Desura

[Udi]

Desura announced a closed beta testing for the Linux client, so it's finally getting cross platform. WoP, Xonotic, Warsow, Alien Arena, ioUrbanTerror and Smokin' Guns are already aboard. Could we have OpenArena on it? Please !

[Peter Silie]

Do they support the packages by themself or has fromhell or another oa "official" to do all the work?

[fromhell]

I'll think about it

managing a 300+mb game is a huge undertaking for me, and i'm glad i do not have to deal with all those linux repositories

Also didn't linux already have something similar like dljr or so? i forgot what it was called exactly but tuxfamily was involved

[Peter Silie]

In general it is a good idea to be part of this "gaming platform", but it could be difficult for this project if they need binaries for Win, Lin, Mac, BSD...

[Udi]

Do they support the packages by themself or has fromhell or another oa "official" to do all the work?

I have no idea, probably something in between, like you upload content and different binaries, and the client knows what to download, but it's just a guess. Even if the developers have more work, it's super easy for the users: they can get autoupdates, dlc, mods etc. Maybe we can ransom the Desura team, that for a little help they can get all the Quake3 mods currently on Desura work with OpenArena .

Edit: Tim Jung is the Linux Game Lead of Desura, and he was posting about adding 11 open source games. Maybe he will give us a helping hand if asked.

Also didn't linux already have something similar like dljr or so?

Yes, it's called djl, and it only installs open source or free as in beer games. Desura sells indie games, the last two or three Humble Bundles gave optional Desura keys, so the HIB users could already have it installed, plus all the other modding fans will have it installed. I think the combination of indies, mods and cross platform operation are the advantages of Desura over any Steam clone.

[fromhell]

Just tried the Desura client.


It's just a moddb app. what


even worse, clicking on "Blog" would cause your default browser to be bombarded with Facebook like, +1, Stumbleupon, etc. TABS for every post in it

no thanks.







uninstalling client immediately.


at this point i'm not putting OA on Desura if I have to deal with that crap, I do not have a sense of security or confidence from it

[Peter Silie]

Sign of the time, fromhell...
If you like it or not: this social media mess will grow and grow. (no offense!)
But this should not be an argument against including oa in this peace of sw/site.
This is "just" a userside problem. main question: ist this project ready to support this platform if needed or not.
Maybe Udi could ask this guy, what to do (i do not think, that the other projects made special installers for Desura).

[RMF]

What Peter said. Sad but true, social media/networking doesn't seem to stop so let's just deal with it

[Gig]

I only can say that I don't like social media stuff. I'm one that still likes a thing called "privacy", and I fear that new generations will not even know that word meaning.

[Peter Silie]

we will see, what happens in - lets say - 30 years...

[Cacatoes]

Well, internet already is social, these things usually are closed communities under the authority of a firm, particular terms of services, with no or few control over our data, and so on. And they take advantage of this control to feed us with ads & such which reinforces them.
It's nothing appealing to me.
Now they have some use, features, provide hosting & such, but these things can be better offered by other means (including building yourself this same initiative in an open way if you're really interested in what it provides).
I don't like to say that but it's like they cover the needs of uneducated people, while the specialists we're meant to be both have to make the effort to explain them why all this sucks, and offer them better even if we don't have the big means to do it. Then there is no reason not to offer opensource games to people who unfortunately adopted these initiatives, but we damn won't sell our asses for it, we'll just build the bridges At least that's a bit how I see it.
Adblock is one of these good bridges, I wonder if it could block these facebook sponsors and all that pseudo-social crapness. Refuse-resist !
Edit: I still partially wonder.
Edit2: Hmm, that's quick.

[Peter Silie]

we damn won't sell our asses for it, we'll just build the bridges

Agree.
Still the question: is this project strong enough to do the work or will they do it by their own?

@caca: looks like you are inverted...

[Cacatoes]

We can help since we're good boys ?

Ehe, yes, I'm a bit inverted, and have no device to read these things ... (I suppose there are tools on internet to retrieve infos in them ...)

[Peter Silie]

I have a device to read regular QR, but not your inverted, one.
And i am too lazy to invert your pic...

[Gig]

Just a notice for who will read this thread in future:
Cacatoes has put a QR code as his profile image. But, unlike usual black codes with a white backgound, his one is a white code with a black background... and our programs aren't capable of reading it.

Anyway, I fear we are completely Off-Topic with this...

