I've made that offer before, a couple months into the job. Nobody seemed interested.
Now the files are open source. Anybody can make a ZHRPG spin-off if they want to. I'll be happy to answer any questions about the mod file at my forum.
Since the mod is no longer being worked on, you can now download All of my work on ZHRPG here. This includes ZHRPG: Betrayal, ZHRPG: Escape, and the ZHRPG mod file. Note that the save algorithms have been removed. Everything else is there.
Feel free to ask questions. I will provide a full mod with save algorithms upon request to anyone that wishes to make a spin-off of the mod (the mod is a very powerful tool that can turn Any map into a ZHRPG map).
Enjoy!
NOTE: The mod file's trigger data is in a trigger library called "Game Engine". To view the mod's triggers, you need to enable libraries and view it there. To open the maps with the mod file, you need to place ZHRPG.sc2mod in the mod directory for Starcraft II.
As you may have noticed of late, there have not been many updates coming from me, and my activity on the site has become minimal. The unfortunate truth is that ZHRPG’s development is coming to an end.
It was not easy for me to make this decision and I am sincerely sorry that it had come to this. While I could give a plethora of reasons for why, the primary one is absolutely personal. Maintaining a project of this size is not a one-man job, it never really was. There was once a time when I put forth superhuman effort in its development; but that is no longer possible. While I have had assistance from many individuals over the past year (to whom I am very grateful), we simply do not have the manpower necessary to provide quality content with a timely release schedule.
If you were ever curious as to how much time was put into this mod by me alone over the past year, that number is roughly 1400+ hours (which also means that I made roughly $0.002 per hour, haha, if you don’t count the money I spent on webhosting :P). Money is nothing though in exchange for all that I had gained. As many of you are aware, I had started an amazing job a few months ago. I am very happy to be where I am today and ZHRPG had played no small part in getting me here. However, this kind of work is very demanding and has recently completely consumed my schedule. When you find yourself developing game content for 55+ hours a week, that doesn’t leave much energy to go home and continue doing so for a mod.
It truly has been a long and strange trip, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. You all have been a great community and interacting with you has been an absolute pleasure. Take care and, as always, remember to have fun, Zerg Hunters!
Sincerely,
Kamil “Zantai” Marczewski
Game Designer at 38 Studios
What will happen to ZHRPG?
The project is on (probably) permanent hiatus. Updates will no longer be released and new maps will not be introduced. The existing versions are final. If one of the existing Tinkers decides to revive it, it will be at their discretion.
What if I still want to learn from the mod?
The latest versions of all files will be uploaded to the website soon, with save encryption removed. While there will be no further updates, the integrity of existing content will not be compromised.
What will become of the website/community?
The domain’s hosting is paid for until September 2012. The community is still at your disposal and Zantai will probably pop in once in a while.
What’s next for Zantai?
While he will no longer be developing games freelance, you can enjoy his current work on the world’s next great MMO soon™. Check back on http://www.ea.com/reckoning for news on upcoming content in the world of Amalur. You just might start seeing Zantai pop up in those forums too. Keep in mind though that I am not working on Reckoning, but the upcoming MMO in the same franchise ;)
Can I download the map files so I can learn much very lots?
That doesn't mean that you should not get a degree though. You should absolutely get at least a bachelor's degree in something. At the least, it's a fallback while you work on getting into the industry.
Pro tips:
1. If you want to be a designer, get a degree in something that expands your horizons (core sciences, anthropology, psychology, etc.) and mod on the side. It will give you a far better set of knowledge to work off of than having a degree in a still developing program of study.
2. Go to conventions and try to meet developers.
3. If you can't afford to go to conventions, join LinkedIn and contribute to the various game developers groups.
Bottom line: get yourself noticed. Stand out (in a good way).
If you like ZHRPG, please take a moment to vote in this poll. If you don't like ZHRPG, please take a look and see if the proposed changes would make you more interested.
TL;DR, we are proposing a revamp of the skill tree system that gives access to all Abilities for heroes at a pre-set level, leaving the skill trees solely for optimization and customization, rather than forcing you to invest in a select few skills to be competitive.
I'm curious as to what all the questions are, but I also felt like a lot of them were very very specific community related things (or maybe that was just my batch) :P
0
Don't have time anymore :-/
http://www.sc2mapster.com/forums/general/off-topic/26537-zhrpg-players-a-goodbye/#p13
0
@Enexy, small world =-o
@OneTwo, that's cause I'm frustratingly stubborn!
0
I've made that offer before, a couple months into the job. Nobody seemed interested.
Now the files are open source. Anybody can make a ZHRPG spin-off if they want to. I'll be happy to answer any questions about the mod file at my forum.
0
Latest ZHRPG files: http://www.sc2mapster.com/forums/resources/trigger-libraries/26613-zerg-hunter-rpg-data-and-maps/
(Direct link: http://www.zhrpg.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=1272&p=14436#p14436)
0
You can grab the latest ZHRPG map files here:
http://www.sc2mapster.com/forums/resources/trigger-libraries/26613-zerg-hunter-rpg-data-and-maps/
I hope they help other mappers on their way to awesomeness.
