Development Milestones?
by Ray Gebhardt · in Torque Game Builder · 03/08/2005 (7:10 am) · 15 replies
I was just curious if there is some sort of document that outlines what features / bug fixes are planned for future releases of T2D. The reason for wanting such a document, is there are a few features that I have considered implementing. The thing is, I don't want to implement them if the features are going to be added in a month (my current project has a scope of approximately three months, so I don't need everything working 100% off the bat).
Even if there isn't an actual milestone document, it would be nice to have a document that gives us a bit of an idea about what features are going to be implement, and in what order. For example a document that has a list of features / bug fixes, and a comment on the priority of each specific item. Any kind of documentation like that would make it much easier to manage my project schedule.
Even if there isn't an actual milestone document, it would be nice to have a document that gives us a bit of an idea about what features are going to be implement, and in what order. For example a document that has a list of features / bug fixes, and a comment on the priority of each specific item. Any kind of documentation like that would make it much easier to manage my project schedule.
#2
:)
03/08/2005 (8:21 am)
True, but then again we don't want to try and shackle Melv down by the leg to any dates and make him feel pressured... cause hes a programmer, he'll chew his own leg off and escape!:)
#3
03/08/2005 (8:26 am)
Well I didn't mean anything too serious. It would just be nice to have a little list, with the priority of each items. Then I will have a better idea what I might as well just code now, and possibly give back to the community when I am finished it.
#4
03/08/2005 (8:32 am)
I hope you don't take my previous comment the wrong way, just some dry programmer humor (I'm one too), I agree, would be nice to just see a priority list even if not completion dates :) As long as we can keep it from adding any additional pressure. 
#5
Why ? You could wait for ever for the next thing you need, and never ship :)
03/08/2005 (8:34 am)
My advice : roadmap or not, do not ever plan a game's development according to a third party's development schedule, future expectations, etc., even if it's the core of the tech you're using. Why ? You could wait for ever for the next thing you need, and never ship :)
#6
just a few exceptions, maybe with network code (especially considering you will need to wait for that for full multiplayer games)... but great advice, should work with what you have and remember you can add things yourself too... or do script workarounds
03/08/2005 (8:40 am)
Good advice :)...just a few exceptions, maybe with network code (especially considering you will need to wait for that for full multiplayer games)... but great advice, should work with what you have and remember you can add things yourself too... or do script workarounds
#7
03/08/2005 (8:46 am)
Like this? www.garagegames.com/projectmanager/module.php?qc=4159&qs=8&qst=15&qmo=28&qsb=1&q...
#8
@Nicolas: I agree with your point in the general sense. I just meant that there are certain features and bug fixes that I need to be implemented in order to ship. There are a few features that would start working on now, if I knew that they were most likely not going to be worked on for a long time. On the other hand, if the feature is mostly likely going to be added soon, I would probably just let it slide for the moment. Then when I get close to my ship date, if the feature hasn't been added, I can just implement it myself.
03/08/2005 (8:58 am)
@Randy: Something like that would be perfect!@Nicolas: I agree with your point in the general sense. I just meant that there are certain features and bug fixes that I need to be implemented in order to ship. There are a few features that would start working on now, if I knew that they were most likely not going to be worked on for a long time. On the other hand, if the feature is mostly likely going to be added soon, I would probably just let it slide for the moment. Then when I get close to my ship date, if the feature hasn't been added, I can just implement it myself.
#9
We will likely not be publishing an official milestone list. But Melv and I will let you guys know less officially here on the forums what we're working on and what the plans are. The main reason we can't talk about official milestones is because we are working on some very big, very secret stuff in the works (sorry to be so mysterious) ... so, basically, the milestone list would look like would be literred with "*SECRET WORK*" every other line. :)
But we may put out something more official / readable on the pieces we can talk about right now. As far as bugs go... we pretty much try to squash them right when they come up, as you see already here on the forums.
Anyway, expect a more complete post when I return from GDC, thanks for the patience!
03/08/2005 (2:34 pm)
Hey guys, I'm at GDC right now, and haven't had a chance to reply to the forums.We will likely not be publishing an official milestone list. But Melv and I will let you guys know less officially here on the forums what we're working on and what the plans are. The main reason we can't talk about official milestones is because we are working on some very big, very secret stuff in the works (sorry to be so mysterious) ... so, basically, the milestone list would look like would be literred with "*SECRET WORK*" every other line. :)
But we may put out something more official / readable on the pieces we can talk about right now. As far as bugs go... we pretty much try to squash them right when they come up, as you see already here on the forums.
Anyway, expect a more complete post when I return from GDC, thanks for the patience!
#10
Which of these two statements are the most annoying:
Knowing there is a secret.
or
Not knowing what the secret is about.
Man, you guys sure know how to keep us in suspense :)
03/08/2005 (2:41 pm)
Everytime a GG employee starts talking about future secret stuff one question always pops into my head;Which of these two statements are the most annoying:
Knowing there is a secret.
or
Not knowing what the secret is about.
Man, you guys sure know how to keep us in suspense :)
#11
03/08/2005 (2:54 pm)
@Josh: No big deal I guess. I definitely understand the "Secret Work" idea.
#12
03/09/2005 (2:06 am)
Jorgen, I couldn't agree with you more. I've actually been looking for GDC news everywhere else just to know what THOSE secrets are. 
#13
Think about the here and now and go write some cool games.
As always, I'll continue to fix bugs and listen to advice/suggestions (and there's been lots great stuff already). If I don't sound too enthusiastic about something then it may be because it conflicts with or is already in this secret stuff. ;)
As Early Adopters, you'll definately know first what's happening and will more than likely guess as the updates come out. :)
There has been little to no T2D marketting yet. That's yet to come so expect lots of T2D info floating about the ether soon.
- Melv.
03/09/2005 (3:36 am)
I cannot elaborate and putting myself in your shoes I can understand how it feels. In the meantime though, don't forget, you're the first people to get T2D so by the time you see this secret stuff, you'll be veterans whereas others will just be starting. That gives you a huge advantage in getting key, niche products out.Think about the here and now and go write some cool games.
As always, I'll continue to fix bugs and listen to advice/suggestions (and there's been lots great stuff already). If I don't sound too enthusiastic about something then it may be because it conflicts with or is already in this secret stuff. ;)
As Early Adopters, you'll definately know first what's happening and will more than likely guess as the updates come out. :)
There has been little to no T2D marketting yet. That's yet to come so expect lots of T2D info floating about the ether soon.
- Melv.
#14
I feel that the progress I made already is close to unbelievable, I can actually see my original idea turning into a playable game...
It's truly amazing....
But then again, you hear that about T2D all the time I guess.. :)
Anyway, thanks for your commitment Melv.
03/09/2005 (10:08 am)
@Melv: thats ok, I just feel like a little kid the night before christmas.I feel that the progress I made already is close to unbelievable, I can actually see my original idea turning into a playable game...
It's truly amazing....
But then again, you hear that about T2D all the time I guess.. :)
Anyway, thanks for your commitment Melv.
Torque Owner Matt Van Gorkom