We would like to announce our new community project, Xonotic[link].
-Until recently, the founders of the Xonotic[link] project have been Nexuiz[link] developers, contributors and community members.
+On March 3rd, 2010, IllFonic acquired a commercial, closed-source license for Nexuiz and its engine, together with rights to the game's name. When it became clear that the deal had been finalized, a large portion of the community, including several major Nexuiz contributors, joined together to create Xonotic[link] and continue development under a new name. We firmly believe that under the existing circumstances this is the only way for the project to remain free, open-source and community-based.
-On March 3rd, 2010, IllFonic announced[AT link] their acquisition of a commercial, closed-source license for Nexuiz and its game engine, together with rights to the game's name.
+While functionality-wise being a direct successor to Nexuiz, the Xonotic[link] project is a rethink and reorganization of how community creates an open source video game and organizes the services around it. The idea is to bring game development and design under the community control and to change the development process in a way that will make it easier to contribute. The major organizational change is that the decisions affecting the game at large will be made by an elected group of six people, XSG (Xonotic Steering Group), with no single person maintaining total control.
-This unexpected development severed the trust between the Nexuiz community and the maintainer, AlienTrap[link], who used its status to sell the game to IllFonic. When it became clear that the deal is finalized, a large portion of the community joined together to create Xonotic[link] and continue development under a new name. We firmly believe that under the existing circumstances this is the only way that allows the project to remain free, open-source and community-based.
+The major technical change is the transition of development to the Git version control system, which should make collaboration much easier. While the push (i.e. write) access to the master branch will be limited to a few people, many more will have permissions to create and maintain topic branches, which can then be easily tested and integrated into the master.
-While being a direct successor to Nexuiz functionality-wise, the Xonotic[link] project is a rethink and reorganization of how a community creates an open source video game and organizes the services around it. It will be run by a small team of volunteers with no one in total control. All significant decisions will be made by an elected body of six people.
+/*
+Missing project changes:
+# better attention to marketing and public relations
+# a more defined artistic direction
-// Not sure if it's correct: Xonotic 1.0 is planned to be released in about 6 months. Today a compatibilty pack has been released that will rebrand Nexuiz 252.
+Missing game changes:
+# new set of player models
+# new set of sounds
+# default maps will get a makeover
+# new names for some weapons and gamemodes, especially ones using the "nex" prefix
+*/
-Team Xonotic
+
+An explanation is due regarding the name choice. The name is still not final and should be considered a working title. It was decided by a voting from a list of names, which was compiled based on several factors, primarily availability of the domain name and pronouncability. The choice had to be kept secret to avoid cybersquatting attempts.
+
+While we don't have a specific timeline for the first release under the new title, you can track the progress and updates on the new website [link] and on our QuakeNet IRC channels:
+#xonotic - game discussion
+#xonotic.editing - content development
+#xonotic.pickup - match finding (still in works)
+
+We look forward to creating a game that everyone will enjoy and appreciate everyone's support.
+
+The Xonotic team.
projects / xonotic / xonotic.wiki.git / blobdiff