June 17th: TBCB Update

Jim Trunzo · 06-17-2003, 02:57 PM

More good news:

1) The sim is nearing completion and hard-core playtesting will soon commence.

2) The commentary, which has always been a sticking point, is undergoing a final scrutiny and modification (and spell checking!) before going into the actual play version. Then every line of commentary will be tracked and the number of uses of each line recorded for even more fine-tuning prior to release.

The general concept in dealing with the commentary is to have the majority of the blow-by-blow be just that - punching, clinching and movement. In addition, the more bombastic the text (whether it be punches or filler), the less frequently it will be used. Andreas has set up a system that allows us to tag every bit of commentary, designating it to be used no more than once a round or once a fight. So a line like "Ali lands a solid right cross" might show up several times in a round, but a line like "Ali lands a wicked right that momentarily buckled William's legs" might appear no more than once a round if that frequently; and a line like "Ali lands a hook flush on the jaw of Jean Pierre Coopman. Coopman's legs are wobbly and he falls back into the ropes barely keeping his feet!" might only appear once per fight.

Filler commentary will also take the form of crowd noise with no accompanying text, simply ticking off a few seconds time on the clock.

And (fingers crossed) the contradictory filler that led to a "large boisterous crowd" in round one and "a small and subdued crowd" in round 6 are gone!

3) More screen shots will be coming soon.

4) Streaks and "Career" best statistics will now be tracked. For example, a fighter's record might show that his career best win streak is 5 or his knockout streak is currently at 3 in a row. Also tracked and placed on his record will be any title that the fighter not only currently holds but has ever held during his "career" in Title Bout. So his record might show that he is currently the #4 ranked middleweight and the former junior middleweight world champion.

5) We have also decided not to reveal certain "surprises" that are sure to please gamers - regardless of their preferences (sim vs. rpg), old-timers or current, etc.

Joe Canadian · 06-17-2003, 03:27 PM

Thanks for the update!!!

Can't wait for more screens!!!

wildhawke11 · 06-17-2003, 03:32 PM

Thanks for the update Jim
This sounds like the Classic that i hoped Title Fight 2001 might have been.
During the beta testing will it be at all possible to change or put in any new ideas that the testers come up with. In regard to the commentary. Or is that to late now.
Thanks Jim again
Danny.
Dont forget TESTERS the idea is to TEST TEST AND RETEST THINGS
NOT ENJOY THE GAME LOL.
CHEERS ALL

crusadecat · 06-17-2003, 03:56 PM

If it isn't too late It would be a great idea to have a forum for suggestions for great lines for the commentary.

Jim Trunzo · 06-17-2003, 05:04 PM

Changes in the commentary can be made up to the day of release. Further more, in the case that something slips through or someone comes up with a brilliant suggestion, changes can easily be implemented and then just as easily posted and downloaded.

wildhawke11 · 06-17-2003, 06:18 PM

Just as an example.
I would like to see when a ref is checking say the cut on a fighter, or a doctor is examining a fighter before maybe a stoppage is called, a noted pause is in the game, to create a feeling of suspense just like in real life.

The thing is here the testers are all so important, as they will be the only ones who can listen, watch and will get a general feeling as to does it feel real to them. In other words, not just reading words on a screen. But the feeling of really being at a Championship fight,and the excitement that goes with it.

vulcan · 06-17-2003, 06:21 PM

Thanks for the update Jim.

Hootowl 9 · 06-18-2003, 05:13 PM

Thanks for the update, the more vaired the commentary the better I don't even mind alot of filler as it pertains to maybe where the fight is being held, who's in the crowd, how the crowd may be reacting to the fight like booing a lackluster preformance. Just as long as it's not redundant,whatever to paint a picture in the minds eye. I really like wildhawke 11's idea of a stoppage to check cuts....things like that.
The streaks and career best sounds great!

Cap · 06-18-2003, 09:55 PM

Yeah. I'm in agreement here. A little suspense when a cut is being checked and when score cards are being read. Very important to the atmosphere of the sport.

