. : Old ds forum archive : .

As the old DeepShadows forum is hard to access and loaded with spam, it would be nice to have some material ported across to our new home... and thanks to RPG Watch for having us. I notice above that donations are sought to keep this site running, so I for one will be donating.
The old forum is still active, I noticed wesp5 has posted important information there today (26JAN2011). I am continuing to moderate the spam there as best I can.

The links won't work as this is a straight copy and paste from the old forum, but maybe has some historical interest.

. : Unofficial FAQ Precursors and WhiteGold : .

UNOFFICIAL FAQ: White Gold/Precursors

UPDATED 23 JAN 2011


=================================== RELEASE DATES: ===================================


White Gold : 24 OCTOBER 2008 (Russian Language only). English Version mid-2009. (Probably not. No progress or news this year.)
The Precursors: Q2 2009. (Probably not. No news of an English version this year.
Using information from the Russian DS forum, this quote from Anders at B2BFF forum on 10MAR2009:
"All we can do is speculate about release i would say it comes with precursor at spring or in autumm what I read on Russian Deep Shadows forum was that most of devs where on vacation...well that said kertis when there was bugging with technical issues about white gold so who knows if they dont take vacation we get spring or summer relese if vacation its sept relese or who ever knows?"


====================================RECENT NEWS:====================================


<17NOV2009 Precursors will be released in Russian language on 04DEC2009. link

<28JUN2009 Clayton's News: Members at the B2BFF site have emailed DeepShadows direct, with no response. Also a regular, active devs representative at the Russian DS forum (Kertis)has been contacted in the hope that he would give us some sort of update. Sadly there has been no response from him either.

<13JUN2009 Here's a link to a post on the B2BFF Forum by a visitor to the Russian DS forum.
He is very careful to emphasize that he is just speculating.
See post dated 12JUNE2009, 7.28pm here.

With the lack of any official information on release dates and English localisations, this is as good a guess as any.

< 10JUN2009
Any news from the Russian DS Forum would be welcome. Anyone??

I'm wondering if it's time to call it a day.
Apart from some screen shots for Precursors (Russian), no news at all this year.
The only new Precursors interview is in Russian.
No news about Western Publisher, or English localisation for White Gold.
No contact from devs.
Most of the recent posts have been from Russian porn or Viagra sites.
Other recent posts I find baffling.

Perhaps Precursors and White Gold WILL be released simultaneously in English late in 2009.
Probably not, imo.
I respectfully suggest to the devs that a news update in the near future would be timely.
Otherwise I'm wondering...is it time to call it a day?

< 25MAR2009 New The Precursor screenshots here, thanks ShadowMoses.

< 04DEC2008 List of Main Missions (English Translation) here.

< 04DEC2008 Some reviews of the Russian release of Xenus 2.
They are in Russian, here's a link to the Yahoo Translator

StopGame

Megaobzor Magazine

Best Gamer Magazine

Game Guru

<24 OCT2008 White Gold video (115Mb) showing combat system here.
Youtube version, and links to all White Gold videos on Youtube here.

< 24 OCT2008 White Gold Release (CIS Countries)

<14OCT2008 White Gold release date in CIS countries is now officially 24 OCT 2008.

<14 OCT2008 White Gold Soundtrack demos here.

<10 OCT2008 Precursors Russian language interview, partial translation from Zone of Games magazine here.

<25 SEP2008 WOW...new official "diary video" of Soul Mayers/WhiteGold!!!!!

< 25 SEP2008 Another WhiteGold fan video, with nice sunset. There's a Youtube link, the Sendspace server is currently out of action. Thnx Jonelo and SM.

< 24 SEPT2008 Precursors screenshots from the CPU Threading competition here and here.

< 24 SEPT2008 Ika puts Russian release of WhiteGold at NOV2008, which is in Q4 2008 as previously stated.

< 24 SEPT2008 Youtube video of WhiteGold 'closed demo' here. THNX Lifelover for link.

< 23 SEPT2008 Download the video of the demo here. THNX Jonelo. (It's on Sendspace so get it quick before it's gone!)

< 23 SEPT2008 WhiteGold Screenshots from the demo: here, here, and here.

< 23 SEPT2008 Jonelo reports a WhiteGold demo tape in Russian language, has won 2nd place in a competition. Core2 Duo capabilities are utilised. This is a tape of the demo only, not a playable download.

