Kiklix

Welcome Eruend!
 
I totally TOTALLY get the heistation or cautions approach to games these days. So many companies have burned customers it should be against the law (in other industries it is). Even AAA studios are taking advantage of their loyal customers with subersive tactics and lawyer speak to get them out of deliveirng what was sold.
 
Those who know me know I am as skeptical as skeptical gets, but within reason.
 
Novaquark and their team are not only comprised of some industry greats, but seriously talented people. They have been extremely transparent with the community and make attempts at every corner to build trust.
 
I love this post from J.C. Baillie https://devblog.dualthegame.com/2015/04/24/dual-universe-financing/ .

​And actually, while I am on the topic of that dev post, read all of the dev posts, heck spend a few hours going over the main web page. Lots of cool stuff to see and read. The backstory by Alain Damasio is pretty cool http://www.dualthegame.com/backstory

Welcome aboard!

SWTOR has the rakghoul outbreak every other month or so and its actually kind of fun.
 
The disease will kill you and when you die you infect others around you, but it is easily remedied by purchasing a stim that cleanses it and give you immunity for a duration.
 
​In this example, I like diseases. In the wow example, not so much.

While I am a huge fan of open pvp, that doesn't mean I want what the OP is describing. The way I see it, the game must guarantee that when you go to sleep your stuff will still be there the next day and that destroying something typically takes more effort than building it. The game basically needs to be balanced in favor of the defender.

Eve also has a smallish population of about 350,000 and seems to cater to a specific demographic. Dual has a wider appeal if for no other reason people are allowed to design and build their own creations.
 
I would have to imagine Novaquark would like to see as large of a population as they can get as this means $$$$$ which is the first reason to make a game for any company. Regardless, Nyzaltar has already stated that they have no intent on allowing planets to be destroyed.

Trust me... it is MUCH better to not have younger players. Especially a game that likely will be very voice-chat related.
 
But I am very interested in this topic. I mean, as long as they DON'T have any form of cashshop (except "time" purchases) am I completely fine with Sub model.

This sounds like a good system.

Subscription is maybe a bit oldschool, but it allows a developer to fully and REALLY devote alot of work and experience to the game.

Do you really think that World of Warcraft would have been so big if it didn't have its Sub model? Due to all the money it gained with all its players, it basicly elevated Blizzard into one of the absolute biggest companies allowing them to make amazing content (then WoD happend and we won't talk about WoD)

Anyway... you get the point, a sub model is the best model if you want to make a MASSIVE MMO of this scale.

It's not actually human skin. Its a nanotech synthetic adaptive polymer. It allows for more than one form (not simultaneously) and allows for deep infiltration into the ranks of....ohh dear I have said too much. If you have any weird dreams of abduction or red marks on your arm, ankle, legs or neck after you wake tonight...it was not me.

FYI...the only thing being subjugated and exploited as labor, will be you humans. 

You rang?!?

Great job on the writing! Maybe NCF can be an alliance. We are working on a backstory/info and "advertisement" more or less for the organization. But, one thing we are planning is stealth, and using that for protecting people, when it is needed.

Seems like the Arkships will barely have enough room for people - I doubt there will be many animals brought along from Earth. They'd be several thousands of years old and not hooked up for cryosleep.
 
The sim world for "alpha" might not have alien fauna. When we truly leave the Arkships, those worlds will have alien fauna.
Many of the worlds will also have alien ruins. May take us a while to uncover "intelligent" aliens who are still alive.

Its ok, friend.
 
They'll have to hurry along with a way to delete them, or come by and moderate it themselves since the website encountered some sort of problem.

No need to say sorry, you did nothing wrong. The website just went wonky.

No need to say sorry, you did nothing wrong. The website just went wonky.

I've been hanging around for a couple of days and thought it was time I popped in to say Hi!  I just joined up with the new C.O.P.S. organization and am very excited about the game.   
 
I've done quite a bit of voxel building in another game and have found I have a great passion (obsession) for it.  I can't wait to get started building in this world too!  I love everything I have read about this game so far and I hope that this game turns out to be all it can be.  The potential is simply amazing.
 
Looking forward to meeting you all!

