construction
Latest
Apple Campus 2 construction begins... with some demolition
The site for Apple's "spaceship" headquarters and Campus 2 is in the process of being cleared, with demolition of existing buildings at the location now well underway. MacRumors posted a number of photos today showing the construction fences erected around the location, as well as equipment being used for the demolition. The demolition work is proceeding on land purchased by Apple in 2006, where a massive underground parking structure will be built. According to the MacRumors article, the headquarters building is to be located on land north of where the work is taking place. The 2.8 million-square-foot facility is included in Phase 1 of the construction, expected to be completed by 2016, along with a fitness center and auditorium. Phase 2 plans include 600,000 square feet of office and R&D buildings. Image provided by MacRumors
EverQuest Next Landmark livestream delves into player-made structures
One of the most touted features of Sony Online Entertainment's upcoming EverQuest Next Landmark is most certainly the ability of players to alter the world and build their own structures within it. If you're a would-be architect who wants to get more details on EQN Landmark's construction process, then you're in luck because yesterday's official livestream consists of over 50 minutes of building-related questions, answers, and even gameplay. Of course, a 50 minute video can't be easily summarized without turning this article into a novella, but suffice it to say that the devs reveal plenty of tasty information morsels on topics including resource gathering, world size, territory control, and naturally, building construction. And if that isn't enough, the video also features a healthy dose of honest-to-goodness gameplay footage of a player-made structure being built in real time. For all this and more, check out the full EQN Landmark video after the cut.
Brick-Force Season 3 trailer highlights Bricksaga update
If you like brick-by-brick construction in a sandbox environment coupled with a first person shooter, have we got the game for you: Brick-Force! Here, players fight out matches in maps they build themselves. And now Season 3 - Bricksaga brings even more to the experience. Along with a new medieval setting (complete with wizards and knights), Season 3 introduces a host of new goodies to the game, including features, costumes, weapons, and even new game modes. Players can now use interactive bricks and portals as well as doors, windows, trap doors, and spike traps to add a previously unknown dynamic and variety to matches. Additionally, level progression has been revised, match assignments have been improved, and players can unlock equipment on a regular basis. Check out all the action in the trailer below. [Source: Infernum Productions press release]
8bitMMO reaches upgrade funding goal, moves on to stretch
Two weeks ago we learned that the retro-themed 8BitMMO launched a funding drive throughout October in order to enhance the game experience for players. With half the month still to go, the MEGA-OCTOBERBIT-FUNDRAISER has already reached its $1,000 goal and is now working on the first stretch goal. Successful funding means that the construction sandbox game will get a server upgrade before the launch of the desktop edition (which is currently in closed beta for backers only). If another $600 is raised in the next two weeks, players will get a Mac edition of the desktop client. If the funding drive surpasses that, new stretch goals will be revealed. [Source: Archive Entertainment press release]
Greed Monger video demonstrates house building [Updated]
In a game focused on building things, you'd expect housing to involve a bit more than just dropping a generic prefab on a plot of land. If you envision the builder carefully piecing elements together to create a unique dwelling instead, you've hit Greed Monger's take on housing on the head. A new video highlighting the house building tool of the crafting-centric game follows the construction of a large building piece by piece and gives an example of the possibilities. You can see the process in action in the video after the cut. And if that still isn't enough, Greed Monger also announced that the tool would be available for folks to try out sometime in the coming days has now released the tool for players to check it out for themselves -- as long as they find a way to acquire lumber, that is. [Updated to add release of the building tool.]
More details revealed for Camelot Unchained's world-building systems
Talking about building the world in Camelot Unchained is not something that can be done in just one sitting, so Mark Jacobs broke it into two. In the first update, Jacobs described the building blocks, mining, and the cooperative nature of construction. The conclusion of this two-part series focused on explaining blueprints and how RvR is intertwined in the world-building system. Blueprints, which can be traded, are a way to speed up the building process -- or rebuilding, if enemies have destroyed your structure in RvR. Players with the appropriate skills can create blueprints of an already finished structure or through the architect's interface as a plan for a future structure. Through RvR, players can claim buildings built by others, either by deconstructing the entire thing or just capturing it; those structures can then be repaired or rebuilt by the new owners. Want even more information on building a fortress in Camelot Unchained? Then check out Massively's interview with Mark Jacobs.
