stinkygoat ([info]stinkygoat) wrote,
@ 2007-07-26 23:51:00
Previous Entry  Add to memories!  Tell a Friend!  Next Entry
limbo part infinity
limbo again.

this time we are waiting to go into "final cert", which is a two week process leading to "certification" which allows your game to be released.

HOWEVER

they don't have a rating certificate from the Antipodes.

NOW

we do know what the rating *is*, we've been told that they've been told and all relevant details in the code have been adjusted to reflect this rating

HOWEVER

despite that they won't start the "final cert" process until they are told in some other form, presumably by a fax or letter or something and that hasn't happened yet, so

ALTHOUGH

we were actually looking ready to enter "final cert" a few days early, on Monday,

NOW

due to lack of said piece of paper, or fax or whatever, we are being pushed back beyond the actual desired start date, which was to have been today.

And so it goes.

Another thing I don't uderstand is the whole "final cert" paradigm anyway.

The last couple of months we've been hooked up to a bugs database and working back and forth between us and them we've been testing and eliminating bugs and clearing out the database until now it is nicely clear.

You would think that would be "certification" but it isn't, you now just become eligible for the "final cert" process (once they get their bits of paper from Australia) which means that they run MORE tests and they COULD ACTUALLY CONCEIVABLY CHUCK YOU OUT OF THAT AND BACK TO SQUARE ONE AGAIN.

Why this process isn't just handled in the one interactive phase I have no idea; all I can see is that it adds two more weeks of fucked up stress to a process that has been more than drawn out and absolutely excruciating, and I really don't know what I'd do if they kicked us back; I think I'd be heading for nervous breakdown territory right there.

I used to tell how final test on T2K for Atari was the most stressful thing I'd ever done in the biz. I now wholeheartedly rescind that. Final test at Atari was a holiday, it was a finite process with an end that occurred in just a few weeks.

Maybe this is how things are done now, and of course I will have to factor it in to any future work i do on XBLA, but I must admit it's just extraordinarily wearing. The worst part of it I think is that apart from the brief periods when you are actually working to fix reported issues there are semi-infinitely more days where you can do nothing but wait and wait and stress and the process just never seems to end - even in the last two weeks there is apparently a dangling possibility of failure.

I'm halfway between One Of My Turns and Comfortably Numb, but not close enough to the latter to be comfortable...


(Post a new comment)

The situation here is quite tense ...
[info]gilesgoat
2007-07-26 11:20 pm UTC (link)
The situation here is few to say "quite tense" .. ranging from anger to despair and "coma state" :|

It's very frustrating, obiviously all this "beauracratic crap" is nerves stressing because "it's totally out of your control", it's been a very long ping-pong of stuff where "all the code part" has almost zero to do.

And yet .. even after months and months of all this 'crap' we still are in a phase where theoretically "things could still go wrong and get a rejection" so as you can imagine the situation here is well explosive.

It's all the fucking year we are totally, completely and only in SG, we did not have any holiday we can't and we don't want to do anything else until all that is done, we can't wait to finally see SG out and think "now we can take a break".

I am starting to be even bored, despite all its beauty in this stages and moments it's really and only a pain in the arse to think to put hands on SG "for anything", you fear to maybe touch "something wrong" and be thrown back to some steps, you know that all that stuff that could come out it's only problems and that those people are there "to find things that don't work".

Anyway, SG so far demonstrated an absolutely rock solid hard stability and appreciation.

Anyway, it's NOT finished yet and maybe the hardest part "yet has to come", it's a bit weird that all those months and things spent are basically "a preparation" for "the definitive step" .. you really feel like "what the fucking ELSE they could find out ?".

I don't want to criticize ( much ) MS but in this case I am saying and I will say again "some stuff really should be made differently, there's something wrong in this process guys, change it and make it better".

I am saying it and I'll say it again "something needs to be changed", at least find a way to "compress times" because all this fucking beuractating rating shite should be "separated" from code, you can't make a thing waste time "because a rating paper is missing", the code does not change because it says "A" instead of "B".

I am well fed up of ratings, politically correctness and all this crap, when I was a child all that was not existent we were playing games, seeing movies and reading books full of "everything" yet I never shoot my mum I never thrown myself out of a window or become a serial killer beause I saw a movie or a videogame or something that made me think "I have to do the same".

Today, we have all this and for some reason it looks like people are even worse and even more vulnerable ( and sometime crap ) than what we became without all this.

Does it make any sense ? Does it really make the world a better place or not ?

Do I make my everything better in putting a label saying "A" "U" or "G" or maybe spending more time in doing something else ?

Oh FFS .. it's all a load of bollocks ..

