PC Alpha 18 Dev Diary!!

[RestInPieces]

All it takes is 3-4 dogs to be interesting at any given moment. In a city you could increase the chance or frequency of a random encounter and make it feel pretty busy. A18 POI balance feels great to me. Pacing is important. I'm sure we'll land on a decent setup in another alpha or so.

MM it's the unexpected that is interesting. Personally, I don't want to enter a POI and expect each room to be loaded with 2-3 sleepers. It feels *fixed*. It feels like enemies placed by the developers, rather than people who died there in the apocalypse. It is not "natural", not "realistic". Want more randomness. Like some rooms being empty, others rarely being crowded etc. A small chance of zombies sandwiching you in POIs with a trigger and things like that.

And realism should definitely not trample gameplay, but realism not having a place in games is a bit of an overstatement, no? The game already tries to be realistic on every aspect. Physics, animations, textures, needs, tools, inventory system, crafting, building etc etc. As long as it complements gameplay and doesn't obstruct or make it a chore it is evidently great.

 

[Mechanimal]

which is why most will not see me or my play style because i do not need young kids opinions on something i have done for decades.. sorry... but i play to enjoy my game.

Gameplay style and attitude certainly seems to change when us gamers get older, and this game has a lot of older players. I played Counterstrike when it first came out as a HL mod, a lot, but now I can't stand playing CS:GO, yet my sons loves it(it is SO weird seeing the same ♥♥♥♥ing maps 20 years later). The only modern shooter I have gotten into is R6:Siege, I rly do like that game, but I only ever play Casual matches, though my son gets me to play Unranked every now and then, which is fine. But I don't ever play Ranked matches, meanwhile my son thrives on them, is obsessed with his ranking, to him it is a pro sport, and I get it. I know I would have been like that too at his age, but now I am in the "old gamer" park and am def more focused on enjoying the ride more than anything. I've had plenty of games where I topped the leader board, mission accomplished, now it's just fun time. So I too play for enjoyment. Also my mice and keyboards last way longer than his do, ha.

 

[Zombiepoptard]

Yes but search from any menu is laggy the more you add because it has to find everything and display it, and what workstation its crafted at. New block helpers help a ton.

It’s always bitter sweet to hear about game limitations. May you find space for all you want to add in the game. Lol

 

[ZombieSurvivor]

Gameplay style and attitude certainly seems to change when us gamers get older<snip>

I never thought about this but you are right. It does seem to change as we get older doesn't it. One thing that changed about me, when I was a child/teenager I used to get so angry at the game I would throw my controller across the room or kick something lol. looking back at my own actions. wow..just..wow. This game does seem to be played mostly by adults, well the PC version. That is one thing I love. Rarely do you come across children or teenagers on the servers and on the rare occurance one does meet a teenager, they are mature for there age.

#Love7D2D

EDIT: The military changed how I do gaming now as well. It really made me a good gamer especially with first person shooters. I also look at everything I do in a game from a strategic point of view now.

 

[sillls]

you asked for it...
they call it... "Jack of All Trades and Master of None"

Shots Fired! Shots Fired!

 

[madmole]

there should be scrap rubber
to use to make stuff like tires and otherstuff

There is, its called scrap polymer. Look up the definition. I already did my research you guys are wasting time scrutinizing something that is a "grounded in reality abstract".

 

[Gareee]

Oh yeah I always do paper design first, then we discuss and poke holes in it, refine it the best we can, then we start writing tasks and iterate if needed, then balance.

Make sense. The design process is always interesting to me, and why you guys do what you do.

I might not agree with every choice, but I DO appreciate how open you guys are and learning why you are doing what you are doing.

 

[madmole]

I only make those bridges out of vault hatches but for the sake of taking thsoe pics. Indeed using Vault hatches is really ugly looking when making a bridge out of them but they last longer. I used the lesser hatches as those would have been easier to destroy should I have made a mistake while building that bridge. A dedicated powered foot bridges is not a bad idea at all, I would not mind seeing that in game.

I'll just wait and use the power draw bridge

 

[madmole]

What are the difficulty levels now?

Same as always except Adventurer is default difficulty since its harder with rage zombies, better AI, etc.