Building the perfect fortress in Camelot Unchained [Updated]
The Camelot Unchained team has just released a new video dev blog for Kickstarter backers outlining some fairly ambitious plans for mining and construction in the upcoming PvE-free sandbox. The system will involve combinations of custom and prefab cells in which players so inclined can build up the empires and trading posts and fortifications of their dreams. And in a nod to games like Minecraft, the construction mechanics are built on a foundation of supplies procured through co-op mining gameplay. Ahead of the reveal, we asked City State Entertainment's Mark Jacobs a few questions about the systems he's proposing, from the influence of Mojang's popular sandbox to whether mining will become my new part-time job. Read on for the complete interview! [Update: As of Monday, CSE has also released the document form of the housing plans.]
Origin Stories: Joel Grasmeyer, Construction Cost Estimator
I met up with Joel a while ago and we struck up a conversation about estimating construction costs because my father-in-law had been a contractor. He had what looked like a great app for estimating these costs, and it's now available for iPhone, iPad and Mac. In this Origin Stories I talk to Joel about why he created this app, which is pretty much what you'd expect -- he had a problem of lousy tools for on-site estimating and he solved it using a clever app.
Xsyon architecture contest runs through January 13
It's been nine months since Xsyon's last architecture contest, and Notorious Games has kicked off a new competition to recognize the most creative tribes in the post-apocalyptic sandbox title. Submissions will be judged on originality, uniqueness, design, layout, and beautification. The contest also features two sections, one for small tribes (one to five active members) and one for large tribes (six or more actives). Submissions will be accepted through January 13th, and you can see some of the competition (and get a few ideas) via the video after the break. [Source: Notorious Games press release]
Fallen Earth readies the land for farms
Fallen Earth's latest state of the game is as country as one can get. The title is currently testing out farms, which should go live in the game sometime in December. Farms are a branch of the construction crafting set, which can grow plants and animals. That's right: Through the magic of cloning, livestock can be cloned right there on the farm. Players can build one of these farms anywhere with enough space and no landscape conflicts. They come with a farmhouse and several amenities and last for four hours before disappearing. Of course, don't take the state of the game for it; read our in-depth interview of the new farming system from last month! The state of the game also said that the next stage of the Coresuit will be coming in the new year, player housing is still being investigated on the technical front, and a certain mount will be getting an update this holiday season.
Made in America: could your next phone be homegrown?
"Made in America." For some reason, my parents -- and the parents of many of my peers -- take great pride in seeing that phrase. I've seen people buy inferior products just because the label on the back proclaimed that it was thrown together in one of our 50 great states instead of across some imaginary line in "another country." Part of me wonders if people actually check to see if said claims are legitimate. As a business graduate, I fully understand the importance of producing goods within one's borders. There's a delicate balance that needs to be struck between imports and exports, and a huge part of a nation's economic growth hinges on how well that balance is executed. I suspect the generation before mine remembers a very different America than the one I've grown up in -- one where smokestacks outnumbered high-rise buildings, and one where jobs requiring steel-toe shoes were more lauded than those requiring a fancy degree and "knowing the right guy." Manufacturing was the backbone of America through some really, really trying times, and there's some sense of national pride that comes along with images of swinging hammers and climbing ladders. "We built this country," as they say.
