OJP Needs Your Help - Media Blitz

[razorace]

MaxState made a good point in another thread that we need to do a media blitz and a image makeover so we can draw more players in.

 

As such, I've started this thread to try to recruit help and suggestions to do this. We could really use help on any of these points. I suspect if we get one or two people per item, the workload should be pretty small and then everyone can be happy.

 

Here's some things I'd like to see:

 

1. Redone documentation. Specifically, we need a better introduction readme (which isn't so scary) and a good MANUAL.

2. OJP Icon. I've already had UDM send me a great icon but we need to have several different variations of a project icon for the website, the ingame menus, and the file icons.

3. Better file distrobution. I could really use help getting the OJP files out to the major file servers. Does so is time consuming and a bit of a hassle for me to do by myself.

4. Cleaned up website. The website is pretty old and stale at this point. I simply don't have the time to update/clean it up and do active development on the mod. As such, I need a someone who can do a regular job of maintaining the website. SD has done a good job in the past, but I think his interest has disappeared.

5. Screenshots! I really need someone who can manage and maintain a list of good screenshots for OJP. In addition, I think we need to have an established policy on what should and should not be in OJP screenshots. IE, should third party mods/maps be used to show off the mod?

[ensiform]

1) I suggest maybe making a nice HTML documentation that uses bookmarks around the page.

2) I personally didn't like the icon that well. If anyone has an image in photoshop that can be an icon, I have Axialis IconWorkshop 5.03 and can import/export to photoshop or such.

3) I really do suggest finding a svn server and at least getting the latest branches uploaded even if it does not have all the old logs for now, TortoiseSVN is like 50x better than TortoiseCVS and it has a built-in merge app for diff and merging that works well. Also, for putting it up on download sites make sure when you are ready, you add it to pcgamemods, jk3files / filefront, lucasfiles, and fileplanet even maybe.

4) Frames are god awful, get rid of em, and try to make the new one W3C valid :>

5) Whoever wants to contribute can do so i guess. Maybe make a php+mysql database where people can upload them on new site or something or registered users with permissions to do so can upload.

[Tanqexe]

I was talking to Hock earlier today about embedded videos to go along with the manual. I've recorded some stuff (minus audio) that I can upload to YouTube that can be embedded on an HTML documentation.

 

I can help with site design/graphics stuff that you'll need for your website as well, including painting a splash page for the site

 

Oh yeah...in addition, may I propose that we promote OJP Enhanced as a great way to make machinima films featuring epic saber battles? There are so many elaborate things that you can do with this mod for film-making purposes.

 

For example, using Maxstate's animations and SJC's Invisible Hand map:

 

[razorace]

1) I suggest maybe making a nice HTML documentation that uses bookmarks around the page.

I like that idea. We should try that. Plus, html sit well with CVS. Anyone know of a good and free program for html creation?

2) I personally didn't like the icon that well.

Which one are you referring to?

3) I really do suggest finding a svn server and at least getting the latest branches uploaded even if it does not have all the old logs for now, TortoiseSVN is like 50x better than TortoiseCVS and it has a built-in merge app for diff and merging that works well.

I'm pretty happy with the current setup. I know it's not the best in existance, but it works. Maybe we could try it if there are more people seriously interested in switching to SVN.

5) Whoever wants to contribute can do so i guess. Maybe make a php+mysql database where people can upload them on new site or something or registered users with permissions to do so can upload.

Contribute what? You mean code and such?

 

I was talking to Hock earlier today about embedded videos to go along with the manual. I've recorded some stuff (minus audio) that I can upload to YouTube that can be embedded on an HTML documentation.

That's a great idea! However, I think the video quality is going to have to be better if it's going to be useable. Have you tried recording a demo of the action and then doing a video recording off the demo?

I can help with site design/graphics stuff that you'll need for your website as well, including painting a splash page for the site

That would be great. Maybe come up with a mockup of what you're suggesting and we can go from there? But, I'd pass on a splash page, I don't like them. Alternatively, we're still shopping around for a loading screen for OJP. I believe MaxState has already submitted one, but it's not finalized yet.

Oh yeah...in addition, may I propose that we promote OJP Enhanced as a great way to make machinima films featuring epic saber battles?

Uh, ok. I'm not a machinima guy so I don't know what features to highlight. You'll have to help with that.

[Tanqexe]

That's a great idea! However, I think the video quality is going to have to be better if it's going to be useable. Have you tried recording a demo of the action and then doing a video recording off the demo?

 

I've been using Fraps to do recordings, getting about 20-30 FPS on average for 576x432, so the quality is really good when unaltered. But to make it download-acceptable the quality suffered quite a bit when I encoded to DivX (then again, I don't have the Pro bundle...).

 

That would be great. Maybe come up with a mockup of what you're suggesting and we can go from there? But, I'd pass on a splash page, I don't like them. Alternatively, we're still shopping around for a loading screen for OJP. I believe MaxState has already submitted one, but it's not finalized yet.