 

[madmole]

Why not make a trap with hatches and motion sensors?
When the player walks across it, it stays closed. When a zombie walks across it, it opens and they fall into a deep spike trap.

Nailed it, that is going to be the next killing corridor.

It will take some experimentation to get it right.

 

[ZombieSurvivor]

Make sense. The design process is always interesting to me, and why you guys do what you do.
I might not agree with every choice, but I DO appreciate how open you guys are and learning why you are doing what you are doing.

I find it interesting as well. Now if only MM would write a book!

 

[Gareee]

We've never supported a run toggle afaik.

Well, it WAS in the game.. it came over with controller code from the console versions, and worked perfectly. I'm foggy on which version broke it, but I know I posted bug reports about it when it no longer worked in a new alpha.

Because almost every single controller controlled vehicle game uses a button for throttle, instead of constantly mashing down a still controller stick.

Before saying its not needed, PLEASE try it first. Holding a stick down for 5 to 10 minutes at a time really pisses off controller players, and its hard coded, and not modable. When you implement controller support, you look to see what the standards are and adopt them.

If no one is testing controller support, I'll be happy to oblige.

- - - Updated - - -

I am thinking of adding a bit tougher guys spawning at night to bring back that fear.
PS:

I'm really not that hairy of a guy, but shoulders and back started spawning hair in my 40's for no apparent reason and that b & w pick makes it look worse than it really is.

Wait'll you hit 60s, and its coming out of your ears and nose!

 

[Arma Rex]

@MadMole

Do we get a tasty morsel of A18 today? Such as videos and screenshots.

 

[ZombieSurvivor]

<snip>

damn wish I knew that when I played on ps4.

Yes people who use controllers really do need that auto-run feature. Although I have no idea in the world why someone would choose a controller over a mouse and keyboard, makes no sense. Unless you have carpal tunnel syndrome. none the less those who do choose to play that way, need auto run.

 

[Gareee]

Yep. I'm an artist/musician/bodybuilder/freestyle jetski guru/writer/designer/auto body repairman/mask maker/man of many talents.

Mask Maker???? Pics!

 

[Adam the Waster]

There is, its called scrap polymer. Look up the definition. I already did my research you guys are wasting time scrutinizing something that is a "grounded in reality abstract".

yeah ik that comment was before you talked about the tires lol

i thought they were made with rubber and air ( i learn more form this man then i do at school lol)

 

[madmole]

At the time the OP was describing, the central city had zero respawn time. The zeds couldn't be cleared - ever - and it was purely an exercise in getting in, getting as much as you could before you attracted too much attention, and getting out again without getting overwhelmed. Gunfire was guaranteed to bring every Z in a three block radius toward you. It was difficult. It was scary. And it was fabulous. Only Tier 5 quests come close to recapturing that feeling in the current game, but there are only a few of those. They get old after a while. The central city could be anything RNG gave you.

It was kind of fun, but too predictable and got old after a while. What we have planned should be almost as good as your best old time in the wasteland city, and better in 20 new scenarios, without breaking performance.

Wasteland spawns are still the same you cannot clear it out. There are more zombies in the wasteland than in many alphas but not as much as the really old ones.

 

[madmole]

i have idea maybe for later alphas
maybe when you throw the spear (like say that poor window) when it lands there is a bright color cloth (Like purple , bright yellow) on the back of the spear so if you look for it i would stick out like a sore thumb.

Already implemented if you watch the video.

 

[Gareee]

hi mm. it was definitely in a16. wasn't in a15, but was a great relief to have in a16 and a disappointment not to have in a17 especially with that damned bike. ive stopped using vehicles mostly because of this.
would greatly appreciate it if it could go in. pretty please with sugar on top.

Thanks. We've been playing for so long the different variants blend together. now.

@MADMOLE: You talk about wanting to attract new players.. many WILL use controllers since all the console controllers are supported in steam, and not having proper control in makes it painful to drive for long times at a stretch.

Its very hard to steer and crunch the stick down constantly at the same time, as well as trying to avoid things at night. Its also really rough on the controllers as well.

 

[madmole]

This sounds amazing, especially the hooker part
Seriously tho, it does sound great, when would we expect this? Gold? Next alpha?

An alpha or two. Depends if we try to do a short alpha while we cook up some longer stuff. (already started)