Author Topic: Overload  (Read 27268 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.


 

Offline Galemp

  • Actual father of Samus
  • 212
  • Ask me about GORT!
    • Steam
    • User page on the FreeSpace Wiki
Hey Jason. Thanks for giving us so much to work on these past fifteen years. :) Hope things work out with Interplay.

The announcements have mentioned 'combat and exploration' as being key gameplay elements. It's a long shot, but... I would LOVE to see Overload take inspiration from the Metroid series, and use weapons and ship upgrades in lieu of the key system.

For those of you not familiar, this would mean in place of a 'blue door' that only opens when you have the 'blue key', instead you would have a green door that only opens when shot with a plasma cannon. So upgrading your arsenal also allows you to backtrack and open new areas. You could also use the afterburner to push through areas impassable by normal thrusters, use the headlight to illuminate hidden switches, etc.

If all the levels were interconnected (instead of vaporized as in previous games) this could be a far more entertaining experience, instead of a retread of older mechanics. Just a thought.
"Anyone can do any amount of work, provided it isn't the work he's supposed to be doing at that moment." -- Robert Benchley

Members I've personally met: RedStreblo, Goober5000, Sandwich, Splinter, Su-tehp, Hippo, CP5670, Terran Emperor, Karajorma, Dekker, McCall, Admiral Wolf, mxlm, RedSniper, Stealth, Black Wolf...

 

Offline AdmiralRalwood

  • 211
  • The Cthulhu programmer himself!
    • Skype
    • Steam
    • Twitter
A Descent-like metroidvania sounds like it would be an... interesting experience.
Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Codethulhu GitHub wgah'nagl fhtagn.

schrödinbug (noun) - a bug that manifests itself in running software after a programmer notices that the code should never have worked in the first place.

When you gaze long into BMPMAN, BMPMAN also gazes into you.

"I am one of the best FREDders on Earth" -General Battuta

<Aesaar> literary criticism is vladimir putin

<MageKing17> "There's probably a reason the code is the way it is" is a very dangerous line of thought. :P
<MageKing17> Because the "reason" often turns out to be "nobody noticed it was wrong".
(the very next day)
<MageKing17> this ****ing code did it to me again
<MageKing17> "That doesn't really make sense to me, but I'll assume it was being done for a reason."
<MageKing17> **** ME
<MageKing17> THE REASON IS PEOPLE ARE STUPID
<MageKing17> ESPECIALLY ME

<MageKing17> God damn, I do not understand how this is breaking.
<MageKing17> Everything points to "this should work fine", and yet it's clearly not working.
<MjnMixael> 2 hours later... "God damn, how did this ever work at all?!"
(...)
<MageKing17> so
<MageKing17> more than two hours
<MageKing17> but once again we have reached the inevitable conclusion
<MageKing17> How did this code ever work in the first place!?

<@The_E> Welcome to OpenGL, where standards compliance is optional, and error reporting inconsistent

<MageKing17> It was all working perfectly until I actually tried it on an actual mission.

<IronWorks> I am useful for FSO stuff again. This is a red-letter day!
* z64555 erases "Thursday" and rewrites it in red ink

<MageKing17> TIL the entire homing code is held up by shoestrings and duct tape, basically.

 

Offline Dragon

  • Citation needed
  • 212
  • The sky is the limit.
It wouldn't really be Descent, though. Those games were always level-based (like FS is) and IMO, were better off for it. There are other games, for example Sublevel Zero seems like a 6-DOF Roguelike (meaning it's of little interest for me after all. I don't like permadeath and all this "roguelike" stuff). Personally, I think that the only element of Metroid that could be of use in a Descent game is the badass female protagonist. Other than that, I see no point in messing with the Descent 3 formula, as it'd be more likely to end up like Miner Wars (6-DOF RPG with geomod. How awesome could that be? Not very, it turned out).

Using AB and headlight to reach secret areas is another story, but it was already in Descent 3. In fact, D3 used it not only for secret areas, but in some case AB was necessary to progress through a level. In one case (Expediator engine chamber) that part was absolutely infuriating, especially if you liked flying the heavy fighter. The same level had a switch that could only be reached with a guided (as in, manually controlled) missile. Once again, it was a part of the main progression and a rather frustrating part at that (at least they had the decency to put a dispenser making those missiles right next to a shaft into which you had to launch them). So all in all, while certainly a possibility, I think it should be relegated to secret areas and used sparingly.

I'd rather have them include clever, but not too convoluted puzzles.

