space station 918: the 2nd dimension

space station 918: the 2nd dimension: I haven't abandoned this blog. I've just been really, really into Terraria lately. Over the last month I've done three things, other than...

Procedural Generation, Space Game & YouTube Videos

This is the first post I've made in a while, I've been busy attempting to revive previous projects with very little success. I've recently attempted to create a procedural generation code in Action-Script 3, however it lagged badly & never even finished generating the first layer. So instead I've started working on a space/sci fi survival game which, as of yet, is unnamed. I've been posting videos of its progress on YouTube if you wish to view them. I'm almost done with the first level of the player's ship & I should have the next level done within the next fortnight (as I will not have my pc for a few days for upgrading).

Game Design Snapshot - Test Flight

Programmer's Block, H+ & Sequel

So I've been having trouble thinking of what to make out of this game I'm working on. I originally planned on basing it loosely on the Internet series H+ but now I'm considering changing to something else. I still want to keep the idea of sci fi but what specific story I don't know. I also want to be able to pave the way for a sequel in the event I decide to make one.

Game Design Snapshot - Tilesets V2, Part 1

Game Design Snapshot - Tilesets

Photoshop Snapshot

Turtle, Banned Items & LUA

I was on the server again today, build a lamp sign for the spawn & I also managed to map navigate points for the turtle to travel to the spawn & my underwater lab. I was also able to add the banned items to the Blocker plugin. For the majority of the day I was helping rich2011 setup a mining turtle to excavate then drop the resources in a chest. I was able out much but tomorrow is the anniversary of Safebox & therefore I'm going to hold a celebration on the server. Beforehand I'm going to attempt to learn a bit of LUA to understand the ComputerCraft program better.

War of Gods, Infinite Error Loop & Pet Turtle

Managed to guard Admin Island against normal users. Hacker & I had a fight however because he claims one of the plugins is causing errors. We had what I would call a War of Gods, he kicked & banned me, I undid his damage, kicked him then unopped him. He still had access to the console & forced the server to restart. Fortunately the other two players & I quit & joined the game again before he restart it so when we joined everything was fine. Hacker on the other hand lost all build activity since his last login. We eventually cleared things up but not too soon after we all disconnected with time out errors. Originally I thought the hosts were updating their servers but eventually a member of support contacted me claiming that it was someone's redstone contraption that had cause an infinite error loop (eg. setting a timer to turn itself on). I deleted the world & replaced it with one from Hacker & mine's private server. I worldguarded Admin Island again & created a better spawn. I also gave myself a pet turtle from the ComputerCraft mod. Still trying to figure out LUA code that will let it go to specific co-ordinates.

Admin Island, WorldGuard & Minoria Files

Today I was able to start work on my house on Admin Island. Someone else started griefing, he wasn't at the same time as me but I've set the server to jail him next time he joins. I've taken the server offline until I can WorldGuard the island. I've also decided to release the source files for Minoria once the game is complete. This will allow me to start work on my next game.

Turnout, Minecraft Celeb & Mushroom Island

Today was an utter success! Got quite a few people on the Tekkit server launch. Two fans from the fb page, a moderator from a server I've previously played on (as well as being someone I know personally) & even a celeb among Minecraft modders. Creator of the SkyrimCraft mod, madcrazydrumma whom is actually the brother of one of the fb fans. Should have a good day tomorrow, gonna start work on the mushroom island!

Tekkit Server, Teleporting & Official Statement

Today I was able to purchase the Tekkit Server. I've installed a few plugins to prevent grieving & undo explosions as well as teleport request system so I don't continually get asked to teleport players around. Hacker & I were once again arguing about the status of the bukkit & Tekkit servers. This is official: The Safebox Tekkit server is hereby the official Safebox Minecraft server until further notice given by me!

Return to Minoria, Plugins & Argumentative

I took a break today from Minecraft & Tekkit & continued working on Minoria. I managed to map half the base level of the map. Also I've started making a list of plugins I'm going to install in the Tekkit server. A couple of moments ago I was talking to Hacker about the servers & unfortunately we had a bicker about which server should be the official server. I still don't care what he says, the Tekkit server will be the official Safebox server!

