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INS News Update - Testers Wanted!

Dr. Spielmann // Mar 31, 2008 // 126 comments

Hello Everyone!





Want to be an Insurgency Tester? Do you want to help making Insurgency Beta 2.1 and Beta 3 better? are you ready to participate in testing sessions (minimum once per week) and provide good feedback and bug reports? If you think you've got what it takes, email testing(at)insmod.net with your details, timezone, and relevant previous experience. If you're selected, you will be able to download the latest client and jump in our testing sessions. Only a few will be selected, so make sure read this information before applying:

What we are looking for are experienced Insurgency gamers, that have been with us for some time and are familiar with this mod. Since most testing takes place on the weekends, you would need to have at least 3-4 hours of spare time on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays. Testing sessions are announced in advance so people can plan their weekends properly. Prior beta testing experience for other FPS or commercial software is considered a plus. You need to be fluent in English, and any previous experience with software versioning and support ticket systems will also boost your chances of joining our team. In addition, you must be at least 18 years old to be an INS tester.

Please remember to include the following details in your email:
  • Forum Name:
  • Age:
  • A paragraph or 2 as to why you'd be a good tester:
  • Your 3 Favorite FPS's:
  • Previous testing experience if any:
  • Do you have experience with SVN?
  • Do you have experience with Trac or any other Bug Trackers?
  • Do you have experience with Ventrilo?
  • Are you or have you ever been a Server Administrator?
  • What is your Timezone?
The team has been working on Insurgency Beta 2.1, and there has been a lot of testing, mapping and coding these last weeks. We want 2.1 to be a well-tested release without "day zero" patches, and that's why we're opening new tester positions. These new testers will get their hands on a release candidate of Insurgency Beta 2.1, and after we check that the client is ready for bigger stress tests, we will offer the download of Insurgency Beta 2.1 to the rest of our community.

The maps Ins_Buhriz and Ins_Abdallah have seen a lot of progress these last weeks. The maps are now going through the finishing process: detailing, replacing placeholders for final props and textures, refining and testing the gameplay.

Beta 2.1 will also include improved ironsights: as you can see, the field of view has been increased taking those ironsights further away from the player so that they remain useful but unobtrusive. Check the screenshot below to see how the new ironsights will look like. It's not only aesthetics though, the weapons are now much more accurate, sniper rifles land their shots where they should, and all weapons have been affected by the changes. We are however waiting for larger playtests in order to make the final adjustments.




Ins_Buhriz is now being tested. Although it's not complete yet, it's already playable and its gameplay will be really interesting. Insurgents can advance into Buhriz with intelligent use of cover, smoke deployment and diversion manouvers, while the USMC can defend their positions with well-placed machineguns, sniping spots, and have the benefit of being protected by the town's buildings. This map captures the feeling of being inmersed in a large battle, surrounded by a war-torn landscape with open spaces.



Deploying a M249 in Buhriz


Ins_Abdallah has also made it into testing last week. This urban map will provide very intense close quarters firefights, as well as some good street-by-street action with Insurgents and Marines trying to reach the capture points through different routes. Ins_Sinjar has also seen an increase in its draw distances, something that doesn't only make the map look better, but also helps correcting some balance issues.

As promised, here are some screenshots from Haditha Night and Samawah Day, that will also be included in Insurgency Beta 2.1.:



Daylight makes Samawah look completely different!


The main street in Haditha


This well-known map looks good in the dark


As usual, don't forget to check our developer logs if you want to know what we've been up to!



Beta 2.1 News Update

Dr. Spielmann // Mar 7, 2008 // 88 comments

Hello everyone!

