Sam Patch Update

[SALvation]

I talked with Alen from Croteam last night and they are allowing me into the beta testing program for the patch. That means I will be able to keep you guys up to date with all the latest happenings and planned features. Also, just so you know, don't bother asking me for any patch links or if you can help test also because I've been asked by Alen not to give the info to anyone. This is one company's trust I don't want to break as this could be the start of a great relationship with them. Here are some questions that you are probably wondering and my answers to them:

So where does the patch stand today?

Right now the patch is at version 1.5x. That is a huge jump from the current 1.07 version. That means that this patch has gone through a ton of versions and builds and is one hell of a huge job.

When is it coming out?

Don't expect it in the next few days. In the next 2-3 days, the next beta version of the patch will be distributed and then go through testing. After about a week they will probably know if that version can be a release candidate or if another build is needed.

What is in the new patch?

There are two major features and many minor features that will be going in. The first is, of course, the new netcode. The other major change is hardware accelerated 3D sounds will now be available. This means the sound will have a major improvment in quality and performance. The minor changes have not yet been announced but should be in the next few days.

Other notes...

Old demos and save games will not work with this version. There are just too many changes to make them compatible.

Custom levels will have to be rebuilt to work on this version. It should be as easy as re-initializing them.

The patch will contain new default demos.



As I mentioned before those questions above are my answers to your questions, not Alen's to mine. Those are the official details of the upcoming patch. Tonight I will do some testing with it and let you know my own impressions. I will be doing almost all my testing with deathmatch so I will be able to give you honest opinions on how the patch functions there. I think that is what 99% of you care about most anyways.

Again, please don't ask me if you can help test or what you can do. Not asking me will save me the trouble of writing a nasty reply back to you. :D

I'll update the thread later and let you know how it goes.

[OUTLAWS Tip]

Thanks Sal,

Great, now we have someone on the inside(almost). At least now you can keep us updated and not left in the dark as far as the patch. Sounds like they have done a bunch of work and hopefully it will be worth the wait.

Look forward to any updates you can give.
B)

[OUTLAWS Ada]

Hurry, hurry ,hurry! (Yelps of excitement from me!) :D :D :D

[Sirc]

Sweet! This is good news. :D

I have also noticed that there are more people playing lately. Coincidence? B)

[FUS1ON]

Thanks and Congrats Sal. http://community.the-underdogs.org/smiley/happy/thumb.gif
It's great that they finally realize there is another segment of the SS community out here. :)

[OUTLAWS Behind You?]

Thanks Sal.

I also hope that:


This is one company's trust I don't want to break as this could be the start of a great relationship with them.

does start a great relation.

[TheUltimateWarrior]

w00t!!!!

[Mr Clean]

Sal does it yet again.....amazing!

[SASQUATCH]

You Da Man Sal!. . . . :)

[Slice]

Roxzor!!!!!!! :D

[OUTLAWS high ping camper]

Thanks Sal, I won't be able to help you test tonight.....I'm busy. LOL :D :lol:

[Snip3r]

:D W00t!!!!! :D

[OUTLAWS WHOCARES]

Thanks Sal for the update.

[Sirc]

Okay! Its later! Update us SAL!

Or gimme the patch and start a server so I can kick your butt. :P

[OUTLAWS The Machine]

I bet he bribed them with a thong to get to help test the patch. :D

[Dangerous Dan]

if you see an [RDH] server made by Grand Master Shinobi, it's using the 1.50 patch :D , he's also a beta tester. He told me that so far, on coop mode (which has extremely bad lag), the netcode reduced his ping by 100 (from 250, to 150). If it can do that for coop, imagine how well it will work for fragmatch :D , however no new maps are reported to be included in the patch :( . Still no word on the custom map rotation problem problem yet though, then again, he never tried it.

[Sirc]

It doesn't surprise me that they are not distributing new maps yet. They usually try to keep beta releases as small as possible.

[Dangerous Dan]

that would make sence, i can't wait to see what else is in store for us :). maybe an option to turn off powerups :)

[OUTLAWS The Machine]

I want turning off power ups and weapon stay.