New Website, Speed & Server Release

Today Horus was updating the website with a new layout & a new colour scheme whilst I was attempting to speed up Minecraft & Tekkit. I succeeded & now I should be able to join the Official Safebox Server with minimal lag. The server releases sometime between now & Wednesday, I'll post the IP when it's on.

GCSE, Under 20's & PermissionsEX

Today was very productive. I got my GCSE results, changed my ringtione be to Under 20's & started working on plans for the server. I'm not going to go into any details just yet but I will say I am being very generous with PermissionsEX!

Minecraft Servers, GCSE's & Cutting Short

So today I was trying to get a hold of Hacker to speak to him about Safebox's Official Minecraft & Tekkit Servers. I eventually got a hold of him & we agreed we would each run a server. Unfortunately that's all I did today because tomorrow is a massive day for teens in the UK & me also. It's the day the GCSE results come out, hence I'm going to cut this blog post short & get some sleep. Goodnight Internet!

Java Support, Rental & Hacker

Today I was looking for a free Tekkit host or a free VPS that supports Java applications. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any that didn't need to be rented every month. So I'm considering purchasing one instead. Hacker, however, may wish to keep looking for a free one but in the meantime I've given up.

VPS, Miscalculation & More Miscalculation

I've been playing Google today by looking or free Minecraft Tekkit server hosting & VPS's. However my search was misbegotten as I was unable to find any suitable hosts. Also I accidentally miscalculated the size of the map whilst designing today. I just barely managed to fix it by cropping the top of it, hopefully it won't happen again. Ive also realised Minecraft Tekkit series won't be ready in time for 31st August, which is the one year anniversary of Safebox. I planned to release episode 1 in the newsletter which also falls on the same day.

Day Off, Server Lag & Upgrade

Today's post is more personal as today is a Sunday & I take a break from my projects on this day. So instead I played a bit of Tekkit after I eventually port forwarded my pc & laptop. I lagged incredibly much, so I started googling for a processor compatible with my motherboard (as my current processor is the cause of my lag). I haven't found one thats faster than my current processor but when I do I'll consider getting it. Hopefully I'll get it updated before I start recording my MC Tekkit series!

Mapping, Competition & Trailer

I got very little done today due to the warm weather, but out of what I did get done, I didn't get much. I finally started to map the world in Minoria basing it off another video game. I'll be hosting an ongoing competition for whoever successfully guesses the map used. The winner will get an in-game prize of thier choice. Also I've started to make a trailer for my upcoming Minecraft Tekkit series (again, still unnamed. Open to suggestions).

1.3.1, ερτυθ ιοπας δφγη & Gamescom 2012

Today I was considering several things to do with my upcoming Minecraft series. What should it be called, what's it about, what mods will use? I eventually narrowed it down to 1.3.1 mods, as they're the most recent & the 1.3.1 update has more features. Also I've decided to use the map from ερτυθ ιοπας δφγη: ξκλζχψω βνμε ρτυθιοπ in Minoria. As the game progresses & I update it more, I shall add new maps & new locations for the players to explore. Also the Safebox newsletter continued this week with a Gamescom issue. Horus stated that he wasn't fond of the games at Gamescom hence the lack of games in the Top News section.

Mann VS Machine, Saving Space & Episode One

I took today off from working on any of my projects to play the Mann VS Machine TF2 update. I waited an hour & a half just to join a server (behind 7683 people) which had 3 seconds left on the clock. I eventually figured a way to play an MvM match by creating a server with the map which had downloaded when I was on the other server. Long story short, you don't need 6 players for an MvM match. You need a f*cking army, I mean seriously, they just keep coming O_O !

Back to game development, I'm using the Last Days Revival Minecraft texture pack for the Minoria update. Also I'm attempting to make the Minoria world as open as I can by using only two maps. One for the outdoors & one for the building interiors.