0
Since the mod is no longer being worked on, you can now download All of my work on ZHRPG here. This includes ZHRPG: Betrayal, ZHRPG: Escape, and the ZHRPG mod file. Note that the save algorithms have been removed. Everything else is there.
Feel free to ask questions. I will provide a full mod with save algorithms upon request to anyone that wishes to make a spin-off of the mod (the mod is a very powerful tool that can turn Any map into a ZHRPG map).
Enjoy!
NOTE: The mod file's trigger data is in a trigger library called "Game Engine". To view the mod's triggers, you need to enable libraries and view it there. To open the maps with the mod file, you need to place ZHRPG.sc2mod in the mod directory for Starcraft II.
Download link: http://www.zhrpg.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=1272&p=14436#p14436
0
@Eternal, Thanks!
@Eiviyn, not exactly. EA is our publisher for Reckoning. 38 Studios is an independent company.
0
Dear ZHRPG Players,
As you may have noticed of late, there have not been many updates coming from me, and my activity on the site has become minimal. The unfortunate truth is that ZHRPG’s development is coming to an end.
It was not easy for me to make this decision and I am sincerely sorry that it had come to this. While I could give a plethora of reasons for why, the primary one is absolutely personal. Maintaining a project of this size is not a one-man job, it never really was. There was once a time when I put forth superhuman effort in its development; but that is no longer possible. While I have had assistance from many individuals over the past year (to whom I am very grateful), we simply do not have the manpower necessary to provide quality content with a timely release schedule.
If you were ever curious as to how much time was put into this mod by me alone over the past year, that number is roughly 1400+ hours (which also means that I made roughly $0.002 per hour, haha, if you don’t count the money I spent on webhosting :P). Money is nothing though in exchange for all that I had gained. As many of you are aware, I had started an amazing job a few months ago. I am very happy to be where I am today and ZHRPG had played no small part in getting me here. However, this kind of work is very demanding and has recently completely consumed my schedule. When you find yourself developing game content for 55+ hours a week, that doesn’t leave much energy to go home and continue doing so for a mod.
It truly has been a long and strange trip, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. You all have been a great community and interacting with you has been an absolute pleasure. Take care and, as always, remember to have fun, Zerg Hunters!
Sincerely,
Kamil “Zantai” Marczewski
Game Designer at 38 Studios
What will happen to ZHRPG?
The project is on (probably) permanent hiatus. Updates will no longer be released and new maps will not be introduced. The existing versions are final. If one of the existing Tinkers decides to revive it, it will be at their discretion.
What if I still want to learn from the mod?
The latest versions of all files will be uploaded to the website soon, with save encryption removed. While there will be no further updates, the integrity of existing content will not be compromised.
What will become of the website/community?
The domain’s hosting is paid for until September 2012. The community is still at your disposal and Zantai will probably pop in once in a while.
What’s next for Zantai?
While he will no longer be developing games freelance, you can enjoy his current work on the world’s next great MMO soon™. Check back on http://www.ea.com/reckoning for news on upcoming content in the world of Amalur. You just might start seeing Zantai pop up in those forums too. Keep in mind though that I am not working on Reckoning, but the upcoming MMO in the same franchise ;)
Can I download the map files so I can learn much very lots?
Why, yes you can!
http://www.sc2mapster.com/forums/resources/trigger-libraries/26613-zerg-hunter-rpg-data-and-maps/
0
I for one am glad.
If they made a deal with LEGO, I'd be 100's of dollars poorer soon.
0
Ah, yes. Good thing brilliant people such as yourself are here to steer the next generation in the right direction...
0
The question shouldn't so much be "portfolio or degree" as much as "portfolio and what degree".
0
Modding < Education < Excellent Polished Modding
That doesn't mean that you should not get a degree though. You should absolutely get at least a bachelor's degree in something. At the least, it's a fallback while you work on getting into the industry.
Pro tips:
1. If you want to be a designer, get a degree in something that expands your horizons (core sciences, anthropology, psychology, etc.) and mod on the side. It will give you a far better set of knowledge to work off of than having a degree in a still developing program of study.
2. Go to conventions and try to meet developers.
3. If you can't afford to go to conventions, join LinkedIn and contribute to the various game developers groups.
Bottom line: get yourself noticed. Stand out (in a good way).
0
If you like ZHRPG, please take a moment to vote in this poll. If you don't like ZHRPG, please take a look and see if the proposed changes would make you more interested.
http://www.zhrpg.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=2304
TL;DR, we are proposing a revamp of the skill tree system that gives access to all Abilities for heroes at a pre-set level, leaving the skill trees solely for optimization and customization, rather than forcing you to invest in a select few skills to be competitive.
Thanks!
0
I'm curious as to what all the questions are, but I also felt like a lot of them were very very specific community related things (or maybe that was just my batch) :P
0
Downloaded. Now to not play it.