News - ChaosUT2: Evolution

random CUT2 pic, for those still playing UT2004

Headlines:
Time to move onWe have a lot to offer UT3 - but need help with codingProgress is slow, but realVortex Launcher tweaksProgress updatearchive...
PoW archive...

	Beta Anti-Gravity Belt	04-29-2009

Hi.

Well, as you may have read on this site already, we stopped production for Chaos for UT3, and of course online player numbers for UT3 remain low. So as far as the ChaosUT3 mod itself, not much has really changed since our last news post on this site.

However, some folks like myself still get the urge to play from time to time, we just don't really prefer the style of play that you find in vanilla UT3 (and for me personally, especially CTF/VCTF, which are my favorite game types). But as time goes by, more and more mutators are being created, and some of them bring some very nice gameplay improvements.

With that in mind, we are now running a UT3 VCTF server. So no, it is not a 'Chaos mod' server, it simply attempts to combine a few mutators that other folks have created to help make UT3 VCTF a bit more enjoyable. Just to help pass the time, and get some use out of the game we bought (of course you can still play ChaosUT2 as well ;p ).

The server info:

Server Name = CarryTheFlag
Password = cut3
IP = 66.55.142.67:7777

It should be visible in the UT3 server browser under VCTF, or you can copy/paste this into your console:

open 66.55.142.67:7777?password=cut3

This server is running the Carry The Flag mutator, which is being coded for UT3 by [Apoc]Death. This style of CTF was first introduced to the UT series by a guy named Versix back in the first UT, and was also how ChaosUT2 CTF was played. The ChaosUT2 version was a bit different than the Versix version, but the main point was the same... meaning you cannot simply touch your dropped flag in order to have it returned to your base, you must actually pick it up and carry it back. Speaking for myself, this is how every version of CTF/VCTF should work in FPS shooters today. And even though it's not currently being created by Chaotic Dreams, it's still a welcome addition anytime it's done.

I would like to thank [Apoc]Death ( www.apoc.org ) for allowing us to help play-test his mutator on our server. It is still in development, and is not considered finished yet, but it is working very well. It is certainly playable, without any crashes or anything nasty like that.

And to help bring some more of that old ChaosCTF feel, we are also running ClassicVCTF, by Xyx, which means you can carry the flags in ground vehicles. This too was a much needed improvement to the vanilla VCTF of UT3, and thanks to Xyx for making it available.

And to make it even more 'Chaos-y', we have included an as yet unfinished Chaos Anti-Gravity Belt, that was coded for ChaosUT3 by MonsOlympus. It's unfortunate that the whole mod was not finished, but this beta Belt is somewhat playable, so we've added it for you to check out. Who knows, maybe somebody will enjoy it, and help me prod Mons into finishing it up.

For those not familiar with what an Anti-Gravity Belt is, you can read about it in our Chaos for UT2004 docs, right here.

You will have the Belt automatically when you join the server, and every time you respawn. It has an energy counter on your screen (looks like the Beserk counter for now) which slowly counts down as the Belt is in use. And you can turn it on and off at will throughout the match. It recharges itself when not in use.

For the time being anyway, in order to use the Anti-Gravity Belt, you must type this into the console at the beginning of each map:

setbind x mutate useitem

This allows you to toggle the Belt on and off. And of course you can change "x" to any key you want. Hopefully future updates will allow you to set a permanent keybind.

This is a Beta build of the Anti-Gravity Belt, it is not perfect. Occasionally it will stop working, but will work again next time you get fragged. It also doesn't have a sound yet, or any visual trail, but at least you can float. If you find any more problems with it, feel free to tell us all about it.

