Warden

Voting is closed and the winning entry is Flipmaze by Ben Fargo
 
The voting thread and winning announcement can be found here: 
 
The DU Community in-game game idea pitch competition. Welcome to the DICE Den.
 
Note: Please keep discussions about a specific ideas in a separate thread, this thread is for entrants. (Putting this first so that it is hopefully read)
 
What is it? A DU community competition, here on the forums, where anyone can suggest an in-game game and then the community will vote for their favourite.
 

(Scribbles are welcome)
 
Rules:
The game must take place in playing field of at most 110x75 meters with a height of 50 meters inside Dual Universe (give or take a few meters) and should cater for spectators. A single post may be made per person detailing their idea. Keep it under a few paragraphs, enough to get the idea across. Pictures (even mspaint drawings) may be beneficial, but keep them few. While this is more a sales pitch than a complete design, if you feel inspired, just DU it. Entrants are free to make assumptions about DU combat and how elements work in DU, if relevant to their game. Working in groups is allowed but only a single person can enter the group's work here and win the prize. The competition is open to all that can post on these forums.  
Dates: Competition entries start on 1 February 2018 with last day for entries on 22 February 2018. Voting then starts on 23 February 2018 an will continue until 10 March 2018.
 
Prize: The winning suggestion wins a game key of their choice and DICE (https://community.dualthegame.com/organization/dice) will implement a prototype of the game and potentially add it to the roster of DICE games. The game keys can be chosen from: The Long Dark, Quantum Break, Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition, and Tomb Raider.
 
TLDR: Yo wazzup! I heard you like games so I want to put games in your games so make a game then I award you with a game in a game as well as a game that is not in the game. Kapish?
 
This competition is sponsored by Soarnir. Also feel free to drop by the unofficial DU discord (http://dualuniverse.chat/) and say hi.

Hey,it's been a while but i didn't forget about you)
Truth is i would have delivered sooner but got caught up in a different project...

I tried to keep myself as close to your guidelines as possible.
Please don't be shy to inform me if something is not to your liking and i will make the necessary improvements!
 

Excited to see the collaboration between your group and Tortuga.

Good news. 
 
This idea or project found a taker for the future, more or less, even though many details are yet uncertain and a lot will depend on game play mechanics and progress of the other project. 
 
But if all goes well, this force will police a part of the city project "Tortuga" later on. 
 
Due to actual demand and something that fits the bill (Tortuga fits into a city idea as we initially imagined it for this police idea) this will see a proper level of care in the very near future. 
 
This will mostly include a (promo) website and working out entry requirements, how we imagine how things could run - and where practical limits might be. 
 
Reference to city project:
 

Good news. 
 
This idea or project found a taker for the future, more or less, even though many details are yet uncertain and a lot will depend on game play mechanics and progress of the other project. 
 
But if all goes well, this force will police a part of the city project "Tortuga" later on. 
 
Due to actual demand and something that fits the bill (Tortuga fits into a city idea as we initially imagined it for this police idea) this will see a proper level of care in the very near future. 
 
This will mostly include a (promo) website and working out entry requirements, how we imagine how things could run - and where practical limits might be. 
 
Reference to city project:
 

Good news. 
 
This idea or project found a taker for the future, more or less, even though many details are yet uncertain and a lot will depend on game play mechanics and progress of the other project. 
 
But if all goes well, this force will police a part of the city project "Tortuga" later on. 
 
Due to actual demand and something that fits the bill (Tortuga fits into a city idea as we initially imagined it for this police idea) this will see a proper level of care in the very near future. 
 
This will mostly include a (promo) website and working out entry requirements, how we imagine how things could run - and where practical limits might be. 
 
Reference to city project:
 

I am in great pain, please help me
 

Interested in taking part in the long run, as I've told one or two on occasion.
 
I think this has solid potential and might outshine many other city projects that are solely player faction (just by or for them) based, as this involves more folks and appears more neutral. Whether it is building (construction), security or entertainment related, we can surely help in the long run.
 
We, as organization, used to build railways in MC and patrolled areas (villages), too. Also, science stuff, I guess.
 
Also, basically a bump so others see this, too. 

Interested in taking part in the long run, as I've told one or two on occasion.
 
