roadmap
The future of ARES
This page documents the current plan for future versions of ARES.
See also:
ARES Controller Info for information on retrofits
Device Compatibility
Previous versions of this page
The planned list of versions was rewritten on June 26, 2024 to be more concrete, and to re-prioritize planned tasks based on urgency and impact.
(Previously 0.4.4)
New filesystem implementation ✔
New help system implementation ✔
Morgan's control freak tranche:
Update art assets for Beta 3 (working widget, install wizard) ✔
Add autoexec.as detection to new filesystem ✔
Add resolve_i() calls to non-volatile programs ✔
Test package installs ✔
Sexuality preview 2 will be the next project after 0.5.0 ships.
Solve obstacles to recharging dead units
Add !working widget support to new filesystem
Finish implementing policies: curfew; distress beacon; IM policies; owner radio policies and exceptions, TP yank
Diagnostics bed compatibility
Solve Tekklaa's Bug
WARRIOR release 1 will be the next project after 0.5.2 ships.
Cron in scheduler
Proximity in scheduler
Boot and shutdown scripts
rent application
Bug review
domain hierarchy/XNMS client
New settings backup disks based on phase/LSD
Investigate env corruption
Unreliable reassertion of RLV restrictions (mainly after login)
DIAG release 1 will be the next project after 0.6.0 ships.
Long-suffering vox bugs: dot commands blocked, duplicated chat
Hover height control improvements; settings for hover height in media animations
Guaranteed forced sit and unsit (problems putting the unit on furniture while it's powered down)
Sexuality preview 3 will be the next project after 0.6.1 ships.
Finish AV-CAPS support
New ax refactor for handling monstrous package lists (axsc)
Get Bismuth deployable via AV-CAPS
UPLINK release 1 will be the next project after 0.7.0 ships.
Security shakedown
Revisit and finish personas
Unit-to-unit menus
Device compatibility
Kernel revisit
Device compatibility
Documentation
Bug round-up
Documentation
defensive low-power-masking
Militarizer
Shipping soft differentiation
Apps: Hookup, transponder, cal, etc.
DIVE support.
DIVE release 1 will be released when 9.2.0 ships.
Shipping hard differentiation
CX-SCADA, scour, Scout booster, etc.
These are to-do items that need to be done but, for various reasons, are annoying and keep getting put off. Exactly when they'll actually get done is anyone's guess.
consent request bundling; updatable alerts [security, variatype]
forget deleted scripts [kernel]
standard external menu HUD (AMenu)
stream-oriented API, adapt command-line pipes
database overlays (the db utility is already brimming)
Sexuality is the ARES equivalent of Companion's TESI add-on. It provides arousal, cryolubricant management, tactile sensors, and more. Sexuality is part of the same purchase package as TESI Complete.
Outstanding Sexuality implementation tasks:
Example furniture and devices
Voices (software works, but need data)
Orgasm nozzles
Fluid production
Reproductive Matrix
Friction
Installer
Wizard
Models
RLV outfit switching
Menu controls
Anim detect (head)
Prevent touch duration accumulation
Anim playback (pelvis)
WARRIOR is an enhanced combat add-on for ARES that adds features originally slated for ATOS/CX.
Outstanding WARRIOR implementation tasks:
Targeted damage
Power malfunctions
Update VectorLogix, Arachne X8, ARC, and ExARC to detect and fix ARES power malfunctions
DIAG (short for diagnostics) is a software add-on experience for ARES that simulates malware and logic malfunctions. Its main purpose is to encourage roleplay around repair and maintenance, including a special tech support crew staffed by NS volunteers who help rescue stranded units in the field.
Outstanding DIAG implementation tasks:
Implement main program
Update VectorLogix, Arachne X8, ARC, and ExARC to detect and fix DIAG problems
Update training course website
Organize tech crew
The CSU is a particularly design-intensive product that requires a complete overhaul. Many of its settings are no longer meaningful, as ARES soft-codes all of the power subsystems, so these can be changed without the CSU.
