Collecting ideas: multi-player in games like X3

[Bernd]

Hi everyone

I would like to ask you participate in a small customer survey.

The subject is: What multi-player gaming modes would you like to see in a game similar to X3? Just jot down your wishes and suggestions.

I order to pre-empt the obvious questions: of course we are working on new games, and of course these will eventually have multi-player features in one form or another, but: this survey is hypothetical and should not be mistaken for any kind of indication of our future plans. You will hear more about our current plans soon™.

Please also exclude any ideas you have on the subject of "massive multi-player". As the longer-standing forum members are probably already aware we have had our ideas for an MMOG tucked away for several years, but that is still further off. Right now we are interested in multi-player modes for a game like X3.


So write your wishes and suggestions in this thread.

-Bernd

[ReggieReddog]

Oh snap!

I posted something a while back about some ideas I had...i may have to dig that up...
But I would think it cool if it was similar to current FPS-style games where you have a chosen map (or in X I suppose a multi-sector map could even be an option), different classes (M1-M7) to chose from perhaps depending on first-come-first-serve or by rank, a maximum number of ships per class, and then either deathmatch modes or multiple team modes. Perhaps the unused ship class slots could be AI and commanded by players...

Another idea: each team has an amount of money they can spend on ships/upgrades at the beginning of a round. You could buy a bunch of M4s, or a couple M2s or something.

I know people get awfully attached to their trading in X, but multiplayer trading just sounds like it would be kinda "meh" unless it is done really well in an MMO kinda way. I would be happy if there was just some sort of multiplayer battle available.

Whatever happens, I'm sure it will be great fun
Thanks!

[Mudkest]

probably an option for others to join your game, might be tcp/ip or some sort of lobby thingie in game. dunno how many ppl the comps/game can handle though

other idear is scenarios, select sector x, people can select what ship/equipment theye want to fly then go in and blast away(think MW multiplayer)

TL soccer anyone? Push that asteroid trough that gate!(the use of Hornet missiles, tractor beams and mobile drilling systems are prohibited!)

[parameter]

Hi Bernd, I suppose a ship based version of HALO/Unreal tournament. Capturing bases/sectors or escape and evade. The Strogg spring to mind. You have an objective and must prevail against the nasties to complete it.
I would say that for those of us with limited or no internet connection that single player mode would still be appreciated. My parents are not rich and I cannot hack a bush let alone a bank account.

[clcabbage]

Co-op ONLY imo, 2-4 players , that should be able to keep most, if not , all parts of the game together.
allow you to trade, fight , build, and think as a team.
-- think of it like this: as 1 player does something the other may either help in the task or stand as gaurd , or even go fetch supplies, or do something else entirely.

[Demotruk]

The strength of X3 is in it's freedom, if I want to play multiplayer X3 I want it to retain that strength. I realise this is probably not what you're looking for but I'd want to be able to simply play X3 as I play it now, with other people. So all I'd want is for a freelancer style multiplayer, where I or a friend put up a server that a few of us play on, it could be limited to about 16 people maybe. The only gameplay issue I can think of that would arise from this is that SETA would no longer work, and what happens when other players find your stations? They're both just something the player will have to deal with, secure your stations better or hide them where they won't be found.

[foxz88]

Co-op ONLY imo, 2-4 players , that should be able to keep most, if not , all parts of the game together.
allow you to trade, fight , build, and think as a team.
-- think of it like this: as 1 player does something the other may either help in the task or stand as gaurd , or even go fetch supplies, or do something else entirely.

This would be excellent. I would love to play X3 with a couple of my friends. It would be nice to be able to setup a X3 server and then my friends could connect and play anytime with or without me... So we could work together to conquer the universe!

[Cycrow]

the 2 ideas i would like to see would be:

1. A deathmatch sector, a single sector in the game where you can fight it out against other players, kept seperater from the main game where you just have a single ship, or a selection of ships you can command against the other players.

2. Multiplayer competion missions. In the standard game, some of the missions you get from the BBS could be multiplayer, ie, you have other players in thier own games who get these quests availalbe. The quest could be something like trading a certain amount of wares, or making a certain amount of money. The player to complete the quest first will get a reward.