Over the past few days I've been making several tweets about the status of my upcoming Minecraft Tekkit series. The first episode will be uploaded on the closest Saturday to 31st August (which is the one year anniversary of Safebox) & the uncut version (aka the behind the scenes version) on the following Sunday. I'll be uploading an episode every week. That's it for tonight's blog post, see you all tomorrow!

Desktop App, NeoSky & Nate&Sie

Today Horus was able to finish making the Safebox desktop app. Whilst I simultaneously was able to repair my Tekkit PvP after I inadvertently locked myself out of the start location. I've uploaded the map to the website under the downloads section. Also NeoSky sent me the title for Minoria which I think looks pretty impressive, I've updated every forum that the game was posted on as well as updating the Minoria website. I've spoken to Nate & Sie about them taking part in the Tekkit PvP & they said they'd think about it. Also one of their Admins said they would take part. I still need another two teams to take part, I'll be in one team with Hacker.

169 Minus 168, Day Z Parody & Secret Game

I've managed to skin 168 of the mods being used in my upcoming Minecraft series down to just 1. I forgot about the Single-Player Commands mod, also I'm going to continue working on the alpha 1.0 update for Minoria which will now be a Day Z parody.

On a more ambitious note, I've already got a third game idea in mind. Not gonna reveal anything just yet!

Someone Else's Dirty Work, 168 & The Series With No Name

I've had Horus design the map for my upcoming Minecraft series whilst I prepare the mods & plugins that I'll be using in the series. I've installed 168 mods, and that's just the client-side mods. I haven't even started yet on the server mods or plugins, but I should have them done within the next few days then I should be ready to start filming. I still don't have a name however, I'm open to suggestions via my twitter @Safebox360!

Minecraft, YouTube & NPC's

In this entry I'm going to talk about an upcoming Minecraft series I'm working on. Its a little different that other YouTube series as it's only me starting in it. Not only that but there are working NPC's which will contribute to the main storyline. And these aren't just your standard sit-there-and-look-pretty NPC's, no these ones are able to move, can be equipped with weapons, armour, can follow me, can say certain things at certain times, the works! I'll keep you up to date with progress on the series as well as Minoria via this blog.

Real As Can Be

I've taken the last couple of days to come up with ideas for Minoria. I've realised that a technique called geomorphing is an incredible help for making an open world. Also I've decided to make this zombie MMO as realistic as I can within the constraints of the program, I will allow users to kill each other & scavenge the bodies for supplies. I'll also have randomly spawning food & weapons to keep players stocked up as well as set locations where the zombies will spawn. Any input into this game is appreciated. Any ideas can be tweeted to me @Safebox360.

The Living Impaired & Tekkit PvP

Horus & I had our debate about whether to make Minoria a time travel MMO or a zombie apocalypse survival. We had an impartial twitter follower listen to our points then decide who's idea to go with. They voted for Horus so I'll be updating Minoria over the next week to make it a zombie apocalypse. Also I'll be creating a Minecraft Tekkit PvP map & I'm hoping to get some YouTubers such as Nate & Sie & XerainGaming to play it.

Run for your life!

Horus & I were having a Skype meeting yesterday & we stumbled upon the idea of a time travel MMO for Minoria. He Skyped me again today & said that he's now considering a zombie survival game similar to Day Z. We're arguing over which idea to go with, but we need to decide on an idea quick as I'm going away for a week on Friday & I want to spend the time designing Minoria.

Temporal Mechanics & Custom Builds

I've come up with another genre for Minoria, time travel. One of my many fields of expertise, I found several accounts of time travel incidents & I believe I can weave into a series of main missions & side missions in Minoria. Also I've found several custom builds of the Eclipse Origins engine including one that will allow me to embed the game on the website making it more convenient for some players.

In Search Of A Genre

I've been told by a member of the Indie DB that I should think about what Minoria is before I release it. So I'm using the update time to do just that. I've put a survey on the Minoria website to ask for public opinion & I'm going away for a week from Friday so that should give some time to define this game.