I think this has solid potential and might outshine many other city projects that are solely player faction (just by or for them) based, as this involves more folks and appears more neutral. Whether it is building (construction), security or entertainment related, we can surely help in the long run.
 
We, as organization, used to build railways in MC and patrolled areas (villages), too. Also, science stuff, I guess.
 
Also, basically a bump so others see this, too. 

Interested in taking part in the long run, as I've told one or two on occasion.
 
I think this has solid potential and might outshine many other city projects that are solely player faction (just by or for them) based, as this involves more folks and appears more neutral. Whether it is building (construction), security or entertainment related, we can surely help in the long run.
 
We, as organization, used to build railways in MC and patrolled areas (villages), too. Also, science stuff, I guess.
 
Also, basically a bump so others see this, too. 

DISCORD: https://discord.gg/CYNYpT9
PORTAL LINK: https://community.dualthegame.com/organization/tortuga
 
Tortuga City is a building project of immense proportions looking for builders and residents to join in this great undertaking. Tortuga aim’s to be a community created, neutral player hub for all players in Dual Universe. As Alpha/Beta are now underway, Tortuga’s evolution as a community and city will progress up through launch. We will be testing, making blueprints, and finding out what we really need to keep a city going strong.
 
At it’s heart, Tortuga is a city project for Dual Universe. Organization affiliations and agendas will play no part in the politics or development of this community hub.
Please read this statement about Project Tortuga from Cybrex, the Project Director for Tortuga: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-esur-s4sCeCwH3kDGlV90iz4JkHljSaTOLHaKz_FCk/edit?usp=sharing
 
WHY FOR YOU DU DIS??? 
 
Plenty of organizations have cities planned. Some of these are quite ambitious in scale and already quite advanced in planning. So why are we doing this?
 
Well, it turns out that a bunch of us from different organizations have a real world background; or work in; urban design, town planning, architecture, construction and geospatial (mapping) systems. 
 
And through the course of talking "shop", we realised that real towns and cities grow organically (while guided with zoning), and the idea of a single organization enforcing a certain architectural style or design thinking approach was a bit odd.
 
We wanted to make a place which, while based on some well thought out design rules and urban zoning, would have a feel of a free city, sprung up around trade, rather than a designed urban space (using a grid for instance) one sees with administrative cities such as Brasilia, Brasil, or Canberra, Australia. 
 
LOCATION?
 
In the best interest of developing a city long term, we want to place Tortuga in a safe zone. However, based on how little we know, we are not going to decide the location yet. We could build within the safe zone on the first starting planet, we could build on a floating asteroid in space, settle another planet in the starting solar system, or wait until build it in a completely different system.
 
This is what we plan to find during Alpha/Beta of Dual Universe. Finding out the best possible location that meets Tortuga’s needs.
 
HOW DO WE GET THERE?
 
For now, we have broken the development of Tortuga down into three basic phases. These stages of development will follow Dual Universe from the beginning of the Pre Alpha up until the final release.
 
Phase One: Theory discussion and brainstorming of possible starting points for building. Understanding how the build system works etc.
 
Phase Two: Deals with the actual planning and implementation of theories from Phase One. We will be piecing together Tortuga bit by bit as we finalize it’s layout. This will be a continuous process through Alpha/Beta until release.
 
Phase Three: Begins on the day Dual Universe officially launches. This is when we will be putting the city together in a live setting.
 
HOW TO GET INVOLVED?
 
Join our Discord! We have created a server for all interested in parties for Tortuga. This will also act as the main communication application for Tortuga even after release. Simply join the server, and state that you would like to get involved in the development of the project. If you just want to live in Tortuga, then that’s fine too, join anyway.
 
DISCORD: https://discord.gg/CYNYpT9
PORTAL LINK: https://community.dualthegame.com/organization/tortuga
 

whenever someone on the internet says "I did the math", actual math-junkies come out the woodwork and will look at it with a microscope.
 
I think the conclusion of this thread would be that despite finite resources, we don't have to worry that the planet is going to run dry of resources anytime soon.

Derelict ships will become even more fun if you are able to save text logs in items or in containers, giving you a ship log or similar. Or if this can be some integrated component of the ship systems like a black box.
 
