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.
#42
I am kinda bummed that we don't get a binary beta.
07/14/2010 (10:27 pm)
I certainly hope that means the Binary versions as well. Not all of us are C++ guys and purchased the binary, TS version. Wasn't the biggest $$ maker for GG the binary TGB for a long time? Lots of people don't recode parts of the engine.I am kinda bummed that we don't get a binary beta.
#43
... sudden urge for cheese sandwich ...
07/14/2010 (10:55 pm)
Henry, kinda difficult to call a stack and report code bugs with a binary ... which is the purpose of a beta - to test and report it's failings.... sudden urge for cheese sandwich ...
#44
07/15/2010 (2:47 am)
Yea but we have the guys who are primarily scripters finding stuff that the others do not. It was like that on the iTGB beta, I can do the C++ just prefer not to unless I have to ;)
#45
07/23/2010 (3:28 am)
Should we accept to get this out in this month? or atleast in 1st - 2nd week of August??? 
#46
07/23/2010 (4:08 am)
I doubt they will commit to a specific date...soon is probably all you will get. However, I have to say i am pretty darn happy with the state of the new engine, and am glad for the changes, i cannot wait to see how this continues to evolve. I have tried UDK, and without source sometimes it is hard to see exactly HOW things are supposed to work so I end up kind of lost, glad now I dumped UDK! 
#47
07/23/2010 (7:25 pm)
I will be happy if they fix bugs that have plagued T3D since before the 1.0.1 release so we can start finding new bugs instead of fighting through the old ones 
#48
The overextension of GarageGames never ceases to amaze me.
07/24/2010 (8:00 pm)
Can I just say how epically lame it is to keep seeing blogs about TX and iTorque releases while we still have a horribly buggy, unstable, and undocumented T3D?The overextension of GarageGames never ceases to amaze me.
#49
I am reading this as a 'good news' blog in that regards... means T3D has stepped up in the QA queue. At least, this is the impression I get from reading the progress blogs. Since the QA process is so new (and so needed) they can't run all products through at the same time.
I am totally with your sentiment of frustration, though. I feel like I have been in a holding pattern for quite a while with a lot of aspect of development that have been addressed in this next release; physics, shaders, etc ... and the transparency on the next t3d release is not nearly what I had hoped it would be.
I still have faith that this will all turn out for the best, just seems to be a big fat nasty clog in the drain they are trying to work through. They definitely underestimated the Drain-o needed to address that problem and have stated that in several posts.
To be here as long as you have, there HAS to be a bit of optimism left, no? I have quite a bit, but have definitely wore off a couple layers of enamel watching the progress and trying to create a development schedule around it.
Pixologic's Zbrush has been the true test in frustration at missed deadlines. They've pushed minor releases back two years with near total silence on their forums. Of course, each release of Zbrush is staggeringly transformative to the industry and it is immediately apparent why it took so long.
I'm sure (hoping) T3D will be the same way.
07/24/2010 (9:17 pm)
@Jon D:I am reading this as a 'good news' blog in that regards... means T3D has stepped up in the QA queue. At least, this is the impression I get from reading the progress blogs. Since the QA process is so new (and so needed) they can't run all products through at the same time.
I am totally with your sentiment of frustration, though. I feel like I have been in a holding pattern for quite a while with a lot of aspect of development that have been addressed in this next release; physics, shaders, etc ... and the transparency on the next t3d release is not nearly what I had hoped it would be.
I still have faith that this will all turn out for the best, just seems to be a big fat nasty clog in the drain they are trying to work through. They definitely underestimated the Drain-o needed to address that problem and have stated that in several posts.
To be here as long as you have, there HAS to be a bit of optimism left, no? I have quite a bit, but have definitely wore off a couple layers of enamel watching the progress and trying to create a development schedule around it.
Pixologic's Zbrush has been the true test in frustration at missed deadlines. They've pushed minor releases back two years with near total silence on their forums. Of course, each release of Zbrush is staggeringly transformative to the industry and it is immediately apparent why it took so long.
I'm sure (hoping) T3D will be the same way.
#50
If T3D ends up being a wash, I still have a Leadwerks license. Supposedly they have something truly revolutionary coming out in 2.4 for lighting that no other engine has ever done.
07/25/2010 (3:34 am)
@Jameson - I'm not quite sure how much optimism I would way I have left...I think desparation would seem more accurate. ;)If T3D ends up being a wash, I still have a Leadwerks license. Supposedly they have something truly revolutionary coming out in 2.4 for lighting that no other engine has ever done.
#51
And is that unknown lighting feature what you need to get your game done?
07/25/2010 (1:28 pm)
Quote:If T3D ends up being a wash, I still have a Leadwerks license. Supposedly they have something truly revolutionary coming out in 2.4 for lighting that no other engine has ever done.
And is that unknown lighting feature what you need to get your game done?
#52
No, but a stable and documented engine is.
07/25/2010 (4:50 pm)
Quote:And is that unknown lighting feature what you need to get your game done?
No, but a stable and documented engine is.
#53
Alas, it will be documented and will probably have the best stability ever, but don't lynch people if you find a bug. It still is a beta.
You guys sure have the mood set for a good afternoon lynching.. just don't headbang the wall before its out, okay?