Welcome to the fold. Mugghhaaaa

COPS - COALITION OF PIRATES & SMUGGLERS  The arkships landed. We woke anew, scared, unsure. Groups formed, factions aligned. Power corrupted. For all the efforts to save our species, the millenia we traveled, we reverted almost instantly back to that old human nature. Not even extinction could change our habits, our instinct.   We have all been there. Watching and witnessing the mega-corporations metastasize and feed off the livelihood of the less fortunate. Class warfare, poverty, slavery...being forced to work by some clown sitting at the top of his ivory tower barking commands. I’ve had enough of it, most likely so have you. It’s time to break from those chains and live a free life. It ain’t easy, ain’t too much glory, but it’s honest (for the most part) and fair.  We are a coalition, a collaboration,  a consortum, a conspiracy, a communion,  a clan, a crew, a club, a confederation, a confederacy collecting cohorts connected, conjoined, combining efforts to be a free people, free from tyrany, terror and autocrats. We are mostly smugglers making our way, some of us might be pirates but we ain’t all bad. We got a few mercs hanging around (dont let them fool ya, hearts of gold), and I think that gal over there is a mensa architect.        WHAT IT'S LIKE:   Ever want to pilot the Millenium Falcon? Ever dream to have a crew who works together like Firefly? You want to be that solo guy who searches for bounties like Boba Fett and his Slave I? This is how we dream to play and we intend to play this way. However Dual may require efforts from a  larger group. If this is true, we just want to have a system in place so that people can come together to fullfill their visions. We want solo play, but under the safety net of a larger organization.   We want you to fly your own flags. You can join under the COPS name, or create your own organization and fly as an alliance, heck I might be doign the same.
    THE BREAKDOWN:   • Enrollment: Some will get invited, some will inquire. If you want to be part of a free alliance just ask.
• Primary language: English and gibberish.
• Timezone: Only mega corps keep up with time.
• Goal:  Solo or co-op gameplay within a larger group. We all like to do our own thing, but somtimes you need to be part of something larger or you will get left behind.  
COPS is an organization created and designed to bring together like minded people who prefer to play solo without constraints of typical guild requirements (be here on X day, at Y time to raid Z...ya its tiresome).  We realize people have limited time to play and that real life takes place first. That being said, Dual Universe looks like this might be a game where cooperation and collaberation are keys to success. If we find this to be true, there might be more expected collaborative gamplay required. We don’t want to force anything on anyone, but just ask people to step up if it is required to do so.  In the end it’s not about making a large guild rich, its about making sure your needs are met, our mutal needs are met. We endevor to create an enviroment where co-op game play is actually fun and rewarding.    
WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU:   • Security: Safety in numbers.
• Community: A network of people to work together with if so desired.
• Freedom: Free to play your way but with the undertanding that freedom requires effort and work. There will be times we need to work together, its the only way to keep an alliance strong.
• A Trade network. Not sure how Dual is going to work with trade, but within a group there will be communication lines. We will be able to trade with each other and help keep our alliance strong.
• Veteran ship builders: We have members who have crafted some of the finest voxel ships to ever exist.  Our fleet will impress, this I can promise.
• Veteran home builders: We have members who have crafted some of the finest voxel sci-fi mega structures to exist. Our home world wont look like a cut rate hostel.
• PVP: Lets face it, even if you only care for PVE, PVP might and will happen at some point. If you intend to fly in a ship, once you are out of the ark safe zone, pvp will happen. We intend to create smart ship designs that will help to ensure pvp victories, but you will need to know how to fly it.
• PVE: We know some people have no interest in PVP. Hopefully we can get a civilization started with trade, harvesters, crafters etc. It’s good to have folks who specialize in these categories.
• Exploring: It’s at the heart of Dual Universe, of course we will explore!
• If i can be done in Dual, we intend on experiencing that content in one way or another.  
GOVERNMENT:   Don’t really intend on having some massive over inflated group of power hungry people running the show. I have no interest in that, however there does need to be a head or some form. Castles have kings, homes have breadwinners. Even a pack of wolves looks to their Alpha. I intend on holding the main key of power or have it distributed among a very close group of friends. Those who know me know I fight tooth and nail for the little guy, for honesty and integrity. I have no intent on telling you how to play or what to do...but internal conflicts will occur and those will need to be resolved. We want everyone to be happy and to play together...its the best recipe for success. 
   
If COPS sounds like a style of gamplay that you find appealing, speak to Kiklix or LadyAstrum.
    Coalition Organizations: Astrum Enterprises

