GemStone IV/saved posts
2008 Goals
Topic: 2008 Goals Discussions
Message #: 241
Author: GS4-KITRINA
Date: 1/16/2008 9:26:07 AM
Subject: GemStone IV 2008
Happy New Year from the GemStone IV staff!
Before I get into the 2008 goals, I'd like to thank each one of you for continuing to make GemStone IV your choice for the most immersive roleplaying experience online. The strength of our community, both in game and out, never ceases to amaze me. I'm proud of what we accomplished in 2007, and as we head into 2008 there are a lot of wonderful things in store!
If you joined us at SimuCon, we made two big announcements. First, we're prioritizing Monks for 2008. This includes not only the profession itself, but also the Minor Mentalist spells as well as the unarmed combat system. The other annoucement was about the development of a large quest. These two projects are high on our priority list for 2008.
Since SimuCon, we've fleshed out many other projects for 2008. I will be sharing some of the highlights with you while others will be surprises for you. We also have a few impressive systems to release at the beginning of this year that we worked on for much of 2007. Please note that this is not an all-inclusive list of projects, but merely a taste of what is to come.
2008 Project Highlights
Combat & Magic Systems:
- Monks/Minor Mentalist spells/unarmed combat
- Alchemy: Phase II
- Premium homes upgrade
- Mining/Smelting
- Archery/Thrown weapons update
- New spells & spell upgrades
- Lore skill reviews
Communities & Towns:
- CHE/MHO updates
- Ta'Illistim Cleric Guild; library
- Cysaegir lockers
- River's Rest town and hunting area expansions
- Zul Logoth hunting area and town updates
- Teras expansion & updates; Glaesen Star updates
- Gladiator Arena
- Historical/racial documentation
Events & Storylines:
There are many storylines and events planned this year -- probably more than we've ever had before. Our goal is to effectively communicate what is going on in the storylines so that you can easily follow along and participate. Please be on the look out for information on the front page of the website and also the in-game NEWS. As always, storyline logs and discussions are welcome and encouraged on the forums.
Festivals:
- Wonders of Elanthia - April
- Ebon Gate (ticketed) - October
- Highman Games - December
Premium:
- Mist Harbor expansion & hunting area
- Historical documentation
- Contests/raffles/events
Platinum:
- Plat-only storylines
- Custom titles
- Contests/raffles/events
CE Systems:
- Coding support for all towns, storylines & events releases
- Quest
- Many command upgrades
ALL of these efforts are supported by our impressive Training & QC team. This includes not only Quality Control, but also forums & bug support, as well as GameHost training and coordination.
Topic: 2008 Goals Discussions
Message #: 435
Author: GS4-SIRINA
Date: 6/26/2008 12:15:29 PM
Subject: 2008 Mid-Year Goals Update
>Previously announced highlights
| Magic, Combat, & Technical Systems | |
|---|---|
| Monks/Minor Mentalist spells/unarmed combat | Progress ongoing, on target for late 2008 release |
| Alchemy: Phase II | Possibly delayed due to staffing changes |
| Premium homes upgrade | On target for 2008 release |
| Mining/Smelting | On target for 2008 release |
| Archery/Thrown weapons update | Planned for late 2008 release, but may be delayed in favor of completing monks |
| New spells & spell upgrades | Ongoing (see below for releases to date) |
| Lore skill reviews | Minor Spirit, Major Spirit, Cleric, and Empath circle reviews complete; other circles ongoing |
| Towns & Communities | |
| CHE updates | Ongoing (highlights include upgrades to Aspis theatre, Twilight, Paupers, Willow Hall, Obsidian Tower, & White Haven.) |
| MHO updates | Ongoing (see below for releases to date) |
| Ta'Illistim Cleric Guild | Released in January |
| Ta'Illistim Library | Possibly delayed due to coding resource constraints |
| Cysaegir lockers | Released in February |
| River's Rest town and hunting area expansions | Ongoing (see below for releases to date);hunting area on target for 2008 release |
| Zul Logoth hunting area and town updates | Ongoing (see below for releases to date);hunting area likely delayed until 2009 |
| Teras expansion & updates | Ongoing (see below for releases to date) |
| Glaesen Star updates | Released in June |
| Gladiator Arena | On target for 2008 release |
| Historical/racial documentation | Ongoing (see below for releases to date) |
| Events, Promotions, and Platinum | |
| Wonders of Elanthia | Released in April |
| Ebon Gate (ticketed) | Coming in October |
| Highman Games | Delayed until Jan/Feb 2009 |
| Mist Harbor expansion & hunting area | In progress; hunting area likely delayed until 2009 |
| Premium Contests/raffles/events | Ongoing |
