Fallout Multiplayer

[Guest]

At the risk of sounding somewhat naive and pissing off Roshambo, I am going to post on the topic of how Fallout Multiplayer could be implemented. THIS IS NOT FOOL. What I am talking about is probably something done over the LAN, which is what, for the most part, atleast that's what I did with, BOS multiplayer was used for anyway. Recalling the game Vampire the Redemption there existed a storyteller mode which allowed for characters to interact with single player game areas in a multiplayer fashion. Inevitably it degenerated to kill fest and a means by which the admin could create a super character; that is wholly unacceptable but eminently correctable.
What could be done is a multiplayer version of the single player game. Have the dedicated host take on the role of "moderator" that is to control game situation. (what map, game options CTB, STB, TB, day, night, length, etc... without actually being a player in the game) The map being chosen from specific areas throughout the game as an initial starting point. Nextly the multiplayer aspect of the game would be players are assigned the "talking head" roles throughout the single player area that is chosen. Now as to whether or not they are aligned or opposed to the player who takes on the role of main character is decided before game play begins. I am aware of the fact that that requires some serious dedication to role play, but I for one would be willing to make that dedication. Playing as Marcus from F2 and seeing a murderer, thief, grave robber, bandit, psycho-killer type walk into my town, I'm gonna make the "karma-based" decision to ice his ass to protect my town. That would be a limited example of the kind of thing I am talking about. So what is the verdict? Gameplay or Garbage?

 

[Roshambo]

RE: Garbage

Seriously, who would just stand there to play a talking head, even considering there are so few of them in the game? (And take a lot to make, really) Perhaps the more bored of the role-players, but it's a superfluous feature that would not get much use to warrant the development time at all.

It's almost as silly as the suggestion of one fellow at V13, in that other players play the roles given to the Baldur's Gate multiplayer - that of being walking meat sacks, combat fodder. There with their thumbs up their ass until they either fight (assuming the main character is combat at all!), or in this case, waiting there until they either grow old or to talk out whatever, etc. Please note, this was a big thing for Vampire. For a couple of weeks until only a few dozen people really cared.

The support for this is far too extravagant for development concerns and would take away from serious requirements.

Like where BIS is going to find enough oil for their Revolving Door of Employment.

 

[JR Jansen]

At least your post is now more legible.

I'm not in favor of multiplayer for the reason Rosh already pointed out and some that were pointed out in the past.
I don't however have anything aganst a sort of co-op were a limited number of players, say 2 or 3, start out and form a party with the existing NPC's in the game and basically play the single player game with 2 or 3 people, with the most charismatic PC being the leader. Their are some things to be worked out but, imo, this could be done. Multiplayer is a totally diferent thing wich has a large number of cons, and imo, the cons don't weigh up to the pros.

JR

Nunc ut nunquam

 

[Guest]

Maybe I wasnt too clear about what I was talking about when I said "talking heads." (please note in quotations) I was noting the fact that most of the NPCs in FO2 were talking heads and eventually could be part of the team. I was suggesting that, important NPCs that could conceivably be part of the Main Chars team or Scenario Important NPCs that could conceivably act against him, in multi-player become player controlled adding an extra level of intelligence to your allies and enemies that were part of the single player campaign. Like maybe you think that a certain boss could have acted more intelligent as a foe, or you think Sulik blased you for the last time and icing him down for 200 damage is boring now. Get some friends and take control of them. Or maybe as a BOS like situation where the allies are already player controlled allow for a co-op single player campaign, as JR JANSEN suggested.