Singleplayer?

PricePrice Join Date: 2003-09-27 Member: 21247Members
<div class="IPBDescription">just ask for it :-)</div>Hi there, i know Natural Selection (1) was an Multiplayer modification only.
Would there exist a chance that you will release a simple A.I for the Aliens and Marines?
More precisely the NPC versions(e.g. Combine A.I. for Marines, Fast zombie A.I. for Fades ), so the User e.g. like me <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="wink-fix.gif" /> can create singleplayer story?
I think it can be very great to create a singleplayer campaign.

Comments

  • invader Ziminvader Zim Join Date: 2007-09-20 Member: 62376Members
    Id definitly like to see a bot AI for offline multiplayer games - This would allow me and other players to practice commanding and other aspects of the game that we practice on current bot servers in ns1. A lot of newer players find bot servers very useful as they dont get moaned at for refining out their mistakes. Ns has a steep learning curve practice servers help you climb this.

    As for an NPC AI (which i guess is differnt to a multiplayer AI) i doubt they'l produce both, but i would like an npc ai for more sotry orientated single player missions for the mod community to make, but its not something i expect.
  • SirusSirus Join Date: 2002-11-13 Member: 8466Members, NS1 Playtester, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1666945:date=Jan 9 2008, 03:53 PM:name=invader Zim)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(invader Zim @ Jan 9 2008, 03:53 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1666945"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Id definitly like to see a bot AI for offline multiplayer games - This would allow me and other players to practice commanding and other aspects of the game that we practice on current bot servers in ns1. A lot of newer players find bot servers very useful as they dont get moaned at for refining out their mistakes. Ns has a steep learning curve practice servers help you climb this.

    As for an NPC AI (which i guess is differnt to a multiplayer AI) i doubt they'l produce both, but i would like an npc ai for more sotry orientated single player missions for the mod community to make, but its not something i expect.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    I have a feeling that it will be designed strictly as a MP game. However, like CS:S or any other source game, I'm sure the community will create a bot program some time in the future. But to design a single player aspect, even if they were only bots, would take up development time, including tons of QA to make sure the AI was functioning correctly. This would be a huge investment on their part for a game built around multiplayer.
  • BuzzouBuzzou Join Date: 2006-12-14 Member: 59056Members, Constellation
    we all know they are definately not making a singleplayer campaign, but i'm pretty sure they said they were going to make some bots - for tutorials/practice etc.

    although i'm not 100% sure on this, can anyone quote a podcast/devolopment blog?
  • CanadianWolverineCanadianWolverine Join Date: 2003-02-07 Member: 13249Members
    There have been past games for which the single player seemed to be an after thought and it did not help those games. I think there was a Tribes game which had that problem. I am sure there are more examples, though I would have to read through a bunch of low scoring reviews again to find them, as I tend to avoid purchasing games with low scores.

    My point is, bad single player games have an unfortunate habit of dragging good multiplayer games down.

    That is not to say I don't want a single player game for Natural Selection. What I am suggesting is, say, after they finish NS2, they could consider like an episodic (HL2 Ep 1, HL2 Ep 2, for example) single player game as expansions or add ons, so that single player would get the proper focus it needs to shine, like how Portal has shined.
  • PricePrice Join Date: 2003-09-27 Member: 21247Members
    I think bots will come from the good community.
    There allready exist a bot for hl2 DM and other mods.

    Some of you understand me wrong, UWE don't create a singleplayer campaign but the community.
    UWE create the NPC's in the Code and add a lua version (for animations), because you can't change the code (maybe with lua but not add NPC's)
    Example:
    You start in a <a href="http://www.unknownworlds.com/cache/thumbnails/envconcept10_800x531.jpg" target="_blank">Vehicle</a> like in Half-Life 2, thats what your singleplayer campaign begins <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="wink-fix.gif" />
    Example#2:

    You start in this Vehicle with other NPC marines, like you see on the screen.
    They talking with you...then you arrive to the Marines space station...bla bla bla
  • locallyunscenelocallyunscene Feeder of Trolls Join Date: 2002-12-25 Member: 11528Members, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1667014:date=Jan 10 2008, 03:49 PM:name=Price)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Price @ Jan 10 2008, 03:49 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1667014"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->UWE create the NPC's in the code and add a lua version (for animations), because you can't change the code (maybe with lua but not add NPC's)<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    I don't really get what you're trying to say in that last sentence, but as for the rest of your post it's most likely that a single player campaign will not be ready for the initial release whether created by the community or UWE. Any talk of a single player campaign is really hampered by the fact that the game will have to come out first for a community made single player and the devs don't have the resources to include one in the initial release.
  • whocareswcwhocareswc Join Date: 2007-07-31 Member: 61735Members
    SP wont work with the game style of NS1.. assuming its similar, it still wont work.

    not shooting down your idea.. but u might as well make an awesome MP game.. and ppl will make bots ( as stated b4)
  • HarimauHarimau Join Date: 2007-12-24 Member: 63250Members
    edited January 2008
    I'd heard that, depending on the success of NS2, the devs had planned on eventually making a single-player sometime in the future, when they have more time and resources to dedicate to such an undertaking - in order to carry the story more thoroughly. You can't really tell a story with a multi-player game. You can provide a backdrop, and roughly flesh out a universe, but there are no characters, and as such, there is no story. I think they tried, with NS1, writing extra 'reference materials' that you could see on the website - but that wasn't part of the game, and it didn't follow a plot - it just created a backstory.

    Hmm, I think it might have been in the FAQ? but maybe not.
  • locallyunscenelocallyunscene Feeder of Trolls Join Date: 2002-12-25 Member: 11528Members, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1667055:date=Jan 11 2008, 02:46 AM:name=Harimau)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Harimau @ Jan 11 2008, 02:46 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1667055"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I'd heard that, depending on the success of NS2, the devs had planned on eventually making a single-player sometime in the future, when they have more time and resources to dedicate to such an undertaking - in order to carry the story more thoroughly. You can't really tell a story with a multi-player game. You can provide a backdrop, and roughly flesh out a universe, but there are no characters, and as such, there is no story. I think they tried, with NS1, writing extra 'reference materials' that you could see on the website - but that wasn't part of the game, and it didn't follow a plot - it just created a backstory.

    Hmm, I think it might have been in the FAQ? but maybe not.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    It's not in the FAQ{<a href="http://www.unknownworlds.com/ns2/faq" target="_blank">link</a>}. It's easy enough to check so please don't say "something might be in the FAQ". It either is or isn't.
  • HarimauHarimau Join Date: 2007-12-24 Member: 63250Members
  • schkorpioschkorpio I can mspaint Join Date: 2003-05-23 Member: 16635Members
    meh i don't think i'd care much for NS single player, i just want a great mp experience that will keep me playing for atleast 12 months
  • GISPGISP Battle Gorge Denmark Join Date: 2004-03-20 Member: 27460Members, Playtest Lead, Forum Moderators, Constellation, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue, Squad Five Silver, Squad Five Gold, NS2 Map Tester, Reinforced - Onos, WC 2013 - Gold, Subnautica Playtester, Forum staff
    edited February 2008
    No single player mode is currently planed.
  • Awesome_LocksAwesome_Locks Join Date: 2007-10-22 Member: 62705Members
    No, NS doesn't need single player. Look at all the other great multiplayer based FPSs that have tacked on a single player game and they've just sucked (Tribes comes to mind, Quake 3 pretty much was just bots, same with most of the other Unreal/Quake games).

    At the level that UWE is at now, they need to focus on the one aspect of the game, and as they get the profit from NS 2 (the multiplayer game) They can go back and make the epic sci-fi game that you/the developers. want.
  • schkorpioschkorpio I can mspaint Join Date: 2003-05-23 Member: 16635Members
    edited February 2008
    edit
    however there is nothing stopping anyone / community from creating a suspenseful and atmosphereic co-operative campaign <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="wink-fix.gif" /> with a real A.I. commander that walks around and gives you orders in person <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" />

    you and 3 of your online buddies wake up from cryosleep onboard a giant intergalactic space ship, you roam around the mess hall and crew quaters, then all of a sudden the siren sounds, its a warning to say you have are now orbiting the planet which sent out a distress signal.
    your squad follows the signs and labelled hall ways of your ship and into an elevator, the elevator moves down to the armoury and doors open revealing a massive arsenal of bada$$ guns and armour, jet packs etc.
    Everyone then moves to the cargo bay where your seargent/ commander hurries you onto the drop ship. you fasten your self in but your head is still free to move, as the drop ship shakes and growls from entering the atmosphere your commander shouts out the details of your mission.