(Reply to this)(Thread)

Re: The situation here is quite tense ...
[info]cheesetruck
2007-07-26 11:44 pm UTC (link)
see my response below.

Yes. It's why I no longer work in telco. And no, none of us deal with this daily; this is a blessing. We only have to deal with it at release; or pseudo-release; or whatever the truck it is they call it.

When it's all over, those of us not involved in the quagmire of day to day inanities such as this can move on, and wonder why anyone would choose this. And attempt to help anyone out who wants out.

But in the meantime, just look around and marvel at the amazing structures of plastic that have been built; someone, somewhere, thinks there's substance to it.

There, but only by the grace of god, go we.

(Reply to this)(Parent)


[info]cheesetruck
2007-07-26 11:40 pm UTC (link)
if you are familiar with the OSI model...

this is layer 8.

POLITICS.

(Reply to this)(Thread)


[info]jaobedoza
2008-02-20 02:32 pm UTC (link)
lol!

OSI has only 7 layers

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)


[info]cheesetruck
2008-02-20 06:21 pm UTC (link)
No, it has 8. The 8th layer is Politics.

Ask any Telecommunications manager, director, or engineer. While it IS a joke, it's very real; and it is in fact the layer where telco's operate.

Do NOT ask a Telecommunications VP or CEO, especially one from the US. They will not understand the joke. It does not contain the term 'minutes.'

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

I am a telecom engineer
[info]jaobedoza
2008-02-21 05:04 am UTC (link)
I am a telecom engineer. I worked almost 5 years as a GSM switch engineer at the biggest GSM carrier here in PH.

I resigned 3 years ago because of the 8th layer!

Since I started my job I never had a holiday. I worked every Christmas, New Year, and all major holidays, while my managers are on vacation.

One time I was working on a report and my shift is over. I endorsed it to the next shift. Then my manager told me to stay and finish it. I told her no, my shift is over and I have an important appointment.

The bitch yelled, where is my dedication to my job and the company!

Damn! who the hell is she to say that! I worked 16 hour shifts during holidays while they are busy kissing ass at the company parties. I worked alone during new years handling 15 network elements! An she has the nerve to ask where is my dedication!

That's it I had to leave!

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

Re: I am a telecom engineer
[info]cheesetruck
2008-02-21 12:23 pm UTC (link)
Myself, 2nd largest in the US, then worked as a contractor for the largest in the UK. VERY similar situations. The UK is slightly less horrific, because of the nature of tea breaks, and that everyone leaves when their shift is over, end of discussion.

Working through those there eventually caused the management to stop giving me work, because if they gave me work, it would mean I would fix it, which would require overtime, and they couldn't afford overtime.

The US job was somewhat identical to yours, I left/was asked to leave because there was concern on my part that if I worked 80 hours and was paid for 40, I was being treated unfairly. My standing up like this was causing 'unrest' among my fellow workers, who ALSO felt this was unfair but wouldn't say anything. So, I left/was asked to leave, and I went on my way.

To this day, when something comes up they can't fix, they look for my number. I know this as I still have friends there. Or did, until about 4 months ago, when the last one left (having had a better offer.)

You _DID_ leave, correct? Anyone assuming they can't find a better job - needs to look at Mr. Stinkygoat. Sure, he's had rough times, but he's doing things he enjoys, he has a much better life overall, and he's HAPPY. EVERYONE can do that. You just have to be willing to accept that you will have rough times, and know you can deal with them. (It also helps to be very strong in knowing what you want to do.)

(Reply to this)(Parent)


[info]arron_shutt
2007-07-27 12:03 am UTC (link)
Yak and Giles, I and everyone else on YakYak are right behind you. We want Space Giraffe to happen. I'm sure that all the great people in history have had their moments like this, but the process will finish at some point.

I'm off for a month from work, so I've more time than usual. If there is anything I can do to help out, then you only have to ask..I'm sure that everyone else would do similar if asked..

Please don't lose heart, you're the centre of a whole community that believes in what you're trying to achieve, so don't let all this political nonsense crush you to a pulp..because it's not really worth it. The sun will rise in the morning, the sheep will bleat and moisture will fall from the sky onto the green pasture all the same.

Namaste dude..and hopefully you'll get some good news in the next few days..!

(Reply to this)


[info]mort_dansant
2007-07-27 04:40 am UTC (link)
(first off, I'll echo what Aaron says, we ARE all behind you both on this)

I can see how this is totally destroying you all at the moment, and it's terrible. I'm especially sad that the latest issue is being caused by my neck of the woods.

If I were being generous to MS I recon that this whole process is probably because they are now used to dealing with companies working on titles who aren't quite as together and reactive as LLamasoft is. It's still pretty unexcusable though the amount of "Hurry up and Wait" in the process.

