True Galaxies

Greetings everyone,

As you may or may not know, SWGEmu is closer than ever to a release-version of their emulator source and SWGANH is still going strong with their emulator development. While it is still months (if not a year) away, preparations are needed to position True Galaxies to succeed when the time comes to launch a True Galaxies SWG server.

We're seeking community members to fill the following volunteer positions:
Game Moderator (GM) -
Responsibilities Include: Moderate ingame and forum activities according to stated community rules. Interact with community members to bring issues to developers' and directors' attentions. Handle support tickets.

Forum Moderator/Correspondent -
Responsibilities Include: Moderate forum activities according to stated community rules,

Developer -
Multiple roles are available, varying from game source development, web development, monitoring, and service-api development. There is no minimum level of programming experience needed, but experience is a plus. Please send examples of works or links to works that you have contributed to with your application.

Those wishing to join the staff have an amazing opportunity to greatly shape the future of True Galaxies.

Applications can be private messeged to Nebula on the forum, or alternatively sent via email to nebula@truegalaxies.com. Please explain how you would benefit TG and give a summary of any relevant past moderation/development experience. A short interview in ventrilo may be required. All positions will require a minimum involvement of 5 hours per week under normal circumstances post-launch.

Since the EoL and Pre-Alpha Basilisk launch was announced there has been a lot of rumors flying around about what is going to happen and when. To avoid any further confusion and to set communities mind at ease we are releasing this timetable.

May 14th - Liberator offline and wiped. TC: Nova offline. Basilisk launched for stress testing.
May 21st - TC: Nova online and opened to public testing again.
June 11th - Basilisk testing phase complete. Basilisk wiped and becomes play server. Basilisk will persist through Alpha and Beta development phase.
Sometime in far future - Basilisk wiped. Release developmental milestone reached. SunCrusher launched without threat of wipe, ever.

Since this is a development project and unexpected things can happen, DB wipes are always a possibility. Of course we will try to avoid this at any cost and when possible just wipe a single type of item, if required at all.

Alpha, Beta, and Release are phases of development, and should not be confused for part of the galaxy (server) name. They simply refer to what state the software is in that runs the server.

Alpha - The alpha software development phase is the stage where all features are in the process of being implemented. When it begins, there may be many missing features, but by its end, all major features should be implemented.
Beta - The beta software development phase is marked by the implementation of all major features. During this phase, the primary focus of software development is to fix any and all bugs, as well as implement content that expands upon the major features from Alpha.
Release - The release software development phase is when a software is thought to be good enough for deployment. This means that the software will be packaged and ready for use by the general public to fuel their own servers, and it will be deemed stable and complete.

PLEASE NOTE: Because this is a volunteer project, some delays or minor changes on the timetable are still possible.

~ The SWGEmu Team

Source: http://www.swgemu.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36067

End of Liberator Milestone finally reached
Its been more than a month since we announced End Of Liberator Milestone, and today we are proud to announce that on the 13th of May 2012 Liberator will be taken offline one last time. It will be wiped and preparations for the launch of the new Alpha server will begin. Launch of the new Test-Play Alpha server is expected mid June.

What exactly does this mean?
It means that that we have less than two weeks left before we wipe Liberator and begin a month of stress testing on TC: Nova. During this month of stress testing there will be only one server online, TC: Nova.

After we wipe Liberator it is time for some seriously massive stress testing on TC: Nova. During that time we hope that all major stability issues, bugs and exploits will be found and fixed. Like we said before, this is a crucial period for the OR code and for this project as a whole, everything done so far will need to be tested during that time. To reduce the likelihood of future Alpha wipes, it is imperative that everyone does their best to help the Developers find and fix as many bugs, exploits and stability issues as possible. If major of issues are not discovered during the stress test then more wipes of the new Alpha server might be necessary.

How can we help?
The Development Team, will need YOUR help on TC: Nova to test the current OR code. Please logon to TC: Nova, pick a part of the game you are familiar with and start testing and submitting bug reports. Everything and anything implemented needs to be tested and retested. If you are not sure what you should do or you want to participate in a more coordinated and focused testing effort then please join our QA and Dev team in our IRC #openqa channel. If you are unsure where or how to submit a bug report, please check our "How to report bugs on Bug Tracker (Mantis)" guide.

Month of stress testing is over, what then?
New Alpha play-test server will be launched. This will mark the beginning of SWGEmu Alpha Testing stage.

Please be aware that even after the new Alpha server is launched some major fixes and additions to the code may require database wipes. We will do our best to keep database wipes to a minimum, whenever possible we will try to save your character data. We will give advance notice of an upcoming DB wipe. Always keep in mind that this project is still in Alpha Testing and that even though we can clearly see the light at the end of the tunnel, we still have a long way to go before we are ready to release 1.0 to the public so permanent play servers can be created.

