us know and we'll find someone to carry the project a little further forward.

CONTRIBUTING ON IRC:

For the most part, the IRC channel is an open forum for whatever discussion people want to have there, and a place devoid of all unnecessary or restrictive structure nuch like /tg/ itself. However, the design team regularly meets in the general channel to hold discussions with a significant degree of focus. These discussions are the sort that propel the project forward, so we want to have them be as efficient as possible. As such, they are not completely compatible with the otherwise free nature of the channel as a workspace.

As such, we've put together a few pointers on how to thread this needle without slowing down progress.

When the design team meets to work on its feature list (which will gradually evolve into the System Requirements Document for the game and guide further design and the formulation of code), your presence is helpful if you follow the guidelines laid out below.

At the very least, I shall contribute a bump.

1. Direct dicussion towards describing what we want Chapter Master's various elements to be able to do holistically and how it will perform, in plain English. We don't need to concern ourselves too greatly with techincal detail or talk about individual features (for example: how will plasma guns work?), though we are interested in establishing what is technically feasible and the general functions of a category of features (what will all of combat be like, and what aspects of 40K in all its various forms will we be looking to model most closely?)

2. Generally, any official discussion will be centered as much as possible around one core element of the game's design. Straying from this focus creates delays and delays push back release dates, so in the interest of making progress we will fiercely control the focus if we are at all able to. Mention of topics that are not directly related to the core element in question will usually be responded to with a request to discuss or develop it elsewhere (preferably somewhere it gets saved so we can look at it later, like an archiveable thread) because we seek to limit the agenda to things within the scope of core features discussion, but this does not mean your opinion isn't important to us! You are encouraged to bring up such topics at more appropriate times so we can give you our full attention.

3. Design team discussions are open discussions, and everyone involved knows that we are designing this game FOR the /tg/ community. When we ask a question, we're looking for input from anyone who's following along. Don't be afraid to give us your input, however much you may think there are others that may know more - we're interested in EVERYONE'S thoughts.

CONTACT INFORMATION

The primary means of contacting our particular group of contributors is to join IRC chat on the Freenode server and joining the #chaptermaster channel. For those unfamiliar with IRC, there is an easy-to-use web client accessible at http://webchat.freenode.net/# which is entirely self-explanatory. For more familiar users, the server address is irc.freenode.net and the port is 6667. There has been some mention of moving to sup/tg/ IRC, but at the moment there is little compelling reason to.

There has also been mention of setting up voice chat, but this is mainly on an ad-hoc basis.

Those wishing to send us correspondence can direct emails to CMDevEmail@gmail.com for the moment. A mailing list may be set up if there is call for it.

RELEVANT WEBSITES

There is a new developer blog online at http://chaptermasterdev.blogspot.com/ which is currently devoid of content. There is some intent to use it to announce project updates or perhaps set up an RSS feed if the amount of content gathered warrants it.

There is a placeholder wiki page on 1d4chan, accessible at http://1d4chan.org/wiki/Chapter_Master_(game) - this will be updated regularly and be used to store all kinds of content relevant to the game as well as track releases and testbeds (I'll get around to updating it soon, don't worry).

There may be Google Document collections set up to coordinate key project files. Currently planned documents include a System Requirements Document, a Design Document, and various public announcements and projects coordination documents as needed.

Systems including SVN for our C++ programmers are going to be used to track code commits and so forth. They are made available to contributors upon request.

VISION STATEMENT

Our current vision statement, which is nice and vague to try to be as broad as possible:

Chapter Master aims to provide an engaging single-player management experience which includes cultivating key organizational assets, optimizing and linking together different planetary resource production chains through acquisition and diplomacy in order to affect combat simulations, interacting with iconic entities from the source material, and finding ways to come to grips with the unknowns of the setting in the form of dynamic and random events.

FEATURE CATEGORY LIST

A list of core features for the 1.0 release follows.

Please bear in mind that these features ARE NOT PROHIBITIVE, BUT MERELY ORGANIZATIONAL. In other words, they're the result of the current dev team sitting around and coming up with the broadest possible categories to stick the bulk of feature ideas into and then divided a few of them up a little to reflect an area with a substantial focus all its own.

The litmus test for these features was simple: we asked outselves if a given idea was worth implementing in some way in the 1.0 release. If it was, and most were, we asked outselves if it could be fit into any broad category in any way at all. If the answer was yes, no new feature category was created; if the answer was no, we created a new category.

The plan for the immediate future is to go from the top of this structure down, creating heirarchy of feature subcategories that include every concievable feature people want to see in the game that we think can be represented in any way in Version 1.0. A portion of this process will require community input in the form of feature discussion (meaning that these feature categories may be subject to change).

With that said, below are the feature categories with tentative descriptions appended.

Version 1.0 Features:

-Playable, renamable template chapter: the Vanilla Marines.
This is to be a testbed chapter for our first version. The chapter is to be in no way remarkable, and as such a good starting point for the game. If we do things right, playing as the default chapter will be an experience which misses no aspect of chapter management that large portions of the community feel is major, and at least touches on as many minor aspects as is reasonable to include.

Players will be able to rename the Vanilla Marines as per their preferences.

-Playable First Founding loyalist chapters
While we do not wish to restrict players to these chapters (see modding below), we also don't wish to ship with only one playable chapter and the First Founding loyalists are the default starting choice. The traitors would be in except we can't forsee how adding in chaos will affect core mechanics at this point, so for 1.0 they are likely to be non-playable but present.

-Modding-friendly file structures
While we'll be more focused on getting the core game together than on handing tools out to players, we will make an effort to keep things simple. It is our aim to make adding chapters to Chapter Master 1.0 a simple matter of working with text files, and at least as easy as it is to add custom features to TEARDOWN's Alien Assault.

-Chapter-Level Management
Does what it says on the tin. This feature concerns any decision the player will make as the Chapter Master that affects the player's chapter as a whole and cannot be more appropriately categorized elsewhere.

Elements of chapter management currently under consideration involve the management of relics and war materiel, religious rites, and matters regulated by the Codex Astartes among others. Candidate elements include geneseed and chapter serf management and customization of the chapter's Fortress Monastery.

-Company-Level Management
While the project does not presently aim to deliver customization that extends all the way down to every single aspect of each individual marine's life (which might be comparable to what Dwarf Fortress offers players), we DO intend to offer as many degrees of this as can be fit into our first release. As such, players will be able to make decisions as the Chapter Master that relate to specific companies and take effect at the company level, including some decision-making capacities that affect smaller units and individuals in indirect but tangible ways; see below for details.

Company management will likely include the capability to alter company loadouts and composition as the player chooses and will perhaps extend to the squad level in 1.0.

-NPC Management
Again, while we don't intend to deliver a release that allows for the micromanaging of every single individual on a chapter's roster (and while we may never intend that, though who knows), we feel that the number of mentions of exceptional individuals accomplishing significant things in the stories provided by the community gives us both an indicator of interest in such features being in the game and an ample stock of ideas to work from in determining how the specifics of such a featureset would play out.

NPC management will likely include chapter officers, specialists, and figures of note.

-Fleet Management
Fleets are a large part of a chapter's existence, and the ships that make them up offer a good deal of opportunity to add dimension to the game. While we aren't looking to create another simulation closely based on the mechanics of either GW's Battlefleet Gothic or FFG's Rogue Trader product lines, we do recognize the potential interest carnered by these products and the stories they inspire, and the compatibility of all of this with our own vision.

Fleet management, aside from the obvious (there'll be ships), may include the ability to customize ship components or armament ala FFG Rogue Trader.

-Chapter Territory Management
A Space Marine chapter does not exist in a vacuum within its fortress monastery. As such, features relating to the physical aspects of the setting and all that it entails will be included in the 1.0 release.

How the chapter deals with problems in its territory will have an impact on the chapter's history and beliefs, its diplomatic relations with other entities, and obviously its income.

-Combat Encounter System
While we're not simply computerizing 40K itself or looking to provide a fully functional tactical wargame in the first release, there's really nothing else that ties all the above-mentioned management systems together quite as directly as this. Players are asked to bear in mind that the goal is to provide an experience that would roughly approximate to what a Chapter Master would be responsible for when it came to combat, and as such, perhaps not to expect a turn-based representation of every single-squad encounter, though anything of note would likely make its way up the chain of command.

Combat and the encounters it creates are being worked on in too dynamic a fashion at this point to say anything definitive - except that it has our attention.

Have you guys created some sort of mechanism for the recruiting potential marines? If you have, are you going to restrict the planets that a chapter can recruit from, such as limiting it to the planets within the chapters own system, or any planet that has viable candidates?

I guess this would have to vary from chapter-to-chapter in order to work. If you're playing space-bound chapter, or one that creates fortresses on many worlds (Black Templars), you'll have to adjust the limitations accordingly.

-Recruitment Management
Keeping a group of warrior-monks to the Emperor alive through their constant stints of impossible missions is hard enough, but we felt that making more of them to refill the ranks should be given proper focus in the first release so as to allow the playerbase as full an experience as possible when it came to making superhuman angels of death out of potential aspirants.

Recruitment management has not yet been a central topic of design descussion, but the creation of recruitment points in a chapter's territory is under review as a feature.

-Diplomacy System
It just wouldn't be 40K if you didn't have to cut deals with fickle Imperial factions, manage inept allies and subordinates, prove yourself to your fellow Chapter Masters and their brothers in arms, and work to stay on the good side of the Inquisition and the Senate of Terra - to say nothing of choosing how to deal with the shaky loyalty of the embittered population of some supposedly loyal world, sorting out suspected traitors, heretics, and hidden enemies, misdirecting and reducing the Xeno and the pawns of the Ruinous Powers, and anything else the galaxy throws your way. Best of luck trying to thread that needle, Chapter Master!

The diplomacy system as it currently stands will seek to be as comprehensive as possible, and the moods, beliefs, and interests of diplomatic representatives will differ from entity to entity and encounter to encounter.

-Systems dealing with heresy, loyalty, and everything in between.
Sometimes the path ahead is anything but clear, and sometimes the wrong road is taken willingly. We're certainly not going to take the muddled experience of sorting out what's right and making the best of a series of bad decisions from the player - and deviations from the Codex Astartes are really only the beginning.

These systems have not yet been a central topic of design descussion, but are relevant to many other discussions and as such have often been subject to change. It is definitive they will be related to many other game aspects.

-=][= System
Considering the frequency with which the Inquisition worms its way into the player fiction that has inspired this project, we feel we'd be quite in the wrong to even consider leaving it out.

We aren't prepared to comment on the Inquisition yet for fear of attracting their attention, but rest assured they will watch your every move. Oh, yes. And their direct involvement with you will certainly be eventful.

-Resource Management
All of the above has costs that must be paid in one way or another, and as such features must be created to reflect these costs and how they're managed by the player. In the grim darkness of the far future, there are no free lunches even for the Emperor's favored sons and their progency.

Resource management has been scaled appropriately for a 1.0 release, but we do know that it will affect and be affected by all currently understood aspects of the game.

RELEASE INFORMATION

The information you will likely want to hear most is our release schedule, and so we will inform you that we're working to have a functional Version 1.0 release by the end of the year. This is by no means set in stone of course, but our programmers are motivated and focused and we're not turning additional help away by any means.