I know that since this is the first title you've done for ths particlular platform that you want to get it out of the way completely before you can break from it and move on. However how do you think you will manage the process in the future? It's a huge delay between completing the main coding cycle and actually getting to move on. Are you likely to move over to R&D on the next project once you start the cert process, pausing to fix bugs/issues as they arrise but still keeping forward motion for LLamasoft. You'd just have to be disciplined and take a proper holiday once the release is done, even though it would mean taking a break from the new project.

Anyway, hang in there, my 400points are ready, along with everybody else who is waiting for the 'Giraffe :D

(Reply to this)(Thread)

You've been lucky.
[info]gilesgoat
2007-07-27 09:12 am UTC (link)
You've been lucky .. we got the papers .. otherwise we were quite near the edge to cut your country off from SG distribution cause TOO LONG BEAUREACRACY.

This fucking shit is MENTAL and TOO TIME CONSUMING, it's weeks and weeks of stuff for "a fucking paper", I hate rating, I hate politically correctness, I hate all that crap.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

Re: You've been lucky.
[info]mort_dansant
2007-07-27 10:20 am UTC (link)
I know it's stupid, but you've got to blame things like the HotCoffeee thing, and the Manhunt 2 thing combined with the increasingly mainstream nature of games.

It's not enough today simply to say "we're abstract there are no images of real things in this game", somehow they have to make sure.

Likewise the whole online gaming side of things is wonderful, but open to abuse by unethical developers, or open to abuse by people who allow their dev systems to get infected and somehow a virus slips into the code.

I'm sure I'm not alone in yearning for the simpler times, and if it wasn't for the pain it's causing you two personally I'd be saying it's worth the tradeoffs - but as you know it isn't me being driven mad.

It's really true to say that we're all thinking of you as you go through this stuff.

(Reply to this)(Parent)


[info]dr_rik
2007-07-27 09:16 am UTC (link)
Hmm, hard to know what to suggest really, other than the fact that stressing about what someone else is/isn't doing won't help. If you're waiting on others then the best thing I can suggest is that you use that time to disconnect from the devkit and go spend some quality time on something else.

Get out in the car and up in the mountains for a day, go take in some retail therapy, catch up on some films and actually play some games for a change.

Come back and check in later when you've have a chance to recharge the batteries a bit.

*hugs*

R.


(Reply to this)


[info]plucky_mcgill
2007-08-02 09:26 pm UTC (link)
After hearing the trouble you're facing, I will definitely add this to my download queue as soon as it's available. No one wants to stress out a bloody good developer for nothing.

(Reply to this)


[info]xbl_rossa
2007-08-06 08:09 pm UTC (link)
Was just looking at this.. is a "in the coming weeks" a good sign? (6th game down)...

Hot August XBL games releasing this month:

· "Ecco the Dolphin" (Sega) Cool off with this fun, whimsical update of the classic undersea exploration game featuring everyone's favorite bottlenose dolphin, Ecco!

· "Hexic 2" (Carbonated Games) The highly anticipated sequel to the popular puzzle game "Hexic HD" will have gamers racing to solve brand new challenges, including an all new two player Battle mode.

· "War World" (Ubisoft) A pure adrenaline rush, War World features powerful armored mechanoids battling head-to-head in all-out savage single and multiplayer battles that combine action and strategy.


Sizzling summer launches hitting in the coming weeks:

· "Geon: Emotions" (Eidos) Engage in the unique sport of Geon, where you must master a diverse range of emotions to best your opponents.

· "Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords" (D3Publisher of America, Inc.) Addictive and easy-to-learn, this game integrates story and character progression elements found in RPGs delivering a brand new type of game that pushes the puzzle genre to a whole new level.

· "Space Giraffe" (Llamasoft) Created by genre-defining game designer Jeff Minter, "Space Giraffe" is a psychedelic shooter that spans 100 levels, all set against vivid, pulsating backgrounds that synchronize with any custom music selection.

· "Streets of Rage 2" (Sega) One of the most popular side-scrolling beat 'em ups of the 90's gets the Xbox LIVE Arcade treatment, complete with enhanced graphics, sound, Achievements and multiplayer modes.

· "Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix" (Capcom) This game combines addictive puzzle action with favorite Capcom fighting characters including Ryu, Ken, Chun-Li and Morrigan.

(Reply to this)


[info]shaleari
2008-05-01 10:30 am UTC (link)
Been doing similar lately. When you have the time, drop me a line on IM or email, or something.. al the info is on my page.

Would like to talk to you sometime.

(Reply to this)


Create an Account
Forgot your login?
Login w/ OpenID
English • Español • Deutsch • Русский…