Jim, doubt you will recall, but a long while back I sent you three or four suggestions for commentary. You might want to include words that convey movement in the ring though no blows have been struck.

Cap

06-18-2003, 10:21 PM

Jim,

Great news on the update.

As long as you're soliciting ideas for the commentary, I do have a suggestion, though you've probably incorporated this already. If the fight is boring, I'd like to see some mention of that in the commentary and also hear some booing from the crowd. I'd also like to hear appropriate crowd reaction when something exciting happens.

Other than that, it sounds like you've got just about everything covered.

Looking forward to some more screenshots and the eventual release of the sim. As soon as it's out, you'll get my order.

GDE · 06-18-2003, 10:44 PM

Please be sure that when a Split Decision or a Majority Draw happens that the scorecards are announced in a manner so suspense is maintained.

Nothing worse than seeing the first two scorecards for boxer 1 and the third scorecard for boxer 2.

wildhawke11 · 06-19-2003, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by GDE
Please be sure that when a Split Decision or a Majority Draw happens that the scorecards are announced in a manner so suspense is maintained.

Nothing worse than seeing the first two scorecards for boxer 1 and the third scorecard for boxer 2.

I have brought that point up quite a few times in the past GDE
Its a small but very significant points like that, that turns a good game into a Class Act.

If, and i think it will be, the Game is indeed a Class Act. The finest way we can show our appreciation and thanks to Jim Trunzo and the 400 Team is by recommending the Game to all we speak to and by putting a plug for it on other Boxing and Game sites we visit.

Its an old but true saying
"A Pat on the back never paid the Rent"

That would be our Thanks to Jim, Andreas and the 400s Team for all there efforts and hard work they have put into OUR GAME.
Danny

Wayne Reynolds · 06-19-2003, 02:01 AM

Hello all and well met. I've been lurking the boards for awhile now and i'm curious if there's a "ROUGH" estimate how long beta testing usually takes.

Teraxx · 06-23-2003, 03:29 PM

Beta testing can last from as little as 3-4 weeks (not recommended) to as much as 3-4 months. I think a game like Title Bout with onsite testing plus volunteers (totaling say 10 people) could get it done in 6 weeks, 8 at the most.

Jim Trunzo · 06-23-2003, 04:03 PM

Because the current simulation will have an entirely new look and "feel", along with many added and improved features, one might conclude that the play-testing will take a long time; however, the guts of the simulation is the same -- although greatly refined -- as it has been for years. Play-testing should not need to take more than a few weeks, once the sim has been completely programmed.

wildhawke11 · 06-23-2003, 05:58 PM

Thanks Jim for your remarks about the Testing
Have to say my own thoughts were much the same.
Danny.
May i ask a question please Jim will the testers be able to communicate there thoughts with each other during the Testing.

GDE · 06-23-2003, 11:42 PM

A beta forum just for testers. That way we could post bugs and/or suggest others test a certain thing to see if it works on their setup.

PittPanther · 06-24-2003, 12:08 PM

Let me beta-test, I'm off all summer. I'm waiting for me email to start.

wildhawke11 · 06-24-2003, 02:06 PM

Panther Cheers Old Friend
Now see here Joe, dont gimma all that Jive
You take me on your gonna fall in five.
Ali

Jim Trunzo · 06-26-2003, 07:17 AM

We will be coordinating all beta-testing through Steve Kuffrey. More information on the how, when, where will be forthcoming very soon. However, I can address one point right now: yes, we will set up forum (probably password protected) that can be accessed only by testers and developers. We obviously want individual feedback but we also want constructive debate on anything that might be an issue. At various points during the play-testing, we'll "leak" information to the board in general.