DEVELOPMENT DIRECTIONS:

As you may have heard, the project has increasingly been in a position to explore a 2D graphical interface for 1.0. This is due to our team being joined by a number of skilled programmers working in Visual Basic.

As such, the following directions have emerged:

-Our programmers are seeking to investigate the degree to which they can integrate applications written in different languages. Those who have experience working on projects that utilize both Visual Basic and C++ are heartily invited to work with them. C# is also an area of interest, though to a lesser degree.

-Our artists are now able to work in a manner focused on the creation of the UI and other visual elements, and as such there are now designated directors and team leads in this area. This has begun, as you will see further in the thread, with the creation of our map system.

-Our narrative designers are focusing on creating a thematic feel for the whole of the game. It is important to note that 'narrative' does not mean anything about whether or not the game will have a linear story progression, just that we care about the kinds of stories it can tell and want to get them right.

PROJECT TEAM STRUCTURE:

(There are probably a dozen mistakes in the comments below, but these will improve with time.)

Chapter Master: YOU
Duties: project leader. This is for /tg/, so /tg/ is the primary source of design decisions.

Chapter Council - the Designmarines:
Chapter role: the Designmarines try to hack together the structure of features that define and shape the game (creating features, and from them, program specifications)
Company Champion: Frollo (Inquisitor Frollo on IRC)
Specific duties: maintaining and writing feature notes, the SRD, and other relevant documents
Ancient of Rites: Ash (Ash_Mantle on IRC) (that's me)
Specific duties: general coordination, being up at all hours, writing information dumps, taking contact info things that don't have to do with actually sending or receiving email, participating in as many specifications discussions as possible, overseeing the editing of writefaggotry
Master of the Astropathic Ciphers: Jared (Jareddm on IRC)
Specific duties: Taking all your emails, keeping me from suggesting a structure that will weigh the project down so heavily as to suffocate it.

Council Aspirants:
PauldronGuy, Anon_Scribe
Note: this list is incomplete, if I forgot you, well...sorry, I haven't slept in a while.

Forge personnel - the Codemarines:
Chapter role: the Codemarines are currently deployed in prototyping and testbed functions.

Visual Basic team (in order of recruitment):
Forgefather Watcher (Watcher on IRC)
Credited work - chapter randomizer, planet selection, relic generator
Forgefather VB (VBcoder on IRC)
Credited work - map feature specifications, map utility, dynamic map generator, anything with the GDI+ engine, probably the bulk of the graphics if he's up for it
Forgefather Mansfield (Mansfield on IRC)
Credited work - planet generator
Forgefather Omni (Omni on IRC)

C++ team (in order of recruitment):
Iron Father Frollo - (InquisitorFrollo on IRC) - feature categorization process, diplomacy and territory specifications
Iron Father Jared (Jareddm on IRC) - territory specifications, most resource specifications, proposed specifications in combat, company and chapter management, NPC management, and other areas
Iron Father Marauder
Iron Father Nade (Forevernade on IRC)
Iron Father ProgrammerDude (ProgrammerDude on IRC) - combat specifications, combat testbeds
Iron Father Cael (Cael_theBearded on IRC)

Non-grouped programmers (in order of recruitment):
No Techmarines on roster at this time.

Chapter Library - the Writemarines:
Chapter role: the Writemarines write all static content and do their damnest to ensure it fits into the theme and narrative of the game.

Chief Librarian Ash (Ash_Mantle on IRC, me again)
Duties: overseeing as much writing as he can get his grubby mitts on, posting information in threads like this, archiving old threads, maintaining the fucking wiki which someone else had to start for you, you miserable bastard

Librarian Jared (Jareddm on IRC)
Duties: collecting your random event submissions.

Librarian Koo (Koo on IRC)
Duties: Maintaining the blog.

Librarian Watcher (Watcher on IRC)
Duties: Handling all project correspondence sent to the public mailbox.

Librarian Pauldron (PauldronGuy on IRC)
Noteworthy deeds: Pretty cool opening crawl and endgame writefaggotry.

Shitloads of other writefags I haven't met properly because I'm fail.

Artisans - the Drawmarines
Chapter role: They make all the cool and pretty stuff that isn't words or code.

Master Artificer Ash (Ash_Mantle on IRC)
Duties: Art Director, sets artistic direction of project
Noteworthy deeds: Visual aesthetics for map screen

Master Artificer Pauldron (PauldronGuy on IRC)
Duties: Assistant Art Director, coordination of all art assets
Noteworthy deeds: goddamn awesome sprites and mural.

Artificer Scribe (Anon_Scribe on IRC)
Noteworthy deeds: map backgrounds

Artificer Ironheart (Ironheart on IRC)
Noteworthy deeds: Forge mockups, other stuff I'm too fail to remember

Artificer Datver (Datver on IRC)
Noteworthy deeds: Fleet mockups, pixel art stuff.

Artificer Batat (Batat on IRC)
Noteworthy deeds: Badass opening screen

Lots more anons and IRCfags should be on this list. I haven't properly met you all or have inexcusably forgotten your damn names, come out so I can credit you.

Dreadnoughts (lorefags) - get the fuck out from under your rocks so I know who you are. Otherwise it's going to be me, Iron, and the above team and we probably won't be enough.

More of this hackneyed shit will come later, I expect.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1) WHERE'S THE DOWNLOAD LINK?

You're a very confused person, which can happen on /tg/ sometimes. Or you're a troll, which always happens on /tg/. Whatever, let's deal with your question.

The game we're talking about isn't available for download yet, because it doesn't exist. People started writing the stories BEFORE the impetus to create the game arose. The stories inspired anons to get together and start coding and writing and making art.

We're planning a release for our first version in a couple of months, though, and in the meantime you can play our alphas and betas and proofs of concept and tell us how well they work. These will be linked in the thread, because they come along at irregular intervals. Search the thread for 'PROOF OF CONCEPT RELEASE' and you should find them easily.

2) I'm one of the anons that was developing this before! Who the fuck are you guys and what do you think you're doing with our project? Why aren't you considering our ideas?

Whoa there, fella. We're not looking to hijack anything, we're just getting shit done. We've already talked to a few of you and we're very eager to work with you and close in on a shared vision if we can. You can reach us on the above-mentioned IRC or the email in the contact section and we'll gladly have a chat.

Two heads are better than one and all that.

3) I'm a Games Workshop employee/affiliate/fanboy/lawyer and I think you're doing something wrong! Why are you taking money from the company/infringing on copyrights/eating our delicious fetuses?

Are you sure you're on the right forum? I mean, aside from the fact that almost no-one here cares about any of that in any way, you're going to get a dozen arguments shoved down your throat about how you're not even making any sense. Are you a troll? You're probably a troll.

Seriously, though - feel free to contact us through our listed public email.

4) What happens when you clever fucks get your Cease & Desist letter?

The last group who got a C&D order when they were making a game with GW material was TEARDOWN, and the project was called Space Hulk. They changed the name to Alien Assault and the project moved on to completion.

The group before that made a film named Dominatus. You can get a copy of it free now.

5) I have a tiny brain. Can you explain what's happening to me again, please?

A little over a week ago, some anons started writing stories about a fake game set in the 40K universe called Chapter Master, where you played the master of a chapter of Space Marines.

The original thread is here: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/16475925/
You can learn more about space marines and the 40K setting here: http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Space_Marines#.ToxWcP4k67s

A few posters liked the game so much that they decided to make it a reality, got together, and started writing content and making code.

The game will probably have ASCII graphics at best. Anything else you play up until that point with better graphics is either a proof of concept or someone else, unless we managed to get a lot more programming support.

There, see? Nothing to it.

6) Those design goals and feature categories are broad and vague. Can you at least tell me what kind of games the programmers are looking to for inspiration so we can know what kind of flavor to expect from your end of the project?

The game most referenced by the current group of programmers as an inspiration or template is King of Dragon Pass, though concepts from all sorts of games including Alien Assault (with the space hulk modifications), the Master of Orion series, strategy and grand strategy titles from good old Risk to the Paradox line of games, and plenty of others have been mentioned at one point or another.

Yes, we'll listen to your input based on game x.

7) Will I be able to play my custom chapter/mod chapters in this game?

The feature list for version 1.0 currently includes the capacity to alter the name of the default chapter and easily mod in additions to the available chapter list, which should be a simple matter of editing text files.

In a word, yes.

8) Will I be able to fall to chaos/play fukken xenoooos/guard/Sororitas/=][=/etc?

Not in version 1.0 unless you feel up to doing some heavy modding or total conversion work, which will be feasible. However, we plan to release follow-up versions where this becomes a possibility. It should be noted that anyone up to the task of modding the game that heavily is potentially a shoo-in for the dev team.

9) In the grim darkness of the ASCII future, there is only war. Will I be able to control tactical battles? Does the combat auto-resolve?

In terms of the ideas currently floating around: while it won't just be a computerized version of 40K, you will have some tactical input when you commit troops to battle. For those that have not played King of Dragon Pass, this can best be summarized by saying you'll issue a lot of general orders to your force before they get stuck into the fight and have opportunities to influence a combat encounter at a critical juncture, but you won't be telling each individual marine where to go.

A Chapter Master has a bigger job than a ground commander does, so we'll be working to make the situation more appropriate.

>>16569466
Dear OP,
Why is your head an Iron Man helmet?

10) I like Dwarf Fortress/Space Hulk How much micromanagement am I going to be able to do here?

For the initial release, probably not as much as could possibly be packed into a game like this but definitely some at least at the company level - perhaps down to the squad level as well. You'll definitely get to have a lot of input on a few handpicked individuals that your Chapter Master sees rise through the ranks, but the chapter doesn't have time for you to personally approve every new marine that gets initiated from the scout company and hand out every marksman's honor - there are much bigger fish to fry.

11) When can I play it again?

1.0 release has a target date at the end of the year, though this is subject to change depending on gain or loss of programmers, changes in features, unforseen circumstances, or whatever else.

12) This isn't going to cost me anything, is it?

It's free at the moment and, like all /tg/ projects, incredibly likely to stay that way. However, if we need funds to rent a talk server or something maybe we'll ask for donations.

13) How can I support you guys?

Read the section above entitled "HOW TO CONTRIBUTE" and do what it says, basically. Aside from that, tell your friends and be accused of being a viral marketer for GW. Well, if they're anything like our friends. Who are all on the internet because we have no friends.

14) I have an idea I want to see in the game, how do I get you to put it in?

In essence, the programmers respond to the comments the potential userbase makes when choosing features and how they're implemented. This doesn;t happen directly and not everything makes it in because some things are harder than others, but that's the way it works - so talking about features is one way to go. For more details, read the first couple paragraphs of the "FEATURE CATEGORY LIST" section above.

That's it for today save for the imagedump that's soon to follow, folks. Thanks for reading and supporting the project.

Feel free to ask questions, we'll try to answer them. Content and other contributions are also extremely welcome.

We'll be glad to see you on IRC.

PIC RELATED, IT'S CHAPTER MASTER TU'SHAN AND HE SAYS TO GET THE FUCK BACK TO WORK.

