Mattcrampy
Level: Smitemaster

Rank Points: 2388
Registered: 05-29-2003
IP: Logged

Caravel Software is proud to announce that DROD: Journey to Rooted Hold is stable enough to begin beta testing!

We're very proud of what we (well, Mike) has achieved with this release, with substantial graphical rewrites and gameplay advancements more suited to a sequel than a new version.

The major changes to JtRH are:

* A new hold, with new monsters, new surprises and a new mission-based gameplay, which allows us to tell a fluid and non-linear story from Dugandy to deep below the Eighth. Help Beethro discover and defeat the evil that lurks beneath the soil...

* Beethro can now use not only his trusty sword, but also a dual-headed axe and a crossbow, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. He can even carry potions to use later!

* New graphic engine, including a neat perspective view that will actually change which way the walls tilt as Beethro walks around!

* New fluid styles - hold authors can make the walls, floor and even doors appear however they want!

* Infinite room sizes - you can make a room however big or small you need!

* Levels now go in three dimensions - you now select which rooms are in which levels, which allows Beethro to go up and down stairs, or even jump down in places!

* New lighting system - Beethro now has to ensure he has enough light to see by. Above ground, there'll be plenty of light so Beethro can see the entire room, but below ground, he'll have to have a torch.

* Fully animated cutscenes, showing off Erik's charming illustrative style throughout the game.

* Connect to DROD.net to see your highscores or play online with your friends with a clever 'mulligan' mode.

You can see just how much the look of the game has changed:



We will be running a closed beta, so only the first twenty-five people who sign up for testing will be allowed to test - the others will be hand-picked by Caravel. This is a commercial product after all - we can't let just anyone in.

Edit: We have opened up an additional ten places due to demand. Sign up now!

To sign up, send your user name, real name and a contact e-mail address to webmaster@caravelgames.com by April 14th.

Good luck!

Matt

[Edited by Mattcrampy on 04-01-2004 at 10:28 AM GMT: Additional places]

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What do you call an elephant at the North Pole?

Drizzo
Level: Master Delver

Rank Points: 179
Registered: 03-03-2004
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OMG, I almost just had a heart attack!
makes me glad I check the forums waaaaaay too much, there hadn't even been 15 views yet =)
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edit: Dudes and dudettes... It's soooooo awesome your eyeballs are gonna fall out of your skull when you play this, let me tell you.

[Edited by Drizzo on 04-01-2004 at 05:58 AM GMT]

____________________________
"Disbelief in magic can force a poor soul into believing in government
and business." - Tom Robbins

DiMono
Level: Smitemaster

Rank Points: 1181
Registered: 09-13-2003
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Indeed, it's a good thing I showed up at 1AM to look at the forums. And to think I just made a post elsewhere that predicted this wouldn't be ready for another six months...

There'd already been 20 other views by the time I looked at the thread though, so I might not have been one of the first 15 emails to be sent. The fingers are crossed, my friends.

I find it amusing how some of the features the dev team explicitly said were not in 1.7 have been included in the above list.

[Edited by DiMono on 04-01-2004 at 06:13 AM GMT]

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Deploy the... I think it's a yellow button... it's usually flashing... it makes the engines go... WHOOSH!

squeekie
Level: Master Delver
Rank Points: 140
Registered: 06-03-2003
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I've been playing holds since finishing Drod in October 2003. I would love to be a beta tester. I've been kind of hanging low since my brothers passing but I gotta carry on.


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"Don't accept that what's happening
is just a case of others suffering
or you'll find that you're joining in on the turning away."

Kniggit
Level: Goblin
Rank Points: 17
Registered: 01-15-2004
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If this is an April Fools thing...

DiMono
Level: Smitemaster

Rank Points: 1181
Registered: 09-13-2003
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I assure you it's not a joke, my friend, Matt's sent me the download link for the JtRH beta and I'm grabbing it as I type this. And here I was planning to sleep tonight...

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Deploy the... I think it's a yellow button... it's usually flashing... it makes the engines go... WHOOSH!

