Greetings!

Hey everyone! I am Mystal, an American with backgrounds in Computer Science, Physics, and an overall interest in video games

I forget how I originally found my way to Thrive (the link from ModDB's been open for weeks), but I find the idea of the game is fascinating. And the vast scope you guys are aiming for blows me away. This sounds like it could be really good, but it also sounds a long way off. Still, I would like to contribute in whatever manner I may. I've been reading through the wiki and this forum some and I figured I should at least introduce myself.

Some more "credentials" then:
I am a Computer Scientist (you know, I can program and design software) with backgrounds in some systems, some compilers, and lots of interest in programming languages. That last bit means that I've worked with many, including C, C++, Java, Python, Haskell, Lua, a tiny bit of Ruby, and a bunch of other more obscure ones. I also have a Bachelor's Degree in Physics, though that was more out of my own curiosity.
As far as video game development, I have very little experience. I have made a small pong game using SDL and also know some about programming on GPUs (my Master's thesis was on working with general purpose GPUs and CUDA and OpenCL), but my knowledge of graphics programming is currently limited. I'm very interested in learning a lot more about video game design and development and certainly welcome a challenge.
Hmm, I guess I'll also point out that Ihappen to be somewhat of a neat freak and often pay close attention to details ^^;

Hope to hear from you guys!

Welcome! Anyone with atleast some C++ knowledge can be very helpful, I think you will want to speak with Roadkillguy about this.

I am the resident industrial and military guy. If you would happen to have any ideas, feel free to post them.

Hey there! What Alaska said, talk to Roadkill, currently our programmer-in-chief (well, the one that hasn't ascended to some seperate plane of existence, anyway.)
Also, you should be helpful to Rex and Alaska throughout military and civ, as you have a working knowlege of Physics.

I'm Calli, and I run biomes, poke holes in concepts, puzzle over civ and strat ideas, nag the translation team, and generally can be found doing odd jobs around the forum.

P.S. You wouldn't happen to be bilingual, would you? Okay, technically C++ is a language...

Welcome! You seem perfect for the team. We don't often get people with great backgrounds like you, so I'm really excited that you're here. The whole team here has sure taught me a lot, and I think we all try to spit out lots of useful knowledge. I'm a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to this game, so no problems there.

Anyway, I'm sciocont, you can call me scio. I run our project right now in tandem with US of Alaska, so If you need anything at all feel free to PM me. Once again, I'm really happy to have you!

Mysterious_Calligrapher wrote:

... What Alaska said...

??? I guess you mean Keen there, right Calli? Anyways, i'm Alaska and obviously i've been talked about a little bit here. I'm team co-lead and head of Strategy Mode and Sapient Gameplay (Society onwards), along with Rex who should show up any minute now.

Seems like most people have covered the main points, and it is definitely exciting to have someone with such a strong computer language background. You will definitely be a huge help and you should definitely talk to roadkill, who'll also more likely than not show up soon. So until then you can seek him out in the Programming Section.

Oh, and also - Welcome to the team! Great to have you on board.

Well, programming is kinda hard right about now, (I just started my freshman year) as in it's hard to find time and get around to it. I'll add you to the dev team if you'd like.

Hello! I'm The Uteen as it says to the left where it says my name, and I have forgotten to change my sig back from the 'away' one (one sec)! I've just had a second trip away and I didn't really like this one either... Going away is too tiring. And there were mosquitos! If I had my way... School - Bed and relaxing, no mosquitos - school. Much simpler. I like it here, why would I want to go anywhere? ("You'll understand when you're older". Pause. Slightly older me: "Nope, still don't get it")

Anyway, nice to meet you, and thanks for wanting to contribute! You know, all this just proves you don't need a huge company (that doesn't understand evolution at all) to make a good evolution sandbox game. + = :,), but there isn't a smiley for crying of happiness. But there is for a cherry. Who made these smilies!?!?

Glad to see many appreciative faces

I just started my first "real" job, but I find time in the evening to devote to other things now. I would love to join the development team and start contributing. First, I feel as though I need to get caught up on what's been going on. I'll sit down to read through more things, probably tomorrow.

@roadkillguy: My first complaint so far with the code was that I couldn't build it! But that's understandable, we can talk about it when you find time.

PS: I do speak some Spanish...

You just need OpenGL and SDL as far a I know.

Yeah, I know... but the system I was compiling on has those in non-standard locations (and it's a Mac to boot!). I have to tinker with the Makefile to make it build, but haven't found the time just yet.

Did you have any sort of build system in mind for when the project grows? Doing Makefiles by hand gets a bit tedious in my experience.

...No not really. I like makefiles, but I've never worked on anything REALLY big.

Mystal wrote:

First, I feel as though I need to get caught up on what's been going on. I'll sit down to read through more things, probably tomorrow.

I've just noticed no-one linked you to the wiki! So here's a link. If you want to check up on (most of) our current concepts without mining you're way through the forums, using only a spoon, the search doesn't really work well if you want to actually find something, then the wiki will just show you the facts. No debates, or decisions that were later changed, just what you need to know. Most of what you need to know, anyway.
Almost all.
It'll do.
At least it's better than reading through the forums. There's currently 12430 messages in 604 subjects.

P.S. I did remember to change my sig when I said I would, but it must have been to long and I didn't realise. Anyway, I've re-added a sig. I think it's short enough to be accepted.

The Uteen wrote:

I've just noticed no-one linked you to the wiki!

Perhaps it has a reason?

Original Post wrote:

I've been reading through the wiki

Commander Keen wrote:

The Uteen wrote:

I've just noticed no-one linked you to the wiki!

Perhaps it has a reason?

Original Post wrote:

I've been reading through the wiki

Missed that.

US_of_Alaska wrote:

Mysterious_Calligrapher wrote:

... What Alaska said...

??? I guess you mean Keen there, right Calli?

In my defense, you are usually the one who says it. You were just late this time.