Release Inside The Box - Anyone interested in Pandora-only Zine ?

[pmprog]

Not a great distance. I'm currently writing the game with 2D graphics, but I'm writing the code in such a way, that the 3D graphics portion can be added later with few changes (And maybe have an option in-game to chose which view you use)


So far, I've got the game framework (using Allegro 5, so I'm going to have to entice a porter to make me a Pandora compile), a few object classes (including a drivable car). I was thinking of covering my basic code structure in the first article, with plans of where I'm going to take things.


The next step is to design my map structure, so I can knock up a map editor. Once that's done, I'll get it so you can drive around the maps.


I'm considering adding scripting support, or maybe releasing the code as-is, so if anybody wanted to use it to make a racing game (ala SuperCars/DeathRally/etc.) could do so.

 

[StreaK]

I can say straight, if i get +5 rather good articles/reviews to december, i can create a deadline for feb'2012. There will be no deadline if i will not get any test articles, because it is pointless since im not a writter. I need people to write, because english is not my native language [which i think, is visible enough ]

Only 2 days left..

I was thinking, I could maybe write a "diary of a game" on the development of Hot Pursuit, as it's going to be released on the Pandora. Document my struggles and failures getting to grips with OpenGL ES and all that good stuff? Stepping through demos etc. That'll give you a few "editions" worth of content.


That's if, StreaK, you're still interested in running with this.

Im interested, but final word i'll add after 1st december..

 

[pmprog]

So we're on?! :wacko:


How do you want me to identify headers/titles? Code blocks? Automatic wordwrap? or manual? At how many characters?


Has anybody else started/finished an article?

 

[StreaK]

I can only say, im really dissapointed.. but OP community have 2 days left.

 

[pmprog]

I can only say, im really dissapointed.. but OP community have 2 days left.

No offence, but I've asked several times how you want me to format my article, and you've answered zero times.


I wasn't expecting just 2 days to write it, but I'm sure I can make a decent job, after all, enough development has been done to write about, and I'm a pretty quick typist.


Edit:


I've been PMing a few people who have mentioned about writing articles (and a few other users). I've suggested the article deadline for the first issue to be Sunday, 15th January 2012 (December can be quite a busy time), with an expected release date of 31st January.


Unless StreaK objects, I'd like to propose the following format for those wanting to contribute an article:


Assume the content is the "body" section of a HTML document (so, no html, header, body tags). Headers should be wrapped in h1, h2 or h3 tags, p should be used to seperate paragraphs, li for bullet points, pre for "code", img to embed your images.


All other tags (and contents) will be stripped/removed/deleted (ie, no scripts, no CSS, no hyperlinks).


Summary of supported tags:

• h1, h2, and h3 for headers
  
• p for paragraphs
  
• li for bullet points
  
• pre for code segments
  
• img for images
  

Whether we render as HTML or not, we can preprocess this format for the zine when it comes time to compile them.


Below is a sample, of my proposed file format.

<h1>Big Title of the Article</h1>

<h2>Introduction</h2>

<p>

This is a welcome paragraph

</p>

<h2>Game Engine Structure</h2>

<h3>Engine Flow</h3>

<p>

<img src="example.png">

</p>

 

[GiraffeeDreams]

No clear direction and no real word on permanent contributors, this does feel like a dead end, I suppose not many of us can afford the free time to regularly do this.


I will still keep my fingers crossed, but I think that maybe having a site that has reviews and best of Pandora and what not, then having a PND that fits the articles into a Pandora format, I'm thinking along the lines of say, Joystiq having a website and a mobile app that relays those articles to appropriate devices, that way you'd reach a bigger audience and bring more interest towards the Pandora itself.


Just a thought, you may get some outside interest to do retro articles in general, but a ship without direction will surely get lost.

 

[pmprog]

Can't say for "on going", things change all the time, but so far, people I've got interested and their related topics:


DarkCheetah : Applications and/or Obscure Games


EvilDragon: (Unknown at present)


Gadgetoid : iControlPad(?)


milkshake : Repo


MkidTrigun : Games (Not sure if retro or Pandora)


pmprog : Diary of a Game


PokeParadox : Penjin


skeezix : Retro game review or (hopefully) some really techy details


Additional possible contributors:


Neelix


Notaz

but a ship without direction will surely get lost.

It's not about the destination, it's about the journey


Seriously though. we probably do need some decent direction. I've been trying to get mostly Pandora related (doesn't have to be Pandora exclusive though), but I appreciate there may not be enough content, so having some relating to the retro bit I think is fine (after all, that's half of what the Pandora is about).


If anybody else is interested, please get in touch

 

[FaeMinx]

I'm also fully in support of this, but don't have any time to spare to write anything this year... I'd love to when i get a chance.


Why don't we make it web based untill more momentum has been gathered?


Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using Tapatalk

 

[DarkCheetah]

Now that there is some solid direction for ITB I've begun my first article submission. It's hard to start writing without a formal formatting structure.


Also I think a section for obscure games from the past would be an excellent idea. I already have a couple games in mind, such as Omega Boost for PS1.

 

[skeezix]

I can only say, im really dissapointed.. but OP community have 2 days left.

More to point, as discussed above.. the way you approached this has been done thousands of times before in other circles, and doesn't work You have to manage this sort of thing differently.


pmprog has taken some very good steps -- offering a concrete deadline, trying to gauge peoples interest in writing and committing, and getting the ball rolling towards the direction he wants.