[Morpheus]

i&#39;d hope for an option to reduce the firing rate of grenades, then make the coach gun shoot as fast as the pump. <_<

[Dangerous Dan]

that would add a whole new dimension to fragmatch, especially yodeller

[Dangerous Dan]

Originally posted by Fire Slayer DOA@Nov 15 2002, 01:48 AM
i&#39;d hope for an option to reduce the firing rate of grenades, then make the coach gun shoot as fast as the pump. <_<
LOL, LOL, LOL, the coachgun shoots too fast as it is, any faster and it would be a spread chaingun

[Sauron]

i have spoken to Shinobi too and asked him why not more of the actualSam palyers are Beta testers and he said they probably used a list from the old SS:FE days

[Dangerous Dan]

maybe he can recommend some of the clan leaders for the beta testing?

[Sauron]

ill ask him when i see him the next time

[Snip3r]

Slice would be a perfect person to do it, he has 56K so he could see how good it works with how many players, so 1 player would be X ping and 2 playerz would be Y ping etc. Its a good idea, not unless They already have a 56K guinea pig j/k Slice u can come over and use my computer...by computer I mean............. :D

[FUS1ON]

In Serious Runner there is an option to have Weapons Stay. If the new patch allows us to get more players into the game at one time on some of the maps we have now, We will need it. Running around empty handed on Little Trouble, Yodeller, etc.... is baaaaad news. :huh:

[OUTLAWS The Machine]

Does the weapon stay option work? If so why have we not used it?

[Sirc]

I think weapons stay would cause some serious carnage&#33; LOL&#33; Imagine Yodoller with 12 people, people dying constantly, and all the respawners running for the DBSG at the same time. Everyone is going to keep bunching up at the weapons. It would turn Yodeller into a grenade and rocket spammer&#39;s paradise. :o

Okay, it sounds like fun. I like carnage. :ph34r:

[OUTLAWS WHOCARES]

Originally posted by OUTLAWS Sirc@Nov 14 2002, 09:41 PM
I think weapons stay would cause some serious carnage&#33; LOL&#33; Imagine Yodoller with 12 people, people dying constantly, and all the respawners running for the DBSG at the same time. Everyone is going to keep bunching up at the weapons. It would turn Yodeller into a grenade and rocket spammer&#39;s paradise. :o

Okay, it sounds like fun. I like carnage. :ph34r:
Count me in on that one.

[FUS1ON]

Originally posted by OUTLAWS The Machine@Nov 14 2002, 08:33 PM
Does the weapon stay option work? If so why have we not used it?
I would think that it does, But i&#39;ve never tried it. Maybe someone else can tell us for sure.
Here is a picture with all the options.

[Slash]

It only works for co-op.

[OUTLAWS The Machine]

Originally posted by Slash@Nov 14 2002, 10:04 PM
It only works for co-op.
<_< :(

[Gun Element]

Man thats th best news Ive heard in a good while wOOt&#33; :D

[Dangerous Dan]

Gun, you coming back to fragmatch when the patch is released?

[Sacrifice]

cool a new patch update

[SASQUATCH]

Originally posted by Slash@Nov 14 2002, 10:04 PM
It only works for co-op.
Slash is correct it will not work on Deathmatch but only in co-op.

[SALvation]

There is some good news and bad news.

Good news - My ping to a random server somewhere hovered around 125 while playing (I&#39;m on a cable modem). In 1.07 my ping is usually around 180-200.

Bad news - There were alot of bugs not related to netcode.

Good news - The next beta version should be released today or Monday.

I&#39;ll keep you guys informed.

[OUTLAWS high ping camper]

Thanks Sal.

[Haba]

That is some great news indeed&#33;:)

I hoe you&#39;ll be playing more custom maps when the patch is released.:P :lol: :D

Btw, I seriously doubt they will give us more maps or new options. Nope, just the netcode fix and hardware sound. And, acoording to some, more feaures to Serious Editor&#33;&#33;:)

[OUTLAWS The Machine]

Originally posted by SALvation@Nov 15 2002, 11:12 AM
Good news - The next beta version should be released today or Monday.


