Nice to see you back, MaStA{hR}!
1. Real auto-forwarding ports system to alleviate hosting issues. (Beating a dead horse on this one! It may be that we have to move server location to actually fix this issue, but it's one of the last barriers to entry to make this game playable).
Auto-forwarding is working fine now, it's named uPNP (for routers supporting uPNP).
Server location is not related to auto-forwarding.
Also, i think moving the server location could be a good idea, this Netherlands location is laggy for many people. Also need hosting with DDoS protection supported.
Any offers?
2. Implement an auto ladder system that resets every X months (like every 6 months). Online reporting system of ladder would be great too. This could make the game more competitive and drive people to log on and play more ladder maps.
ladder.war2.ru is what we have now.
Any offers about new ladder requirements are welcomed. And help with that ladder is welcomed also.
Let's discuss what it should be.
So, waiting for your turn.
1. Implement the new coloring fix/compatibility update into latest download of warcraft 2 combat edition. At the moment it is a separate download, but it should be included in the actual download so that we don't have 50 versions of the game out and about.
Sure, combat 4.02 coming soon! As soon as new ddraw beta-testing stage will be finished.
I hope 4.x branch will be the only one supported one.
I also plan to include music soon (not sure, 4.02 or future versions).
I'll get it myself.
2. Make it mandatory to download the latest version of the game and make previous versions unplayable and unavailable.
Maybe, at least to make new version to be strongly recommended. I'm still not sure if all these antihack mechanizms are stable, i don't want to get unplayable server because of a bug...
I'll get it myself.
3. Make icons a more regular and accessible to change thing.
Let me concentrate my forces on higher-priority tasks, i can brief a task to any programmer if you find him... That should be a php-script for serveral admins and clan leaders to change and for others to read.
So, waiting for your turn while finishing other tasks.
4. Have a small turnover of current forum/server admin.
Not so easy. Admins for what tasks? We don't want more admins to abuse their power and ban people for personal dislikes. I think we can split the administration tasks for different roles (to let them ban newbies/smurfs for example, to change icons, to migrate stats if we really need that).
So, waiting for your offers about the admins tasks.
1. Giving this game a higher resolution/HD boost to make graphics appear to be clearer. Would probably take an artist and some breaking down of the coding, I don't really know, but that would be boss and it would definitely attract new blood!
Let's explain about what you mean as "higher resolution" firstly.
What i think could be possible (in theory) is to change 640x480 to 1280x960 (as 640*2 x 480*2) and to just redraw each tile and to the same picture with *2 width and height. No any 3d rendering as in war3, nothing except to increase the resolution for each texture. Is that exaclty what you talking about?
Let's detail your wishes about graphics, i don't think we can reach sufficient changes for even lots of money.
2. Making AH appear in-game chat so that we don't have to search in browser to see who is hacking.
Sure, in plans, I'll get it myself.
3. Giving players access to the Public Chat banner.
Good idea also, what i need is:
1. to make sure new ddraw fixed the palette with banner rotation.
2. to get picture2smk convertor. The only one i have is smacker tools and it works on win 32bit only as graphics window. Need to eighter have a software like jpg2smk working under unix-systems, or a vps hosting with 32bit+autoit plugin for smacker tools. Another words, i need a thing to send .jpg (or .gif, or .bmp, nvm) and get .smk.
So, waiting for your turn here.
Cool Factor but not necessarily doable
I actually don't think we should touch the gameplay at all. War2 is war2, otherwise you can get quite a different game. Let's see wargus for example...
I have my crowd-fund link but I will not advertise it until I get full support of the community and we have a unified effort, not factioned multiple mini efforts. I have messaged him a few times, but if I hear no response and people tend to agree with my priority list below, we can start raising money for Lance and iL.
Absolutely agree, we should do everything together, to coordinate our tasks. Then we will reach the success.
We need to think bigger named gamer pool, like Zone or Steam, not Voobly. Finding a way to do this would be great. But we need to find a way to do this with keeping everyone together.
Also agree, i think that should be done after resolving thechnical problems we talking about.
3. Find initiatives that make current players want to recruit friends. This probably needs to be a monetary incentive based on an honor system or a system with an authenticity check list. We should probably try to create a English-based culture but definitely do not want to exclude anyone.
Here's a lot to think and to talk about. Of course that is what we need, the main question is what to do exactly.
4-6
of course great ideas also. Everyone is welcomed to do that. Let me know if i can help, i'm ready to do what you need here.
7. Use twitch live streaming.
Also in plans to integrate live streaming into some future versions of combat.
I'll try to understand what should be done here.