High death rate:
Many projects never get passed the test phase, some fail before they ever get started. A lot of projects get halfway done before they are dropped as a project due to real life(TM), inexperience or even loss of interest. Some projects die in the planning phase because as a concept they simply do not work in their respective game. This happens more often than people realize.
Projects can take years to finish if you are lucky, this is a large endeavor and will become very demanding. You will need to be designer, programmer and artist because there will be times where people said they will help, will not. You cannot be a mere "idea guy" you need to have some skills to accomplish this task.
Content:
It is entirely likely that as the lead of the project one may need to be able to perform several tasks. These tasks are:
- Unit Scripter
- Animation Scripter
- Modeler
- Sound artist
- Texture artist
- Game designer
As a Project Lead these skills will be needed because many of the capable personalities here are likely working on their own projects already. It is important to have something to show before anyone worth recruitment will get on board with the project anyway.
Bear in mind that once the project is complete one will need to completely revisit all of this for quality control and design modification. No one person is perfect and at the end of the project many issues that were not apparent will need correction.
Getting help:
Well, if the project is in need of people to help out directly then it is not a bad idea to post a request for help. However as I say above, unless one has something to show it is most likely the project will not recruit many members on a team. One needs to show personal initiative.
Research:
Even if the project is something completely made up. It will need to research several aspects.
- Factional differentiation
- Style
- Can this idea even work?
If the wiki and forum searches prove to be of no use on this issue then one should compile a single list and post the questions in a clear and easy to read format. Many of the project developers around here will help when asked nicely.
---stuff below is outdated/wrong---
Questions:
What are some features other RTS games have but spring does not yet support?
Food count: USE LUA
Bunkers: USE LUA
Unit upgrades/research items: USE LUA
Unit metamorphosis: USE LUA
Selling a buildng: USE LUA
Melee weapons: There are some hackish(read not worth doing) ways of having this but they are not in the game.
translucencies: it is complicated, just know that you cannot have them... yet.
So, how does one get started?
in the wiki of course!
This is a good article on starting the base of your project files.
What tools might I need?
modeling:
Wings 3D
I prefer wings because it does everything you need to do and it really good for this sort of thing. It can uvmap and export to any format needed.
tutorials
Manual available here
Blender 3d
Blender is preferred by many people and has some great features if you intend on doing more then just eling for spring.
the best manual/tutorials for blender
scripting:
Scriptor
3do editing:
3dobuilder 2.21 (broken link) is a good utility for assembling your 3DO files (3dobuilder 2.02 available here)
(or you can can get the above two here: ta format utilities pack (broken link)
S3O editing:
Upspring 1.54
sound:
Audacity
A nice freeware sound editor.
Goldwave
A good shareware editor.
I use them both, I like editing in audacity and saving in goldwave because goldwave does better with sound files.
texture work:
The gimp
Free, and some people like it.
Photoshop
this is an expensive option but a good one if one desires a professional career in image editing..
animation:
Servo (broken link)
While it is a bit rough at first once it is understood it can easily handle more complicated animations in it.
(alternative to Servo)
I need some script examples!
The scripts in Gundam are safe to copy.
What is a FBI,BOS,3DO,S3O,GAF,TDF file?
FBI A text document storing units stats like, name, cost buildtime etc.
BOS An Uncompiled script written in Pseudo-C
COB A compiled .BOS file
3DO A el format used by ota it is supported by spring
S3O Spring's own el format.
HPI A compressed format used by OTA and 3DO builder. GAF files need to be stored here for 3DO builder to read them.
GP3 Just a renamed .HPI
GAF 3DO textures are stored within these files
TDF Used as a generic information file, merely a text
SDZ Spring files are stored in this format, This is a zip file with zip renamed to .sdz, this will load faster but has low compression.
SD7 Spring files are also stored in this format, This is a 7 zip file with 7z renamed to .sd7, these are good for compression but can cause slower load times.
How can I make my project show up in multiplayer?
You will need a .tdf
Here is the one:
[code][MOD]
{
Name=ProjectName;
Description=Short Description;
URL=Full url;
ModType=1;
antistall=3;
}[/code]
Some freebies for my project please?
Shot models (broken link) This pack includes: tracer rounds, plasma shots and missiles!
Still a work in progress I am sure but I am done for now feel free to post about anything I may have left out.
7/16/06- added failure discussion as per Zsinj's request
11/7/07- added a bit and corrected some links, still need to get a corrected servo link
7/4/2010 - (aegis) fixed some links
26 may 2011 (knorke) outdated warning