Development Cycle Archive

Thread: Process: Hotfix and Monthly Update...

Blair
Fri Nov 14, 2003 5:29 pm
#1

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Greetings...



There are quite a few questions about the difference in a couple of terms we use here, mainly hotfix and Monthly Publish. I’d like to define these terms for you.



We usually put out a hotfix ever few days. Someone usually posts a “What’s on the plate for tomorrow” post the night before a hotfix comes out. Hotfixes usually contain updates that are low risk and high bang for the buck. We might fix a server crash, fix a client crash, fix an exploit, or correct a big problem that we have recently solved. Hotfixes don’t get a lot of testing time, so you typically won’t see large system additions or large balance passes in a hotfix.



Examples of hotfix notes: (please note that these are manufactured examples)


· Resolved a client crash that could sometimes happen when you run into an interior with a mount.


· Tweaked balance for /headshot2 combat move.


· Fixed an exploit where players received millions of credits for zero risk.



Monthly updates are different and involve thousands of changes, go onto testcenter for several weeks, and included large feature additions. Examples of some of the kind of things you will see as monthly updates: (please note that these are manufactured examples)



· Added player cities


· Added mounts


· Rebalanced combat move costs


· Resolved a client crash that could sometimes happen when you run into an interior with a mount.


· Tweaked balance for /headshot2 combat move.


· Fixed an exploit where players received millions of credits for zero risk.



The best way to think about this is hotfixes are small changes that don’t require a great deal of testing. Monthly publishes take weeks to ensure we have everything covered.




Blair


Producer

Dinian
Fri Nov 14, 2003 5:38 pm
#2

Does this mean that major exploits would still wait until monthly publishes? Like the bounty hunter - jedi - doctor credit/xp exploit?




Dinian :: Master Swordsman - Teräs Käsi Master - Force Adept
Retired producer of fine weapons for Kong Technologies
Vaedross
Fri Nov 14, 2003 5:43 pm
#3

I think he means exploits will be fixed ASAP and they will also show up in the total notes for the monthly change.

They're doing code branches and patches to old branches, then the port those changes on the old code forward to the new code. It's just your normal software QA process.



Ifele Speederbike Ninja 1
TKA 4031 | Rifleman 2003 | Master Artisan | Armorsmith 1004 | Ex-Master Medic
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NOTE: My opinions as presented outside the Artisan and Test Center forums are my own and do NOT reflect my representation of these issues to the developers.
ARTISAN TOP 5 ISSUE RESPONSES (12/23/03)
deadnewbie
Fri Nov 14, 2003 5:44 pm
#4

The Jedi-doctor-BH exploit is why internal testing sucks.

The devs are worse at finding exploits than players ever will.



Imperial Minister of Information
Scorus
Fri Nov 14, 2003 5:56 pm
#5

Thanks, now hotfix private crafting station hoppers, /bug, BE usage xp for tissues and do a monthly update making professions like BE, chef, DE, etc. that have been broken since launch into playable professions. Too much to ask from people that have been paying you for almost 6 months to play completely broken professions?



Scorus
Sumorex
Fri Nov 14, 2003 6:00 pm
#6

My CSR ticket interface still tells me that I can't connect to the system... is that going to be hotfixed? Got around 30k of resources that have poofed while crafting I'd sure like to get back as they are a resource I can't replace.



Sumo - Master Bio Engineer - Master Creature Handler

Omus - Master Artisan, Merchant, Marksman, Musician, Architect, Medic, Doctor, Scout, Brawler, Image Designer, Entertainer, Ranger, Swordsman, Armorsmith, Droid Engineer, Creature Handler, Smuggler

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DVader539
Fri Nov 14, 2003 6:06 pm
#7



Blair wrote:
or correct a big problem that we have recently solved.


I'm sorry, if you've solved something, it shouldn't need correcting. Until it is totally correct, it is not solved. If 13+5 is the problem, and your answer is 16, then you don't have a solution. 16 won't work. You won't have a solution until you answer 18. And 18 won't need correcting.

Minor technicality.



Click here for proof that the Devs hate Riflemen. And here's the kicker! (Seperate thread)
Making a controversial point: Ignored
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There are few things you can post, for everything else, there's a CSR waiting.

Khalaermol
Fri Nov 14, 2003 6:25 pm
#8

"or correct a big problem that we have recently solved"


say that again please




Khal's Crap 6164, 5539 Rori just to the east of restuss Wanderhome
Master Swordsman, 3/0/3/0 scout, 0/4/4/4 doc
Master Artisan, Droid Engineer, Merchant (my alt)
Holocron said, " ...there's something oddly satisfying about running a game people pay to hate..."
http://www.gamespy.com/articles/march04/galaxies/01/
http://www.gamespy.com/articles/march04/galaxies/02/
http://www.gamespy.com/articles/march04/galaxies/03/
Khalaermol
Fri Nov 14, 2003 6:26 pm
#9

heh, I see this has already been pondered over



Khal's Crap 6164, 5539 Rori just to the east of restuss Wanderhome
Master Swordsman, 3/0/3/0 scout, 0/4/4/4 doc
Master Artisan, Droid Engineer, Merchant (my alt)
Holocron said, " ...there's something oddly satisfying about running a game people pay to hate..."
http://www.gamespy.com/articles/march04/galaxies/01/
http://www.gamespy.com/articles/march04/galaxies/02/
http://www.gamespy.com/articles/march04/galaxies/03/
gogMerrick
Fri Nov 14, 2003 6:31 pm
#10

Please fix the output hopper on private crafting stations I have alot of items there that I need to get a hold of.
EronNightwind
Fri Nov 14, 2003 6:34 pm
#11

How about a fix or Explanation of the Droid crafting stations no longer making high end Items, or Items with high complexity?
PyscoJuggalo
Fri Nov 14, 2003 6:34 pm
#12

What do you mean when you say:


"· Tweaked balance for /headshot2 combat move."


Do you mean you made it deal more damage, have a shorter delay, and/or use less HAM.


OR


Do you mean you made it do less damage, have a longer delay, and/or use more HAM


Cause I thought it was cool before, but I can understand making it a little more powerful now that Combat Medics can heal mind damage.




I am the Mad Rifleman, Writer of the Riflenomican. I understand the secrets of the Dark Ancient Developer ones and their Evil. (Maniacal Laughter) He he he he he, Ha ha ha ha ha, Aha ha ha ha!
CM's are like nukes. You have them just incase you need them, but as soon as you start using yours the other guys start using theirs and everything goes to hell-PyschoticChipmunk -The First line of the Riflenomican.
RichLather
Fri Nov 14, 2003 6:44 pm
#13

It was stated that these were manufactured examples.



That is to say, they're fake and exist solely for the purposes of example in this thread. Don't get your panties in a bunch.




Merely watching the carnage with the other blue glowies.
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