Post by Tim on Dec 2, 2011 12:04:47 GMT -6
It's been awhile since I've talked much about V9, so I decided I needed to start this thread.
V9 Progess has been admittedly slow going. I normally take a short break from coding between versions (normally around a month), to catch up on other things I have been needing to do in RL. This time I've been having a hard time transitioning back into coding. Spent a lot more time planning this time because I essentially changed my plans for what was going to go into this version right after I got it all figured out. Discussions about adding End Game stuff (war vs the Shadow and the Last Battle) was great and I really want to something along those lines. Problem is adding all that more than doubled the work I had planned to do for this version. Plus between being ridiculously busy at work, getting things ready for twins (less than 3 months to go!), and satisfying my other appetites (just beat Skyward Sword), I haven't put in the time I normally do.
The bigger problem is that I've had a problem motivating myself to dig in. V9 was just too big. I knew things wouldn't make it, but finding a good cutting place just didn't work. Do I go for gold and try to cram it all in? Do I stub things out and do a half job, then flesh it out next version? What stays and what goes?
Well, I've finally made it over that stumbling block and made some tough decisions. Here's my plan:
War vs Shadow stuff is going to wait til V10. I really wanted to have a defined end of version in V9, but it's no go. It's just too much to try to fit in one version, even if I cut everything not related that I planned for V9.
V9 is going back to my original plan (for the most part). Not gonna give too many details away quite yet, but it will cover some more of the big hitters from the last "What do you want to see" poll, as well as some improvements to things you guys have mentioned more recently. Some of the things planned for V9 I think will help lay the ground work for V10 stuff, and hopefully make it more doable.
With my motivation back, I've mapped out a schedule for the remaining changes to be done by the end of January. Given my past record, that'll likely slip some, but I'm gonna try to make it happen. Test site will likely open in early January, and the official launch will be mid to late February. I really want to hit that goal, as the closer to February, the more likely plans could be interupted by the twins (official due date is March 15, but with twins they will be at least 2 weeks early). If it happens it happens (I know my wife sure won't complain if they are a few weeks earlier), but that'll probably delay things a bit as they'll cut into my launch prep time. We'll deal with that if/when it happens.
With the test site likely opening in little over a month, there will be a countdown starting in the near future. Probably not next week, but maybe the week after. With it happening over the holidays, don't be surprised if the posts get a bit sparadic. Not that they do normally or anything...
Will let you know the plan soon.
Go Team!
V9 Progess has been admittedly slow going. I normally take a short break from coding between versions (normally around a month), to catch up on other things I have been needing to do in RL. This time I've been having a hard time transitioning back into coding. Spent a lot more time planning this time because I essentially changed my plans for what was going to go into this version right after I got it all figured out. Discussions about adding End Game stuff (war vs the Shadow and the Last Battle) was great and I really want to something along those lines. Problem is adding all that more than doubled the work I had planned to do for this version. Plus between being ridiculously busy at work, getting things ready for twins (less than 3 months to go!), and satisfying my other appetites (just beat Skyward Sword), I haven't put in the time I normally do.
The bigger problem is that I've had a problem motivating myself to dig in. V9 was just too big. I knew things wouldn't make it, but finding a good cutting place just didn't work. Do I go for gold and try to cram it all in? Do I stub things out and do a half job, then flesh it out next version? What stays and what goes?
Well, I've finally made it over that stumbling block and made some tough decisions. Here's my plan:
War vs Shadow stuff is going to wait til V10. I really wanted to have a defined end of version in V9, but it's no go. It's just too much to try to fit in one version, even if I cut everything not related that I planned for V9.
V9 is going back to my original plan (for the most part). Not gonna give too many details away quite yet, but it will cover some more of the big hitters from the last "What do you want to see" poll, as well as some improvements to things you guys have mentioned more recently. Some of the things planned for V9 I think will help lay the ground work for V10 stuff, and hopefully make it more doable.
With my motivation back, I've mapped out a schedule for the remaining changes to be done by the end of January. Given my past record, that'll likely slip some, but I'm gonna try to make it happen. Test site will likely open in early January, and the official launch will be mid to late February. I really want to hit that goal, as the closer to February, the more likely plans could be interupted by the twins (official due date is March 15, but with twins they will be at least 2 weeks early). If it happens it happens (I know my wife sure won't complain if they are a few weeks earlier), but that'll probably delay things a bit as they'll cut into my launch prep time. We'll deal with that if/when it happens.
With the test site likely opening in little over a month, there will be a countdown starting in the near future. Probably not next week, but maybe the week after. With it happening over the holidays, don't be surprised if the posts get a bit sparadic. Not that they do normally or anything...
Will let you know the plan soon. Go Team!
Honestly though, I'm surprised things went this far without me botching something. Probably because I haven't been making as many changes as I would have liked...