Good news, Camper just showed me yesterday the latest build of KA 0.1 pre-release, it now contains nearly everything required for 0.1 public release: you get exp for killing other players and level up, through new levels your attributes automatically incrase, your attributes determine your speed/ammo usage/etc., when you die you don't lose your exp/levels, and all 8 weapons are implemented for the 4 initial characters (well a couple of them he replaced with something else for the moment), all 5 types of ammo are displayed with numbers in the HUD. He's fixing some smaller things, but await an internal beta release real soon. Here is what we need for the public release: - Korax Arena title screen/logo - new HUD (or at least a bit modified to accomodate the 3 new ammo types and remove useless things like artifact display and the segments of weapon 4) - new textures, the kind of self-advertizing as in some UT maps where you walk around in the map and you see on the walls big posters about UT, about matches, about some of the players etc. - title music and level musics if possible Only gameplay mode in 0.1 is deathmatch. I wanted to release it with two maps only, Ancient Arena and Codex LE, but Codex LE is crashing all the time (DarkRaven and Janis, could you look into this?). Camper loves Moose's Ice Cave map, so it'll be included in the initial release as well. Unless I forgot something, that's all that's needed for the 0.1 public release (and of course a lot of testing). Janis, for later releases we'll absolutely need a comprehensible conversion process for Heretic maps, this time in a different way, i.e. including the original Heretic textures and not replacing them with Hexen ones. Could you make yourself some thoughts about this? Any Heretic graphics used in those maps we'll have to add to the arena wadfile, but that shouldn't be a prob.

Hey these are cool news, I hope we can work more on this to make at least an internal release!! I can start working a bit on the new HUD and maybe try to make some of the textures you mention, as for the tittle screen/logo it can take some time to make, but I can think on anything with Mago (and maybe we could try to make it together <!-- s:wink: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt=":wink:" title="Wink" /><!-- s:wink: --> ) and your timing is somewhat right, because I will be having vacations in 2 weeks so I will be able to work a bit more on this stuff and maybe upload it by the end of the month (but you can's trust me <!-- s:roll: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_rolleyes.gif" alt=":roll:" title="Rolling Eyes" /><!-- s:roll: --> ) .

AFAIR Codex map worked fine for me. What's the error message? As of conversion - we'll see when I'll get to this. There shouldn't be any problems with his though.

I've carefully checked everything in Codex...... there has been no error or mistake , RambOrc <!-- s:? --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_confused.gif" alt=":?" title="Confused" /><!-- s:? -->

I can hardly wait... <!-- s:twisted: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_twisted.gif" alt=":twisted:" title="Twisted Evil" /><!-- s:twisted: --> <!-- s:mrgreen: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_mrgreen.gif" alt=":mrgreen:" title="Mr. Green" /><!-- s:mrgreen: --> I've got several new songs on the way, and will put them in the FTP sometime this weekend. Also, the possible themes are still in there, and whichever one we use I have no problem with.

Well it works for me aswell, so I don't know what your problem is due to.

OK I've finished some new tunes and they're now in my Koraxdev folder. Personally I would use Wutzitr.mid (the file in my folder, not the original Hexen song <!-- s:wink: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt=":wink:" title="Wink" /><!-- s:wink: --> ) for Ancient Arena and maybe HellKeep.mid for Codex LE, or vice versa whichever ones work better. Then again, there are still a few others in the folder as well, and every one is available.

Well, well, well. I uploaded a version in my directory under the name: korax_arena_01_beta.zip. The vavoom version v115_2 is recommenced, because CodexLE works for me only with that version. Instructions: Unzip the file into your vavoom directory and look at the vlaunch.jpg Notes: The Heretic class doesn't have a usefull #5 weapon, suggestions are welcome. In multiplayer he also flashes the mage and the fighter outlook. Looks strange, but will be fixed.

OK I'll translate into English what Camper means: 1) He's got a prob with "weapons" that aren't, that includes the Berserker ability of the Fighter, the Heal ability of the Cleric and the Morph Ovum of the Heretic. 2) The Heretic multiplayer character has got half as many frames as the Hexen multplayer characters, what Camper wants is that one of the art guys creates the missing ones.

