My questions about the T3D binary version
by Bradyhawke · in Torque 3D Beginner · 12/12/2009 (1:05 am) · 3 replies
Hello GG and all forum members...
I’ve been an avid “lurker” in these forums as well as quite a few other forums over the years while I spent my spare time working out the game ideas banging around my skull. Just the other day I happened to see the thread about the release of T3D (binary) and the pricing of $100.00 until the end of the month. I’ve decided that I am planning on purchasing the binary version, but I have a few questions that I hope some of you will be willing / able to answer them here. I did spend some time looking through the forums, but I figure if I take the time out to describe exactly what I'm planning on doing with the binary version (and eventually, upgrading), then those who know will tell me if I'm all good or not.
A quick background:
I've been working on designing original artwork and learning 3D animation, rigging (currently working with Blender) for the better part of two years now (real life just keeps getting in the way while sitting on that “which game engine to use” fence). On top of that, the various places of my employment over the past decade have had me working with C++, Visual Basic, SQL, building workstations & servers as well as setting up networks and routers. On the hobby end, I enjoy writing. Nothing published yet, but I am working on changing that – as well as sacrificing a random goat or two increase my publishing chances. Also, I’ve been researching, writing and planning my approach / outline / design document to the game I wish to design. The short version of my plan is to create a (MMO)RPG against a story I've been working on for a while now.
When I first started planning, I pretty much was going at it solo. But over the past few years, I’ve been able to “enslave” two friends and a nephew by “convincing” them with cold beer and pizza and a trip to Vegas for my nephew’s 18th birthday (do NOT tell my sister…). I feel that we have a decent crew of artists and programmers to start out with, and so we are currently designing original character & creature artwork. By no means are we expecting to knock this out in short order; it's more of a hobby / learning experience for all of us, and we are more than happy to take our time to make the models, animation and textures look good. I feel I'm at the point now of having a 90% or better outline / design document that will be the blueprint for us to follow. Since I'm the primary programmer, scripter and “piggy bank” in our clan, I get to make the decisions on what software platforms & game engines to use (hooray for me!), as well as building the servers we will be using for everything.
I still feel I have quite a bit to plan out, but my most immediate goal would be to start creating a game world where we can place our characters & creatures and work out animations as well as testing out logging in, networking, account settings, game environment ideas, game textures, and any number of the 400,000 other items I could spend the next week detailing.
So, here come the questions...
1. If I purchase T3D (binary) for myself, am I allowed to let others use it / try it out as long as they are doing so on the workstation that it is loaded on (one PC, but 3 people will access it while working on the game)?
2. Will I be allowed to purchase 2-3 copies of T3D (binary) but have them installed onto different PC's at different locations (1 @ my home, 1 @ my nephew's home, 1 @ my friend's home)? Or will each of these individuals need to purchase it for themselves?
3. If I am allowed to purchase these multiple copies myself for other people to use, would I be able to change who would be allowed to use them – say I “fire” my nephew and then “hire” a co-worker; will I be able to remove my nephew’s access / use of T3D and then set it up for a different person?
4. If we are all working from 3 different locations on 3 separate T3D (binaries), will we be able to work on and share the same project files? Or will one of us (Me more than likely) need to have the full version so as to allow others with the binary version to access and work on the same project?
5. After reading the thread that detailed the release of T3D (binary), I've seen different statements as to whether a combat system can or cannot be implemented within the binary version – Will I be able to design a basic version of a game WITHOUT a combat, trade skill, trade or auction system? (After reading through the thread, it looks like the binary version is great for the artists, but I'm curious if a decent “walk-through” or Alpha / Beta of a game could be implemented in just binary, and THEN after upgrading to T3D Pro I will be able to code or script in the needed systems.)
6. I’ve also seen different opinions as to whether or not owners of T3D (binary) will be able to use any part of the world editors. I just wanted clarification as to whether or not I will be able to use all of the world editors detailed in the T3D product description – I want to make sure I’ll be able to design the terrain, place water, sky, environment changes (rain, snow, etc), create roads and trails – as well as placement of objects (buildings, carts, etc), placement of NPC’s, creatures, implement a GUI for players, program or script logins and account setups (I could just go on and on…).
That’s all for the questions. Sorry if this was a bit lengthy, my wife accuses me of being a bit windy at times. I’ll just say thank you now in advance and check back in a few days, long weekend ahead, and I’m hoping my Saints do a little better this weekend…
- Bradyhawke
I’ve been an avid “lurker” in these forums as well as quite a few other forums over the years while I spent my spare time working out the game ideas banging around my skull. Just the other day I happened to see the thread about the release of T3D (binary) and the pricing of $100.00 until the end of the month. I’ve decided that I am planning on purchasing the binary version, but I have a few questions that I hope some of you will be willing / able to answer them here. I did spend some time looking through the forums, but I figure if I take the time out to describe exactly what I'm planning on doing with the binary version (and eventually, upgrading), then those who know will tell me if I'm all good or not.
A quick background:
I've been working on designing original artwork and learning 3D animation, rigging (currently working with Blender) for the better part of two years now (real life just keeps getting in the way while sitting on that “which game engine to use” fence). On top of that, the various places of my employment over the past decade have had me working with C++, Visual Basic, SQL, building workstations & servers as well as setting up networks and routers. On the hobby end, I enjoy writing. Nothing published yet, but I am working on changing that – as well as sacrificing a random goat or two increase my publishing chances. Also, I’ve been researching, writing and planning my approach / outline / design document to the game I wish to design. The short version of my plan is to create a (MMO)RPG against a story I've been working on for a while now.