[ReggieReddog]

Co-op ONLY imo, 2-4 players , that should be able to keep most, if not , all parts of the game together.
allow you to trade, fight , build, and think as a team.
-- think of it like this: as 1 player does something the other may either help in the task or stand as gaurd , or even go fetch supplies, or do something else entirely.

Hey yeah, I like the idea of being able to co-op into someone else's game. There could be one person who "hosts" the savegame and other people who link up, download the savegame details, and are plunked into the universe in a buster or something. Either that or they can chose which Player ship they want to take control of. The out of sector data being fed over the internet shouldn't strain pings too bad I wouldn't think; but I don't know what would happen when all the players are in the same sector...
Some optimizations would have to be made to the game for surely.
This would also be great for LAN of course

[Rapier]

How many times have we discussed this? Surley this deserves a lock for repitition?
(well, someone had to say it )

Personally, I'm another one in favour of a co-op style of play. We already have 'characters' flying our trading and combat ships, so why not allow tham to be your friends for a while. Or how about taking your python into battle with real people manning the turrets. However, I'd like this to be within my current game as it can be difficult to get a bunch of friends together for long enough to make the money to buy a Python and all the trimmings. To make it really work, there would also have to be some specific co-op missions, at the moment, most challenges can be met by the single player in brute force mode. I understand there is an improved mission editor on the way, I think such a thing would be a necesity and would really allow to create challenges for ourselves and our friends.

Oh, and thanks for tidying up the other stickies too.

[spudsman]

For those of us with an itchy trigger finger: Attack/Escort the Convoy;

Kha'ak/Xenon/Pirates vs a group of M5's/M4's/M3's protecting a convoy of AI ships. One group plays the aggressor role, the other side plays the defender. Could also be a "blow up the other's base while defending your own".

[Sandalpocalypse]

Freelancer-style, except players can choose to play co op- they can belong to the same faction as another player. They have individual accounts and an overall account.

I think for any multiplayer implementation you would have to tone down the players advantage over the AI (less effective strafe drives) and of course death needs to be less...final.

[Random_Guy]

1. Deathmatch. You just have to have deathmatch. There should be an option to import ships from a save and an option to set a "spending limit" so each player can buy and equip any ship they want for the fight.

2. Co-op. Like people said above, one person can upload a save and other people can join in. It would be played in the universe where the save was created and you could import a ship of your choice from your file to fly for the mission or something. I don't care how it is implemented, just as long as co-op is there on some level.

Perhaps you could have "co-op files" where two (or more) people manage a single save kept online. They could either have seperate empires or the same empire with two seperate bank accounts (properties would split the money 50/50, you could give your money to the other player, etc...). It would be kinda like an MMO, only within a small circle of people who know each other.

3. Fleet battles. You have a fleet and I have a fleet, lets make them fight. Naturally, you wouldn't lose any of the ships that were destroyed. There should be both an option to import a fleet and an option for each player to buy a fleet with a preset "spending limit".

I might have more ideas later, but I think this is a good start.

[Gammel]

Well simple really. (In my opinion)
Players would start the game as per a usual story-line disabled game, but more than one person would start start sitting in an M5 and in the home sector of what ever race they chose to start with.
Setting that can be modified before the game would be player race, starting cash and ships.
Each player's name would appear in the Race Friend/Foe list so you can set each player to what you want them to be.
Then everyone would play as normal.

When a player is killed they, obviously, cant reload. So they would either take the option use one of their salvage insurances to respawn as you died on the spot, spend the price of your ship to respawn as you died on the spot, stop playing and go into observer mode, or quit the game entirely.

It would be difficult for players to use mods, as its likely everyone would have to be running the same ones. :-/

[Silpion]

Plug- & Play-Universe:
A server application based universe in which few players can log in and out whenever they wish. When a player is not logged in their property is controlled by the AI and when they log in back again, all ships, stations, wares etc. are set back to whatever they were when the player logged out.