~Team Xavia (Swgemu)
Source: http://site.swgemu.com/forums/content.p ... ne-reached

End of Liberator Milestone means SWGEmu is ready for Alpha Testing
When work on the Object Restructure first started back in spring of 2009, it looked like that there was nothing else standing in our way and that 1.0 was closer than ever. But after only a few months of development, the SWGEmu Team realized that the OR was not a simple rewrite of the old code. The OR was going to take much longer than they originally anticipated. Years of grueling work followed, team members came and went, one temporary play server was replaced with another. After millions of lines of code and thousands of man-hours our dedicated Development and QA Teams has SWGEmu finally ready for the next step, Alpha Testing.


When will the End of Liberator (EoL) Milestone be reached?
We expect it to be in April but the exact date is not set. This announcement is to notify everybody that we are about one month away from the Liberator wipe.

The Development Team needs YOUR help on TC: Nova to test the current OR code. Please logon to TC: Nova, pick a part of the game you are familiar with and start testing and submitting bug reports. Everything and anything implemented needs to be tested and retested. If you are not sure what you should do or you want to participate in a more coordinated and focused testing effort then please join our QA and Dev team in our IRC #openqa channel. If you are unsure where or how to submit a bug report, please check our "How to report bugs on Bug Tracker (Mantis)" guide.


What happens when EoL Milestone is finally reached?
When the EoL Milestone is reached it is time for some seriously massive stress testing. Liberator will be wiped and replaced with the latest OR code from TC: Nova, stress testing period will last a minimum of one month and then another wipe of Liberator will occur. During that time we hope that all major stability issues, bugs and exploits will be found and fixed so our goal of "no more Liberator wipes" can be achieved. This will be a crucial period for the OR code and for this project as a whole, everything done so far will need to be tested during that time. To reduce the likelihood of future Liberator wipes, it is imperative that everyone does their best to help the Developers find and fix as many bugs, exploits and stability issues as possible. If major items are not discovered until after the stress test then more wipes of the new Liberator server might be necessary.


Month of stress testing is over, what then?
Liberator will be wiped after the stress test. New play-test server will be launched, for now we will call it Alpha, actual name will be determined at some later date. This will mark the beginning of SWGEmu Alpha Testing stage.

Please be aware that even after the new Alpha server is launched some major fixes and additions to the code may require database wipes. We will do our best to keep database wipes to a minimum, whenever possible we will try to save your character data. We will give advance notice of an upcoming DB wipe. Always keep in mind that this project is still in Alpha Testing and that even though we can clearly see the light at the end of the tunnel, we still have a long way to go before we are ready to release 1.0 to the public so permanent play servers can be created.


Closing
We know that everyone is getting excited about the new Alpha play server that we are targeting for launch some time in May or June. We do not know the exact date it will be ready, but we will be pushing the OR code to Alpha on a permanent basis once all key systems are working as intended and we feel very few future wipes will be necessary.


Appendix
For those of you who might be unfamiliar with the term, the OR is a comprehensive standardization of all of the code for SWGEmu. Over the years, many different developers have all worked together to submit code to the project. While this has allowed the Developer team to make great progress in recreating the Pre-CU experience as a whole, it has made submitting and integrating new code difficult. You can think of the old code base as a huge, overstuffed filing cabinet. All of the information is in there somewhere, but everyone who put things into the cabinet used a different filing system. The OR has taken everything out of the filing cabinet, pruned files, reorganized the folders, and attached new legible labels to everything. Code standards have also been set, which significantly reduced the amount of time it takes to commit code changes to the official, public test center (TC: Nova).

During the OR, in addition to standardizing the code base, a decision was made to switch from MySQL to BerkeleyDB in order to both reduce CPU usage and help us achieve our goal of eliminating crash-based rollbacks.

-- SWGEmu Staff, reposted from http://www.swgemu.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33764

February 5th Weekly Update

>> DIRECT LINK <<

Xavia wrote:
There is a Crucible+FishEye view of the latest and upcoming revisions. It operates similarly to the Assembla Timeline but may provide a more fluid approach that many may find more useful for keeping up-to-date.

Stats:

Total Commits: 3,924
Last Commit: 13:49
Commits this week: 69
Total Lines of Code (LoC): 5,819,272
Net change in LoC this week: 4,491


Top Bugs:


Dannuic

Revisions: 3923,3913,3866

• Added all novice brawler commands.
• Fixed spam (warcry specifically).
• Modified some other combat logic.
• Fixed armor prevents damage bug.
• Taunt should now snap aggro for a short time (based on skill).
• Added flytext to buff events.
• Fixed center of being duration and text errors.

