PC Alpha 18 Dev Diary!!

[Zombie_Jam]

I was just about to say I haven't seen it then you posted those pics. Thanks a lot

Re: the Don't Starve options - I really hope so, that would satisfy everyone for sure.

I think this is a big part of solving the problem of co flicting playstyle preferences with this game, like zombie digging, for example, since I don't want to be bothered underground in the face of others that don't want digging disabled.

Simply give us the option to turn things on and off.

If simple values allowed that building arrangement then each and every player could have their own refined and unique experience.

(I haven't tried don't starve, maybe I'll give it a go)

 

[Laz Man]

I was just about to say I haven't seen it then you posted those pics. Thanks a lot

Re: the Don't Starve options - I really hope so, that would satisfy everyone for sure.

I think this is a big part of solving the problem of co flicting playstyle preferences with this game, like zombie digging, for example, since I don't want to be bothered underground in the face of others that don't want digging disabled.

Simply give us the option to turn things on and off.

If simple values allowed that building arrangement then each and every player coulf have their own refined and unique experience.

(I haven't tried don't starve, maybe I'll give it a go)

The only downfall to way too many settings that I can think of are

1) can overwhelm player

2) probably too time consuming to balance all setting combinations. However, I would argue the devs main responsibility is to balance the default settings (as that is probably their vision on how the game should be played).

 

[Zombie_Jam]

The only downfall to way too many settings that I can think of are
1) can overwhelm player

2) probably too time consuming to balance all setting combinations. However, I would argue the devs main responsibility is to balance the default settings (as that is probably their vision on how the game should be played).

Yeah, good points actually.

I think one way to do it would be to look at the main areas of contention on the forums. All I can think of so far is:

1. Zombie digging and the option to turn it off.

2. Lower (and higher) zombie block damage values [lower than 25% and higher than the current max] for a more laid back or intense play without having to disable zombies or reduce their numbers.

3. The recent discussion and option to ratio the Dungeon Crawl vs Standard buildings in random gen. (Zombie_Jam + MechanicalLens)

4. The ability to turn off certain zombie types from spawns. (The Gronk)

Any other options feel free to add. Let's make a discussion of it

 

[khzmusik]

That is to say the older buildings with perhaps a couple more rooms, balconies, sheds with cement in or more loot - nothing too different to before but with tweaks here and there to give them a look more in line with the new buildings minus the dungeon crawl.

Don't know if this has already been brought up, but MM has already said they are including more POIs that are empty, no zombie spawns. This is deliberate so players will have options to stay places early game, without having to clear out a POI right before the witching hour.

I can't remember if that is in A18 or not.

 

[The Gronk]

Any other options feel free to add. Let's make a discussion of it

Wow, something that's on-topic and hasn't been added to the "do not discuss" list... yet

With the addition of more zombies with special abilities some settings to limit or negate the spawning of certain types of zombie without fiddling about in the xml would be useful.

Some people dislike certain special zombies while others would rather have no specials at all. There are no doubt those who dislike standard zombies and would prefer nothing but specials.

You can't please all of the people all of the time but you can at least give them the ability to please themselves without too much fuss*.

I can foresee certain problems arising, nothing but screamers would likely lead to a constantly spawning horde. Some sort of limiting algorithm may be necessary. That said, somebody out there would probably love that.

*double-entendre intended.

 

[Guppycur]

Wow, something that's on-topic and hasn't been added to the "do not discuss" list... yet
With the addition of more zombies with special abilities some settings to limit or negate the spawning of certain types of zombie without fiddling about in the xml would be useful.

Some people dislike certain special zombies while others would rather have no specials at all. There are no doubt those who dislike standard zombies and would prefer nothing but specials.

You can't please all of the people all of the time but you can at least give them the ability to please themselves without too much fuss*.

I can foresee certain problems arising, nothing but screamers would likely lead to a constantly spawning horde. Some sort of limiting algorithm may be necessary. That said, somebody out there would probably love that.

*double-entendre intended.

There's a mod or two that sends screamers and watching them cause each other to spawn in the console is hysterical, but ultimately you still end up hitting the zombie count cap so it's no biggie.

Hell, I put in some fireworks today that raise the heat map 50% each. Point is, it's not that bad on performance.

An "isSpecial" tag in entityclasses.xml would be cool to differentiate for menu options though.

An xui's ability to manipulate yet-loaded xmls via Xpath would be best though, then xui modders can add all the features they want.