Factions controlled by multiple players:
The above could be modified to a coop mode where payers can belong to the same faction and essentially behave like a single player controlling multiple ships. All players of one faction could share the control of all stations and remote controlled ships.

[clcabbage]

Hello again, after further thoughts i've come up with a little something..hope you like, it goes like this...

Start a NEW GAME-had too theres new content-and play as we normally do , trade, fight , biuld, explore, ect... but wait ! theres something i've never seen before! its a new WEST GATE in Ringo Moon....
This GATE only allows PLAYER flown ships in, you cannot order your fleet through it , nor can your wingmen follow. Once you've traveled through you come out at the other end AUTOMATICALY Docked at an Enormous Trade Station.. in this station i see i can use my command interface like normal to interact with the station. My options are..
Trade , Barter , BBS , Forum , Undock , Details , ...

Lets Trade- here i may trade my goods i brought with me to the station for ? lets say 20% below average to sell, ans 20% above average to buy. yep thats really not good economics since i should be able to better in my own universe, but it atleast provides ALL wares. in case i just had to get rid of excess products...?
Lets Barter- Yep you guessed it just like IN game, I see CBJ is here, he's trying to sell GPPC's , good price though, he's offering a Discount if you Buy 10 or more .. maybe i can find someone that needs my spare M5.... hmm --yes people Players trading with Players- - Oh look my buddy i said i'd meet online.. i'll GIVE him thos BHEPT's i promised him..
Lets check BBS- Hey look theres MOGGY Hosting a 6 Player RACE-- hmm need fast M5 to Join, -you'll have RACE rankings too- Races are dependent/limited to your ranking , so an expert wont be racing in the novice class..( unless the host allows it), and you may win credits too ..the entry fee is 500 CR "payable to server" then re-distibuted to winners on a scale. once enough players join, you'll be transfered into another ONLINE SECTOR (with your racing ship ofcourse) to compete.--your placing helps your ranking.
Hey look here, this guy is Hosting a Deathmatch-- host sets perameters - again once the match begins you'd spawn in the proper ONLINE SECTOR
hey heres another - this player wants to host a team CAPPING contest.. 3 players each team. Player vs. Player damage is turned off, you fight against mutliple waves of Pirates , most CAPS wins
This post says ; Need help clearing sector Xenon 347, he's set the perameter to only want players with M1 ships to join, hmm i'd have to loadout my M1 first, i have got enough lasers on it --
--- anyway you start to get afeeling where i'm going??
Lets goto Forum- yep usual stuff here, people still asking for X5, guides stickies ect. ect.. and Egosoft telling people not to post advertisements for thier wares here. common problem now.
Undock- well this choice will take me back to my game "my universe"-- happens Automatic respawn back in Ringo Moon..
now lets check Details before we go - here you'll see everyone whos is docked and thier ship, theres MOGGY he's in his M7 Yacht and must have his Arrow docked inside. and i see CBJ docked in Mammoth ( had to be hes selling alot of GPPC's )

well anyway i gotta go now.. hope you enjoyed and got an idea from this,
NOTE- this could actually be better off as a special trading station in game vs, the WEST GATE example. only thing you'd NOT see any Players in that sector , you'd see them only after DOCKING and checking the DETAILS

--clcabbage

[Skeeter]

Co-op mode might be nice for to play the story, but gameplay would have to be tweaked for co-op mode i.e you get a bunch of cash and you dont really buy stations or anything you just buy ships and upgrades as your doing co-op for story not business expansion so the jist of it will be you both start off next to each other, have a ingame chat system so you can comune what your going to do i.e buy ships like what type etc. Not enough money for cap ships tho just m3-m5 class only (limit class perhaps hardcoded). So you buy your ships you both go and do the story together 1 mission straight after the other. Also limit the fact you must both be in the same sector and cant be in diff sectors so it keeps you both in same place. Also disable real time development of all systems, just activate and track the one system your in. Others lie dorment as you dont need to have them active if theres no trading aims.

