Ballistic 2? An explanation
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It had to happen eventually. Call it burn out, call it frustration, call it boredom, call it any number of things actually but around this time in '04 Ballistic Addon Studios announced it would no longer be creating addons for Operation Flashpoint.
There were several reasons for this, some understandable, some perhaps simply due to BAS being a team of perfectionists each with a drive to out do the last effort only to then react (some may say poorly) to community feedback.
It is always a fine line when creating new material for an online community. Addon making began to (and perhaps still does) polarizes the community into those that are grateful for the efforts of anyone who contributes and those who believe that if you can't stand any form of minute criticism then you probably shouldn't be releasing stuff for the public to use. Both camps have their points but I don't really want to open up that can o' worms in this post.
With the impending release of Armed Assault and the community looking to the horizon for a hugely anticipated OFP2 it is time to look to the future. More importantly, I would like to address the question; What does the future hold for Ballistic Addon Studios with the promise of a new OFP engine to work with?
Enter Ballistic Addon Studios version 2. Soon we will have a new logo, a new image and hopefully with this blog, a new approach and philosophy for BAS. The hardest part of any endeavour is to re-invent what you are doing. To build upon the successes of previous ventures but at the same time to re-evaluate what you are doing. Look over yourself with a critical eye and ask yourself the hard questions.
Recently, BAS has been doing this and what you are reading now are the first steps on the journey (which we hope you will continue to travel with us) in which we will discuss where we have been, where we are, where we are going and what we think is the best way to get there.
We are calling ourselves BAS2 in order to emphasise that we want to fundamentally change our approach to our work, the community and how we share our contributions with them. We are going back to basics and hopefully like the mythical Pheonix that rose from the ashes of its fiery destruction, we will transform ourselves into a studio that once again recaptures the essence of what it is to be a great contibutor to what is a phenomenal game.
So what is BAS2? Put simply it will be the new portal for our work and thoughts. The new BAS2 will not just be a place to download our addons and read about our work. It will also be a place in which we share our thoughts on a variety of topics that grab our interest in the context of addon making and OFP.
This blog will be an important part of that portal. In the coming months we will share perspectives on addons we like, sites we find valuable, reminisce about the old days of OFP and talk about what we would like to see in future OFP products. We also will share our opinions on a variety of OFP related topics and the happenings within the community.
The new portal will also share more of the techniques and tools we use to make our addons. We want to pay more attention to tutorials, share the research we do and make BAS2 a repository of knowledge for all the resources that are used to make up our addons. What I hope to personally see is BAS2 becoming a more open and transparent studio and recapture the respect of the community that once held us (and hopefully still does hold us) in high regard.
Expect to see more posted on our manifesto; the ideals to which we want to subscribe in order to make our addons the best they can be. We hope you continue to read this blog and share with us the journey that will take place to re-invent ourselves in the run up to both Armed Assault and OFP2.
Does this mean BAS2 will definitely come back and make addons for AA and OFP2? This is a difficult question to answer. A lot will depend on whether we can recapture what we had and whether the team can once again be motivated by our new approach and philosophy to try and relive the glory days of some of the great addons of which we are very proud. At this stage, I can't promise anything. The one thing I'm sure of though is whether BAS returns to addon making or not, the BAS2 portal should provide a lot of food for thought which other addon makers or community members may find valuable for their future projects.
My hope is that, if BAS2 cannot give to the community in the forms of addons anymore, the least we can try is to give the community the benefit of our experience, knowledge and insight and leave it to them to either disregard our ideas or take them on board in their own activities and creations.
The future for OFP certainly does seem bright despite the obvious aging OFP has been showing lately. My hope is the BAS2 will be a vehicle that helps make that future even brighter.
This blog will be an ecclectic mix of observations, trips down OFP memory lane and opinions on OFP and the activities within the community. A lot of the material posted here will eventually make it onto our new website as content there once we have it up and running.
We are also recruiting new members under the leadership of Deadmeat and some of the old A-Team have been rubbing the sleep out of their eyes and thinking about what we can do with the new tools on the horizon. Again, not making any promises at this stage but part of the idea of BAS2 is to recapture the enjoyment of modding for OFP and through this enjoyment I hope BAS will lift itself out of it's hibernation and get back on track with the addon making process.
Expect to see this blog and other elements of the BAS2 site change frequently as we experiment with new designs and look and feel. This is one giant beta experiment at the moment. A public beta you could say as you will be witness to changes as they happen and as we decide what we think works and doesn't work.
I hope you continue to enjoy this blog and whatever site eventuates for BAS2. |