 

I can make a mock-up this weekend along with a few speedpaints of splash page ideas.

 

Uh, ok. I'm not a machinima guy so I don't know what features to highlight. You'll have to help with that.

 

The saber system sort of speaks for itself...I was watching that one video on JK Files where a bunch of people were trying to re-enact the RotS Anakin/Obi-Wan vs Dooku scene, and I thought it was sorely lacking. However machinima makers can use the features that are in the OJP saber system (since a lot of the features have striven to be movie-like) to not only recreate memorable fight scenes but also create their own for their own original story ideas.

[razorace]

I've been using Fraps to do recordings, getting about 20-30 FPS on average for 576x432, so the quality is really good when unaltered. But to make it download-acceptable the quality suffered quite a bit when I encoded to DivX (then again, I don't have the Pro bundle...).

Have you tried the demo->video suggestion that I mentioned? It's helped me get better framerates out of the videos I've done.

 

I can make a mock-up this weekend along with a few speedpaints of splash page ideas.

That would be great.

[Maxstate]

Tanqexe, that video is genious!

 

I was planning on making an ingame Demo on the sabersystem, maybe we should combine both our efforts?

[Tanqexe]

Razor: I did try using the demos and compared the quality of the recordings. The one taken from the demo is indeed much smoother on the FPS.

 

Maxstate: Collaboration? Sure! The current YouTube links are pretty much placeholders until better stuff comes along anyway. Maybe I can just splice a recording of the entire demo so that individual aspects of the saber system can be played as embedded videos (I'm looking at the DivX embedded player right now) on the OJP site. This way people can get a watered down taste of what OJP is like before they jump into the water.

[ensiform]

I like that idea. We should try that. Plus, html sit well with CVS. Anyone know of a good and free program for html creation?

 

Notepad++

 

Which one are you referring to?

 

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/5329/iconcopyar3.jpg

 

I'm pretty happy with the current setup. I know it's not the best in existance, but it works. Maybe we could try it if there are more people seriously interested in switching to SVN.

 

You are the only one that isn't really interested and still prefers the old cvs that i know of. :suz:

 

Contribute what? You mean code and such?

 

Whoever would like to contribute screenshots.

[Sushi_CW]

What I've seen of the videos looks good. A couple suggestions:

 

1) Slow them down. It'll be easier to see what's going on if its in slow motion. Maybe have the action in normal speed, then again in slow motion.

 

2) In some of them, such as the heavybounce-kick video, it's hard to see what's going on because of the angle. If you can get a side or oblique view involved, it might help.

[Maxstate]

What I've seen of the videos looks good. A couple suggestions:

 

1) Slow them down. It'll be easier to see what's going on if its in slow motion. Maybe have the action in normal speed, then again in slow motion.

 

2) In some of them, such as the heavybounce-kick video, it's hard to see what's going on because of the angle. If you can get a side or oblique view involved, it might help.

 

Real-time cameras, real-time time control, real time weapon cha... nevermind lol

 

Demos are the answer. A spectator, a game in cheat mode, timescale 0.1-10, g_saberanimspeed, we got it all infront of us and we're not using it!

[razorace]

Notepad++

Uh, I was kind of hoping for something that could handle the bulleting, spacing, etc. Are you just being sarcastic or is Notepad++ a real program?

You are the only one that isn't really interested and still prefers the old cvs that i know of. :suz:

I'm not saying that I prefer CVS, I've just never used SVN. My issue is that changing horses mid-stream is pretty big time investment if I'm the only active developer and I'm already happy with CVS. Maybe if we had other active contributors who desired it changed....

Whoever would like to contribute screenshots.

mmm, people can contribute screenshots on the forums and most of the time it's a quality issue, not one of screenshot volume.

 

Also, I'm spliting the thread since discussion of the new hud is off topic!

[ensiform]

http://notepad-plus.sourceforge.net

[Tanqexe]

Woke up really bored this morning and decided to mess around with wallpaper ideas...

 

OJP Mace vs Vader 1024x768

[Maxstate]

Woke up really bored this morning and decided to mess around with wallpaper ideas...

 

OJP Mace vs Vader 1024x768

Zing zing! Talent!

[Tanqexe]

Zing zing! Talent!

 

:compcry:

 

Now if only my videos would come out better...!

 

Yeah that's one idea I have for the OJP logo; it's a variation on one of the newer movie logo designs, except with interlace scan lines and a cheap glow. I've got another idea, but it'll have to wait until I get back from work.

[csidle]

I'd help out with the media if you'd let me, I was going to do a few movies in Moviebattles, but this mod seems much better for reenactment of movie-scenes. Especially with Maxstates EP3 animations, they add alot.

 

I have a pretty powerful rig (though I don't have it RIGHT now, will next week), so if you'd get demos, I could convert it to a movie format.

