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Kurock

Alpha Team Vanguard
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Posts posted by Kurock

  1. Let players decide...

    Dual Universe is about having mechanics that gives players the say on how they want to have the universe to work (at least their small part of it). This player agency is what makes is sandbox game so appealing.

     

    The idea

    If a single organization (including subsidiaries) can claim percentage of a planet or moon (say 75+% as example) that organization is marked as owning the planet on the planetary map AND that organization gets special rights to create some game changing laws for the planets surrounding space (an example could be switching direct PvP on or off for others or everyone)


    Taking it one step further, if a majority of the planets in a system are claimed by the same organization (or subsidiaries), the same can be done for the system as a whole: the system is marked as belonging to that organization and the organization can set system-wide rules.

     

    Which rules can can be created are left to NQ to decide, though switching on/off PvP in controlled space could be a big one.

     

    Summary

    Allow players to choose what “settings” they want on a planet/system they have a majority claim on. It gives a concrete mechanical goal that players could work towards to really make the game their own and territory warfare is meaningful.

  2. Beta keys can already be bought in the current packs. The beta keys are in addition to alpha/beta access for the pack purchaser. Which is why I said there are many beta keys floating around: each pack comes with some to give away.

     

    I would be surprised if there isn’t a beta access only pack in the future, but there has been no official word on this (as others have stated earlier).

  3. You already are part of the community. :) Welcome.

     

    There is a bit of frustration stemming from the NDA. It does enhance the perception that those with packs are *in* and those without aren’t.

    This is cemented with the fact that only backers can create organizations. (This used to be open to all, but was abused so it was changed to what we have today.)

     

    So what can be done?

    Discord and Forums (the non-NDA parts) are open for anyone. Throw down your thoughts and have a chat (like you DU) :)

    To create an organization without owning a pack you would have to either team up with someone with a pack or create your  organizations discord server or both.

     

    The NDA is being lifted later this year and with Beta access to the game will be much simpler/easier with all the beta keys floating around.

     

    Hope this helps.

  4. Written for a novawrimo that didn’t happen...

     

    This DU story takes place back on Earth when the arkships were still being built. The story highlights the internal struggles between the four factions of UEF.


    Now available on: http://spaceshipdrama.com 


    Direct link: http://spaceshipdrama.com/issues/stories01-quanta.pdf

     

    Many thanks to the proof readers and @Agilulf for making it look awesome and hosting :)

  5. Quote

    Have you ever felt like you have forgotten something? You know it’s important but you can’t quite remember it? An idea of an inkling of what it could be tickles the back of your mind or flirts with the tip of your tongue, refusing to make itself known?

     

    Don't forget to remember to read this ~4000 word short story about The Forgotten.

     

    The Forgotten.pdf

    The Forgotten.docx

  6. Why solo in an MMO? Are they missing the point? Are they just doing it wrong?

     

    This GDC 2011 talk discusses the notion, presenting 10 types of loners and how they could be addressed in an MMO.

     

     

    How relevant are these 10 types of loner in Dual Universe?

     

    1) New Kid In Town

    A new player, fresh off the arkship. Full of hopes and dreams but have no connections and have no idea how to proceed.

    Some believe getting organizations to recruit them as fast as possible is the answer but is that really the best way? Overly aggressive advertising puts some people off and others first want to get a handle on the game before they even think of joining an organization.

     

    2) The Daria

    To this type of player, other players are tragic. A joke. To this player, others are content to be watched with a side of popcorn.

    There are already plenty of opportunities to watch others, for example, at events. Just show up. Bring your own popcorn.

     

    3) The Sociopath

    Sometimes called a griefer, this player type likes to watch everyone burn.  

    The smart ones will stay within the rules (barely), while the not-so-smart ones will feel the ban hammer. Moving on.

     

    4) Mr Lunch At His Desk

    Those with little time, playing in the few breaks they have; like during lunch or after the kids are asleep.

    Some activities will simply take too long for this type of player, but as long as there are viable and reliable workarounds (like taking a DUber) this type of play is possible.

     

    5) The Introvert

    Talking to people is scary and this type of player doesn't want to ask anyone else for anything.

    The sandbox nature of DU means that unlike some other MMOs, players are not forced to do anything if they don't want to. Players don't need to do anything at all if they so choose.

     

    6) The Adrift

    Groups break up. Organizations will dissolve and some players will be kicked out of groups for various reasons. These are players that really don't mind the social interactions but find themselves without a group. Sometimes this sours the players outlook on the game as a whole and they leave game.