When I first started planning, I pretty much was going at it solo. But over the past few years, I’ve been able to “enslave” two friends and a nephew by “convincing” them with cold beer and pizza and a trip to Vegas for my nephew’s 18th birthday (do NOT tell my sister…). I feel that we have a decent crew of artists and programmers to start out with, and so we are currently designing original character & creature artwork. By no means are we expecting to knock this out in short order; it's more of a hobby / learning experience for all of us, and we are more than happy to take our time to make the models, animation and textures look good. I feel I'm at the point now of having a 90% or better outline / design document that will be the blueprint for us to follow. Since I'm the primary programmer, scripter and “piggy bank” in our clan, I get to make the decisions on what software platforms & game engines to use (hooray for me!), as well as building the servers we will be using for everything.
I still feel I have quite a bit to plan out, but my most immediate goal would be to start creating a game world where we can place our characters & creatures and work out animations as well as testing out logging in, networking, account settings, game environment ideas, game textures, and any number of the 400,000 other items I could spend the next week detailing.
So, here come the questions...
1. If I purchase T3D (binary) for myself, am I allowed to let others use it / try it out as long as they are doing so on the workstation that it is loaded on (one PC, but 3 people will access it while working on the game)?
2. Will I be allowed to purchase 2-3 copies of T3D (binary) but have them installed onto different PC's at different locations (1 @ my home, 1 @ my nephew's home, 1 @ my friend's home)? Or will each of these individuals need to purchase it for themselves?
3. If I am allowed to purchase these multiple copies myself for other people to use, would I be able to change who would be allowed to use them – say I “fire” my nephew and then “hire” a co-worker; will I be able to remove my nephew’s access / use of T3D and then set it up for a different person?
4. If we are all working from 3 different locations on 3 separate T3D (binaries), will we be able to work on and share the same project files? Or will one of us (Me more than likely) need to have the full version so as to allow others with the binary version to access and work on the same project?
5. After reading the thread that detailed the release of T3D (binary), I've seen different statements as to whether a combat system can or cannot be implemented within the binary version – Will I be able to design a basic version of a game WITHOUT a combat, trade skill, trade or auction system? (After reading through the thread, it looks like the binary version is great for the artists, but I'm curious if a decent “walk-through” or Alpha / Beta of a game could be implemented in just binary, and THEN after upgrading to T3D Pro I will be able to code or script in the needed systems.)
6. I’ve also seen different opinions as to whether or not owners of T3D (binary) will be able to use any part of the world editors. I just wanted clarification as to whether or not I will be able to use all of the world editors detailed in the T3D product description – I want to make sure I’ll be able to design the terrain, place water, sky, environment changes (rain, snow, etc), create roads and trails – as well as placement of objects (buildings, carts, etc), placement of NPC’s, creatures, implement a GUI for players, program or script logins and account setups (I could just go on and on…).
That’s all for the questions. Sorry if this was a bit lengthy, my wife accuses me of being a bit windy at times. I’ll just say thank you now in advance and check back in a few days, long weekend ahead, and I’m hoping my Saints do a little better this weekend…
- Bradyhawke
#2
2: 1 product per account, unless you buy the studio version. (If you make a new account everytime, this is possible)
3: Studio again =)
4: Merging can be done, but it is very annoying, and a little time consuming. My advice would be to do it once every week or so, or all work on different modules then combine them together.
5: Almost anything is possible. Skill trees and inventories can be done, and a melee system to a degree can be done.
6: Yes you can do all of that, except maybe the online login system.
I think your best bet would be to have your best programmer buy the $1000 pro T3D and the rest buy binary, and he can code all the things you need while you guys work the toolsets.
EDIT: DAMN! Ronny, you beat me D:
12/12/2009 (1:49 am)
1: No, that would be under the studio license I believe.2: 1 product per account, unless you buy the studio version. (If you make a new account everytime, this is possible)
3: Studio again =)
4: Merging can be done, but it is very annoying, and a little time consuming. My advice would be to do it once every week or so, or all work on different modules then combine them together.
5: Almost anything is possible. Skill trees and inventories can be done, and a melee system to a degree can be done.
6: Yes you can do all of that, except maybe the online login system.
I think your best bet would be to have your best programmer buy the $1000 pro T3D and the rest buy binary, and he can code all the things you need while you guys work the toolsets.
EDIT: DAMN! Ronny, you beat me D:
#3
12/12/2009 (1:53 am)
Yes, but together our information is something more. It's a Voltron of information. 
Torque 3D Owner Ronny Bangsund
Torque Cheerleaders
Each user must have their own version of T3D, purchased on their own account. You can of course share output (projects, scripts) with other T3D owners. To get floating licences, you are looking at more than $1000 per seat for the studio version. T3D Pro and cheaper is locked forever to one named individual.
Ted would suggest you read his MMO thread. Go do it now. Done? OK, now my suggestion is to aim lower ;)
#5:
If you still want to do that, you will need a source version eventually. There are some sub-systems you simply can't do in a secure or efficient manner without source, but you can probably build a prototype, login-less multiplayer world. In N years, when you're done, you can upgrade to a source version ;)
#6:
There is no feature difference between binary and source engines. You get source and early access with Pro, but all the editors that T3D Pro owners get this way will eventually end up in a binary version once a stable release is out. T3D 1.1 with its funky construction, forest kit, wondrous audio and other cool things is still an alpha, so there are still a number of betas before you get a proper binary version 1.1 with all of it.