UltraCorps: Frequently Asked Questions

July 4, 2006: X-8 Art Contest

You have probably noticed that there is no artwork for the very useful X-8 Assault Shuttle. This new unit was added after we took over development, and there was no existing art that could be repurposed to fit it.

So . . . contest time. Let's get some art.

Your mission: to use whatever 3d rendering tools suit your fancy to create a unit that more or less matches the X-8 icon, and fits the style of the existing art. Don't worry about lettering . . . we'll add that.

There should be two different images: a small one, 340 x 300, showing the unit, and a larger 1024 x 768 desktop. Both should be 72dpi RGB JPEG files. We will also need the mesh and skin so we can do other evil and neat things with it.

The prize: your name goes on the permanent credits page, and when we establish the "experience points" system - or whatever we end up calling the rankings that measure your service to the community - you will start off well above zero. And if we're really impressed, we may offer you a deal to make us more art . . . and not just for XP, either.

The fine print: All submissions become property of SJ Games. We may not name any winner, if nothing blows us away . . . or we may put it to a forum vote if several of you blow us away. Send your entries to kira@sjgames.com and sj@sjgames.com by August 8th.
-- Steve Jackson

[ past news ] • [ rss ]

Frequently Asked Questions

. . . About Joining, Getting Started, and Reporting Bugs

How can I get into a playtest?: Sign up here to be on a mailing list for UltraCorps playtest notifications. (This is not the permanent UltraCorps information mailing list, which doesn't even exist yet - this list will only be used for pre-release playtest.) To actually sign up for a game, follow the "Games You Can Join" link on the lobby page.
Where can I read the rules?: Right here.
How do I get the client?: There is no client; the game is completely browser-based.
How do I log in?: Click on the "Registered Users" button. (After you've registered, of course.)
Who do I contact if I think I see a bug?: First, please check the known bug list to see if we already know about it. If not, please report it! During the current phase of testing, send e-mail to kira@sjgames.com, with "UltraCorps" in the title.

. . . About Gameplay

Why is the FP on a world often not quite equal to the sum of the FPs of the fleets there?: Firepower is listed for your guidance; the system doesn't use it in battles. It is an approximation, calculated by a simple-but-feasible algorithm. It doesn't take into account X-factors, and in the case of units that complement each other very well (like an E-class backed by lots of fodder) two fleets can combine into a single fleet with notably more FP than the sum of the original fleets. FP is intended to make the learning curve more convenient and to make play a bit faster, NOT to render player skill pointless.
What happens if I miss a tick?: Then you missed that turn. There's no way to set the clock back.
What if the whole system misses a tick?: Then something is broken. That shouldn't happen . . . but if it does happen, everyone is left in the same relative position.

. . . About Our Plans

What's your goal for UltraCorps?: To run a fun, classy, and profitable for-pay game, with intelligent, professional moderation, that appeals to the sort of intelligent fans who like our other games. That seems to be the same kind of people who like UltraCorps now, which is probably why Steve liked it so much when HE got into it.
When will the open alpha start?: It has already started, and is open to everyone. Note . . . "alpha test" does mean a TEST, and "alpha" means "Likely to break." We'll do our best to maintain the integrity of test games so the players can have fun, but if something breaks, we may decide that a game can't be continued . . . or we may continue a game even if a bug has completely and unfairly hosed some players . . . and that's the way it goes in a test game. So please be patient with us.
What will the game cost to play?: During the open alpha and beta, it'll be free. After that . . . we don't know. We will have to run UltraCorps for a while to get an idea of what our true costs will be, and we are already surveying the players, via the forums, to find out what level of service you want and are willing to pay for.
Will you change the rules?: Some of them. We have already tweaked starting setups and unit stats for balance. As we run the game, we'll find ways to do things better, and we'll try them. But we won't make changes randomly, and some of the changes will probably be to provide a variety of different game scenarios, rather than actual rules changes.

. . . About Fan Involvement

Can I help you run UltraCorps?: Well, if you were one of the game's programmers before, we sure want to hear from you! Drop a line to sj@sjgames.com. Otherwise . . . We're already using volunteer moderators for the forum. Depending on feedback from the open tests, we may decide to have some volunteer Game Masters as well. We hope there will be enough demand for the game that we'll need a paid part-time GM position, and obviously that will have to be someone with experience with the game. But we don't know yet. Hide and watch . . .
Will you link to other UltraCorps websites?: Yes. SJ Games always likes to link to really good fan sites, and UltraCorps will be no exception. An online game is nothing without an active community, and fan sites are part of that community. If you're interested in setting up a fan site, please check out our online policy. And notify us when it's set up . . .

. . . About History and Stuff

Who originally designed and programmed UltraCorps?: View the credits page for a list of people who have worked on UltraCorps over the years.
Why was UltraCorps dropped from the Zone?: It wasn't bringing in enough money. This should not come as a surprise; this game is not for everyone. It's not going to have millions of customers, and it probably can't cover its overhead on a mass-market system. But we think that if we can reach a few thousand faithful fans who WANT a game with this level of intellectual involvement, we'll be golden.