Especially explorers will likely keep an in-game log others can read in case things go wrong or to have a shareable journey for others regardless of that. 
 
Of course you could also apply this to the other scenarios such as the remote faction wars and so on, on the ground. 

Wait a second. How is regulating youtubers racist. YouTuber is an ethnicity now? Not saying that anyone should get special treatment but that statement is just absurd 

Update: 17/01/2018. New version of the forum rules
 
The forum rules have been revamped.
Please read it carefully.

Best Regards,
Nyzaltar.

BAD BOOBIANS II
was filmed on location with the men of the Band of Outlaws.
 
All suspects are GUILTY.........otherwise, they wouldn't be suspect.......would they?
Starring @Evil_Porcupine and @Anslem_Vry
 
 

Not sure where the initial issue is or where the fears are.
 
Was never a classic "Youtuber fanboy" of some person who always tried to be "present", take part, voice opinions, or even zealously defend said person. I'm mostly a passive consumer. Show me good content, I watch, I leave a like or maybe a comment on occasion. And sometimes, if a Youtuber shows an interesting community or server (that was there to begin with, not made by the YTer), I might check that out.
 
Why that explanation? It basically means that, while I wasn't some kind of "first level fanboy" I think I got enough impressions to see that especially large and known Youtubers can have odd communities, or odd people among it. As some others here assume or say, I think in the end it can be rather volatile. What would unite most if those ... fans were in some faction? The person(s), first and foremost. So it's kinda like a cult of personality. And then you have vastly different kinds of people, from kids to adults and various playstyles. And then, of course, a lot depends on the personality and target demographic of the Youtuber.
 
But I still kind of think that if a known Youtuber were to rally fans for some DU campaign, it might most notably attract those who want to be close to their "idol". While there might be plenty of reasonable "fans" who simply join to take a look or simply take part to have fun, you can never rule out the zealous, crazed "groupies" who might create more trouble than help in the long run, or simply give up upon organized resistance.
 
On the other hand, you could argue that you might have to face a large playerbase because of the potential high number input and the large fanbase that could be utilized against you, if you were to become enemies.
 
I see pros and cons, but in the end you can still say that (known) Youtubers are also people with weaknesses. You could even argue that stirring the pot might be easier due to so many angles you could go at, given the large size of the adversary and the not so homogeneous community behind it, and potential lack of long-term cohesion.
 
--------------------------
 
To summarize or rephrase key aspects:
 
- I see no reason to worry, for aforementioned reasons I doubt large Youtubers appearing with their communities might be a problem in general
- With the right effort and mindset, they could be "dismantled" or crippled over time, thus overcome as obstacle if hostile tensions were to arise
- They might as well, maybe, be or turn into a big problem for some (their enemies) if they can manage to bring a steady supply of people and more
 
- Maybe just like your average large faction?
 
On the plus side, large Youtubers mean more media coverage of DU, thus more players. We kinda benefit from that. Closing note, detached from personal aspects:
 
Good for the game, not really problematic for the community.
 
You can already expect plenty of known YTers to cover the game and bring their fans aboard, if DU will be remotely successful and bind players for a few months at the very least. Given the idea of the game, I think we can even manage the very known Youtubers and their usually large communities, should they set foot on Alioth and beyond.

Not sure where the initial issue is or where the fears are.
 
Was never a classic "Youtuber fanboy" of some person who always tried to be "present", take part, voice opinions, or even zealously defend said person. I'm mostly a passive consumer. Show me good content, I watch, I leave a like or maybe a comment on occasion. And sometimes, if a Youtuber shows an interesting community or server (that was there to begin with, not made by the YTer), I might check that out.
 
Why that explanation? It basically means that, while I wasn't some kind of "first level fanboy" I think I got enough impressions to see that especially large and known Youtubers can have odd communities, or odd people among it. As some others here assume or say, I think in the end it can be rather volatile. What would unite most if those ... fans were in some faction? The person(s), first and foremost. So it's kinda like a cult of personality. And then you have vastly different kinds of people, from kids to adults and various playstyles. And then, of course, a lot depends on the personality and target demographic of the Youtuber.
 
