XForgery Update - January 9th

[Tim]

http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww145/gunnergrunt/XFbanner3.png


January 9th, 2010

The new year is well underway and we have another update for you to indulge and digest (we even added pictures too). Several things have happened around the site since the December update and it's time to get you guys up to speed.



=== Site Changes ===



When LittleBigPlanet and Far Cry 2 came out in late 2008, one of it's biggest features was the ability to create your own custom levels and maps. LittleBigPlanet catered towards those who loved 2D puzzle platforming while Far Cry 2 had an elaborate map maker that allowed you to create almost anything.

Dubbed as the "Halo Killers" in this department, it's initial popularity was enough to warrant their own forums. As the months passed and more popular games were released (some with their own map editor), the traffic of these two boards has deteriorated to the point where there's little to no activity. Recently the plug was pulled on these two forums and all the topics within these forums have been moved to either User Created Content (http://www.xforgery.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=97) or User Created Content Discussion (http://www.xforgery.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=103).

This move doesn't mean we haven't stopped supporting these two games. As a matter of fact when you decide to post something in User Created Content or it's discussion thread that involves LBP or FC2, we've created a couple new prefixes for you: [LBP] and [Far Cry 2] respectfully.



=== Feature Recap ===



Perhaps you haven't been on the site for a while and would you like to know which maps have been featured recently. Most of you can access this information in the features forum or on the XF main page, but why do that when I give you the recap right here:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v339/Shadowsth/102441459-Full-1.jpg

Premise (http://www.xforgery.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6378) by winendine69 (http://xforgery.com/forum/member.php?u=1155)

http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww145/gunnergrunt/Asset/RSidebanner2-1.png

RidgeSide (http://www.xforgery.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6505) by ell3ment (http://xforgery.com/forum/member.php?u=272) and Gunnergrunt (http://xforgery.com/forum/member.php?u=480)


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v339/Shadowsth/99779472-Full-1.jpg

Prismer (http://www.xforgery.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6608) by Gunnergrunt (http://xforgery.com/forum/member.php?u=480) and ell3ment (http://xforgery.com/forum/member.php?u=272)

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm69/CCPybus/Guardos/banner.jpg

Guardos (http://www.xforgery.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6706) by CC Pybus (http://xforgery.com/forum/member.php?u=944)

Of course these maps faced some firm competition on the road to getting featured. The maps listed below reached the feature vote but didn't win. Who knows, some of these maps may reach the vote again, so keep an eye out for them:

Iambic (http://xforgery.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5661) by AceOfSpades (http://xforgery.com/forum/member.php?u=429)
Drilling Bay (http://xforgery.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6118) by Master Debayter (http://xforgery.com/forum/member.php?u=526)
Hexanchidae (http://xforgery.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5607) by Shellshock (http://xforgery.com/forum/member.php?u=13)
Schism of Light (http://xforgery.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5484) by Given to Fly (http://xforgery.com/forum/member.php?u=739)
Desert Highway (http://xforgery.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6239) by jakob hunter (http://xforgery.com/forum/member.php?u=1149)
Leviathan (http://xforgery.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4775) by MickRaider (http://xforgery.com/forum/member.php?u=613)
Mudkip Farm (http://xforgery.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5708) by Scobra (http://xforgery.com/forum/member.php?u=960)
Zerikal 1.0 (http://xforgery.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6271) by Vyctoriouz (http://xforgery.com/forum/member.php?u=787)
Aquaman on the Bathtub (http://xforgery.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6447) by PsychoBucket (http://xforgery.com/forum/member.php?u=42) and Null Parameter (http://xforgery.com/forum/member.php?u=2)
Clueless (Gametype) (http://www.xforgery.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4663) by Boston (http://www.xforgery.com/forum/member.php?u=530)
Ascendency (http://xforgery.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5340) by Vyctoriouz (http://xforgery.com/forum/member.php?u=787)
MLG Agonize (http://xforgery.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6457) by Urban Myth (http://xforgery.com/forum/member.php?u=692)


=== Sour Grunt Productions ===


Before Sadfaic productions produced featured videos, it was Sour Grunt productions that ran the show. With Zak (http://www.xforgery.com/forum/member.php?u=271) stepping down from making videos for the time being, XForgery has rekindled their relationship with Sour Grunt productions and are back producing the feature videos for us. If you missed that cute little grunt logo seen in past videos, you'll be seeing it once more in future videos.

We appreciate Zak (http://www.xforgery.com/forum/member.php?u=271) for all the hard work he did for XF by producing the videos week in and week out and helping out around the community, however he's not going to walk away empty handed. To reward him for his efforts, he has received the Helping Hand medal (http://www.xforgery.com/forum/awards.php?do=viewaward&award_id=8).


