iTorque 2D 1.4.1 And Beyond
by Michael Perry · in iTorque 2D · 11/12/2010 (2:50 pm) · 96 replies
Greetings everyone,
No doubt you have seen the news. InstantAction is winding down operations and all the employees have been sent home. Torque's future is uncertain right now. It all comes down to finding an investor or new owner. You are probably wondering what that means for your current technology and license.
I can speak directly for iTorque 2D since I've been managing it for a while. We have been putting in effort into the 1.4.1 build, trying not to rush things. We were setting our own expectations pretty high for polish and stability. We would eradicate five bugs, then find two more. A release could not go out with those two bugs, so the cycle would reset. You all have been invaluable in this process, as your feedback has driven this product for a while now.
They have already confiscated my Apple hardware, which means I cannot do any testing unless I find someone with the hardware locally. I might be able to post fixes blindly, in the hopes I can get quick feedback from everyone.
It's not all bad news, though. Before I was locked out of e-mail and our internal SVN repository, I managed to pull down 1.4.1 on my home machine. I have also talked to Sven at Luma, who has a slew of amazing bug fixes and new features to add to the build. What we are going to do is try and get one more build up into your accounts, giving you a safe download link to obtain the software. 1.4.1 would be under the EULA, so that would also extend your usage.
If it is not possible to get it into your accounts, which there is a chance of happening, then I will formulate a plan B with Sven and Eric. The fat lady has not completely sung for Torque, but I'm thinking short term for my plans.
After 1.4.1? Well, I do not know my friends. We will see what happens to Torque first. I may move completely in a new direction. Without Apple hardware, I do not think I would be of any use to you anymore. I guess we'll see.
On a completely separate subject, our IRC channel is still running:
server: irc.maxgaming.net
channel: garagegames
If you want more info on iTorque, including behind the scenes stuff, I will be there.
No doubt you have seen the news. InstantAction is winding down operations and all the employees have been sent home. Torque's future is uncertain right now. It all comes down to finding an investor or new owner. You are probably wondering what that means for your current technology and license.
I can speak directly for iTorque 2D since I've been managing it for a while. We have been putting in effort into the 1.4.1 build, trying not to rush things. We were setting our own expectations pretty high for polish and stability. We would eradicate five bugs, then find two more. A release could not go out with those two bugs, so the cycle would reset. You all have been invaluable in this process, as your feedback has driven this product for a while now.
They have already confiscated my Apple hardware, which means I cannot do any testing unless I find someone with the hardware locally. I might be able to post fixes blindly, in the hopes I can get quick feedback from everyone.
It's not all bad news, though. Before I was locked out of e-mail and our internal SVN repository, I managed to pull down 1.4.1 on my home machine. I have also talked to Sven at Luma, who has a slew of amazing bug fixes and new features to add to the build. What we are going to do is try and get one more build up into your accounts, giving you a safe download link to obtain the software. 1.4.1 would be under the EULA, so that would also extend your usage.
If it is not possible to get it into your accounts, which there is a chance of happening, then I will formulate a plan B with Sven and Eric. The fat lady has not completely sung for Torque, but I'm thinking short term for my plans.
After 1.4.1? Well, I do not know my friends. We will see what happens to Torque first. I may move completely in a new direction. Without Apple hardware, I do not think I would be of any use to you anymore. I guess we'll see.
On a completely separate subject, our IRC channel is still running:
server: irc.maxgaming.net
channel: garagegames
If you want more info on iTorque, including behind the scenes stuff, I will be there.
About the author
Programmer.
#2
11/12/2010 (5:48 pm)
Sir, you are a true patriot :salute: 
#3
11/12/2010 (5:55 pm)
ya i kind of wanted to know if you guys could do the same thing with T3D try to release what you guys have been working on your out of a job already but might as well try to give us some of the stuff you been working on for the next update or even further then that. :P 
#4
11/12/2010 (6:05 pm)
Thanks for thinking of us, in the difficult time. You guys have done some awesome work with iT2D. Thanks. 
#5
I have a macbook pro and an i5 new 27inch imac at my apartment you can use to work on it if you want.
:)
11/12/2010 (6:52 pm)
Hey Mitch,I have a macbook pro and an i5 new 27inch imac at my apartment you can use to work on it if you want.