 
I purchased every Descent (and FreeSpace) game as soon as they were released, and have enjoyed every one of them.  Descent 1 and 2 have such simplicity, and a great replay value.  With a busy family life, I rarely have any time to sit down and play a game, but when I do, I might get enough time to play a level or two, and feel some accomplishment.  When a game is too large or progressive, it is hard to get back "into the groove" and remember where you left off, or what progress you made weeks/months ago.  The levels of Descent 1 and 2 don't tie into each other, so I am not required to remember if I found a colored key in the previous level, each level is fresh and new.  (other than carrying your acquired weapons forward).

Because I am such a big fan of the Descent series, I did support the new Descent Underground game.  But the more I learn about it, I see their focus is on multiplayer only.  I really don't have time for multiplayer games, because I am just cannon fodder to those who have more time and experience.   :(

So I am definitely contributing to this new single player game.   :nod:    You have my $120!     :yes:

 

Offline Bryan See

  • Has anyone really been far as decided to use even go want to do look more like?
  • 210
  • Trying to redeem, but under Tiger Parents
    • Skype
    • Steam
    • Twitter
In the mid-to-late 1990s and early 2000, I purchased only Descent 2 and 3, as well as FreeSpace 2. I enjoyed them, but this not lasted longer due to my focus on primary schoolwork.

I'm definitely wanting to contribute to this new game.
Bryan See - My FreeSpace Wiki User Page (Talk, Contributions)

Full Projects:
Shattered Stars

Campaigns:
Lost in the Mist - Cyrene vs. Psamtik
FreeSpace: Reunited

Ships:
GTS Hygeia, GTT Argo, SC Raguel

Tools:
FSO TC/Game template

I've been under attack by Tiger Parents like Jennifer Pan...

 

Offline Cyborg17

  • 29
  • Life? Don't talk to me about life....
Just saw that the first stretch goal is modding tools.  Even if this project gets fully funded, the kickstarter would probably be only a limited success without it. Modding tools would be very important to keep that community going.

 

Offline Bryan See

  • Has anyone really been far as decided to use even go want to do look more like?
  • 210
  • Trying to redeem, but under Tiger Parents
    • Skype
    • Steam
    • Twitter
These modding tools must be flexible and have universal support to all.
Bryan See - My FreeSpace Wiki User Page (Talk, Contributions)

Full Projects:
Shattered Stars

Campaigns:
Lost in the Mist - Cyrene vs. Psamtik
FreeSpace: Reunited

Ships:
GTS Hygeia, GTT Argo, SC Raguel

Tools:
FSO TC/Game template

I've been under attack by Tiger Parents like Jennifer Pan...

 

Offline AdmiralRalwood

  • 211
  • The Cthulhu programmer himself!
    • Skype
    • Steam
    • Twitter
These modding tools must be flexible and have universal support to all.
...What does that even mean?
Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Codethulhu GitHub wgah'nagl fhtagn.

schrödinbug (noun) - a bug that manifests itself in running software after a programmer notices that the code should never have worked in the first place.

When you gaze long into BMPMAN, BMPMAN also gazes into you.

"I am one of the best FREDders on Earth" -General Battuta

<Aesaar> literary criticism is vladimir putin

<MageKing17> "There's probably a reason the code is the way it is" is a very dangerous line of thought. :P
<MageKing17> Because the "reason" often turns out to be "nobody noticed it was wrong".
(the very next day)
<MageKing17> this ****ing code did it to me again
<MageKing17> "That doesn't really make sense to me, but I'll assume it was being done for a reason."
<MageKing17> **** ME
<MageKing17> THE REASON IS PEOPLE ARE STUPID
<MageKing17> ESPECIALLY ME

<MageKing17> God damn, I do not understand how this is breaking.
<MageKing17> Everything points to "this should work fine", and yet it's clearly not working.
<MjnMixael> 2 hours later... "God damn, how did this ever work at all?!"
(...)
<MageKing17> so
<MageKing17> more than two hours
<MageKing17> but once again we have reached the inevitable conclusion
<MageKing17> How did this code ever work in the first place!?

<@The_E> Welcome to OpenGL, where standards compliance is optional, and error reporting inconsistent

<MageKing17> It was all working perfectly until I actually tried it on an actual mission.

<IronWorks> I am useful for FSO stuff again. This is a red-letter day!
* z64555 erases "Thursday" and rewrites it in red ink

<MageKing17> TIL the entire homing code is held up by shoestrings and duct tape, basically.

 

Offline Cyborg17

  • 29
  • Life? Don't talk to me about life....
These modding tools must be flexible and have universal support to all.
...What does that even mean?

We are hereby building a Descent Kingdom under the reign of the Overlord Overload!  Access to the modding tools must be universal --- men, women, boys and girls --- all must have the ability to create their own robots and levels!  Prepare for Overload!

