Deus Ex Alpha

Posted: **Sat Nov 27, 10 12:06 am**

James asked for an insight into the communications and perhaps some of you are curious also. They aren't short letters and also I thought it best to start a thread here, because it's pretty much a done and dusted separate topic, now the project officially exists and has support. I think Eidos are convinced we have talent amongst us, but perhaps they are waiting to see how we apply that to this particular brief, which is a very disciplined one. Like remaking a Hollywood movie in mini-DV. We are restricted so much.

I got drunk with Eidos guys in London about 7 years in Brixton, and was invited to meet them again, but was so drunk I lost the guy's phone number and in those days I though SDK was sellotape. So when I started in DXMP soon after, I swore I wouldn't let that opportunity go.

So first this this the initial letter that got written. Bear in mind I had to blow our trumpet a little, paint a good picture.

Dear Sirs,
Please allow me to introduce myself,
I represent some of the Deus Ex Multiplayer community - DXMP or DX1 multiplayer. As you know, DXMP has broken records in longevity of an online game. Recently with the invention of dualcore computers it is much easier to cheat in DXMP and the game lost popularity online. However these issues have/are being addressed and the community still survives, although in pityful numbers in servers. For about 7 years we have been working to make DXMP more like the single player game.

We have been researching and discovered that despite 5000 - 10000 people who own the game and still play it, an inordinate number of these players are unaware that it features multiplayer. We believe very strongly that DX3 will regenerate interest and purchases of the old DX1 and DXMP game. This is vital to us, to bring a new influx of players who want to interact with others in the DX world.

The editing community still exist in two main locations. http://www.gravity-world.com - home of [FGS] Support clan. Also at http://www.dxalpha.co.uk - exist a number of experts in coding and mapping for DXMP.

Current [FGS] members have created the leading mods of the game such as DXSG and DXAG and are reputed to amongst the best existing mapmakers in the community.

We propose that with your blessing and support, we create DX3 maps using the DX1 engine (unreal) for DXMP/Multi-player only.
We would mod weps similar to DX3 and also augs if possible, the community have created new augs before, perhaps we have already made some that are similar to DX3. We are based in Europe unfortunately and don't have the opportunity to beta-test DX3.

We would also require assistance in terms of PR for the project. Also by 2011 it will be necessary to teach new players how to patch or convert the game if vista issues etc.

We think that this can be done at no cost to Eidos, while it will obviously increase sales and purchases of DXMP/ DX1. For us, it ensures that DXMP will benefit from DX3 players who wish to check out the other two titles.
And for everyone, breaking records for the longest ever running online RPG/FPS can not be a bad thing either.

If you wish to verify FGS's skills please do have a look at our work http://www.gravity-world.com
Also my career website is available here: http://www.myspace.com/rollosnook
I have 10 years in DX1 and 5 years experience as a mapper for DXMP. In my career I have worked with Natalie Imbruglia and Paul Oakenfold, I am an art director and photographer, I have years of production and project management experience.
FGS also have almost the only coders left in DXMP capable of modifying DX1. We also work with Face, Steve Newman who is one of the only other active coders left for DXMP. (I didnt know about Cozmo, Allan etc)

It means the world to us, to see DXMP continue, and we see it as a beneficial thing for Deus Ex Fans, whichever title has been bought.

We ask that you enter into a dialogue with us about these ideas. It surely would be an amazing project to allow people to fight in a "DX3" world created in DXMP...

I would be grateful for an answer of any kind, anything Eidos wish to say would be extremely useful to us at this stage.

Kind regards,

Rollo Snook
(Phone number removed) - In case Sasquatch phones me again
http://www.myspace.com/rollosnook
http://www.gravity-world.com - Editing group/Clan site
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rollosnook
http://www.artbag.org
http://www.behance.net/rollo

Posted: **Sat Nov 27, 10 12:08 am**

This was the reply from the Marketing Director.

Hi Rollo,
First, thank you so much for your email and your passion for the Deus Ex series. Also – I sincerely apologize for the time it took to come back to you, I was travelling around the world and emails piled up in my inbox. We’re usually more reactive!

Let me introduce you to Kyle Stallock, our community manager. He’s currently in Europe, but he should be back on Monday. I suggest that you 2 talk so that Kyle better understands what you’re planning (he’s more of an expert than I am!!).

Your project sounds exciting and we may be able to find a way to help you out. Again – Kyle is your man, he’s the one you should be speaking to for now.

In the meantime – have a good week-end! Sebastien

Posted: **Sat Nov 27, 10 12:24 am**

And for some reason, probably real life, I totally did nothing at all, except play Deus Ex and think about whether I wanted to do this. As I was firmly establishing myself to get a rejection from Kyle, he actually wrote to me:

Hello Rollo,
Are you still interested in building maps, weapons, and augs in DX1 multiplayer that are from DX:HR?
I don’t know when we could provide all of you with exclusive assets, but it’s certainly a possibility I’ll fight for.
Just know that if you decide to do this you have our full support!
Let me know, when you get a chance.

I hope all’s well,

Kyle

There seems to be a letter before this, which is missing, from me to Sebastian, or maybe I am getting confused and I sent one to Stephane on Facebook, I'll see if I can find it now. In this letter I list the support required in greater detail, talk about textures, artwork, logos, the PR, and try to address sensitive issues, basically a much more detailed proposal. And in this letter version, I'm sure I talked about hosting/renting servers.

So when Kyle said exclusive and full support I got excited. He's obviously trying not to raise our hopes too much when he says "fight for", he most likely has to sit with the directors and figure the possible issues for them.

As you can see, they haven't cut their wrists and shared their blood quite yet with us, but it's the most promising response I have seen. I will whip the project into shape over the next couple of weeks and aim to be inviting Kyle to see something more solid as soon as possible.

All I really care about is access to some PR, and some help making it, any assets will save us huge amounts of time. The PR will do the rest. And of course PR for DX3 will come first lol, which gives us the time needed.

Deus Ex Alpha

Eidos Communications to FGS

Eidos Communications to FGS