Hello October....Simulation Updates and Bug Fixes

Hello October!

Welcome to the month of October!  Here in the United States, we are experiencing the changes of the seasons.  From the summer hot sun to cool cold crisp air, the changes of tree leaves from green to reddish orange.

This time of season also have the fall harvest of all types of pumpkins, squashes, and apples!  Hot apple cider, hot chocolate and fuzzy sweaters to keep us warm while enjoy the cool crisp air.

Also its a big event where many children dresses up (and adults too) in fun and festive costumes for Halloween.  Nice and enjoyable parties and as well the night time spooky scary haunted places at amusement parks before they close for the season.

The team here at Themagical wishes you a 'Happy Halloween' and enjoyable October season!

:: Simulation Updates :: 

Many of our community gamers over at Themagical love the experience of playing the simulations.  At times there may be a bug or an unexpected disruption to the 'magic' while playing a particular simulation.

Martijn (Founder/Webmaster/Simulation Creator) has been busy updating and fixing some of bug issues to few simulations.  In his free spare time this month, he was able to fix/updated/tweaked of some of your issues in relation to bug glitches and game performance.  

Below are some simulations that were updated.

Tower Of Terror (WDW DHS) : **updated v.1.6.1

Few of our members message on our forums with an issue with some of the 'elevators', 'guests', and other bug related issues.

::Changelog:: 
- Version Number: Changed from v.1.6.0 to v.1.6.1 to reflect the bug fixes/updates.
- "Show Fullscreen" Button: Doesn't work when clicked. (*fixed)
- Elevator Sequence For Loading/Unloading: An elevator is fully loaded and automatic doors turned off, the door won't close. (*fixed)
- Visitor Loading/Unloading Bug: Peeps can also load/unload the pre-show rooms without the doors being open. (*fixed)
- **Added 2 New Videos: Coding was broken/re-established for in-game experience. (*fixed)
- Bug Issues: Found new bug issues in build v.1.6.0 (*fixed)


Phantom Manor (DLP) : **updated v.20150928-010

::Changelog::
- **Added Version Number: Added Coding Version Number to reflect update changes/future tracking changelog
- Version Number: Changed to reflect bug fixes/tweaks v.20150928-10
- Background Music: Revamped in-game music audio. (*fixed)
- Game Performance: Frame rate have been update/tweaked for improved game experience.
- "Play the Phantom Manor Simulation" Button: URL address pointed to wrong webpage link to a blank screen. (*fixed/corrected URL link)

Did you find any issues in these games or other simulation games?  Voice your issues or comments to our simulation forums pages.

Until Then,

Reighard

Soarin Updates, Contests, and Dizradio Segment

© Disney

Hello There!

I know, I know....it's been ages since I've last posted (our 200th post!) on our huge blog milestone!

Since then, the team have been really busy with daily life activities by which cause a very slow development progress with our on-going projects over at Themagical.nl

Rest assure, we are working on 'fun' things for the site and very excited for you guys to enjoy!

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:: SOARIN UPDATES ::



"Quick update on Soarin'. Progress has been moving slow the past few months since I moved into a new house. That's been a lot of work. Work on Soarin' has been slow, but not stopped. I'm closed to finishing the hard part of designing and writing the peep engine code. I'm hoping I can start debugging is soon." ~ Josh Stauffer  Feb.24, 2013

Though at this point of writing the post the graphic element UI (User Interface) hasn't changed.  It could change to enhanced the gaming experience overall feel.  

We'll give you the latest updates here and as well over at our "Facebook Group Page", link mentioned below.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/groups/64923941991/

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CONTESTS !

Ok, since now I've got your attention let me break down the details about 'upcoming contests' that you have a chance to enjoy.

In the past contests, we have giving our users a chance to win a special 'beta-test' version of the latest project(s) for Themagical.nl and/or Dorneyonline.com .

We'll be still continuing that since the high demand of playing for them. But we also been testing running the contest plug-in element over at Themagical.

In October 2012, we announced an "Phantom Mansion" simulation contest. Though it went well of testing aspect, it didn't go well as to user interactivity that we'd hoped.

Which brings me to my next point, in the very near future contest we are hoping to bring 'PRIZES' into the mix. 

Some prizes could be a Disney DVD Movies, Disney Merchandise, Books, Gift Cards, etc...

