Torque 3D Status - 6/30/2010
by Matt Fairfax · in Torque 3D Professional · 06/30/2010 (9:42 pm) · 96 replies
Hey all,
In an effort to improve communication with the Torque 3D community I am going to start posting regular updates on the current status of Torque 3D.
As part of these updates, I plan to offer some rough estimates of when to expect upcoming releases. These estimates will not be perfect and they will change, sometimes with little warning. They should not be considered a "promise" and they will be wrong at times.
We are now at the end of June and, unfortunately, things are taking a little longer than we anticipated and it is now highly unlikely that Torque 3D 1.1 Final will be released in July.
We have had a number of our other products reach releasable states all at the same time and it is taking some time to get them all through the proper amount of QA and out the door.
We have been progressing nicely on bugfixing Torque 3D 1.1 Beta 2 but it needs some more thorough focus from QA before it will be ready for release.
Disclaimer: All timeframes in this thread are estimates and should not be considered final
In an effort to improve communication with the Torque 3D community I am going to start posting regular updates on the current status of Torque 3D.
As part of these updates, I plan to offer some rough estimates of when to expect upcoming releases. These estimates will not be perfect and they will change, sometimes with little warning. They should not be considered a "promise" and they will be wrong at times.
Where are we?
At the beginning of June, Eric posted this update where he stated that we expected to release Torque 3D 1.1 Final in July.We are now at the end of June and, unfortunately, things are taking a little longer than we anticipated and it is now highly unlikely that Torque 3D 1.1 Final will be released in July.
We have had a number of our other products reach releasable states all at the same time and it is taking some time to get them all through the proper amount of QA and out the door.
We have been progressing nicely on bugfixing Torque 3D 1.1 Beta 2 but it needs some more thorough focus from QA before it will be ready for release.
When is it coming?
At this point we expect Torque 3D 1.1 Beta 2 to ship in late July after iT2D 1.4 and Torque X 3.1.5 have shipped. We think that we will be able to ship Torque 3D 1.1 Final fairly quickly after Beta 2 goes out but that will depend a bit on what the results of the Beta are.Disclaimer: All timeframes in this thread are estimates and should not be considered final
About the author
I am a Game Designer at PopCap who has worked on PvZ Adventures, PvZ2, Peggle Blast, and Bejeweled Skies. I am an ex-GarageGames employee who helped ship TGE, TGEA, Torque 3D, and Constructor.
#62
I had (and am still in quandary about) no idea that "fan boy" was insulting. Sorry for my ignorant understanding of what a "fan boy" is.
My involvement in this days worth of activity on this thread was directly related to what Jon D had said. I was doing nothing more then pointing out the logical conclusion what Jon D had reached about seeking other game engine choices, and why his statements have merit in such regards.
I did not expect to have debate expressing my right to HAVE such opinions .
I also just returned from a week in the Seattle area, where I was hoping to spend a few days at CASUAL CONNECT (some of the scheduled 'talks' sounded very intriguing- but walk in registration was non existent.), but because of lack of pre-registration and other details, was a disappointment. But what actually fueled my discouragement was the total lacking progress update were were said to expect about T3D sometime last week. I am sure I recall reading about 'someone' saying they were making a post very soon, and that was some time ago, with no update. It only takes a minute to type out a line of text.
07/26/2010 (12:34 am)
I have utmost respect for 99.9% of the Torque community, especially for the intelligence and wisdom the Torque Associates exhibit continually during forum communications. I had (and am still in quandary about) no idea that "fan boy" was insulting. Sorry for my ignorant understanding of what a "fan boy" is.
My involvement in this days worth of activity on this thread was directly related to what Jon D had said. I was doing nothing more then pointing out the logical conclusion what Jon D had reached about seeking other game engine choices, and why his statements have merit in such regards.
I did not expect to have debate expressing my right to HAVE such opinions .