Elvaron

Revisions: 3896,3892

• Removed unnecessary observers.
• Added LuaObjectMenuComponent? & LuaObjectMenuResponse?.
• Updated object templates for new objectMenuComponent field format.
• Cleaned up/fixed all Lua Wrappers for potential IDL auto-generation.
• Cloning does not reset cell permissions in DWB now.
• Fixed Rebel/Imperial? DWB Side-Quest.
• Added DWB Rebreather crafting.
• Cleaned up Death Watch Bunker script.

Kyle

Revisions: 3924,3902,3901,3899,3895,3894,3887,3881,3879,3878,3874,3862

• Fixed session disconnect on kick.
• Fixed KickCommand?.
• Added default extraction values for harvesters.
• Fixed unintended camp changes.
• Updated mabari belt.
• Updated GiveItem? to give stacks.
• Fixed factory manufactured count.
• Fixed issues with components not removing when crafting.
• Fixed items showing quantity 1.
• Fixed TurnScale? delta.
• Added TurnScale? to setPosture.
• Added chemical tab to generic crafting tool.
• Harvesting gives experience now (Bug 1268).
• Campsite abandon message now only triggers when the camp is actually abandoned.
• Fixed Terrain Negotiation - max horizontal speed at 50, prone speed enhancement beyond (Bug 1307).
• Fixed corpse harvesting giving random resources (Bug 1249).
• Fixed crafting error when mounted.
• Fixed ghost resources when crafting (Bug 1333).
• Fixed skill restriction on camps.
• Added skill requirement for looted schematics.
• Added AttributeList? component.
• Turned up resource quality slightly.
• Added Area Track for rangers.

Loshult

Revisions: 3916,3914,3900,3890,3888,3875

• Improved method for spawning bh targets when player is close enough that takes buildings etc into account.
• Added call sequence for arakyd droids.
• Refactored bh missions and clean up.
• Fixed stability issues.
• Added moving targets to bh missions of level 2 and 3.
• Added clean up of tasks when bh mission is destroyed.
• Refactored bh missions to prepare for moving targets.

Oru

Revisions: 3877

• Added idlc lua wrapper generation for @lua annotated managed classes.

TheAnswer

Revisions: 3921,3920,3919,3918,3917,3897,3893,3891,3889,3886, 3885,3884,3883,3882,3880,3873,3872,3871,3870,3869,3868,3867,3861

• Fixed memory corruptions.
• Updated mac engine lib.
• Fixed stability issues.
• Updated engine.
• Fixed debug spam.
• Updated engine max lib.
• Fixed buffs loading after restart.
• Fixed receiving packets mounted.
• Fixed console spam.

Xyborn

Revisions: 3922,3915,3912,3911,3910,3909,3908,3907,3906,3905,3904,3903,3876,3865,3864,3863

• Medic fixes.
• Loot group chances are now doublespinbox.
• Fixed entries in model viewer dropdown alphabetized.
• Added some icons to the resources
• Added loot kit drops to random thug spawns around starter areas.
• Fixed bug with deeds showing multiple instances of the same zone, and sometimes zones of which they weren't eligible for placement.
• Added loot kit loot items and group.
• Added some city and deed changes.
• Medic fixes.
• Added Medical Forage loot group.
• Fixed medic abilities: /healenhance, /healwound, /healdamage, /tendwound, /tenddamage.
• Fixed some missing skillmods on buildings.
• Added skillmods from template onenter/exit camp site or building.
• Fixed /diagnose.
• Axkva Min and Death Watch Overlord can now drop up to two items of loot per death.
• Fixed lootgroup changes on scripts.
• Updated loot to allow multiple item drop chances from a single mob.
• Reworked loot system to hopefully be a bit faster.

~ The SWGEmu Development Division

These weekly updates are getting better and better, so I thought I'd start posting 'em here for anyone who isn't actively keeping up with SWGEmu's project development.

As the current focus seems to be on creature LUA and quest lines, developer Elvaron has shed some light into the current development focus and why they have spent time away from focusing on the core professionals required for EOL (End of Liberator Milestone).

* Getting the Lua library we had so far only used for static template data tested for dynamic behaviour and stability before EOL.
* Testing it's viability for scripting quests / game content.
* Searching best practices, proper design patterns and yet unseen flaws in the Lua API (and there were severe ones we were happy to fix ahead of time).
* Setting examples for future content scripts.
* Having content to which we can get testers gathered properly and repeatedly without too much work for EC, so we can test the netcode / compression / congruence.
* Getting people to test PvE combat in a compressed manner to find errors in player combat commands, creature behavior, creature stats and overall combat mechanics.
* Testing AI for cell traversing, aggro and threatmap behaviour.
* Having proper obstacle scenarios for LOS testing.
* Testing the loot system in an enclosed scenario as opposed to random world spawns.
* Fun.

