Fan Sponsored Game Objects

[zztong]

If I recall correctly, TFP outsources the creation of some of the new game objects. I was wondering if perhaps fans of the game might suggest an idea for a new block and, if TFP approved of the block, the fan might pay for its creation and then TFP might include it in the game?

For instance, I might request a broken arcade cabinet or something like a broken pinball machine. If TFP approved it, and the price were agreeable, then I could cut a check to TFP and they could either make it themselves or have the external source make it to TFP's specs. Then TFP would include the object in the base game.

I'm just thinking static objects and not things that have animations or moving parts.

 

[Laz Man]

I would imagine a future DLC could contain additional art asset packs. 

Paying TFP for one off art asset requests would probably be unlikely.  You would probably be more successful hiring a 3rd party to create it and then mod it in.

 

[zztong]

You would probably be more successful hiring a 3rd party to create it and then mod it in.

Yes, that's certainly possible today, though more likely depending on how/when something like a Steam Workshop integration is available. But there's an advantage to having things in the base game, such as the objects potentially getting used in TFP POIs.

For instance, Cranberry Monster's arcade mod is a great example. He can add all sorts of objects to the game, but what he cannot do is seed the world with POIs that have a pinball machine or an arcade game, such as you might find in a laundry mat, gas station, somebody's home, mall, high-tech office, convenience store, game store, comic book shop, etc.

The best he can do is add an Arcade POI to his modlet. Or, somebody like me can make a bunch of POIs and build-in a dependency on his modlet. But, by having a suitable base game item to stand in, TFP POIs, my POIs, and everyone's POIs has something like a broken Pinball Machine to scatter about the world.

I could see where something like this suggestion would be a pain to administer and why TFP wouldn't want to do it. I also suspect the cost to make an object to TFP's specs is probably high enough to keep from being flooded. I mean, I could see it cost $250 per object.

 

[Arez]

Yes, that's certainly possible today, though more likely depending on how/when something like a Steam Workshop integration is available.

This might not apply to what you're talking about, but I really want the Tarman from Return of the Living Dead. I got a family member that's a digital artist. She can make the model, but wouldn't know how to do the rigging, and neither would I.

So I went on Fiverr and found some dude that charges $60 that could do the modeling and the rigging and his work looks great. I'm very tempted to hit him up. 

 

[zztong]

This might not apply to what you're talking about, but I really want the Tarman from Return of the Living Dead. I got a family member that's a digital artist. She can make the model, but wouldn't know how to do the rigging, and neither would I.

So I went on Fiverr and found some dude that charges $60 that could do the modeling and the rigging and his work looks great. I'm very tempted to hit him up. 

Well the heart of the suggestion is the placement of objects within the core game. On the assumption that perhaps TFP had to be selective on objects they included based on cost and schedule, and that they were addressing schedule by outsourcing, I was thinking maybe some fan involvement might overcome the cost.

You can certainly make custom items and distribute them in a modlet without TFP's involvement. For many objects that's a great path. Some objects are better off if they're more widely placed, and putting them into the core game makes them available to TFP's designers.

 

[Riamus]

Maybe there can be some option (probably only after gold) where a mod can be allowed to replace item X with custom item Y?  So, for example, you might be able to replace a stove in any the nicer residence with a fancy stove by doing some easy mod that dish did something like replace all stove object with fancy stove object in POI A, B, and C.  That could allow a mod to populated their own objects into vanilla POI.  They would probably need to be the same size but that could be an option if TFP were open to it.

 

[Laz Man]

It's not so much a money issue but one of scope.  We have a gold prop list that our artists are responsible to finish for 1.0. 

Anything added on top of that list is basically scope creep which the team does their best to avoid.  Unfortunately, Arcades is not a POI category planned for 1.0 so it would be unlikely for those to make the gold prop list.

However, if we ever planned a theme park DLC, that could change.

 

[Arez]

However, if we ever planned a theme park DLC, that could change.

Are there any plans for 3rd party IP DLCs, like the Tarman from Return of the Living Dead or Nathan Grantham (my profile pic) from Creepshow?

 

[zztong]

It's not so much a money issue but one of scope.  We have a gold prop list that our artists are responsible to finish for 1.0. 

Anything added on top of that list is basically scope creep which the team does their best to avoid.  Unfortunately, Arcades is not a POI category planned for 1.0 so it would be unlikely for those to make the gold prop list.

However, if we ever planned a theme park DLC, that could change.

Thanks for the info. That all makes sense.

