Farnack said:
Well, for development, time is money.
1 year would definitely be quite some millions of dollars. Since all the maps are asymmetric and unbalanced, they would need to create and art up new levels, and you can't just create one multiplayer level, they probably need eight. Game designers would definitely be hard pressed to make things work, and doubling the efforts of testing.
Well, it's at least nice that a conversation is starting to emerge, without the insecure bullying bs.
I think you have a fair point. However, i dont think there's much need to "art up" new levels, recycling assets from the sp would provide more than enough material. Besides, that's essentially what happens with most games that have both mp and sp.
As far as balance goes, they could easily draw up symmetrical, or close to symmetrical maps. There would still be an advantage to the white, but that could be balanced by reducing amounts of CP, providing sufficient initial cover, and/or drawing up maps that are large enough to nullify the opening move advantage.
Edit: for more discussion.
Tempy said:
The single player game mechanics do not facilitate a multiplayer mode without revising every gameplay mechanic.
Every gameplay mechanics? With that kind of unsubstantiated blanket statement, you could "prove" anything you want.
Tempy said:
My example illustrates exactly what would go wrong if one were to just use the single player mechanics. It just doesn't work.
Your example shows that if the mp is designed to be unbalanced, it would be unbalanced.
Tempy said:
I could go further on using even simpler language, and I could make some drawings to help you understand a bit better, but I don't think I can do that without insulting your intelligence.
It's alright, most of your recent posts in this thread have done the latter already, so, no pressure. At least, you're not threatening to hit anyone in the face anymore.
Durante said:
So the multiplayer topic is still going on?
I'll make it really easy for you:
(1) Fact: Multiplayer wouldn't work with the game mechanics & balance as is (if you can't see that there is no helping you)
(2) Proposition: Changing game mechanics & balance to fit MP may degrade the SP experience -- and even if it doesn't it would require redesigning that as well
(3) By (1) and (2), adding multiplayer would no just incur the cost for additional net code development and testing, but also for the design changes and related SP changes required
(4) Fact: Game budgets are finite
(5) By (3) and (4), the game would have suffered in other areas had they included multiplayer
(6) Fact: Historically, SRPGs simply don't include multiplayer, and the fanbase never seemed to care
(7) By (5) and (6), the game would have most likely been less appealing to the main target audience had they included MP
In conclusion:
There are very valid reasons for not including multiplayer. Perhaps, given the superb feedback on the gameplay and the related sporadic cries for MP they would consider planning the sequel with it in mind from the beginning. So if you really want MP buy a few more copies of the game.
Thanks for a level headed contribution.
(1) agreed.
(2) & (3) why would they change the sp according to the mp? The sp seems nice enough to me as is.
(5) the game is out already, i see no point in speculating in what could have been. If they're looking at a sequel, they already have the engine. They could have room to add stuff to the package, and all i'm saying is that mp could make sense.
(6) weren't you that guy saying this game was so different from anything else? Besides, there does seem to be some people in this thread, who probably qualify as part of the target audience, who would be interested in mp.
Durante said:
In conclusion:
There are very valid reasons for not including multiplayer. Perhaps, given the superb feedback on the gameplay and the related sporadic cries for MP they would consider planning the sequel with it in mind from the beginning. So if you really want MP buy a few more copies of the game.
I like how we actually agree on the essential.
(although i'm kinda broke, might have to wait a little before i can afford those 100,000 extra copies)