Hi Zack, I know I'm going out on a limb here, and I know that your hands are tied as far as what you can and can't say.

However, in the most general terms you can use, would you be able to describe what remains to be done as far as preparing Return to Dark Castle for the release? As you might discover, we've been speculating on that here in the forums for quite some time, but I certainly am no expert on what tends to go on behind the scenes.

Please understand, this is not a "how much longer are we going to have to wait!?" question, I'm just interested in what sort of things are going on at the moment, if you're at liberty to discuss them at all. And, like I said, if you can't really say much, both myself and everyone else here would completely understand.

Thanks again for taking the time to speak with us! :)

I am not at liberty to discuss that. Shh don't tell anyone :P I actually haven't spoken to Zack B. about DC3 in a couple of weeks, so I'll tell you what I can, as I last understood it.

Really the last big hurdles are testing and deciding how DC3 will be distributed (most likely online, not retail). Both of which are handled almost entirely by SHFF right now. I don't honestly know how long that will take or what is involved, since the other Zack is handling it. For testing, there are several types of bugs, like crashes, sporadic bugs that need to be uncovered by beta testers, and differences of opinion how things like say, gui elements should work. I wish there was more to it, but there just isn't, that I know of. We'll write a post mortem after DC3 is released that will go into more depth I guess.

As for what goes on and has been going on at Z Sculpt, I can tell you all about that. A standard day for us is, we try to meet at about 10 am, but it ends up being 2 pm because I oversleep. Zack and I argue about that and then get to work. We compare the engine, which means we go into BBEdit and see which lines have changed between the version of the engine that Zack has on his mac, and the one I have on mine. We talk briefly about using a version manager like svn, but come to the usual agreement that it's pointless until more than 2 people are maintaining code, since we each have to proofread any changes anyway.

After the engine has been brought up to date, Zack compiles DC3 and I compile Khufu. There is a little swearing when it doesn't work. After we bicker about the proper way to name a variable or include a source code file, everything works and we run our games. We find the part where each game breaks horribly, for example by not recognizing a joystick or getting stuck in a black screen, and fix that and bring the engine up to date once more.

Now the real work begins. Half the day is spent coding, and the other half is spent with Zack B. reading video game news (IGN) while I read geek news (Slashdot), whenever the computer is stalled compiling the engine or whatnot. We each mention our respective news to the other and get the usual "oh, hmm" because neither of us really cares what the other is saying.

In between being busy, we eat sandwiches or something extravagant like taco bell. Sometimes we swim in the apartment pool or run an errand to compusa.

Then we get back to work. The most likely situation is that one of us needs something. For example, Zack B. needs me to help fix a sprite drawing function, or I need Zack's opinion on what needs to be done next on Khufu. Usually one problem takes priority and we both work on it for the rest of the day. This is the manner in which I have contributed 10% to the workload of DC3, without actually touching any game code. For our other games, the ratios are pretty close to 50% each. For example, Zack B. wrote all of the music for my game, Retro.

We end the day by solving the mysteries of the universe, so that they can reappear once more the following day. To ease the pain we have a beer or watch a movie.

Then Zack heads home or I head home, depending on who came over to who's house. If we talk as we are leaving, it's a good day. If not, better luck next time.

After we get home, we continue working until late. Zack goes to bed before midnight, but I am lucky to get to bed by 4 am. If we planned to meet the next day, we do, and you would be hard pressed to tell any difference from the previous day. If not, we talk on chat the next day if the day ended well, or don't if it ended badly.

After 10 years of this, DC3 is squeezed out, much like lemonade from lemons. I find the most interesting part of the process to be sucking on the lemon rinds afterwards. They can be added to compost for growing more lemons. Indeed, as lemon farmers, this "waste" can be more valuable to us than the finished product. We create a lot of waste over the years, which goes into such products as Retro and Khufu. The ironic part being, that Apples were used to create so many lemons.

Surely I jest...or do I...

--Zack

Didn't Zack B. move to another state?

Hahaha, well, thanks a million once again for your long and detailed response! :) You've provided us with a nice window into your lives and your process, and be assured that you have my respect for continuing to work on your games, despite all your obstacles. It's cool to see people keep with stuff they believe in, despite the lack of rewards such as success/huge sales/celebrity status/etc. (although you do have most of those things from us here in the forum :P ).

I actually think it's cool that you'll be distributing online, because that'll mean I can get my hands on the game (so to speak) almost immediately upon it being released! (I would've paid an extra $20 for overnight shipping, though, make no mistake. :) )

So, thanks again, I'll continue to look forward to DC3 and hope it arrives soon.

(Will we be downloading from SHFF's website, do you think, or will Delta Tao host the final product?)

I honestly dunno how it will be distributed, or where online. Due to bandwidth contraints, I imagine it will be out of somewhere dedicated to online distribution. SHFF probably knows more, so you could email them directly.

Does that mean there is no chance of a boxed version?

Well, that makes sense. I might email SHFF, if a month goes by from now and we still have heard nothing about the game. However, I think we'll hear about their plans soon enough. :)

I agree! also, my question still stands

Yeah, I'd be interested to know if there will be a box as well. :)

indeed, Zack, we are waiting for you :)

Hmm, dunno, you'll hafta ask SHFF. I think the odds are 70/30 that it will be download only, but I don't have anything to back that up with. Of course, that could all change a few months after the release, if enough people want a boxed version. I know I would like to have one too :P

like I have said: If there is a boxed version, I am going to install, backup, and the frame the original.