PC Developer Discussions: Alpha 17

[Roland]

So excellent wrap up Roland! THANKS!

Underground Challenges: Shelved.

AI: Up to bat!

Sometimes problematic ideas drive innovation....

Underground Challenges: Taken on.

AI: Improves because of it. (even if they ultimately scrap underground challenges)

 

[Tin]

I don't follow you.
CampFire/Forge AOE mechanic - Don't think we can use this for Radiation. We could then end up with a radiation effect from every block near you which would be a huge performance hit I'd guess if done as Campfire/Forge effect. Though if you reversed it, and had the effect kind of work backwards originating at the player to determine if an effect would be triggered, maybe?

Not sure how block distribution works in this.

Layer Depth Placements is a part of the world generation process, a hugely non-performant task. Which is why it's in world gen processes.

On impact properties. What if I just don't move. I don't get a radiation effect?

Buffs? I think the best tie in here is the walk across effect you can apply to asphalt and such. From an activation perspective. Explosions? If we're talking about something like shale exploding, that'd be simpler, like tweaking the drop/turns into functionality I'd imagine or block damage received process.

Sorry, I think you're commenting on a lot of points in several smaller bullet points. <3 I'm lost homie.

They can make a buff the reacts just like radiation. Buffs are easy to make and use.

The AOE mechanic of the campfire/forge already uses and applies a type buff's. <property name="ActiveRadiusEffects" value="+heatSource(3)"/>

We (as a modder) don't get to play with the AOE mechanic but none the less the heatSource(3) is a type of buff.

Blocks can already have a property that acts when you hit it (ie using a pick on a gas barrel). Which is what you would need since the player is generally digging out all around them and would be more effective then the "walksOnBuff"

Specific Blocks can already be placed in just about any layer you want or can be distributed like ore. To be distributed evenly starting at whatever level/layer you want. If the block is inert (not triggered) its just another block. Little to know cost.

Don't really a chain of blocks to activate to apply a AOE buff to the player. You just need that specific block to apply the area of effect once activated. which the area of effect could be set at 60 or higher and then deplete on a timer. A one fire activation to apply a buff on the player in the area. Which makes the player take either move away from area to debuff or apply an item to debuff (gas mask of something).

If you are digging and destroying blocks to dig out your lair you would "crack open a gas pocket" at some point.

I disagreed with your premise on how to get underground radiation or whatever gas to work. I could be wrong but I don't think it needs to be overly complicated like you're describing. Nor does the voxel map need to be fixed for that reason maybe for other reasons but not the one your describing.

Edit: oh yeah. Quest notes when digging for treasure is something as well.

I just think Kinyajuu's and Primes idea can be applied in many ways besides the zed.

 

[ZombieToad]

We weren't the first to inhabit this land and bury our dead. So 6 ft is not necessarily a hard limit.
But forget that. Kinyajuu's idea could work if you only take the dirt layer into consideration. The zombies break in near the entrance/exit of your tunnel but still deep enough to be inside and then work their way down through the tunnel to assault your bunker. I think that is less cool than seeing them breaking through the walls around you but for the sake your immersion I'd be willing to give up that dream and go with something less cool but that still results in me defending my bunker from zombies.

Good point, and it will work out well so long as underground zombies dont start spawning wearing pairs of Levi jeans and carrying any sort of modern loot whatsoever.

Also they are going to need to be skinned completely differently (your idea of the decayed, skeletal would be so much fun) and depending on how deep you are, we have the issue of rock.

They should NOT be spawning in the rock layer. And speaking of the rock layer...

All you have to do is dig down to the deep rock levels and then zombies should not be spawning there.

But like Kinya said they sould be able to dig up and out, right? Or tunnel laterally, if thats the case then all you would need is a one block shaft straight down to bedrock or dig out a huge area and concrete it 30 x 30 from rock level to surface.

It would take some time but since zombies arent (I assume) going to be direct down diggers this would keep you safe. Right?

 

[Doombringer101]

That is not at all how Perception is dictated. What dictates perception is a hugely complex thing and developers who think they can dictate perception outside of human norm usually have their crap go down in flames. Either that or they've created something so far outside the real of what is perceived as a norm becomes a new norm within common perceptions. Dictate... pft.

I think you took it to the extreme with 'outside of human norm', you either buy into the IP and accept the zombies/sparkly vampires etc. or you don't. If the Pimp's decided it was all necromancy and added ghosts, vampires and all sorts of other undead nasties then these would 'make sense' within the altered IP. Player perception on what was immersive would change, they may not like it but that is a separate issue.

 

[Jackelmyer]

Sometimes problematic ideas drive innovation....
Underground Challenges: Taken on.

AI: Improves because of it. (even if they ultimately scrap underground challenges)

I dunno. All joking aside I think you really did make a good point to not assume what AI will look like down the road. Continuing to build in underground features that are so dependant on something like AI is just asking to waste valuable dev time with rework.