>building your army
>invading xeno scum
>mashing their armies with your superior manpower
>getting battle reports detailing how heroic your bros are
>making fantasy a reality

FOR THE EMPEROR!

>>16569503
Thanks.

>>16569524
Too early to tell, as other features are the focus of the design team's efforts for now.

>>16569569
'Cause dat's how salamanders roll, motherfucker.

Going to be dumping some assets now to showcase progress and the fine work done by our team.

We'll start with an idea of what will await you when you run the game.

>>16569575
Chapter Master Tu'Shan is BLACK, like ALL THE SALAMANDERS. (He also has red eyes, but that's not really relevant.)
This non-human is NOT.
It is evident from the way the light shines from his face.

I expect people will recognize this, but here it is anyway.

Here we have some pixel art depicting what could be our fleet management screen.

>>16569589
Someone should really tell the GW artists who made the pic, then.

Here's an early copy of some concept art for the forge management screen.

Not sure if it's been decided already, but here's my 2 Thrones on the Resource question from last thread:
The player is a Chapter Master, not an Imperial Sector governor. You shouldn't panic that you don't control a good mix of resource-producing worlds because space marines rarely have direct control over more than one world. The only resources should be Influence and maybe munitions/fuel stockpiles. If you need more weapons than your Techmarines can produce you "buy" them from the AdMech with influence.
IMO the main differences between different worlds are their effects on recruits from that world (Hive worlds give lots of recruits, Death worlds give less but tougher, etc) and their effects on random events (famine is much less likely near a farming world, etc).
For the recruiting, give players the option to recruit from not only their homeworld but also nearby worlds and you get all the benefits of different kinds of worlds.

...And a later take...

>>16569589

Maybe it's blacklight.

...And here the artist has gone a bit further and thrown in some dialogue about wanting to stick the player in a metal box.

To what extent do you plan on letting a chapter break the strictures of the Codex Astartes?
Will we be able to create a chapter that eschews completely the use of tactical squads in favour of highly specialized units that focus on a particular facet of warfare. I think it would behoove the game if you're capable of creating a chapter that follows its own doctrine, but also gains the ire of certain factions if you neglect certain things. For example if you don't use vehicles or Techmarines, the Adeptus Mechanicus are less likely to assist you, and if you don't follow the codex, Ultramarines and their offshoots are more likely to be openly hostile to you.

Is it it also possible that we'll be capable of breaching the one thousand upper limit on marine numbers, running as high as we like without drawing the eye of the Inquisition?

Another UI mockup.

Showcasing some screens of a map utility one of our VB coders created, as part of a project to create dynamic region mapping. It's pretty goddamn sweet, in my opinion, and meets /tg/s requirement for an obligatory phallic shape.

Part of what's being demonstrated in these images is the capacity for regions to share borders that are pre-programmed for travelling or pathing, as in the Grand Strategy games by Paradox. No idea if that'll make it into 1.0 or anything, but I thought I'd share the concept.

CM, a second of your time on irc.

I don't know if it's ready in code, but if you look closely at the shading of the various regions in these pics, you'll see that they're alternatively darker or lighter in the different screenshots. This may be an attempt to demonstrate highlighted selection of a given area.

We're also working on features that allow region selection by clicking anywhere within the lines that a region is denoted by. This is far harder than it sounds, but apparently our guy is managing it.

If that doesn't work, there'll be another solution in the pipeline.

The eventual idea is to create a system of dynamic mapping utilities that can lay out a new set of regions from game to game or sector to sector, mainly because we're not going to take the thousand fucking years to do every planet of the Imperium by hand.

I suppose the only other thing to say is that these were all done in Visual Basic, and anyone who thinks the language is inherently gimped or something may not be up to speed.

Anyway, yeah, dynamically generated maps are in the pipeline, but if we don't get them for 1.0 we'll still be able to throw something pretty awesome together if it all works out.

I just want everyone to know that you are god-damned heros for this. GOD-DAMNED HEROS.

sorry for the silly question, kinda new here, a Chapter Master isn't the same as a Primarch, right?

>>16569668
Chapter Masters are just the Space Marines that run chapters

Primarchs were beings created by the Emperor. They were used as the basis on which Space Marines were designed, but they're not all missing, dead or turned into daemons.

Time for another planetary system description (not an actual ingame system description, more like a bucket of ideas):

Hyk system
Hyk is a binary star system with VI planetary bodies. The stars are of equal size. One is blue and the other is red. They orbit each other closely.
Hyk I is a small pressure cooker planet. Its close orbit to the suns means the planet is constantly bathed in solar radiation. Only ships equipped with the strongest void shields could approach the planet if there was any reason to. The planet is totally devoid of life and has a thin atmosphere of nitrogen and methane.

Hyk II is known for its high tectonic and volcanic activity. Seas of lava can be seen from the orbit. The landscape on Hyk II is constantly shifting, so no maps of planet surface exist. The planet has a thick atmosphere consisting mainly of carbon dioxide and oxygen. The planets population consists of a few nomadic tribes constantly on the move and utilizing local xeno fauna to avoid eruptions and move through lava. The population is a shadow of its once great number. In M36 a Dark Mechanicus doomsday device was set off during a battle with the imperial navy, on the planets only moon, which in turn crashed into the planet, which was at the time an imperial world. The collision caused massive lava eruptions all over the planet, and over a few following days turned it into what it is today. The planet is still orbited by a ring of debris mixed with non-functioning remains of a star port.

>>16569696
Hyk III also known by its inhabitants as Gothoria is an imperial shrine world. It is dedicated to an imperial saint named Gothorion Ilawi. The saint was an imperial admiral, who tracked down and destroyed the Dark Mechanicus fleet responsible for the events on Hyk II. The planet is covered with shrines, churches and cathedrals to the saint. A detachment of Adepta Sorroritas is present on the planet surface at all times. The planetary atmosphere is typical to those colonized by humans.
Hyk III-a is Gothorias only moon. It is also a penal colony for heavy sinners from across the sector. The moon is always in Gothorias shadow like a penitent in the shadow of a priest. The local population consists only of prisoners, their guards and a small group of administratum workers. The moon has abundant resources of ice that is converted into promethium. The moon has no atmosphere.

>>16569699
Hyk IV Is a brown gas giant with many small moons. There is an imperial navy shipyard in its orbit.
Hyk V is an ice world. The planet is always covered with a thick coat of clouds. The planet is inhabited by a non-sentient xeno race of giant worms, able to break the layer of ice on the surface to get to the water underneath. The planet has a thin atmosphere of nitrogen.

More system descriptions to come in the evening.

The next sets of images will serve as an example for what sort of contribution we need next for our new art direction, as well as a demonstration of our team concept for the map interface.

The image attached to this post has one of the sepia-toned maps on the inner covers of various sourcebooks. The map features some indication of warp routes, specifically safe travel routes through the warp.

We'd like more maps like this please, in whatever color scheme you find. Primarily, however, we're looking for images with a nautical theme.

If you find some outside of 40K, we'll take 'em, but optimally we'd like to draw the bulk of our inspiration from 40K sources. Fan sources are good, though official art is going to be considered first just to give us direction.

There's also some smaller insets and other images along these lines scattered throughout the sourcebooks. We REALLY want to see those if you can get us a page number or just put the damn things in the thread. That'd be great.

If it wasn't made patently obvious in the showcase above, the role images like this will play will essentially be to serve as a template for the images we ask artists to create individually as a background for our maps of space.

There's one specific image that shows the routes VERY clearly, sort of as forking lightning or a gnarled root structure stretching through a clouded area of Warp.

If anyone has that, it'd be handy.

In any case, images like this will form the background to a display that outlines various map regions, marks specific points of interest, and shows the location of fleets and forces of note.

You know, just something like Real Lives would be extremely entertaining and amusing.

Initially, this will be a single fixed background image or a series of pre-drawn images lovingly crafted by our drawfags.

The hope, however, is that we are able to integrate them into dynamic mapping at a later point, which will allow us to generate entirely new maps that show warp volatility and safe routes which all correspond to the regions of space marked by zone borders.

In short: the goal is to have a map generation feature that crafts fucking awesome maps with backgrounds that could pass for custom ones right off the bat. However, this may not be feasible in 1.0, so we'll shoot to just make some cool static backgrounds for the first release.

>this thread

Another candidate element of the aesthetic we're looking to develop for the game includes hololithics, the Imperium's shitty retro-future-grimdark-wankery version of modern holoprojection technology.

Hololithics can be small, simple, and dull, or pretty expansive and interactive. However, we're looking for them to do a number of things like mark region borders on maps, or display data about forces and NPCs. This means that they may be represented by anything from sprites to fixed images, so all kinds of artists can contribute.

>>16569764
i remember starlancer had that, and it was the shit.
you should definitely aim for that retro-future-grimdark-wankery holoprojection technology.

If you happen to have images related to 40K that represent hololithics or feature them being used somehow, it'd be very helpful if you provided them in the thread (or on IRC if you had to). If you can't upload them, letting us know where we can find a copy would be great.

I've been informed that there's a decent image of hololithics in use featured in a recently published GW booklet for Deathwatch called the Achilus Assault.

If someone could upload or provide that, I'd be obliged.

I'd be happy to help write stuff, if you need me. Check email.

Hololithics seem to be confined to a narrow range of colors. This is the only colored image I can find of the damn things displaying anything other than a shade of green.

If you have any that display Imperial projection technology with a greater range of color, it'd be awesome to see them.

Because hololithics are somewhat limited in terms of their color palette, we'll probably use them in a limited fashion in our UI. Frankly, there's only so much fucking bright green we can take.

I was of a mind to ask our artists to explore making sprites or animated counters for forces not unlike those found in Paradox Grand Strat (Crusader Kings, EU, Victoria, HoI) or Total War games for representing a force operating in a given region, or perhaps still icons.

These might look a bit like models used in old Naval demonstrations to depict where a given fleet was stationed, or something similar.

I guess chapter masters use toy boats and model soldiers on a tabletop battlefield just like we do, which should help with immersion for obvious reasons :P

The final element of our search for a thematic style based on the nautical is the instruments pictured on FFG sources and elsewhere in GW's slew of art.

Here are some examples.

There will likely be many places where we can make the game a touch more personal or thematic. One way would be to include tooltips not unlike the tools found in these sources, and another would be to somehow integrate devices like these into portions of the UI.

>>16569809

Hololiths can be any colour, you just see a lot of green being used on pictures because it gives the classic vector-graphics aesthetic and allows for ominous underlighting.

Obviously, we will need artists to create original versions of these. Not only are they the wrong resolution, but they're copyrighted and we might as well make originals in our game. Besides, it gives us the opportunity to showcase the talent that we all know is present on /tg/, if somewhat buried and prone to hiding its light under a bushel.

>>16569818
Sauce? Because I'd really like that to be true.

Anyway, if you have more images from 40K of various tools being used for relevant purposes it'd be great if you could provide them - perhaps with a description of what the given tool is and what it's used for.

We'll also be glad to have your input on various other ideas for UI elements, or take a look at pictures of historical oddities or baroque instruments used for various purposes, not to mention anything thematic from other games.