COPS - COALITION OF PIRATES & SMUGGLERS  The arkships landed. We woke anew, scared, unsure. Groups formed, factions aligned. Power corrupted. For all the efforts to save our species, the millenia we traveled, we reverted almost instantly back to that old human nature. Not even extinction could change our habits, our instinct.   We have all been there. Watching and witnessing the mega-corporations metastasize and feed off the livelihood of the less fortunate. Class warfare, poverty, slavery...being forced to work by some clown sitting at the top of his ivory tower barking commands. I’ve had enough of it, most likely so have you. It’s time to break from those chains and live a free life. It ain’t easy, ain’t too much glory, but it’s honest (for the most part) and fair.  We are a coalition, a collaboration,  a consortum, a conspiracy, a communion,  a clan, a crew, a club, a confederation, a confederacy collecting cohorts connected, conjoined, combining efforts to be a free people, free from tyrany, terror and autocrats. We are mostly smugglers making our way, some of us might be pirates but we ain’t all bad. We got a few mercs hanging around (dont let them fool ya, hearts of gold), and I think that gal over there is a mensa architect.        WHAT IT'S LIKE:   Ever want to pilot the Millenium Falcon? Ever dream to have a crew who works together like Firefly? You want to be that solo guy who searches for bounties like Boba Fett and his Slave I? This is how we dream to play and we intend to play this way. However Dual may require efforts from a  larger group. If this is true, we just want to have a system in place so that people can come together to fullfill their visions. We want solo play, but under the safety net of a larger organization.   We want you to fly your own flags. You can join under the COPS name, or create your own organization and fly as an alliance, heck I might be doign the same.
    THE BREAKDOWN:   • Enrollment: Some will get invited, some will inquire. If you want to be part of a free alliance just ask.
• Primary language: English and gibberish.
• Timezone: Only mega corps keep up with time.
• Goal:  Solo or co-op gameplay within a larger group. We all like to do our own thing, but somtimes you need to be part of something larger or you will get left behind.  
COPS is an organization created and designed to bring together like minded people who prefer to play solo without constraints of typical guild requirements (be here on X day, at Y time to raid Z...ya its tiresome).  We realize people have limited time to play and that real life takes place first. That being said, Dual Universe looks like this might be a game where cooperation and collaberation are keys to success. If we find this to be true, there might be more expected collaborative gamplay required. We don’t want to force anything on anyone, but just ask people to step up if it is required to do so.  In the end it’s not about making a large guild rich, its about making sure your needs are met, our mutal needs are met. We endevor to create an enviroment where co-op game play is actually fun and rewarding.    
WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU:   • Security: Safety in numbers.
• Community: A network of people to work together with if so desired.
• Freedom: Free to play your way but with the undertanding that freedom requires effort and work. There will be times we need to work together, its the only way to keep an alliance strong.
• A Trade network. Not sure how Dual is going to work with trade, but within a group there will be communication lines. We will be able to trade with each other and help keep our alliance strong.
• Veteran ship builders: We have members who have crafted some of the finest voxel ships to ever exist.  Our fleet will impress, this I can promise.
• Veteran home builders: We have members who have crafted some of the finest voxel sci-fi mega structures to exist. Our home world wont look like a cut rate hostel.
• PVP: Lets face it, even if you only care for PVE, PVP might and will happen at some point. If you intend to fly in a ship, once you are out of the ark safe zone, pvp will happen. We intend to create smart ship designs that will help to ensure pvp victories, but you will need to know how to fly it.
• PVE: We know some people have no interest in PVP. Hopefully we can get a civilization started with trade, harvesters, crafters etc. It’s good to have folks who specialize in these categories.
• Exploring: It’s at the heart of Dual Universe, of course we will explore!
• If i can be done in Dual, we intend on experiencing that content in one way or another.  
GOVERNMENT:   Don’t really intend on having some massive over inflated group of power hungry people running the show. I have no interest in that, however there does need to be a head or some form. Castles have kings, homes have breadwinners. Even a pack of wolves looks to their Alpha. I intend on holding the main key of power or have it distributed among a very close group of friends. Those who know me know I fight tooth and nail for the little guy, for honesty and integrity. I have no intent on telling you how to play or what to do...but internal conflicts will occur and those will need to be resolved. We want everyone to be happy and to play together...its the best recipe for success. 
   
If COPS sounds like a style of gamplay that you find appealing, speak to Kiklix or LadyAstrum.
    Coalition Organizations: Astrum Enterprises

Absolutely. We don't want to turn away either kind of player. What I think most people are worried about is the PvPers taking advantage of the PvEers protection mechanics in some way. I would say that the 20km safe area around the arkship and the VR solution are sufficient to protect everyone's interests. In an emergent society, mutual protection is one of the benefits. There is risk, but it's much less than in an "each man for himself" situation.

I do not like to speculate, hence why I do not post as often as many do. I believe discussion on matters at hand is more important, but but due to combat being in development I think the lines are blurred between speculation and the matter at hand. So on with my 2 cents.
 
 
I have never played eve and have no clue how their system works, but I have played WoW for 10 years, Warhammer Online (RIP), SWTOR, GW2 and most recently Landmark (worst combat in the history of games, IMO). Most of my time spent in these games was PVP, although I did raid in WOW's early days (well earliest days I grinded High Warlord for 7 months on Sargeras Horde).
 