Going Through Changes

Ive finished making the first floor of the welcome center. Also I'm considering changing the MMO system as Eclipse Origins only allows me to have 100 maps & knowing me, I'll use more than that. I'm also considering changing what the game is about, the current game has no purpose & as a result it has no players. I'm also considering changing the name, but I've already established Minoria on Facebook, RMVX, the website & the Indie DB. But I'm going to attempt to keep the name if I can.

3D Game Design, Indie DB & Minoria Pre-Release 1.1

Ive been considering making a 3D next. However there aren't many 3D game makers that are easy to use & free. Also I've signed up at the Indie DB & posted both Safebox's Mod & Minoria, I'm currently awaiting approval of their postage. I've also started working on the welcome/information center in Minoria & as soon as its done I'll start working on a teaser trailer to help boost players (which is literally just me, Hacker & one other player).

Pre-Alpha 1.0 Release

Sorry for the lack of posts, I've been busy getting this game ready for pre-alpha release (which is out today). I'll be continuing to update the game with new areas & items once a week. Now I'm considering starting on a 3D game, whether or not I will is another matter.

Preparation Time

Today I got a few icons done for the clothing as well as finishing my office. I have to say, it looks amazing! Anyway, I should be ready for pre-alpha release by the end of this week (hopefully before the Olympics). I still need mappers to help me design the information center at the spawn area but it'll have to wait till the pre-alpha release.

Suit Up!

I've finalised the sprite template as well as the two clothing pieces; a default orange jumpsuit & a water outfit designed to give the effect of the player swimming. I am not sure what other clothing pieces to have just yet but I have decided on promotional items such as YogsCast skins & movie skins.

Still Requesting Help

Today I was at a loss as to how to design the main building in the spawn area. I need help designing these areas & quickly, I plan for a pre-alpha release next week & I can't do it unless I have at least 3 areas.

Requesting Help

I should be done mapping the spawn area tomorrow, then I'll get started on either the HUB area or my office. I might get some help with mapping as its taking longer than expected.

Shenghi Hill

I've nearly finished mapping the spawn area, which I have decided to name Shenghi Hill. After its finished I'll get started on the building interiors & my office. I've decided to make my office look space-y (or even put it in space).

Major Fail!

After attempting to map a fakemon town, I realised that I still cannot design maps. So I've decided to recruit via the RMVX forum. And I'm also gonna release a pre-alpha version sometime before the end of the week to allow fans to help.

One By One

I've added several tilesets to the game including SphaxBD Minecraft texture pack which I'm using for the terrain.

Back Again!

I'm back on my Google blog, and this time I'll be posting about Minoria. A new MMO that my team has in the offing. Every day I'll be posting at least one update about what were working on in the game & we may even host a little competition for people to gain gold rank once it's done.

<|))) Testing, one, two, three!

Voices, just a couple of hours ago I had a revelation. I need to add voices to Safebox's Mod 2. I'm already adding the YogsCast voices, why not give Steve Gregg a voice as well?

Minecraft Texture Pack / VX Tileset Layout

In order to tell walls apart from floors & roofs, I've had to copy & rotate blocks from the texture pack. Leaving the blocks facing up will represent walls, rotating them 90* anti-clockwise will represent roofs & rotating them 90* clockwise will represent floors.
Example:

Wall Tile	Green & Cyan
Roof Tile	Pink & Blue
Floor Tile	Red & Orange

New Sprite Template, Minecraft Tileset & Shadow of Israphel!

Shadow of Israphel, one of the most popular...THE most popular Minecraft series on YouTube & it's going to be in Safebox's Mod 2 along with it's cast & crew. I've had to update the sprite template for RMVX to accompany for the double block height in the tilesets. Speaking of tilesets, 4/6 done!

Three is a magic number!

I've taken the rather drastic action of splitting the game division of Safebox into three teams. The first team will be handled by me, the second will be handled by Static Storm & the third will be handled by someone new I plan to bring to the Safebox team.

