As you may have noticed of late, there have not been many updates coming from me, and my activity on the site has become minimal. The unfortunate truth is that ZHRPG’s development is coming to an end.
It was not easy for me to make this decision and I am sincerely sorry that it had come to this. While I could give a plethora of reasons for why, the primary one is absolutely personal. Maintaining a project of this size is not a one-man job, it never really was. There was once a time when I put forth superhuman effort in its development; but that is no longer possible. While I have had assistance from many individuals over the past year (to whom I am very grateful), we simply do not have the manpower necessary to provide quality content with a timely release schedule.
If you were ever curious as to how much time was put into this mod by me alone over the past year, that number is roughly 1400+ hours (which also means that I made roughly $0.002 per hour, haha, if you don’t count the money I spent on webhosting :P). Money is nothing though in exchange for all that I had gained. As many of you are aware, I had started an amazing job a few months ago. I am very happy to be where I am today and ZHRPG had played no small part in getting me here. However, this kind of work is very demanding and has recently completely consumed my schedule. When you find yourself developing game content for 55+ hours a week, that doesn’t leave much energy to go home and continue doing so for a mod.
It truly has been a long and strange trip, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. You all have been a great community and interacting with you has been an absolute pleasure. Take care and, as always, remember to have fun, Zerg Hunters!
Sincerely,
Kamil “Zantai” Marczewski
Game Designer at 38 Studios
What will happen to ZHRPG?
The project is on (probably) permanent hiatus. Updates will no longer be released and new maps will not be introduced. The existing versions are final. If one of the existing Tinkers decides to revive it, it will be at their discretion.
What if I still want to learn from the mod?
The latest versions of all files will be uploaded to the website soon, with save encryption removed. While there will be no further updates, the integrity of existing content will not be compromised.
What will become of the website/community?
The domain’s hosting is paid for until September 2012. The community is still at your disposal and Zantai will probably pop in once in a while.
What’s next for Zantai?
While he will no longer be developing games freelance, you can enjoy his current work on the world’s next great MMO soon™. Check back on http://www.ea.com/reckoning for news on upcoming content in the world of Amalur. You just might start seeing Zantai pop up in those forums too. Keep in mind though that I am not working on Reckoning, but the upcoming MMO in the same franchise ;)
Can I download the map files so I can learn much very lots?
Congratulations on getting that job. I didn't really play much custom games because I can't get a good latency on US and I can't get player volume on SEA, But I must say your efforts to develop ZHRPG have been astonishing. I'm sorry to hear you are no longer able to sustain work on it, but it's totally understandable. Real jobs literally drain the life outta ya..
Wait a minute... you don't WANT the project to die right? If you could, you would work on it more correct? You're just too tired with the new job. What if you were able to find some dedicated mapper and give them control, at least until you get things straightened out. You could check in and the project wouldn't be permanently gone. I guess nobody could handle it like you did though. If you did turn it over to someone else they would probably just ruin it...... Well I guess that's the end of this story right? On to another! What other major projects are going on here?
I've made that offer before, a couple months into the job. Nobody seemed interested.
Now the files are open source. Anybody can make a ZHRPG spin-off if they want to. I'll be happy to answer any questions about the mod file at my forum.
Alas how life changes. It was an excellent experience working with you, even if the product of that work may never come to be. Good luck designing video games, and I hope you have a wonderful time with 38 Studios.
Just found this and that's quite the sad end, especially given the end of 38 Studios not long after. Hope Zantai was able to find work in another studio shortly after and that's why they've continued to remain silent since then(and haven't been online in about 7 years)
Dear ZHRPG Players,
As you may have noticed of late, there have not been many updates coming from me, and my activity on the site has become minimal. The unfortunate truth is that ZHRPG’s development is coming to an end.
It was not easy for me to make this decision and I am sincerely sorry that it had come to this. While I could give a plethora of reasons for why, the primary one is absolutely personal. Maintaining a project of this size is not a one-man job, it never really was. There was once a time when I put forth superhuman effort in its development; but that is no longer possible. While I have had assistance from many individuals over the past year (to whom I am very grateful), we simply do not have the manpower necessary to provide quality content with a timely release schedule.