A lot has been learned since we started on them. Now that those two are almost finished we are returning to focus on professions and other things needed for EOL.

- SWGEmu

Saturday Stress Test - Round Two 01/28/12
by
Vlada
Published on 01-26-2012 08:29 PM

Saturday Stress Test - Round Two

January 28th, 2012
The SWGEmu Development Division

Greetings testers and community members,

Starting at 4 PM EST (check your local time here) on Saturday (January 28), the developers and QA are looking to perform another stress-test on Nova Test Center that will last roughly 3 hours (thus concluding at ~7 PM EST if results are sufficient). We need as many people as possible to log in, so please join us and Nova's rapid progression by contributing to our latest stress-test!

In addition to general stress testing, aka logging as many instances as your computer can handle, developers would like us to test some specific things:

Since TC: Nova will be wiped before the test, everyone will be required to create a new character and complete the tutorial.
Test MOB and NPC spawns and Loot in DWB on Endor and Geonosian Lab on Yavin IV

WHERE?
Nova Test Center (TC: Nova)

WHEN?
4:00 PM - 7 PM EST (GMT-5)

HOW?
Make a character on TC: Nova, complete the Tutorial, go to DWB and Geo Lab and kill & loot everything.


WHAT ABOUT LIBERATOR?
For the duration for this stress-test Liberator will be OFFLINE.


Once again and log in as many characters as your computer can handle. Remember this is not just stress test, there are specific tasks we need to complete. Those who never submitted a bug report should check this guide first: How to report bugs on Bug Tracker (Mantis). A well written bug report will make QA's job much easier.

And please remember to keep up-to-date on our testing information, the latest of which is detailed in our latest announcement and in End of Liberator Milestone.

~ SWGEmu Development Team

Hey all,

Just a heads up. We will be performing some forum updates, installing some additional modifications, and integrating additional website components. This round of updates has the potential to knock us offline for 10-12 hours or cause problems not reproducible in our development environment. This maintenance will start around 8:00PM on Monday, January 9. The site will be up and down during this time.

First off, hello to all our new visitors! True Galaxies is first and foremost committed to keeping true to Star Wars. So, if you are looking for a casual community to discuss everything regarding SWG emulation and SWTOR, you've found a nice, cosy place. With the recent closure of the official SWG servers, there has been a slight revitalization to the dwindling emulator community that TG has rested in for the past six years. Whether the emulator will ever be completed remains to be seen, but TG still holds its commitment to hosting a SWG server if that time comes. For now though, we can all enjoy SWTOR and the new life it inevitably will bring to True Galaxies.

Star Wars: The Old Republic
TG has guilds on Mind Trick. Both the True Empire and the True Republic have been formed and are open to anyone who would wishes to join. Each guild currently has around 20 characters, the highest characters being level 45. The guilds are going to begin organizing scheduled raids soon. If you have any friends who might be interested in raiding with the guilds, feel free to invite them.

Blue and Netrex reposted a variety of crafting, datacron, and companion guides in the SWTOR Guides forum.

Site Development
The development on the site stalled out this month. I've had a lot on my plate lately, so I have not done as much as I would like. Ofn and I intended on putting up a number of updates on December 14, but only about 20% of the changes were in complete condition to put up. There is a lot in the pipes in various stages of completion. As always, Ofn and I are always looking for new developers. In particular, those with intermediate knowledge and/or experience with Ruby, PHP, MySQL, CSS3, XML, and HTML5.

Highlights in the development queue:

• Raid and Group Organizer / Scheduler tool [50% done]
• Calendar automation [25% done]
• Guild pages [25% done]
• SWTOR Character / Forum Account linkage [75% done -- workaround for now is to use the user profile field]

Garbage Collection:

• Avg. unique visitors per day hitting the website: 641.2 (up 584% from November 2011, up 466% from December 2010).
• Avg. search engine impressions are up 815% from November 2011.
• December posts per day: 8.2
• Estimated number of cookies (the digital kind) eaten by our directors and developers since TG's foundation: 1,349,340

Hope everyone had some happy holidays!

It looks like the swtor server queues are indeed part of trying to spread population between servers, and they should be going away soon. I knew this was likely the case from the start, but I'm glad there is finally some clarification on the matter. The raging and complainers on the swtor forums and ingame were starting to get a tad annoying - just the sheer volume of them. I've had to sit in a 1,300 queue this week waiting to get on Mind Trick, so I feel others pains. Looks like they will be raising those caps after launch.

Heres a link to the SWTOR blog about the status of queues: http://www.swtor.com/blog/regarding-server-queues