"Let's Science The S*** Outta This!"
Bugzapper
Australia Join Date: 2015-03-06 Member: 201744Members
Australia Join Date: 2015-03-06 Member: 201744Members
Research in Subnautica has been a fairly lukewarm discussion topic so far.
I realize that it does take considerable effort to properly implement (and integrate) any new game mechanism, although there is a definite need to inject some over-arching sense of purpose into what goal(s) The Survivor is supposed to be working towards. Yes, I know it's more of a 'close-to-release, absolutely final version' thing, but it will probably need to be addressed in slightly more depth sometime fairly soon.
At the moment, all we have in the way of Research is the Fragment Analyser and the fact that the Fabricator pipes up with "new species discovered", every time you bring a new fish near it.
As our first tentative steps towards doing Big Science in Subnautica, I'd like to see the Base A.I requesting additional fish samples, flora specimens, chemical elements and acoustic profiles of sea life. These items could be placed or uploaded into a Science Station analysis module. Let the A.I mull over the results for a while, then upload the collected data to your PDA. This way, not only would it populate the PDA with heaps of background reference information, but it would also provide a firm basis for the development of a slowly emerging central storyline. Again, this aspect of the game depends entirely on what The Devs already have in the pipeline, or at least have plans to implement at some stage.
Benefits: Access to tasty new hardware, reliable food sources, equipment/structural upgrades and nefarious dabblings with alien biology.
It's pretty safe to say that we have gone well past the stage where every day is an endless scrabble for survival. Let's roll up our wetsuit sleeves and get our Science on!
What meaningful form(s) of Research can we actually do? How would an 'ideal' research game mechanic be designed to fit in with the main storyline?
Anyone else have thoughts on this?
I realize that it does take considerable effort to properly implement (and integrate) any new game mechanism, although there is a definite need to inject some over-arching sense of purpose into what goal(s) The Survivor is supposed to be working towards. Yes, I know it's more of a 'close-to-release, absolutely final version' thing, but it will probably need to be addressed in slightly more depth sometime fairly soon.
At the moment, all we have in the way of Research is the Fragment Analyser and the fact that the Fabricator pipes up with "new species discovered", every time you bring a new fish near it.
As our first tentative steps towards doing Big Science in Subnautica, I'd like to see the Base A.I requesting additional fish samples, flora specimens, chemical elements and acoustic profiles of sea life. These items could be placed or uploaded into a Science Station analysis module. Let the A.I mull over the results for a while, then upload the collected data to your PDA. This way, not only would it populate the PDA with heaps of background reference information, but it would also provide a firm basis for the development of a slowly emerging central storyline. Again, this aspect of the game depends entirely on what The Devs already have in the pipeline, or at least have plans to implement at some stage.
Benefits: Access to tasty new hardware, reliable food sources, equipment/structural upgrades and nefarious dabblings with alien biology.
It's pretty safe to say that we have gone well past the stage where every day is an endless scrabble for survival. Let's roll up our wetsuit sleeves and get our Science on!
What meaningful form(s) of Research can we actually do? How would an 'ideal' research game mechanic be designed to fit in with the main storyline?
Anyone else have thoughts on this?
Comments
Meaning that before you go around and terraform the landscape the corporation might want to know which actions would impact how onto the flora and fauna. This would explain a computer or AI who has a full catalogue of tasks for scientists.
In a longshot the non-lethal approach would be explained because the scientist doesn't want to "taint" the data.
Threads of what @Bugzapper is suggesting have been touched on in other topics, which means there are others interested in similar ideas (and the story direction the game may eventually take). The idea for an AI tied to a Lab (and other modules) could serve a lot of purposes and seems to be a frequent request. I know I'd like to see it, albeit for slightly different reasons.
Unless the computer's name is Hal..
You certainly heated up the topic!
Now I'm imagining the player character putting sciencey sunglasses on whilst wielding a swiss army knife of discovery, on the verge of embarking on some epic journey of research. Someone needs to draw this in the style of a propaganda poster with the words "LET'S SCIENCE THE S*** OUTTA THIS!" across the top. It would be glorious.
Cool full-face safety visor... Check!
Digital clipboard/PDA... Check!
Squeaky red rubber gauntlets... Check!
Shiny. Let's be Science Guys.
Science.
It's all about Lab Coats, cool goggles and shiny gadgets.
personality matrix and beat it in with a sledgehammer the size of phobos cuz she gets annoying I don't know how Selkirk puts up with her sometimes