Well that makes more sense. I take it he also didn't mean korax_arena_01_beta.zip because it's got data missing and wont open.

I'm gonna upload it again. forgot "bin ....."

It would be a huge investiment, but the Heretic elf deserves a totally new sprite. I don't know if I have the power to do what I think, but you can expect AT LEAST an improved (more frames) version of the original sprite.

Very Good work! It seems that the heretic guy is working nice, but I have some questions regarding the stat numbers, what are all the numbers that appear in the screen?? There are some red numbers in the upper part of the screen and there are a lot of numbers into the status bar, as I recall with my low memory there is blue mana, green mana, red mana, but what else?? I remember something like a weapon that uses discs of repulsion?? or something like it?? If you could please tell me about the status bar I could have it finished soon (actually red mana is ready, you will have to mess a bit with the coordinates for the numbers though but... <!-- s:wink: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt=":wink:" title="Wink" /><!-- s:wink: --> ).

Red numbers: experience level, current experience and experience required for next level. They are not "final". fourth is blast mana. fifth is flechette mana. The heretic guy's sprite would have to be named like PLHRxx

I can't seem to get it to work. <!-- s:( --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_sad.gif" alt=":(" title="Sad" /><!-- s:( --> Maybe I'm not using it right; how do you open it? <!-- s:oops: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_redface.gif" alt=":oops:" title="Embarassed" /><!-- s:oops: -->

OK I have uploaded an small pic of the new statbar I have made if you like it we can consider it as a "final stage" but if you need me to add/take out something please comment it. I will make the Heretic player sprites and rename them into a new wad file in some time. I think that moving the numbers into the code may not be very difficult for you Camper, anyway, if you need me to move something please tell me so I can keep it up. Here's the pic of the statbar: [img:1psofg1j]http://koraxdev.korax-heritage.com/firebrand/statbar2.bmp[/img:1psofg1j]

Regarding your question 4th Class, there's a ZIP file that has the files into the "korax_arena/XXX" directory, extract that file to your vavoom directory with the directory structure ON, then extract the other ZIP file to the same directory you Vavoom EXE is into, then follow the VLauch.jpg picture and fill the spaces EXACTLY as they appear into it, good luck!! <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D -->

4th Class: the korax_arena_040328.zip is not required. It only contains the source code. Firebrand: Moving the number isn't a problem, but where to with 4 & 5?

Visually, the statbar is just perfect. <!-- s;) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" title="Wink" /><!-- s;) --> Technically, I think it should be a bit different, code-wise disc of repulsion and flechettes are weapons that use ammo like all other weapons, with a max of 200, different classes using different amounts of ammo, and ammo usage going down when leveling up. That means that I think a similarly built bar like for the other 3 ammo types would be preferable, with a small disc and a small flechette in the place where the arcane symbols are for the other mana types. That way 5 mana bars would be in a row, the disc could use yellow mana and for the flechette just pick any color you think cool (green would be the obvious choice but there is already green mana).

You could always change the color of the Flechettes to the new mana color (purple, black, etc.).

[quote="Firebrand":35k3eyyr]Regarding your question 4th Class, there's a ZIP file that has the files into the "korax_arena/XXX" directory, extract that file to your vavoom directory with the directory structure ON, then extract the other ZIP file to the same directory you Vavoom EXE is into, then follow the VLauch.jpg picture and fill the spaces EXACTLY as they appear into it, good luck!! <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D --> Tried that, but I'm only getting this error message:

PR_GlobalNumForName: global players not found
Stack trace: SV_Init < - Host_Init

Any suggestions on what might be going wrong? <!-- s:? --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_confused.gif" alt=":?" title="Confused" /><!-- s:? -->

Download the latest Vavoom version and make a clean install of it, then try to download the Arena files again. Oh yes and I hope you've got a 1.1 Hexen wadfile in the Vavoom root dir, right?

OK, modifying the bar, also, yesterday I have made the sprites for the Heretic guy, I'll upload them into a KArena.wad, merged with some new textures, the modified bar, and any other things you consider important there <!-- s:wink: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt=":wink:" title="Wink" /><!-- s:wink: --> , I have also made an "erratic" logo for Korax Arena (I like it, but it could be better <!-- s:) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" title="Smile" /><!-- s:) --> ), anyway I'll post a pic of it later...