But I still kind of think that if a known Youtuber were to rally fans for some DU campaign, it might most notably attract those who want to be close to their "idol". While there might be plenty of reasonable "fans" who simply join to take a look or simply take part to have fun, you can never rule out the zealous, crazed "groupies" who might create more trouble than help in the long run, or simply give up upon organized resistance.
 
On the other hand, you could argue that you might have to face a large playerbase because of the potential high number input and the large fanbase that could be utilized against you, if you were to become enemies.
 
I see pros and cons, but in the end you can still say that (known) Youtubers are also people with weaknesses. You could even argue that stirring the pot might be easier due to so many angles you could go at, given the large size of the adversary and the not so homogeneous community behind it, and potential lack of long-term cohesion.
 
--------------------------
 
To summarize or rephrase key aspects:
 
- I see no reason to worry, for aforementioned reasons I doubt large Youtubers appearing with their communities might be a problem in general
- With the right effort and mindset, they could be "dismantled" or crippled over time, thus overcome as obstacle if hostile tensions were to arise
- They might as well, maybe, be or turn into a big problem for some (their enemies) if they can manage to bring a steady supply of people and more
 
- Maybe just like your average large faction?
 
On the plus side, large Youtubers mean more media coverage of DU, thus more players. We kinda benefit from that. Closing note, detached from personal aspects:
 
Good for the game, not really problematic for the community.
 
You can already expect plenty of known YTers to cover the game and bring their fans aboard, if DU will be remotely successful and bind players for a few months at the very least. Given the idea of the game, I think we can even manage the very known Youtubers and their usually large communities, should they set foot on Alioth and beyond.

I actually wonder about this. 
 
Will it be large enough to basically allow a whole microcosmos to exist within? 
 
Examples of far-away encounters: you discover a sect-like small faction in some totally remote location or in another place or on another planet there's a post-apocalyptic war going on on some bombed planet with factions and players no one really heard of because they kept quiet in general or simply because they drowned in all the larger community news. 
 
Kinda exciting. A bit like some minor Stellaris exploration events. 
 
The bottom line likely is that you may have factions and conflicts that might be very or completely detached from your average daily or mainstream galactic politics if such a thing will later exist. 
 
Like that famous Star Wars intro: in some distant place... 

This made me want to jump out of my seat and yell "Amen!"
 
You will likely not be able to play this game without being shot at or shot down or vaporized on occasion, even if you pursue a path that tries to avoid combat. Frankly, I see no problem with it. If you generally want to avoid it, you will have plenty of options over time - maybe not initially as there is nothing beyond Alioth (or not much), but eventually, such as more safe zones. If you just do it right, you can even have said options initially - it all depends on who you associate with and who can back you up, no matter if right away or later on.
 
Judging from some comments or what has been implied in other games and communities about this over time, I personally feel that some might be overly nervous about "being griefed", however they want to define this. I don't see an issue in a game that will attract many types of players including those who'd rather focus on an economy, industry, entertainment, events, socializing, science, etc. You can find your group or "bubble" over time and mostly do what you want to do - at the always looming risk of overlapping conflicts or simply enemy encounters if you travel out there in space or just walk down the wrong alley in some giant town where combat would be possible due to the rights system or lack thereof.
 
I think that abstract risk is acceptable and in the end, primarily YOU can influence how real it becomes or how abstract it remains by your choices.
 
And if some person, group or faction decides to view you as enemy and pester you constantly, there are also some options to pursue in order to fight back. There are whole industry branches making money of that, I'm sure players facing a persistent opponent will find other players willing to do something about it and help - for a price or not. This also mostly depends on how you react, thus, your actions. Do or don't, basically. But if you lie down and just give up or only complain (without counter-action or evasion), nothing will change.
 
In other words: Relax, it likely will not become that bad on average, some level of order or safety will establish itself due to the safe zones or controlled territories that will also find patrols and so on. I never played EvE a lot or not much, not beyond high sec mining for a few months (yeah yeah, throw stones at me). But the stories I heard so far, over time, basically tell me that the controlled nullsec space saw huge alliances (-> many people working together) that patrolled their own space, and so far we already see police-type or defense force-type groups in various factions. Like, you can later probably call the cops or military and have them investigate or protect, instead of having to solely rely on your buddies depending on where you go.
 