You want to make a zine, you have to play producer/editor, you can't just do the background tech and have it magicly work


Seems going now .. but this thread may be stale, so hard to entice additional writers through it; I'd suggest an article on pandora press (anyone still reading that?) and in the News section on gp32x, and maybe some other sites for fun, and see about drumming up some interest. Or maybe just get one issue out, and if well received, that'll get more interest.


BTW, is this going to be a pdf and on-the-pandora app-zine, or a webzine, or which? I forget now


FWIW, I've asked pmprog (or whomever) to just bug me a week before deadline, and I'll scurry about and put together a couple things. I'm pretty busy right now, and through December, but I'm always very good about hitting deadlines I can commit to his deadline.


jeff

 

[pmprog]

It's hard to start writing without a formal formatting structure.

If you want to just play around with the format (in terms of headers etc.) on an article, if you find one which you think would be nice and generic, let me know. I'm going to consider registering a user on the Wiki and start putting content guidelines down in there.

Also I think a section for obscure games from the past would be an excellent idea. I already have a couple games in mind, such as Omega Boost for PS1.

Updated you topic(s); of course, these are changable, but just helpful for others who want to contribute to see what's being covered.

Seems going now .. but this thread may be stale, so hard to entice additional writers through it; I'd suggest an article on pandora press (anyone still reading that?) and in the News section on gp32x, and maybe some other sites for fun, and see about drumming up some interest. Or maybe just get one issue out, and if well received, that'll get more interest.

Once I've set up a Wiki page, I'll jump on GP32X (unless somebody beats me to it), if you know any other sites worth pushing on, feel free to send them this way

BTW, is this going to be a pdf and on-the-pandora app-zine, or a webzine, or which? I forget now

I would like to say, a Qt app with Webkit, and maybe see if somebody would consider creating a "background" music track that we can play in the background. So it feels like an old-school demo scene zine It would also mean that you could cross compile onto desktop platforms, so it wouldn't be totally restricted to the Pandora.


What are anybody's thoughts regarding this?

FWIW, I've asked pmprog (or whomever) to just bug me a week before deadline

I love how you can barely remember whom you're talking too :wub: lol. I will give everybody listed as "contibutor" a nudge in the new year to see how they are progressing.

 

[DarkCheetah]

I'm actually really content with your suggested formatting Pmprog. Thanks for taking the helm on this.

 

[skeezix]

pmprog -- I wasn't forgetting you, but leaving the option open to StreaK or other 'editors' .. ie: it was prmprog (or whomever else may take it upon themselves) not pmprog (or whatever his name was)


But yeah, I _am_ living on 3 hours sleep a night right now, so my memory is not to be trusted


If its QT+webkit (you just mean a frame with a browser in it?), could publish all the content on a website too, perhaps. I mean, so people can read up while at work and without their pandiras handy, or for those folks who have not yet received their units (*gulp*)


But whatever


jeff

 

[GiraffeeDreams]

The topics thing, I like that, I get the image of how kotaku and the like organise things by putting it into a category, such as retro or news or new releases.


Actually looks like the ball is firmly rolling again, looking quite promising, it might be worth making a new thread when the format has been decided just to have it hit the front page under new threads, just to get newer members and to remind anyone who didn't watch this one.


I'm looking forward to this, I may even do a one off article about the pain of letting a collection go, I have a large Sonic collection and I'm downsizing to just the original games, just an idea.

 

[pmprog]

pmprog -- I wasn't forgetting you, but leaving the option open to StreaK or other 'editors' .. ie: it was prmprog (or whomever else may take it upon themselves) not pmprog (or whatever his name was)

lol, it's okay, I was only joking. I hope people don't think I'm railroading this either. So if anybody feels like they can and want to replace me, they only need to pipe up.

If its QT+webkit (you just mean a frame with a browser in it?), could publish all the content on a website too, perhaps. I mean, so people can read up while at work and without their pandiras handy, or for those folks who have not yet received their units (*gulp*)

Yeah, that's what I was thinking basically - The Qt app will compile on Windows, and Linux desktops, but there's no reason not to provide basic web browser access too IMO

 

[LineOf7s]

I hope people don't think I'm railroading this either.

Dude. Your 'railroading' is the only thing pushing this thing forward. Don't worry about apologising for it. Keep going!


Certainly a bit more 'can-do' than having a 'great idea' then sitting back guilt-tripping people into making it happen.


As soon as I can think of some way to contribute to this effort in a positive way, I'm there. Getting a Pandora will be a good start, but hopefully it doesn't take that long.

 

[FaeMinx]

If this is still going when I get my Pandora back (more than likely next year), I'll definitely try putting something together... either an article or a Pandora related comic strip.

 

[pmprog]

I've messaged all the participants I am aware of, but just a reminder (and notice) to everybody else. This e-zine is still planned to be released by the end of the month


If you are considering an article for the zine, please get it to me as soon as possible - or at least contact me. I could do with the articles by the 15th at the latest really (though some flexibility might be there, I've never actually "edited" a zine before, and it might take me a while, which will give you some additional breather)


Fingers crossed that we pull this off!

 

[pmprog]

Just waiting for the articles to pour in now Then some final adjustments to the site, write up an introduction and credits, and it'll be ready for "publication" to the world.

 

[milkshake]

im going to try and write mine tonight