A while back, you'd emailed Kevin about this site, forum and game. Anyway, what we've been trying to do, is see how we could incorporate this game into Sea Lords, for our broadband players.

Would any of you have any objections to an already developed player organization using this game, as themselves? The reason I ask this, is you are talking of setting up fleets, and we already have 9 set up, with officers, etc. We're a close knit bunch of players, and I'd hate to see that get lost in this game. In other words, would there be a problem with our fleets playing here, as themselves, even though you have plans of having a British, French and Spanish fleet already (which, of course, we have that, and 6 others ).

I'd love to hear some thoughts from you and the others developing this game, as to how we can incorporate it into our pre-existing gaming organization. Thanks!

Jennie



Re: Couple questions
Sorry for the delay -- I'm not getting notified of PMs for some reason.

We certainly have no objections to your approach. But in our first release we aren't doing any in-game support for player-created organizations except for temporary groups.

You can, however, do a couple of things in particular:

1) You can each create a chat buddy list for your specific fleet, or your officers within that fleet, etc., and use our global chat system. Our chat stuff works just like Windows Messenger, so you can create as many groups as you need and use that to communicate/organize.

2) Each of your groups can use custom flags and/or sail designs to identify themselves. The User Content area on our website is where you'd submit those designs. Our intention is that whoever submits a design controls how it can be used, so you can limit its use to appropriate group members.

(continued)

__________________
John Tynes
Game Designer
Flying Lab Software

Re: Couple questions (part 2)
(continued from previous)

3) Our temporary group system requires that each group have a designated leader. That leader has access to a simple tactical order system for use in group combats. I believe our groups are limited to eight players or so at a time -- they are not meant to be guilds -- but at least your small battle units can use this system with your rank structure.

That's the extent that I think we can support your gameplay in R1. We may do more in R1 -- we'll see -- and we'll certainly do more in future releases to implement a typical guild sort of thing.

Please feel free to pass this along to the rest of your group. Nothing in this is secret or particular to you -- any group can use the steps I've outlined as a stopgap for the first release of the game.

__________________
John Tynes
Game Designer
Flying Lab Software

I think part of what somewhat confused me in the answer, is that it was somewhat of a non-answer. From what I can see, you can actually set up and play as "factions/clans/fleets" within their gaming structure. Pretty much the way battles are already done when in GameSpy for meeting, or even before GS, if you think about it. You showed up, you signed in as whichever fleet/faction you represented, and you played.

all very interesting, however still it leaves us sad little nobodies with dial ups adrift with not a chance of some action.

AdmiralRob,

Broadband costs are falling and availability is increasing.... i do believe now would be a good time to 'bit the bullet' sir....

If you do consider it, can I recommend Zen.co.uk, ive never has yet had a single problem.

CaptCaldwell

HAH! I just checked for broadband availability for me, again. I check this about once a month (have been for going on 3 years now) with the same answer everytime....."not currently available in your area". This is no matter which provider, by the way.

Caldwell

thankls for your suggestion, were it that sinmple you see I currently rent accomodation, with my Girl friend and we are trying to get onto the housing ladder which hopefully will not be toomuch longer therefore I am waitingill then to get BB installed, just got to find a good place to live, which has BB access:)

Regards
Rob