28-09-2000 04:43									#1
	Major Decisions - Project Milestones in Population & Ecology Models Put an end to popups!

Hi Everyone:

We now have some concrete things that are being worked on, and that will be coded as far as general model mechanics soon. F. Smith's plan for coding is to work on the population model first, followed by the ecology model. So I would like everyone to take a look at those models in that order, and give any comments you have in the relevant threads. What we especially need to hear is: Do you think the models are at the proper level of detail to use with the core game, as much as possible do you think they will be fun, are there any issues in terms of complexity or interfaces that you think haven't been discussed properly, etc? So please go over to the Population & Demographics model, and after you've thought about that to the web page for the Ecology Model. Your comments on the ecology model should go in the Ecology etc. thread. (Richard, is this the right place?)

Since these are fairly recent decisions, Richard may not have had a chance yet to propose any model changes he has been thinking of... So, Richard, if this announcement is premature for ecology or whatever, Please just let me know below when you get the chance.

Another issue we can talk about in this thread is what happens next after population and ecology. F. Smith, in another thread, proposed econ as the next thing to work on. Although I would love to have econ working as quickly as possible, I personally think it would be better to finish off the government/social/riots area at the demo 5 level first. My reasons for this is that they are a good chunk of the way there in code using the new architecture, and if they were just a little further along, people will be able to actually start really playtesting those models fairly soon. At least that is my call on the issue. It doesn't address the code architecture reasons why F. Smith might have preferred to do econ first. What does everyone think?

So everyone, please focus on our new milestones as much as possible, and only after you've done what you can in those areas, go back to business as usual.

[This message has been edited by Mark_Everson (edited September 27, 2000).]

	28-09-2000 06:31									#2
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Yes, the ecology thing is premature. And this is about the busiest time for me right now. Mountain Heritage Day is this weekend, my parents are coming to visit, and several tests and projects are coming up. So I won't be able to get the Ecology v.3 out for quite a while.

But, the input will probably be needed to guide v.3 so critique v.2 and all of the posts after that. It's not very organized and it is missing sonme things but it does give the flavor.

This is another very spooky thing: F_Smith seems to be following my
proposed demo timeline.

	28-09-2000 12:46									#3
	Increase Your PM Length

I read the pop model and it looks good enough to go on the code stage. I made some further comments in the pop model thread.

I won't say anything about the Ecology model given Rich's comments.


What next? I guess F_Smith's top priority is to create the data structure. That means, set the classes, hierarchy, etc but it's not a priority to develop the procedures (equations). It makes sense to me, at least.

If I'm right and we are only coding structure, then I'd say there's no problem going with the econ model if F_Smith thinks that's the best next step. As for social/govt/riots, I'd say the data structure is pretty much there already for social and govt. Maybe govt still is missing some structures. I don't know. About the riots model, I posted a while ago some thoughts on how to code it, so if econ won't be next, riots can.

To me, it's really F_Smith's call. I'm alright with whatever sequence we choose.

	28-09-2000 17:00									#4
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Please go to the Ecology thread and post your ideas. This is the best time to put them in. Review the v.2 and say what you'd like to change.

	28-09-2000 22:13									#5
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Okay, I understand, the population model is crucial for Clash, but, after that, Ecology? Why? I searched all the threads but I did not find a good reason why the Ecology model should be discussed and coded now, only F_Smith stating that it will. If I missed something somewhere, please bear with me; I have not been paying too much attention lately.

	28-09-2000 22:46									#6
	Avatar Enlargement: We've got the solution

We are building the game world from the ground up

Actually, I think it is very reasonable. Many economic inputs like resources and food all depend on the land. So to give the economy model a good foundation, you need to have this in place. And to make the rest of the game, you need the economy in place.

Also, it seems to be a code architecture issue. Defining the structure of the mapsquare code at this time is very important, and the ecology characteristcs are an integral pert of the mapsquare OO modeling.

Look at the demo timeline I posted to see some more reasoning for this.

	30-09-2000 04:16									#7
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Axi: We should let F_Smith take the decisions about the order in which models should be coded.