We would ideally like to replace the CSU with a "cyberware inventory" experience called the Hardware Components System, where you must go to your local ripperdoc (Arachne X8) to change load-outs.
This is a generic server/client architecture for implementing multiple HUDs with a single attachment, a little like X Windows. For sanity and sanitation reasons we intend to implement the HCS interface using HUDware.
In 2019 we demonstrated a somewhat-janky-and-laggy-but-viable pair of gadgets for remotely controlling other avatars' movements and camera using direct control input. Dive will package this as a telepresence add-on for use between NS units in the same region.
myNanite Uplink has been a long-standing dream project at NS, intended to provide a web-based interface for accessing and managing units remotely via a subscription service. Implementing it will require a new payments system, and (hopefully) allow integration via our Patreon.
See also:
ARES updates
New Roadmap
The planned list of versions was rewritten on June 26, 2024 to be more concrete, and to re-prioritize planned tasks based on urgency and impact.
Beta 3
0.5.0
(Previously 0.4.4)
- Remember chat capture status on login ✔
- Policy to forbid chat release ✔
- Current persona display on HUD ✔
- Current persona display in persona menu ✔
Sexuality preview 2 will be the next project after 0.5.0 ships.
0.5.2
WARRIOR release 1 will be the next project after 0.5.2 ships.
0.5.3
rent application
0.5.4
domain hierarchy/XNMS client
New settings backup disks based on phase/LSD
Beta 4
0.6.0
0.6.1
Sexuality preview 3 will be the next project after 0.6.1 ships.
Beta 5
0.7.0
UPLINK release 1 will be the next project after 0.7.0 ships.
0.7.1
0.7.2
Beta 6
0.8.0
0.8.1
0.8.2
Release 9
9.0.0
Militarizer
Release 9.1
9.1.0
Apps: Hookup, transponder, cal, etc.
Release 9.2
9.2.0
Release 9.3
9.3.0
CX-SCADA, scour, Scout booster, etc.
Limbo
These are to-do items that need to be done but, for various reasons, are annoying and keep getting put off. Exactly when they'll actually get done is anyone's guess.
Cut Features
Extensions
Sexuality
Sexuality is the ARES equivalent of Companion's TESI add-on. It provides arousal, cryolubricant management, tactile sensors, and more. Sexuality is part of the same purchase package as TESI Complete.
Outstanding Sexuality implementation tasks:
WARRIOR
WARRIOR is an enhanced combat add-on for ARES that adds features originally slated for ATOS/CX.
Outstanding WARRIOR implementation tasks:
DIAG
DIAG (short for diagnostics) is a software add-on experience for ARES that simulates malware and logic malfunctions. Its main purpose is to encourage roleplay around repair and maintenance, including a special tech support crew staffed by NS volunteers who help rescue stranded units in the field.
Outstanding DIAG implementation tasks:
HCS: The new CSU
The CSU is a particularly design-intensive product that requires a complete overhaul. Many of its settings are no longer meaningful, as ARES soft-codes all of the power subsystems, so these can be changed without the CSU.
We would ideally like to replace the CSU with a "cyberware inventory" experience called the Hardware Components System, where you must go to your local ripperdoc (Arachne X8) to change load-outs.
HUDware
This is a generic server/client architecture for implementing multiple HUDs with a single attachment, a little like X Windows. For sanity and sanitation reasons we intend to implement the HCS interface using HUDware.
Dive
In 2019 we demonstrated a somewhat-janky-and-laggy-but-viable pair of gadgets for remotely controlling other avatars' movements and camera using direct control input. Dive will package this as a telepresence add-on for use between NS units in the same region.
Uplink
myNanite Uplink has been a long-standing dream project at NS, intended to provide a web-based interface for accessing and managing units remotely via a subscription service. Implementing it will require a new payments system, and (hopefully) allow integration via our Patreon.