I also just returned from a week in the Seattle area, where I was hoping to spend a few days at CASUAL CONNECT (some of the scheduled 'talks' sounded very intriguing- but walk in registration was non existent.), but because of lack of pre-registration and other details, was a disappointment. But what actually fueled my discouragement was the total lacking progress update were were said to expect about T3D sometime last week. I am sure I recall reading about 'someone' saying they were making a post very soon, and that was some time ago, with no update. It only takes a minute to type out a line of text.
#63
Who's debating your "right" to have an opinion? Have I said you don't have the "right" to complain? Did I say you shouldn't even think anything negative of T3D?
Please point that out, and I'll find a hat to eat. If not, I can FedEx one to you.
Sure- look, I'm not offended by it, because it doesn't apply to me, but I thought it would be helpful to point out what I pointed out about the associates that I know, and the context surrounding the words indicated you at least were assigning the meaning.
And if you have an axe to grind with the progress of T3D, then by all means grind it- but for the love of all that is green and good in this world, be constructive about it. There is so much talk about "I'm going to leave" or "There are better things in engine OMGWTFBBQ"- but they don't leave, they just cry. There's plenty of constructive criticism on the site and even in this thread, and then there's a small, loud, group that basically want to obtain plenty of company for their misery.
And before you get twisted on that, I'm not lumping you into that group either, nor am I saying that they don't have a "right"- it's just that I have a "right" as well :p
07/26/2010 (1:27 am)
Quote:I did not expect to have debate expressing my right to HAVE such opinions.
Who's debating your "right" to have an opinion? Have I said you don't have the "right" to complain? Did I say you shouldn't even think anything negative of T3D?
Please point that out, and I'll find a hat to eat. If not, I can FedEx one to you.
Quote:I had (and am still in quandary about) no idea that "fan boy" was insulting. Sorry for my ignorant understanding of what a "fan boy" is.
Sure- look, I'm not offended by it, because it doesn't apply to me, but I thought it would be helpful to point out what I pointed out about the associates that I know, and the context surrounding the words indicated you at least were assigning the meaning.
And if you have an axe to grind with the progress of T3D, then by all means grind it- but for the love of all that is green and good in this world, be constructive about it. There is so much talk about "I'm going to leave" or "There are better things in engine OMGWTFBBQ"- but they don't leave, they just cry. There's plenty of constructive criticism on the site and even in this thread, and then there's a small, loud, group that basically want to obtain plenty of company for their misery.
And before you get twisted on that, I'm not lumping you into that group either, nor am I saying that they don't have a "right"- it's just that I have a "right" as well :p
#64
any chance your "regular updates on the current status of Torque 3D" could be set for near the first of each month ? (actually meaning: around the same time)
I think that it would be great to have a certain time each month..it may even help boost sales if people see that they get regular info on progress. A short blog for this would be fabulous.
Example:
"Hey Guys, T3D is XYZ and ABC is 123. Thanks, <3 MattF"
Any chance of this or perhaps too difficult to add to your timeframing ?
07/26/2010 (2:12 am)
Hey MattF, any chance your "regular updates on the current status of Torque 3D" could be set for near the first of each month ? (actually meaning: around the same time)
I think that it would be great to have a certain time each month..it may even help boost sales if people see that they get regular info on progress. A short blog for this would be fabulous.
Example:
"Hey Guys, T3D is XYZ and ABC is 123. Thanks, <3 MattF"
Any chance of this or perhaps too difficult to add to your timeframing ?
#65
My only complaint is against Torque as a company. I'm sure all of the employees are very intelligent people and very capable. I do think they are making MANY business mistakes. Supporting too many products would be at the top of the list. My recommendation to them would be to get TorqueX and Torque 2D in a stable condition and not touch either for a year or two. This would allow them to focus most of their resources on what I hope is their flagship product, Torque3D.
07/26/2010 (2:19 am)
I don't see any reason to get personal with each other guys. My only complaint is against Torque as a company. I'm sure all of the employees are very intelligent people and very capable. I do think they are making MANY business mistakes. Supporting too many products would be at the top of the list. My recommendation to them would be to get TorqueX and Torque 2D in a stable condition and not touch either for a year or two. This would allow them to focus most of their resources on what I hope is their flagship product, Torque3D.