Stuff like Time suggested, making mining itself more hazardous, that sounds like a great near future direction and one a little less likely to require rework because of up and coming potential fundamental game changes.

So there. That's my final 2 cents in underground. Shelve anything AI related until AI gets some serious and lasting love.

 

[Matt 1977]

Keep up the great work TFPs . Cant wait for A17

 

[Roland]

What about a granite layer that is two blocks thick between dirt and stone and SI is only calculated to Granite instead of all the way to bedrock? Then you could have as many caves and caverns below granite and it wouldn't mess with any surface structures? You could also use it as a gate for deep mining if granite could only be destroyed with a steel pickaxe? Then the only SI issues would be any tunnels dug above granite and those spots where a player punched through it to go deeper.

 

[Jackelmyer]

What about a granite layer that is two blocks thick between dirt and stone and SI is only calculated to Granite instead of all the way to bedrock? Then you could have as many caves and caverns below granite and it wouldn't mess with any surface structures? You could also use it as a gate for deep mining if granite could only be destroyed with a steel pickaxe? Then the only SI issues would be any tunnels dug above granite and those spots where a player punched through it to go deeper.

I dunno. On one hand, make granite non placeable and immune from zombies maybe? But still seems problematic. Had similar ideas on SI changes but they all scream exploit. Hm.

 

[Royal Deluxe]

.... Player perception on what was immersive would change, they may not like it but that is a separate issue.

I think there are many Players that would stop playing if Dinosaurs, Demons, and small green aliens would suddenly fly through the game.

 

[Tin]

What about a granite layer that is two blocks thick between dirt and stone and SI is only calculated to Granite instead of all the way to bedrock? Then you could have as many caves and caverns below granite and it wouldn't mess with any surface structures? You could also use it as a gate for deep mining if granite could only be destroyed with a steel pickaxe? Then the only SI issues would be any tunnels dug above granite and those spots where a player punched through it to go deeper.

Now you need to summon Gazz hehe

 

[Doombringer101]

What about a granite layer that is two blocks thick between dirt and stone and SI is only calculated to Granite instead of all the way to bedrock? Then you could have as many caves and caverns below granite and it wouldn't mess with any surface structures? You could also use it as a gate for deep mining if granite could only be destroyed with a steel pickaxe? Then the only SI issues would be any tunnels dug above granite and those spots where a player punched through it to go deeper.

This works, plus our resident geologist gets his granite

 

[Royal Deluxe]

What about a granite layer that is two blocks thick between dirt and stone and SI is only calculated to Granite instead of all the way to bedrock? Then you could have as many caves and caverns below granite and it wouldn't mess with any surface structures? You could also use it as a gate for deep mining if granite could only be destroyed with a steel pickaxe? Then the only SI issues would be any tunnels dug above granite and those spots where a player punched through it to go deeper.

+1

This would be a good Idea, as long as Granite is so strong that Trolls cant easy destroy that layer to colapse a Base

 

[Doombringer101]

I think there are many Players that would stop playing if Dinosaurs, Demons, and small green aliens would suddenly fly through the game.

And new ones would buy it based upon the changes

As I said, some people would not like it.

 

[Roland]

This works, plus our resident geologist gets his granite

Gets it in the game but it couldn't be harvestable or placeable or people would be making granite platforms on rooftops...

 

[Roland]

+1This would be a good Idea, as long as Granite is so strong that Trolls cant easy destroy that layer to colapse a Base

Landclaimed Granite would basically be bedrock to anyone else.

 

[Doombringer101]

Gets it in the game but it couldn't be harvestable or placeable or people would be making granite platforms on rooftops...

At least he could look at it and go 'nope that does not look at all like granite... the striations are all wrong...' or similar

 

[Roland]

And new ones would buy it based upon the changes As I said, some people would not like it.

This is true. As much as some hate change and like to threaten uninstallment if the Pimps do this or that, for brand new players who never knew any different there is no angst. It just....is.

Our blessing is to see all the changes and our curse is to see all the changes....

 

[Royal Deluxe]

Landclaimed Granite would basically be bedrock to anyone else.

Why i remember this moment when a player on my server build a Cave/Starter Vault, and two buffoons closed his only entrance with a Claimstone ^^

 

[SnowDog1942]

Let Zombies dig with option to disable!!!!

 

[Janna3921]

I think you took it to the extreme with 'outside of human norm', you either buy into the IP and accept the zombies/sparkly vampires etc. or you don't. If the Pimp's decided it was all necromancy and added ghosts, vampires and all sorts of other undead nasties then these would 'make sense' within the altered IP. Player perception on what was immersive would change, they may not like it but that is a separate issue.

Sparkly vampires? H*e*l*l NO! Was reading a book about vampires and the main character remarked to a human that if they asked him if he sparked he would rip their heart out. I was going YAH. Sparkles, (rolling eyes.)

Seriously, I love vampires, shifters and enjoy zombies in books and games, but not some silly sparkles.