07/25/2010 (9:33 pm)
AFAIK we're waiting for Beta 2.Alas, it will be documented and will probably have the best stability ever, but don't lynch people if you find a bug. It still is a beta.
You guys sure have the mood set for a good afternoon lynching.. just don't headbang the wall before its out, okay?
#54
TorquePowered do not need to tell us everything that is going on. But is a weekend update of progress all that difficult? It is truly nice to know where things are in regards to products one is patiently as possible waiting for.
It is not what TorquePowered have done that is forcing me to seek products and loyalty expectations elsewhere, but what they continue to SAY they will do, and then never follow up on.
TorquePowered do not position themselves anything close to what a multimillionaire dollar company should be acting, or for any matter anything close to what i consider professional courtesy. If TorquePowered were a contractor or employee I would have dropped them long ago.
07/25/2010 (10:28 pm)
I am well beyond and even bored with the idea of a good TorquePowered afternoon lynching.Quote: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.
TorquePowered do not need to tell us everything that is going on. But is a weekend update of progress all that difficult? It is truly nice to know where things are in regards to products one is patiently as possible waiting for.
It is not what TorquePowered have done that is forcing me to seek products and loyalty expectations elsewhere, but what they continue to SAY they will do, and then never follow up on.
TorquePowered do not position themselves anything close to what a multimillionaire dollar company should be acting, or for any matter anything close to what i consider professional courtesy. If TorquePowered were a contractor or employee I would have dropped them long ago.
#55
Look, I get it! Really. No need to explain further. And I am getting sick of it, honestly.
I am convinced that you are bitter, and this bitterness is just totally biasing your perspective right now. You might disagree, but I really don't want to know about it if you excuse me.
Can you not wait another few days? Can you be just a little more supportive? Oh, right, you can't because you paid for it...
Just wait for the release, please!
07/25/2010 (10:50 pm)
Ah dammit, I've read that post already. I've read it about 50 times just within this thread.Look, I get it! Really. No need to explain further. And I am getting sick of it, honestly.
I am convinced that you are bitter, and this bitterness is just totally biasing your perspective right now. You might disagree, but I really don't want to know about it if you excuse me.
Can you not wait another few days? Can you be just a little more supportive? Oh, right, you can't because you paid for it...
Just wait for the release, please!
#56
I agree, this rhetoric is getting so very old, repetitively over and over, every so often like clockwork.
If only there was some small thing TorquePowered could do to put a stop to it all!
Do not blame the customers for voicing how upset they are.
EDIT: Im not bitter, im just voicing my opinions about how professionals should behave.
07/25/2010 (11:07 pm)
Oh I am sorry, i did not know you were having such a bad day. Excuse me for expecting better from a once loved product. And I am waiting, patiently for months and months and months as so many things are said and promised. I agree, this rhetoric is getting so very old, repetitively over and over, every so often like clockwork.
If only there was some small thing TorquePowered could do to put a stop to it all!
Do not blame the customers for voicing how upset they are.
EDIT: Im not bitter, im just voicing my opinions about how professionals should behave.
#57
There are other customers here who are voicing their concerns in a more acceptable way. Then there are the customers who make games.
You don't strike me as someone who is willing to listen, so I will just drop it and let you have your fun.
07/25/2010 (11:18 pm)
Do you realize that you make things worse? I don't see being a customer a justification for this.There are other customers here who are voicing their concerns in a more acceptable way. Then there are the customers who make games.
You don't strike me as someone who is willing to listen, so I will just drop it and let you have your fun.
#58
80% of my forum activity is very Torque supportive. I also have the right to complain about the small number of things i view as TorquePowered shortcomings. I find it rather insulting when TorquePowered is blowing smoke up my assets.
EDIT: Where and when have i even acted in an unacceptable way?
07/25/2010 (11:28 pm)
I have the power to make TorquePowered activity subjects worse? I did not know that! 80% of my forum activity is very Torque supportive. I also have the right to complain about the small number of things i view as TorquePowered shortcomings. I find it rather insulting when TorquePowered is blowing smoke up my assets.
EDIT: Where and when have i even acted in an unacceptable way?
#59
07/25/2010 (11:37 pm)
I understand perfectly well the need to request better docs and to report bugs- and even to vent a bit when things get to us, but the current level of whining from certain members of the community is ridiculous...
#60
Your an Associate, who have access to Forum #45. You already have a good idea of what is going on behind the scenes.
I have consistently been advocating the value of critical thinking along the lines of such debate, yet you wish to lump me together with 'the current level of whining from certain members'? I do not think many Associates take the time to comprehend what exactly some whining members of the community are actually whining about. They seem way to preoccupied being supper good fan boy supporters of a product line that have glaring faults.
07/25/2010 (11:53 pm)
Yes of course. Your an Associate, who have access to Forum #45. You already have a good idea of what is going on behind the scenes.
I have consistently been advocating the value of critical thinking along the lines of such debate, yet you wish to lump me together with 'the current level of whining from certain members'? I do not think many Associates take the time to comprehend what exactly some whining members of the community are actually whining about. They seem way to preoccupied being supper good fan boy supporters of a product line that have glaring faults.
Torque Owner Andy Rollins
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