Profile for bovine_cannibal
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Displayed name | bovine_cannibal |
| Member number | 4748 |
| Title | Apprentice |
| Postcount | 3 |
| Homepage | |
| Registered | Tuesday, July 20 2004 07:00 |
Recent posts
| Author | Recent posts |
|---|---|
| improvements for geneforge 3.... your thoughts in Geneforge Series | |
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Apprentice
Member # 4748
|
written Saturday, July 31 2004 10:25
Profile
I believe someone mentioned more lowlevel creations. Here's a couple of ideas for level zero creations requiring no shaping skill (handy for agent). These are more or less just off the top of my head. I've put a little thought into them, but they could be bad for gameplay instead. More isn't always better. These wouldn't be for fighting, but niche roles, support roles. If something similar was implemented, it would probably need to get more powerful every level rather than every other, because these would be by design very weak at level one. There would need to be some reward for every level of shaping skill just to keep them from becoming completely obsolete. Magic: Eyeball. Not eyebeast. Just a measly little eyeball. Perhaps just making an alarm crystal. No attack ability, and no maneuverability, at least until three skill upgrade. Cost of maybe 1 or 2 essence. Only purpose in life is recon. Makes it easier for a low essence character to watch his back. Battle: Perhaps a turret? Would not be a viable option for a mobile force, but would allow for a fallback position in case of retreat, or allow for a trap. Would give a Battle army a little ranged support, but doesn't fit the up close feel. However, a turret does seem rather suited to the theme of warfare, thus Battle. While it would have to grow with shaping skill to stay useful, perhaps the cost would need to grow also? Fire: Maybe rats? Not strong enough to take out an enemy on their own, but nah... Doesn't fit the theme I'm going for. How about mines? With the creation limit, someone couldn't really go overboard, and might get caught in the blast also. It'd be like a stationary pyroamer for a spellcasting agent? Or perhaps they stun, instead? They would quickly run out in case of a battle, but would be an interesting way to trap a guard and keep them for running for reinforcements. Geneforge is very combat focused. I'd love to see a house for my character, with some storage area. But rather than just using an inn, you could allow Shapers to retire creations- after all, some people do get rather attached to those Fyoras. I'd have to believe the Shaper society has some method of detaching creatures from their personal essence and still keeping them loyal. If you could even let them rejoin the party later ala Avernum, that probably wouldn't unbalance the game. In fact, it might make AI for the free creations less of an issue. EDIT 1: Also, food. I like the idea of food when I'm spending all my early essence on creations. However, does it have to all be the same? Withered fruit- 2 HP. Beef Jerkey - 4 HP, same weight. Shaper Enhanced Fruit - 8 HP. Pop-Tarts 20 HP? It seems pointless to duplicate them the way they are now. Is it just for atmosphere? Nobody will ever feed a Battle Alpha, they subsist on a diet only of healing spells. Less seriously, give us two more hidden creations- a donkey and an elephant. I'd name em Bush and Kerry, and they'd fight to the death, or maybe just debate. That way, whoever wins, we can vent our American anger. [ Saturday, July 31, 2004 11:26: Message edited by: bovine_cannibal ] -------------------- Moo. Posts: 3 | Registered: Tuesday, July 20 2004 07:00 |
| improvements for geneforge 3.... your thoughts in Geneforge 2 | |
|
Apprentice
Member # 4748
|
written Saturday, July 31 2004 10:25
Profile
I believe someone mentioned more lowlevel creations. Here's a couple of ideas for level zero creations requiring no shaping skill (handy for agent). These are more or less just off the top of my head. I've put a little thought into them, but they could be bad for gameplay instead. More isn't always better. These wouldn't be for fighting, but niche roles, support roles. If something similar was implemented, it would probably need to get more powerful every level rather than every other, because these would be by design very weak at level one. There would need to be some reward for every level of shaping skill just to keep them from becoming completely obsolete. Magic: Eyeball. Not eyebeast. Just a measly little eyeball. Perhaps just making an alarm crystal. No attack ability, and no maneuverability, at least until three skill upgrade. Cost of maybe 1 or 2 essence. Only purpose in life is recon. Makes it easier for a low essence character to watch his back. Battle: Perhaps a turret? Would not