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[Tilla]

In the run up to the next release, they've finally hit the point where they're in final closed testing and thusly there are some new videos showing off their progress. I'm getting pretty excited to play this. http://projectzomboid.com/blog/index.php/2012/03/more-tasty-zomboid-flesh/

[mendonca]

Public test is up:

Still a bit buggy (worse for some than others, personally I have had very few real issues), some features to go in and no story mode as of yet, but it gives a good picture of the progress since previous release:

SEE THIS LINK FOR DOWNLOAD DETAILS, plus CAVEATS FROM DEV TEAM

The map is four times bigger, zombies are more dangerous, more item diversity, more intelligent/interactive NPCs and slicker graphics.

Oh yeah, and the music. THE MUSIC (Zach Beever, since you asked).

It is legitimately fun to play, although there is still no saving. All the little things have all added together to make a more atmospheric, immersive experience. Try it out, and discuss!

[nenjin]

although there is still no saving.

Wwwwhhhhyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!

I kid, sorta. I'm excited to play again after a while. I just doubt I can actually have fun without a save. There's no point to doing well if you're just going to have to commit suicide so you can go to bed.

[mendonca]

although there is still no saving.

Wwwwhhhhyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!

I kid, sorta. I'm excited to play again after a while. I just doubt I can actually have fun without a save. There's no point to doing well if you're just going to have to commit suicide so you can go to bed.

Yeah, I know what you mean. The thing is as well, the upping in intensity / fun level is a massive drain. There is just no way I can play this seriously in sessions longer than about an hour without going completely bonkers, so the game is really missing this aspect.

The official line from the devs is something along the lines of:

"It's easy enough to do, but really annoying, long-winded and very repetitive / soul crushing work."

I think basically it was a bit too much to approach after the burglary, and they now appear to be pretty much back on a level, with a few more features in the bank. Once this version is out of 'public test', hopefully we'll get a save version in reasonable time.

[nenjin]

I know the burglary was a set back to their timeline, and that's the sole saving grace I'm giving them. If they plan to roll out another large update and it doesn't include game saving.....it may be time to write some forum hate mail. Or not, since they're probably impervious to bitching fans at this point.

[Zangi]

<Bitching at indie game developer about missing features and/or bugs in alpha/beta/testing.
<Keep up the good work!

Although, I can be guilty of that at times, in one way or another.

[nenjin]

To me save games aren't a feature though, they're a critical component of any game that isn't sitting in an arcade.

[dennislp3]

That forum doesn't need more bitching...I dont even visit the forums over there cause all it seems to consist of fucking annoying cry babies. The community as a whole sickens me and I dont see how they continue to develop games for such huge crybabies.

Its NOT a finished game...in any way shape or form...to bitch about it so much is the same as bitching about the rain getting into your house that doesn't have a roof yet.

[Deadmeat1471]

To me save games aren't a feature though, they're a critical component of any game that isn't sitting in an arcade.

Got to agree here.... Even in my poor ass self taught text games one of the first componants I have is a way to save progress....
But still, Zomboid is pretty good. So I forgive.

[Tilla]

Whether you consider it or not, saving is a 'feature' for the purposes of the fact that Alphas are not feature-complete. If it had all the functionality implemented in some form it wouldn't be an Alpha anymore.

[nenjin]

Sorry, but my patience for that excuse wore thin last year. It's no fresher or more acceptable this year. (Especially not with the quality of the updates coming out. "It's boring" is not an excuse, especially when it's THE thing keeping many people from enjoying the game for more than 10 minutes.)

[Tilla]

Sorry, but my patience for that excuse wore thin last year. It's no fresher or more acceptable this year. (Especially not with the quality of the updates coming out. "It's boring" is not an excuse, especially when it's THE thing keeping many people from enjoying the game for more than 10 minutes.)

Perhaps you shouldn't buy games in alpha then?

[nenjin]

I've bought plenty of games in alpha. This is the first one where saving the game was not considered a basic component, like keyboard input and printing stuff to screen. After some point, you run out of excuses to make for the dev team. I was running out before they got burgled.

Or to put it another way, no one would be playing DF right now if you weren't capable of saving the game, no matter how good it is.

Christ, even Binding of Isaac, which doesn't have game saves, had data saving when it shipped.

I want to like these guys, and their work. But it's long looked like they've had competency issues, and for me, this is the most damning evidence that they don't honestly have a plan. I already own the game, but I honestly can't recommend it to anyone at this point until they start deving with a mind toward a real product.

[lordcooper]

I rarely (if ever) play the same fort over multiple sittings.  You could just as easily hold the same position as DF having a reasonable UI.

[Tilla]

I've bought plenty of games in alpha. This is the first one where saving the game was not considered a basic component, like keyboard input and printing stuff to screen. After some point, you run out of excuses to make for the dev team. I was running out before they got burgled.

Or to put it another way, no one would be playing DF right now if you weren't capable of saving the game, no matter how good it is.

Christ, even Binding of Isaac, which doesn't have game saves, had data saving when it shipped.

Most games that call themselves 'alpha' aren't these days. It's a sad state really. I'm using the professional definition of alpha that I learned working for a studio: Alpha can mean anywhere from start till all the core features are in. Something like Binding of Isaac is NOT an Alpha in any way shape or form - it's a full gold release, or a beta at earliest.