Beta 2.1 development is going well, and we're doing progress in many key areas that have been the source of many disappointments in the past. Here's a taste of what's made it into the changelog:

  • Added head sway (no more hovering over maps)
  • Aiming with sniper rifles has been greatly improved. There were important issues related to our sway system that have been fixed. We can safely say that all sniper rifles will be more accurate, something that was especially important for the Al-Kadesiah
  • Some frequent DX9-related crashes have been fixed
  • Implemented a new damage visual effects system
  • Some new maps are being added to 2.1: Abdallah and Buhriz
  • Haditha Night is also confirmed for 2.1.
  • All other maps are being also polished, and some map-related exploits fixed
  • Reduced ladder climbing speed
  • Compass has been removed
  • Removed concussion effects from pistols (unwanted side-effect)
  • Al-Kadesiah 3D-scope allows now a bit of lateral vision (doesn't cover the entire screen)
  • Individual weapon spread factor has been implemented (no more "sniper" shotguns or sniper rifles that do not hit the target)
  • Players will now be able to use an M203 when picking up an M16M203 from the floor, and reload it properly.
  • Fixed RPG requiring 2 right clicks after firing
Now, some important information:

If you are experiencing frequent materialsystem.dll crashes, please write to mail (at) insmod.net, with a screenshot of the materialsystem.dll error message, your name and location, and the subject line "materialsystem.dll". You might be elligible for a restricted Beta Test with the new version to verify that the error has disappeared in Insurgency Beta 2.1. and try to squash this bug once and for all. If you don't get this particular error, please ignore this message. Keep in mind that this beta test will be exclusively for fixing this bug, and a lot of other features will be missing from the client, so it's only interesting if you were one of those that kept having this particular problem with Insurgency 2.0e.

Media Update:

We'd like to show you some screenshots of Abdallah and Buhriz, the 2 new maps you will be able to play in Insurgency Beta 2.1.


ins_abdallah

It's time to introduce ins_abdallah... the rebirth of a classic INS map


A dense urban environment, that will see intense firefights


Notice the debris on the floor and the many details of this map

ins_buhriz

The lighting on this map creates an unique atmosphere


Walls, vegetation, did anyone say "ambush"?


Open spaces, now that's something new in INS!


The streets of Buhriz


The most veteran INS regulars will surely remember ins_abdallah (some screenshots of it were published before Beta 1 was released); this map has been in development for over 3 years, and has seen quite a few versions, but never as polished as this one. You'll have to agree that it was worth the wait!

Haditha Night and Samawah Day add a new twist to some popular Insurgency maps. Some familiar locations look totally different, and the shadows in Haditha create some unexpected hiding spots. We will bring you some additional screenshots soon.

You will still have to wait a little bit more for 2.1, and we don't want to announce a release date yet. We believe that the inclusion of 2 new maps, and 2 new versions of existing maps - together with important gameplay improvements - will be worth the wait. We were not originally intending to release them with 2.1, but since they're progressing faster than expected and we're still knee deep into bug fixing, they will be added to this release.

We will keep you updated as soon as we set the content lock date, with the final changelog, and we'll give you prompt reports about the testing of the new version. Don't forget to check the developer logs if you want to know more!



Beta 3 Sneak Peek

Dr. Spielmann // Feb 12, 2008 // 156 comments

We would like to give you some news regarding Insurgency Beta 3. Development for this version has already begun and we think it's time to let you know some of its features. Keep in mind that we have a huge task ahead and that we'll be taking our time with this one, because we want it to be something really special.

Let's take a sneak peek into Beta 3!

Features:

