Hello world!

Posted on May 26, 2011 by N.P. Brandt

Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

On Hiatus

Posted on August 3, 2010 by N.P. Brandt

I'm not really a professional...

Dear community,

The time has come to hang my fedora on the coat rack.

The proverbial gas tank has run dry and I no longer wish to report on all things Mirage and its ilk. Passion has waned considerably and to continue in such a fashion would be a disservice to readers. I hope in some small way my contributions have raised awareness of the MORPG ecosystem and its many talented inhabitants. These creatures are rambunctious, unrefined, and altogether charming.  Experts and amateurs alike share a common goal of creating a unique and enjoyable online experience. Some succeeded, most failed.  Some adapted to new technologies, others remain conservative. 

Growth is inevitable.

To those that gave a damn, thank you.  Nothing but encouragement from supporters and a smile and firm handshake from developers.  I will not completely vanish into the sunset.  My Twitter and YouTube accounts will remain active (data must be collected) and I will update and retweet whenever possible.  Do not hesitate to contact me at zajenmail [at] gmail [dot] com.  A response may be delayed, but I do read what is sent.

Time off will be utilized constructively.  My writing needs more polish, games need to be played (and criticized), and new skills learned.  Zajen may relaunch in the future as a self-hosted blog with a sexy new WordPress theme.  Time will tell.

Until then, I’ll be watching.

Sincerely,

N.P. Brandt

P.S. One more post is in the works and will be published soon.  I’ll also make sure the pages have up-to-date information.  Opinion pieces may find their way back here as well. I’m still second-guessing myself about that acronym…

Posted in Amateur, Blogger, Service | 7 Comments

Hey Novalis, long time no see

Posted on July 7, 2010 by N.P. Brandt

Previous Novalis logo. What will the new one look like?

Loss of one will give rise to another.

Some consider the demise of the Online Game Core a telltale sign of decline.  Others will argue that the developers outgrew their pet projects and departed to conquer new territory.  Such is the nature of the independent spirit.

Novalis development suffered from lack of finances and was ultimately canceled.  Its resurrection begins now.  Krankzinnig has returned and is working on a more powerful rebuild of  his engine.  One of the planned features is support for embedded devices via OpenGL ES (2.0 specification).  I’m not well versed in the ways of programming, but the developer assures that Novalis will be much friendlier to novice coders.  Below is a sample of an empty application.

#include “m_video.h”

using namespace Muubo;

void Draw()
{
Clear();
Swap();
}

int main()
{
Init(“Muubo”, 440, 280);
Run();

return 0;
}

Early benchmark tests show that the engine is capable of drawing 10,000 2D on-screen images in about 371.439546 milliseconds.  According to Krankzinnig, “the images are POT safe for older hardware, use mini-maps and optionally compress to DXT.”  Promising results considering that Novalis is still in development.  Click here to see some old screenshots and information.

Wicked, right?

Posted in Engine, Novalis | 2 Comments

News Roundup: I Missed What!?

Posted on June 26, 2010 by N.P. Brandt

I returned from a family vacation earlier this month, but needed more rest and relaxation.  During this time off, I was mercilessly burned by the Texas sun and avoided contact with technology.  I have provided a brief summary of what occurred while I was away.

If anything slipped past my radar, please notify me at: zajenmail [at] gmail [dot] com.  More information (and a bunch of links!) after the break.

Continue reading →

Posted in Alpha, Amateur, Beta, Blogger, Eclipse Origins, Malachite, Merrimint, NetGore, Odyssey, Paxtenus, Release, Saturn Valley Online, Seyerdin, Silverdale, vbGORE, Xtremeworlds | 6 Comments

Lostica Online Re-released

Posted on May 13, 2010 by N.P. Brandt

Copyright 2008-2010 MrMiguu Productions

MrMiguu Productions has made available the original version of  their flagship title, now dubbed Lostica [Retro Edition].