Minecraft, Safebox&apos;s Mod 2 & MMO

So anyway, Static Storm is including Minecraft skins in Safebox's Mod 2 with the new sprite template. Also I'm changing War of Nations from a single-themed battle game to a multi-themes battle game using games from the RMVX community.

Portal Who

For the first part of my unnamed game, the player takes the Tardis to Portal's Aperture Science Laboratories. I'm also thinking of taking the player to Half-Life's Black Mesa, before & after the resonance cascade.

The Unnamed Game

I've been working on this new game all day & I've implemented some interesting features, such as the Tardis from Doctor Who, Stargates (after watching Stargate Atlantis) & Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Three weapons. The storyline is, as of yet, unclear but I'm hoping to progress it as I go along.

Safebox - X's Game Playtest

Minecraft bonus!

I plan to add quite a few elements to the 2.0 update of Safebox's Mod. Including Minecraft blocks, Creepers, ghasts & fighting elements such as a health bar & weapons. As an added bonus, you will also be allowed to craft some objects & you will be able to summon an Iron Golem.

Chronicles of Destoce: Aeon

This game is just the first in a series of games that I am planning to create. This one revolves around Aeon (son of a Greek god) who uses his ability of time travel to correct errors in the timeline.

He said, "I&apos;ve been to the year 3000"!

Project Chronos is nearly finished. With exceptions to the title screen & windows, everything is done! All I need to do now is pick dates in recent history for the player to travel back to.

Back to the future...!

Time travel is the theme of this new game. The player is Steve Gregg from a previously cancelled game (which also goes by the name of Safebox) whom travels through time correcting errors in the timeline along with witnessing famous events in history such as Titanic, the London Olympic Games 2012 & Big Bang.

The player will be able to travel through time by natural ability (as opposed to a machine or device). His team however use a temporal chronoton field which scatter chronoton particles against a solid object (such as a wall) & generate a skew in the timezone.
-Safebox

Ruby Rewrite

I've been trying to rewrite the scripts in order for them to stop corrupting. But I hit a dead-end when the interpreter couldn't understand the term "include?". I don't really understand it either but I'm trying to fix the problem anyway I can.

Safebox&apos;s "Shadow of Israphel"?

We've mentioned it in a few posts on Facebook & in a few livestream episodes. Safebox is thinking of doing its own roleplaying adventure map. Due to technical reasons, the filming would have to take place on a Sunday!

Lock&apos;n&apos;Load!

I've figured out that I can't write weapons as weapons, I have to write them as skills to allow them to be fired at an opponent. This also allows an opportunity to create mega-weapons such as a rocket launcher & Doppelgänger locator!

Change of weapons?

Having trouble programming the Resistant's shotgun, it won't shoot any bullets. I may have to give him a new weapon instead. :S

Weapons & Inventory

I finally got the inventory put into each character class. Now all that's left is to design the graphics for the weapons!

Side Project

Ok I'm working on a side project & I was throng of making it multiplayer as well. Probably an even more idiotic idea than trying a new programming engine that I have no experience in.

Server Database

Ok so that was a fail. But at least I got my database setup for War of Nations, now I need is people to Moderate it (host it as well).

Alternate Graphic Definitions

In RPG Maker VX, the standard size of one frame is 32x32. I believe that I can shrink this to 8x8 or 16x16 allowing me to make retro style games more easily. And if I can, I may be able to make high definition games as well!

Fail!

Ok, so I can't record the screen of another PC via IP address. But I figured out how to put in a test card in the event that livestream fails for a couple of minutes.

Double Stream!

I might be able to link up my screen with Ult1m4t3H4ck3r's IP address and record his screen as well with XSplit.

Two Livestreams

I've added another livestream so fans can watch the SafeStream from both mine & Ult1m4t3H4ck3r's point of view. I'll give Hax the Livestream.com one & I'll manage the new Twitch.tv one.

Safebox's Official Blog!

Safebox now has a development blog so you can keep an eye on what we're up to.