home base
Racer1
Join Date: 2002-11-22 Member: 9615Members
Join Date: 2002-11-22 Member: 9615Members
So is "home base" going to be your sub, from which you can deploy smaller submersibles/wetsuits?
...or is it going to be some kind of (floating) platform?
I'd like to have the latter, with the ability to add structures. So, you'd start out with just a docking bay. But as you gain new resources/technology, you could soon add a repair facility, research lab, scanners, crew quarters, storage, additional bays for other subs, (armory, phase gate), ad. infinitum.
Note that this is not intended to be the game, but rather a motivator behind the game. The game would still be mostly exploration and strategy. This would just support it.
The only thing I don't like about games that do this is you spend half your time going to/from your base...which is very boring. However, there are various ways to address this - such as:
a) allowing the base to move somewhat...perhaps even becoming submersible late-game as you are diving really deep,
b) providing couriers to take/get items from the base (which would mean the only time you need to go back would be to refit/change your sub)
c) provide mini-bases that you could establish where ever you want
d) fast travel (only allowed when you aren't in danger and are in the clear) - while cheap, this would be the easiest to implement
...or is it going to be some kind of (floating) platform?
I'd like to have the latter, with the ability to add structures. So, you'd start out with just a docking bay. But as you gain new resources/technology, you could soon add a repair facility, research lab, scanners, crew quarters, storage, additional bays for other subs, (armory, phase gate), ad. infinitum.
Note that this is not intended to be the game, but rather a motivator behind the game. The game would still be mostly exploration and strategy. This would just support it.
The only thing I don't like about games that do this is you spend half your time going to/from your base...which is very boring. However, there are various ways to address this - such as:
a) allowing the base to move somewhat...perhaps even becoming submersible late-game as you are diving really deep,
b) providing couriers to take/get items from the base (which would mean the only time you need to go back would be to refit/change your sub)
c) provide mini-bases that you could establish where ever you want
d) fast travel (only allowed when you aren't in danger and are in the clear) - while cheap, this would be the easiest to implement
Comments
Having a place to store multiple subs would be amazing since that would allow you to make different subs for different types of terrain (e.g. Lava, or Extreme Depth)
It would give a more visible sense of progression, and a place to "tech up"; For instance, building and improving the research lab at the "home base" allows you to build and add on to your sub(s). I would say it doesn't even have to be anything more than a glorified menu to do this.
I would also prefer that the player wouldn't need to actually travel any farther than the surface to "head back to base". This way the focus can remain on finding new areas and building better tools rather than needlessly traveling over areas you have already seen.
EDIT: Prehaps having the base on the edge of the ocean
You would only need to travel to the home base when you want to do major stuff like changing your sub or hand in very important missions (assuming there will be missions/quests). Upgrading and researching would be done out in the ocean on your sub. IF you need something that is in the home base to do this you can call for an aircraft to drop the equipment at your coordinates.
The other missions (once again assuming there will be any) will be accomplished by you uploading your research data (like pictures, video and documentation) to the home base through your submarine. If a missions requires you to deliver something (like specimens or a material) you can put it in a package that would float up to the surface and the aircraft would come and pick it up.
Besides my speculations and ideas about missions I think there should be a home base but the game would be designed so you wouldn't need to travel there too much, to keep the flow going.
Oh cool I have an upgrade, now let me spend the next 15 minutes traveling back to base to apply it
I was wondering when someone would mention the "construction" part of the game.
That's exactly why i dislike the idea.
If the games going to be about exploration, the world will be huuuuuuge. which means it will take time to get from point a to point b, if you're returning to a base structure, that's time spent not exploring.
Exactly why this area should be a seperate area, that can be reached either by a "surface" command, or just a "return to base" option (both instant ofc), but only usable when the area is "safe" (i.e. not being hunted by a Giant Electric SquidSharkCrab™)
Patent pending