best way to get virus and malware rep?

[Redmund]

So i started a new playthrough, this time siding with the virus and malware. so i started shooting up the OS guys in the first base, but now im stuck in an arena with all the factions hating me, unable to upload the station to anything, stuck in the arena. Whats the best way to get on the virus's side quickly? the first base had tech level 2-4 at first but after killing a few there were 10s and 15s everywhere lol.

[Space Bob (Paul)]

Yikes, you madman :)

First off let's be clear that trying to side with Virus or Malware is meant to be a serious challenge.

Okay, some insider tips.

You could do tasks for Malware or Virus. Tasks can offer some good reputation but ideally you want to be killing OS or Anti-Virus ships in the heart of Malware of Virus space. You get a bigger reputation boost for protecting the bases rather than killing ships out on the highways.

So for example killing an OS ship, in the back base of Malware space will give you the highest Malware reputation boost for the kill. Killing that OS ship in OS space would give very little Malware reputation.

You can combine the two things together by first flying deep into Virus space, and then looking for OS or Antivirus ships. Then look for a bounty task at one of the nearby docking bays. They will likely ask you to kill that nearby ship and you get both the normal reputation bonus for killing it plus the bonus for completing the task.

It won't be easy but it's a fun challenge.

Oh, and siding with Virus or Malware is also harder in other ways. Malware ships are a bit mental; they will often attack each other and rarely protect each other. Virus really don't much like anyone and are very aggressive, but the OS and AntiVirus factions are more organized and will group up against you much more. So for example if an OS ship calls for help from nearby friendlies the other OS ships are considerably more likely to respond and help than Malware ships would be in a similar situation.

Let me know how you get on. It's an interesting topic with many hidden mechanics like those described above and it's rarely discussed.

[Redmund]

wow! thanks for the response!

first off let me just say this game reaches an itch for me that I never knew I had. im enjoying your game so much and i cant thank you enough for developing it.

Knowing now that its a monumental task, and that no factions like me at all right now at tech level 1, makes me rethink my strategy here haha. Thank you for the detailed response, i appreciate all your help.

Im considering starting a video series of my gameplay of your game, let me know if you think thats a good idea. Think frankieonpc's dayz videos with a worst host, no british accent, and no multiplayer. but i think itll be fun!

[Qon]

Originally posted by Rising Sun Slasher ☢:

Im considering starting a video series of my gameplay of your game, let me know if you think thats a good idea. Think frankieonpc's dayz videos with a worst host, no british accent, and no multiplayer. but i think itll be fun!

Sounds awesome! Do it! :]

[Redmund]

Originally posted by Qon:

Originally posted by Rising Sun Slasher ☢:

Im considering starting a video series of my gameplay of your game, let me know if you think thats a good idea. Think frankieonpc's dayz videos with a worst host, no british accent, and no multiplayer. but i think itll be fun!

Sounds awesome! Do it! :]

I can also livestream as well but i dont know if many would be interested. Video editing would cut down on the exploration time (but i love the exploration time in game) as well as allow users to pause when they get bored haha! i can even do polls on what people think i should do next - destory every faction, become a rogue super troop, befriend the malware, etc.

if one person thinks its a good idea, like my new friend Qon, ill get started tonight!

[Blindlight]

I would love to watch more people play this game as I dont have much free time nowadays

[Redmund]

sweet! ill start the videos tonight.

if you want an example of my voice/casting style, check out the old tournaments I did for the early access fighting game Blade Symphony here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pAbSAVHPys

im redmund, the louder voice.

[Space Bob (Paul)]

The game has had so many 'First Look' type videos on YouTube, and it really doesn't suit that format at all because of how deep it is. A first look doesn't even scratch the surface of the game. I think players and viewers alike would be much more interested in seeing some later game content.

Personally I'd love to see some shorter format (5-10 minute) videos that showcase a specific playstyle or build strategy. Some examples:

A video that shows how to make a tank using Energy Coupler, Energy Recovery System, and the two leech gadgets all combined together in a destroyer hull. Because the destroyers have highly overclocked shields and energy, they make the leech gadgets super effective. If you boost your shield and energy storage with further upgrades the leech gadgets become even stronger and you can quite comfortably tank 10 ships above your level. One of the new arenas in the next update is even based around this build idea as a possible solution to beating it. You can also see me using that build in one of the .gifs posted in yesterdays announcement.

Another video I'd like to see is someone showing off some skills using Blink combined with Electrocute, probably combined with boosted Flak Cannon damage. It could be combined with double impunity so that you are immune to damage for a few seconds when you Blink into close range for the kill.

All the upgrades and gadgets were designed to allow for a huge amount of interesting builds that most players don't even think about. I'm sure other players would get a real kick out of watching a video of some of those builds in action with an explanation about why they work and the tactics used to make them work. These videos tend to be the most popular ones for other ARPG's like Diablo 3.

As for live streaming, I think it would be really interesting to watch you experimenting and testing out different builds which eventually lead up making a YouTube video showcasing the results.

Other quick examples of other build options:

• A build based around the use of multiple Floating Turrets. They can be super powerful.
  
• A speed based build where speed is used to avoid all damage. ie Glass Cannon
  
• A build based around crowd control utilizing Blind and Confuse AI.
  
• A build based around Barrier with heavily boosted missiles and the railgun. Peekaboo style. Defense could therefore be very low, with maxed out peekaboo damage.
  
• How about combining Barrier with turrets deployed on either side of the wall.
  
• A build based on Rail and Thunder Missiles.
  
• A build based around missile damage and missile regeneration.

Nobody is making cool videos of what is possible later in the game. I bet other players could throw in endless other build suggestions too.