< 03 SEPT2008 Huge 24 minute White Gold video/interview on Russian Youtube. "vadimnk" has kindly done an English transcript here.



< 06 AUG2008: latest The Precursors magazine article here. This article is Russian language, but there are screenshots. Ika describes the article as a true representation of progress so far, with no new material. The writer wonders if the project is "too ambitious" and if the planets will be monotonous. What would he know!

> Three new WhiteGold screenshots in the gallery.

> WhiteGold system requirements upgraded here.

> Latest version of The Precursors Trailer is available on these links:- 350Mb High res. and Medium res.

> Publicity release for WG/Prec on the XBox here and here.

> White Gold: July PC Gamer Article. September release date is firming up!

> Original WhiteGold nine planets down to five.

> The Precursors (1) downsized and will be released in two (2) parts.

> World publisher for White Gold and The Precursors will be Play-Ten. Russobit is publisher for CIS countries.

> RPGVault article on The Precursors (Part Two) here including MORE new screenshots.

> RPGVault article on The Precursors (Part One)here including some new screenshots.

> CVG article on WhiteGold here.


>Magazine article on WG/Prec/DS. Nice to see that WhiteGold is as heavily researched as Boiling Point, and the "Skinning" perk has made it into the final game.

> Latest on Two-Part release of The Precursors here.

> WG release date:
QUOTE (Ika @ May 7 2008, 07:34 PM) *

I think with third WG trailer will be announced (by Russobit-M) a release date for WG too.


> Russobit-M are currently working on WhiteGold Trailer #3, which will have "innovative video conception." On this page.

> WhiteGold world now comprises 5 main islands, down from the original eight..

> English interview with DS regarding White Gold by Unconscious here.


> The Precursors trailer here: here.

> "Xenus H-Q.net" is reincarnated as Born to Be Freeform




=========================================LINKS:=======================================


DeepShadows Forum here. LOL.
Born to Be FreeForm (formerly Xenus-HQ.net) here.
White Gold website here.
Precursors website here.
Precursors Wikipedia entry here.
White Gold Wikipedia entry here.
WhiteGold screenshots gallery here.
The Precursors screenshots Gallery here.
The Precursors news here
WhiteGold Video #1 [42Mb] here.
WhiteGold Video #2 [119Mb] here.
Official ThePrecursors FAQ is here.
The Precursors Video #3 is on YouTube, or at 350Mb High res. and Medium res.
The official WhiteGold FAQ is here.
World Publisher Play Ten Interactive for all the latest on marketing, localisation, news and development. Not.
Video trailers for WhiteGold and The Precursors can be easily found with a quick search on YouTube.



==================================GAME DESCRIPTIONS:================================


Precursors is a multiple quest RPG with 3D space combat and ground FPS action.
White Gold is a huge freeroam FPS/RPG hybrid with emphasis on RPG. Drugs and death in the islands of the Caribbean.
Both games have a core of main missions plus side missions, and a strong faction/reputation/perks system, similar to the DeepShadows game Boiling Point: Road to Hell.

===================================UNOFFICIAL FAQ:=================================


Q01: Where can I find out more about Precursors and White Gold: War in Paradise?
A01: See "Links" section above. Some of these are updated regularly, eg the screenshots galleries. The Precursors Official FAQ had a new question added this month.
Q02 What are the release dates for WG and Precursors for PC and consoles?
A02: Quote Geheme: “We are PC gamers. We know what “coming soon” means.
See "Release Dates" at top of this FAQ. Warning: every release date so far has been superseded.

Q03: Who are the publishers?
A03: Russobit-M for CIS countries. PlayTen Interactive for the rest of the world.

Q04: What are system requirements?
A04:These were updated here on 18JULY2008.
Minimum:CPU: Athlon 3000, 1Gb RAM ,GeForce 6600GS 128MB or similar.

Average: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.2, 1Gb RAM, GeForce 8600GS 256MB or similar.

High: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4G (E6600), 2Gb RAM, GeForce 8800 512MB or similar.

O.S. supported: Windows 2000 SP4, Windows XP SP2 32/64 bit, Windows Vista 32/64 bit.

And couple more words:
Video card must support pixel and vertex 2.0 shaders or 3.0 better
Minimum screen resolution: 1024x768
Supported screen ratios 16:9, 16:10, 4:3.
"Live For Windows" service will be not supported.

