I would have weighed in a whole lot quicker on this topic. But, my real life this weekend has been hectic to say the least. However, I am glad to have waited until some of the initial dust has settled before posting. If you follow how I weigh-in on topics, you would notice that I like to put my first post in a hot topic after the end of the 1st or 2nd page.
I would like to clarify some of the history about the development of Tr2nOrigins.
When this idea was first brought to me, I immediately referred everybody involved to the What Went Wrong With Armagetron wiki page for a number of reasons. I did this for 2 reasons. First, I have always felt that it would be best to avoid using Armagetron Code, if possible, and start fresh. Second of all, I wanted us to take as much of the advice, etc. as possible. I have read many stories like this of how a project had gone astray, and i think that the Armagetron is one of the better documented!
(Thanks Z-Man)
At first, we decided to pick an open-source 3D engine, and go for it. Some code has even been written, and some plans drawn up. However, it is such an effort to make an entirely new game, that the effort stalled. For this, and other reasons that Destiny&Manta have already posted, we decided to make a fork of Armagetron. And, as expected, once Manta dove fully into the source, he realized the challenge therein. By the way, it was amusing to IM with manta about various issues, and him comment how much like his own thinking that the code was. To me that is a high compliment to the devs about some of the novel structures that are in the code.
There are a few more little things Manta intends to do to finalize the current Tr2nOrigins. But, after that he will begin to plan the development of the new game fully. Also, Manta did consider using the Pink Pony game at one point, and sent the developer a few ideas and code snippets.
So, as you can see, in the long term, our 2 games will diverge greatly. When Armageton puts out the .4 stable release, things will really start to change. When we put out our own original game, things will change for us! But, in the meantime, we can certainly co-exist!
Last night Destiny and a few others talked with the devs. Luke-Jr in particular described the idea of un-breaking compatibility between the two games and allowing clients of the respective games to connect to either game, via a subculture. As in, Tr2nOrigins would have a subculture for Armagetron clients, and Armagetron would have a subculture for Tr2nOrigins clients. I spoke with Destiny later about what that really meant, and what the real implications would be. That is to simply say, a win/win for both games. She felt the idea was a solid one, and she will talk to Manta today about it. I will also talk to Manta as well. I do hope to work this out amicably for both parties. Also, the current source now has proper copywrite headers and credits the Sty+CT branch appropriately. I am actually the one that is writing the history that will be on the website. What is there now, was put together very quickly by Destiny, just to be able to launch. I do intend to properly document as much as is reasonable, as many Armagetron Devs as is possible. I will be posting a topic later in this forum to gather a little more information.
As Destiny mentioned, I will be putting up some more servers. These will include official Tr2n servers based in France, and some last man standing servers that would qualify as being medium and low rubber! Also, I will be putting up some NY based servers as well. Currently, all the servers in Tr2nOrigins are based in Texas on Destiny/Manta's server.
Any commitments I currently have in Armagetron, including Ladle Servers, will continue to be honored. On a side note, my ladle servers will no longer have wrong information, and be up all the time, as they should be. I am going to host servers in both games. I have deliberately purchased enough servers to do so for the foreseeable future. I will continue to participate in this, and other Armagetron forums. TheServerPharm forum was always meant to serve both games.
I would be happy to field any more questions, at any time, about Tr2nOrigins.
Edit: I did make sure to get Destiny setup with an appropriate IRC client, and there is a Tr2nOrigins channel on freenode, #tr2norigins. Soon, our IRC channel will have a bot, and some regulars, like myself. Also, Destiny will be visiting the #armagetron channel! I really appreciate the attitude that the Armagetron devs have shown us! I knew I could count on you guys to do the right thing, in the true spirit of Open Source!