In order to further enhance the gameplay of UT3, we are also running these fine mutators;

Camera Control - so you can scroll camera view while in vehicles
BattleMod - this gives us fast weapon switch, and UT2k4-style dodgejump
Allow Player Alias - so you can change your nick to whatever you want
Win_Dex - removes some of the 'name tags' over player's heads
No Deployables - removes deployable pickups (SpiderMine traps, EMPs, etc)
Vehicle Replacer - no more invisible vehicles

And these custom VCTF maps:

Canal Warfare LE
CBP3-Artemisa
CBP3-Refuge
CBP3-The Dig
Hanging Gardens
Infection Forest SEV2
Silverpoint
Megastructure SE
Off The Rails LE
Slax ][
Wastelands

This thread at Epic forums has links to these maps. Let us know if you can't find one, or if you want to add another one.
http://forums.epicgames.com/showthread.php?t=666785

We may make changes and/or additions to the server from time to time, and the most up-to-date info will be found in this forum thread;
http://forums.chaoticdreams.org/viewtopic.php?t=6394

Thanks!

	Time to move on	07-19-2008

Well, it's unfortunate, but we have decided that we've waited long enough. There just isn't enough interest in UT3 out there, and recruiting efforts for experienced coders are falling flat. This really shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone who has fired up the game lately and looked in the server browser. UT3 just isn't bringing in the players. And of course that also translates into fewer folks willing to mod for the game.

So, with that in mind, the Chaos team is now spending it's time looking around for our next project. We don't know yet what that will be. We're not even sure our next game exists yet.

Naturally we feel pretty bad about this. It was never our intention to spend so much time on something, and not have it finished and released. To be blunt, it sucks. Big time. But we just can't deny the facts either. We've worked hard, created many assets, but the required coding talent just never showed up. And it's been quite awhile now.

Having said that, it's not like we're going to throw away or destroy the UT3 items that have been created. And if by chance we run into the right person down the road, sure, we'll revisit this effort. It certainly would be a shame to see it all go to waste. But for now, we're putting everything on hold, and regrouping. We will be looking at all the games out there, and all the upcoming games on the horizon, and trying to find a new direction.

If you have suggestions or comments, please come by our forums and let us know how you feel. We will be looking for a game that interests us, has a decent online following, and is 'mod-able' to our satisfaction.

So if you are an experienced coder, and have a game in mind that you would love to mod, we are a very dedicated team of talented individuals you just might want to contact.

Please believe us when we say that this news post comes with a very heavy heart. We are not happy about it at all, but there's no point in dwelling on it, or getting all misty-eyed either. These things happen, and you just have to keep your chin up and look to the future.

We would sincerely like to apologize to any Chaos fans who feel let down by this news. Announcing a mod, and not finishing it, isn't something we wanted to be known for, and we hope to rectify that in the future.

Please wish us well, and forgive us, our hearts were in the right place.

And we hope to be back, someday.. somewhere...

	We have a lot to offer UT3 - but need help with coding	05-06-2008

Hi.

To this day, we still have content being created for UT3, and would love to see it all come to life. But we are in need of coding help to make that happen. If you are familiar with UScript, and would like to work on a project that's bound to get lots of eyeballs, please get in touch with us.

(We aren't prepared to release any details yet, but we are also interested a C++ coder who'd like to work with us on a separate, non-UT3 project. It would involve a lot of your time, and we can't promise you any compensation. But there's bound to be adventure along the way, and the future is what you/we make of it.)

In an effort to draw more interest for our UT3 recruiting efforts, we're going to go ahead and share a couple WIP (work-in-progress) pics that we haven't shown here yet.

The first is our UT3 version of the famous Chaos Proxy Mine, which is being created by BitterPill, and he's doing a wonderful job.

(click for larger view)

And the second pic is of an alpha/concept/layout type of pic, but (currently) comes with no explanation whatsoever. But I will say this; there is a design doc that goes with it, and there are at least 3 or 4 other alpha/beta-type maps in this category that aren't pictured here today.

Again, coding help is greatly needed.

We also have a model in the works for our Anti-Gravity Belt, which Menderis is tackling this time. The skin will probably change some, but he's doing a great job so far.

(this item does have code in progress, and internal play-testing underway)

And if you are visiting for the first time, some of our earlier news posts show even more items we have lined up for UT3 (such as the Gravity Vortex Launcher, the Grappling Hook, and the Chaos Lord player model).

