BYOND Strategy Tech Tree: 133

Here's the new layout for Tech Tree.  Apparently it doesn't satisfy some of the people who originally wanted a change, but others seem to like it.

Developers are responsible for their own promotional tools. I'm not creating screenshots. I'm not clipping existing screenshots. If there are no screenshots, I'll try using a banner. If there is no banner, I may try the developer's BYOND avatar.

Screenshots double as links to the enlarged versions.  Click away.

Tech Tree is a list of links about games in BYOND Strategy, a guild run by unpaid volunteers on a game/development portal and software engine called BYOND.  Those curious about notes or YouTube videos I've cut out can view the original version.

The guild's blog has been open to submissions for ages, but nobody ever took advantage of it. This week, I posted a set of General Article Guidelines (as opposed to review guidelines) which, as always, can be found in the rules section. Meanwhile, the New Conquests and Logistics forums have been merged into Our State since the blog makes them almost obsolete.

We've had a couple events/contests posted so far. Hopefully developer journals will be posted as well.

CalusCoRPS' (172.16.0.1's) game of turn-based fantasy battles, Fortay, is likely to receive a graphical update using the isometric capabilities that the BYOND staff is working on. =)

Please note that, while the files are not hidden, those using unofficial releases of BYOND should avoid bothering the staff with bug reports until a public version is released.

The abstract, competitive dungeon crawl, GrimTunnel is no longer being featured by the guild. It might regain its status later, but the redundant interface has become tiresome. Just how many times does a player have to be told to click the G links? The developer is a fool.

A beta version of an RTS, called Empirez, has been released by a group calling themselves EmpirezTeam. I added it to the guild. There's no download available, but the team claims that sessions will be hosted regularly. (Actually, there's a server up as I type this.) Meanwhile, the team seems to be getting some flak for not posting screenshots on the game's BYOND hub entry. I don't understand since they went a step further and created a video.

BenG's boardgame, Breakthrough, has been added to the guild. It's an older BYOND game which probably would have been listed earlier, but I believe there were download issues. The goal is to move one of 16 pieces to the opposite end of the 8x8 board.

Acebloke released Beta D of his empire building game, Wargames 2, and then patched it up. There have been many changes, including improved AI, new research, new units, and alliances. Meanwhile, a map and scenario editor is also available.

Oasiscircle apologized to his players for not updating his defense game, Turtle Towers, as much as he used to. I think he's doing fine. He released two more versions this week with new mini bosses, a new unit, and balances for increased difficulty.

Besides, he's conveniently forgetting that I wrote him a rain check to destroy me in his wargame, Nemesis. ;)

Xodinblood updated Godship: Egyptian Majesties. As usual, there is no record of the changes. The MIDI rendition of Castle on a Cloud still there. Maybe Cosette can get her mother back from Anubis.

Geldonyetich is working on the next design of his RTS, Vehicle Wars. This week, he decided to focus on a single faction and worked out some interface kinks. He's currently running a poll to help him decide how much his efforts should be divided by the RTS and RPG aspects.

Exophus is taking the opportunity to create what he calls a "tactical engine" using BYOND's soon-to-be-released isometric capabilities. I can't look at his rope bridge without thinking of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.

Last Sunday, IainPeregrine's Sessions Guild enjoyed Flick's simultaneous battle, Mano A Mano, and BenG's Breakthrough. This Sunday, the guild is planning a return to Mano A Mano. In additon, they're contemplating midweek sessions of various games. Hopefully, they'll feel free to post any events involving strategy projects on the BYOND Strategy blog.

Removal from the guild's featured list aside, I worked on GrimTunnel this week. I didn't add audio and I didn't add a press-your-luck mechanic. Instead, my first attempt at posting Tech Tree pictures embarassed me into updating the interface. I've posted comparisons.