Living NPC's

D

Dan

Where'd That 6th Toe Come From?
In this thread at the Interplay message boards, Leop said he would like the NPC's in Van Buren to be more interesting and have real personalities.

Chad "Briareus" Nicholas replied:<blockquote>While it's technically possible to do that in Van Buren, whether or not it gets done will depend on how much time we have.</blockquote> This isn't the first time we hear about Van Buren/Jefferson's engine abillty to support NPC behavior, it can really add depth to the world.
 
hey

Something like making NPCs interesting shouldn't be something based on how much time they have to put it in. It should be on the top of the MUST DO list.

I'm only reading what you posted, because I can't view the Interplay forums, so I'm sorry if I've taking it out of context.
 
Dan said:
In this thread at the Interplay messege boards, Leop said he would like the NPC's in Van Buren to be more interesting and have real personalities.

Chad "Briareus" Nicholas replied:<blockquote>While it's technically possible to do that in Van Buren, whether or not it gets done will depend on how much time we have.</blockquote> This isn't the first time we hear about Van Buren/Jefferson's engine abillty to support NPC behavior, it can really add depth to the world.
Click to expand...


All this talk about time really makes me depressed. All I can imagine is getting a really crappy game and there response? "Sorry, we did not have time to make the game better." Not that I'm saying its the fault of any of the guys working on the project as I know they are putting their hearts into it. I just hope interplay gives them the chance to make this game all that it can and should be.
 
Friendly Fire

I thought "friendly fire" would be enough to inspire one to focus on
NPC pals. Or has this bane of the fantasy based RPG'ers been exorcized to suit those disturbed by ballistic reality.

Need more than that to care?

I thought "friendly fire" would be enough to inspire one to give a sh't.

Or am I being too shallow.

...................................

Maybe I have projected too much on the NPC's in FO 1+2, and maybe "more" was not done with "less".

There's an implication here, that there may be no time or space to equal that minimalist rendering.
Guess the trend is towards "C"-NPC's and we will be too busy micro managing squad inventory to see as in FO 2: the expression on Sulik's face change as the "Chosen One's karma expands to embrace dramatic destiny. Such 'small' affirmations are most likely with out consequence in the acquisition of experience points.

The story: a mere coincedence of spinning factoids.

Experience points: The real coin of the realm in RPG's. The expanding ego of the Player Character. The body count. The bottom line.

Or am I being too shallow.


4too
 
De Bug!

Got the "De Bug" message and a double post. Not delegated the power of "self" deletion, I must carry on........

Or did I write more? Now wishing to cover some heinous fount of flames. What dark TRUTH am I obsuring with my feeble gesticulations?
Should I tell all and risk inciting boredom and condemation in a pitiful effort of being?

Enough SMOKE!

Should I leave this as empty space for the MIRRORS of your imaginations?

And the , once and future, deletion via our kind and generous moderator.


4too
 
A Little Goes A Long Way

All I need is the beating of my anquished chest to be too, too Shakespearian, in this melodrama of the fleshing out of "spear carriers".

Consider that a minimum effort of characterization can be clothed by our projected imaginings. A little goes a long way.

As long as NPC's are more than pack mules, as long as their performance affects the game play, including all aspects of fire support, especially "friendly fire", than the NPC's are worthy of dev time.

Basic dramatic progression demands more of our "side kicks" than the slapstick comic relief of accidental back shooting. Perhaps the RPG industry needs a "best supporting NPC Award" at the next "atta boy" gala.

4too
 
A Little Goes A Long Way

Oh, so all I need is to try to submit a post once and "De Bug" will do the rest.

4too
 
A Little Goes A Long Way

Thrashing in anxiety , and resubmitting a contribution rewards the despirate with a "DOUBLE REPOST"!!!!

Like smearing a spot when we try to sop it up.

Patience rewards the traveler of the Forums.

"DE BUG" one of those "zen" exercises?

Here at another one of life's dualistic cross roads,......
Be yo' a zen master or a SPAM MASTER (a.k.a. a "master baiter")?


4too
 
lilfyffedawg said:
All this talk about time really makes me depressed. All I can imagine is getting a really crappy game and there response? "Sorry, we did not have time to make the game better."
Click to expand...
Agreed. This is time #3.
1: Multiple player races?
- Too much work for the animators, not enough time.
2: Combat stances like ducking, lieing down, prone?
- Too much work for the animators, not enough time.
3: The chance to make more interesting NPCs?
- Well, we *could* make our NPCs more interesting, but we may not have the time...

Tick tock, tick tock, goes the clock.
Fallout 3: A Post Nuclear Role Playing Game
*WARNING: Due to events beyond our control, we only managed to complete the 'Post Nuclear' bit. Unfortunately, the "Role Playing" bit was left on the drawing board.

Not that I'm saying I'm for or against these features, but to hear the excuse of 'time' (or lack there-of) being given, is dis-heartening.
 
Polite

Would this be a polite ploy to maintain wiggle room on the slippery slope of game development? Never imply or promise what can't be delivered.

Or are they at the cross roads of the first major "feature" cut or
"creature" cull?

The real source of time anxiety the shallow, shaky nature of the corporate assets?

4too
 
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