This could have been a lot better if it were near the end of March rather than February. Everyone's lips are so tightly sealed that you were almost better off quizzing him on trivia the whole time - you'd've gotten more concrete answers to your questions that way. :P
I think Dan overestimates the ability of the Foundry to keep people playing the game over the long term.
I can see why he would think that, what with the longevity of the last three Elder Scrolls and last two Fallout games, among many other equally venerable examples.
But the problem is, by their nature, MMO UGC is extremely limited. You get the character customization available in the vanilla game, some simplified scripting tools maybe, and some environment customization, at best. And while this is plenty for crafting some great stories, it quickly becomes same-old same-old; authors have to get very, very crafty to make anything new and interesting, and even then it's not new, just old stuff arranged funny.
Modding is only a recipe for longevity when the possibility exists for deeper, more meaningful customization - new art assets, deep scripting, etc. When I used mods with my various Elder Scrolls and Fallout games, I used things like new armor, body meshes, new weapons and spells, mods that change loot tables and add enemy spawns, companions, and so on and so forth.
Also it seems what Dan is saying is that there's no oversight concerning how some aspects of the game are implemented. Like Geko being responsible for ships. Do individual devs get to make their own call on these things? Does Dan even know how hopelessly useless some ships are?
Also it seems what Dan is saying is that there's no oversight concerning how some aspects of the game are implemented. Like Geko being responsible for ships. Do individual devs get to make their own call on these things? Does Dan even know how hopelessly useless some ships are?
I think that's a little unfair, some ships are hopelessly useless because more powerful and updated ships have come along after them. Take the MVAE - it was pretty decent when it came out and most people flied it and loved it. Now, thanks to the HEC and Andorian ships it's pretty useless and I doubt anyone flies it but RPers.
I think Dan overestimates the ability of the Foundry to keep people playing the game over the long term.
It's one element and not the most important one, but it's sometimes entertaining. I have to admit that i enjoy more creating missions than playing foundry episodes.
Great interview, but I think Dan got a little pestered by trivia. I've seen every episode of Trek and I could answer the exact questions that he answered. Asking about "starship class" seemed a little unforgiving, kind of like asking for the name of a planet.
Some of us are just bad with those types of questions, in spite of watching every episode of Star Trek.
Otherwise, Ok listen so far.
Nah he knew in advanced what kind of stuff we were going to ask, just not the specifics.
This could have been a lot better if it were near the end of March rather than February. Everyone's lips are so tightly sealed that you were almost better off quizzing him on trivia the whole time - you'd've gotten more concrete answers to your questions that way. :P
I believe that's why he granted us a re-interview segment @ the end of march already. Ill be focusing more on the may update then.
It was nice to get back into STOked and I thought the trivia segment was a fun addition. Overall, a nice exchange.
I've gotta say, though, that typing away while your guest is speaking is a no-no. It came off as rude and made the host seem uninterested in what Dan had to say.
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I Support Disco | Disco is Love | Disco is Life
I can see why he would think that, what with the longevity of the last three Elder Scrolls and last two Fallout games, among many other equally venerable examples.
But the problem is, by their nature, MMO UGC is extremely limited. You get the character customization available in the vanilla game, some simplified scripting tools maybe, and some environment customization, at best. And while this is plenty for crafting some great stories, it quickly becomes same-old same-old; authors have to get very, very crafty to make anything new and interesting, and even then it's not new, just old stuff arranged funny.
Modding is only a recipe for longevity when the possibility exists for deeper, more meaningful customization - new art assets, deep scripting, etc. When I used mods with my various Elder Scrolls and Fallout games, I used things like new armor, body meshes, new weapons and spells, mods that change loot tables and add enemy spawns, companions, and so on and so forth.
I Support Disco | Disco is Love | Disco is Life
I think that's a little unfair, some ships are hopelessly useless because more powerful and updated ships have come along after them. Take the MVAE - it was pretty decent when it came out and most people flied it and loved it. Now, thanks to the HEC and Andorian ships it's pretty useless and I doubt anyone flies it but RPers.
Kirk's Protege.
I can almost bet they won't be KDF specific, and more of a general type mission for all sides.
It's one element and not the most important one, but it's sometimes entertaining. I have to admit that i enjoy more creating missions than playing foundry episodes.
God, lvl 60 CW. 17k.
Nah he knew in advanced what kind of stuff we were going to ask, just not the specifics.
Twitter | @STOkedshow
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I believe that's why he granted us a re-interview segment @ the end of march already. Ill be focusing more on the may update then.
Twitter | @STOkedshow
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
I've gotta say, though, that typing away while your guest is speaking is a no-no. It came off as rude and made the host seem uninterested in what Dan had to say.