Koro
Level: Delver

Rank Points: 74
Registered: 01-16-2004
IP: Logged

This is definitely going to drive the rest of us that don't get the beta crazy as we know our fellow forum buddies are enjoying their all new DRODing while others wait out in the darkness, straining their ears for crumbs. Let's hope for a short beta with very few bugs...

[Edited by Koro on 04-01-2004 at 06:57 AM GMT]
I just wasted my landmark 100th post I'll have you all know. Hook, line, and sinker... Grrr! Or wait, maybe it is a double lie, to keep those of us without the beta happy in our ignorance. It could drive a fellow mad...

[Edited by Koro on 04-01-2004 at 08:50 PM GMT]

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Vectors are pretty cool, they take your mind off of girls.

masonjason
Level: Smiter

Rank Points: 349
Registered: 12-29-2003
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I knew this was coming. I had even predicted the exact day. Weird, isn't it?

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Eighty people came to the bazaar.

agaricus5
Level: Smitemaster
Rank Points: 1838
Registered: 02-04-2003
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Grr. I'm never awake when all this happens. I've probably missed the beta entries now. Oh, well. Now to wait and hope that someone will be nice enough to me to let me into the testing grounds, or I suppose it'll be a really long wait.

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Resident Medic/Mycologist

Mattcrampy
Level: Smitemaster

Rank Points: 2388
Registered: 05-29-2003
IP: Logged

The places haven't filled up yet.

Matt

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What do you call an elephant at the North Pole?

RoboBob3000
Level: Smitemaster

Rank Points: 1980
Registered: 10-23-2003
IP: Logged

I'm in!

THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU
THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU
THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU
THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU
THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU
THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Edited by RoboBob3000 on 04-01-2004 at 10:11 AM GMT]

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http://beepsandbloops.wordpress.com/

DiMono
Level: Smitemaster

Rank Points: 1181
Registered: 09-13-2003
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Alright, I've been playing the beta for seven hours straight now, completely ignoring sleep, and I really must say that I'm totally blown away by it. Those of us involved in this beta run are really seeing something special, and I can say with certainty that everyone will be quite impressed when JtRH is finished and released. Matt told me there are still a few open slots, so there's still time to get in on the closed beta run.

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Deploy the... I think it's a yellow button... it's usually flashing... it makes the engines go... WHOOSH!

joker5
Level: Smitemaster
Rank Points: 607
Registered: 11-25-2003
IP: Logged

I sent my email about an hour ago and I'm really twitchy. So twitchy I messed up a basic differential rule on my Calc test. *twitch* Now I know how Tweek feels. And the Red Bull isn't helping. Damn lousy alarm clock... Ahh! The gnomes are coming to steal my underpants! Sweet jesus this is not a good feeling. *blows an artery due to stress* In the meantime I'm guessing that no news is bad news, AKA a "no".

EDIT: I just saw the thing about the crossbow and the axe... I'm drooling and twitching now.

~joker5

[Edited by joker5 on 04-01-2004 at 05:45 PM GMT]

____________________________
Criminals, like other people, dislike being shot. ~FBI study on guns

www.badgerbadgerbadger.com

"Two words: Beam Waffle!" -me

The_Red_Hawk
Level: Smitemaster
Rank Points: 783
Registered: 09-02-2003
IP: Logged

I really hate this coincidence - I wope up at 6:30 this morning, and I thought "Nah, I won't look at the forums now." And now, I'm being held in suspense. Are there still spots????????????????????
?????????????????????

Oh please, please, please.....

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Slashing, whirling, diving, twirling,
Snapping, turning, rising, swirling,
Screeching, flipping, gliding, sliding,
The red hawk's dance of death.

.....the king of the skies.....

Drizzo
Level: Master Delver

Rank Points: 179
Registered: 03-03-2004
IP: Logged

I'm pretty sure there may be a couple... I doubt the last ones filled up quite so fast... It's pretty intense, although I've already got a few bugs to report, which is a good thing, because typing 'em out gives me a chance to slow my brain down... The hold part isn't entirely complete yet, but these new dungeon elements have completely revolutionized the way you have to think during the game... a lot of it is relearning your strategy entirely, yet it's still very much DROD... When this is in final release it will be unbelievable.