How interesting is that?! Call 'dem space cops! Or bounty hunters! Or assassins! Or the army...well, navy, if it's in space.
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
On another note, just in general, I would like to suggest that "griefing", aka hostile action against you, can have many forms and shades. In a way, I'd almost argue that you should not worry about the random pirate or bored kid shooting you down or harassing you in some area temporarily just for crossing paths. Like, wrong time in wrong place. That usually ends eventually. Especially as not so combat oriented player or, rather, in any branch you can think of, competition can exist and does not necessarily need to engage you with weapons or blow you up.
 
Sabotage, influence operations, cloaks n' daggers, backstabbing, waltzing over you without any use of arms (or little use of them)... can destroy or set back your "in-game existence" just as well as some kid blowing up your vital cargo in some part of space.
 
And some of them might decide to simply aggressively attack you all the time, whenever they can, to build up pressure, to take your idea or company out of the picture.
 
Anything might be and should be possible, as long as we also get to see hubs that are relatively safe so that it is not total chaos and preventing players from engaging the game long-term, which is in NQ's interest and in ours, too. So far, that appears to be the case.
 
And this is why I can look into the future with a relaxed stance and not worry about (random) "griefers".
 
I'd rather worry about a really zealous opponent that might be after you at one point, whether the reason or spark for the conflict was trivial or not. Given the insights I get about possibilities, it's scary. Or can be. To me, again, more so than a random person blowing you up or annoying you for a bit.
 
But alas, all of that can be seen as part of 'emergent gameplay' - in the end, the players drive the content primarily and let 'Empires' (or other entities) rise and fall. Always in motion, never really boring, never really unexciting. But with risks anyway.

No need to excuse yourself. It was a fun read and sums up a lot of my own thoughts. :thumbsup:
 
 

"Code is taking arrr jawbs!"
 
I suppose I'm personally used to "manual mining", given that my last really in-depth or primary time I spent with my faction was in Minecraft Beta, although newer endeavors also only offered mining by hand ("7 Days 2 Die" for example). Whether you only know this or saw better, easier methods in other games, I think it might not be a bad choice because it puts emphasis on manual labour and thus people.
 
You might actually have to hire miners temporarily or permanently. (Large) Economic power in that branch might not lie at the folks who have the best "code" or automation, but those with high manpower (in addition to how they manage supplies and so on of course). And it gives new players not just a chance in general to compete but job opportunities in all these player nations, corporations, groups, organizations. While likely many can't get around mining at the start to get some basic resources to move on from there, if you don't necessarily need ores yourself as new or somewhat established player, you can mine for someone else and get monetary compensation, or maybe even totally different compensation? Imagine working for someone for other favors or material goods.
 
A lot is possible.
 
 I, personally, don't mind manual mining as I usually did that before in comparable games. I just mostly wonder about the (lack of?) mining ships or rigs or equipment for ships. Might as well refrain from trying to build dedicated mining ships and bring the big cargo freighter to a belt or so right away if you have to get outside to mine the rocks anyway.
 
----------------
 
Also, for those who consider it a (necessary but boring) grind: Think of it this way. Daily, toilets are scrubbed somewhere, goods for consumption are made (don't think of a factory now, maybe more like some store where someone prepares sandwhiches daily), hairs are cut, etc. If you just look at it from a superficial view, it might seem monotonous a lot. Often, it can be annoying.
 
But it's necessary in the end, if you integrate that particular task into a bigger picture. We sit in heated homes and enjoy various goods today, right now, because someone at one point mined some sh*t somewhere, and someone else moved it around, and someone else in turn processed or refined it, integrated this into goods or made goods out of it in the first place, etc. Rinse and repeat.
 
While it can be monotonous, if I look at the larger picture it suddenly becomes very exciting or at least somewhat interesting. You never know where that particular rock you mined (or processed) might end up. Even if you mine for some internal use within a larger player faction only, you never know. In other words, consider it like a contribution to (this digital) society that made it possible in the first place. Kind of like the foundation.
 
Build a foundation. Be a miner. Join today.
 