Third Street Promenade 2 Apple Store taking shape in California
Apple is building several new stores in the US, and one upcoming retail location that is starting to come together is the Third Street Promenade store in Santa Monica, California. According to ifoAppleStore, this is the second retail location on that street. It is located about 1,000 feet down the street from the current Third Street Promenade store, which Apple built in 2003. Apple tore down an old, three-story Borders book store and is building its own 8,000 square-foot retail outlet, says a report in LA Curbed. The media uncovered these initial details last year when the Santa Monica Planning Commission gave approval for the construction to begin. Like many new Apple Stores, this second Third Street Promenade store will have stone walls, a curved glass roof and an all-glass storefront. Photos of the construction, available on ifoAppleStore's website, show the steel framework of the building and a pit at the back of the store which will become stockrooms, a Genius work area and office space. The store will open by the end of the year.
8BitMMO adds zombies, mega map, and more
What's better than 2-D massively multiplayer sandbox action? Why, 2-D massively multiplayer sandbox action with zombies, of course! 8bitMMO has updated with the brand-new S8 patch, which brings lots of new features to the retro indie construction game. Chief among said new features are a playable zombie race, a mega map, additional permission controls for player cities, trading, and more avatar customization options. 8bitMMO is the work of a single developer, Robby Zinchak, who says that players can take his creation and run with it. "The community can participate as part of the game's development. In fact, many of the new features in the S8 update were inspired from the top voted player suggestions," he says. [Source: Archive Entertainment press release]
Apple details neighbors on Campus 2 plans, extends rare request for feedback
Cupertino residents may have received an unsolicited package from their most prominent neighbor this week. No, it's not a new iPad, or an early look at the iPhone 5 -- instead, people close to Apple (from a physical perspective) opened the glossy mailing to reveal a detailed look at Apple Campus 2, which will consist of 176 acres currently occupied by "aging buildings" and trees. As we already know, the campus will feature one main circular four-story building with 2.8 million square feet of office and common space, along with an additional 300,000 square feet set aside for dedicated (secure) research buildings. There will be a restaurant, fitness center and other facilities aimed to "reduce automobile trips" as part of the company's plan to protect the environment. Apple CFO Peter Oppenheimer appeals to neighbors in a single-page letter, offering additional information upon receipt of a pre-stamped response card, which also prompts neighbors to add their name to a list of supporters, attend a public meeting or write a letter to show their support for the new Apple complex. You'll find Oppenheimer's letter in full after the break, along with additional photos at the source link.
Wings Over Atreia: An interview sheds light on the new BlackCloud
Information is like gold 'round these parts, and I've been out prospecting, sifting, and searching in the hopes of at least finding a few flakes if not hitting pay dirt. But even with Aion Ascension just around the corner, finding many nuggets of information on the new BlackCloud Marketplace hasn't panned out. Until now. Eureka! Welcome to the Massively Gold Rush. OK, so maybe a "rush" is a bit of an overstatement, but I have discovered a few golden nuggets about Aion's renovated cash shop and impending 3.0 expansion. I had the chance to catch up with Producer Adam Christensen and learn a bit more about what Daevas will find in the BlackCloud Marketplace as well as get some details about various new upcoming features like housing, mounts, and the level 60 Daevanion armor. And with the BlackCloud Marketplace finally opening its doors, Daevas can check out the selection for themselves and pre-purchase items to be delivered at Ascension's Launch.
Some Assembly Required: Revisiting Origins of Malu
Many moons ago when the air just started to cool from summer's heat (aka, last September), Some Assembly Required had the opportunity to talk shop with a new outfit that is developing a promising new sandbox MMORPG, Origins of Malu. And you know me: Sandbox is the magic word! As skeptical as I knew I should be, I still came away from that interview with renewed hope that a game with some of the features for player-generated content could exist again. Back then, Burning Dog Media made the bold statement that it would absolutely release its flagship game in 2012, with a target of early 2012 to boot. But as the first quarter of the year quickly drew to a close with scant information available, it became pretty clear the game is still a ways off. In the realm of games, no news is not necessarily good news... and we definitely hit a drought in news. Now that drought has ended. In our second exclusive interview, we spoke with Michael Dunham, Producer, Jason Mitchell, Senior Developer, and Dave Cruikshank, Art Director, to learn what's been going on behind the scenes and get the scoop on more details about those very features that have sandbox lovers salivating.
