Multiplayer mode

[Zero]

I think adding in a multiplayer mode will be awesome. Anyone else feel the same way?

[grom]

+1

[Erik Asmussen]

What kind of multiplayer modes would you like to see? (no promises, but curious what players are looking for)

[Thegreen16]

Originally posted by Erik Asmussen:

What kind of multiplayer modes would you like to see? (no promises, but curious what players are looking for)

Probably a coop mode where the other person has the same level of control as you

[FireZtreaM]

Originally posted by Thegreen16:

Originally posted by Erik Asmussen:

What kind of multiplayer modes would you like to see? (no promises, but curious what players are looking for)

Probably a coop mode where the other person has the same level of control as you

Exactly this! Just being able to build together is enough. It's just so much more fun to be able to build with your friends.

[Thegreen16]

Though, as much as I like multiplayer/coop I'd rather have the game's core functions/sp be finished first (which I'm sure you'd agree too)

[Cyrus]

Originally posted by Thegreen16:

Though, as much as I like multiplayer/coop I'd rather have the game's core functions/sp be finished first (which I'm sure you'd agree too)

The problem is it is often far harder to add MP after the fact rather than having it built in early on. So if MP is to be added, it is much better to have it added as early as possible.

As for having MP in this game I see two main potential options.

1 - A fairly straight forward co-op play together on same map type deal. This has been done with many other games and works well. Main downfall I see to this (and with other games that do the same) is it requires the main person to be online / playing. Which can be a pain when they are not online.

This is probably the easiest option and the one most are likely looking for


2 - This one is a bit more advanced, but could lead to some interesting options. Something similar to Sim Cities (the most recent one) where you each have your own town in the same 'world', but can trade with each other, and possibly work towards 'global' projects together (supply resources / workers to complete large 'global' projects)

It could also be done similar to the regions in previous Sim City games where you can create towns that focus on specific purposes to feed a main town.

Focused towns could possibly even be given perks in certain areas (and penalties in others) to promote things such as a mining town (+ to mining - to farming) or farming (+ to farming - to mining) thus having to rely on trade with others.

Trade could be achieved by a dedicated building that lets you trade items / currency with each other (possibly based of the basic coin value of items to try and 'balance' trades)

The global projects could be things as basic as overall happiness perks, boosted production, or advanced research type things that unlock more advanced tier items.

However with that type of MP a server would most likely be needed so people can hop on and play on the 'world' as they choose rather than only being able to play when the main person is online.

[Zero]

ye I would love to see like a lan/local multiplayer to go to a friends house and play with him that would be enough for me

[Zero]

or maybe online aswell bu not open world a world where u have to invite friends to join to play that will make sure you dont have anyone that griefs

[Caz]

Originally posted by Erik Asmussen:

What kind of multiplayer modes would you like to see? (no promises, but curious what players are looking for)

The most common I see are co-op and free-for-all*.

* People choose whether or not work together. This could add combat, but I'd rather see the focus put elsewhere than combat. Perhaps a challenge mode sort of thing where friends/players could rush to achieve a goal. Rush to X resources, and you could block your opponent in with fences or something like that. Would need balancing, of course.

[Zero]

that sounds like good plan

[Trulight911]

Adding multiplayer in to a game like this isn't terribly hard the engine already provides the tools, and Erik has already done a far more complext MP game :)

[Jodian]

I actually think a multiplayer, in the same kind of co-op experience as Factorio, might do this game wonders.

All you'd really have to do is add in the additional player and sync the map between them. No need for anything additional in the base game since everyone is working the same "town"

[Roadie]

Simple map-sharing co-op is what I'd want, mostly for the potential of creative mode and putting together weird contraptions with friends.

[catboy princess]

I would like to have co-op building and sharing of resources and the main base. That is, every player in the session shares the one starting base and the shared inventory.

I would *also* like to have multiplayer in the sense of each player having their own starting base and their own personal shared inventories with permission management of how much space or which zones each player can use, and ways for the players to interact with each other (e.g. share resources at certain Barns or Silos or whatnot).

Having both multiplayer modes would be the dream.

[Major Witty]

Originally posted by Jodian (V01):

I actually think a multiplayer, in the same kind of co-op experience as Factorio, might do this game wonders.

All you'd really have to do is add in the additional player and sync the map between them. No need for anything additional in the base game since everyone is working the same "town"

Agreed. I would buy six copies if you add multiplayer. Then a few friends and in-laws would buy a few copies (2 to 4, depending on interest).

We play Factorio now with 6 to 8 players.

The guys at Factorio share a lot of great information about game design and details, including multiplayer framework, in the FFF blog.