OK, here are the pics of the modified statbar and the Korax Arena logo (remember my last post, heh! <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D --> ). [img:2kp97ljc]http://koraxdev.korax-heritage.com/firebrand/statbar3.bmp[/img:2kp97ljc] New Status Bar. [img:2kp97ljc]http://koraxdev.korax-heritage.com/firebrand/m_htic2.bmp[/img:2kp97ljc] Korax Arena "test" logo.

Hey I like the statbar a lot. <!-- s:) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" title="Smile" /><!-- s:) --> As for the logo, I don't know what to say... <!-- s:? --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_confused.gif" alt=":?" title="Confused" /><!-- s:? -->

[quote="RambOrc":3b2n6yk9]Download the latest Vavoom version and make a clean install of it, then try to download the Arena files again. Oh yes and I hope you've got a 1.1 Hexen wadfile in the Vavoom root dir, right? OK I just upgraded to v1.15.2, and KA now works just fine! <!-- s:) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" title="Smile" /><!-- s:) --> I really like it, Camper. Keep up the good work. <!-- s:) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" title="Smile" /><!-- s:) --> (PS thanks RambOrc <!-- s:wink: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt=":wink:" title="Wink" /><!-- s:wink: --> ). As for the test logo, I like the idea of the shield and the Quietus, and the translucency of the words is really cool, but IMO the actual font could be a bit more ornate. Maybe the letters could overlap each other? Just my humble opinion.

I think it'll be best to distribute KA together with the latest Vavoom version, that way we can also include a launcher config etc. Or what do you think is better, Janis? As for the logo, my problem is that the sword and shield makes the words difficult to read and at the same time the letters make it very difficult to see what the things in the background are. I think for such a small logo it'd be better to not use any overlaps.

BTW the game has been crashing a lot for me and Camper actually seemed to know what causes them and claims to have fixed them in a newer build. He also fixed some other smaller things (like with the flamethrower) and he said once he puts in the Heretic player sprites, he'll upload a next beta version.

I have been working on a new logo which I think goes better for the mod, the picture I have uploaded is made with 16 million colors which really looks cool, loading the hexen palette makes it look less cooler but I think it looks OK, again let's take this logo as a "beta" if you have any comments to it, please tell me and I will see what to do... <!-- s:wink: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt=":wink:" title="Wink" /><!-- s:wink: --> [img:1lzewm03]http://koraxdev.korax-heritage.com/firebrand/m_htic3_2.bmp[/img:1lzewm03] New Logo I have also uploaded "karena.zip" file that contains the wad file with the Heretic player sprites, the statbar graphics, the new logo, sprites for the new red mana item, some new sprites for the statbar chains of health for the heretic guy, and some other stuff. I also have some questions for Korax Arena: 1.- Will we be adding new classes besides the heretic guy? 2.- If we are, what are they? 3.- Do you have any ideas for the title pic? 4.- Could I suggest any new classes for the project?

how 'bout "bin ....."

[quote="Camper":39ywe7wj]how 'bout "bin ....." a.k.a. It doesn't work, you forgot to 'bin laden' your FTP.

1+2) Two more classes agreed upon by the majority of the team are the DOOM marine and the Witchaven hero. 3) It should display several of the classes with their weapons in a unique location I think - for the beginning, we could use an in-game screenshot I guess. Since there'll be many further releases of KA, things don't have to be in the game right from the beginning. 4) Feel free to suggest anything at any time - chances for new classes are OTOH rather low, 6 classes are quite a lot already to balance. But that shouldn't stop you from posting good ideas. <!-- s;) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" title="Wink" /><!-- s;) --> As for the new logo concept, I think it would look better if you'd remove the undertitle from the place where it is now and put it under the picture itself so that it doesn't obscure any part of it. Also, maybe it'd look better if the whole undertitle would be one line.

So, the six classes are so far: fighter, cleric, mage, Heretic, Witchaven, Doom guy? Didn't someone suggest adding a Serpent Rider (most likely D'Sparil) class a while back?

