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We all know that the death of every single open source project is do to lack of interest, knowledge, and inactivity. I DO NOT want that to happen to this project.

I know, I know, the game/this engine hasn't even started yet! Doesn't matter. If we don't get support and interest now, we might as well shut it down now. That's why we need advertisement, which will be hard since we don't even know what the name of the game will be, or even what it's about yet.

But it must be done! So, the discussion here is how to do it.

Forum signatures would obviously be the best option, but that's kinda hard to do without a name to the project. So we need to A: think up a temporary name (Project p00n ur s0x, for example) or B: just call it what it is: Nothing. Put something like "Help us make a game from the ground up!" or something.

I also think we should invite all our wee little friends, but I think that's a given.

I think the single best thing we can do is jump-start both projects. Just give out a serge of activity and ideas. I'm trying to do that now (I have like 10 topics already). Hopefully it'll spark enough interest to keep me interested.

Anyway, what are your ideas? I know, I know, trying to get hype about a game that we don't even know what is yet sounds very dumb. But since we're not being persuaded by money, we need to be by our own hype and excitement. Since we're doing this essentially for fun, without a lot of interest I don't think anyon e will be successful.

Or maybe Solonix and 2playgames are very self-motivated, I don't know. But I think the rest of the world isn't

Anyone have a suggestion?

And of course, the very very best way to contribute to this project is just to post. Post opinions, ideas, whatever. Activity is a chain reaction.

Or maybe Solonix and 2playgames are very self-motivated, I don't know. But I think the rest of the world isn't

relax. we have only just started and we're already growing. we'll grow even more when we get some stuff to show done

CoonDawg, your enthousiasm is greatly appreciated, however, this project has only just started.

You say it yourself, claiming it doesn't matter, that we should advertise immediatly. The reason we aren't doing that on a big scale already is also brought up by yourself: We don't even have a name yet. And even if we decide on a name right now, there would be little besides that name.

Surely, we could elaborate on our goals, and we should, but for that, the name of the game won't make that much difference. It will make a difference if we can present people the beginnings of the game, to prove we are capable of doing this, that it wouldn't waste their time. You said it yourself, lots of open source projects fail because of a lack of interest. We few need to create the basis of the game that will be able to generate the interest that will ultimately be needed.

In the beginning it's easier to work with a small team and make a few of the big decisions, as opposed to having to discuss every last one of them with a big group of people you all have their own oppinions. Sure, it's one of our goals to make this a project that suits as many people as possible, but if there isn't made a start, the same arguing people will lose interest, while hardly anything is done, because hardly anything is done.

Once we got something to show, something to build on, then it will be time to make a lot of noice. For now, we should make a little noice, trying to attract a few people who are really interested in working from start to end with this game.
We won't refuse any help that is offered, unless it really doesn't fit the projects, but we just shouldn't be to active in attracting a whole lot of people yet.

Besides wishing a voice in the discussions, they would also request updates, don't deny it, there will be people who expect it to be ready yesterday. Given, updates from time to time won't hurt, but with a new open source project, updates won't be regular. We are all working on our free time, which means we don't spend a set amount of time on the project every day.

You also used the word 'hype'... never, and I mean, never hype this game, certainly not in an early stage. A hype generates a lot of interest, a lot of eyes looking towards the project, eyes filled with great expectations, very great expectations, expectations that need to be met, or the game would be ruined... It's dangerous to hype a game, let's not take the risk.

Creating an engine and a game of this size takes time, you can ask any game developer and they will say so. That in turn, gives us time, time to create a community around this project, around the engine and around the game.

Rushing head on is not the right approach to create a community. Building a good, lasting community takes time too, and time we have, so let's use it.

The first step towards an active community has already been made, 2playgames is a respected poster at The 3rd Age, and I suspect he isn't any worse at the rts community you know him from. With little effort, he has brought together the beginnings of a community, us.

The second step depends on the goal of the community, in our case, we want to reach specific group of people, namely those who can help us with starting up the engine, the game and the forum/site/wiki. There are 5 of us, which will be enough to get the most basic things started. A few more would be helpfull.

Considering it a given that we've all contacted those who might be interested in helping, the next step is to use signatures at other forums. It's important that at these forums, we post good, contributing posts, posts that will generate respect and interest. Show people that you know your things and they will take notice of you more and will also take a better notion of whatever you have in your signature. Your actions at forums at which you carry our sig will reflect on the project indirectly.

When it's time to really attract the masses, it will be time to contact related projects and propose affiliation with them. From that point forward, the project will official be publicly advertised.

We appreciate your enthousiasm, but I hope you now understand our reasons not to start a big advertising offensive yet.

Solinx

you see, solinx is the letter king 

I was counting all of the letters he used, but I got stuck at 457. Tragic.

Anyway, I agree with you coon, but it is also important to note that you won't get the average dude interested until you have something to show. It would be more of a recruitment process than anything else.

which is why we need to get at least a name for the game, soon

At the very least, a piece of concept art would do. It's great to have ideas on paper, but people will get excited if they see a snazzy looking "unit" concept or simple landscape.