I wasn't so much thinking of Arcades, but of the 1-2 video games you find in some stores or the pinball machine you find in people's homes.

 

[Laz Man]

Are there any plans for 3rd party IP DLCs, like the Tarman from Return of the Living Dead or Nathan Grantham (my profile pic) from Creepshow?

No solid plans yet but its a possibility.  In the past we have had TWD DLC (console) so wouldn't be surprised if we did something similar in the future.

 

[Arez]

In the past we have had TWD DLC

WHAT?!?!

Hold on. Let me look. 

.................

I found a video. Wow, you guys had Michonne in there!!! This is giving me hope!

The dream is (let's take Return of the Living Dead as an example)...have some survivor skins (Frank, Freddy, Trash), any specific weapons, a POI or two (Uneeda Medical Supply and the mortuary) and the Tarman zombie, maybe the "send more paramedics" zombie and call it a day (of the dead....which is another IP that would be amazing to have in the game).  

If that would happen I would probably uninstall every other game on my PC. They would never get played. 

 

[Mumpfy]

If I recall correctly, TFP outsources the creation of some of the new game objects. I was wondering if perhaps fans of the game might suggest an idea for a new block and, if TFP approved of the block, the fan might pay for its creation and then TFP might include it in the game?

For instance, I might request a broken arcade cabinet or something like a broken pinball machine. If TFP approved it, and the price were agreeable, then I could cut a check to TFP and they could either make it themselves or have the external source make it to TFP's specs. Then TFP would include the object in the base game.

I'm just thinking static objects and not things that have animations or moving parts.

this sounds like modding with extra steps.

i get it, some people dosnt mod.

but still you could use that check to get someone to mod it for you. and not talking about paying to use mods and such, different scenario here imo.

also because if the pimps have lets say 1 millon player base, and half of those want something custom in the base game things would get out of control really fast.

thats where mods make sense,

 

[zztong]

also because if the pimps have lets say 1 millon player base, and half of those want something custom in the base game things would get out of control really fast.

That's certainly possible. I wouldn't say I had everything all thought out beyond "hey, I'd pay for a couple of custom items if you'd add them to the game." My assumptions were that (1) the price of such work would be a significant limiter, and (2) TFP would only approve blocks they envisioned being part of the game.

Everything is possible with mods and will be more desirable if/when Steam Workshop integration exists and if/when that supports dependencies between modlets. Then we're more likely to see modlets from different people integrate together.

 

[Jugginator]

Like Laz said we do have to worry about scope creep, and if we open those doors... people will be mad wondering why we're on A121.90 and the minimal requirements are now 128gb of ram and a 2TB ssd

Workshop support is still a much wanted feature for gold. We're already having to fight tooth and nail to reduce memory, every new item in the default game has to be shipped to everyone.

 

[stallionsden]

Like Laz said we do have to worry about scope creep, and if we open those doors... people will be mad wondering why we're on A121.90 and the minimal requirements are now 128gb of ram and a 2TB ssd

Workshop support is still a much wanted feature for gold. We're already having to fight tooth and nail to reduce memory, every new item in the default game has to be shipped to everyone.

A121.90 confirmed lol 

 

[Jugginator]

A121.90 confirmed lol 

Lol jokes aside, it is a cool idea though. Challenging part would be keeping everything... in the "theme" for a lack of a better word for the game.

 

[stallionsden]

Lol jokes aside, it is a cool idea though. Challenging part would be keeping everything... in the "theme" for a lack of a better word for the game.

I agree tho i also understand where zztong was coming from but that is the beauty of the game to modding things you want in to. 

 

[Riamus]

 Unfortunately, Arcades is not a POI category planned for 1.0 so it would be unlikely for those to make the gold prop list.

However, if we ever planned a theme park DLC, that could change.

I would guess that we would see some form of one armed bandit casino game, slot machines, craps table, etc for the Duke's casino when that is added.  Those might be as little odd in other POI but at least they are close.  I really enjoy the arcade cabinets and pinball machine in UBBE.

 

[zztong]

I would guess that we would see some form of one armed bandit casino game, slot machines, craps table, etc for the Duke's casino when that is added.  Those might be as little odd in other POI but at least they are close.  I really enjoy the arcade cabinets and pinball machine in UBBE.

Yes, a slot machine might make the basis for a good arcade cabinet placeholder. They're like the same size: 2h x 1w 1d.

A good placeholder for a pinball machine eludes me. I figure it would be 2h x 1w x 2d. I can kind of make a pinball machine out of various blocks, but for it to work as a good placeholder it has to be a single block.