[7]

<devils advocate>
I think every living soul should be required to have a QR with his social security number imprinted on his forehead at birth. Because we all are running around with our smartphones documenting every dumbass thing we ever do and posting it on youtube anyway, this would put an end to all crime immediately.
</devils advocate>

(Can I change my name to Big Brother please?  )

[WaspKiller]

Hhhhmmmm... This is why the marketing function ought to be split from the developer function.  I can completely relate to FromHell's fear but as Peter and RMF indicated this is the future.  And while it's a scary proposition for PC centric old timers who are conditioned to having complete control, the important question is will OA benefit from being on Desura?

While FromHell has a vision of what OA should become as a game, the same cannot be said for its promotion and marketing.  For years, OA has been losing players to inferior games and failing to attract sufficient new ones.

FromHell is not the first lead of OA, maybe like the previous the fire is beginning to die.  As FromHell stated "managing a 300+mb game is a huge undertaking."  Perhaps it's time to get help in the form of an independent board whose sole responsibility is to promote OA in a manner that is consistent with the GPL.  I'd like to see ppl who aren't burdened with leading the development of OA, deal with its promotion.  ppl who bleed for it like Peter Sille, RMF, and Gig to name a few.  Many hands make light work.

Udi, thumbs up, great post.


PS:  I probably won't be getting a cake for this post.

[Cacatoes]

"Conditionned to have control"
Ehe, I like the way you word it.

Marketing for OA, if that's your cup of tea: http://openarena.ws/board/index.php?topic=3619.25
Changing lead, or rather make without a lead. Currently it's a bit of a mix of this and keeping the current lead. If you like to talk project management, see here (closed), and elsewhere.

About Fromhell's veto, you'll get accustomed to it, that doesn't mean the community should do nothing.

You're probably right to say we're PC centric. If you mean consoles/mobiles are usually closed platforms, then I'm rather glad that made us able to see what's wrong with them, at least I'm not a trend-follower-getting-fucked-allthetime centric. (edit: I'm not designating you)

[SILVERFOX]

at least I'm not a trend-follower-getting-fucked-allthetime centric. (edit: I'm not designating you) Sad but true.

[Peter Silie]

I fear, it has nothing to do with follower

[fromhell]

While FromHell has a vision of what OA should become as a game, the same cannot be said for its promotion and marketing.  For years, OA has been losing players to inferior games and failing to attract sufficient new ones.

Hey thanks for the words of encouragement, it's just what a hobbyist project needs

[WingedPanther]

I'm doing what I can to encourage new players, one rocket-victim at a time.

[WaspKiller]

While FromHell has a vision of what OA should become as a game, the same cannot be said for its promotion and marketing.  For years, OA has been losing players to inferior games and failing to attract sufficient new ones.

Hey thanks for the words of encouragement, it's just what a hobbyist project needs

FromHell, the point wasn't to hurt or snipe at you.  But, it does reflect, IMO, what I have seen in the last 3 years.  No one can do everything... and to try is an assured path to failure, criticism and burn-out.

Being a good developer and project manager is enough to chew on.  The whole purpose of a Community is simply that... Community Involvement.  And I don't mean these arbitrary one or two-man ventures in setting up a Facebook or other hot social media account to promote OA.  But, rather, a concerted and meaningful campaign.  How to go about it is open to debate but the fact that it is sorely needed is not.

[Cacatoes]

Oh, feel sorry WaspKiller, you did hurt Fromhell right in the heart there. Poor Fromhell :o((
My motivation will suddenly turn very low too :o((
OpenArena will progress even slower now :o((
Developers are very sensitive people who are too fragile to defend their positions and are affected by the very first negative remark against them :o((
I'm not a whiny victim, why you accuse me of this :o((

[Bane]

   I think in order to get more players and keep them we have to have some type of manual that come with the game. These would tell you very basic things like what each weapon does, what the power ups do, what the armor does, and possibly give you some basic tips like how to time.

   I know this maybe hard fromhell but we need more updates more often to keep and attract more people. People love, love updates it keeps them coming back for more also previews and trailers of the updates help too. Another thing to keep and attract more people I feel we need is an in game lobby similar to the one by Xgen in there game stick arena where people don’t have to leave the game but can click on a tab and talk to others in the game lobby and arrange games.

   Finally the most important thing we have to do is get our name out there. Back when I first found this game it was while doing a search for quake live which is bad from a marketing stand point. A year or so back there was an OA land tournament held we need more like that but possibly held in store at popular places such as a mall or wal-mart. Basically people played against each other or the computer for a small prize such as t-shirt or mouse pad is a great way to get the games name out there.
Also banner ads on sites like MSN or other popular sites would help get the name out.
However in the end we have to remember that this game is not for everybody and some people will just leave no matter what you do.

These are all just some ideas I had I figured I throw them out there to see what you think.