#66
Almost every single discussion such as this topic are directly related to some simple and small logical fallacies manifested directly from defensive posturing. No intent is necessary to turn discussion into pointless argument over useless details, other then prejudices relating to what details are actually arguably pointless.
07/26/2010 (2:42 am)
This is why i persist in my opinion about the so very few who bother to fully comprehend the value of previously stated communication in the first place. A tremendous amount of forum thread reply have so very little content that is pertinent to what was actually previously stated. It is at times painfully obvious when two individuals are communicating about totally separate subjects, and often times emotional invested opinions begin to be upheld with scientifically unprovable faith. Almost every single discussion such as this topic are directly related to some simple and small logical fallacies manifested directly from defensive posturing. No intent is necessary to turn discussion into pointless argument over useless details, other then prejudices relating to what details are actually arguably pointless.
#67
T3D
iTorque
Torque X 3D
Torque X 2D
As for the back and forth here...I've been getting lots of complaints regarding individuals who are being perceived by the community as uselessly complaining. Personally, I see it as a challenge for us as a company to overcome and satiate the complaints. The fact that they are still here, shows me they still have some faith…otherwise they would leave. I'm still listening to all complaints...constructive or other.
I think we are doing things as honestly and efficiently as possible to answer as many of the questions we get while still maintaining our daily focus ( If we spend 20 hours a week on the forums we won’t move forward any faster ). Having said that, the more constructive the criticism, the more efficient we can be in addressing and working on your concerns. Thanks.
@Jon - We've stated several times in the forums that we agree with your acessment of having too broad of a focus ( heck, I have an e-mail that I wrote to Josh W. about 5 years ago on the same topic ). It's been a big part of many conversations and strategies since I started in January. It took us a long time to have such a wide focus and it's going to take some time to narrow it -but it is happening. Reducing QA work of the feature developers was step 1. I can tell you that we are several months into other initiatives to work towards that goal as well.
07/26/2010 (3:02 am)
@EB - We promised monthly updates and the project managers agreed to do them. This thread is last month's update. It's been 25 days since the last update and I just got my monthly reminder today. Here are the links from last month for all the products:T3D
iTorque
Torque X 3D
Torque X 2D
As for the back and forth here...I've been getting lots of complaints regarding individuals who are being perceived by the community as uselessly complaining. Personally, I see it as a challenge for us as a company to overcome and satiate the complaints. The fact that they are still here, shows me they still have some faith…otherwise they would leave. I'm still listening to all complaints...constructive or other.
I think we are doing things as honestly and efficiently as possible to answer as many of the questions we get while still maintaining our daily focus ( If we spend 20 hours a week on the forums we won’t move forward any faster ). Having said that, the more constructive the criticism, the more efficient we can be in addressing and working on your concerns. Thanks.
@Jon - We've stated several times in the forums that we agree with your acessment of having too broad of a focus ( heck, I have an e-mail that I wrote to Josh W. about 5 years ago on the same topic ). It's been a big part of many conversations and strategies since I started in January. It took us a long time to have such a wide focus and it's going to take some time to narrow it -but it is happening. Reducing QA work of the feature developers was step 1. I can tell you that we are several months into other initiatives to work towards that goal as well.
#68
As an example of logical fallacies, I dug up the past posts what where responsible for my expecting some new news coming last week, and both posts actually state "sometime in the next week or so". So I am happy to say i was totally wrong in thinking new news would be forthcoming any sooner then a "week or so" beings even thou a week have come to past, but not the "or so.." part of stated time.
07/26/2010 (3:35 am)
Thank you Eric. I had no idea you were with GarageGames 5 years ago. If TorquePowered spent 20 hours a week on the forums, TorquePowered may not move forward any faster, but it could preemptively solve alot of "uselessly complaining". It is obvious from the great headway TX3D have made in less then a month that TorquePowered is moving in the right forward and upward direction. As an example of logical fallacies, I dug up the past posts what where responsible for my expecting some new news coming last week, and both posts actually state "sometime in the next week or so". So I am happy to say i was totally wrong in thinking new news would be forthcoming any sooner then a "week or so" beings even thou a week have come to past, but not the "or so.." part of stated time.