=== Forgery Challenges ===


While we had our weekly features, we can't forget our Forgery challenges:

November Challenge winner

November's challenge was nothing but aesthetics. For those who loved making structures while completely disregarding gameplay, this challenge was for you. In the end however, MetaWaddleDee (http://xforgery.com/forum/member.php?u=1040) came out on top with a very creative version of Fronk (http://www.xforgery.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6471).

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v339/Shadowsth/101818093-Full-1.jpg

December Forgery Challenge.....what happened?!

December's challenge focused on one of XForgery's official gametype: Agents (http://www.xforgery.com/forum/mapsearch.php?agents=true). There was some excitement around the community with users anxious to create their own agents map, only for the end result to be anything but that. There were no submissions for the challenge, and with that, no winner.

You guys make Time Glitch (http://www.xforgery.com/forum/member.php?u=460) sad. :(

January Forgery Challenge....F*** interlocking!

It may be 2010, but January's challenge is taking us back in time to the year 2007 when Halo 3 was just released and forging involved no advanced or complicated techniques. Yup, were pulling a 180 and going old school on this one! For those who never mastered the advanced forging techniques which have become standards in the forging community, you can crawl out of your cave and rejoice as all of these techniques are outlawed in this challenge! Besides, it's always been gameplay before aesthetics anyways (with November being the exception).

You can find all the information in the links below. Now get forging!

January Forgery Challenge info thread (http://www.xforgery.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6680)
January Forgery Challenge submission thread (http://www.xforgery.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6682)


=== XF Free For All Tournament ===


As you may well know, XForgery's third tournament is well underway with the qualifying rounds happening right now until the 13th. A couple groups have already finished with some predicted favorites living up to the hype. However in this "everything goes" competition, who knows what will happen.

Remember to talk to everyone in your group if you haven't played your games yet and figure out what would be a good time for everyone to log in for 30 minutes to get this done. Please note that some people in your group my live in Europe, so make sure you cater to their times as well when planning a date and time.

The first round will begin on Friday, January 15th and will last until January 24th (unless games are done early). For those who qualified, get ready for that as each round will be an elimination round from here on out.


=== Staff Changes ===

Wait, what? Why wasn't this the first topic in the update. Well that's because we saved the best for last. ;)

Departures

Due to the amount of event directors we have on this site, l33tmeerkatslol (http://www.xforgery.com/forum/member.php?u=499) has stepped down from his role as event director and will join the cool purple group. It was a tough decision on our part because the Event Directors is a really tight nit group, but it was something that needed to be done. We appreciate the work l33tmeerkatslol (http://www.xforgery.com/forum/member.php?u=499) did around the site and we hope he enjoys his retirement.

With the new pencil pushers selected, aMoeba (http://www.xforgery.com/forum/member.php?u=127) has also stepped down from his role as pencil pusher as he moves on to bigger and better things. This officially puts the spotlight on the 2nd generation of pencil pushers, to which they have responded without haste. We congratulate aMoeba (http://www.xforgery.com/forum/member.php?u=127) for his contributions he has made to the site along with selecting the two users who are now his successors.

Finally the role of media man has been disbanded, with Zak (http://www.xforgery.com/forum/member.php?u=271) returning to supporter status. As stated earlier, we appreciate his hard work and contributions to the site, and we are forever in his debt.

Arrivals

Finally, our new pencil pushers have been selected. It was a long and vigorious process that lasted for several weeks. In the end, only two users stood out above the rest. You may have already seen these two in action, but they haven't been properly introduced.....until now. Please welcome Blue (http://www.xforgery.com/forum/member.php?u=313) and Jpec07 (http://www.xforgery.com/forum/member.php?u=545) as your newest pencil pushers!

These two are completely different people, but have been put together for a common role. Expect to see great things from these guys in the not so distant future.

=== Until February ===



Stay beautiful, and hopefully XForgery will kick just as much ass this year as it did in 2009! Finally, Blue is not your friend.

- .Timothy, Event Director

[MultiLockOn]

I think Blue just wrote an autobiography.

- I’m not your friend. Don’t expect me to be nice to you. I hate most of you guys.
- I’ve been the general asshole around here for a while
-I pretty much hate people. If you think I’m being nice, you’re probably missing some hidden sarcasm. I like to make people mad
-

[CostlyAxis]

That was an interesting interview write-up that I read. I want to thank Zak for his contributions (I haven't done so yet) to the site and feel that he deserved the last role as a Media Man. I guess we'll see more of Friction (something more?) with SourGrunt around again.

