Welcome to The Wasteland!

Yes, after many months we're finally back here. When the server first opened, we were running a some-what private map that was small in size, but offered something a bit more unique from other DarkRP downtown maps. Which is what we've always wanted to do from the start, offer something different.

We took the server down for some major updates around October, during this we had made the plan to run a different RP map that was slightly bigger, and would also allow us to offer some of the PvE elements we toyed around with in the first iteration of this server. As development was ongoing for that however, I couldn't shake the feeling something was still wrong. In the past when running servers, we tried to be different within these limitations we set for ourselves. Whether it be restricting ourselves' to a server DL under 50 MB, small maps to ensure low-end PCs can run it, basic weapons, etc. We essentially opted to cater to the bottom line, and while this worked pretty well for years -- it was only a sliver of what I wanted to do creatively.

So I decided to find a different map for the server, it took me a few nights of searching; but finally I found a map that drew me in: gm_balkans. As you can tell by the prefix, this is NOT an RP map, meaning we had to work on transforming the map to be more RP friendly as well. Unfortunately the map wasn't available for us to publicly edit, so we were forced to edit the map in-server. It was later revealed the map did not want to generate a navigation mesh without crashing, so we also had to manually create a navmesh for the AI.

Needless to say, the development process for this server was filled with roadblocks, sidesteps, workarounds, and more roadblocks. Meaning right now, the server is still in a very experimental build, we intend to consider this month our beta, and use the players experience to figure out what might need to be changed, added, and fixed.

So here we are, just 2 hours out from the server being open for the beta at the time of this being written -- you're probably wondering, what can I do? One major thing players were demanding in the last iteration, was vehicles; we made sure vehicles were in the server this time. Not just normal cars though, this also includes boats, helicopters, and planes. The map also features an interact-able environment with some areas that are even destructible, this will allow players to actively shape the environment around them, forcing others to adapt. The server is also no longer using M9K as a weapon pack, and we are now using F:AS 2. Personally I just felt this weapon pack worked better with the current theme of the server, and there were quite a few complaints about M9K before.

Many players were also curious about accessing the Wasteland, which was teased many times through out the time of the server, and was essentially going to be a PvE area, with PvP allowed. In this area, there'd be creatures, bandits, and players to contend with alike, as you explore the empty lands, and search for supplies you can make use of in your city life. While there won't be "Wasteland" access persay in this version of the server, there is the large open expanse of forest, mountains, and fields that are filled to the brim with good loot, and enemies. A lot of the loot you find will mainly be resource supplies that will be used for the creation of settlements, currently this feature is disabled due to more testing being needed -- but in the meantime players can just build prop fortresses in these settlement areas. Enemies will also drop loot, depending on the kind of enemy you kill is what defines their drops. Just make sure you're careful of those tall grass areas in your travels!

Another thing that should be noted about the server currently is many of the houses we added to the server lack doors. We tried a few ways to remedy this, first by recreating the standard DarkRP door, y'know -- F2 to buy, that whole thing. Unfortunately that didn't work out very will due to DarkRP limitations. Next we tried creating a SWEP that would be used to place Fading Doors down that use resources you loot in the wilderness, this ended up leading to more exploits and problems we'd care to admit at this time. So for now, players will need to use the fading door tool if they wish to live in an area that lacks doors.

So now you're probably just wondering when does the server release? The server will be open at 8 PM EST, 12/29/2018 -- hope to see you guys around on the server!