More details will be coming soon and will be 'updated' at our Official page on this blog. Be sure to click on the top link that reads "Contests"! 

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I'm happy to announce I'll be doing a new segment for this podcast for each week. 

Though I'm still working on with "dapsmagic.com" for the upcoming revamp of "Late Nite with Randy" radio show.

This new segment will be discussing all-Disney multimedia within the Walt Disney Company. Ranging from gaming apps, gaming devices, interactive elements at Disney Parks and more!

My debut is on show #33 ! (To listen to my segment, I'm towards the end of the show.)

This is a great site and as well a great podcast that specializes in top celebrities from your favorite Disney Movies!

You can check it out at http://www.dizradio.com/ 

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::Closing Thoughts::

Thanks again for reading today's post!  Sadly its been a quite since last month of no updates or announcements of latest projects.

We appreciate your time and cooperating of being patient with us as we bring 'new magic' and news straight from Themagical team!

Until Then,


Reighard

Soarin Update: 10/31/2012

As you already know of the progress of the newest FIRST-OF-ITS-Kind HTML5 simulation "Soarin" from the recent postings on our Facebook page from team member Josh:

Quote: 

"Code for audio playback (background music and sound effects) is complete, and finally working on Firefox. Running the sim (queuing a peep, loading, preshow, and the ride) are all finished. Currently I am working on fixing a performance issue with the peep engine, simplifying code and adding the ride "break downs". The good news is after some initial testing on my two year old Android phone, the performance of this version of the sim is much improved. I shouldn't have to "reboot" the code any more."

SOARIN:

 
Should Work with: (*Still in 'Beta Phase, testing results will confirm which will work properly.)

- * Safari
- * Firefox
- * Chrome 
- * Internet Explorer 9 
- * Internet Explorer 10 (Windows 7 / Windows 8 OS) 

"It should work on iOS, but I don't have an iOS device to test with. I do have a Windows 8 virtual machine though. Once we start getting ready for beta testing we will be looking for people who have as many different browsers available to test as possible. " - Josh (October 5, 2012) 

My apologies

Hello fellow readers and community,

It's been awhile since I last wrote an article on what's been happening here at Themagical and as well the progress of the "Steel Force Simulation".

First of all, I want to say 'Thank you' for your patience and cooperation on how long this simulation has been progressing.

It's been a challenging last year for Martijn (Founder of Themagical) to push out new 'Beta Builds' to our testers since the coding has been a mix review development so far.

Mixed review as in like how by learning a new standard of Flash Development code for interactive for better performance. As well lack of free time due to work and family.

Before, the founder had a night job where most of the simulation development as been made quicker since the night has been slow at his job. Granted he was able to create more/develop more as the night progressed.

But due to the new shift change for the morning because of his family, there's been slower simulation development due to the day shift and as well family time focus priority.

From the little time he had, we were able to get a simulation build each time there's been a free moment in his schedule. We are happy that there's progress but not the development pace we hoped it to be though.

Rest assure, we are hoping that after a long wait of this simulation development we'd be happy to launch it on a timely manner for your enjoyment without bugs in it.

Steel Force Simulation Update: build 'Beta 2' 2012-01-28/003

A new build has been released 'internally' to our beta testers! We've made a new milestone for this build as its getting closer to be ready for public release.

New build showed new bug fixes and a better performance coding updates.

Here's the new changelog update:

::Changelog::

- Build Number: (Beta 2) 2012.01.28/003 is the OFFICIAL build number internal string.
- New Bug Fixes: User feedback on persistent bugs that was most reported during the first 'Beta 2' release. **NOTE: Not all bugs has been fixed but we are aware of the bugs in the game.
- "How To Play" button: This is still not working in this new build. We are focusing on the game and will update it once we are close to the general public release.
- Visitor Engine Bugs Fixes: New bugs fixes in this build and still having some bugs being persistent. We are working hard on this engine as its still glitchy during game play.
- Weather Effects: The weather features of 'severe thunder storms' were decreased due to demand of changing user feedback and as well a bug that after the storm was over, the trains couldn't be dispatch.
- Visitor Issues: A bug that was persisting after many builds is when the a number of guests enter the station and then stop without continuing into the station. A bug that has been FOUND and now no longer stops at the station entrance.