Daily iPad App: Woodcraft helps you design your next building project
Woodcraft is for the carpenter or woodworker with an eye for 3D. The app is a visualization tool that lets you design your next building project using the basic principles of CAD. It lets you drag out lumber that you need and assemble it into a finished product using only your iPad and your imagination. You start with a blank slate and a library of common lumber used in carpentry. You can drag the wood pieces onto your canvas and arrange them as if you were building a desk, a porch or even a shed. There are tools to let you measure the wood, cut lumber pieces down to size and attach the pieces to together. You can switch between a 3D and 2D view which helps you to place the lumber and line up the pieces with the correct orientation. Woodcraft is a great tool if you're familiar with CAD and 3D modeling. As much as I like the flexibility of being able to conceptualize a project, the app is difficult for beginners and some may prefer pencil and paper to the iPad. New users should be ready to spend some time playing with the app before they're able to use it effectively. If you need help, there's a community feature that lets users share their plans. You can grab the plans for a fully assembled desk, break it down and see how someone else put it together. There's also a page with several video tutorials and a version 1.2 manual that's available in iBooks or PDF format. If you are up to the challenge, you'll be rewarded with an excellent tool to help you plan a project. There's also a bill of materials feature that keeps track of your final materials cost. There is no free demo, but Fasterre, the company behind the app, has put together a short promo video that shows how the app works. Woodcraft is available from the iOS App Store for US$9.99.
Pathfinder Online measures up player housing
To live up to the claim of being an extensively player-built game world is a significant challenge for the Pathfinder Online team, but to the devs' credit, it seems as if they have a few elegant ideas to make it work. In the latest developer blog post, CEO Ryan Dancey discusses how the team is approaching player-built structures in the game world. While there will be three NPC settlements, player structures will be a significant presence in Pathfinder Online, Dancey says. Not only will a player be given the ability to create a persistent structure, but that structure will be vulnerable to destruction as well if not protected. Dancey says that the idea right now is for the world to have special spots that signify a suitable building location; this is to keep the density from growing out of control and also to put buildings near desirable sites or resources. Once a structure is built by a group of players, it can be transferred to new ownership, built up, or attacked. Some of the structures that the team is kicking around include hideouts, inns, watchtowers, forts, and settlements. Dancey also mentioned that players may be able to improve roads and docks in order to facilitate faster travel. The one downside to the logistics of this feature is that players might not be able to go inside these structures; instead, they'll to access housing abilities via menus. This could be changed after launch, Dancey says, but the demand on system resources would make it a difficult task.
Robot navigates, reassembles truss structures
Sick and tired of your boring old truss? This handy little robot may well be just the solution you're looking for. It can navigate a truss structure using its 3D-printed bi-directional gear innards, unscrew a beam with its rotational mechanism and reattach it, transforming the structure into a new shape. The structure itself is specially designed for the bot, with robot lockable connectors and reflecting segments that can be picked up by its sensors to help it detect its location. The folks behind the plucky little robot are currently working a number different concepts for the project. You can see a few of them in action in the video after the break.
Acrobatic quadrocopters hunt in packs, seduce you into submission (video)
We've kept a pretty stern eye on the development of GRASP Lab's quadrocopters, and with good reason it seems, now that the four-bladed aerial ninjas have even more alarming abilities at their disposal. In the video after the break, watch them hold a variety of complex formations like it's no thing -- even while on the move. The 'copters can also take flight, or resume position, after being thrown into the air, navigating real world obstacles with deft fluidity. It's part of University of Pennsylvania's Scalable sWarms of Autonomous Robots and Mobile Sensors project (conveniently SWARMS for short), which is responsible for developing the air-born acrobats' new grouping skills. They say it's an attempt to replicate swarming habits in nature, though we're not convinced.