Then speedrun videos could also create a lot of competition and interest from other players. Qon did one where he went from a fresh game start to Station 2 in 40 minutes. Trying to figure out the optimal way to level up fast is a really fun challenge. Once just 2-3 players are competing to do this I'm sure it would create wider interest.

Another idea, videos of players beating arenas at the lowest level possible. Eg. Who can beat S01_A04 (Station 1, Arena 4) at the lowest level at the various difficulty settings. Players who get good at beating the arenas early will naturally lead into improved speedrun times as the arenas drop such high level loot

I'll shut up now because I could go on and on with ideas.

BTW, Feel free to post up (advertise) your videos both here in the discussion area and by adding them to the video section of the community hub here. I also don't mind if you make a discussion post to advertise whenever you will be streaming the game later in the day. It's all good and if I'm free I'd love to come watch you stream if I know it's happening. Watching someone else play, while listening to their thoughts as they do it, is some of the best feedback a developer can get. Whenever I watch a stream it always leads to tweaks and improvements to the game.

Edit: Of course watching you stream while trying to become Virus friendly is also interesting and could lead to a nice YouTube video discussing the best strategies you found.

[Blindlight]

yeah I think the genre of videos like frankies which is like an episodic show would be really cool, but of course the game is pretty abstract and it really depends on the storytelling ability of the person casting it, but I think they could make it positively gripping

[Space Bob (Paul)]

Originally posted by Blindlight:

yeah I think the genre of videos like frankies which is like an episodic show would be really cool, but of course the game is pretty abstract and it really depends on the storytelling ability of the person casting it, but I think they could make it positively gripping

I just finished watching a vid of Frankie playing Day Z (I'd not watched his stuff before). It was good stuff. He kept me watching for nearly an hour. I think it works because he's just a guy playing a game he obviously enjoys and is good at. He also seems to have no agenda or ego and that's nice to watch.

Sounds a bit like you Redmund, so give it a shot.

[Qon]

Originally posted by Intravenous Software:

All the upgrades and gadgets were designed to allow for a huge amount of interesting builds that most players don't even think about. I'm sure other players would get a real kick out of watching a video of some of those builds in action with an explanation about why they work and the tactics used to make them work. These videos tend to be the most popular ones for other ARPG's like Diablo 3.

As for live streaming, I think it would be really interesting to watch you experimenting and testing out different builds which eventually lead up making a YouTube video showcasing the results.

Other quick examples of other build options:

• A build based around the use of multiple Floating Turrets. They can be super powerful.
  
• A speed based build where speed is used to avoid all damage. ie Glass Cannon
  
• A build based around crowd control utilizing Blind and Confuse AI.
  
• A build based around Barrier with heavily boosted missiles and the railgun. Peekaboo style. Defense could therefore be very low, with maxed out peekaboo damage.
  
• How about combining Barrier with turrets deployed on either side of the wall.
  
• A build based on Rail and Thunder Missiles.
  
• A build based around missile damage and missile regeneration.

Nobody is making cool videos of what is possible later in the game. I bet other players could throw in endless other build suggestions too.

It's coming in the future... when I stop being so lazy q:
And that list of builds is a good list. I've tried them and many of them are good for killing some TL+4 on max difficulty!

Though I can be eloquent when writing I'm not used to speaking english or editing my rare videos which is a barrier I have to overcome. And my mic is pretty horrible :o

[Redmund]

Hey guys recording starts sometime tonight, im going to record a few hours of gameplay and then edit it down, releasing the eps every few days. Ill create a thread about it when they are done. Ive spent some time writing down what i plan to do for the episodes and when, and ill try to make it as fun as I can. Cheers.

Btw im switching back to my regular handle since im too lazy to make a new youtube channel.

[Space Bob (Paul)]

Originally posted by Qon:

Though I can be eloquent when writing I'm not used to speaking english or editing my rare videos which is a barrier I have to overcome. And my mic is pretty horrible :o

Obviously, having narration over the video is better, but there's no reason why you couldn't make a video showcasing a build, and then do a write-up about it here with a link to the video. Players of the game would still be interested.

Originally posted by Redmund ☢:

Hey guys recording starts sometime tonight

Looking forward to it.

[Redmund]

sorry for the delay - been busy with work and other things, ive already recorded all the footage for the first 3 eps, im editing a preview clip about 3 minutes long tonight and itll be out tomorrow evening. i decided to take a RPG storytelling twist to it, hence why its taking longer. i think itll be more fun when im creating a narrative for the story as i play. look forward to it!

[Qon]

That sounds fantastic, can't wait!

[Space Bob (Paul)]

Hey Redmund, I've been eagerly awaiting your first installment. Enough so that I just went to your channel to see if you had uploaded it without saying anything. I saw you had a NeonXSZ video there that looks like a test capture.

A couple of tips to make video of this game look great on YouTube. I've experimented a lot.

First, turn on mouse smoothing in Options/Controls while making videos. I know mouse-smoothing isn't optimal for aiming, but it makes the video look really smooth and that's why I added it to the game. Because Neon is a mouse-look shooter, with instant turning, any twitching on the mouse makes it look like the video frame rate is bad, or skipping frames.

Second tip is that 90% of the time this game needs the brightness turned up in your video editing software before uploading. YouTube's compression seems to heavily boost contrast and wash out all the grays so it makes this game look way too dark. Do a couple of short test uploads with the brightness or gamma boosted to see what I mean.

I know that it's probably too late to incorporate mouse-smoothing for the video you have already captured, but it's worth doing for future recording sessions.

Looking forward to seeing your stuff.