Forgotten World: 3D Modeler Needed!

The Forgotten World team, in addition to having a brand new highway database editor, are looking to add a 3D modeler to the team. (They announce this in the same news post as the editor, but I’m putting it out here on its own to draw attention to it.)

I’ve updated the team page, and several of you might notice an open position for 3D modeler. Let me clarify that. At present, we do not have a tool to import models into the game. Also, we do not have a clear idea on what the requirements will be or the kinds of limitations that will be placed on the models. We hope to have several of these issues dealt with in a matter of months. We will keep you guys posted.

If you are a 3D modeler and are very interested in joining up and staying for long haul (5 years max – we hope FW will be nearly finished by then), you can help with upgrading the graphics in the game. At present, there are a number of objects that could use upgraded or even redone textures. If you require the models themselves, I’m sure we can create an exporter tool from our Mesh Viewer’s code in a relatively short period of time.

To re-cap: at present, there’s no way to add new models into Ultima 9, although the Forgotten World team hope to have such a tool at some point in the future. Extant models — both characters and scenery — can evidently be replaced, however, which would at least allow for an immediate improvement in the appearance of some elements of the game.

So, Dragons and Dragonettes…if there is anyone among you who is talented in the ways of 3D modeling and who wants to help improve the graphical look and feel of Ultima 9 over the next few years, do be sure to make yourself known to the Forgotten World team.

Note: This is a fan project, not a market game; the 3D modeler position is not a paid job.

That said, volunteering your talents to this project will look good on a resume or in a portfolio…something to think about if you intend to one day apply for a game-dev job.

49 Responses

  1. Is this a paid position? if so I am interested in helping you.

    Regards,
    Nestor Chavez

    • WtF Dragon says:

      No, this is definitely a volunteer thing, a fan project rather than a market game.

      If you’re looking to get into a career in game-dev, it’ll look spectacular on a resume or in a portfolio, but you won’t make money directly off your work on it.

  2. Iceblade says:

    That is the third person who thought these new positions were paid. Certainly seems to be large influx of people new to the mainstream Ultima fan community of late.

  3. Iceblade says:

    Non-Ultima Online Mainstream I mean.

  4. Sergorn says:

    We’ve had a few people hoping for a paid gig in the early Return days as well.

    I think some people just don’t get the concept of a “fan project”.

  5. Jonathan says:

    I dont suppose anyone would have any idea what to do, if, after installing the FW patch and the BB patch, suddenly the graphics go all screwy and I cant play the game anymore?

  6. Jonathan says:

    Unpatched pic: http://imgur.com/C99fHEZ (just to show that it does work normally)
    Patched pic of the exact same spot: http://imgur.com/fuKcU40
    Patched pic looking around: http://imgur.com/haBtufA
    And lastly, for some reason if you bring the journal up, it’s perfectly clear:
    http://imgur.com/z8POb5q

    I don’t know if it’s an issue, but I did notice that the version number did not change to 1.19h

  7. Jonathan says:

    Sorry, I posted the links. The comment says it’s “awaiting moderation”

    • WtF Dragon says:

      Ah right…forgot I have that setting enabled. Should be visible now.

      It’s interesting that things look normal again when the Journal is accessed. That seems significant, though I can’t quite think why just off the top of my head.

  8. Jonathan says:

    I appreciate any help at all. It’s frustrating the crap out of me not being able to play it.

  9. Iceblade says:

    Woah, I’ve never seen that before.

    It looks like the game is unable to render everything, which is feasible given the level of high quality textures and increased object counts (though I don’t think BB changes the Earth map). What are your system specs?

  10. Jonathan says:

    Processor: Intel Core i7-3610QM CPU @ 2.30GHz 2.30GHz
    RAM: 6.00 GB
    System Type: 64-bit
    Display Adapter: Intel HD Graphics 4000
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660M

    Anything else you need?

  11. Jonathan says:

    Oh, and on a thought I just checked. Even with the patches uninstalled, if I set it to Direct3D instead of Glide, it does the same thing. If I install the patch but try to keep it on Glide, it won’t even start.

  12. Sergorn says:

    What version of the game are you using ? From the disk or the GoG version ?

    Random thought: look at the texture setting in the .ini and makes sure it’s 16 Bit and not 8 Bits
    ; Enables 16-bit texture maps
    Use16BitTextures=1

    Game shouldn’t even run in Glide with 16 bit texture I believe, and shouldn’t in D3D with 8 Bits.

    • Sergorn says:

      I’m asking cos the GOG version has some weird default setting in order to make it works with their Glide Wrapper as I recall.

    • Jonathan says:

      Using GoG version. And yes, 16bit is set

      • Sergorn says:

        Does you have issue in D3D with the vanilla GoG installation or did this only happened after installing FW/BB ?

        I’d suggest desintalling the whole thing to begin with, then do a fresh install without any patch.

        Then try the game “ouf of the GoG box” (so in Glide) and see if verything works fine.

        Then, edit the .ini tu put D3D and 16 Bit and see how that goes.

  13. Jonathan says:

    Okay, full purge. Reinstall. Game works fine as vanilla. .ini file already had 16 bit activated, but running in Glide. Changing Glide to D3D causes same distortion as before

    • WtF Dragon says:

      D3D seems to be the culprit, but it isn’t as easy as pointing at DX11 and saying “it’s you!!!” Sergorn is running a shiny new DX11 card, and he seems to be able to run the game just fine, even with FW’s patches installed.

      So…let’s look at display driver versions, maybe. What driver version are you running? Also: vanilla or custom drivers?

      • Jonathan says:

        I just updated my Intel display driver.
        Intel HD Graphics 4000: 10.18.10.3621

        I’m just about to try to update my Nvidia one.

  14. Jonathan says:

    And no go. drivers all updated, and still wont work

  15. Jonathan says:

    Although, when I run dxdiag, the only info it shows me is for the Intel Display adaptor. Doesn’t mention Nvidia

    • WtF Dragon says:

      See if you can disable the Intel graphics for a bit; force the computer to only use the Nvidia.

      • Sergorn says:

        I’m with WtF here. I meant to mention this before, but this could be an issue with the dual chipset thing – the gmae might be using the intel chipset and not run on the nVidia one.

        There SHOULD be a way, either in the nVida or the intel control panel to force the chipset to use or even deactivate one. Look into the energy setting too : there are often options that will cause the laptop to switch to one chipset or the other Under certain conditions (notably if you’re on battery).

        I’d recomment deactivating the Intel chipset and try. If it doesn’t work: try the other way around. If i doesn’t then ugh… I dunno, altough we can be sure it’s a D3D issue.

        The only other thing I could advice trying at this point, is installing the game from original game discs in case it’s an issue from the GOG version – but I seem to recall switching the GOG version to D3D with no issues, so…

  16. Jonathan says:

    Disabling the Intel caused the screen to go black. Rebooting brought me back in 640×480 resolution, and an attempt to run the game then caused a DirectDraw error and crash

    • WtF Dragon says:

      There’s bigger problems afoot here, then, than just U9 not playing nice with D3D. Seems your system and the Nvidia card are having a substantial disagreement.

  17. Jonathan says:

    And I feel like a complete moron. Right clicking on the shortcut gave me an option I hadnt noticed before to CHOOSE which graphics chip to use…

  18. Jonathan says:

    Setting it to use Nvidia caused the game to load as D3D with no distortion, Adding patch now

  19. Jonathan says:

    And yes. I have officially wasted everyone’s time. Works perfectly now.