Cluster: Back from the dead? From: Greg Oberfield <xanadu@tlg.net> Date: Wed, 17 May 1995 00:00:00 +0000 Hello everyone! Some news has recently developed on the Cluster front. Since Sarnath decided to discontinue running the game, it reverted back to Bob Hayes' control. In this interim a deal was struck between myself and Bob regarding the game. Put simply, it was purchased. What does this mean for Cluster? A couple of things actually. First off -- a name change. Right now I've renamed it "Beyond" temporarily as a working name to hopefully stem the tide of negative reactions recent events have caused. Second, it will be down for a bit since I have to go over all the code and convert it to a different platform -- a real computer, the Macintosh. (Sorry, couldn't resist the gibe there -- nothing personal <grin>) However, while this redesign process is going on the game is not really "inactive". An internet mailing list has been set up for design traffic so that I, as moderator, programmer, etc can talk to you folks who have played the game to find out what you thought were its strengths, weaknesses, etc. Not to mention finding out your comments on ideas for future development. And this is where it will excel in the end. First off, one of my primary tasks is the conversion to PBEM -- so that all turn reports can be sent and received via email. This is (in my opinion) of critical importance to the game. There are a couple other things which I'll cover in the mailing list, but that's the big one initially. So, I want to hear from all of you! Kerry Harrison has graciously allowed me to use one of his mailing lists for this purpose. Initially this will be a "closed" mailing list, meaning that after sending a subscription message along it has to be validated by Kerry. This is mainly for my sanity so it doesn't get too out of control, but I'd like for all the old-time players to join in on it and speak up! To subscribe, send email to: majordomo@fc.net The title of the message doesn't matter, but the body of the email should read: subscribe beyond-l <your real name here> Send that off and you should receive a reply from fc.net shortly saying it was received. Cluster is still a viable gaming system that has fallen on hard times recently. It can survive, it WILL survive and prosper with the help of yourselves as players. Thanks, and if you have any questions please feel free to email me here or on the internet at xanadu@tlg.net -Greg Oberfield Xanadu Simulations Sunnyvale, CA PS: Bob Hayes is still sticking around as sort of a "Grey Eminence" for this whole thing and is on the mailing list. -- Greg Oberfield \ Bob is God. Xanadu Simulations \ God is our Hope. Sunnyvale, CA \ Therefor, God is Bob Hope. xanadu@tlg.net \ - Anonymous Up