(*Click on the image to see it larger.)

Thank you again for your dedication for following us on the updates at Themagical and as well your readership with us.

We appreciate you guys greatly!

Until then,

Reighard

Themagical Projects & Monthly Links!

Hey Everybody!

I trust you all had a nice weekend and those in the 'States' had a great Thanksgiving Holiday break/celebration!

I thought I would make a post about our projects that we've been working hard and as well keep you guys posted on what's going on "Behind the Scenes".

In this blog post, I'll be discussing the projects and their current state of development phases. This isn't final and may or may not change before the final release on Themagical/Dorneyonline.com websites.

First! Before we do, here's the "LATE" post on 'Novembers Monthly Links'!

Monthly Links: November
=====

- http://randydorney.blogspot.com/2011/11/soarins-first-preview.html

- http://randydorney.blogspot.com/2011/11/sf-update-20111110002.html

- http://randydorney.blogspot.com/2011/07/announcing-soarin-simulation.html

- http://randydorney.blogspot.com/2011/08/steel-force-sim-pre-opening-in-progress.html

- http://randydorney.blogspot.com/p/beta-testing-qa.html

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Themagical Behind the Scenes: Themagical Projects to date!
=========================

Soarin: (Internal Build: 2011.11.11/001) This build has been shown a Live Preview
on a recent blog post. New features are being coded and a possible beta release is approaching soon! **Note: Due to high request, this build may or may not be release due to the progress of how the simulation has been so far.


Millionaire Play It: Trivia Version 2 (Beta Version: 041411/001.v2_triv) This simulation hasn't been updated since its public release due to the popular request of the "Steel Force Simulation" due date release and bug fixes. This will be updated and tied in with the current simulation of 'Millionaire Play It' as bug fixes with that simulation will bring the string code from version 1.o.8 to 2.0.


Steel Force Simulation: (Beta 2 2011.11.10/002) By now, mostly all our 'Beta Testers' should have the latest build that was released 'Beta 2'. A new internal build has been released and will be pushed to our beta testers soon after all bugs have been fixed. Still presently bugs in the queue lines, visitor engine 2.1, and maintenance engineer bug glitch...etc...

SF Sim Updates

Hey Everybody!

I know its been a quite for couple of weeks without anything new in particular. And I'm sorry. :(

It's been a long time since we've talked about any new information related to the Dorneyonline.com Simulation updates and I should update you on it.


Steel Force Simulation Twitter Update Stats: (Twitter.com/Themagical)
* 4 days ago of 03.01.2011 EST (GMT -5 hours)

- Did some artwork changes for the #sfsim this evening, especially at the track. Also modified the transfer track code. (Mar. 1st, 2011)

- am not a programmer, but need it as a tool to let the magic "work". But some extra math lessons would be welcome :) (Feb. 28th, 2011)

- Sometimes there are moments you just get lost in your own digitally creative world/development, difficult to pick up the right trial. (Feb. 28th, 2011)

- When developing a sim, I have to prevent too much new techniques, the switch to AS3.0 was a big step to take. (Feb. 28th, 2011)

- Worked at the sf-sim this evening, tuning the visitor system, still not working as it should be. (Feb. 28th, 2011)

The webmaster/founder of Themagical.nl posted some interesting tweets recently and I thought I would keep you posted on the current status of the '#SteelForceSimulation, #SF Sim, #sfsim' updates. (**If you on twitter, be sure to follow us at: @themagical and @randydorney.)

Themagical: Web Update

Currently, as of last night (Mar. 4, 2011) Martijn Leseman (founder & webmaster of Themagical) is updating the website to a newer web structure. He said via Twitter.com/Themagical "Installed Joomla 1.6 on a test server, so I can try to find my way with this upgraded version."

Please be aware that the website may be down due to web maintenance. Sorry for the inconvenience that this may cause.

Thanks for reading and we hope to hear from ya real soon!

If you haven't emailed the simulation development team to try the beta testing of Steel Force once we announce it, please send an email to sdt@themagical.nl, with your name, user name account from either Themagical.nl or Dorneyonline.com website and email address.

Until Next Time!


Reighard

Email: sdt@themagical.nl
Twitter: www.twitter.com/randydorney

Steel Force Simulation Update! 10-11-08/001

Hey All,

Recently there hasn't been much updates on the "Steel Force" simulation since we've been working hard on it.