And if you have an idea of where a given tool or device would fit well or what it should indicate, feel free to inform us.

Holy shit, this is awesome.

>>16569827

One example that comes immediately to mind is a bit of flavour text from the old 2e Wargear book. Some officers are studying a strategic map and it has multicoloured symbols for friendlies, enemies, and units under attack.

/tg/, doing shit /v/ never could.
fucking sweet you guys. i hope you get the support you need.

i hope this game isn't too serious when its released, but the promises of random events reassures me

>Playing custom chapter, Raven Guard successors
>Improved cloaking devices
>Scout sniper rifle
>This is an attempt to make an all-aroundish chapter
>Goes horribly wrong
>Ork WAAAAAGH on homeworld
>Normal marines suffer heavy losses
>Lose all dreadnoughts
>The scouts take out their warboss (!!!)
>Not a single scout was lost that day
>Only surviving marines are veterans
>Scouts are ready to become full-fledged space marines

I don't know, /tg/, I kind of want to keep my awesome Solid Snake scouts, but I do need to get my chapter numbers back up.

Especially considering that WAAAAGH will be back in a few years.

hey Dev, I believe that the Hololiths colors are purely aesthetics.

I don't think anyone would complain if a hologram would be blue or green, if it fits the current atmosphere, and blends in perfectly with the background and surrounding characters.

I had some other useful point to make here, but I think I forgot what it was.

Post pictures like this from 40K or thematic ones outside of 40K please, or do original takes on them if you're some kind of artmarine, or give us an idea for how to use them in the game.

Here's another thematic map image out of fluff that I fucking forgot about.

>>16569844
I was wondering when you'd show up so we could seek your blessing, Emps.

>>16569858
>Crab Nicholson's Extreme Sleepover will never be finished
>SadCrustacean.jpg

And here are a few images that our pixel art guy was looking at when he made the candidate for the fleet management screen, in case anyone wants to look at them and try for the same feel.

More of the same.

I'm not entirely sure, but I want to say they're currently working in 800x600 resolution.

Last one I've got. Drawmarine in question said he was also listening to the Dune spice opera playlist on the youtube and looking at images from the old Dune games.

If you have suggestions for other sources of inspiration that fit our direction, do tell us.

Anyway, I'm done dumping stuff. You know what to do, /tg/, and I have marching orders to my kitchen for breakfast.

IRC server address is the same as before. Let's get this shit done.

Word Bearer gene-seed is overpowered. I just converted a ork wagggh to the Imperial Creed

>>16569912

>seek your blessing

This doesn't even require my approval. It is something that MUST BE DONE.

I am currently rummaging through older threads to catch up. This thing seems epic.

Ok, be straight with me here for a second. This is a made-up game by /tg/ and now somebody is actually coding it? Or is he just pretending to be coding it, just as the rest is pretending to play it?

>>16570175
It's a real thing that's happening. Also, my email got herped by 4chan, so here's the real one.

>>16570175
You think I do this shit for fun?!

Well I do, but still, yes, it will happen.

>>16569912
Oh god you don't have a larger image of that badab war chapters pic do you?

>>16569615
All of the discussed features are at least on the table. What makes it into 1.0 is up to coding constraints. What makes it into later versions is up to project longevity, momentum, and morale.

Best answer I can give you is that codex adherence as a variable mechanic is being given quite a lot of attention.

>>16569667
Thanks, brosef, appreciated.

>>16569704
>>16569699
>>16569696

Thanks, Ishmael. These'll come in handy eventually.

>>16569846
Thanks for the input, anon. Would be great to have more, and we'll see about the hololithics being in technicolor :P

>>16569702
Thanks, brosef.

>>16569745
This is either useful input or the first successful troll to get the better of me in these threads.

Someone fucking link this shit if it's real, and give me some tl;drs about what to adopt from it.

>>16569774
Someone post some relevant Starlancer screens, for the love of fuck. I'm falling asleep or I'd go googlin' myself.

>>16569794
Unfortunately I don't manage the gmail box personally, but that may change soon. I remember you're some kind of known writefag though, so we'll be glad to have you.
>>16570195
Nevermind, got it down.

>>16570353
Sorry, anon. Try tineye or something.

Fuck, do I want breakfast.

>>16570195
>>16570347

That's pretty cool. I just couldn't tell anymore.

So, will it be more like Kotdp or Aurora?

>>16570452
>be like Aurora
Jesus, I think 5.0 would have a shot of being like Aurora if you mean the 4x game.

I'd say it'll be like KoDP, but with a lot of original bits.

>>16570463
Right, Aurora is just the last 4x game I played.
You're a good lad.

>this project

>>16569553

You forgot me, ass!
Bladebaka_Art on IRC. Newbie drawfag and well-versed in the Lore. Also I am the author of the original Game Over screen, as seen to the left here.

Hey OP. I'm not sure if you guys have a dedicated "Keeper of The Wiki" position, but if not, I'd be more than glad to volunteer for it. Shoot me an email if this would be a good idea.

>>16570499
Well, Aurora is on my to-play list but it looks monstrously elaborate. I'm afraid of what would happen to the feature list and release date if I let my programming gurus sink their teeth into it. We might be playing Imperium: The Journey through Emps' Brain. Which would take a fucking hivemind consciousness like Emps to play properly >< Christ, a 4x game designed by /tg/ would either be extremely elegant or immediately get ugly.

"HOW ELSE SHOULD WE SOUL-BIND PSYKERS AND OVERVIEW THE WARP AND BEAM THE ASTRONOMICAN BEACON AND SURVIVE AND RECEIVE INFORMATION AND GRANT AUDIENCES ALL AT ONCE, UNLESS WE ARE MANY?"

>>16570602

>Hey OP. I'm not sure if you guys have a dedicated "Keeper of The Wiki" position

Ahahahahahaha, that's supposed to be me and I have found all of zero time for it so far.

>but if not, I'd be more than glad to volunteer for it. Shoot me an email if this would be a good idea.
THANK_FUCK.JPG

>>16570655
Aurora is mostly just hard as balls and requires tons of micromanaging.

"What do you mean, I have to design a new engine and update all ship designs, retool the shipyards and refit all ships manually to profit from my new fuel efficiency technology?"

>>16570602
>>16570675
Actually, get on IRC please. I'll email you soon anyhow.

More to come that will actually be useful and good.

That's a nice wall of text, but some concept art of a typical screenshot would work wonders.

>>16569640
>>16569632
>>16569626
>>16569613
>>16569618
>>16569609
>>16569604
>>16570758
>Asking for concept art
Read the thread. Seriously.

>>16570764
You know, something that shows an interface or buttons, with a clue of how gamplay is supposed to work. Not just some pictures.

>>16570829
>concept art
>not just some pictures
Then go to the blog or get in the IRC.
http://chaptermasterdev.blogspot.com/

guys, guys... i love you guys

i do hope this project can be completed, if you need any help i will try to help as much as i can... I dont know about coding and that but i will try to contribute

>>16570841
Hop on the IRC.
http://webchat.freenode.net/#
#chaptermaster

Things for today are just getting started up in there.

>>16570829
>Implying we're anywhere near that point
First release will probably be ASCII, maybe with popup windows to display images.
Obviously we're aware that the community wants a GUI, which is why we're working on art already even though the programmers won't be able to implement it for a while.

>>16569918
>the pixelart guy for this did the stuff for my favorite dungeon crawl ever

>>16570959
>Youmightwanttoreadthatagain.jpg

>>16570965
>looking at

Aw. Oh well. The mug still applies.

If anyone is interested in working on art for the project, here's a quick briefing on that. Most of what we'll be needing is background scenes. The pictures above of the ship interior with planets and ships outside, for example, would be a background for space battle events, while the armory screen would be a background for when matters arise in your armory. Not to say that all we'll need is background scenes, other art is welcome.

Thus far we have no limitations on style, as this is a community project and there's no problem with that being apparent from the variety of style, but a few on content:
-Original Content. All of it.
-800 wide x 600 tall is our current estimate for window size.
-Minimal memes. You can put them in if you think it's reaallly subtle. Dawn of War II Retribution has more obvious memes than we're aiming for.

>>16570995
-Keep in-character. This is open to interpretation, but try to immerse the player. This can mean having an image of a parchment as a background for 'astropathic transmission received!' events, onto which the event can place text. Or it can be a picture of the chapter's astropathic choir in the Librarium, where your Master might be summoned if there was a transmission incoming. A battle report might also be sent as a transmission like that, or you might receive first- person pict-captures from a battle-brother's autosenses. A level of immersion and 'authenticity' on par with Forgeworld books would be ideal, but don't take that as a restriction.
-We aren't yet sure how to deal with chapter marines in art. If you think having one is vital to your piece, then by all means include one, in high contrast black and white with no heraldry, and maybe we'll be able to put a transparent, adjustable color layer over it later. We'd rather not do that for hundreds of images, so things like first person views or looks at documents as mentioned above would be preferable.

WHAT KINDS OF EVENTS WILL WE NEED BACKGROUNDS FOR?
Too many and too varied to list! Pop into the IRC thread for ideas.


ALL INFORMATION IS TENTATIVE. ALL THINGS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. IF YOU HAVE A BETTER IDEA, TELL US, WE TRY TO BE REASONABLE.

>>16570974
We love you too, /tg/

This is the Nation of Bump: Bumpnation!

>>16570995

Just some random guy's 2 cents, I'd prefer no memes whatsoever. I'd like the game better if it was completely serious.

>>16570995
>>16571010
Here's a pic for Planetary Assualt.
I'm no good with objects or there would be a Strike Cruiser, I can change the planet to whatever is needed, I've already done a Mars like one for instance.

>>16571673
Pretty. Just need to get a picture of a Strike Cruiser or Battle Barge from the Internet and stick it in there, and perhaps add dots that look like Thunderhawks or Drop Pods falling to the planet.

>>16571663
No game that's half Dorf Fortress and half King of Dragon's Pass, made by fa/tg/uys, is going to be COMPLETE seriousness.

Moar screenshots of the mappan utility. Apparently it does more stuff now, like being able to allow forces to move from place to place.

>>16571687
I've tried to find pics but they are either models, or Games Workshop made them. I can't really add drop pods or Thunderhawks without a ship.

I will post two more pics and see if any one of you guys want to help me with the ship problem

>>16571781
And here's the other one.

Holy sheet, this is awesome. Writemarine reporting in, and joining IRC and whatnot now.

>>16571781
>>16571784
Sorry there was another one.
Here it is

Hey guys, first off, why am i in the C++ team? I never signed up for that.

Been gone for a few days while i fixed my comp, and now i cant connect to the IRC, it keeps telling me either my nickname is registered or 'cant resolve hostname' depending on client. How do?

>>16571838
I think you're on the C++ team because I was sleep deprived when writing the who's who. What languages are you comfortable working in again?

And I don't know about your nick being registered, actually. Freenode's a big server, someone might've gone and tried it. Have you tried using Marauder_ or Marauder__ and using the web client at http://webchat.freenode.net/# to make sure it's not your IRC client?

>>16571868
>gone and tried it.
Gone and taken it, derp.