I don't even remember something like that... don't you mix it up with the Heresiarch who will be a character in a special game mode you can play? The only other character class I can remember at all that was suggested is the Assassin from Hexen II. BTW Camper tossed me a newer version of the progs, fixing some of the bugs (no Heretic player sprites yet, waiting for Firebrand to re-upload in binary format instead of ASCII). <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://koraxdev.korax-heritage.com/camper/korax_arena_01_march31_addendum.zip">http://koraxdev.korax-heritage.com/camp ... dendum.zip</a><!-- m -->

I finaly found time to play the beta (bloody coursework (well bloody lazyness)) and I can only run it with the music turned off. After today no more coursework because if it isn't done it wont be marked, oh well there goes my english and ICT GCSEs.

Dunno, it worked for me with music and sound. Hey Camper, just found a bug, I was level 5 with a Mage, I died and had my Level 5 and my EXP alright when respawning, but one of the Maulotaurs around attacked me (I'm not sure whether it was one of those I spawned myself earlier on or whether it was spawned by one of the Mage bots), anyway it killed me and when I respawned I was Level 1 once again.

Oh yeah one thing that should be coded for the 0.1 release already, the disabling of the inventory. The player shouldn't be able to pick up items, they are all instant powerups now. And I think it'd be important to see the own health, not only the kills (as it is in standard Hexen multiplayer).

The file is into the "KArena" directory into my main directory in the FTP, silly me uploaded a bad zip file and forgot to delete it, it has been there all the time but I forgot to talk about it, heh! <!-- s:roll: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_rolleyes.gif" alt=":roll:" title="Rolling Eyes" /><!-- s:roll: --> Anyway, I will work on the logo more and upload it again soon...

RambOrc, which theme number are we using, or should I make a different one ASAP?

I don't know... go on and choose one, opinions were different anyway, AFAIR there was no team consensus on this one. I mean, if people don't like it, it can be swapped against something else in 0.2. <!-- s;) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" title="Wink" /><!-- s;) -->

Good point. <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D --> Well, I think number 3 (original transport song down 1.5 tones) would be the most appropriate. It's nostalgic, it's doomy, and IMO would be best choice.

A new version, which is gonna be the public beta, is online. Changes: 29.03.2004 - experience positioning corrected 30.03.2004 - phoenixrodup full-brightness removed - phoenixrodup manausage upped && duration lowered - fix for skullrod immediatly explode exception 31.03.2004 - quartz flask is pickup and not artifact - fixed skullrod correctly && also maulotaur spell - playerspawning corrected (experience transfer) 03.04.2004 - gave heretic charater the right sprites - fixed heretic in player setup - removed artifact usage possibility - added new statbar - made artifact unpickupable - made weaponpieces to a source of mana - made crossbow weaker - fixed mageweapon 2 & 3 mixup - lose only half experience if dying - made Staff of Mage and Gauntlets of heretic do hit the Walls - fixed flamethrower fullbright problem for real now - made mystic urn worth 100 health - made krater of might worth 50 blue & green & red mana - made invulnerability & speed activate immediately

I've listened to all 4.5 pieces again and I'm for the rock song, I'd just like to hear some classic instruments (like violin) added. <!-- s;) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" title="Wink" /><!-- s;) -->

You mean the last one? That one is actually an exerpt from an old Slayer tune (the only cover in the FTP so far). Let's see how it turns out... <!-- s:) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" title="Smile" /><!-- s:) -->

I have just uploaded a new pic of the KOrax Arena logo, it is a bit bigger than the old one, but I think that we can make it fit into the screen, I actually test it into the game and the half is being covered by the menu items, I don't know if we could move them a bit down. <!-- s:? --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_confused.gif" alt=":?" title="Confused" /><!-- s:? --> The picture is here: [img:36zix38c]http://koraxdev.korax-heritage.com/firebrand/karena/m_htic3_2.bmp[/img:36zix38c]

I think the menus can be moved down, and anyway at least one of the menu items will be dropped (SP).

I have just uploaded the doom player with weapons to the FTP subdir "karena", also I have uploaded the tutorial on skyboxes.