    The dropship lands on the landing pad, its dead silent, and dark except for the lights comming from the drop ship, something went wrong here, horribly wrong, thats why you lost contact with the station. its night time and its raining. the gentle pitter patter of the rain is quite soothing, everything glistens from the wet. The commander throws a flare near the main entry door and tells one of you to weld open the door bypass controls.

    The door opens and as you shine your flashlights into the building you see hallways littered with bullet casings, bullets holes, acid burn marks, debris etc.
    The commander directs you through the messy maze of hall ways, you can hear your heart pounding, louder and louder as the thick tense atmosphere starts to affect the way you think, your ready to pull the trigger as soon as something even thinks about moving towards you. however when you turn the corner your lift is broken, the door is jammed and lift is stuck on a lower floor. Luckily two of you are equiped with heavy armour and you both lift the door just high enough to let the jetpacker through. in turn the jetpack marine flys up the elevator shaft and disengages the emergency ladders, your team moves on to control center where your commander desides what to do.

    your first misson begins, finding the plans to this station and then getting down to the generator and booting up the system again to restore power.... which will prove to be your first mistake........ letting them know fresh meat has arrived.....


    etc

    it could be quite fun if done cleverly, 2-4 person co-op would be awesome. think of the puzzles that require more than one person. kind of like all of the fun moments in NS, only they would all be scripted to make sure they do happen like - holding back aliens as one person welds a door open or closed, weight and physics puzzles, pressing two buttons at the same time, stacking and welding items to block hallways, traveling in a lift and shooting stuff that comes at you through vents and doors etc. etc.

    if you were really clever you could have a huge station, with several different approaches and objectives, one of your team would actually get into the command chair and decide where to send your squad, and how to approach each situation.
  • HatlabuFarkasHatlabuFarkas Join Date: 2005-03-09 Member: 44496Members
    i Voting for Singleplayer mode, HOMA players must play if the network is out. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" />

    I voted YES
  • bruceybrucey Join Date: 2007-10-24 Member: 62728Members
    edited February 2008
    Technically.. how would you picture NS2 or after that NS3 Singleplayer?? or .. anyways picture it right now as a singleplayer mode. You are basically gonna be a commander all round correct? Unless the bots"marines" were programmed to use the commander. That would take awhile to do hm? Even the alien command.

    From what i watched and heard from prodcasts and youtube vids. I think that it should be a Multiplayer game.

    Ok the picture in singleplayer.

    Then would each mission i do would be almost the same. But different maps and scripts going on. Cut scene/movies go on also. Basically fps/rts all the time. (supposed to be anyway) <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" />

    Yet i do want to practice before i go multi. But isn't it possible to already do this? in NS1?

    Well "cheers" to the Future Endeavors of NS
  • spellman23spellman23 NS1 Theorycraft Expert Join Date: 2007-05-17 Member: 60920Members
    It would be really cool.

    However, I think the devs have more pressing concerns on their minds than an AI.

    Also, yes, there were bots built for NS. RCBot and Whichbot. Both of which are very sophisticated and stupid at the same time. Let's face it, AI for an RTS/FPS game is ridiculously complex. You have to imitate looking and hearing, not to mention weighing the risk and reward of attacking, ambushing, locating chokepoints, aiding allies, evolving/upgrading and their specific roles (Lerk plays way different than Onos, and even more different when the two are in the same room together).

    What I would like to see is functionality for AI to be left open. I've heard that it's sometimes really hard to hack the triggers and hooks in the game, which is why the Comm AI is such a horrible hack of fail for NS1. So, devs, please keep modding and AI in mind as you build the game of awesome called NS2.
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