Contingency plan

[Tobyas]

Sure, but, as far as I know, Multiverse is windows only (if nothing else, it doesn't support linux >.<), closed source proprietry rubbish, which, to me, defeats the purpose of creating our /own/ game.

There is a pre-built mmo engine, one based on planeshift, the Peragro Tempus engine
( peragro.org ). It is fully open source, and, has some content of its own that we can likely use.

I know that it runs on some Mac OS, but the 'no linux' support is definitely a problem. However, we do not give up any intellectual property rights by using their engine. We would only have to pay them if we wanted to charge for it, which is something that we currently do not have the right to do anyway (sense it would be more in the realm of a fan-fic game based on the Myst/Uru belonging to Cyan).

We are, by no means, married to Multiverse, if there is something better, by all means we should use it. Multiverse just seems to be the best fit I have found because:
- there is a well organized wiki on the subject
- the major tools are Blender and Python which are already in use by the community
- Multiverse is still developing as a company and so is slightly hungry for a large player base such as Uru fans
- the company mission statement is to provide lower barriers of entry to people with unique ideas for MMOGs (like Uru)

[teedyo]

Some of my thoughts on the subject: ><

Plan C, eh? What was plan B again? Anyway... Let me see if I can make this coherent. I would really to include Cyan in this(or any) plan.

I'm thinking we start with an existing open-source framework such as: http://www.peragro.org/ or http://www.worldforge.org/ and tailor it to our needs. We set the initial focus on the usability of fan created ages. We then port CC/PoTS(and perhaps MYST V/MOUL) content to this framework with a large restriction: Whomever wishes to play Cyan content must have a legally purchased CD(client will check CD and send serial# to the auth. server which will associate it with the username/first time only). We package this conversion on an installation CD/DVD and send it to Cyan for distribution. Those who don't have an original CD(or wish to have a converted copy) can purchase a serialized version from them. Ideally, the server(s) would be hosted by Cyan for a reasonable fee to cover bandwidth/maintenance and etc. costs. We would give Cyan all specifications for creating an age to run in this framework so that they could continue the (N)uRu story as they saw fit/were able. Perhaps they could set Fridays aside for creating (N)uRu content. With this model; Cyan wouldn't own 'the game' in its entirety but, they would own and retain complete control over all URUish content. Using one of the open-source frameworks would allow users of the 3 big OS's to participate.

Other issues:
Client<->Server communications that don't require broadband
make voice chat peer-to-peer; there are issues with this that I'll be naive about and ignore....
unsure of the physics implementations in these open-source engines
this would place a heavy burden on a select number of the fan-base
cooperative work with 7d7 could be a boon to both projects: not mentioned above because I don't think it's far enough along.
just as I thought; I'm being incoherent

[Trylon]

I'm thinking we start with an existing open-source framework such as: http://www.peragro.org/ or http://www.worldforge.org/ and tailor it to our needs. We set the initial focus on the usability of fan created ages. We then port CC/PoTS(and perhaps MYST V/MOUL) content to this framework with a large restriction:

Ok, I'm against adding existing CC/TPOTS (or MYST V/MOUL) ages to that framework (even wiht your restrictions), because:
A) It would be a real pain to convert properly into another format, and imho, we'd need the effort to be put in issueas that are more worth it.
B) Cyan's lawyers would almost certainly not allow it.
C) If we were to do it "Illegally" they would shut us down.
D) The restrictions you propose on it (but all sorts of restrictions on the content) would be pretty complex to implement, and not foolproof enough to warrant a Lawyer-proof system.
E) I think the story should focus on the continuation, and not looking back to the past, by including the "old" ages.
F) I think it's tricky already to get license to work off of their story, and if the plan contains including the Uru content , it would seriously decrease chances of getting it (through with their Lawyers).

We would give Cyan all specifications for creating an age to run in this framework so that they could continue the (N)uRu story as they saw fit/were able. Perhaps they could set Fridays aside for creating (N)uRu content. With this model; Cyan wouldn't own 'the game' in its entirety but, they would own and retain complete control over all URUish content. Using one of the open-source frameworks would allow users of the 3 big OS's to participate.