>>16571868

I diddnt sign up for coding because i have only a slight grasp of Java and half decent AS 3.0 skills. Im on the design/writan/artan departments.

I'll try that, worst case ill have to use my full 4chan name.

>>16571884
Then I derped on your team assignment because of fatigue, bro. My apologies.

hmm...maybe do a two pronged way of recruitan

have an automatic way for those that dont want to worry too much about it, and then a manual one way that allows you to oversee personally who gets recruited and who doesn't

and possibly a way to customize your chapter to be codex/non-codex

>Imperial Fists Successor Chapter.
>Have a score of worlds under the Chapter's control.
>Uprising on one of my earlier captured worlds.
>Chaos Imperial Guardsmen. I don't remember ever...
>Planet History = Recently resurfaced from the warp.
>FUUUUUUUUUU.
>Send in a company of marines, they are getting hammered.
>How many fuckers are there...?
>200k Guardsmen... fuck. Sacrifice company and unleash payload onto the planet.
>Time to clean-up and get ALL DEM RESAUCES, send in three companies and scour the capital.
>Light resistance in capital, press on to the palace.
>Find their High Command. Their High Command are a cadre of traitor commissars. Traitor Commissar-General is called Ignatius Creed.
>Ten seconds later, city simply ceases to exist, along with the three companies.

That magnificent bastard, that tactical geniu-
CREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Okay guys how is this for Planetary Assault?

>>16572108
It's a good start, our pixel artists will likely want a look.

You! Get on the IRC channel, I want to talk to you/thank you/etc. Freenode network, #chaptermaster channel.

>>16572108
It;s way too dark. Needs to be exponentially more clear, as if it were done in colored pencil.

>>16572357
The ship is too dark or?

>>16572369
The ship is way too dark, the dots are far too small, and the whole right side of the image could do with being a bit brighter. It won't detract from the planet.

>>16572445
Is this any better
Now you see why the ship was so dark.

It's better but it could be better.

>>16572736
Make either the planet or the ship more defined. Or have something in the foreground that's in focus.

if i throw dollars at you will you work faster?

>>16572964

If you like, you can donate to my coffee fund!

>>16572964

But that might call down the might of hte IPhammer... hmm...

when turing to Chaos, try raiding the other chapter's monasteries. Blood ravens are unusually easy to pick off (remember to plant some traitors) and they have relics coming out of every porthole and window.

But be careful, these guysa like to retaliate as well and carry off your stuff...
Just watch out

So uh ... what are you going to do about the inevitable GW crackdown? Keep it low profile and decentralized without names attached?

>>16573269
Change the name to Battlehammer 50k and give them a troll face

>>16573269
We'll cross and/or burn that bridge when we come to it. Options include taking the Alien Assault path. We're not even taking donations, so hopefully it won't happen, but with GW you never know.

>>16573352
There's a slight chance they could end up loving what you're doing and offering you all jobs.

>>16573269

making everything original, from code to artwork, not accepting donations of any kind, publishing it under GPL, etc.

>>16573352

since its nonprofit and we're using the GPL, I think, we should be okay.

GW hasn't killed The Codex Project, any podcasters (especially 40K Radio, they make profit from their boards ABOUT 40k!) Beasts of War, etc. so we should be okay.

>>16569594
That's not the final one bro, this is the final one.

>>16573510

Bro. Bro. Don't steal my thunder. I called making "yourchapterhascrumbled.jpg" man!

Go do your other artan!

>>16573619
Redundant art entries do no harm.

Especially since we aren't even using the art yet.

> A tyranid hive fleet aproaches!
> Oh fucking hell n-
> The Inquisition is coming for an inspection!
> On the same route

They ended up wiping eachother out, and I didn't lose disposition with 'em for raiding their ships. Is this a bug or does the game actually track if the factions know if I rob their shot or not?

Update on the planet generator. I'm still working on the terrain, and the adeptus numbers need to be converted. But this is the output so far

++++++ Acquiring Planet Information ++++++

Class:Shrine World
Tech Level:38
Star Size: Large
Adeptus Arbites:9 Adeptus Astra Telepathica4 Adeptus Astronomica:4 Adeptus Mechanicus:4 Administratum:18 Adeptus Ministorum:33 Inquisition:4
Planet Size:Giant Circumference: 252000 KM
Density:Huge Gravity:2.62 Newtons
Atmosphere:Insidious Pressure:0.33 ATMs
Length of Day:47 hours
Year Length:63 Terran Days, 4 Local Days, 0.17 Terran Years
Axial Tilt:Moderate 19 degrees
Temperature:Frozen
Average Temperature: -85 degrees
Seasonal Low:-105 degrees
Seasonal High:-65 degrees
Water Coverage:89% surface coverage

>>16574058
...Nothing for population?

>>16574153
I'm still working on it. Population and government are coming after terrain

Bump for epic epicness.

In the silence of cyberspace that is /tg/, there is only EPIC PROJECTS!

Seriously
You
Yes you too
All of you who make this real
See pic

>>16573619
>>16573510
Well, we might have to turn it into pixel art or ask the drawmarine who made the intro screen to give it similar treatment.

>>16570447
not that guy but googled that for you real quick.
real live is an educational game which randomly sets you anywhere in the world and lets you make decisions that change your live, like "pursue romantic relationship Y/N" or "change job".

all screenshots i found were harmless though and not nearly as awesome as what's displayed in that guy's pic, so i doubt that's real.
pic related, it's a standard screenshot.

review of the game is here, for example: http://compsimgames.about.com/cs/gamereviews/fr/real_lives.htm

This is a sanctioned Imperial bump, enacted as per Lex Imperialis Volume IV Code 34ba334 section III.
Be advised, civilian interference will not be tolerated. Any caught interfering will be detained on suspicion of colluding with alien powers or rebel cults.

THE TEXT

OH GOD THE TEXT

THERE IS SO MUCH TEXT

JESUS CHRIST WOULD YOU LOOK AT ALL THAT TEXT

>>16577870
Hey, man. Some people are interested in exactly what's going on, and we'd like any new people who join the project to be somewhat clued in.

This is fucking awesome Chapter Master. Keep it up team!

You've got my interest marine. Get a webpage up or something so we can show our support and see progress!

4-8 hour meetings a day?

How are you people managing to keep your bills paid while you work on this?

>>16578636

>Discover lost Battlebarge of fellow founding chapter adrift in space
>600 surviving space marines!
>They discover that their homeworld has been destroyed since they were lost in a warpstorm
>Petition the High-Lords to reseed their chapter
>Chapter Master is assassinated whilst on earth.
>Remaining survivors offer to join my chapter
>Accept since my chapter is currently patrolling a warp anomaly along with four other chapters, and I need the reinforcements.
>Still continue with my planned recruitment drive anyway
>End up with almost 4000 space marines.
>Put all of my effort in getting my Master of the Forge up to speed in equipping them.
>Crippling taxes to pay for it
>Have to enact Martial Law over my homeworld to stop rebellions. Forget to remove it afterwards.
>Oops! The Inquisition appear for a suprise spot-check.
>Blow up his ship to prevent trouble with the inquisition.
>"Your standing with the Imperial Navy has dropped!"
>Pursuade all four other nearby chapters to side with me
>Everything is going fine

>>16578714
>Suddenly, a rival Space Marine chapter that I met a while back sides with the IN and attacks me.
>Inquisition appear, they bring eight more chapters with them.
>Including the Salamanders
>Attempt to negotiate, fails when one of my commanders decides to raid the salamanders gene seed repository instead.
>Still manage to see off almost all eight chapters.
>Inquisition THEN brings in six more.
>Some of them having bullshit stats like "Favoured Enemy: Space Marines" and "Heretek"
>All of my SM allies get defeated one by one
>Luckily I'm still WAAAY overstrength, and I can use my planets IG regiments since I've still got martial law
>Brutal Siege
>My whole planet starts to blow up, I opt to make for a quick getaway, have a random encounter with an enemy 3rd Company Captain.
>Kill him, but get shot in the face with a Combi-Melta
>Somehow survive, but badly incapacitated.
>A handful of survivors.
>Become pirates in the warp anomaly because a pirates life is free.
>everythingwentbetterthanexpected.jpg

>>16569613
Wouldn't it be better to have the techmarine wearing a customized suit of power armor instead of discount techpriest robes?

Whilst I am not a massive fan of the 40k world, I love /tg/ projects and lend you my writefagging hand. Willing to spend time and research into things, as long as you give me specifics to research.

Hit me up!

>>16577650
>>16570447
some more info on real lives and what we can learn from it, taken from the virtual tour located here: http://www.educationalsimulations.com/virtual.html

i think the game can give us some inspiration on the gui and on how to present information, also the way events are created through statistics and stats might be interesting.

pic related, it shows the country screen. information on planets could be presented that way.

>>16579253
cont.

this is the expenses screen. the way it handels expenses through levels instead of sliders might give a more direct feedback and clearer view of how much we spend for certain stuff and what we get for it.

>>16579267
cont.

the family screen. chapter assets could be visualized like this.

>Playing motherfucking Mentors
>Got some plasma missiles and mindlinks fuck yes
>Shit high rep with High Lords of Terra
>Got invitation to meet in person from them, probably Fabricator General
>It's from the Emperor

Holy shit this must be a glitch.

>>16579277
last one.

the action screen. a nice and clear way to present different actions in different fields.

>>16577870
What are you, some kind of pansy? We're not fucking around, here.

>>16578654
Insomnia.

>>16578726
Just a mock-up, and probably a techpriest and not a marine - hence the 'my lord.'

>>16578756
Okay.jpg. Added to the list.

Hey Dev Coordinator: here's an idea for the more Mechanicum-aligned chapters: after the Chapter gets up and running, an Ark Mechanicus appears in your home system asking for your Techmarines' help in chasing down a new STC fragment. If you agree, you lose your Techmarines for a bit, but you get a free Land Raider Crusader for your efforts.

http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Ark_Mechanicus
http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Land_Raider_Crusader

This is a sanctioned Imperial bump, enacted as per Lex Imperialis Volume IV Code 34ba334 section III.
Be advised, civilian interference will not be tolerated. Any caught interfering will be detained on suspicion of colluding with alien powers or rebel cults.

>>16572783
Okay what about this?
The planet is more defined, and the ship is about as good as I can make it(like I said I'm no good with objects).

you could make more chapter master threads for stories for inspiration on what might happen.

>>16581197
If you feel like we should, then feel free to do it yourself.

I've noticed a lot of Raven Guard chapters lately. This pleases me like a black Irish midget with multilasers.