Very good! <!-- s;) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" title="Wink" /><!-- s;) --> It seems the Marine will make it into the 0.1 public release as well, giving us a MUCH better chance at getting popular with doomers. <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D --> Oh yes Camper, that means you should already try to implement some way in 0.1 for the game to be playable with either a Heretic, a Hexen or a DOOM wad, i.e. that the game at startup checks for one of these and runs when any is present, but doesn't if none is present. Sure this means that the data used from the Hexen wadfile needs to be compiled into karena.wad too, but I don't think that's a prob. The only drawback will be that SP support breaks (at least I think).

Firebrand: The marine sounds are missing. I could put the doom sounds into the wad file, but i don't have doom2(double shotgun). Ramborc: Janis could implement it into his engine(in way of specifying multiple wadfiles as requirement in the games.txt iwad stuff).

No problem Camper, I can supply you with the sound later, Ramborc I don't get your idea very good, you mean that the game can detect any of the main IWAD's <!-- s:?: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_question.gif" alt=":?:" title="Question" /><!-- s:?: -->

Yep, the point is that KA doesn't need any wadfile any more (i.e. we'll also copy the needed Hexen artwork into karena.wad, not only the one from Heretic etc.), but to be able to remain a freely distributable mod it'll check for the existence of an original wadfile. The point is that you don't have to own Hexen to be able to play KA, it suffices if you own Heretic or DOOM.

Firebrand you don't need to extract any DOOM sounds any more, Camper had the DOOM1 wadfile and I pushed him a DOOM2 wadfile. Oh yes and the real good news, the Marine character is fully implemented into KA (resp. will be in the next hour). <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D --> Oh yes Janis, Camper's downloaded the latest Vavoom source and recompiled it, enabling the MP3 support that was built-in. You told me a year or so ago that Vavoom doesn't support MP3, so I'm somewhat confused now. Is there anything wrong with that MP3 support that you disabled it?

I don't like the way mp3 support is implemented.That's basicly all. I'm going to implement it more properly, possibly by also adding ogg support. As of wad files, if you put all needed stuff in karena wad file, it will run with any iwad file.

That's only half of what I mean - the other half is that even though technically it doesn't require any original wadfile of any game, for legal reasons it has to check for the existence of one of them (else it wouldn't be a mod any more).

OK, another thing that is missing is the heretic guy sounds, I just noticed it when speaking of sounds <!-- s:roll: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_rolleyes.gif" alt=":roll:" title="Rolling Eyes" /><!-- s:roll: --> .

I have just uploaded another karena.zip file, it has the fire death, ice death & chain sprites for the doom guy and the heretic guy, it has the missing sounds (I have just read about it now) and has the numbers for the weapons ONLY (I think those can be useful for now) I will make the weapon sprites as you describe here and upload a fixed file later. BTW these next 2 weeks are going to be a mess for me, I have to prepare for my final exams and I won't have much time to work on stuff, I think that we have enough with the release of KMOD 2.8 and KA 0.1 new test for now, anyway, you can post anything you want me to do (but you'll have to wait a bit more than usual for me to finish <!-- s:P --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_razz.gif" alt=":P" title="Razz" /><!-- s:P --> ).

Just saw them now...Excellent work, Firebrand! <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D --> I think you deserve a nice long nap. <!-- s:wink: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt=":wink:" title="Wink" /><!-- s:wink: -->

I Uploaded a new version for an internal alpha with the doom guy included. the file is named korax_arena_02_alpha.zip. Extract it into a new directory, copy the hexen.wad and hexen.gwa into that directory. Have some fun testing.

Hey! This is good news Camper! I will check it and give you some feedback later!!

It also has MP3 support, so now you can fire up some cool old-school heavy metal song, start SP, use the "gimme weapons" cheat, switch to #3 or #6 and the animal hunt can begin. <!-- s:lol: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_lol.gif" alt=":lol:" title="Laughing" /><!-- s:lol: -->

Sorry people, but how can I add bots to the map? I wanted to play against the doom guy, but how am I supposed to do to implement him in there? Still, great news, this is taking shape fast. <!-- s:) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" title="Smile" /><!-- s:) -->

Start a multiplayer game, pull down the console and type addbot botd# where # is 1-8.