In my last post I stated that I would be finishing outpost attacks and lootable bosses very soon. However, in the last couple of days I've noticed that the implementation of these two systems has a lot of cross-over, since they will both essentially be global events that happen at set times and places. After a bit of thinking I came to the conclusion that it would be better to combine both things into the same system, and expand the design further.
A lot of people have mentioned that one the major things lacking in DF is a proper storyline. I had always planned to make some kind of story-based missions in the future, but it was something I was going to put off until "all the other crap is done". Now, with the way that the other systems are shaping up, I've come the realization that putting a decent story into the game wouldn't be so hard. At least not on a coding level anyway.
So, my new plan is to take what I have with lootable bosses and OAs, and combine them into a single events system. I'll then make it so each event can have it's win conditions, rewards and area 'effects' heavily customized. Finally I'll set things up so each event can be given a proper plot.
Once complete we'll have a mix of random daily events (like OAs, and boss spawns) combined with hand designed, plot driven, mission style events. Hopefully it will give Dead Frontier more goals and purpose, whilst also making the game world come to life. I want to make Fairview feel like a real place.
The hardest part in all of this will be the actual writing for the plot. At the moment I'm leaning towards the possibility of taking submissions from the DF community, but I'm not totally decided at this stage. The other option is that I convince Ian (Xaelath) to do it, since he did such an awesome job with the Outbreak mini-games.
Of course expanding the design will mean more time, but not too much more. As I mentioned before, some of the work is already done so I'm thinking it'll be ready in 2 weeks. Please don't lynch me if I'm wrong though.
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wow, sounds awesome! U got me waiting thankfully admin
ReplyDeletei'm looking forward to the coming updates.
ReplyDeletereally good. but i was thinking about an issue. the oas usually happen when in europe in night between 24:00 and 03:00 so i was wondering if this boss loots and oas could be europe friendly maybe making this things 2 times a day
ReplyDeleteI think i was the frist.. .;S
ReplyDeleteNICEEEEE DUDE!
I was thinking it could be pretty boss if there could be randomly-occurring (or, possibly even static) public missions throughout the city in MP. Like, every few hours, a certain block will be selected for extermination, and every player who gets involved gets a reward when the job is complete. Something like that?
ReplyDeleteJust seems like an interesting way to keep players on their toes and keep things different, I suppose.
Maybe public OAs as well, but that would require that you revamp the design of the instances containing outposts. You could basically just transition seemlessly into OA and have a siren sound track go off in the inner city when one happens in the users area. The players could then come protect the actual outpost with whoever ends up in their instance. The Zombies could try to break through to the main gate of the outpost (where the players usually enter the outpost menu). Individual wins and losses could then be phased out and you could keep track of the number of zombies that reach each outpost that day. Maybe tally up a score for each outpost and award participating players experience based on how the outpost they defended ranked (a way of implementing this would be to add an "OA mission" when they enter the OP instance during OA and keeping tally of zombies they have killed that way). That way it will be a little competative. That is all I've got, take what you can leave what you don't want.
ReplyDeleteP.S. zombies really should only spawn at the corners of the instance with the exception of instance creation. When ever someone with aggro comes to my instance zombies start spawning REALLY close to me.
ReplyDeleteI have to Agree with Brian, When people make Aggro zombies don't appear out of the Pavement they come from local areas such as Other streets blocks buildings etc.
ReplyDeleteIt isn't exactly uhh Real when A Tendril spawns behind you and smacks you in the face when your trying to get away.
So again Zombies TRAVEL to the source of noise they don't RISE out of the bloody pavement kind of like how it was in 2D. AKA Zombies Came from off screen. (Out of Buildings other areas)
Also Great Work Admin!
ReplyDeleteI was Confused about Boss Loots since I was thinking I was going to be able to loot Bones and such now.
A plot will give people another reason to play besides just Grinding and Looting and Making money.
This is going to be cool, can't wait.
ReplyDelete~xX sniper Xx
EVERYONE, I'm pretty sure that Neil was saying he might need help/suggestions for the STORYLINE.
ReplyDeleteWhile, Neil doesn't seem to bash down ideas too much, we do have the forums to talk about the actual OA and lootable bosses in 3D. I'm sure his same plans will work fine in the combined system.
@Neil We're fine with you doing this, if it isn't a major delay and it helps how well the end product looks and runs.
I've been waiting for Dead Frontier to have the MMO "universe/world" feel... I've been patient and never thought of rushing you. I personally put the features ahead of the storyline, but I can't wait.
We love you <3
i though this game always has a storyline if not then wat was all the df history stuff i read?
ReplyDeleteIdea for storyline: take the plot from The Walking Dead (TV) and alter it enough to not get zinged for copyrights. You could also make a storyline based on the class the player chooses (Soldier has to escape overrun military facility at begining, Scientist has to escape a lab, Farmer has to travel to city though a forest/farmland, etc.) I'd willing to make a better copy with more detail if you want it.
ReplyDelete@Volvyur
ReplyDeleteChoosing a Wake-up-from-coma-apocalypse Scenario was used in 28 Days Later and as you have said in 'The Walking Dead' I hope Neil and other people are More original when making a story line for this.