If you were ever curious as to how much time was put into this mod by me alone over the past year, that number is roughly 1400+ hours (which also means that I made roughly $0.002 per hour, haha, if you don’t count the money I spent on webhosting :P). Money is nothing though in exchange for all that I had gained. As many of you are aware, I had started an amazing job a few months ago. I am very happy to be where I am today and ZHRPG had played no small part in getting me here. However, this kind of work is very demanding and has recently completely consumed my schedule. When you find yourself developing game content for 55+ hours a week, that doesn’t leave much energy to go home and continue doing so for a mod.
It truly has been a long and strange trip, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. You all have been a great community and interacting with you has been an absolute pleasure. Take care and, as always, remember to have fun, Zerg Hunters!
Sincerely,
Kamil “Zantai” Marczewski
Game Designer at 38 Studios
What will happen to ZHRPG?
The project is on (probably) permanent hiatus. Updates will no longer be released and new maps will not be introduced. The existing versions are final. If one of the existing Tinkers decides to revive it, it will be at their discretion.
What if I still want to learn from the mod?
The latest versions of all files will be uploaded to the website soon, with save encryption removed. While there will be no further updates, the integrity of existing content will not be compromised.
What will become of the website/community?
The domain’s hosting is paid for until September 2012. The community is still at your disposal and Zantai will probably pop in once in a while.
What’s next for Zantai?
While he will no longer be developing games freelance, you can enjoy his current work on the world’s next great MMO soon™. Check back on http://www.ea.com/reckoning for news on upcoming content in the world of Amalur. You just might start seeing Zantai pop up in those forums too. Keep in mind though that I am not working on Reckoning, but the upcoming MMO in the same franchise ;)
Can I download the map files so I can learn much very lots?
Why, yes you can!
http://www.sc2mapster.com/forums/resources/trigger-libraries/26613-zerg-hunter-rpg-data-and-maps/
@Zantai: Go
Hey
I hope all goes well for you.
You gave a lot to the b.net community and inspired others on the Rpg genre. We wont forget the name "Zantai";p.
gl
So you got hired by EA?
@Eternal, Thanks!
@Eiviyn, not exactly. EA is our publisher for Reckoning. 38 Studios is an independent company.
Ah. Pretty sure it's impossible to get excited about MMOs these days given they're all just WoW wannabes without the time and resources of Blizzard.
Congratulations on getting that job. I didn't really play much custom games because I can't get a good latency on US and I can't get player volume on SEA, But I must say your efforts to develop ZHRPG have been astonishing. I'm sorry to hear you are no longer able to sustain work on it, but it's totally understandable. Real jobs literally drain the life outta ya..
You can grab the latest ZHRPG map files here:
http://www.sc2mapster.com/forums/resources/trigger-libraries/26613-zerg-hunter-rpg-data-and-maps/
I hope they help other mappers on their way to awesomeness.
ZHRPG I hardly knew ye. RIP.
Wait a minute... you don't WANT the project to die right? If you could, you would work on it more correct? You're just too tired with the new job. What if you were able to find some dedicated mapper and give them control, at least until you get things straightened out. You could check in and the project wouldn't be permanently gone. I guess nobody could handle it like you did though. If you did turn it over to someone else they would probably just ruin it...... Well I guess that's the end of this story right? On to another! What other major projects are going on here?
I've made that offer before, a couple months into the job. Nobody seemed interested.
Now the files are open source. Anybody can make a ZHRPG spin-off if they want to. I'll be happy to answer any questions about the mod file at my forum.
@Zantai: Go
Hey... I was just by 38 studios in Providence the other day, lol.
Ah well, you lasted a hell of a lot longer on your map than I lasted on any of mine lol.
@Enexy, small world =-o
@OneTwo, that's cause I'm frustratingly stubborn!
@Zantai: Go
Lol, two of my college buddies from long ago works there as Software Engineers. I never asked what they actually work on though.
Good luck with your new job, it's sad to see ZHRPG "die", but well, it will be remembered as the first decent SC2 RPG ;).
Alas how life changes. It was an excellent experience working with you, even if the product of that work may never come to be. Good luck designing video games, and I hope you have a wonderful time with 38 Studios.
Just found this and that's quite the sad end, especially given the end of 38 Studios not long after. Hope Zantai was able to find work in another studio shortly after and that's why they've continued to remain silent since then(and haven't been online in about 7 years)