Sounds like something the Croats would say. LOL

[Sirc]

Argh. So those of us not in the beta test program aren&#39;t any better off then we were before. It ain&#39;t ready, and God only knows when it will be. :wacko:

[Gun Element]

It just never comes, wait wait wait wait, thats all we do 3/5 of our lifes waiting. how lame. B)

[Slice]

Originally posted by Gun Element@Nov 15 2002, 05:43 PM
It just never comes, wait wait wait wait, thats all we do 3/5 of our lifes waiting. how lame. B)
Well at least it isn&#39;t as bad as the 1/3 of our life we waste sleeping.

[Hobbes]

But sleep is GOOD&#33; :wacko:

[Dan2]

Sleep is for the weak. B)

[OUTLAWS WHOCARES]

I spoke to GOD today.
He told he 3/5 of our lives is about the right amount of time.

[OUTLAWS Behind You?]

Originally posted by Slice@Nov 15 2002, 05:20 PM
Well at least it isn&#39;t as bad as the 1/3 of our life we waste sleeping.
The trouble is ya&#39;ll young wipper snappers don&#39;t sleep.... :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[THUMBS]

I sleep when im working and play when im sleeping. :blink:

[Snip3r]

I sleep in my case :huh: Hey did they fix the swimming cheat and the floating bug? Plus the bug where u fill in a slot in a custom map server. Not including the bug where you shoot someone and they gib and die without dying. You know what I mean?

[Slice]

Originally posted by Snip3r@Nov 15 2002, 10:56 PM
I sleep in my case :huh: Hey did they fix the swimming cheat and the floating bug? Plus the bug where u fill in a slot in a custom map server. Not including the bug where you shoot someone and they gib and die without dying. You know what I mean?
Can I lick your chest? :P

[THUMBS]

no but you can shave it.

[Snip3r]

Originally posted by Slice@Nov 15 2002, 11:04 PM
Can I lick your chest? :P
That was random :lol: :lol:

[TNT Tonic]

Originally posted by Slice+Nov 15 2002, 10:04 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Slice @ Nov 15 2002, 10:04 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteBegin--Snip3r@Nov 15 2002, 10:56 PM
I sleep in my case :huh: Hey did they fix the swimming cheat and the floating bug? Plus the bug where u fill in a slot in a custom map server. Not including the bug where you shoot someone and they gib and die without dying. You know what I mean?
Can I lick your chest? :P[/b][/quote]
?? :unsure:

[Sacrifice]

Originally posted by Snip3r+Nov 16 2002, 09:12 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Snip3r @ Nov 16 2002, 09:12 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteBegin--Slice@Nov 15 2002, 11:04 PM
Can I lick your chest? &nbsp;:P
That was random :lol: :lol:[/b][/quote]
really random

[Mr Clean]

I spoke to GOD today.
He told he 3/5 of our lives is about the right amount of time.

What did he say?...."And don&#39;t quote those ridiculous Psalms, they&#39;re soooo depressing..."

[SALvation]

To get this thread back on track...

They are hoping to release the next beta patch tomorrow. I&#39;ll keep you updated...

[Mr Clean]

I feel like I just got corrected by me mom....

Sal, do they have any idea when they will fix the screwups and release this baby, or are we still on the trial and error method?

[Grimmy]

Originally posted by SALvation@Nov 18 2002, 01:18 PM
To get this thread back on track...

They are hoping to release the next beta patch tomorrow. I&#39;ll keep you updated...
that release, would be for you right Sal? It won&#39;t be available for others, correct?? Just want to clear things up. :)

[SALvation]

Correct, they hope to release the next version of the beta patch (only available to beta testers and leprechauns) tomorrow.

[Sirc]

Which catagory do you fall under?

[Strider]

when is our downloadable version going to be released?

[SALvation]

The new beta patch has just been released to the beta testers. I&#39;ll test it out tonight and let you guys know how it fares.

[OUTLAWS The Machine]

Cool. thanks for the update.

[Strider]

sounds good. I cant wait

[SALvation]

Update:

Things are looking better with the new patch but it is not release quality yet. Ping is much better as I was getting 80-100 on the JERC test server. There are still some bugs like clan tags don&#39;t show up right, elevators in deathmatch games are very jerky, joysticks screw stuff up, but it&#39;s getting there.