>Start up new game.
>Using Hit and run, lightning strikes.
>Intelligent military fighting, Rowboat Girlyman can eat a dick.
>Codex Deviancy high.
>Don't care, few losses to Chapter, fuck yeah.
>Inquisition comes. Fuck, anytime they do this when I'm playing RG successors, always get fucked.
>Warp Storm hits, takes out Inquisitors.
>Contacted about missing -][- Levy.
>Say they found Chaos taint in a nearby rift.
>Holy shit they bought it.
>Building up pretty strong force, roughly 1200 strong Chapter.
>"An Ork WAAAGH! has been spotted in the sector."
>Not on any of my recruiting worlds for once? Corax is watching over me or something.
>Enjoy some nice wholesome slaughter of Orks. Send in Sixth Company with their Captain Dylerium.
>Two Marines wounded in firefight, took out Warboss 'Ead Crasha'
>"A Necron Tomb World has awakened!"
>Oh, there we go. Bad luck.
>Orks start fighting them, my guys barely had a presence.
>Get Devastator team ready, Melta weapons and some Lascannons.
>Wait until enemy forces are thinned a bit, send team in and wake out Monolith.
>Wondering if I changed the difficulty, it's still on the regular settings.
>Make Founding Chapter proud, Ultrasmurfs pissed.
>"Marneus Calgar has decided to test your chapter's loyalty and faith in the Codex Astartes!"
>Wait, what.
>Put it off, get threatened as heretical.
>What do?
>Decide to say hell with it, invoke RG alliance, they defend my tactics.
>Ultramarine rep significantly decreased.
>Guess this means my 'Spiritual liege' is disappoint.
>Oh well, back to fucking things up.

See? Not every game is about dying horribly. Some you just get lucky.

>>16578636

I see what you did there, fellow Icelian.

>Send the Tetramarines 8th company to save a world from Necrons.
>PleasenotombworldPleasenotombworld.jpeg
>There is a Monolith!
>Goddammit.
>Your vehicles are taking damage!
>The Monolith is taking damage!
>You've lost a Land Raider!
>You've lost a Predator!
>You've lost a Whirlwind!
>You've lost a Predator!
>The Monolith has been destroyed!
>My only armour left are Rhinos.
>Most of my troops are Assault marines.
>waitaminute
>Check equipment
>Meltabombs.
>awwyeah.jpeg

>>16581691

It's just saving you for later. Nobody is safe, NOBODY!

>Roll an Imperial Fists successor Chapter
>Ship-based Chapter, started out with half a dozen battle barges
>Strangely no strike cruisers. Petition Mechanicus for one.
>Realize I just started out and have no rep with them.
>Mechanicus deny the request and demand a battle barge.
>Ohboyherewego.jpg

Not sure if it was a glitch or what, but damn. Right during the start of it all I have a war with the Mechanicus? Lost, of course.

>Find 8th thread after missing the last four or so.
Awesome, megaupload link!
>The file you are trying to access is temporarily unavailable. Please try again later.
. . . :(

>Get one of those dreaded Inquisitorial inspections.
>TWO Inquisitors, one from Ordo Malleus, other Xenos arrive.
>While inspecting, one Inquisitor challenges the other.
>Ordo Malleus emerges the victor and demands my cooperation.
>I have no idea what is going on here, so I hit Y.
>Inquisition rep up! Grey Knights rep up!
>I'mokaywiththis.jpg

That was random, and I haven't even met the Grey Knights. I have a feeling that the other boot has yet to drop, though.

>>16583177

Got this, too. Maybe they're working on it, or something?

Or is there a newer link out and the older was taken out?

>>16583842
Either that or the Gestapo Workshop hitsquads have found and eliminated the devs and all their work.

Although I'd rather believe that they are working on it.

hey guys. not sure how to word this but here goes
im a graduate of a videogame design course in the UK, and i'd like very much to help out somehow with this enterprise. im not that good on coding yet, but im best at plot/campaign designs, planning mechanics systems, writing fluff and 3d modelling. dont know if thatll help either. i cant stay up for much longer but id be very grateful if any of you guys could contact me if you think i could help

From the looks of it, /tg/ actually gets shit done.

The possibilities are endless, I guess you could even expand it to other races.

Would play for sure. Keep going.

Does anyone here know how to code mouse support?

You should institute a system where you can commit heresy without being involved in Chaos. For example, Grabbing Hereteks who aren't complete and utter lunatics and getting them to research shit.

Lets get some progress up in this mother fucker.

>>16569558
>4) What happens when you clever fucks get your Cease & Desist letter?
A better answer would be "lol anonymity"

>-Chapter Territory Management
>A Space Marine chapter does not exist in a vacuum within its fortress monastery. As such, features relating to the physical aspects of the setting and all that it entails will be included in the 1.0 release.
>How the chapter deals with problems in its territory will have an impact on the chapter's history and beliefs, its diplomatic relations with other entities, and obviously its income.
Consider the vast differences in the depth with which chapters interact with their people. Ultramarines rule over a whole sector, and directly rule their system. Playing the Ultra chaptermaster would have to have a lot of that sort of stuff.
Meanwhile, the Imperial Fists just fly around in their space ship.

>>16584582

>Lets get some progress up in this mother fucker.

Hold your horses, anon. We're getting there. Our deadline, iirc, is the end of the year. If you want to add your input more directly try joining in the discussion on the IRC channel.

>>16584819
>Our deadline, iirc, is the end of the year.
Yey! All i want for X-Mas is this!

>>16569558
>4) What happens when you clever fucks get your Cease & Desist letter?
Who are they going to send the email to? Moot?

>>16570447
>doesn't know Real Lives
Get it off /rs/ bro.

>>16570995
>-Minimal memes. You can put them in if you think it's reaallly subtle.
So we're talking Fantasy-Flight level here?

>>16571663
>40k
>completely serious

>Random Chapter: Ultrasmurfs successor
>easymode4eva
>Ultrasmurfs ask for help w/ crusade
>must retain easy mode conditions
>send 2nd and 4th companies into spehss
>Random event: Warpstorm!
>iamdisappoint.jpg
>Gellar Field collapse!
>Doublefuck.jpg
>Warp Storm disipates in short order
>well that wasn't so--
>suspicious, have apothecaries and Librarian conduct purity checks. Afeared of some warp leakan
>everything is fine? really?
>land on world, help with crusadan'
>suddenly: 2nd company has turned traitor!
>wtf bug? PURITY CHECK, Y U NO FIND HERESY?
>Ultrasmurfs wipe 2nd company
>One of the veterans, in dying, shits a psychic jellyfish out of his brain

Enslavers? In MY Chapter Master simulator? I don't think it's possible to detect them and I ain't even mad.

Update on the Planet Generator. All it needs now is the defense, and I don't think I will have those done until tomorrow. Right now, this is the output

++++++ Acquiring Planet Information ++++++

Class:(War)Developing World
Tech Level:Pre-Industrial 38
Star Size: Medium
Planet Size:Average Circumference: 40000 KM
Density:Low Gravity:0.74 Newtons
Atmosphere:Standard Pressure:0.92 ATMs
Length of Day:17 hours
Year Length:38 Terran Days, 54 Local Days, 0.10 Terran Years
Axial Tilt:Large 27 degrees
Temperature:Chilly
Average Temperature: -23 degrees
Seasonal Low:-53 degrees
Seasonal High:7 degrees
Water Coverage:91% surface coverage

+++++++ Terrain Report ++++++
Grasslands:None Savannah:None
Continual Forest:Mild Broken Forest:None
Hills:None Mountain:Near Total
Plateaus:Widespread Dormant Volcanoes:None
Active Volcanoes:None Broken Rock:None
Flat Rock:None Columns:Insignificant
Moors:None Barren:None
Swamp:None Caves:None
Ravines:Mild Sandy:None
Islands:Dominating Cliffs:Insignificant

++++++Cultural Information++++++
Population:700000000
Government:Democracy
Religion: Local
++++++Adeptus Terra Presence ++++++
Adeptus Arbites: None
Adeptus Astra Telepathica: None
Adeptus Mechanicus: Slight
Adeptus Administratum: Token
Adeptus Ministorum: Token
Inquisition:None
Departmento Munitorum: None

>>16585233
>doesn't post a link
Post a link

>>16585301
>>16585233
There's some formatting errors to fix too. We could help if you post the code somewhere and link it to the IRC.

>>16585301
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=RRMBTFFB

Sorry. Here's the link

>>16578654
It's not like everyone's there doing nothing else the whole time. People file in and out, and work on other things in other tabs.

>>16585137
I don't quite remember what all FF has done. The one thing I do remember is the sector designation reading 5UPTG or something like that, which probably okay, so long as it doesn't run rampant.

>>16585591
The things that come most readily to mind are the tzeentchian demon shouting "just as planned" as he's defeated, and an illustration that happened to have an assassin on a balcony overlooking a red-haired eldar. Nothing that would be recognizable as even out of the ordinary if you didn't know, in other words

Have any of you guys every played Medieval II: Total War? I think it would be a good idea to try and draw some inspiration from it. It even has an annoying-as-fuck church that will ruin your shit everytime you do something they do like, and can kill your generals via inquisitors whenever.

>>16585677
>and can kill your generals via inquisitors whenever
Just run away from them!

For the planet generator it probably shouldn't count the planet's Average Gravity in newtons.
G's or Terran Gravity might do better.

>>16585714
Dunno, I love how a lot of 40k stuff is gnarled interpretations of current culture stuff. Maybe call them "New Tonnes" Or something, or try and shoe horn a pun in.

Your idea is good to though.

>>16585677
What inquisitors? In my games they always have accidents before they even leave the peninsula. assassins as far as the eye can see.

>>16585677
> I think it would be a good idea to try and draw some inspiration from it.

That sounds like a terrible game. It's not to be a wargame. Except to say that it features war as major occurrences. It shouldn't be skirmish level, but empire building and management.

>>16585677

Yep. Got so pissed off I looked up the cheats for the game and steamrolled rome with a billion troops. Problem was that shortly after half of my 'empire' secceeded and I had to deal with a goddamn civil war.

>>16585705
>hate frenchies
>bros with papal states (gave them 10,000 florins and maps for alliance)
>france gets excommunicated for some reason (I forget)
>call for Crusade on French fortress
>King joins crusade, build up huge ass army
>send King's army from the British Isles to southern France via boat
>arrives, takes a few spaces
>suddenly an inquisitor appears in LOS
>my King has 2 piety
>no moves left

>King burned as a heretic, entire army desert because no crusade
>my fucking face when

>>16585714
>G's or Terran Gravity might do better
This. This is what Forge World does. Gravity is based on Terra.

>>16585768
LAUNCH BLITZKRIEG INVASION ON FELLOW CATHOLIC FACTION
>advicegeneral.jpg
POPE SAYS STOP, TURNED INTO A 50 TURN WAR

>>16585806
SEND IMANS TO ROME
>adviceiman.jpg
CONVERT ENTIRE CITY TO ISLAM IN 20 TURNS

>Playing Blood Angels
>Holy shit, I love this chapter! Leading my brothers into combat is GLORIOUS
>Suddenly, Armageddon.
>3rd company captain gets face half melted off, like the dude in Phantom of the Opera
>Gets a pretty cool mask
>Near the end of the campaign, he gets black rage
>Oh dammit, he was so good at killing orks.
>Charges headlong into huge horde or orks
>Dies
>Somehow still able to use him, and he hasn't been replaced
Guys, I think I found a bug...