| Plat-only storylines | Ongoing (see below for releases to date) |
| Custom titles | Ongoing |
| Platinum Contests/raffles/events | Ongoing |
| CE Systems | |
| Player Mail | In progress |
| Instanced Uber Quest | Delayed |
| Many command upgrades | Always ongoing |
| 2008 Releases To Date | Released | Lead GM |
|---|---|---|
| Elven Ruhan document | January | Naos |
| Lich Storyline (Plat) | January | Ikaan |
| Adventurer's Guild rewards expanded | January | Coase |
| Society Tasks window added to StormFront FE | January | Coase |
| Updates to padding and damage weighting | January | Warden |
| Cysaegir fletching shop opened | February | Jacien |
| Teras mud baths upgrade | February | Liia |
| Spell: Spirit Servant improvements | February | Oscuro |
| Spell: Major Sanctuary improvements | February | Oscuro and Thandiwe |
| Onar storyline and release of Onar shrine | February | Andraste |
| Minotaur and krag creature updates/new labyrinth area/new minotaur document | February | Mestys |
| Grimswarm storyline and release of Guardians of Sunfist society | February | Coase |
| Teras Isle demon permit office opened | February | Liia |
| Mentors: SNowflake Carnival | February | Korelys |
| CONVERT FORSAKE option released | March | Oscuro |
| Combat guide update | March | Auchand and Strathspey |
| Prayer of Communion Guide released | March | Zyllah |
| Spell: Prayer of Communion updates | March | Oscuro |
| MHO Structure: House Dreadnaught released | March | Izzea |
| MHO Structure: The Black Wolves Clan released | March | Izzea |
| Changes to new player drop points | May | Bernt |
| Spell: NEW Regeneration spell | April | Estild |
| ARTISAN verb expanded to show exact # of ranks | April | Warden |
| Spell: Rejuvenation improvements | April | Mestys |
| River's Rest Voln expansion | April | Scribes |
| Tehir Cultural Document | April | Vaschka and Andraste |
| New human culture (Shakat) and Tehir language option | April | Ildran |
| Erithi clothing document | April | Xynwen |
| HEALTH verb updates | April | Coase |
| MHO Structure: Grey Moon Manor released | April | Izzea |
| Helga's storyline and upgrades (Platinum) | April/May | Naionna, Galene, & Auchand |
| Dark elven language document released | May | Lothwyn |
| Combat messaging options expanded | May | Ildran |
| Runestaff noun options expanded | May | Warden |
| River's Rest warren and smugglers' tunnels expansion | May | Scribes |
| New super cool loot generator | May | Strathspey |
| Inventory keeping its order on login/logout | May | Ildran |
| Mstrike/warcry/berserk updates | May | Coase |
| MHO Structure: HERT Watchtower | May | Izzea |
| Mentors: Garden Gala | May | Korelys |
| Spell: Minor Summoning - new demon type | June | Oscuro |
| Clothing system expansion and updates | June | Bernt |
| Mist Harbor Bureaucrat updates | June | Thandiwe & Vesmera |
| Spell: Loresinging and Elemental Detection improvements | June | Mestys and Naos |
| Erithi Maiden storyline (Platinum) | June | Itzel |
| MHO/CHE conversion (Platinum) | In progress | Itzel |
| Glaesen Star updates | June | Liia |
| Teras Isle empath guild updates | June | Liia |
| Teras Isle cleric shop merchandise updates | June | Liia |
| MHO Structure: Gryphon Holding updates | June | Izzea |
| Mirror, Mirror storyline | June | Thandiwe & Xayle |
| Still to come in 2008 |
|---|
| Lumnea Festival in Ta'Illistim |
| Platinum: Free Summer Trials |
| Platinum: Fisherman's Tale storyline |
| Mist Harbor storyline |
| Solhaven temple completion |
| Wehnimer's Landing Frontier Days Festival |
| Mentors: Silverwood Wine Festival |
| Mentors: Tenth Anniversary Celebration |
| Grand Re-Opening of Teras Isle's Stormbrow Gallery |
| Party tents for all 16 CHEs |
| Icemule Trace storyline |
| MHO Structure: Cairnfang Manor |
| MHO Structure: Stormwild Hall |
| MHO Structure: The Gypsy Compound |
| Return of the Winterfest Caravan |
| Annual New Year's Eve GM Open House |
2008 Simucon
Topic: Current and Upcoming Events
Message #: 4848
Author: GS4-SIRINA
Date: 8/22/2008 7:21:27 AM
Subject: Re: Simucon announcements
Announced at SimuCon:
There are town-based storylines in Icemule, Ta'Vaalor, and Teras Isle beginning in the late fall (post-EG for the most part). We're focusing on storylines in which players can actually influence the outcome to a degree, more than sweeping, world-changing events with a pre-planned, set-in-stone conclusion. The goal is more involving players than putting on a show for players to watch.
We are also planning a late spring/early summer pay event that will be service-oriented, along the lines of the Artisan Faire.
Previously announced, we plan the return of the Winterfest late this year (outside Icemule - it's there for a reason, and not just because it's the "cold" city), and early next year, the Highman Games. Both of these are free events.
~Sirina