Class specific story lines. . . That's a Good Idea Instead of all players playing the same thing this would add some variety. (Variety=Win)
@Luis That is the Plot for How We have Zombies and how the world ended. It is not a Storyline for a Specific Player/Person however.
@Gooberdooper
ReplyDeleteI was refering more to the raid a police station, kill specific targets (possibly known from before they died?), rescue people from a building under attack under time limit, recover lost weapons/tool, etc.
I wasn't refering to the exact details for plot, but rather take challenges and implement them as missions.
DIS GONNA BE DA BADDEST ONLINE GAME EVER!!! :)
ReplyDelete@Volvyur, What about the people that have already started the game? Would they have to start over in order for the story mode to happen?
ReplyDeleteYou know. . . There ARE those Torn Diaries. . . Something like that and Develop it further?
ReplyDelete@ Alex
ReplyDeleteI hadn't thought of that. Maybe it would be replayable from the outpost (ie. replay introduction missions button).
Also had a thought. Doors in buildings or movable furniture to slow zombies or section off parts of the building.
@Volvyur
ReplyDeleteA Short While Back I Read an Article where Adminpwn said a Long while back that he Intended to do something like that.
I'd like to see more outposts, and it'd be much better if the easy areas are towards the outskirts, the more difficult are towards the center. Perhaps even having more rural areas towards the outside and the city around the center. Maybe even having several different "high enemy traffic" areas throughout the city. Even some "dungeons" would be pretty cool, like abandoned military bases, hospitals, subways, to throw out some generic zombie movie locations. I see he's got a few malls and parks up, as well as the junkyards, but with the exception of the junkyard, don't really do much.
ReplyDeleteWith that said, I'd feel that would be a better set up to allow for more interesting story lines, as well as allowing players to start in different areas in the city depending on their class.
I would really be interested in helping out further on this project, more specifically some art and level design, but I'm fairly certain Neil is the kind of lone gunman on this ship.
@ Volvyur
ReplyDeleteThe doors and other movable objects would be a fantastic concept. In this game for instance:
http://www.create-games.com/download.asp?id=8087
It has that very concept, although it wasn't implemented as best as it could've (the developer was restricted to 20 commands for the entire game)
I would say doing the same out of buildings would be pretty cool, but that all depends on how Neil has the objects outside set up. Then you run into the issue of what do people see when they run to different areas and someones been a jerk and started pushing all the cars into the entrance and all that junk.
...Everything is developing in agreement with my wishes... This Game will be complete with time... Excellent....
ReplyDelete@Goober There's the Key, Hand, and Torn Notebook
ReplyDeleteThere might be some other stuff like that but I always wondered what they were for o_o...
idc about boss loot since i only hang out around the first 4 areas but i remember in 2d the OA's i just power leveled in those they where awesome and i have an idea if a group of people were to finish an OA there should be a random boss at the end (PS:i love the junkyard defence sooo much!
ReplyDelete*random fucktard troll*- "hurry the fuck up with the update dumbass!!" *you hurried and messed something up* "you fucker! fix your damn game!"
ReplyDeletei hate trolls 7.7
you should make a contest for the people to let them write a storyline and the one with the best story gets a reward like 2 months free golden member or something and his storyline wil be the official
ReplyDelete@the second
ReplyDeleteThere are LOADS of Stories on the Forums if admin needed any of them. . . But So Far Admin's Done a Pretty Damn Good Job with his game so I'd leave it up to him.
Your idea sounds excellent to coincide the plot with OA and boss missions. as for making lengthy story for it, I like the idea of submissions by the DF community, but I think a small incentive will really get the creative juices flowing among the group and also keep the story creative and fresh if you can manage to get submissions regularly.
ReplyDeleteAn Idea: You have top zombie killer, pvp, etc. Why not have your "Top Historian." Every day/week/ or whatever, you pick a story submission of good quality and capable of being easily incorporated into your programming for the new bulletin board mission. In turn, the picked Zombie Slayer gets his/her chance at dusk items. You get a steady flow of storyline, we get our incentive, everyone is happy.
-Product Zero-
@Joshua
ReplyDeleteGenius! I like!
I started writing a short story but I doubt it would meet up to your standards.. I insisted on it being several paragraphs but instead of it getting the appreciation it possibly deserved, it was pushed into the dark rarely tread story area of the forums. If you ever need any help writing a very detailed story please feel free to contact me through my deadfrontier account or email address. I look forward to your improvements in the game.
ReplyDelete-Vidster
appreciate it, hope it hits the production table.
ReplyDeletemuch rep to Ian, loved the outbrake games both played twice ^^
ReplyDeleteLOVE YA BROTHA (no homo :D)
Hi I would like to know when you are deploying notice board
ReplyDeletein the 3D version or to enter buildings
Personally I think it would be a fascinating venture to employ subquests in the game. For instance, you run into an NPC who asks you to find something for him, and if you accept there is a spot on the map where you have to find something or kill a boss or a horde of zombies who have something, etc.
ReplyDeleteMultiplayer party options would be nice too, a way to track you buddies on the map or something like that.
ReplyDelete