Instant Action Question

posted on April 16th, 2011, 4:43 pm

I was just wondering if it was possible to give the player multiple starting points. Currently, Player has one slot, and the AI has seven possible slots. Could it be made that the Player could have multiple starting points with multiple factions?

Really, I'm just interested in two starting points both controlled by me for easy mixed-tech units. Normally you would just include an AI ally, but I think it would be great if you could have twice the starting power with two starting points. Be pretty intensive getting both sides up to speed, but still, could be a lot of fun.

Does Player have to be restricted to one slot? or is it possible to give them two?

posted on April 16th, 2011, 4:48 pm

hmm i don't think that is in the making. It might defeat the purpose though. but creating scenarios would be good.

posted on April 16th, 2011, 5:07 pm

I like the idea of commanding multiple factions either from a single or multiple starting points.

posted on April 16th, 2011, 5:11 pm

Now that I understand what you said, that actually sounds awesome   We have the opposite with the armada feature in multiplayer, but being able to control multiple players at once would be cool.

[godsvoice]

posted on April 16th, 2011, 6:14 pm

Last edited by godsvoice on April 16th, 2011, 6:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Sorry if I was unclear:

I want to start a game as two separate factions, in two starting locations. With everything included. Two starbases total, four constructors, and two scouts to boot.

This could also then be translated to multiplayer... but definitely would like seeing it for instant action. I'm not sure what would change for multiplayer, it already is all players, but just being able to control more I guess..

@ Utopia, defeat the purpose.. of what?

@Andre27, actually this is fine with me as well. It doesn't necessarily need to be two locations... although this is preferred, but more so just two factions. ie. I want moon pairs for each. I don't want to have to choose to keep one at home, and one go to expansion. So multiple points so that they each have a moon pair to begin with.

@Adm Zaxxon. So this sounds like it is doable, since it is somewhat existent in  multiplayer, it would just have to be that  you are allowed more control for more player slots?

One additional thing that I thought about but didnt mention, and am not entirely sure about how to go about solving is... haha... resources. I am thinking I want them to simply be doubled at the start 8000, 4000, and 1000. I think the resources would just be shared between the two factions, this is the only thing I thought might be a bit confusing if anything. I wouldn't know of any way to keep the resources separate unless there would be a way..

But it would just be like in a campaign mode where you had more control of multiple factions. Just need bigger number to start.

Edit: Actually I'm not sure. Maybe they don't need to be doubled. I definitely want two starbases, and two scouts. But maybe one constructor each? Or still two each. But you wouldnt need one moon pair for each, it wouldnt matter. You share the resources. So its optional. If they stay as 4000, 2000, and 500... you cant develop both factions all that efficiently.

Maybe some discussion on this point?

posted on April 16th, 2011, 7:04 pm

another thing is how to go about avatar selection

posted on April 16th, 2011, 7:56 pm

well a1 did have something called superside were everyone started with a constructor from each side mayb this could be adapted or a new way to do avatars were u pic one then once u pic that one u pic one for another race (and keep going untill u run out of races [also each race wud hace a decline avatar incase u dnt want that race) (start up wud look strange with starbases poping up randomly tho lol])

posted on April 16th, 2011, 8:36 pm

Yes, I remember this. Although, I don't think they gave you any starbases did they? I think they just provided  you with four constructors, one for each. I would hope to be able to get it with the starbases included. And yes, perhaps a series of avatar choices, you select for each race in sequence.

I think it could work, even with borg having cc's.

It seems like overall people like the idea though, so I'm sure something can be done to work it out.

This would create a lot of new opening strats. If it is shared resources, you pick the faction with the least expensive of everything. Least expensive refineries/miners. Turret options are expanded for defense. If the setup were Romulan and Federation to start, you could take turret defense of feds, with ship power of Romulans. This seems like it would be much more complicated for multiplayer though. For instant action, against AI, who cares. But for Multiplayer, it would no longer be just which individual faction is best, but which dual faction is most complimentary.

Or, I was thinking you could also have split resources if that is desired. And you would have to set of stats at the top. Di.Tri.andSupply for each race respectively right on top of each other, with a pic of the faction *avatar* to show which side as which resources.

posted on April 16th, 2011, 8:42 pm

I don't think the 'all race' option would work in FO, since you'd have to disable the builderraceonly feature when it's selected. Then you'd revert back to Federation-captured alien Yards building alien ships.

posted on April 16th, 2011, 8:43 pm

Well, even if we didn't mimic that setup exactly. Just looking for two avatars really, two factions.

posted on April 16th, 2011, 10:06 pm

another thing is how to go about avatar selection

I would be useful to select an avatar before loading the map instead of after loading. If possible it would also solve the problem for this particular gamemode.

posted on April 16th, 2011, 10:36 pm

well, this is beyond anything I know how to do. until one of the devs consider whether it is doable or not, not much more I can say.

I would just hope for two starbases, two scouts, four construction ships.

as per resource sharing or not, and avatar selection, and whether the idea is something that can be done at all, will see if they think it is feasible, and if it can be done easily or not at all.

but personally, i would really like to have the option of combining feds and klingons in instant action.

on a side note, as far as I'm concerned, this won't affect the AI at all. I'm not looking to switch them at all. If it happens that doubling resources is chosen, and you become twice as strong, anyone playing AI can just make it that they face more AI, or harder AI. etc. also, this would just be an additional option, but  you could still play things as usual with just one vs one.

posted on April 17th, 2011, 12:57 am

well the superside mode did just give you the construction ships but that was moddable you can get the startup to give you anything you want. but yh wud mean gameplay features wud b disabled

posted on April 17th, 2011, 2:19 am

I don't know what that means. 

I want it to be exactly the same, but as two playable factions at once.

Doesn't need to be all four. Getting anything I want to start is nice... what is included in gameplay features? everything? ships? stations?

posted on April 18th, 2011, 6:24 pm

I support this idea I miss superside.