>Venice
>first game of Medieval 2
>Get killy, conquer most of Italy
>Nobody likes my cardinal
>Decide to assassinate the Pope
>Send assassin, 10% chance
"Haha, let's try it anyway."
>Video shows sneaky man sneaking into room all sneaky-like
>Releases a snake
>Snake slithers into bed
>*hiss* *bite*
>Sneaky man slinks away
"Haha oh wow I succeeded!"
>Yell to my friend that I just assassinated the Pope
>My cardinal is not elected
>Train many assassins, become reliably able to assassinate the Pope
>Do this around 6 or more times
>Cardinal still doesn't get elected
>Invade Rome
>Cardinal still doesn't get elected

>>16585936
One time I assassinated one of my own cardinals who had just been appointed pope, simply because I could.

Then I had one of my other two dozen priests replace her.

>>16586005
>her

>>16586033
That wasn't a typo.

In the game your agents can get traits. A random one for priests is a trait that describes them as actually being disguised as a man.

>>16586005
>>16586033

yep it happens

my cardinal elector who became pope was secretly a woman

>>16586087

Meh, it was alright. The skirmish part of it sucked so I just auto-fought everything. Best way to win a battle was to swamp your enemy in troops. Or pay them off.

Speaking of which, would it be possible to 'stack' units? Even if it's only companies for V1.0, I'd like that.

>>16585233
>pre-industrial
>average temp -23 degrees (for gods sake i hope fahrenheit)
>population: 700000000

ok so a pre-industrial planet is able to support a population of 700000000 (much higher than earth population now) with such a low temperature meaning that almost no possibility of arable land?

I think you might need to add in a way to make the planet generator not so random. Like put an upper limit on on population based on technological level and climate. also pre-industrial is unlikely to have a single government so perhaps make any pre-industrial tech level planet have certain required government types

off the top of my head i can think of "scattered tribal nations" (lowest of tech levels.)

"monarchical nations" "city-states"

recognize that at a pre-industrial level globalization is an impossibility meaning that a long lasting world government is probably also an impossibility.

tl;dr your planet generator could do with a touch of logic based on certain parameters.

>>16586167
skirmish was one of the best parts...

allowing your archers to unleash hot fiery death on the enemy as they try to probe for weaknesses

Aligning your infantry in such a way that they can envelope the enemy as soon as they attack your main military body (like the battle at marathon.)

then swinging your cavalry to behave as your hammer as you crash into the rear of the enemy watching them fall left and right.

its great

>>16586235
I've just been converting the dark heresy planet generator. If you get any more weird reports, please send me the data at my email. I can add more logical parameters based on these kinds of things

>>16586056
>>16586056

>>16586288

Obviously we appreciate different aspects of the game, then. I much preferred the strategy angle of it, positioning the troops in the right provinces to attack or defend, rather than the tactical battles fought. I think I'd prefer Chapter Master to be more strategic than tactical, tbh.

Hey guys. Left you an introductory message at the posted email.

>>16586235
uhh

7 hundred million is much much less than 6.5 billion.

how the fuck do you think that 700 000 000 is more than 6 500 000 000?

as for pre industrial times. in 1800 (definitively PRE INDUSTRIAL), the worlds population was 1 000 000 000.

though the planet is fucking cold, i hope they have plenty of green houses because how does life persist in such numbers. unless there's tons of fucking fantastic land near the equator in a thin belt of habitable land. (earths average T is 15C despite most human places being much warmer on average.)

>>16586329
>Obviously we appreciate different aspects of the game, then. I much preferred the strategy angle of it, positioning the troops in the right provinces to attack or defend, rather than the tactical battles fought. I think I'd prefer Chapter Master to be more strategic than tactical, tbh.
I much preferred throwing dead cows at the Spaniards to remind them what swine they are.

>>16586370

I haven't lol'd like that for ages. Thankyou anon.

>>16586329
skirmishes were a large part of the tactical aspect. It's all about minimizing personal losses while maximizing enemy losses.

I once used a single unit of mailed knights (by turn three or four) to route an entire rebel army of 350 or so all because i chose my targets carefully in skirmish (and the fact that the enemy had squishy non-spear units like axemen and archers with only two units of spearmen.)

I had been scouting with the knights and couldn't retreat away from the enemy blob the battle allowed me to capture a rebel village with little resistance (only a garrison of spearmen.)

that is why the skirmish is so important to the game. Skirmishes make strategies work. (I know that my anecdote was a chance occurrence of the enemy attacking on that turn but i'm just trying to say that using skirmish has serious advantages.)

>>16586380

1800 was early industrial. Really only apparent in England, but it was there.

>>16586391

That's fair enough, anon. I appreciate it was a big part of the game and it was very useful. I just happened to be useless at directing troops outside of "ATTACK THEM!" and "RUN AWAY!"

Umm, down to the company level? Codex marine chapters have 1000 SMs in 5 chapters of 200...While I know that you don't want it to be down to the individual unit level, this setup really only has you making decisions for five different groups...

>>16586457

On the off chance you're not a troll - It's ten companies, nominally of one hundred, each. Not five of two hundred apiece.

>>16586406
splitting hairs and unimportant since somehow i doubt 300 000 000 people or about 1/3 of the population suddenly sprung up just because england started to be somewhat more industrilized.

the point was that populations of that magnitude are VERY believable especially in a pre-industrialized world.

>>16586391
Mate, your C2 levels are a little off there. The way you describe it, your skirmish is strategic level (choosing whether to send skirmishers out). The tactical level is how the skirmishers actually go about fighting the skirmish.

Really, if you want to talk about the various levels of combat, most chapter masters in the fluff work at the theater level or higher and often drop all the way down to the tactical level when they want to play too.

Trying to capture this in a game would definitely be a challenge, because as Chapter Master, you've got to deal with the politics of the various 40k factions (including those of your recruitment worlds), decide where, with whom, and how to fight -- which then has you dealing with the political factions in your own chapter, having to manage resources (especially the number of Marines you have versus those in the pipeline), and then RTS elements when you yourself are taking part in actions.

>>16586435
If you want to get a decent picture of how at least the US Army is organized, go and download a copy of the Ranger Handbook. It shouldn't be too terribly difficult to find. It talks about the various Operational divisions, how they relate to each other and goes a good deal into how to actually plan an operation.

>>16586235
You miscounted the zeroes. That's a tenth of Earth's current population.

>>16586380
It could be there's equatorial crevices and outside of those there's little atmosphere, like the Hork-Bajir (sp?) planet from Animorphs. The atmospheric pressure doesn't really reflect that because it's pressure at sea level, and the sea is in the crevasse.

>>16586742
or perhaps a salty ocean stays liquid and has massive fish reserves, (possibly also heated via geo thermal, so while the surface is freezing the oceans are teeming with life and the planet relies of fishing for sustenance.

>>16586765
That makes more sense considering water coverage. Potentially there's still a think layer of ice covering the ocean, but the people who live there have dug out their homes into the snow, and fish through holes in the lowest rooms.

You have to apply a degree of creativity to some of these. But that's what makes it fun, IMO. You can really paint a good picture of the kind of world that it is

>>16586808
The problem is, the game would want those details but as-is can't come up with them itself. We can add potential conditionals (if preindustrial and low temp and high population, use this explanation) but it can't do that stuff by itself.

>>16586829
Not yet it can't.

>>16586845
Computers are not capable of exhibiting the creativity exhibited by /tg/, not matter how good a coder you are.

>>16586808
Full agree Mansfield. I'm fine with planets that force you to come up with wacky scifi ideas.

>>16586924
because in the end those are the most realistic planets.

because for every planet we DO know and can easily imagine there's probably ten more that are unlike anything we've seen before.

in our own system we have rocky bodies with nitrogen volcanos, moons that are crumbling apart, moons that have been shattered and reformed, entire atmospheres and water cycles except with methane instead of water. and volcanic hell holes that are constantly errupting.

not to mention a strange rocky planet with a moon several times larger than expected that just so happens to support life.

i have fun making sense of the randomly generated or the made up.

>>16569493
>coordinate a huge list of email
That's part of my day job, and I would embrace doing something like to help this project. Send me an email if you need admin/coordination help. I'm also willing to assist in the writing process, but I'm not really feeling the creative jolt tonight.

>Playing custom Chapter, just some late Founding Ultra successor
>Out in the Eastern Fringe, responsible for about half a sector
>Just rimward of the frontier is a chain of Ork held worlds
>Also a solar system isolated by heavy Warp turbulence which drops seemingly randomly
>Said system's a Chaos reaver heaven, they either know when the storms will fade or control when they do
>Have to constantly task Librarium to cast the Tarot and watch the tides of the Empyrean
>On top of all this, Craftworld Elkaeron drifting around
>Don't give me much trouble, and small enough I can call in some favors and pull the Invaders 2: Electric Boogaloo
>One day, Ordo Xenos Inquisitor shows up, asks for assistance in securing artifacts from a dead world
>Managed to keep a Waagh from forming about three turns ago, reavers are quiet lately
>surewhynot.jpeg
>Dispatch three squads from 5th company
>They report back four turns later at half strength and accompanied by a Hereticus Inquisitor
>the FUCK happened?
>turns out Xenos Inquisitor had gone rogue, working with/for the Eldar
>Hereticus boy shows up while the drop site is being secured and accuses Xenos dude of heresy
>Long series of arguments, counter-accusations and evidence
>Suddenly Eldar, Eldar everywhere
>Hereticus and my brothers take this as a pretty blatant admission of guilt
>Start shooting EVERYTHING
>Manage to kill traitor Inquisitor and secure the artifacts before bugging out
>Hereticus Inquisitor thanks me, proceeds to be pretty bro, pledges his support to the Chapter
>He proceeds to take artifacts with him to an Inquisitorial space station
>everythingwentbetterthanexpected.jpeg

>>16587234
>Few turns later, start getting reports of Elkaeron sightings all over the damn place
>Tarot indicates enemy force arising, start to prep for Eldar retaliation
>Twenty turns after Xenos Inquisitor first showed up, inbound Warp signature detected
>My body is ready, Eldar scum
>Fleet breaks into realspace
>WAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGHHHHHH DA ORKS!!!!!!!!
>ohshit.jpg
>Fuckers had managed to hide a Waaagh brewing deeper in the rim from us and dropped it right into our hime system
>Have to recall entire Chapter to deal with it
>Get distress call from Inquisition base: Eldar attacking in force to reclaim the artifacts
>End up sitting with my entire Chapter in my home system, trying desperately to stem the Green Tide, while the fucking "just-as-planned" pointy ears proceed to troll their way through our territory

Fucking Eldar, man.

Pastebin of some writing work on victory/defeat messages after battles.

I'll check this later for replies to this; let me know if you want more.

http://pastebin.com/CwmLm7bJ

>>16586981
Just a random idea: why not make a website for coordination of all of this stuff. Someone could pony up the 10 bucks to reg it for a year, then stick it on a free host with php support (or if someone has room to host with their site), install phpboard and phplist and it'd make managing everything so much simplier and give a central place to keep everything without having to worry about making sure something stays in archives...

>>16587412
Have done.
tgchaptermaster.freeforums.org/

Potential Vanilla Marines color scheme I suggested earlier in the IRC. Thoughts?
The orange kneepad would vary by company color, but not sure about that. Could just put it neutral like the rest of the suit.

>>16587801
I was more referring to using an actual hosting service mainly so you could use phplist, which makes a breeze of managing email lists. Someone like 100freehosting.com...the board scripts are usually one click installs, and getting phplist installed is pretty easy as well.