be a viable option for a mobile force, but would allow for a fallback position in case of retreat, or allow for a trap. Would give a Battle army a little ranged support, but doesn't fit the up close feel. However, a turret does seem rather suited to the theme of warfare, thus Battle. While it would have to grow with shaping skill to stay useful, perhaps the cost would need to grow also? Fire: Maybe rats? Not strong enough to take out an enemy on their own, but nah... Doesn't fit the theme I'm going for. How about mines? With the creation limit, someone couldn't really go overboard, and might get caught in the blast also. It'd be like a stationary pyroamer for a spellcasting agent? Or perhaps they stun, instead? They would quickly run out in case of a battle, but would be an interesting way to trap a guard and keep them for running for reinforcements. Geneforge is very combat focused. I'd love to see a house for my character, with some storage area. But rather than just using an inn, you could allow Shapers to retire creations- after all, some people do get rather attached to those Fyoras. I'd have to believe the Shaper society has some method of detaching creatures from their personal essence and still keeping them loyal. If you could even let them rejoin the party later ala Avernum, that probably wouldn't unbalance the game. In fact, it might make AI for the free creations less of an issue. EDIT 1: Also, food. I like the idea of food when I'm spending all my early essence on creations. However, does it have to all be the same? Withered fruit- 2 HP. Beef Jerkey - 4 HP, same weight. Shaper Enhanced Fruit - 8 HP. Pop-Tarts 20 HP? It seems pointless to duplicate them the way they are now. Is it just for atmosphere? Nobody will ever feed a Battle Alpha, they subsist on a diet only of healing spells. Less seriously, give us two more hidden creations- a donkey and an elephant. I'd name em Bush and Kerry, and they'd fight to the death, or maybe just debate. That way, whoever wins, we can vent our American anger. [ Saturday, July 31, 2004 11:26: Message edited by: bovine_cannibal ] -------------------- Moo. Posts: 3 | Registered: Tuesday, July 20 2004 07:00 |
| Geneforge 2: Buggy Treasure Chest - Discovered my own mistake. in Tech Support | |
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Apprentice
Member # 4748
|
written Tuesday, July 27 2004 17:55
Profile
Edit:Never mind, my stupid. It was the chest for THE mine key. Just got confused because I expected it to act like a normal loot place later. Geneforge 2 v. 1.0.1 and 1.0 for PC, registered. First, here is my save info. temp header data items journal I happen to be in the Western Mines, Southernmost interior corner, near the mine key, if I remember correctly. There is a chest with the shaper symbol on top, and when I put the pointer over it, the circle shows up as a valid target. However, when I click, I get no response. No treasure screen. No message below saying nothing found. No message saying I need more tools. I'm a bit peeved by this. Is it just me? Or does everyone own an unaffected Mac? Anyways, hoping someone can clarify this. [ Tuesday, July 27, 2004 18:18: Message edited by: bovine_cannibal ] -------------------- Moo. Posts: 3 | Registered: Tuesday, July 20 2004 07:00 |
| Naming Creations in Geneforge Series | |
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Apprentice
Member # 4748
|
written Sunday, July 25 2004 17:11
Profile
Before I knew about the Ornks, I named my first few Thads: Sirloin, Grade A Beef, Ground Chuck. Eventually, I realized that as a Shaper, my creations had to die,(due to pathfinding, or the fact that I would die if I so much as tripped), so I stopped naming them. If only their experience algorithm was adujsted to be independent of the player's level, I wouldn't feel they were so forgettable. The knowledge that my younger creations won't grow just because my Shaper's all grown up dissapoints me. The stronger I get, the less they are willing to learn. -------------------- Moo. Posts: 3 | Registered: Tuesday, July 20 2004 07:00 |
| Naming Creations in Geneforge | |
|
Apprentice
Member # 4748
|
written Sunday, July 25 2004 17:11
Profile
Before I knew about the Ornks, I named my first few Thads: Sirloin, Grade A Beef, Ground Chuck. Eventually, I realized that as a Shaper, my creations had to die,(due to pathfinding, or the fact that I would die if I so much as tripped), so I stopped naming them. If only their experience algorithm was adujsted to be independent of the player's level, I wouldn't feel they were so forgettable. The knowledge that my younger creations won't grow just because my Shaper's all grown up dissapoints me. The stronger I get, the less they are willing to learn. -------------------- Moo. Posts: 3 | Registered: Tuesday, July 20 2004 07:00 |