Oh, sorry, turned into ad-mode for a second! Nevermind!

"Code is taking arrr jawbs!"
 
I suppose I'm personally used to "manual mining", given that my last really in-depth or primary time I spent with my faction was in Minecraft Beta, although newer endeavors also only offered mining by hand ("7 Days 2 Die" for example). Whether you only know this or saw better, easier methods in other games, I think it might not be a bad choice because it puts emphasis on manual labour and thus people.
 
You might actually have to hire miners temporarily or permanently. (Large) Economic power in that branch might not lie at the folks who have the best "code" or automation, but those with high manpower (in addition to how they manage supplies and so on of course). And it gives new players not just a chance in general to compete but job opportunities in all these player nations, corporations, groups, organizations. While likely many can't get around mining at the start to get some basic resources to move on from there, if you don't necessarily need ores yourself as new or somewhat established player, you can mine for someone else and get monetary compensation, or maybe even totally different compensation? Imagine working for someone for other favors or material goods.
 
A lot is possible.
 
 I, personally, don't mind manual mining as I usually did that before in comparable games. I just mostly wonder about the (lack of?) mining ships or rigs or equipment for ships. Might as well refrain from trying to build dedicated mining ships and bring the big cargo freighter to a belt or so right away if you have to get outside to mine the rocks anyway.
 
----------------
 
Also, for those who consider it a (necessary but boring) grind: Think of it this way. Daily, toilets are scrubbed somewhere, goods for consumption are made (don't think of a factory now, maybe more like some store where someone prepares sandwhiches daily), hairs are cut, etc. If you just look at it from a superficial view, it might seem monotonous a lot. Often, it can be annoying.
 
But it's necessary in the end, if you integrate that particular task into a bigger picture. We sit in heated homes and enjoy various goods today, right now, because someone at one point mined some sh*t somewhere, and someone else moved it around, and someone else in turn processed or refined it, integrated this into goods or made goods out of it in the first place, etc. Rinse and repeat.
 
While it can be monotonous, if I look at the larger picture it suddenly becomes very exciting or at least somewhat interesting. You never know where that particular rock you mined (or processed) might end up. Even if you mine for some internal use within a larger player faction only, you never know. In other words, consider it like a contribution to (this digital) society that made it possible in the first place. Kind of like the foundation.
 
Build a foundation. Be a miner. Join today.
 
Oh, sorry, turned into ad-mode for a second! Nevermind!

In my simple idea (that is, of course, simplified, while in reality many factors come into play including solid game mechanics that need to be always checked and maybe revised or expanded upon, etc) the players are the main driving factor of long-term goals and motivations.
 
It is, in essence, a bit like life: rinse and repeat, rise and fall, try something new. Dominating or influential factions will form and over time might fall, or generally be contested by others. This can go on for years, over a decade and longer. Until perhaps a relatively subjective better game comes around.
 
As you already implied or said, players are the main content drive. This offers a huge potential and many possibilities; anything not being the base planet or other object anymore will be built or modified by players, everything will be unique compared to developer-given maps, planets or bases as players have to deliver it all.
 
At the same time, this also requires a lot of community effort, as almost everything has to be made first. A huge task in a way. But this is what will keep things going I suppose. And if the need for adjustments arrives to get back on track, then surely NQ will do so in a non-invasive way when possible.

In my simple idea (that is, of course, simplified, while in reality many factors come into play including solid game mechanics that need to be always checked and maybe revised or expanded upon, etc) the players are the main driving factor of long-term goals and motivations.
 
It is, in essence, a bit like life: rinse and repeat, rise and fall, try something new. Dominating or influential factions will form and over time might fall, or generally be contested by others. This can go on for years, over a decade and longer. Until perhaps a relatively subjective better game comes around.
 
As you already implied or said, players are the main content drive. This offers a huge potential and many possibilities; anything not being the base planet or other object anymore will be built or modified by players, everything will be unique compared to developer-given maps, planets or bases as players have to deliver it all.
 
At the same time, this also requires a lot of community effort, as almost everything has to be made first. A huge task in a way. But this is what will keep things going I suppose. And if the need for adjustments arrives to get back on track, then surely NQ will do so in a non-invasive way when possible.