#69
Good news or bad news..any news is appreciated during this point in T3D's lifespan.
07/26/2010 (3:55 am)
@Eric: Thanks for clarifying regular to mean monthly. I must've overlooked that somewhere.Good news or bad news..any news is appreciated during this point in T3D's lifespan.
#70
07/26/2010 (3:55 am)
@Caylo - I was a community member 6 years ago using TGE, TSE, and TGEA. I was an associate for another couple of years and then I became "official" a year and a half ago.
#71
07/26/2010 (4:00 am)
@EB - Yes. We decided to do monthly updates in response to Edwards Smith's post "Next T3D 1.1 release?". Matt F was out of the office last week and he gets back tomorrow so an update is due especially considering that Torque 3D was the biggest task on QA's plate last week.
#72
Im still laughing about that one, gunna remember that and be laughing every time now.
I thought Matt was out of the office the week before last week, and last week you and Michael (and the TorquePowered legal team/person) were gone all week. Of course such details should have no relativity to product updates and expectations as such.
07/26/2010 (4:17 am)
complaints about all the complainingIm still laughing about that one, gunna remember that and be laughing every time now.
I thought Matt was out of the office the week before last week, and last week you and Michael (and the TorquePowered legal team/person) were gone all week. Of course such details should have no relativity to product updates and expectations as such.
#73
07/26/2010 (4:22 am)
@Caylo - trust me, we hear it all ( and listen ).
#74
It will likely take me a couple of days to catch up on things but I will post an update as soon as I feel like I can give accurate and useful information.
07/26/2010 (6:12 am)
I was out of the office some the week before last and gone all of last week. I'm back and will be at work bright and early tomorrow =)It will likely take me a couple of days to catch up on things but I will post an update as soon as I feel like I can give accurate and useful information.
#75
07/26/2010 (7:48 pm)
Sound like FAIL on getting it out in July to me. We should prolly start a pool the way this is going.
#76
Sounds like good news to me. Besides the fact TorquePowered mentioned the next beta would be out late July, we still have near a week left.
07/26/2010 (8:00 pm)
Quote:considering that Torque 3D was the biggest task on QA's plate last week
Sounds like good news to me. Besides the fact TorquePowered mentioned the next beta would be out late July, we still have near a week left.
#77
07/26/2010 (11:23 pm)
@James - I hope you're wrong and TorquePowered stays true to their word. 
#78
I'd say they've pretty much covered their bases on true to their word ...
07/26/2010 (11:53 pm)
Quote:
These estimates will not be perfect and they will change, sometimes with little warning. They should not be considered a "promise" and they will be wrong at times
...
... stated that we expected to release Torque 3D 1.1 Final in July.
...
... it is now highly unlikely that Torque 3D 1.1 Final will be released in July.
...
Disclaimer: All timeframes in this thread are estimates and should not be considered final
I'd say they've pretty much covered their bases on true to their word ...
#79
Edit:// in no way does my "heh" consitute a real "heh" or any form of laughing. It also does, in no way not do that as well. + :P
07/27/2010 (4:36 am)
hehEdit:// in no way does my "heh" consitute a real "heh" or any form of laughing. It also does, in no way not do that as well. + :P
#80
07/27/2010 (6:42 pm)
Well July was an estimate so matters not if it's a week or so later than expected --- that's the nature of project planning and estimates 
Torque 3D Owner Ted Southard
As for being a fan boy... I really don't see associates falling into that category, and the Torque guys probably know me enough that if they had wanted to surround themselves with ass-kissers (and if you take a look at how they're responding to the whining on the forums, then they evidently don't), I'd probably not be a good candidate.
What my associate's status has given me is a recognition of things that they feel I've done well, as well as the ability to chill with them in the booth at GDC (which I and other non-associates do anyway), during which time I discuss the engine with them, as well as my concerns/wants. That gets done in a professional manner- which doesn't involve things like calling people "fan boy".