Here's the new updates on this build:

- new control panel refresh

- new button routines

- added sound events

- added sound control, separate sounds can be dis/enabled

- add and remove train works

Build Number: #2010-11-08/001

(*Click on the image to see a larger view of it.)

ENJOY!

Steel Force Simulation Update! 10-13-10

Hey Everybody!

It's been a long time since we've talked about any new information related to the Dorneyonline.com Simulation updates!

The webmaster/founder of Themagical.nl posted a new screen shot of the newest simulation creation for dorneyonline.com website.

Here's what he said in today's post:

Hi all,

Working for a long long lomg time at this sim, for dorneyonline.com
Just wanted to share a screenshot for this one: -Tijn (Webmaster/founder of Themagical.nl )

Source: http://www.themagical.nl/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=86&func=view&catid=70&id=2043#2043


(*Click on the picture to see it larger.)

Let's dig in and let's see what the newest version is showing in this screen-shot!

Steel Force Simulation Update: 2010-10-13/001

- Control buttons: Since we last saw the screen shot was just a picture on the main site of Dorneyonline.com for those who are there on their community or from Dorneyonline.com community. It shows more of a shiny appeal to them. From the simulations from Themagical website, you can see that the buttons are completely different from them just by looking at them.

- Control Panel: The control panel looks like of a shiny metallic appeal to them. Almost like the buttons but you can see its different. Looks great! Simple feel to it so using the game will be not hard to control.

- Park Operations Module: Nothing much is showing here but it looks something of information box that could allow the ride operator to see what's going on with the attraction or not.

- Current Time Module: NICE! I love to see what time it is while working on the game so I won't lose track of the time when I'm playing it! Awesome!

- Train Panel Status Module: This area shows where the current trains are in the ride cycle track. So far its showing the 'Red Train' or 'Train 1' by the counter at the bottom of the control panel on the right.

- Counters bottom right: From observing the image, its telling us how many guests are entering the ride, station, train, and stand by. This feature would be most valuable to the ride operator to see how many guests has rode the ride at any given time and see how well the ride is performing well under many different conditions that the ride experiencing at that moment.

-------
Attraction Operations Section:
-------

- Switch Day/Night Button: Seems like the other simulation on Themagical website that you can as well do the same by changing the effects of Day/Night time effects while playing the game. So for those who love to play the simulation at night time you can do that by a click of a button. If you get tired of playing at night you can 'switch' it back to day. Simple and yet so brilliant!!

- Switch Lights Button: Ooooh...I have a feeling that this turns on the lights in the ride location. Nothing is proving what turns on but it looks like the lamp lights and others? We'll see...! *winks*

- Start BGM Button: Usually from my knowledge 'BGM' stands 'Background Music'. So this could be the sound effects of the ride and other audio effects? Hopefully we can do more to control what sound effects are on or off? Maybe we'll see later down the road for more updates...just a thought. *winks*

--------
Station & Dispatch Section:
--------

- Control Gates Button: This will open and close the gates to allow guests to enter the train.

- Open/Close Bars Button: Simple...open and close the lap bars so the guests and be locked in while the ride is in motion.

- Load Train Button: This will move the guests into the train.

- Security Check Button: This will make the ride attendants to check the lap bars and seat belts before dispatching the train.

- Dispatch Train Button: Once the security check is done and finish, this will show when its ready to be dispatched to start the ride cycle.

- Unload Train Button: Once the ride cycle is complete, the guests will have to be removed from the train in order to start the new batch of guests to ride the train for the next new ride cycle.

- Add Train Button: This allows to add more 'trains' to the ride cycle. Right now, only the red train ("Train 1") is on the track unit at this time.

- Remove Train Button: This allows to remove 'trains' from the ride cycle. Right now, only the red train ("Train 1") is on the track unit at this time.

Thank you for taking your time to read our in-depth report of the latest and newest simulation for Dorneyonline.com website site!!

We are looking forward to start the beta testings so you can enjoy this before we release the simulation for the public to enjoy!

If you haven't emailed the simulation development team to try the beta testing of Steel Force once we announce it, please send an email to sdt@themagical.nl, with your name, user name account from either Themagical.nl or Dorneyonline.com website and email address.

Until Next Time!


Reighard