____________________________
"Disbelief in magic can force a poor soul into believing in government
and business." - Tom Robbins

billbuckner
Level: Delver
Rank Points: 57
Registered: 05-03-2003
IP: Logged

I have a feeling this is an April Fools day joke, but i sent my mail anyway.

The_Red_Hawk
Level: Smitemaster
Rank Points: 783
Registered: 09-02-2003
IP: Logged

No, it isn't - a few people have already received it, as you can tell from the responses.

____________________________
Slashing, whirling, diving, twirling,
Snapping, turning, rising, swirling,
Screeching, flipping, gliding, sliding,
The red hawk's dance of death.

.....the king of the skies.....

Zmann
Level: Master Delver

Rank Points: 241
Registered: 04-21-2003
IP: Logged

I have one word: WOW!
This game is amazing. The screenshot just doesn't do this game justice. You have to play it to see how good it is. Its freakin' amazing.

WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW.

I'm going to go back to playing it now.

WOW.

-Zmann

joker5
Level: Smitemaster
Rank Points: 607
Registered: 11-25-2003
IP: Logged

Anyone know how long Matt usually sleeps? About 8 hours, would you say?

If so then expect responses in around... 3 hours, maybe a bit more if he's a slow riser.

On the upside this is slightly more bearable than the 6-month until-major-release mode I was in before. This is worse in one aspect because I MIGHT NOT GET IN, whereas it was pretty much a fact that 1.7 was going to be released inna few months, and even if they nearly starved we would feed them and make sure they weren't evicted and such.

Speaking of that wait, if this beta takes about 3 weeks, and the bugs are all minor, and the rest of the dungeon takes about a month to two months... we could be playing a demo in around... 1 and a half months.

Much more humane than the 6-month thing that sorta just emerged.

Let's hear it for the Dev team for all their hard work, dedication, and creative rumor-control and -mongering! Hip hip Horray!

</psychotic babble>

~joker5

____________________________
Criminals, like other people, dislike being shot. ~FBI study on guns

www.badgerbadgerbadger.com

"Two words: Beam Waffle!" -me

Drizzo
Level: Master Delver

Rank Points: 179
Registered: 03-03-2004
IP: Logged

Actually, Matt has resigned from administration of this website, and all caravel related affairs have been turned over to the ghost of Joseph Goebbels, who I'm sure will be merciless and respond in a coarse typed german accent "No beta for you!" Meanwhile, I'll marvel at the particle effects used for the bomb explosions, and continue to try and find new ways to crash the editor. Mike may be a speed demon on the coding that we all adore, but I think to hope that ANY beta lasts only 3 weeks is a pipe dream. Yes, it's stable-ish, and yes it's awesome, but there's a lot of work to be done, and that's after a little under 14 hours of checking. I dread to think what DiMono's eye has found, that boy attracts bugs like roadkill covered in honey...


____________________________
"Disbelief in magic can force a poor soul into believing in government
and business." - Tom Robbins

Nillo
Level: Smitemaster

Rank Points: 548
Registered: 01-04-2004
IP: Logged

I sent my mail 3 hours ago and I have'nt gotten any response.
Did you get my email, Matt?

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“Folks say that if you listen real close at the height of the full moon, when the wind is blowin' off Nantucket Sound from the nor' east and the dogs are howlin' for no earthly reason, you can hear the awful screams of the crew of the 'Ellie May,' a sturdy whaler Captained by John McTavish; for it was on just such a night when the rum was flowin' and, Davey Jones be damned, big John brought his men on deck for the first of several screaming contests.”

The_Red_Hawk
Level: Smitemaster
Rank Points: 783
Registered: 09-02-2003
IP: Logged

Look back two posts ago - apparently he'll be sleeping right now.

