The staff and I have been discussing the current state of the new game for the last few weeks, and we're ready to make some announcements. Crypto is still missing, but he's left us in pretty good shape. There are a couple of issues that still prevent the opening of the beta game we've been planning, but there is enough code for people to play on the grid. And that's exactly what you can do.

In two to three weeks, we will be opening an open pre-beta event. We're calling it the Wild West, for lack of a better term. There will be no staff intrusion in your play in the Wild West game. Players will create their own sheets in the interim chargen that Hawk has built (we strongly urge you to create sheets with a generator since the chargen doesn't calculate everything for you), bgs are totally up to the players to create or not as they wish, and when the players log onto the new grid they will approve their own +sheets and hit the grid. Players have complete control of their own +sheets. You can add your own karma and add your own skills. All +sheet changes will be logged and posted publicly here on the forum. The things that are limited because of incomplete code (some gear and item creation, for example) will be detailed in a later post.

There will be no judges on the grid. There will be no RPS-run plots. Players can play as they see fit without staff direction. However, if a player runs into difficulties with other players, it is up to the players to arbitrate and come to an agreement. Staff will not interfere in the world other than to keep the code running and assist players with using the available code. Issues of harassment may be brought to staff attention, however the burden is on the player(s) to provide logs to me of such charges. We will not entertain OOC/IC crossover charges. Those are totally in your realm, as the writers of this story.

The plan is to run this Wild West game for six months. During that time Melkir and I will seek the additional code we need, while current RPS, PHS, and a few other people we're bringing on-board will assist players. At that point if we have the code we need and if we've developed a pool of regulars to draw staff from, we will do a complete p-wipe and start the originally planned beta game. However, if we do not have the code, or if the Wild West game is unusually successful, we will reevaluate and possibly keep the Wild West concept.

A couple of quick updates. Hawk, Hades, and Kujata are working to try to fill out the databases with material from RC, as well as some items that were missed from the other books. Chances are they won't have completed all database additions before we open, so be open-minded about your character builds when you go in, at least at first. Right now Kujata is strugging with some of the hacker/technomancer items, for example. Maneuvers and advantages may end up listed among qualities (which we're well aware they aren't).

The chargen is, as I mentioned earlier, limited. There are places where you will need to add/adjust bp as you go along. Using the assistance of a third-party Excel-based chargen before you hit our interim chargen will help immensely.

Vehicles will show up on your +sheet or virtual inventory. We've just started to play with that. Since there are no streets in the G-space-based grid, you don't need a physical vehicle to get around. We're not sure how mods to vehicles will work with our current +sheet. I'll try to update you as soon as that gets hashed out.

Other issues: some +help items are missing. The commands to access the different reality levels are unwieldy, to say the least. We're trying to get some fixes (or at least +help) for you when you hit the grid. We're currently forging ahead to open instead of waiting for these details.

More as information becomes available....

Some struggles with contacts and gear (mods versus accessories), but we're planning a staff meeting on Wednesday. My plan is to open the new game by the weekend. I'll have further details some time Wednesday night.

The meeting went well, and I'm pleased to announce that we will be opening the new grid for our Wild West event on Saturday, March 7. The Wild West will run for the next six months, or until the code for a more conventional game is ready. Information will be available late Friday night for those who wish to read up on the self-service chargen.

The new board, titled Wild West, is for use during the event. All +sheet changes you make after you hit the grid will appear in the Gallows. The Runners Saloon (and yes, excuse the cheese factor) is for you to post the runs and other events you run for yourselves and other players. We will also provide another area, tentatively called Dime Novels, where you can post logs.

The game is by no means complete, and there are a number of items we will continue to work on in the next few weeks. Things you will encounter:
1. There are problems with adding and deleting knowskills and contacts after you get out of chargen. We're working on the knowskills now, but the contacts issue will probably be around until we figure out how to fix it.
2. The +help files are somewhat incomplete. For the most part, all code that is complete has full help files. Code that was only partially complete does not have a help file available. We're working on clearing that up as we go and as we find the missing help.
3. The commands to access the reality levels are unwieldy, and some of the more complex levels (AR versus VR, for example) haven't been completely resolved. We'll get help files up so you can at least do the basics, but again, that will take some time. We're still hoping to remap the commands to something more intuitive.

The old grid will remain open until approximately March 14. At that time it will be locked, and those accessing it will be directed to the New Seattle grid. If you have any strolling down Memory Lane you'd like to do, now is the time to do it.

Note: you must have a forum account to create a character on New Seattle. There are no bboards on the new game.

Kujata, Hades, and Hawk may also be posting additional information for your use as you prepare for the Wild West. I give them, Crypto, and the dozens of others who have worked on the grid over the last three years my deepest gratitude for their assistance. We hope to see you all on the new grid this weekend!