The update was a little scarce on details, but the information's there to read so there's no problem there. I will note your typo for "were" instead of writing "we're" ;P

I wonder why .Timothy wrote this?

[PsychoBucket]

I had about 15 PM’s and VM’s I had to go through (none of which I replied to) congratulating me and whatnot. That was pretty annoying.

Congratulations on getting Pencil Pusher Blue!!!! (and Jpec) :D

[aMoeba]

Once again, congratulations Blue and Jpec. I think you both fit the bill the best and I'm anxious to see what will come out of you both.

[MNM1245]

Blue I love you. That interview was amazing. And from what I know I'm not one of the people that you hate :)

[Zackj191]

I think it was directed towards a couple people. That includes new members, which you don't fall under.

[RightSideTheory]

Shouldn't, ironically, Jpec or Blue have written this?

[Blue]

Shouldn't, ironically, Jpec or Blue have written this?

I wouldn't like posting an interview I had with myself.

[RightSideTheory]

I wouldn't like posting an interview I had with myself.
But that's probably your favorite person.

[Blue]

But that's probably your favorite person.

I've already angered Null with this interview, so I must be nice to you. I'll just call you clever, deny what you said, and make up some excuse as to why I'm not selfish. That is what you wanted to hear, right?

[RightSideTheory]

I've already angered Null with this interview, so I must be nice to you. I'll just call you clever, deny what you said, and make up some excuse as to why I'm not selfish. That is what you wanted to hear, right?
No, actually I was at first pointing out the irony, then pushing you. I love your sarcastic posts.

[Zackj191]

I love your sarcasm too Blue. How mad is Null at you with this? I have mad him mad, quite a few times, and it's not too bad. Unless he unleashes his "Null"wrath on you.

[Blue]

I love your sarcasm too Blue. How mad is Null at you with this? I have mad him mad, quite a few times, and it's not too bad. Unless he unleashes his "Null"wrath on you.

Mad enough to make me apologize and say sorry and shut my mouth for a while.

[Zackj191]

Mad enough to make me apologize and say sorry and shut my mouth for a while.


Oh that's pretty bad then going off my experience.

[Jpec07]

While I'm sure you'd all love a glimpse at the multiple people I've got floating around in my head, I think I'll spare you the crazy for now. While interviewing one another might have been fun, I think the universe might have exploded from the awesome produced.

Actually, it was Tim's suggestion that he do it, since Blue and I hadn't been introduced yet. So we agreed to it. Not to mention the fact that we're still learning the ropes here - don't want to pull the whole tent down on top of everyone just yet. ^_^

[Sotha Sil156]

I'm sorry Time Glitch.

[HomerSPC]

That was an interesting interview write-up that I read. I want to thank Zak for his contributions (I haven't done so yet) to the site and feel that he deserved the last role as a Media Man. I guess we'll see more of Friction (something more?) with SourGrunt around again.

I have no idea what the hell Geoff is doing, however, I guess I'll be checking here every so often now.

BTW, 5 new notifications... 1 PM... wow.

[RightSideTheory]

I have no idea what the hell Geoff is doing, however, I guess I'll be checking here every so often now.

BTW, 5 new notifications... 1 PM... wow.
Your avatar is so sexy bro, whoever made those rank images prolly get's it from all the wiminz. And money.

[Zak]

I'm sorry Time Glitch.
Agents is just very difficult to build for.

[Time Glitch]

Agents is just very difficult to build for.

I also think Agents lost its luster a while back. It's fun and all, but its time has come and passed. It's a hard to understand game with an even harder learning curve for the average gamer. I mean to be honest, I'm surprised the thing got XFOG'd! (Still honored though =P)

I wasn't surprised to see that nobody built a map for it, honestly. The original pack of maps was extensive, and covered nearly all the Pre-DLC maps, and anyone who's played it knows Agents has a very hard time working on Sandbox or Foundry.

Even if someone got up the gusto to make an Agents map, they'd still end up with something probably not a lot of people would download. As I've said, Agents is old hat! Had this challenge been held a few months ago when the XFOG was still fresh, then we'd have seen some more submissions.

In support of a custom game that should be XFOG'd, I recommend that there be an Asset forgery challenge ASAP, before it falls behind as well. That thing had way more community response than Agents ever did, and it's along the same lines of "building a game within a game".

Anyways, don't feel bad Agents fans. Everything has it's lifetime. And furthermore, it's about f***ing time I came out with something new...Gametype wise.

...Be looking. Modern Warfare 2 has just about run its course...



Oh!

Shit before I forget I don't think I ever posted on here 'grats-ing the new Pencil Pushers! Sorry on the belated reply on that one...You guys have been doing a very good job on the newsposts. Makin' XF proud!