[Interview] Onslaught Developer - Psyonix

[hal]

We talked to Dave Hagewood of Psyonix about a little gametype they brought to Epic... Onslaught. He had a lot of interesting things to say... thought some of you might want to have a look:

http://www.beyondunreal.com/content/articles/84_1.php

[kisk]

nice read

[ImJacksAmygdala]

That was a great read... Sounds like they came up with a great idea, worked hard at developing it, and found success. I can't wait to hear what their next project is...

[Grimmen]

Very nice interview

[XOR1]

Excellent Interview by Beyondunreal. The other Interviews were great, too. Keep up the excellent work.

[Sectus]

An interesting read, but I must say the development of UT2004 seems *slightly* messy. With five companies having a hand in making it (Epic, Digitial Extremes, Streamline, Psyonix and Scion) and numerous contracted mappers and such. And I had always thought that Epic was the ones who designed the Onslaught game mode.

[BesigedB]

Originally posted by Sectus
An interesting read, but I must say the development of UT2004 seems *slightly* messy. With five companies having a hand in making it (Epic, Digitial Extremes, Streamline, Psyonix and Scion) and numerous contracted mappers and such. And I had always thought that Epic was the ones who designed the Onslaught game mode.

Not really messy. If you hire people you give them contracts which they have to stick to. I'm sure the whole thing was kept under tight control.

[Captain_anarchy]

We did end up scrapping the flyable bomber. It just never panned out to be the vehicle we had hoped it would be and it just wasn’t fun. We left it in the game however so modders could have fun with it.

lol

[tankblitzer]

Originally posted by Sectus
An interesting read, but I must say the development of UT2004 seems *slightly* messy. With five companies having a hand in making it (Epic, Digitial Extremes, Streamline, Psyonix and Scion) and numerous contracted mappers and such. And I had always thought that Epic was the ones who designed the Onslaught game mode.

I dont think there's anything wrong with the collaborative approach that Epic is taking with the unreal franchise. If you ask me, it has resulted in the creation of a better game because it has broadened the developer's perspective on it.

[iam[TechnoMage]]

I think the result of that collaberation is evident in the game... Most fun I've had with a game for along time!! cudos to everyone who made UT2K4 what it is today (and what it will become!)



TechnoMage

[Sectus]

Originally posted by tankblitzer
I dont think there's anything wrong with the collaborative approach that Epic is taking with the unreal franchise. If you ask me, it has resulted in the creation of a better game because it has broadened the developer's perspective on it.

Well, the end result isn't bad at all. But it can't be an ideal working environment. I think a setup like this wouldn't work for most games which has a specific setting and only one main gamemode. But I guess it works for UT2004 since Psyonix was working with Onslaught alone, while Epic was working on Assault (I assume) and other stuff.

[hal]

It actually isn't as chaotic as it might seem.

First, Epic and DE have always worked remotely, so there's a good deal of experience in that area. Second, Psyonix moved to Epic HQ for the development. All the other off-site stuff was merely map creation which is much easier to do.

[Phamous]

"We did end up scrapping the flyable bomber. It just never panned out to be the vehicle we had hoped it would be and it just wasn’t fun. We left it in the game however so modders could have fun with it."

^^^

Ok mappers get in there and bring this vehicle to life. Maybe Epic/DE or one of the veteran mappers can do something with it in the future. Bonus Pack maybe


Phamous ~1~

[T1nman33]

Wow, great read!

If anybody from Psyonix is lurking the boards right now, I salute you guys! You have created what is probably the most fun multiplayer experience I have ever had, and that's saying a lot...ONS is AWESOME!

Many props also to Streamline. I haven't played the other maps as much as Torlan, but I can already see why it was chosen as the demo map.

[SoulRebel]

Pysonix was located in the Epic offices during the development of UT2004. I was lead programmer on the project, and sat next to Dave Hagewood during the development of UT2004. Onslaught was developed as a very close collaboration between Epic and Psyonix. Epic is extremely pleased with the results of this collaboration. Dave is a very talented game designer, and did a great job of bringing his great original ideas as well as implementing a lot of feedback and ideas we came up with as a team during the development process.

Here's a break down of what the various development teams contributed to UT2004:

UT2003, co-developed by Epic and Digital Extremes

The Epic UT2003 bonus pack: 10 new maps for DM, CTF, BR and DDOM. The Invasion, Mutant, and Last Man Standing game types, new announcers, and an in-game music player.

The DE UT2003 bonus pack: 6 new maps for DM, CTF, and BR.

New for UT2004:

Epic: All the enhancements to the UT2003 game types, the new UI, Voice over IP and bot voice command support, engine enhancements and optimizations. The improved single player game, and improved community and demo recording support. Thirty-one (31!) new playable characters. The new sniper rifle. One Onslaught map, and AI support for Onslaught. 16 new DM maps, 5 new CTF Maps, 2 new DDOM maps, and 1 new BR map. The Assault game type design and implementation, including 3 new vehicles, 3 types of turrets, and 6 new maps. (Total of 31 all new maps for UT2004 from Epic).