[ back to top ]


	July 4, 2006: X-8 Art Contest You have probably noticed that there is no artwork for the very useful X-8 Assault Shuttle. This new unit was added after we took over development, and there was no existing art that could be repurposed to fit it. So . . . contest time. Let's get some art. Your mission: to use whatever 3d rendering tools suit your fancy to create a unit that more or less matches the X-8 icon, and fits the style of the existing art. Don't worry about lettering . . . we'll add that. There should be two different images: a small one, 340 x 300, showing the unit, and a larger 1024 x 768 desktop. Both should be 72dpi RGB JPEG files. We will also need the mesh and skin so we can do other evil and neat things with it. The prize: your name goes on the permanent credits page, and when we establish the "experience points" system - or whatever we end up calling the rankings that measure your service to the community - you will start off well above zero. And if we're really impressed, we may offer you a deal to make us more art . . . and not just for XP, either. The fine print: All submissions become property of SJ Games. We may not name any winner, if nothing blows us away . . . or we may put it to a forum vote if several of you blow us away. Send your entries to kira@sjgames.com and sj@sjgames.com by August 8th. -- Steve Jackson [ past news ] • [ rss ] Frequently Asked Questions . . . About Joining, Getting Started, and Reporting Bugs How can I get into a playtest? Sign up here to be on a mailing list for *UltraCorps* playtest notifications. (This is not the permanent *UltraCorps* information mailing list, which doesn't even exist yet - this list will only be used for pre-release playtest.) To actually sign up for a game, follow the "Games You Can Join" link on the lobby page. Where can I read the rules? Right here. How do I get the client? There is no client; the game is completely browser-based. How do I log in? Click on the "Registered Users" button. (After you've registered, of course.) Who do I contact if I think I see a bug? First, please check the known bug list to see if we already know about it. If not, please report it! During the current phase of testing, send e-mail to kira@sjgames.com, with "*UltraCorps" in the title. . . . About Gameplay Why is the FP on a world often not quite equal to the sum of the FPs of the fleets there?* Firepower is listed for your guidance; the system doesn't use it in battles. It is an approximation, calculated by a simple-but-feasible algorithm. It doesn't take into account X-factors, and in the case of units that complement each other very well (like an E-class backed by lots of fodder) two fleets can combine into a single fleet with notably more FP than the sum of the original fleets. FP is intended to make the learning curve more convenient and to make play a bit faster, NOT to render player skill pointless. What happens if I miss a tick? Then you missed that turn. There's no way to set the clock back. What if the whole system misses a tick? Then something is broken. That shouldn't happen . . . but if it does happen, everyone is left in the same relative position. . . . About Our Plans What's your goal for *UltraCorps?* To run a fun, classy, and profitable for-pay game, with intelligent, professional moderation, that appeals to the sort of intelligent fans who like our other games. That seems to be the same kind of people who like *UltraCorps* now, which is probably why Steve liked it so much when HE got into it. When will the open alpha start? It has already started, and is open to everyone. Note . . . "alpha test" does mean a TEST, and "alpha" means "Likely to break." We'll do our best to maintain the integrity of test games so the players can have fun, but if something breaks, we may decide that a game can't be continued . . . or we may continue a game even if a bug has completely and unfairly hosed some players . . . and that's the way it goes in a test game. So please be patient with us. What will the game cost to play? During the open alpha and beta, it'll be free. After that . . . we don't know. We will have to run *UltraCorps* for a while to get an idea of what our true costs will be, and we are already surveying the players, via the forums, to find out what level of service you want and are willing to pay for. Will you change the rules? Some of them. We have already tweaked starting setups and unit stats for balance. As we run the game, we'll find ways to do things better, and we'll try them. But we won't make changes randomly, and some of the changes will probably be to provide a variety of different game scenarios, rather than actual rules changes. . . . About Fan Involvement Can I help you run UltraCorps? Well, if you were one of the game's programmers before, we sure want to hear from you! Drop a line to sj@sjgames.com. Otherwise . . . We're already using volunteer moderators for the forum. Depending on feedback from the open tests, we may decide to have some volunteer Game Masters as well. We hope there will be enough demand for the game that we'll need a paid part-time GM position, and obviously that will have to be someone with experience with the game. But we don't know yet. Hide and watch . . . Will you link to other UltraCorps websites? Yes. SJ Games always likes to link to really good fan sites, and *UltraCorps* will be no exception. An online game is nothing without an active community, and fan sites are part of that community. If you're interested in setting up a fan site, please check out our online policy. And notify us when it's set up . . . . . . About History and Stuff Who originally designed and programmed UltraCorps? View the credits page for a list of people who have worked on *UltraCorps* over the years. Why was UltraCorps dropped from the Zone? It wasn't bringing in enough money. This should not come as a surprise; this game is not for everyone. It's not going to have millions of customers, and it probably can't cover its overhead on a mass-market system. But we think that if we can reach a few thousand faithful fans who WANT a game with this level of intellectual involvement, we'll be golden. [ back to top ]