PC Alpha 18 Dev Diary!!

[Guppycur]

Yes probably most of the above. The thing we need is a way to display a cvar in any buff so players can see if they are getting better or worse. Then you can see how effective treatment is, as it won't be binary. Imagine a number increasing or decreasing next to the buff popout icon.

Cvar on hud = fantastic idea.

 

[Crater Creator]

More sound options for the speakers. Buzzers, chimes, bells, etc. that can alert to different events when triggered. Maybe even synth voice messages like 'Intruder-North Side', 'Intruder-West Side', etc.

I like alarm sounds in games; I think they can really punctuate the sense of danger and catastrophe. What we have now sounds cool, but I like your idea. If the player could wire up some prerecorded voice lines like "Warning! Zone 2 breached!" to trigger when they want, that could sound epic.

 

[Roland]

I like alarm sounds in games; I think they can really punctuate the sense of danger and catastrophe. What we have now sounds cool, but I like your idea. If the player could wire up some prerecorded voice lines like "Warning! Zone 2 breached!" to trigger when they want, that could sound epic.

Yes! The pimps should make a deal with Amazon to put Alexa in the game and she can control your security system.

“ Alexa! Where are the zombies now? “

“ I don’t know that. Please download the Alexa app for more features. “

Oh man... the immersion!

 

[Odetta]

Yes! The pimps should make a deal with Amazon to put Alexa in the game and she can control your security system.
“ Alexa! Where are the zombies now? “

“ I don’t know that. Please download the Alexa app for more features. “

Oh man... the immersion!

Nsfw

 

[Kalex]

Yes! The pimps should make a deal with Amazon to put Alexa in the game and she can control your security system.
“ Alexa! Where are the zombies now? “

“ I don’t know that. Please download the Alexa app for more features. “

Oh man... the immersion!

PASS

 

[sillls]

Yes! The pimps should make a deal with Amazon to put Alexa in the game and she can control your security system.
“ Alexa! Where are the zombies now? “

“ I don’t know that. Please download the Alexa app for more features. “

Oh man... the immersion!

Ha! The real reason he wants you to use Alexa is that he invested in it and will make a lot of money off of the deal.

Not going to work Roland. We are on to you. lol

I am joking ofc

 

[DaVegaNL]

Possibly but IMO you can throw stones to practice.

What's up with all the violence towards rocks??

 

[DaVegaNL]

Joel, on your interview you guys said you'd like to have alpha 18 back before school starts.
For us in Australia... What does that mean as we are not used to your system. What 'rough' time frame are we looking at? 4 wksish? 12 weeksish?

Given that ~4 weeks ago it was in about 6-8 weeks, ~2 weeks ago it was in about 6 weeks and July was not off the table, and today it is ~5-6 weeks, I would say it's probably around November

 

[Odetta]

What's up with all the violence towards rocks??

Have you ever woken one up? They're terrifying.

 

[Grandpa Minion]

Yes! The pimps should make a deal with Amazon to put Alexa in the game and she can control your security system.
“ Alexa! Where are the zombies now? “

“ I don’t know that. Please download the Alexa app for more features. “

Oh man... the immersion!

They to late: Alexa has already invaded our server years ago

 

[Locusta]

@Madmole

Just wanted to say that I’m loving the direction you are going with the perk system. I do have some questions and thoughts on it though.

1 - Are you adding professions into the game at some point (I believe this was talked about at some point)?

2 - I think you might be boxing yourselves in by making the perks have specific categories and essentially creating 5 or 6 character builds. You could really open up different builds by having a general perk list and pair it with professions that pre-select a few perks to start with. Then you could add perks and professions infinitely (to a point). Maybe your character starts with “x” perk points to spend at character creation? I don’t like comparing or referencing other games, but, I really think you should look into how Project Zomboid does their perk system. It’s not far off what you’re doing, but doesn’t have as many limitations.

Thanks taking the time to read our comments and suggestions!

Cheers,

Loc

 

[The Gronk]

Yes! The pimps should make a deal with Amazon to put Alexa in the game and she can control your security system.
“ Alexa! Where are the zombies now? “

“ I don’t know that. Please download the Alexa app for more features. “

Oh man... the immersion!

That would explain the vast amount of echo in the twitch stream.

 

[Onarr]

Given that ~4 weeks ago it was in about 6-8 weeks, ~2 weeks ago it was in about 6 weeks and July was not off the table, and today it is ~5-6 weeks, I would say it's probably around November

With software development, and really with almost any project this is what happens. Based on the experience of person giving you the estimate, you should double it (if inexperienced) and add a third of that time with experienced. That way you will get much closer aproximation. Its because people tend to overestimate their abilities, underestimate the complexity of problems and they can never consider problems, that they dont even know exist.

 

[SnowDog1942]

With software development, and really with almost any project this is what happens. Based on the experience of person giving you the estimate, you should double it (if inexperienced) and add a third of that time with experienced. That way you will get much closer aproximation. Its because people tend to overestimate their abilities, underestimate the complexity of problems and they can never consider problems, that they dont even know exist.

I do the opposite. I set up the situation as near impossible and wayyy overestimate the time it will take. Then I look like a hero.

 

[Shineblossom]

they can never consider problems, that they dont even know exist.

Something that people out of proffesion never understand

 

[Menace312]

With software development, and really with almost any project this is what happens. Based on the experience of person giving you the estimate, you should double it (if inexperienced) and add a third of that time with experienced. That way you will get much closer aproximation. Its because people tend to overestimate their abilities, underestimate the complexity of problems and they can never consider problems, that they dont even know exist.

This is not really accurate.

In most businesses, a vague and continuous change of delivery date, will sink the company. End of story.

But companies vary greatly in style and management. Which causes differences in product delivery and perceptions from the costumer base.

TFP seem to have a very open and flat organisation structure (from what I can guess). This will inspire creativity and fun in the workplace, but hurts deadlines and CAN hurt the numbers.

Ultimately it's down to the costumers to weigh, whether they like TFPs approach or not. I for one enjoy the alpha journey, and TFP have been open the whole way.

So the complaints about time delays that pop up on the forums now and then, I always just view as uninformed players, griefers or frustrations. Nothing more...

 

[Gamida]

I do the opposite. I set up the situation as near impossible and wayyy overestimate the time it will take. Then I look like a hero.

Scotty? Is that you? We need more power to the warp drive.

 

[PO_Man_3849]

I was thinking more the "hours seem like days" quote from the Wrath of Khan when spock says over the communicator it would take 2 days to fix the ship when it meant 2 hours

 

[Lonestarcanuck]

Rust doesn't have 4x4's. How much meta water game do we want? Rust you just grab 5 gallon water tanks in loot and water bottles, the water catchers are a total waste of time gimmick waste of space/time feature.

ok fair enough but water catchers look cool to go with my Solar and Echo setup

Seriously though, a larger water vessel that you can drink from or care would be nice. yes I can make 20 buckets but I can't use a bucket to boil or to convert to water bottles.

when we move water to create fountains, ponds, moats, it is a pain, most servers we are not in creative mode so larger containers would help.

 

[ReaperXGen]

Is something like community building intended in future(not in A18, but one day)? like saving/hiring NPCs, beating raiders, setting orders, etc. it doesn't have to be vital to have your own colony, but maybe as a special game style?