We have not thrown in the towel on UT3, not by any means. We simply need some coding help. And in addition to the things I've mentioned today, we have even more new content being created as we speak. Hammerman for example, has at least 2 DM maps in early stages, and we have another trial mapper already posting his first offering.

And there's more. So if you are an experienced coder and would like to help out, please get in touch. We'd love to talk to you.

Thanks for reading!

ps... there's also been a lot of CUT3 art made since we started, here's some of the links, in case you haven't seen them;

http://chaotic.beyondunreal.com/c3_screenshots/art/chaoslord_recruit1.jpg
http://chaotic.beyondunreal.com/c3_screenshots/art/crotale_chaos3lrg.jpg
http://chaotic.beyondunreal.com/c3_screenshots/art/cut3countdown_16x12.jpg
http://chaotic.beyondunreal.com/c3_screenshots/art/cyber_cut3-3_1920x1080.jpg
http://chaotic.beyondunreal.com/c3_screenshots/art/GRAVGUNWALLPAPER.jpg
http://chaotic.beyondunreal.com/c3_screenshots/art/GRAVPROMO1.jpg
http://chaotic.beyondunreal.com/c3_screenshots/art/chaos3black_16x12.jpg
http://chaotic.beyondunreal.com/c3_screenshots/art/Chaos3_White2_1600x1200.jpg

	Progress is slow, but real	03-16-2008

Hello. This is just a small quickie update to let you know that we are still kicking. There has been slow but steady progress on the coding front, and recently some more Chaos maps have seen alpha releases as well.

We realize it's taking awhile, but at least there is this - we will not hold the mod until all of our planned weapons and are in the game. Even in previous versions, that took a very long time, it would be even more so in UT3. So we are planning to release the 1st version of our mutator, as soon as we have at least the grappling hook and the anti-gravity belt working well.

This way the wait is not as long, while at the same time making sure we have at least covered the 'enhanced' player movement found in Chaos. We feel this is the ideal way to start, since the combination of the Anti-Gravity Belt and the Grappling Hook is enough to bring a nice Chaos-y feel to the game, and we can just continue to build on that over time. So please check back!

And we still have a few positions open as well;

- Coder

Familiar with UScript. Capable of coding weapons and game types from the ground up. Ready to begin work upon joining.

- Animator

'Full-time' animator, to assist with some of our original weapons and characters.

- Mappers

Mappers in general, but at this moment, we are especially interested in mappers who are willing to create vehicle DM style maps (at least initially focused on them). The position would require design/layout collaboration with our team.

- Web designer

see forum thread here: http://forums.chaoticdreams.org/viewtopic.php?t=6040

We have a talented team in place, works in progress (maps, weapons, sounds, code, characters...), and design docs for potential PC and PS3 projects.

Please contact us if you're interested!

Thanks for reading!

	Vortex Launcher tweaks	02-04-2008

The new Gravity Vortex Launcher we showed you last week has had a few more tweaks, and there are updated pics for you (don't forget to click for much larger versions);

Other things are in progress, and we will update you again soon. Thanks for reading!

	Progress update	01-28-2008

Hi there! There's a lot going on here lately, so here's the scoop as of today.

First of all I'd like to say that our forums are down, we are aware of it, and we're looking into it. Please bear with us.

And, it just so happens, that our hosts here at BU recently had a crash, and we lost the last couple of news posts that were up here. Those will be re-posted soon.

EDIT: In case you didn't notice - the forums are back up, and the lost news posts have been restored. We're rolling again!

And - we have moved our IRC chat room! We are now at ETG, and the channel name is the same as it was before, so now it's

irc.enterthegame.com
#chaoticdreams

Everyone is welcome to come on by and chat.

Ok - with that out of the way..., Chaos is still underway for UT3! Yay! And we've got some pictures to share with you.

These are still W.I.P. - but here's the latest version of our Gravity Vortex Launcher (of course click for larger):

And a nice pic of our new Chaos Lord player model holding the new gun;

And a wallpaper-y version of that last pic is available too:
http://chaotic.beyondunreal.com/c3_screenshots/art/GRAVGUNWALLPAPER.jpg

We have more news coming! Thanks for reading!