    Alliances between similar organizations will help a player find a place they are comfortable in the unfortunate event of a liquidation. 

     

    7) The Unworthy

    These are the players that don't know whether they are "good enough".

    DU: This is more of a problem in a hard leveling system. In DU, every hand is valuable.

     

    8) The Vacationer

    The players of this type want to take a break, be it from organization responsibilities or to do something different.

    Three characters per Dual Universe account may provide a player with a level of anonymity if they so choose. Or they can take their main character to relax in a specially built resort on that tropical island planet.

     

    9) The Commitment Phobic

    The commitment phobic have been burned by organization drama or by joining an incompatible organization. Or this type of player believes others are idiots.

    Joining an organization is a commitment, some bigger than others. Joining a voice chat shows a level of commitment, which is why (among other reasons) many organizations require a voice chat interview.

     

    10) The Garbo

    No, he is not calling this type of player garbage. These types of players, like Greta Garbo, just want to be left alone.

     

     

    In Dual Universe, everything is player run. If an item can be bought at a market it's because players collected the required ores, built it and put it up for sale. Besides going full hermit, a solo player will still need to interact with other players, even if it is indirectly.

     

    Can a player play Dual Universe solo? Yes.

    Will that solo player be able to control a vast empire that includes huge fleets and multiple planets? No.

     

    Do you agree? Disagree?  Or is this talk old and no longer applicable if it ever was? Like, comment and subscribe.

    What? This isn't the YouTubes? Just DU it anyway.

  7. Systems for gameplay mechanics are very difficult to create since they have to work well with the other systems AND fit in with the overall design goals of the game.

     

    In an player-run game, players should be empowered to create their own world. DU does this with player made constructs, the future RDMS (Rights and Duties Management System) and player run markets. The emphasis here is on "emergent" gameplay. If a system restricts players in some way, it is preventing an avenue of "emergence". Sometimes this is desired: for example a safezone is restrictive, but placing it around the arkship prevents completely new players from being killed outright when they step off the arkship.

     

    A generic contract system could be used to create custom contracts that can move quanta around but otherwise have little effect. A broken contract would be marked as such and could be used as evidence to demand compensation by using the local player organisation as the enforcer. This immediately has the "emergent gameplay" that contracts are not worth the inventory space outside the influence of a player run law enforcement body. But those that maintain the law have more stable economies as contracts are actually enforced by the players. And even then the contract can be evaluated on a case by case basis which may prevent scamming in those lawful areas (or not, depending on the players).

     

    Give the players the power to choose how to play the game, don't let the game play the players.

  8. The server status site usually only shows a maximum of around a months worth of test sessions. At around the end of the month the next months tests are usually announced. So no, Alpha 1 is not ending next week. It will end when Alpha 2 begins and that will be announced clearly.

     

    As to whether there will be wipes as each new phase starts: Yes. Full wipes were always planned going into the Alphas (Alpha 2, and Alpha 3 remaining) and Beta, and the last one for full release. The only thing players keep are their blueprints.

     

    Hope that clarifies a few things.

     

     

    • For some, the biggest disappointment about the roadmap announcement was the NDA being extended to cover all the Alphas. While it is clear that it was a difficult decision to make, could you elaborate on the reasons for extending the NDA?
    • Could you elaborate on the galaxy that will be available in beta? How many star systems will players have access to? Will there be faster modes of travel, such as warp engines, so that players can get there? Will the star maps be implemented by this time?
    • Will we see volumetric clouds (such as those shown in that first E3 video)? If so, will it be before release?
    • Is there any progress on rotating planets? Are these still in the works?
    • Where can community member send their user generated content, such as videos and screenshots? Are there any guidelines which may make it more likely for their content to be accepted and used as advertising for Dual Universe?
  9. Outside of the safe zones, guns solve this problem.

     

    Inside the safe zones, that is not an option and covering offenders in dirt leaves unsightly dirt piles. A "kick" option, to randomly move the offending ship out of your territory may be the simplest solution imo. Though I would be happy with sticking it in an underground hanger with a huge wheel clamp and a massive fine :P

  10. Text Log: Earth year 12476, Novark.

    Found an audio file today. I thought it was my collection of classic songs from the year 1990. Turns out it was another passengers message. Horrible audio quality. Between the static and silences, I gathered the passenger will be in the last simulation before landing. I wish this Reniya the best.

     

    Still have not found my mix tape.

    *text ends*

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