[Sirc]

Have you tried getting 16 people on a server?

[SALvation]

I don&#39;t think there are 16 beta testers :D

[Sirc]

I volunteer&#33; Seriuosly though, if it hasn&#39;t been tested under full load, then testing is really behind. :(

[Sauron]

i asked shinobi too if someone ever tried to join his server&#33; He said no :(

i mean a test under real life conditions should be done that means 16 ppl on one server in a deathmatch and the same amount of ppl in a Coop match

[Dangerous Dan]

i&#39;ll gladly test as well, if the patch truely "works", a 16 ppl test should be a must do. Clan leaders should be beta testers for fragmatch in my opinion........ they&#39;ve all been around for a long time and know everything about fragmatch

[Ra\/en]

I wanna test. :D

[Sirc]

SALvation just keeps ignoring our subtle hints to him to LET US HELP TEST THE DAMN NETCODE&#33;&#33;&#33; :rolleyes: :D

[SALvation]

It&#39;s not my call if you guys can test or not. You would have to contact Croteam. The email is on their website.

[Slash]

We really do need to get at least some decent sized deathmatch games going. It seems to me that most of the testers are much more worried about the co-op games than deathmatch, so we need to make sure we have found all the probems. Sal, we should try to get a game going on my server tomorrow night if you have time.

[OUTLAWS WHOCARES]

I sent them an e-mail yesterday.
Waiting to hear from them.

[OUTLAWS The Machine]

I sent them one yesterday also.

[Sirc]

BASTARDS&#33;&#33;&#33;

I didn&#39;t send mine in until today. <_< :D

But I told them to stay away from both of you guys. :P

[OUTLAWS Spike]

Originally posted by OUTLAWS Sirc@Nov 21 2002, 06:01 PM


But I told them to stay away from both of you guys. :P
lmao :lol: :lol:

[Gun Element]

God damn I thought the patch came out by now ARGH&#33;&#33;&#33;

[THUMBS]

I sent them one tomorrow....O&#39;wait, i guess i will send one now...hmmm to Mod or not to Mod...hehehe

[Grimmy]

I have that beta patch, but something is royally f***ed up with it. I joined a server, and I couldn&#39;t even move at all, or even fire. Tried to customize my controls, but there isn&#39;t anything in there when I try. Not sure what gives. I emailed, and nothing. What good support they have :angry:

[Slash]

Grimmy, you have to click on "load predefined settings" before you can customize your controls. You will be able to move once you get your controls configured.

[Casanova]

Where the h*ll did u get the patch ???

[Slash]

Originally posted by Steve Teemu@Nov 22 2002, 07:56 AM
Where the h*ll did u get the patch ???
I am in Croteam&#39;s testing program.

[Grimmy]

Originally posted by Slash@Nov 22 2002, 08:53 AM
Grimmy, you have to click on "load predefined settings" before you can customize your controls. You will be able to move once you get your controls configured.
so that is why when I go to customize controls, there is nothing there right? I was so pissed last night, I emailed for help, and got absoulutely nothing. Long story, I will try that and see if that works :)

[SALvation]

They just replied to you Grimmy.

Also, it seems they are working hard as they are hoping to get Beta3 out by Wednesday.

[Grimmy]

Kewl, thanks Sal. Are you going to be my personal assistant, tell me when I get email and such?? :lol: I need another soda, please&#33; :P

[Buckshot]

Just a thought , Y are the guys testing this patch not the guys who need it most ,
there are guys like Troop , Slice even myself who suffer from lag big time.
Hmm just wondering ,

[Slash]

Contact Croteam and ask to enter the testing program.

[Buckshot]

Is that how it&#39;s done , I must have missed something

[Slash]

Yes, that is the way it&#39;s done. The people that are in the beta program are not free to pass around the patch. Contact Croteam and ask them if you may join the program.

[Buckshot]

Thanks Slash , I didn&#39;t know you could just ask to join .

[Slash]

Some people have used the feedback address off of their website. I emailed Alen Ladavac directly.