06-17-2003, 02:57 PM	#1
Jim Trunzo OOTP Developments Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Leechburg, PA Posts: 739	June 17th: TBCB Update More good news: 1) The sim is nearing completion and hard-core playtesting will soon commence. 2) The commentary, which has always been a sticking point, is undergoing a final scrutiny and modification (and spell checking!) before going into the actual play version. Then every line of commentary will be tracked and the number of uses of each line recorded for even more fine-tuning prior to release. The general concept in dealing with the commentary is to have the majority of the blow-by-blow be just that - punching, clinching and movement. In addition, the more bombastic the text (whether it be punches or filler), the less frequently it will be used. Andreas has set up a system that allows us to tag every bit of commentary, designating it to be used no more than once a round or once a fight. So a line like "Ali lands a solid right cross" might show up several times in a round, but a line like "Ali lands a wicked right that momentarily buckled William's legs" might appear no more than once a round if that frequently; and a line like "Ali lands a hook flush on the jaw of Jean Pierre Coopman. Coopman's legs are wobbly and he falls back into the ropes barely keeping his feet!" might only appear once per fight. Filler commentary will also take the form of crowd noise with no accompanying text, simply ticking off a few seconds time on the clock. And (fingers crossed) the contradictory filler that led to a "large boisterous crowd" in round one and "a small and subdued crowd" in round 6 are gone! 3) More screen shots will be coming soon. 4) Streaks and "Career" best statistics will now be tracked. For example, a fighter's record might show that his career best win streak is 5 or his knockout streak is currently at 3 in a row. Also tracked and placed on his record will be any title that the fighter not only currently holds but has ever held during his "career" in Title Bout. So his record might show that he is currently the #4 ranked middleweight and the former junior middleweight world champion. 5) We have also decided not to reveal certain "surprises" that are sure to please gamers - regardless of their preferences (sim vs. rpg), old-timers or current, etc.

06-17-2003, 03:27 PM	#2
Joe Canadian All Star Starter Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada Posts: 1,296	Thanks for the update!!! Can't wait for more screens!!! __________________ My Twitter \| My Blog \| My Music Fan of the Blue Jays, Maple Leafs, IceCaps, Lakers, and Broncos.

06-17-2003, 03:32 PM	#3
wildhawke11 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: united kingdom Posts: 1,952	Great Jim Thanks for the update Jim This sounds like the Classic that i hoped Title Fight 2001 might have been. During the beta testing will it be at all possible to change or put in any new ideas that the testers come up with. In regard to the commentary. Or is that to late now. Thanks Jim again Danny. Dont forget TESTERS the idea is to TEST TEST AND RETEST THINGS NOT ENJOY THE GAME LOL. CHEERS ALL

06-17-2003, 06:18 PM	#6
wildhawke11 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: united kingdom Posts: 1,952	Just as an example. I would like to see when a ref is checking say the cut on a fighter, or a doctor is examining a fighter before maybe a stoppage is called, a noted pause is in the game, to create a feeling of suspense just like in real life. The thing is here the testers are all so important, as they will be the only ones who can listen, watch and will get a general feeling as to does it feel real to them. In other words, not just reading words on a screen. But the feeling of really being at a Championship fight,and the excitement that goes with it. __________________ Always in our Hearts - RIP Danny 1939 - 2010 Last edited by wildhawke11; 06-17-2003 at 06:21 PM.

06-18-2003, 09:55 PM	#9
Cap Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Large Province in God's Country Posts: 8,024	Yeah. I'm in agreement here. A little suspense when a cut is being checked and when score cards are being read. Very important to the atmosphere of the sport. Jim, doubt you will recall, but a long while back I sent you three or four suggestions for commentary. You might want to include words that convey movement in the ring though no blows have been struck. Cap __________________ "...There were Giants in Those Days.."

06-17-2003, 03:56 PM	#4
crusadecat All Star Reserve Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 828	If it isn't too late It would be a great idea to have a forum for suggestions for great lines for the commentary.

06-17-2003, 05:04 PM	#5
Jim Trunzo OOTP Developments Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Leechburg, PA Posts: 739	Changes in the commentary can be made up to the day of release. Further more, in the case that something slips through or someone comes up with a brilliant suggestion, changes can easily be implemented and then just as easily posted and downloaded.

06-17-2003, 06:21 PM	#7
vulcan Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Wisconsin-United States of America Posts: 48	Thanks for the update Jim.