Continue reading →

Posted in Eclipse, Lostica Online, MORPG, MrMiguu Productions, Project Vertigo, Release | 1 Comment

Benign Returns In Classic Form

Posted on May 7, 2010 by N.P. Brandt

Internal struggle split and shattered the original Benign staff.  Dreamer’s Software remained in a weakened state and only the rallying cry against injustice prevented the team from completely dissolving.

In late April, a former member of the Benign development staff posted a thread on the XtremeWorlds forum and falsely claimed the game was open to the public, allowing others to create and host their own MORPG.  Other staff members soon caught wind, and in their defense revealed the truth:  the author of said thread crippled the team, scared players away, and ultimately caused the game’s demise.

Since then the perpetrator has faded into the shadows and Dreamer’s Software has merged with Legends of Arteix.  Soon after, Benign Online Classic was announced.  This new joint effort aspires to rid the game of all inconsistencies and implement changes to core game mechanics.  The revamp will include, but not limited to:  dungeons that require a group effort (3-4 players), larger areas to explore, guild inclusion in the story line, and a more balanced leveling system. In addition, an expansion is in the works.

The beta period ended yesterday and only developers are able access to the server.  Once preparations are complete, expect an official launch soon after.  Download link

Update: Benign officially launched. Please note that there has been an account wipe. [link]

Posted in Benign Online Classic, Beta, Legends of Arteix, MORPG, Release, Xtremeworlds | Leave a comment

SilverQuest Server and Project Joan

Posted on April 28, 2010 by N.P. Brandt

Copyright 2008-2010 SilverQuest

Relive the gaming of the ’80s.

Continue reading →

Posted in MORPG, Opera Gaming Network, Project Joan, SilverQuest, Xtremeworlds | Leave a comment

NetGore v0.2.0 Out Now

Posted on April 25, 2010 by N.P. Brandt

NetGore logo

One month has passed since the seventh release of NetGore and the newest build, along with a jump in version number, brings a few noteworthy changes. Video of an earlier version after the break.

Continue reading →

Posted in Alpha, Engine, Linux, NetGore, Release, Universal Worlds, vbGORE | Leave a comment

Chat with An Itty-bitty Dustmite

Posted on April 22, 2010 by N.P. Brandt

That's right, I went there. What chu gonna do?

The first glimpse of Coke’s  Project Dustmite has been released in the form of a chat client.  Version 0.1 is meant to be tested and torn to pieces.  Testers are encouraged to break the Java code by any means necessary.  Have fun scurrying around like tiny insects, just stay out of my bed.  Anyway, report any errors with great gusto!  Download link located here.

You should know:

[*] There is no spam protection, so please don’t test with spam.
[*] People can log in with the same nicknames, et cetera.
[*] The restriction on one connection per IP has been disabled to determine server stability.

Dustmite v0.1. I like tea by the way.

Update: Rain check, for the time being. [link]

Update 2: Dustmite v0.3 released. [link]

Posted in Alpha, Dustmite, Java, Mirage Realms, MORPG, Release | Leave a comment

Jon Arbuckle’s Blog

Posted on April 21, 2010 by N.P. Brandt

Jon and I have much in common, for better or worse.

Well, today marks the first time I have read a Garfield comic strip with a Web 2.o reference.  I then learned that there were two other strips (click previous in the comic navigation) leading to that wonderful April 21st punchline.  One of these days I’ll have to order and read a few fat cat three packs (owned one or two in my early school days).  I remember grinning and laughing-out-loud from the orange cat’s antics, Jon’s awkward social graces, and his interaction with his two beloved pets.  Garfield, a comic that never becomes stale and has bucketfuls of witty humor.

Copyright Jim Davis. April 21, 2010

Please enjoy the filler post, I’ll post a more relevant entry later in the day this evening.

Posted in Amateur, Blogger, Garfield, OMG!, Zajen Filler | 1 Comment