 

[The Gronk]

Hell, I put in some fireworks today that raise the heat map 50% each. Point is, it's not that bad on performance.

I know some pve group players who would love this in vanilla. They often set a dozen forges running just to raise the heat level.

 

[MechanicalLens]

I know some pve group players who would love this in vanilla. They often set a dozen forges running just to raise the heat level.

A dozen? Try 60. It was hell for the one day I had them running. (I needed over 3,000 steel produced in under a day. Tip: Never leave anything to the last minute, especially before horde night!)

 

[Guppycur]

Haidr'gna's mod has a horde mode, telric's thumper has a machine that slams the ground over and over, and I have an airhorn can mod somewhere...

Lotsa options.

 

[Zombie_Jam]

Wow, something that's on-topic and hasn't been added to the "do not discuss" list... yet
With the addition of more zombies with special abilities some settings to limit or negate the spawning of certain types of zombie without fiddling about in the xml would be useful.

Some people dislike certain special zombies while others would rather have no specials at all. There are no doubt those who dislike standard zombies and would prefer nothing but specials.

You can't please all of the people all of the time but you can at least give them the ability to please themselves without too much fuss*.

I can foresee certain problems arising, nothing but screamers would likely lead to a constantly spawning horde. Some sort of limiting algorithm may be necessary. That said, somebody out there would probably love that.

*double-entendre intended.

I'll update my post and add your suggestion if thats's ok

 

[The Gronk]

Haidr'gna's mod has a horde mode, telric's thumper has a machine that slams the ground over and over, and I have an airhorn can mod somewhere...
Lotsa options.

I'll pass the message along, cheers

- - - Updated - - -

I'll update my post and add your suggestion if thats's ok

Not a problem, go ahead

 

[DarlingCows]

Speaking of Don’t Starve I love it’s draws and benefits characters and wish 7 days could do it too. I know one can just do it by themselves but both would be cool.

 

[RestInPieces]

[...]

What might be ideal would be having multiple versions of a POI with more structure/prop randomizations like caved-in basement/roof etc etc, with a small fraction of them being non-linear "dungeon" POIs to variable degrees, but not immediately discernible by the player who enters them. In short, anything that feels natural, because these get old really fast.

 

[RipClaw]

This Friday is out, so sometime beyond that. Given the long weekend and we want to ship a very high quality build on the first experimental, its probably mid to late September. There are 51 MF's. 2.5 weeks from now feels possible, so I'd GUESS AT THE SOONEST, Friday the 13th it hits streamers. Again, it might not drop until October so don't be saying "madmole promised blah blah blah" when this is just an estimate. Its done when its done.

Take the time you need. At the moment it's not very convenient anyway as hurricane dorian will cause power failures in some parts of the country and I know of at least one streamer that would be affected if the release took place in the first week of september.

 

[andrough]

Speaking of Don’t Starve I love it’s draws and benefits characters and wish 7 days could do it too. I know one can just do it by themselves but both would be cool.

I agree. Adds some challenge and makes for some interesting choices when items have some negative effect, too. I've been secretly (up to now) hoping the devs are considering that for the legendary concept items mentioned in A19 talk. It also adds a little space to make items that are kind of overpowered in a silly way. Quick example: flamethrower that uses fuel and drains thirst at same rate, i.e. fun and silly op items that can really harm you.

 

[Aldranon]

Had to play Dont Starve for a bit.

Played my favorite: Miss "Play nice, or talk to the Tentacles" Wickerbottom.

She can be way OP, but there is a price to be paid, so kinda balanced... until you build the base she needs to face roll.

 

[Locusta]

at least give them the ability to please themselves

Isn’t that what we all want?

Loc

 

[xfejiou5]

Hey @faatal, what have you been working on lately?

 

[ZombieSurvivor]

<snip>Now we just need a mutant partridge in a burnt pear tree and we’ll be complete.

LOL that was hilarious

 

[ZombieSurvivor]

No biggie? Don't you find it curious that despite their retarded inability to walk around a car in the street <snip>

Allow me to play devils advocate on behalf of the car hating zombies. Perhaps during the outbreak while the populace was in panic the people hit one another with cars by accident. That person gets hit by a car, dies, wakes up as a zombie and now its very last memory is of a car hitting it. Now whenever this zombie sees a car that reminds it of that memory it goes and beats the crap out of said vehicle.

The joy of imagination