:)
#6
11/12/2010 (6:58 pm)
I might have to take you up on that offer in the short term. 
#8
11/12/2010 (8:27 pm)
Thanks Michael for thinking about the community and having the foresight to pull down the latest code. I wish you well in whatever new paths you may seek to tread. 
#9
11/12/2010 (8:46 pm)
Thank you Mich! You rock! 
#10
11/12/2010 (9:59 pm)
This rocks, thanks again Michael. When you guys get purchased this is what will should be the flagship product.
#11
11/13/2010 (12:36 am)
You rock Mitch! 
#12
I'm mid-way through development of my iPad game so I'd greatly benefit from the last few iT2D bug-fixes. If there's some way you and Sven can get those to us that would be great.
11/13/2010 (3:02 am)
Thanks Mich for all your hard work over the years - I know what it's like to get laid off and locked out of the office (Funcom Dublin, 2001 for me). It's a scary but exciting time as you figure out what you're going to do next, so I really appreciate that you're still thinking about the Torque users.I'm mid-way through development of my iPad game so I'd greatly benefit from the last few iT2D bug-fixes. If there's some way you and Sven can get those to us that would be great.
#14
11/13/2010 (4:03 am)
Thanks! This is just purely dedication.
#15
11/14/2010 (4:00 am)
The dedication you're giving to the community is indescribable. Thanks! 
#16
11/14/2010 (4:44 am)
Thanks Mich! I am totally blown away by the news, saddened for your loss, and for ours as the community. But the effort you are making to get 1.4.1 out to us is so amazing. Many of us are really counting on it and have staked our futures on it, so to have you make that effort really touches me! Thanks again! You were always there for us, and even now. Amazing! 
#17
11/14/2010 (5:45 am)
Amazing dedication, Mich!
#18
Here's an update on the plan:
1. Hardware - I will probably meet up with Anthony a few times to do some testing. It may not be extensive, but at the very least I can test for compliance and proper compiling.
2. Sven - I had a talk with Sven to get more details about what he has been working on. I leave it totally up to him on how he wants to release the new code. He can roll it into my work, post it independently, or work on a special deal with Torque before the doors close. I can say that his list of changes and features knocked my socks off.
3. Time frame - This is sticky. Torque's future is still up in the air, so I have to make sure I'm winding down my current obligations while also tracking potential job leads. I've had my few days off, which I desperately needed. However, I can only "relax" for a couple of days before I start to go stir crazy. I plan on pulling full work days starting tomorrow. I'd like to get iT2D 1.4.1 out the door before 12/1, which is when I'm officially unemployed.
4. Distribution - I will be taking to Eric tomorrow about how iT2D 1.4.1 can be distributed. See if we can get it up into official account downloads. That's my first choice. After that, who knows.
11/14/2010 (3:39 pm)
Thanks for the support everyone! =)Here's an update on the plan:
1. Hardware - I will probably meet up with Anthony a few times to do some testing. It may not be extensive, but at the very least I can test for compliance and proper compiling.
2. Sven - I had a talk with Sven to get more details about what he has been working on. I leave it totally up to him on how he wants to release the new code. He can roll it into my work, post it independently, or work on a special deal with Torque before the doors close. I can say that his list of changes and features knocked my socks off.
3. Time frame - This is sticky. Torque's future is still up in the air, so I have to make sure I'm winding down my current obligations while also tracking potential job leads. I've had my few days off, which I desperately needed. However, I can only "relax" for a couple of days before I start to go stir crazy. I plan on pulling full work days starting tomorrow. I'd like to get iT2D 1.4.1 out the door before 12/1, which is when I'm officially unemployed.
4. Distribution - I will be taking to Eric tomorrow about how iT2D 1.4.1 can be distributed. See if we can get it up into official account downloads. That's my first choice. After that, who knows.
#19
And thank you for your efforts and Sven's to get a 1.4.1 update out - that means alot to us who were trying to get out a game.
11/14/2010 (6:27 pm)
Michael you have been a tremendous asset to this entire community. You will be missed - let us know where you land.And thank you for your efforts and Sven's to get a 1.4.1 update out - that means alot to us who were trying to get out a game.
#20
11/14/2010 (8:22 pm)
Excellent stuff, Mich & Sven. 
Torque 3D Owner Glen "ThaBonadingus" Reece