06-18-2003, 05:13 PM	#8
Hootowl 9 Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Genesee Depot, Wis. Posts: 209	Thanks for the update, the more vaired the commentary the better I don't even mind alot of filler as it pertains to maybe where the fight is being held, who's in the crowd, how the crowd may be reacting to the fight like booing a lackluster preformance. Just as long as it's not redundant,whatever to paint a picture in the minds eye. I really like wildhawke 11's idea of a stoppage to check cuts....things like that. The streaks and career best sounds great!

06-18-2003, 10:21 PM	#10
60'sfan Guest Posts: n/a	Jim, Great news on the update. As long as you're soliciting ideas for the commentary, I do have a suggestion, though you've probably incorporated this already. If the fight is boring, I'd like to see some mention of that in the commentary and also hear some booing from the crowd. I'd also like to hear appropriate crowd reaction when something exciting happens. Other than that, it sounds like you've got just about everything covered. Looking forward to some more screenshots and the eventual release of the sim. As soon as it's out, you'll get my order.

06-18-2003, 10:44 PM	#11
GDE Minors (Double A) Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Nancy,KY Posts: 193	Please be sure that when a Split Decision or a Majority Draw happens that the scorecards are announced in a manner so suspense is maintained. Nothing worse than seeing the first two scorecards for boxer 1 and the third scorecard for boxer 2.

06-19-2003, 02:01 AM	#13
Wayne Reynolds Bat Boy Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 10	Hello all and well met. I've been lurking the boards for awhile now and i'm curious if there's a "ROUGH" estimate how long beta testing usually takes. __________________ Wayne

06-23-2003, 03:29 PM	#14
Teraxx Minors (Double A) Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 108	Beta testing can last from as little as 3-4 weeks (not recommended) to as much as 3-4 months. I think a game like Title Bout with onsite testing plus volunteers (totaling say 10 people) could get it done in 6 weeks, 8 at the most.

06-23-2003, 04:03 PM	#15
Jim Trunzo OOTP Developments Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Leechburg, PA Posts: 739	Because the current simulation will have an entirely new look and "feel", along with many added and improved features, one might conclude that the play-testing will take a long time; however, the guts of the simulation is the same -- although greatly refined -- as it has been for years. Play-testing should not need to take more than a few weeks, once the sim has been completely programmed.

06-23-2003, 05:58 PM	#16
wildhawke11 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: united kingdom Posts: 1,952	The Testing Thanks Jim for your remarks about the Testing Have to say my own thoughts were much the same. Danny. May i ask a question please Jim will the testers be able to communicate there thoughts with each other during the Testing. __________________ Always in our Hearts - RIP Danny 1939 - 2010 Last edited by wildhawke11; 06-23-2003 at 06:05 PM.

06-23-2003, 11:42 PM	#17
GDE Minors (Double A) Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Nancy,KY Posts: 193	A beta forum just for testers. That way we could post bugs and/or suggest others test a certain thing to see if it works on their setup.

06-24-2003, 12:08 PM	#18
PittPanther All Star Starter Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 1,235	Let me beta-test, I'm off all summer. I'm waiting for me email to start. __________________ Commitment Teamwork Pride Hail to Pitt!

06-24-2003, 02:06 PM	#19
wildhawke11 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: united kingdom Posts: 1,952	Panther Panther Cheers Old Friend Now see here Joe, dont gimma all that Jive You take me on your gonna fall in five. Ali Last edited by wildhawke11; 06-24-2003 at 02:09 PM.

06-26-2003, 07:17 AM	#20
Jim Trunzo OOTP Developments Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Leechburg, PA Posts: 739	We will be coordinating all beta-testing through Steve Kuffrey. More information on the how, when, where will be forthcoming very soon. However, I can address one point right now: yes, we will set up forum (probably password protected) that can be accessed only by testers and developers. We obviously want individual feedback but we also want constructive debate on anything that might be an issue. At various points during the play-testing, we'll "leak" information to the board in general.