PC Alpha 18 Dev Diary!!

[Sakurambo]

Leveling is way slower in A18 and there is an XP slider if you don't like the defaults.

i known there is a slider, i wrote in my post that i'm at 75% right now

the problem is i like too much killing z's, and i found myself with too high GS from the beginning

i'm just worried that with traps giving me xp i level up way too fast (plus i don't like the idea of something static like a trap should give xp at all)

i just have to wait and see how all this work in a18, then make adjustment with the slider, but i like to know if this is hardcoded or editable via xml anyway

p.s. rereading this made me think that i could seem a little harsh, but i didn't mean it, english isn't my first language

 

[madmole]

A little more on-topic...
Count me among those who didn't really like the look of the dyes. But, personally, the problem was that it looked like you just put a filter on the model texture. I don't know if desaturating the colors would fix that.

A while ago, someone (forget who) suggested that the color should be a pattern instead, so e.g. you could have a "flame" design on the shotgun stock, or something along those lines. I have no idea how feasible this is, but it seems like it would just require another texture with a dedicated alpha channel. Maybe for gold?

Yeah to do them properly they should have an alpha mask. Desaturating helps a ton though.

 

[madmole]

Nice! Thanks for taking the time to show us. No more light through walls!

I wouldn't count on that. Code pulling a light in is not the same as a light set to not cast shadows, which is expensive. I'm not sure all our lights are set to cast shadows.

 

[Guppycur]

I wouldn't count on that. Code pulling a light in is not the same as a light set to not cast shadows, which is expensive. I'm not sure all our lights are set to cast shadows.

First, good morning! Up early on a Saturday, nice.

Second, shadows make the game look great! Frack a potato, remove the no shadows option entirely. Heck it's only used by laptop players and pvp guys anyway.

 

[madmole]

But then, do provide some craftable buoyancy devices. Those guys still have to deal with vultures, so it's not all relaxing and skinny dipping anyways

Exactly, see my point? As soon as we do anything to water, people will start requesting more and more features. Water will be left alone for a while, so its not broken further.

 

[madmole]

Missed? What are you talking about but the second dude in the party will look slightly concerned that his buddy converted to to heap of pain for no apparent reason.

If you didn't hear the shot, there might have been 4 more shots fired before one actually hit you lol.

 

[holymanhell]

Since weapon mods in 17A allow installation of sniper scopes on all weapons, the Marksman rifle lost its main feature and although the Dead Eye appeared, in my opinion, the rifle lost its relevance.

Are there any plans to upgrade existing rifles or add new ones?

For example, Ruger Deerfield Carbine 44 Magnum, Beretta C × 4 for 9 mm or .50 cal rifles?

 

[madmole]

So, is yours a Purple level 6? What mods do you have installed?
#7DTD-A18Relevant :cocksure:

Its totally vanilla, except for the cool accelerator/brake pedals that were nearly impossible to install. But they pretty much mod them out at the factory to the max these days.

 

[madmole]

The fastest way to get experience is to go to the mine with a auger. The way is so fast that even 4 people in the party, actively killing zombies, will get less experience than a man in the mine. Will something change in 18A? Doesn't it seem strange to you that the game makes everyone go to the mines in order to learn all the skills faster?

XP has had a massive rebalance, and mining gets less xp as you progress so that its not ridiculous late game. It took me a minute and a half to go from level 50-51 with not even the best gear, so we had to do something about that. Party XP is getting a nerf too.

 

[madmole]

Hi guys, i noticed ion the update there will be more chances to find ammunition and perks/books to improve chances of finding brass in the game. i have proposed this in the suggestion thread but there wasn't many replies. what do you think if air-conditioner had a chance to drop brass radiator? its logical to me...

I didn't even think of that, its a good suggestion. We'll add it if there seems to be a shortage.

 

[madmole]

@madmole, I believe I have a solution for the weather issues in 7D2D. In my opinion, the insulation liner and the cooling mesh mods should go into clothing, not armor. Not only would this free up an extra slot or two for other mods (which is always a plus), but if you had level 1 armor and could not fit one of these mods in, having them be able to go into clothing would fix this issue.

What issue?

 

[madmole]

i known there is a slider, i wrote in my post that i'm at 75% right nowthe problem is i like too much killing z's, and i found myself with too high GS from the beginning

i'm just worried that with traps giving me xp i level up way too fast (plus i don't like the idea of something static like a trap should give xp at all)

i just have to wait and see how all this work in a18, then make adjustment with the slider, but i like to know if this is hardcoded or editable via xml anyway

p.s. rereading this made me think that i could seem a little harsh, but i didn't mean it, english isn't my first language

I think the slider is valid for your concerns. I don't use traps, never have aside from spikes and just recently tried barbed wire which works pretty well.

 

[madmole]

First, good morning! Up early on a Saturday, nice.
Second, shadows make the game look great! Frack a potato, remove the no shadows option entirely. Heck it's only used by laptop players and pvp guys anyway.

Easier said than done, most lights are placed by level designers and have a tick box to turn on/off shadows. I'm pretty sure player placed lights cast shadows. Its not even frack a potato we're trying to get the game running on high end hardware lol.

 

[ecv]

Exactly, see my point? As soon as we do anything to water, people will start requesting more and more features. Water will be left alone for a while, so its not broken further.

That is exactly my point if you change the players abilities while in water, like upping the stamina drain, people simply would take a swimming vest or cushion to counter that. Not providing one of those in this case would create a strange situation of very artificially restricting in-water action.

If I can make bellows, I can make a swim cushion as well.

So don't touch the water. But also leave the stamina drain alone then just send vultures their way if you insist on making hordes mandatory.

 

[Ezed]

... just send vultures their way if you insist on making hordes mandatory.

Snakes, as much I hate them, can swim. Is it too much to make them swim in game as a water threat (for A19 or 20)?

 

[AtomicUs5000]

But then, do provide some craftable buoyancy devices. Those guys still have to deal with vultures, so it's not all relaxing and skinny dipping anyways

Nice.. no boats needed.

 

[TWORDY]

Some ideas

There is a thing about the map I would like to address.

We cannot share discovered map amongst each other while playing as allies - main issue while playing with friends. Probably this feature is not in the game - I might be wrong though. How about purchasing the map from traders or getting hints about certain locations somewhere. Like special loot (equipment with better stats) or resources (where to dig for extra resources) - that could be great for in-missions game and also save time.

My hopes for alpha 19.

Mods for vehicles are going to be great for sure. Some visual mods would be great to actually better distinguish vehs owned by friends.

My dream is to see trucks and armoured amphibious vehicles. Pickup trucks would be great addition especially if more than 3 ppl could enter the vehicle. Just a big boy dreams...

How about sharing the books with allies at some point. There should be more and more reasons to play together.

 

[A Nice Cup of Tea]

Players wear coats to hide chest armor anyway, not a big deal IMO.

Is that considered to be a bug or a feature, by the way? Because it always seems wrong to me when you're wearing a matching set of armour that looks good and then when you put a coat on top suddenly your chest armour becomes invisible and it no longer matches.

It would be great if you could put a coat on over your amour and the amour underneath didn't disappear.

 

[Roland]

That is literally fluff. I’m talking about the fluff that goes in the coat lining

 

[Prisma501]

I really really would like to get a lootbag drop when wearing a cowboy hat and jump 3 times while switching from compound bow to iron reinforced club. Yeh...

Cheers