DLC

[pringdew]

i wonder when and if there is dlc coming out....?

[chaosavy]

I keep hearing DLC being tossed around - so I gave it some thought and would like you guy's feedback:



First off - NO PROMISES (because I hate breaking them and I know I talk to much)

I was thinking of approaching the artist behind the drill ships in VD1 to convert them into usable assets to toss into VD2. So basically putting in the "Digger" faction as a DLC. It would be a smaller pirate faction - with probably one or two bases.

I think that this wouldn't be a big load on me (since it's mostly art) and would be a cool DLC - which would be great since then I can focus on bug fixes/polish.

[Fenris]

Well, if you did that, you'd be able to arrange increasing the nooks and crannies of the ship meshes to suit the VD2 texturing style over a direct modder import/retexture from VD1, since they tend to be smoother and have less detail as a result.

I'd be happy to pay a few bucks for any content of that degree, not least of which because it would save effort on some of the things I was personally planning to mod myself. I don't know if your sales reports would make you comfortable with the potential cap on DLC sales, though.

That being said, keeping in mind your concerns about art budget, I have mostly been thinking in terms of core engine code updates for new mechanics that modders cannot access and only you could personally implement as the developer, like your artillery station idea, which could be done with minimal new assets.

One thought I had was that it might be more strategically interesting to tweak remote mining platforms so Tugs bring large rocks to them for processing more efficiently than ship mining, instead of Tugs just dropping off the whole rock direct to the base - would give some opportunities to reuse Picker mining drones, Mining turret platforms, or even putting the Harnden back in as local hanger ships deployed from the mining station to the asteroids dropped off within the station's local sector. And it would make all the other mining ships that are less directly efficient than Tugs have more utility.

[Daimo]

A faction of angry space miners would be cool. What about adding a jumpgate to another system? Another system to take over would add longevity.

[Fenris]

@ Daimo: they were one of the original pirate style factions in VD1. Basically the earliest first gen miner settlers for the sector, which were displaced by the MU. If you are familiar with Warhammer 40k, they are sort of Ork-y in their style. Red, dakka, and lots of ramming with ore crushers or drills.

[firemane (Lex)]

I'd love to see the diggers back.

Recently, Freeman: guerrilla warfare added something interesting they call a challenge mode. It is a separate game start where you are enemies with everyone and it is very hard (impossible?) to ally yourself with any other faction. They removed all the regular factions and put everything in the hands of bandits. It makes for an interesting start and a game where you don't have to declare war on your Allies (since you have none). There are no story missions tied to it, since the setting _is_ the story.

Perhaps adding one or more challenge sandbox starts as part of the DLC would make things interesting. For example, one for the Diggers, where they try to make a comeback and take over the sector. Or one for the TSF, where the sector has been overrun by the Beggars and they have to conquer it back. There are other interesting possibilities such as an alliance of Mu and TSF trying to put down a resurgent Stub/Reborn rebellion.

[Daimo]

Originally posted by Fenris:

@ Daimo: they were one of the original pirate style factions in VD1. Basically the earliest first gen miner settlers for the sector, which were displaced by the MU. If you are familiar with Warhammer 40k, they are sort of Ork-y in their style. Red, dakka, and lots of ramming with ore crushers or drills.

I have the first one but never quite came to terms with the interface. Hopefully I can go back at some point and it will make a little more sense. Maybe we will get a remaster :P

[Darksynapse]

Originally posted by Fenris:

@ Daimo: they were one of the original pirate style factions in VD1. Basically the earliest first gen miner settlers for the sector, which were displaced by the MU. If you are familiar with Warhammer 40k, they are sort of Ork-y in their style. Red, dakka, and lots of ramming with ore crushers or drills.

Now that would be cool. Pissed off miners is one thing but a Chaos faction would be amazing. Yes, I realize this isn't even the same lore universe.

For the death gods!

[Fenris]

@firemane: A lot of the lore is is scattered in bits around VD2 in the ship and base descriptions. The baseline game says the Diggers joined the Reborn. I could see a Reborn vs TSF scenario. MU isn't likely to work with the TSF unless its against a very specific shared threat (avoiding spoilers). Otherwise, they are like the browncoats from Firefly - they accept that they lost to the TSF and have made peace in exchange for not being exterminated, but they don't have to like it much. Reborn are unlikely to ally with the Stubs you play. They might hire the original drone Stubb mercs if they were present, but that is about it.

As a final thought towards the overall thread and chaossavy's response, Diggers would be the best 'official new faction DLC' choice for importing. Their original roster of ships in VD1 would cover all the size classes up to destroyer + carrier, granting there is reuse of the same chasis for their heaviest ships. By comparison the Scarabs only have a few light ships. Diggers don't have any defenses and might need another base design and one or two more ships, but that is a much smaller ask than trying to fill the Scarab roster out.

Oh, and chaossavy would have to decide if he's renaming the Vulture and Buzzard with the Diggers, or the Vulture and Buzzard with the Beggars ^_^.

[Daimo]

Chaos miner reavers vs military in another system then you come in with your fleet would be cool.