 

Offline Galemp

  • Actual father of Samus
  • 212
  • Ask me about GORT!
    • Steam
    • User page on the FreeSpace Wiki
These modding tools must be flexible and have universal support to all.
...What does that even mean?

Do not question the Visionary Modder and Coder or his project, Shattered Stars. You will find no answers there.
"Anyone can do any amount of work, provided it isn't the work he's supposed to be doing at that moment." -- Robert Benchley

Members I've personally met: RedStreblo, Goober5000, Sandwich, Splinter, Su-tehp, Hippo, CP5670, Terran Emperor, Karajorma, Dekker, McCall, Admiral Wolf, mxlm, RedSniper, Stealth, Black Wolf...

 
These modding tools must be flexible and have universal support to all.
...What does that even mean?

We are hereby building a Descent Kingdom under the reign of the Overlord Overload!  Access to the modding tools must be universal --- men, women, boys and girls --- all must have the ability to create their own robots and levels!  Prepare for Overload!

I am behind this. I declare my support for the new Kingdom! :)

 

Offline BirdofPrey

  • 28
  • Help! I see GIMP in my sleep
I for one welcome our new Overload Overlord
The Great War ended 30 years ago.
Our elders tell stories of a glorious civilization; of people with myths of humanity everlasting, who hurled themselves into the void of space with no fear.

In testing: Radar Icons

 

Offline Charismatic

  • also known as Ephili
  • 210
  • Pilot of the GTVA
    • EVO
Ill keep my eye on this. Looks good sofar.

And hi everyone. I still do lurk here. Freespace  fan for Life.
:::PROUD VASUDAN RIGHTS SUPPORTER:::
M E M O R I A L :: http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,46987.msg957350.html#new

"IIRC Windows is not Microsoft."

"(CENSORED) Galatea send more than two (CENSORED) fighters to escort your (CENSORED) three mile long (CENSORED), STUPID (CENSORED).  (CENSORED) YOU, YOU (CENSORED)!!!"

 

Offline Hunter

  • 27
  • Ross128, Freespace 2 Sector, Freespace Files
    • Sectorgame
The KS needs support guys. Get the word out to as many friends and communities as possible.

The Revival team have expressed interest in developing a space-combat game (you'll know that means a new FreeSpace) after Overload, so even if you aren't a Descent fan this is definitely the right time to look to the future :)
FreeSpace Files | Overload | Sectorgame Forums - For those times when HLP is down (or because you want to keep me company)

Volition BB Survivor - Nov 1999 to April 2002 / Yes I know *some* folks in Hollywood, and no I can't get you on TV.

 

Offline Cyborg17

  • 29
  • Life? Don't talk to me about life....
If they had started it 5 days later I would be able to contribute, but my beginning of the month paycheck gets eaten by the rent monster. :(

 

Offline Bryan See

  • Has anyone really been far as decided to use even go want to do look more like?
  • 210
  • Trying to redeem, but under Tiger Parents
    • Skype
    • Steam
    • Twitter
These modding tools must be flexible and have universal support to all.
...What does that even mean?

Do not question the Visionary Modder and Coder or his project, Shattered Stars. You will find no answers there.
Of course I am the one who is not to be questioned in any way. I verbally support this.
Bryan See - My FreeSpace Wiki User Page (Talk, Contributions)

Full Projects:
Shattered Stars

Campaigns:
Lost in the Mist - Cyrene vs. Psamtik
FreeSpace: Reunited

Ships:
GTS Hygeia, GTT Argo, SC Raguel

Tools:
FSO TC/Game template

I've been under attack by Tiger Parents like Jennifer Pan...

 

Offline Sushi

  • Art Critic
  • 211
New trailer up showing off weapons:


Definitely seeing lots of classic vibes.

 

Offline BirdofPrey

  • 28
  • Help! I see GIMP in my sleep
The KS needs support guys. Get the word out to as many friends and communities as possible.
THIS is why I was concerned about potential market saturation.
Descent Underground already cashed in on the nostaliga of most of the people who aren't super hardcore into Descent.  That this is going to be made by the people behind the original Descent only helps a little bit.

Quote
The Revival team have expressed interest in developing a space-combat game (you'll know that means a new FreeSpace) after Overload, so even if you aren't a Descent fan this is definitely the right time to look to the future :)
Yeah, but you shouldn't back one project on the promise there might be another project to back in the future.
The Great War ended 30 years ago.
Our elders tell stories of a glorious civilization; of people with myths of humanity everlasting, who hurled themselves into the void of space with no fear.

In testing: Radar Icons

 

Offline Sushi

  • Art Critic
  • 211
I'm kind of hoping they pop out with a playable demo of some sort in the last week... bet it would go a long way towards convincing people, assuming the gameplay so far is as good as it looks.