  • Insurgency Beta 3 will be be powered by the Orange Box Engine by Valve. As long as your SDK Base is updated, you will NOT need to buy the Orange Box.
  • It will feature a new theatre of war: Kosovo.
  • The sides fighting for Kosovo will be the British Army and a fictional paramilitary group, the Serbian Liberation Army.
  • This new content will be seamlessly integrated with the rest of the mod.
  • The existing Insurgency content will be ported to the new engine and upgraded to make use of the features of the Orange Box engine.
  • While Beta 3 is being developed, the current branch of Insurgency will be supported: patches and updates will be released on a regular basis. 2.1 will receive map updates and additional content whenever possible, as long as it's compatible with the current engine and code.
  • The current game modes will be streamlined and redesigned to provide a much more satisfying, immersive and enjoyable experience. Game modes and updated maps will be extensively tested before release.
  • The current fireteams / squads / classes system will be revamped with the objective of being much more intuitive and easy to understand.
  • Morale will play a key role in the new version. Players will gain morale with good teamplay, skill, and support actions.
  • A "Tier" System will be introduced. This system will be tied in with your morale standing - giving you access to higher Tiers in weapons and accessories. The tier you have reached will disappear after you stop playing in that server. Good players will be able to reach the highest Tier after a few rounds. This will not be a persistent rank system.
  • Gameplay will be clear and instantly accesible for everyone.
  • The graphical interface of Insurgency will be completely redesigned. It will be much easier to navigate, choose your class, choose your allegiance, and customize your player's appearance and loadout. This is a requisite for building upon the customization options that we're implementing..
  • New customization options will include different choices for the player's appearance, choices of primary weapons, and choices of secondary weapons.
  • RPG's, C4, IEDs will be picked up from the map, and any player will be able to make use of them during the battle.
  • Several new maps will be included, not only for the Kosovo theatre, but also for the existing Middle East theatre.
  • New additions to the weapons will be included: M16 With Aimpoint, 1911 Pistol, UZI Sub Machine Gun, M240 Heavy Machine Gun, PKM Heavy Machine Gun, as well as other weapons for the British and Serbian teams. The details of their specific weaponry will come at a later time.
Let's take a look at one of the most attractive features, the new GUI:



The allegiance screen presents a lot of useful information, and its much more intuitive to navigate through


The armory screen will allow a higher degree of customization, allowing for example to choose between several secondary weapons


This is how the new death screen will look like. Players will be able to know who killed them, and check other interesting data while they wait for their respawn.


It will be possible to minimize the GUI at any time, for you to enjoy the action!


ins_buhriz is the codename of one of the new maps already being developed. The location chosen is near Bagdad, an area with a nice mix of dense urban, semi-urban and rural areas: USMC will start the offensive at a rural area composed of fields, bogs, and palm groves, and should make their way along a central road into the city outskirts. The fight will spread into the city itself, providing a good balance between different types of gameplay.

This is how this map's progress is looking like:



The USMC will approach the city through this rural area


Detail of the bridge and the morning sun


Keep checking Majoris' devlog for updates on this map!

Finally, we've got an image of one of the new weapons that will be included, the much expected H&K G3:


The G3. Two versions with different furniture.


Insurgency: Modern Infantry Combat Beta 3 is a monumental task, and it's needed to make Insurgency the great experience we all want it to be. However, INS 2.1 is our first stop, and it will be something to enjoy while Beta 3 is being created. We will be updating you with more information about both versions in the future. We'd like to thank you once again for your feedback and support. You have made possible the recent Mod of The Year award, and we're commited to make Insurgency much better. Don't forget to check the news update on Beta 2.1 below!




DOWNLOAD INSURGENCY

             Read the Insurgency Manual!

About Insurgency...

Insurgency (INS) is a total conversion mod for Valve Software's Half-Life 2, powered by the Source Engine. INS immerses the player in an intense online combat experience. Set on the modern battlefields, Insurgency simulates infantry combat that encourages the use of teamwork and tactics to close with and destroy the enemy.

Basic Features...

free total conversion, only Half-Life 2 and Steam required
chain of command
commanders assign objectives and give waypoints
morale
morale scoring system to set high value on teamplay
customizable gameplay
"insurgency map configuration" system for server-side map customization
reinforcement waves
unique reinforcement wave system
depth of realism
iron sights, free aim, ricochet, bullet penetration, weapon weights, and more
no bullsh*t hud
only see what's important, when it's important
weapon caches
used for rearming on the battlefield, destroyable by the other team
global stats
a simple forum signup keeps track of your stats forever
network
a comprehensive "ins.network" will cover all your insurgency needs
Join us on IRC @ #insurgency on GameSurge