 
Nyzaltar already said the game is going to be target locked/tab targeting. Personally I find this very welcoming. I prefer this type of combat probably because that is what most of the games I have played over 10 years offer but I also like the roles that characters performed vs the "anyone can do anything" way of landmark, which is frankly extremely boring.
 
 
I personally think that tab targeting combat in Dual will make it more fun to play vs the first person perspective. I have gone back and forth on the issue but the more I delve into how the game could work with tab targeting, the more excited I get.
 
If "roll" elements are baked into attacks based on the type of ship we can balance the game in a somewhat simple way.
 
For example. It was mentioned that large ships could just tab to target a smaller ship and fire their guns pretty much instantly killing that small ship. While this will be the case, if we set some rules governing the elements or ship size (based on voxel count) we can start to balance the combat.
 
I think that dude to the mechanical nature of the elements, the things that make the ship fly, that they should be included in a roll when a ship is attacked...let me just break down a scenario.
 
 
Large capital ship vs a small 1 man "premade" ship:
• Small ship is quicker (0 to 60 time) but not faster (high speed) vs the capital ship.
• Small ship can maneuver faster (turning, acrobatic moves etc flying all around the capital ship), capital ship pretty much moves in a large arc or straight line.
• Small ship targets large ship and fires their guns. The small ship has a 100% chance on hit to hit the capital ship (reduced by distance), a % to roll on hitting a visible element (like engines, guns etc based on the amount of elements vs the amount of voxels the capital ship has), a roll to actually hit the element or the voxels surrounding it. The higher the elements the higher the chance to hit an element, and then finally the roll on how much damage the small ship will do to that particular element or voxel based on weapon size and or type.
 
The capital ship would work like this.
• Capital ship targets smaller ship with giant cannon. 50% chance on hit to annihilate the small ship, but a 5% chance the capital could even hit a small ship in the first place. The more powerful the gun, the longer the cooldown before it can attack again.
 
 
Of course this could be even more complex but this is just a basic idea on how it could play out. Think of it as a tank vs DPS balance in the typical MMO. Tanks (large ships) do crummy damage but can take a beating. DPS do lots of damage but take little damage (well not a lot of damage vs a tank). Then instead of just having the two classes we see tiers of classes based on ship size which is a value based on the density of voxel count and elements.
 
Large ships would be tough against small ships, probably not destroyable. No Luke vs Death Star scenarios here. Small ships would be vulnerable, but unlikely to get hit in the first place.
 
Now, a large capital ship vs another large capital ship...that could be interesting. The % to hit goes up due to the targets being larger mass and the damage goes up.
 
Anyway. I need to eat, these are some basic ideas I pulled off the top of my head. I am sure all of them are open to critique.
 
​EDIT: One thing to note. The different elements are going to be your "spells" on your action bar. In wow I had over 75 keybinds. I imagine large capital ships will have a full UI with tons of buttons, small ships not so much. I would imagine if you had 3 large guns they would all fire on the same key, but have modifiers applied due to the amount of guns being fired. Of course chance to hit would also be based on an arc. If your guns are all firing forward and the ship is behind you, they would not fire on it. Simple facing.
 
 
 
I don't know what Dual has in store for combat so everything I said could be pointless.

Cool write-up Kiklix. Very engaging and detailed. Really sums up what I seek in a guild. Family feeling, with help and co-operation, but with enough freedom to do what you want, when you want, and even fly your own flag if you wish.
 
Sounds cool to me!
 

Very cool. Excellent work on the acronym! :D

This is a very good start, love it. 

The dev quote states that there will be "non-pvp" "secure" areas.
"Areas secure from direct pvp combat" may be more accurate, but pve is easier to type:

Hmm. Well, if PvP in DU is Like EvE, I won't be playing.
 
The option that's most appealing to me with regards to Arkification is:
 
My plan is to be an Ark30logist. Part of that will entail discovering alien ruins, part would be activating the tech that creates PvE zones for Builders.
But, part of the politics and non-combat PvP espionage should include rivals sneaking in to deactivate that tech.
Might be that the tech requires periodic replenishing of organic or in-organic resources to keep the PvE tech activated - so that it's not just a one-time activation.
Perhaps part of the challenge is ensuring that the resources aren't permanently depleted in that area - PvP enthusiasts may become eco-terrorists who destroy the necessary resources -indirect PvP- thereby pushing "Builders" to leave the PvE zones to resupply the resources on which the PvE tech relies.
 
It should be possible to support both styles of play.
PvP doesn't always have to be about direct combat.