[TNT Tonic]

Originally posted by Slash@Nov 26 2002, 09:44 AM
Some people have used the feedback address off of their website. I emailed Alen Ladavac directly.
And his email is?

[Sirc]

You need to go to Seriously&#33; forums and then click the Forum Administrators (or something like that) link to get to the page where it lists all of the admins and moderators. Click on Alen&#39;s email button and you can reach him that way. :)

[SALvation]

Beta 3 was released on Thanksgiving and I must say this patch is starting to look damn good. Alot of bugs have been fixed, and there is some only minor stuff left. I think they may be at the end of their long tunnel.

It&#39;s so hard going back to normal Sam and playing with a ping over 100 :D

[SASQUATCH]

That is good news to hear thanks Salvation.

[Justncredible]

are they gonna fix the ping whore cheats??????

not that anybody here floods the pings, or jacks the BPS setting to hell..... na nobody would do that...... <_<

get us auto downloads too..... :)

[Dangerous Dan]

no autodownload for this patch, they will however have autodownload in the next installment of sam for sure they say :)

[Gun Element]

Good news to hear.



I knew it would be worth the wait. :)

[OUTLAWS Tip]

Thanks for the update Sal&#33;&#33;

B)

[OUTLAWS high ping camper]

Originally posted by SALvation@Nov 29 2002, 08:15 AM
Beta 3 was released on Thanksgiving and I must say this patch is starting to look damn good. Alot of bugs have been fixed, and there is some only minor stuff left. I think they may be at the end of their long tunnel.

It&#39;s so hard going back to normal Sam and playing with a ping over 100 :D
Groovy&#33; Thanks for the update Sal. :)

[Justncredible]

Originally posted by Dangerous Dan@Nov 29 2002, 12:19 PM
no autodownload for this patch, they will however have autodownload in the next installment of sam for sure they say :)
right on,,,, the mods will be so cool,,,, I want to see a street sweeper mod for the shotgun, and a rocket X,,,,, and nude skins.... :D :D :D :D

[SALvation]

Beta3b has been released to testers and fixes some connection issues. I&#39;ll see how it is once I get home.

[Slash]

The latest version of the patch is on JERCLAN for you beta testers. I am still having connection and kicking problems.

[TNT Tonic]

I never got mine&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;

[SALvation]

Beta4 has been released to the beta testers. We&#39;ll let you know how it performs later tonight.

[Phoenix]

Originally posted by SALvation@Dec 11 2002, 05:24 PM
Beta4 has been released to the beta testers. We&#39;ll let you know how it performs later tonight.
Excellent&#33;

[Slash]

Originally posted by SALvation@Dec 11 2002, 11:24 AM
Beta4 has been released to the beta testers. We&#39;ll let you know how it performs later tonight.
It&#39;s patched and running on JERCLAN.

[Phoenix]

Can I possibly help test it?

[Grimmy]

Yup, just got the email about 5 minutes ago, and have it downloaded, will test it a little later. Still waking up lol

[Phoenix]

Originally posted by Grimmy@Dec 11 2002, 05:33 PM
Yup, just got the email about 5 minutes ago, and have it downloaded, will test it a little later. Still waking up lol
Can you send it to me too? My email is dedalot@hotmail.com

[SALvation]

We can&#39;t give out the link. You have to contact Croteam to be a tester.

As for the patch, it looks like this version fixes the map rotation at the end of a game. I sure as hell hope so&#33;

[Phoenix]

Oh, ok.

[Grimmy]

I hpoe it is a little (whole lot) lot more stable then the past few. Will check it out.

[Slash]

I have just moved the test server to a less restrictive part of our network which seems to have helped with the disconnects. Goran asked me to try to get as many people as possible playing at once (including himself). How does 7:30CST work for you guys this evening?

[SALvation]

I should be able to make it.

[Sirc]

I can be there.

[Slash]

Sorry make that 7:30CST.

[Goober]

Duh....let&#39;s see 7:30cst - 1 hour = 6:30 Est....I&#39;ll be there.

[Slash]

8:30EST&#33;&#33;&#33; est = cst +1