 

I was thinking of doing screenshots, like the Mace vs Vader styled one, just in fitting maps and models, for example, Anakin and Obi-Wan on SJC's Mustafar map, on the lava, sabers clashing, with the camera a good distance away so it looks like it does in the movie, SJCs Mustafar.

 

Mace fighting Sidious, while doing his Vaapad, on SJCs Palpatines Office map.

 

Anakin kicking Dooku off the little platform where he enters at the start, or Anakin doing a red-style (Was it So-Chiem..?) upper attack on Dooku, the map is SJCs Invisible Hand.

 

Infact, these wouldn't even be very hard to do. With good photoshopping, they'd turn out great as well.

[Maxstate]

I'd help out with the media if you'd let me, I was going to do a few movies in Moviebattles, but this mod seems much better for reenactment of movie-scenes. Especially with Maxstates EP3 animations, they add alot.

 

I have a pretty powerful rig (though I don't have it RIGHT now, will next week), so if you'd get demos, I could convert it to a movie format.

 

I was thinking of doing screenshots, like the Mace vs Vader styled one, just in fitting maps and models, for example, Anakin and Obi-Wan on SJC's Mustafar map, on the lava, sabers clashing, with the camera a good distance away so it looks like it does in the movie, SJCs Mustafar.

 

Mace fighting Sidious, while doing his Vaapad, on SJCs Palpatines Office map.

 

Anakin kicking Dooku off the little platform where he enters at the start, or Anakin doing a red-style (Was it So-Chiem..?) upper attack on Dooku, the map is SJCs Invisible Hand.

 

Infact, these wouldn't even be very hard to do. With good photoshopping, they'd turn out great as well.

 

Djem-So, I pronounce it like Jam-So

[Tanqexe]

Aaaand...another test video demo (with bots, again)...this time a bit more stylish.

 

Ben vs Vader on Death Star

 

I'd help out with the media if you'd let me, I was going to do a few movies in Moviebattles, but this mod seems much better for reenactment of movie-scenes. Especially with Maxstates EP3 animations, they add alot.

 

I have a pretty powerful rig (though I don't have it RIGHT now, will next week), so if you'd get demos, I could convert it to a movie format.

 

I was thinking of doing screenshots, like the Mace vs Vader styled one, just in fitting maps and models, for example, Anakin and Obi-Wan on SJC's Mustafar map, on the lava, sabers clashing, with the camera a good distance away so it looks like it does in the movie, SJCs Mustafar.

 

Mace fighting Sidious, while doing his Vaapad, on SJCs Palpatines Office map.

 

Anakin kicking Dooku off the little platform where he enters at the start, or Anakin doing a red-style (Was it So-Chiem..?) upper attack on Dooku, the map is SJCs Invisible Hand.

 

Infact, these wouldn't even be very hard to do. With good photoshopping, they'd turn out great as well.

 

More people to do the media blitz, the better! I was thinking the same thing about doing re-enactment screenshots, but that would require actors. The friends I usually play with are pretty pre-occupied with other things in life right now, otherwise I'd get them to help me with making better choreographed videos and screenshots. The main problem is that damned lag.

[Maxstate]

Aaaand...another test video demo (with bots, again)...this time a bit more stylish.

 

Ben vs Vader on Death Star

 

 

Teh pwnationizzles @ your video, just a few tips though:

- use g_saberanimspeed 0.9 , it's default now and it makes combat just a tab slower and more realistic. The combat in the video was just very fast, maybe it's because of the quality? Excellent promotional equipment though!

[csidle]

Tanq, I can act, and I'm very sure you can find others that play the mod with free time (Maxstate, Splash, Revovles, to name the ones I know).

 

Could you PM me your MSN addy if you have one?

 

 

Edit: Also, I think the speed of that video should be toned down a little. They were pretty slow in ANH.

[Tanqexe]

- use g_saberanimspeed 0.9 , it's default now and it makes combat just a tab slower and more realistic. The combat in the video was just very fast, maybe it's because of the quality? Excellent promotional equipment though!

 

Ack! Yeah, I usually play at 1.2 to train, forgot to turn it down to 0.9. I'll make sure to remember next time.

 

Tanq, I can act, and I'm very sure you can find others that play the mod with free time (Maxstate, Splash, Revovles, to name the ones I know).

 

Could you PM me your MSN addy if you have one?

Sending you PM right now.

 

Oh yeah...the logo from the wallpaper earlier:

 

OJP logo concept 1

 

The background is a transparency, and I've tested it on moderate to dark backgrounds and it looks pretty decent.

[csidle]

Nice, looks good.

 

Just wondering, can you do any animating / CG for video sequenses?

[Tanqexe]

You mean actual 3D animation with a rendering program? I'm kind of rusty, but give me a weekend to reorient myself and I can. Why do you ask?

[Maxstate]

Tanqexe, are you God in disguise?