____________________________
Slashing, whirling, diving, twirling,
Snapping, turning, rising, swirling,
Screeching, flipping, gliding, sliding,
The red hawk's dance of death.

.....the king of the skies.....

joker5
Level: Smitemaster
Rank Points: 607
Registered: 11-25-2003
IP: Logged

30 minutes until Matt awakens... if he sleeps 8 hours. Given that he's a programmer he probably sleeps like 16. Matt, your opinion on this topic?

~joker5

____________________________
Criminals, like other people, dislike being shot. ~FBI study on guns

www.badgerbadgerbadger.com

"Two words: Beam Waffle!" -me

Stuwy
Level: Master Delver

Rank Points: 212
Registered: 04-10-2003
IP: Logged

I sent my request in to matt, Hopefully theres more room left.

He He, If this is an April Fools joke this is the best one yet because of the 1.7 excitement. If this is an April Fools Follie then Matt is gonna get it hard by some angry DRODers (including me )

[Edited by Stuwy on 04-01-2004 at 11:46 PM GMT]

joker5
Level: Smitemaster
Rank Points: 607
Registered: 11-25-2003
IP: Logged

Man... never has one man's natural sleep's end been so awaited.

EDIT: I just realized that this whole thing might be an April Fool's sham, like the "ridiculous speculation topic". That would hurt. I mean, the thing around that screenshot is exactly the same as the old one... and the maps are the exact same size as the old ones despite the "infinite room size" thing... and the crossbow... and the axe... Unless they only disallowed suggestions to the tune of these BECAUSE THEY WERE ALREADY IMPLEMENTED.... hmm....

I just convinced myself it's not a joke. The brain is an amazing thing.

~joker5

[Edited by joker5 on 04-01-2004 at 11:48 PM GMT]

____________________________
Criminals, like other people, dislike being shot. ~FBI study on guns

www.badgerbadgerbadger.com

"Two words: Beam Waffle!" -me

Stuwy
Level: Master Delver

Rank Points: 212
Registered: 04-10-2003
IP: Logged

Well I'm going to find out soon if this is real or Matt's just pulling us. I'm going to work now and I'll be back in about 5 hours, see you guys later

joker5
Level: Smitemaster
Rank Points: 607
Registered: 11-25-2003
IP: Logged

News flash: Matt lives in Australia. This means his timezone is -10. Mine is -5. It's 6:46 right aboot now, so it's about 2 over at Matt's place. He's not sleeping, he's working.

Probably.

Although knowing how hot Australia gets I wouldn't be surprised it he's sleep-working.

~joker5

[Edited by joker5 on 04-02-2004 at 12:15 AM GMT]

____________________________
Criminals, like other people, dislike being shot. ~FBI study on guns

www.badgerbadgerbadger.com

"Two words: Beam Waffle!" -me

Scott
Level: Smitemaster
Rank Points: 578
Registered: 02-12-2003
IP: Logged

Australia is +10 not -10. At the time I posted this its 10:50am in Australia.

joker5
Level: Smitemaster
Rank Points: 607
Registered: 11-25-2003
IP: Logged

You sure? He should be up by now then... I know I am.

~joker5

____________________________
Criminals, like other people, dislike being shot. ~FBI study on guns

www.badgerbadgerbadger.com

"Two words: Beam Waffle!" -me

ErikH2000
Level: Legendary Smitemaster

Rank Points: 2794
Registered: 02-04-2003
IP: Logged

joker5 wrote:
You sure? He should be up by now then... I know I am.

Joker, why don't you just call him? His phone# is (+0431)12-1131809-7. If you want, check with the operator first to see how much the call is going to cost per minute, depending on your long distance carrier it might not be so bad. Like for me, it's 6 cents a minute to Australia in the evenings, but I'm on the BMI plan which is good for international calls. Also, I wouldn't normally put people's phone numbers up on the internet, but Matt told me before it was okay. He likes to be accessible!

-Erik

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The Godkiller - Chapter 1 available now on Steam. It's a DROD-like puzzle adventure game.
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