Q05: Is White Gold the sequel to Boiling Point?
A05: No. There is a completely new main character. The new location is a group of islands in the Caribbean. There will be a strong resemblance to BP, especially the faction system. WG will allow more development of the player's role. Because of the island setting there will be more amphibious vehicles. The pole dancer is gone but there will be other er.... 'ladies'.

Q06: What platforms?
A06: PC and XBox 360.


Q08: Will we be able to have our own house in WG and store all our stuff?
A08: Yes.

Quote Double"O" Agent:
"X360 = console
console = console fanboys
console fanboys = GTA = immediately compares any freeroam game to GTA
GTA = Houses/Garages
If Prec/WG = no Houses/Garages
Then Console Fanboys = COMPLAINCOMPLAINCOMPLAINCOMPLAINFLAMEFLAMEFLAMEBURNBURNBURN
else they just wont buy it
end if"

Q09: Will there be iron sights in White Gold?
A09: Probably not. (The mounted gun on the patrol boat has iron sites.)

Q10: Play time?
A10: "Precursors" is freeplay RPG, so you can explore the game world for as long as you like after the main quest/plot line is complete. Lots of sub-missions.
Quote Ika:"there are more than 100 quests of main story." which will be of varying complexity.

White Gold will take approximately 20 hours for a quick run through the main missions.
There will be enough side missions and free roam for heaps of play and exploration.

Q11: What news of weapons in WG?
A11: Stealth weapons include a crossbow and a silenced water pistol for underwater and possibly land use. Close combat weapons include the knife and possibly 'found' items. There won't be any silencers, just silent ammo.

Q12:Main Hero?
A12: Precursors has a young pilot of the Armanian race. You cannot pick name, sex, personal characteristics.
For White Gold the artwork and biography are complete but no name/nationality yet.

Q13: Will there be bugs?
A14: As the game release has been delayed from 2007, they are unlikely to be anywhere near as buggy as Boiling Point.

Q15: Are people happy The Precursors is now a two game series?
A15: NO! The people want one dirty great humungous universe with dozens of life-supporting planets the size of Saturn, 5 intergalactic empires, naked chicks, 3D cabin views, female main character option, pick name/haircolour/eye colour/clothing/personality of main character, naked aliens, perks that level up to 150, customisable spacecraft, magicka, New/Used spaceship Salesrooms, Russian voice acting Chinese voice acting, they want to build a house to stow their loot and pick the colours of the curtains and the bedspreads....and that's just for starters. All delivered a week before Christmas.

----oooOooo----


UPDATE 20JULY2010
I finally got a fully legal, playable in English, flicker-free on ATI version of XENUS 2 up and running. yahoo.gif
It's been a long journey for the forum. We had a great time in the early days, but the delay of a Western release just became too much and a lot of good people faded from the scene. Luckily, more good people came! I'd like to mention a few:

Wesp5, myers90 and badmofo for the English translation patch. They achieved what the DS devs could not. Thanks guys! mrhtml16 and nick-ol-teen did early work on a translation, with feedback and help from guenthar and overwightninja. Pandur, working on the German translation patch, also assisted weps5.
Thanks to Homerpepsi for clear instructions on purchasing a legal copy of the game from Russia.
Thanks to malik22 and badmofo on cures for the ATI video card screen flickering.

Please someone let me know as I'm sure to have forgotten someone's important contribution.


----oooOooo----


This site, DeepShadows Forum, has sadly become unworkable. Being able to connect to the site at all is problematic, and once connected it is hard to locate genuine posts amongst the spam. It is a stupid virus that kills its host, but that's what these Russian spambots have achieved.

Thanks to Tarash, wesp5, badmofo, bradleypariah, player1, Niadley, sq paradox and others for being proactive in finding us another forum.
Looks like RPG Watch is the best choice for Precursors, WhiteGold AND Boiling Point boards, if they will host them for us.

I would be very happy to see you guys over at RPG Watch and maintain our interest in these fantastic DeepShadows games.

Keep your eyes open to see if the new boards at RPG Watch are eventually created, because as at 23JAN2011 this has not yet happened.
----oooOooo----

/\ I may be able to restore some of the links in the above "Unofficial FAQ"…in time. Everywhere you see the word "here" there is probably a missing link in the above post.

This History of the games and Origins of the DeepShadows Company was first posted by Ika, System Admin on the old DS forum, in AUG2007.

