Let's go to the ManiaGala at the Gamers Assembly!

[adsun]

The stream is not up
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xy3p6s ... VbZZxyvZAL

[steeffeen]

thanks!

is anyone able to watch the stream? it doesn't start on my end

//Edit: oops too slow

[TMarc]

Only the opening act of the GA was shown, where Florent was asked to launch the GA, but nothing directly from the separate Maniaplanet stage yet.

[haenry]

It looks like the Stream is not just in French only, but also not streaming at all

[TMarc]

this morning 11:30 there should be a discussion with Florent.
ok, starting now.

[Mandark]

Hylis is speaking! Probably announcing something?

[TMarc]

short summary of the first speech on ManiaGala stage:

Welcome words
Two major topics:
- creation by the players (mapping, videos, skins, mods, etc.), this is the essential motivation behind ManiaPlanet.
- eSports

Responsiveness to the (Trackmania) community was reduced because of the development of ShootMania.
The new ManiaPlanet will help to combine both worlds and to open much more.

After the release of ShootMania, work will continue more on TrackMania again.
Not a promise: Stadium and Valley should be released until the Summer.
Still many things are to come after the release of ShootMania.

Short presentation of the new UI. As custom title Stunters was shown.

News about ShootMania:
- Weapon change was not allowed willingly. It can be done later using scripts.
- Editor:
Mods also possible here (opens a Snow mod)
Presentation of blocks
More support for custom blocks, e.g. grid alignment, to come in the next weeks.
Example game mode with small attacking bots which were placed as objects.
New features:
° items like weapons, spawns, teleports, checkpoints, lights (might be released later after ShootMania release)
° creation of actions for the player (animations, effects, sounds, scripts)
Nadeo is already working on it since more than 1 year.
Actions can be bound to items or game events.
Internal development mode "Battle of Champions" to show the actions, like spells, healing, protection shield.
Demo was done using mode "Wastelands".

Creation by players helps to increase the popularity. This is the main spirit of ManiaPlanet.
ManiaPlanet 2.0 brings this also to FPS.
Community can ask Nadeo for new features and new items.
Wish to the community: try to accept changes and be constructive.

Switching to Valley (unforeseen)
Looking for a map (Campaign A seems to be ready).
Choses a different map, "AroundTheLake2012".
Birds in Valley are in 3D (feature Nadeo has already developped in 2002!).
Older map, no new blocks shown.

Switching to Stadium
Blocks are not optimised yet.
new roads set into the ground with dirt on both sides, new podium

Switching back to Storm to show new blocks
Things like bouncing rockets can be added using game modes.
Techno blocks with grids. New grid that allows shooting but not passing.
Power Tech blocks with properties, e.g. laser reflection, larger jumps, more dynamic walljumps.
New bunker blocks with more lasers (by Xavier).
Laser targetting system in preparation

Talk about eSports
Some changes from Nadeo might be misunderstood, bu they try to make things evolve.
Main goal is to enjoy and to have fun creating contents and playing competitions.
Competitions can be done easily.
Density of teams and competitions is increasing.
3 levels of gameplay:
- Level 1: matchmaking, e.g. with lobbies by ranking.
Matchmaking is still in development, but it will ease access to competitions (will also be done for TrackMania).
Team ranking based on the ladder.
Actual goal is to
- Level 2: competitions
- Level 3: Top level: public competitions with audience (like competitions at the Gamers Assembly)
This is Sport: will the player reach the goal, will he dare to move? Analogy to baseketball: will the player hit the basket?
Florent is amazed by what the players are discovering as moves.
ShootMania: SM also stands for Shoot & Move

Skins for competitions:
player skins have fixed hitbox (if forced by the server for fair competition), but in spectator view and streams user skins are displayed.

Last words about questions and answers. Florent asks to keep asking questions, he is reading and writing alot in the forums.

Closes with Canyon trailer.

[aborttrap]

Excellent summary, thanks! Some nice details

[TMarc]

thanks

Now Florent (Hylis) is talking on the main GA stage.