The Stuff Of Dreams

It's common knowledge that all software has bugs. As soon as you get past the first "Hello World" programs that you're weaned on, there are portions of your program that either don't work the way you'd like or are flat out broken. Games, obviously, are not immune. Even Pong and Solitaire have exploits available or features missing. It's a fact of life...Software has bugs.

However, there is one stage that each game obtains where it is 100% bug free. There is a time where everything works perfectly and every feature seems flawless. The name they give this magical moment is: Pre-Alpha.

Sometimes known just as the 'design' phase, this is where ideas are born. There are no limits as to what you can do. If you have an idea that sounds cool, then it's part of the game, no questions asked. In this conceptualizing time the game is perfect. Each scene contains even the most minute detail while still remaining seamlessly cohesive. It all works; it's all perfect.

It used to be that during this time of the game's life we, the fans, were relegated to a third-party 'read only' role. Magazines would get the scoop on a new game in development and we'd read a hastily written article with a few small screenshots. It was exciting then, but it's gotten better. The Internet, as it does so often, has completely changed things. Game developers have started to skip the middle man and communicate with the fans directly. Now, not only do we get to see this, the most fun time in game development, but we get to participate.

Anyone reading this editorial knows exactly what I'm talking about. The reason you're here is because Horizons has captured your attention. It doesn't matter that the game is two years away. It doesn't matter that all you have are some FAQ's, line drawings, and obscure screen shots. You have a game, and right now it's perfect. and right now it's OURS. Through chats, message boards, and email we communicate with the developers. We ask questions and we DEMAND answers. We know what we want, and we're no longer afraid to say it. And we're having a blast!

In the next few months, as games do, Horizons will move away from this glorious Pre-Alpha state. Slowly it will move through Alpha and into Beta. We will have to watch helplessly as our dreams and desires get widdled away due to the constraints of time, talent, and hardware. Features will be cut, bugs will be introduced, and limits will be placed. All the many wonders of Pre-Alpha will fade away into the pains of Beta.

The chats and message boards will become less effective. In spite of the best desires, the developers will no longer be able to make the changes the fans want. 'Can't' will start to replace 'maybe.' 'Sorry' will supplant 'Sure!' Instead of talking about what features to include, messages will be about features that were cut, about problems that were found. The beta-testers will have their own conversations and stories, but the average joe will have nothing to do but wait.

However, when that time comes, think back to the time we are in now. Now is the time of wonder. This is the stuff of dreams. Right now Horizons can be (and is) everything you want it to be. There are no limits. There are no restraints. All that we have is a perfect game, and a perfect opportunity. Carpe diem!
- Marc Hawke