Part one: The Precursors.​

Long time ago, when Earth was still young, and mammoths hunted for Neanderthals, there were two men called Sergey Zabaryansky and Roman Lut. Their lives were alright, but one thing made them restless – a wish to create a game. Strange desire, isn’t it? No? Ok then. As usual practice shows, it’s not always possible to combine wishes with actual life, but not this time. Sergey and Roman were not just daydreaming wannabes, but experienced programmers. Instead of meditating over dreams, they have started to create an engine.
No, that’s impossible. Why not to dream about it again in ten years or so? Whatever… one day Vital Engine ZL has been almost completed, but they had no idea what to do next. Yes, it is possible to make a home-made game engine, but to release a proper game with an enthusiasm of two people… unlikely.

However, nobody knows what would be the end of this story if our developers did not find the GSC Game World company, which took them under their wing many years ago. The makers of “Cossacks: European Wars” thought that strategy is okay, but shooters are much better. Thus Sergey and Roman turned into members of famous GSC and leaders of the “Codename: Outbreak” project. But game development is somewhat different from fairy tales and the ways they’re told. Anyhow, “Codename Outbreak” was released in 2001 by Virgin Interactive.
You may probably ask what connects “Codename: Outbreak” and GSC Game World with Deep Shadows company. Here is the answer – soon after the release of “Codename: Outbreak”, Sergey Zabaryansky and Roman Lut left GSC and turned into free riders. That's right, gained more power after the released project, so it was time to become free.

Part two: Strolling the Road to Hell.​

After Sergey Zabaryansky and Roman Lut established their own company, some people expected them to develop “Codename: Outbreak 2” or its ideological sequel, in case the GSC Game World retained the trademark rights. Next game should’ve been a tactical action, in general. But there were no plans to develop “Codename: Outbreak” sequel in Deep Shadows. They’ve decided to make more – an action with RPG elements in huge unified game world in a modern setting. Something like Morrowind with machine-guns. As you can understand, we’ve just mentioned “Boiling Point: Road to Hell”. At that moment team size was about 15 members. Not enough for a project of such scale, and as a result, there were lots of bugs and high system requirements. Nevertheless, there are not many such projects released in the former USSR territory. Not a single one, to be sure. So we can say that Boiling Point became something more than just a mediocre starting project. There are about 60 workers in company now, and two big projects are in development - White Gold and Precursors. We have enough experience and know most of other obstacles. The main thing is to avoid them and we are not going to walk twice into the same river.

Origin of the name "DeepShadows"


"Shadows Company. There is the answer ??“ soon after the Venom release, Sergey Zabaryansky and Roman Lut has left GSC and turned into free riders. That's right, gained power after released project, so it was time to become free.



Besides, do you know why the company name is Deep Shadows? If you don??™t, there is an interesting fact, told by an ex PR-man of Deep Shadows and the main scenario writer and inspirer of the White Gold at present - Alexander Hrutskiy:

The story of Deep Shadows name takes its beginning at the moment, when the main founders of studio started to develop a new engine called Vital for the incoming game project. Creative weekdays had delayed till the deep night often. At one of such late evenings happened a rack at electric station and the power supply has turned off. In hope of supply fast repair, no one has gone home. They have found a candle and started to drink tea, meanwhile feasted their eyes to the jumping candlelight and later to the vivid and attractive shadows, which comes alive inside of the room. Right at the time has appeared an idea to call company ??“ Deep Shadows."

Alexander Hrutskiy, PR-manager of Deep shadows

Hello again anyways I started to replay again games(deep shadows games not tetris or pacman) and I tought il provide these fragments as pice of info,english deep shadows forum is closed but the russian forum is still open but it's more of a ghost town there and even spammers stoped flooding their um "love letters".


Post in Gamedev.ru Crisis steps in,Deep Shadows closed

Support of White Gold,Xenus 2 has been stopped
Masters of "The Precursors" Russobit-M are waiting for autumm
Only four security guards left,others sacked


18 Aug.2009

source http://www.gamedev.ru/industry/forum/?id=122533


Russian Deep Shadows forum
User Bars606 post about SDK

He said as much as I know Russobit-M prohibited making patches and sdk for the game and toke over the Deep Shadows company.

16 Jan.2010

source http://forum.deep-shadows.com/index.php?showtopic=1159&st=200


There are more fragments of info laying around the interwebs between lolcats and other sites but most of it is written in russian if I got more time Il post more fragments about history of deep shadows and some russian reviews back from boiling point.