Hey guys, I'm going to try to release Beta 0.45 tomorrow night (May 12). Map resets are taking more work than I expected but the new version will include the following features:

+all new weapon/tool models with more than twice the current resolution
+modified ironsights than can support scopes
+a minimap
+the return of rifle block damage
+a whole bunch of bug fixes

Also, I'm going to try to open-source the map editor (if it's alright with Ken Silverman) so the developers in the community can improve that while I work on the game.

Later!

+9000 for minimap. Good work!

just noticed the minimap feature, woot, now i can commit suicide kamikaze style from my custom map in peace :P

This sounds great, I am glad to hear the return of rifle to block damage. It is also nice to hear about the higher resolution for the tools/weapons. Keep it up, you are great! B)

I love that this is happening but I'm gonna miss no block damage :(

will v0.45 exclude map resets then? :( please let us define reset triggers by # of caps and/or time limit, thanks!

Thanks alot Ben!

+modified ironsights than can support scopes

My life for Ace of Spades is now complete. Thanks Ben!

P.s. You said later! twice.

omg... more then twice the resolution you say? SUPPORT SCOPE YOU SAY!!!!!

I would have gay sex with you out of pure joy and happiness...

oh god, yes!

Thank you for the minimap! :D
& everything else, of course!

Awesome!!
Cant wait for new weapons too!
PS If u need new weapon models I can help (no pay though, under 18 :P)

Wow, I never thought the minimap would be put in AoS. Probably a good thing. Who am I kidding- of course a mini-map is a good thing.

OMG i love you ben!

+1 for block damage

I personally don't think block damage should be affected by rifle fire. Another weapon, possibly. But this will completely break the bridge game modes.

I highly advise you not to add this in.

I agree with quicksnap, please take into account bridge modes when you think about block damage :s.
Other than that, +1 for ben :p

+12052011
for minimaps, no more watching the map and getting headshot'd

Definitely excited about the new .png rules. A taste of things to come.

http://s230.photobucket.com/albums/ee62/QuikSnap360/?action=view&current=exampple-1.jpg

And this is just the first draft. Now that this new update is coming out, will completely overhauling all my models.

http://s230.photobucket.com/albums/ee62/QuikSnap360/?action=view&current=ex1.png&newest=1

It will not destroy bridge maps, have you looked at the ones for QFC? They're freakishly huge with gigantic pillar supports.

that's what she said

+ all new weapon/tool models with more than twice the current resolution
Sounds good.

+modified ironsights than can support scopes
Great for the modding community, as more custom sights can be created.

+a minimap
This is one that needs very careful thought. Personally, I find that it's kinda good that we don't know where we die, it forces you to be more aware of the map and where you are heading. A minimap could remove this.
For me, and some others I've debated with in IRC (#AoS @ Quakenet), a compass-type arrangement on both the 'm' Map, and in the top right would be better/more appropriate for AoS: http://dardar.de/bilder/images/map.png (for example).
Also, most of the terrain in AoS is very similar, so a minimap might have limited usage.. but it will depend on how it has been implemented.

+the return of rifle block damage
Good, we can snipe away camper's hideouts again.
I would say that rifles should do a little less damage to blocks, maybe 5 hits to destroy. New weapons could be slightly better at destroying:
http://www.aceofspadeswiki.com/index.php?title=User:TheGrandmaster#Weapons

+a whole bunch of bug fixes
Yay, good.

Overall, good job! Nice to see it moving along at a steady pace.

+ for all!!

Does the return of block damage mean the return of tent ammo too?

Tents should work like they did before. No weapon, more ammo. Right now it's silly when someone stands in tent - they're almost impossible to kill (excluding headshot, which is quite hard when they're crouching inside and moving) and they can shoot forever. Also, when they nadespam they can make giant caves. Now when you combine that with rifle damage...

Simply take old tent code and paste it back. Tents SUCK right now.

Don't fix what isn't broken. Nobody gave a fuck about tents before. Why did you change them?

Oh and another small suggestion, server name could be shown when you press TAB.

Rifle Block Damage back? Oh yeah!

With rifle block damage bridges and towers will be a huge problem to build. Is it worth it?

Short answer: yes
Long answer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7lHi-26imM

Wohoo! Sounds nice.
A minimap is an awesome idea.
Open-sourcing the editor even more.