Now, that was something I had in mind as well, but to be on the safe side, I was thinking of proposing it to them only after the framwork and storyline would be up and running, as I'm not sure if they would invest in it otherwise....
They would probably want a profit of sorts out of it, so I was thinking about advertisements of some sorts if neccessary. (Or a pay-very-little-to-remove-ads system)

[Aloys]

So we have discussed the technicalities, the legalities, and some of the content but we haven't discussed the most important aspect: the story.
If we are to somehow 'continue' the story of Uru then we must first know how Uru ends (does the DRC go bankrupt? Does Yeesha die? Does the whole Cavern explode like in any decent action movie?)
However Cyan might just totally drop the ball and not even close the story; although that'd be surprising. But whatever they do we'll need to start from there. And it's pretty safe to assume than they will not allow us to tap in their own story and characters; ie: they probably wouldn't let us make a game about Yeesha vs the DRC vs the undead ninja bahros (which is really too bad, but that's just my opinion). Doing anything in D'ni, or including 'too much' of the D'ni universe, is risky..
Then what? Should we follow the current events and tell how the Guilds finally emerge, and start writing Ages left and right? Or should we try to create something different? Do we even stay in the present day or try to do something set in D'ni before the fall? (risky)

Should we go with a set single-player story? Or should we go for an open-ended online environement? Or should we try to mix both and follow the Live path, complete with real-time events?.. If the UruLive tragic story has proven anything these last couple years it is that telling stories online this way is difficult.. So personally I'd advise against that format.
Do we even have to have a story at all? Or do we go with a straight no-story sand-box gameplay game (UU style)?

At this point really anything is possible, seeing how we have no idea at all what are Cyan's plans about Uru, and who owns the rights etc.. If they really decide to let Uru go for good, and they don't plan to use the IP anymore for the foreseeable future, then we might have a larger window of opportunity. They might allow us more freedom. At least it'd be in their best interest.

[Tobyas]

I see no reason why the players cannot be in control of the story. Certainly there are enough people with differing opinions about the Art that factional groups could emerge. All that would be needed is an overriding 'moderator' who would serve the purpose of making the differences seem bigger than they are. A mod team could also be in place to provide some minor content (in pre-existing ages) that could serve as a form of competition between factions. Maybe a reward like a circulating 'Eddie' could be given to the most recent team to win a competition. Competitions could be things like races, trivia contests or scavenger hunts.

[Nek'rahm]

Only Myst V age I'd like to see in Uru is Derebo... just because it'd be a cool place to chill which could also be considered a community Age.

Could place some other Guild shirts there for the "newer" guilds that'll be coming up.

That's just me tho

[D'Lanor]

Well, I don't know... According to this plan we will not use the Plasma engine or the existing uru ages. Nor are our ages allowed to contain any references to Cyan's intellectual property i.e. anything that links (pun unintended) them to D'ni.

So as far as I am concerned this has nothing to do with Uru anymore. Maybe it is just me, but I don't really see the point in continuing this way.

[Trylon]

No, you misunderstand. It is every intention to maintain links to D'ni and Myst, history-wise, and art-wise. Much like fan-fiction would.
But actually having the uru ages in it would jeopardize the effort legally. It is my hope though, that later on, we would be able to collaborate with Cyan on it in regards to the actual D'ni content in some way.

On a side note,I codenamed the contingency plan (engine/game/world) "D'Nay" for now (meaning "new root").
And for the storyline there is a separate thread in the storytellers forums.

[Tweek]

No, you misunderstand. It is every intention to maintain links to D'ni and Myst, history-wise, and art-wise. Much like fan-fiction would.
But actually having the uru ages in it would jeopardize the effort legally. It is my hope though, that later on, we would be able to collaborate with Cyan on it in regards to the actual D'ni content in some way.

On a side note,I codenamed the contingency plan (engine/game/world) "D'Nay" for now (meaning "new root").
And for the storyline there is a separate thread in the storytellers forums.

D'Nay means "Root Again" Ni/Nee/Nea is D'ni for new.

[Nadnerb]

I'm seriously not seeing the point of preparing stuff for an engine other than plasma. Even if Cyan doesn't want to allow their multiplayer servers out again, they have already given their approval for fan created/Guild of Writers ages in the single player game. (FCA liscenses) This means that unless they make a very abrupt about face on this, we are free to continue to use plasma, and there is no point in trying to set up shop in other engines, scrapping years of research into using plasma, and in the process lose all connection to uru, as we can only tie into uru by adding to the game, we can't take content from uru and run it in another medium. The Guild of Writers was created to write ages as the new Uru explorers and writers of D'ni, not to become some random online adventure game company, creating an unofficial, and if we have to take it that far, probably illegal, spinoff of uru.

Seriously, whatever happened to last resort? If Cyan denies us the ability to use their engine, they will most certainly attack anyone who tries to take it's content and storyline onto another platform.