Psyonix: The Onslaught game type design and implementation, with 6 new vehicles, 3 new weapons (grenade launcher, spider mine layer, and the Phoenix target painter), and the laser turret. Seven Onslaught maps, and collaboration with Streamline on ONS-Torlan. The new model for the Translocator.

Digital Extremes: 2 new DM maps, 6 new CTF maps, 2 new BR maps, and 3 new DDOM maps. Two new playable characters. The new HUD design. New weapon models for the assault rifle, shock rifle, and link gun.

Streamline studios: The single player introduction movie, and ONS-Torlan in collaboration with Pysonix.

[Soul Beaver]

Yep. Reading that article made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. It's nice to see a small group make it good like that. Onslaught is by far my favorite game type.

I have to say UT2004 is a great game. I'm amazed at how much I got for my $40. In fact, I bought two copies so I could give one to my little brother. The game really is top-notch.

Terry
http://www.game-tracker.com

[StevePolge]

(Reposted using my account)

Pysonix was located in the Epic offices during the development of UT2004. I was lead programmer on the project, and sat next to Dave Hagewood during the development of UT2004. Onslaught was developed as a very close collaboration between Epic and Psyonix. Epic is extremely pleased with the results of this collaboration. Dave is a very talented game designer, and did a great job of bringing his great original ideas as well as implementing a lot of feedback and ideas we came up with as a team during the development process.

Here's a break down of what the various development teams contributed to UT2004:

UT2003, co-developed by Epic and Digital Extremes

The Epic UT2003 bonus pack: 10 new maps for DM, CTF, BR and DDOM. The Invasion, Mutant, and Last Man Standing game types, new announcers, and an in-game music player.

The DE UT2003 bonus pack: 6 new maps for DM, CTF, and BR.

New for UT2004:

Epic: All the enhancements to the UT2003 game types, the new UI, Voice over IP and bot voice command support, engine enhancements and optimizations. The improved single player game, and improved community and demo recording support. Thirty-one (31!) new playable characters. The new sniper rifle. One Onslaught map, and AI support for Onslaught. 16 new DM maps, 5 new CTF Maps, 2 new DDOM maps, and 1 new BR map. The Assault game type design and implementation, including 3 new vehicles, 3 types of turrets, and 6 new maps. (Total of 31 all new maps for UT2004 from Epic).

Psyonix: The Onslaught game type design and implementation, with 6 new vehicles, 3 new weapons (grenade launcher, spider mine layer, and the Phoenix target painter), and the laser turret. Seven Onslaught maps, and collaboration with Streamline on ONS-Torlan. The new model for the Translocator.

Digital Extremes: 2 new DM maps, 6 new CTF maps, 2 new BR maps, and 3 new DDOM maps. Two new playable characters. The new HUD design. New weapon models for the assault rifle, shock rifle, and link gun.

Streamline studios: The single player introduction movie, and ONS-Torlan in collaboration with Pysonix.

- Steve Polge

[nfleming]

Great read. And it is so cool that it happened that was, just what all modders wanna aspire to, I think.

[Sectus]

Originally posted by StevePolge
New for UT2004:

Epic: All the enhancements to the UT2003 game types, the new UI, Voice over IP and bot voice command support, engine enhancements and optimizations. The improved single player game, and improved community and demo recording support. Thirty-one (31!) new playable characters. The new sniper rifle. One Onslaught map, and AI support for Onslaught. 16 new DM maps, 5 new CTF Maps, 2 new DDOM maps, and 1 new BR map. The Assault game type design and implementation, including 3 new vehicles, 3 types of turrets, and 6 new maps. (Total of 31 all new maps for UT2004 from Epic).

Psyonix: The Onslaught game type design and implementation, with 6 new vehicles, 3 new weapons (grenade launcher, spider mine layer, and the Phoenix target painter), and the laser turret. Seven Onslaught maps, and collaboration with Streamline on ONS-Torlan. The new model for the Translocator.

Digital Extremes: 2 new DM maps, 6 new CTF maps, 2 new BR maps, and 3 new DDOM maps. Two new playable characters. The new HUD design. New weapon models for the assault rifle, shock rifle, and link gun.

Streamline studios: The single player introduction movie, and ONS-Torlan in collaboration with Pysonix.

- Steve Polge

Great, thanks for the information. Always fun to know how things were developed.

[eon5]

Originally posted by StevePolge

Pysonix
Epic
Digital Extremes
Streamline studios

- Steve Polge

why, just tell me why ANYBODY SCALE RIGHT THE MODELS !


pn: nice read