Google+'s meeting spaces also make organization easier.

Still rolling with my Night Wardens chapter
>Crusadan'
>Purgin'
>Buildan'
>Head Chaplain becomes Chapter Master ending power vacuum in chapter

>Crusade fleets beyond His Light keep having navigation and morale problems
>Set up joint project between Librarium, navigators & mechanicus to build beacons
>Set aside Librarians and Tech Marines for each beacon
>Count them as members of mechanicus and astronomicon not part of the chapter
>Keep training more Chaplains. Assign one to each world beyond His Light we conquer to help missionaries
>Massive rep bounses to Ecclesiarchy and Mechanicus exporators
>Ask for support from =][= and the black ships to help supply psykers for beacons
>=][= suspicious. Assigns permanent presence to each planned beacon world

>>16588630
>8th Company Chaplain has slain a traitor!
>8th Company sgt is acting supicious
>8th Company Chaplain has slain a traitor!
>8th Company Chaplain is wounded
>Recall company to homeworld, find they've suffered morale loss being beyond His Light too long
>Recall 4th company ASAP, assign more Chaplains to 4th, 5th, 8th, & 9th
>4th company Brother is acting suspicious
>Chaplains have slain a Traitor!
>This is getting out of hand
>Dump resources into beacon project. Modify Battle Barges to help carry new beacons to be deployed
>We now Carry The Emperor's Light!
>Chapter morale restored!
>Battle Brothers from 4th Company have comitted suicide!
>All showed signs of gene-seed corruption!
>=][= investigates for corruption, chaos or otherwise
>FUUUUUUCK!
>Realise corrupted brothers killed themselves to spare chapter from harm
>Manly tears
>Chaplains preach about sacrificial death for any showing signs of corruption
>create position of 'pyrrhic brother' assault Marine for those corrupted, armed with weakest armor and melta bombs
>Your chapter now harbours a dark secret!

>>16588646
>Black Templars getting pissed so many of my companies have been sitting on their asses
>Reconsecration of Terminator armor taking forever, give to head Chalpain of each company
>New psychic Beacon active
>=][= fail to find signs of lasting corruption. Still very suspicious of me

>Everything back to normal
>Black Templar rep slowly recovering
>Company rotation, forget I have Librarians attached to 2nd Company
>Black Templars pissed I deployed with librarians, massive rep loss, stop supplying me with arms
>Mechanicus establishes manufactorum on glassed continent
>sub-Sector population passes 3 billion
>Rep with IG still skyrocketings due to recieving 5 times their tithe requirements
>5th & 9th conquering worlds like crazy in area beyond His Light now that beacons are in place
>Corruption problems linger

>=][= tips off Segmentum to reclassify all my chapter worlds as civilized
>Tithe tripples. Still sending more than demanded. U MAD Inquisition?

>Warp storms have cut off chapter worlds from Imperium
>6th company cut off, joins Eternal Crusade alongside Templars
>7th company cut off, joins fleet of Imperial Fists

>>16588670
>Still able to travel into space beyond Emperor's light
>Finish rebuilding 1st, start building new 6th & 7th company
>Warp storm hasnt ended after 1 century, crusading like mad beyond His Light
>Often joined on crusade by Sector IG and Sisters
>Bitchslap small Eldar fleet. Accidentally take one of their maiden worlds
>Lose most of 2nd and 5th company when they retake it
>Sign non-agression pact, dont have the navy to fight them right now
>Minor rep loss with ecclisiarchy after preventing them from attacking Eldar Maiden world

>Keep getting more 'Pyrrhic Brothers' due to Gene-seed corruption
>Make sure corrupted lines are purged one way or another
>Recruiting 4 times the number of initiates of normal chapter to make up for losses and corruption
>Rate of Gene-seed corruption worsening, calculated to reach unsustainable levels in 1500 years

>>16588683
>Now occupying 2 sectors beyond His Light
>Make contact with Explorators, find possible alternate route around warp storms
>Deploy new psychic beacon in attempts to navigate warp storm corridor
>Ork WAAAGH! hits all sectors beyond His Light
>Creation of 11th & 12th Companies to help hold back Ork incursion
>No Ultras to argue Codex with
>Deploy all companies fighting Orks
>IG and Sisterhood helping still isnt enough
>5th company wiped out in distraction while Eldar kill off Warboss
>spend 50 years cleaning up sectors trashed by Orks

>Storm corridor blocked by Eldar Corsairs
>Outfit 2nd Company as fleet based with newly built battlebarge and escorts
>Sector navy distracts corsairs long enough for 2nd Company to get past
>20 years later they make contact with Imperium

Current plan is to track down the 6th and 7th and see if I can nail down what's causing the gene-seed corruption before it's too late. Wondering how the mechanicus would view this problem or if they'd simply blab to the Inquisition.

As far as GUIs go, this is how I would lay it out.
Based around a cross for easy up,down,left,right access.
Middle screen is current objective, styled similar to a holithics table, could display virtually anything as a basic overview

Top screen is a current event viewer, like an area map displaying current deployments

Bottom screen could be a galaxy/sector map, showing locations of fleets and worlds

Left could display the Resource manager, allowing for deployment, management and aquisition of resources as well as faction reputation and anything else needed

Right could display dialogue, be it messages to inquisition, bartering with traders or conversing with forgeworlds.

My only concern is that this design may not be complex enough for your liking
Pic very related, simple mockup using google images and a touch of GIMP.

Also looking to help as much as I can, as unskilled as I am. hit me up on steam: XianiX. nothing too big though, I'm finding my free time dwindling away as it is. Can do simple art, simple writing or most other things that aren't coding.

Looking forward to the game!

>>16589207
Sorry, forgot to mention that each box is a different screen accessed by the arrow controls

>>16589207

Um...This looks a little cumbersome to me.

How about this:

The standard screen is the Star Map. You click on a world to select it, and you can check the stats.

Tabs at the bottom open other windows:

Chapter's Resources
Messages
Ongoing Events
Log

And so on.

>>16589281
MoO style then? Pretty sure the idea was to start with ASCII, unless sufficient manpower is acquired.

>>16589779
It is starting with ascii, but GUI has been on the 'if-this-gets-past-1.0' list from the start, and at this point we have enough manpower and enthusiasm that we feel we'll get there, so we're working on background images and the like so that when we get there, we'll already have resources we can put into use.

bump!

any chance of a project status update dev?

>>16589207

Damn, is that actually how the game is going to look? That's nice.

>>16592097

No, its not. We do not have graphics support yet, or have even started development of graphics.

>>16591736

Nothing much to report. I have crafted a few soundloops for possible use and several other IRC guys have been headbutting over stuff like game mechanics for days.

Have no fear, we ARE getting shit done. And for only one week of team effort, we're a LOT further than I though we'd be.

We're hoping to have 1.0 out by New Years.

>>16592292
>1.0
Not that I'm a master of version numbering, but shouldn't it be more like 0.1?

>>16592330
So long as they're consistent I guess it wouldn't matter. And they can always pretend it was actually version 0.0.1.0 when more finished versions come out...

>>16592330
>>16592364

1.0 implies first working version that shows off the basics of what the game will be.

>>16592534
No, 1.0 implies it's complete.

>>16592552
You're assuming that everyone subscribes to the same version control standards.

From the talk of pixelart-based graphics from the IRC, I've mocked up something to see how the style might be approached. I'll post more as I make it

Is there any design cohesion to this at all? It seems like a clusterfuck of people not really relating and things getting done, but getting done independently of one another with no real potential for unification. Do you have an engine even started yet?

>>16594051

Chapter Master dev coordinator as his name states is the head of this project. We discuss the project on IRC and our forum. The project is only entering its 2nd week of production and we already are getting shit done!. Give us some time.

>>16594051
You don't see it because it's all going on behind the board, in a private forum. Coordinating on 4chan is a mess.

>>16594909
I've been to the forum, bro. It's a mess there too.

>Imperial Fists successor chapter
>build defenses and train forces all day erry day
>stick to codex. don't want to be buttraped by ultras and inq.
>We have received a distress call from the Alhubra System!
>send a small recon force to investigate
>We have identified the enemy!
>The enemy consists of Iron Warriors Chaos Space Marines!
>Estimated strength: Major Invasion Force
>draw together almost all my forces and send then there.
>We have engaged the enemy!
>Our squads are taking losses!
>turns until reinforcements arrive: 3
>dammit. at this rate i'll lose my recon force before my reinforcements arrive.
>call on Imperial Fists for support
>they can't be arsed to come all the way to me
>looks like i'm on my own...
>two turns in
>Relief Fleet 5-7 has been lost to the warp!
>fuckfuckfuckfuck
>still have some squads planetside
>construct bunkers to weather the storm of iron warriors
>some more turns in and i have only one squad left planetside
>they will probably be wiped next turn
>Incoming Transmission: the Black Templars wishes to aid you in the struggle for Alhubra. Do you accept? [Y/N]
>press Yes with the force of a thousand suns
>Templars join me planetside
>they take a beating also.
>Incoming Transmission: We have reestablished contact with relief Fleet 5-7!
>my fleet jumps out in close proximity to the planet i'm fighting on
>dump troops like a mofo
>complete droppod assault on Iron Warriors command central together with a total bumrush of my own and Black Templar forces.
>add to the carnage by lancing fortified positions from orbit
>We have won the day!
>everythingwentbetterthanexpected.jpg

Black Templars can be brotier too.

Gonna bump the hell out of this.

>>16593247
What does FLE stand for?

>>16593247
Thanks for assembling my stuff into something a bit prettier.
>Though the Librarian pad still needs work.

>>16595235
For one week in, we're doing damn well, actually. There's been at least one solid evening of discussion on most of the main features in the IRC already, which is groundwork enough to narrow in on problems and points of debate.

>>16596564
What begins with FLE, is crucial to Space Marines, and might be symbolized by a pair of wings against a black background?

This is a sanctioned Imperial bump, enacted as per Lex Imperialis Volume IV Code 34ba334 section III.
Be advised, civilian interference will not be tolerated. Any caught interfering will be detained on suspicion of colluding with alien powers or rebel cults.

>random event: Two of your brother marines are arguing about whether the Codex Astartes requires chem-gelding. The military doctrine seems to implicitly encourage it, but chem gelding is not directly referenced.
Fuck guys what do I do? I can institute mandatory chapter-wide chemgelding or say it's encouraged or say that it's not required. I think it's not required, but I've had the Ultramarines breathing down my neck for 20 turns. What does chem-gelding do to my guys?

>>16596638
If he knew he wouldn't have fucking asked now would he?

>>16597530
>Begins with FLE
That's the big hint. As opposed to abbreviated to FLE in some unknown way.

Right then. We've passed autosage. Shall a new thread be made? If so I suggest the next one be made with a lot less of the text up front, both to conserve posts and to avoid the tl;dr.

more bumpage

>>16600047
Links to the previous post and the suptg archives would help a lot. That way we can also tell newfags to just RTFM.

bumperino

>>16600282
>>16602275
Hey. Bros.
>>16600047
>We've passed autosage.

Oh, there's a new thread now:
>>16602630