--

Deathmatch and capture the flag type multiplayer modes might be good fun. I.e you both get a certain amount of credits you get a basic scout, your allowed to dock with shipyards and equipment docks only for changing of ships and upgrades. Lock it to one system (chooseable tho from list of suitable cool mp sectors) Allow for clan matches perhasp like 15vs15 ship battles. Including cap ships but 1 or 2 limited per side.

Capture the flag is you must travel to your enemys sector, try to stay alive and beam on board a package and head back to your sectors trading station or player hq? First to do so wins or somit.

[the old one]

it will not happen so here is my 2p worth,have the largest map possible,have 10 races telardi,yaki, goner as non combatants pirate,argon,split,paranid,boron,khaak,xenon,terran,game start 1 sector each race with stations to produce ships,weapons,sheild so they can expand,a system were each race can advertise for pilots ie fighter @ ts,and when they think they are strong enough attack other races to conquor the X universe,when there is a winner restart at different locations,the old one,

[Mudkest]

Co-op ONLY imo, 2-4 players , that should be able to keep most, if not , all parts of the game together.
allow you to trade, fight , build, and think as a team.
-- think of it like this: as 1 player does something the other may either help in the task or stand as gaurd , or even go fetch supplies, or do something else entirely.

nah, co-op is nice, and definetly would like to see it as an option, but IMO it goes agasint the game's sugested freedom to have it the only option

why not be able to start a game with some other players in a massive "free-for-all" style? go up agaisnt the rest, form an alliance or what-ever with another player and go to war agsint someone else together(and then backstab that trusting boron at a critical stage in combat if it seems to gie you an advantage over both of them). Fun!

[(/\)arped]

Co-op ONLY imo, 2-4 players , that should be able to keep most, if not , all parts of the game together.
allow you to trade, fight , build, and think as a team.
-- think of it like this: as 1 player does something the other may either help in the task or stand as gaurd , or even go fetch supplies, or do something else entirely.

why not be able to start a game with some other players in a massive "free-for-all" style? go up agaisnt the rest, form an alliance or what-ever with another player and go to war agsint someone else together(and then backstab that trusting boron at a critical stage in combat if it seems to gie you an advantage over both of them). Fun!

Indeed, a co-op WOULD be good, but even better if the ability to go at loggerheads with eachother was an option.
Someone above mentioned it only being for the storyline though, so no stations etc... Well... Why? Co-op shouldn't necessarily mean story only, especially with the X Universe games' short storylines.

Plug- & Play-Universe:
A server application based universe in which few players can log in and out whenever they wish. When a player is not logged in their property is controlled by the AI and when they log in back again, all ships, stations, wares etc. are set back to whatever they were when the player logged out.

The problem with this idea is what happens if you have just set up a new li'l empire in The Wall and go offline. Then your empire gets destroyed by the competition wanting to sell more stuff while you're logged out? Does it reappear once you log in, or does it stay dead? I mean the latter is unfair to you, but the former would eliminate the point in hostile takeovers so to speak.

A deathmath mode might be fun, but... Fleets versus fleets might be fun. But I can't imagine the capital ship battles being too fun. I can imagine one person sitting as the pilot, bimbling around, while other people control the turrets, getting kinda bored as nothing stays in their view range for long enough. I think the turret handling would have to be overhauled to make this a bit more realistic.
PERHAPS a teamchat function for other players just on your ship would make this better... Identifying key targets to take down or missiles headed for the ship, and informing the pilot player which way to turn or orientate to be most effective. That would be the best idea methinks. But of course, that all fails if the pilot has no microphone

Now this has got me thinking a bit more... Rather than a 'Halo style FPS in a ship' deathmatch, a Team Fortress 2 style match would be more suited. (Objectives optional mind) You choose your 'character' which would be an M5, M4, M3 etc, and enter the game. Each ship would need even more definition for a certain role than the transition between X2 and X3. Perhaps TL could be overhauled as the new supply ship? Dock on it midgame for health and missiles?
There should be a sensible cap on captial ships generally though... One that depends on the amount of people in game perhaps.

To be honest, the idea of playing a co-op/competitve game on a small scale with a few friends actually appeals to me most of all here. (I'd never even thought of it until now) BUT if done right, a deathmatch could be an equal amount of fun for all.