Anyone that understands how this type of shift works, could you tell me?
So, if they go GAAS, after 4.0 will the new release be considered a redo, a new game structure under a new steam game id code,
like games that are labeled as remastered?
GaaS is an umbrella term for a lot of different methods how to handle a game.
For some people DLCs may already be a form of a GaaS. In
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Live_service_game you can see a list of methods commonly thought of as signs of a GaaS. Notably DLCs are not listed there though
Currently I would assume only fully released games are used as GaaS games, though free-to-play titles are probably GaaS already in early access !?
And in a way even the Early Access as done by TFP could be viewed as a larvae-type of incomplete GaaS as you get continually content, but without the monetarization. But since 7D2D released some DLCs, in combination it could actually fit the definition.
One thing Behaviour almost surely won't do is some switcheroo of declaring 7D2D finished before it has bandits and story and rereleasing the same game as 7d2d 2. That would be a monumental break of promises and practices and generate a huge ■■■■ storm.
They will first try to speed up completion of the game (i.e. bandits and story) to have a released game. You can view it as reaching a "clean slate".
Then start with whatever ideas they have for the future of the game, which could be just DLCs or even nothing at all to move all development over to the other game in the pipeline. Or it could be real GaaS "features" like in-game shop or even free-to-play.
In order to lock it in, wouldn't the Complete unity file structure need to be redone, to solidify company only sanctioned modding?
Having official approved mods (to get them on console) is independant of a game being GaaS. Are you assuming both are linked or is this just another topic? Did anyone actually hint at Behaviour doing this? AFAIK Behaviours plans are all pure speculation from forum users. Sure, they probably have a modus operandi, but nothing prevents them from leaving 7D2D unchanged in ways they think work well. I am sure though that at a minimum some monetarization is about to come, at least in the form of content DLCs after release.
Otherwise, it would be corporate paid mod vs Modder free mod.
I only asked about GAAS because the three Montreal positions, list it.
Where do you see GaaS there?
A community manager, a design director, a producer and a UX director have nothing to do with GaaS, most if not all mid- to AAA sized games have such positions filled I would assume. Until now the huenink brothers were producer and creative director for 7D2D, although at least Madmole only sparingly as he was at work with another game. It could just be meant as better separation of work and more dedicated management of 7D2D or as a sign that hueninks want to eventually give up their positions completely.
Since UX is one of the things they wanted to overhaul in one of the next updates (? unless I am confusing this with another game) a UX director seems like a good idea. Sure it could also mean they will add additional UX for an in-game shop or a modding interface, we can speculate endlessly here.
Also US companies like to give important sounding names to all positions. A simple sound technician is suddenly called sound director, the guy who makes coffee is "supply manager". Sounds better but is the same work.
It reminds me of Brewster's Millions, in principle. If you give someone everything openly for 10 years financially free, then attempt
to give the same thing, with a constant price, humans being humans which would be more appealing.
Although it could work for a new target market i guess, like if it could be micronized, for steamdeck, nintendo switch, or cell phone
cloud streaming.
