Hey,
I'd like to make a little open-ended discussion here.
Before I suggest the topic, I propose a "light rule" so that the discussion doesn't go in a direction where it kills itself again:
-> Let's concentrate specific sections which can interest players, for example graphics, game style, various weakness one game might have whereas the other has not
-> Let's not become
too concerned with details. I would like to talk about the overall impression of these games. We can of course discuss about some details,
but if possible I would like to return to the general environment of these games, rather than i.e. specific pictures of a single character ... ;-)
-> Please Participate!
The topic here is about the game Ufo:AI here, and the game Wesnoth. As I believe many knows, Wesnoth is a rather big game by now. The current download has around +200 MB,
and UFO-AI can be compared to this easily (I think UFO-AI is bigger). Of course, the game mechanics can not compared easily because there are many differences. But I do want to point out specific issues, where either one could improve, or learn, from the other project.
* The first thing that crosses my mind is the campaign mode. I think one big advantage Wesnoth has over UFO-AI is that you can choose from so many different campaigns. I know that this concept does not easily relate to UFO-AI, however I think that campaigns give people a clear aim. A goal. A focus. This I think is a very good idea. For Ufo-AI we could concentrate on more details on how to make the aliens more interesting. How to make the story develop more dynamic, maybe add some unexpected plots or twists into the game.
An overall linear plot is ok, but I think without twists the story would become a bit boring. There are many ways to achieve this... I dont want to get lost in detail, so I propose just a short way.
Picture week 22. The aliens did not show much activity. Then suddenly, they launch multiple attacks:
- They infiltrate the base, and at the same time attack one or two towns. During that attack they also introduce a new weapon(or any other item which the player can then develop). This could be an optional line, a plot which does not always happen, which is not totally needed to end the game, but which might be more interesting and give the game a little twist.
- Rescued civilians may want to help out the earth defenders somehow... perhaps they donate a bit of their money, or time...
* Next thing I believe, one big difference will always be that Wesnoth aims to be very simple. In fact, downright stupid. They wont add new features if they make the game "too complicated". This will forever be a liability for wesnoth. They have purposely limited themselves and thus can not explore more "complex" game dynamics.
* Another thing which is actually a plus for Wesnoth is that various users happily contribute their campaigns. I wonder how much modding could be done in Ufo:AI. For example, it would be interesting to have a campaign line where it is very hard to find out who is an alien, and who is not. The aliens would actively try to be very sneaky and ... you know, "cloak and dagger" style... or maybe aliens which hypnotize and drink blood
gothic-like hehe
Just to try out different things and see if this idea can bring any improvement.
*Maps:
The maps on Wesnoth are very simple, much simpler than in UFO-AI for example. Thus they can easily become bigger. This I believe is a slight limitation in UFO.AI. I think a really big map could be interesting. Maybe not in mainline mode, but I would like to explore a really big map with some "niceties", who knows. Maybe an old army base where robots fight as well... anyone remembers Fallout games? One base was cool, it had deactivated combat robots which were very strong... something like that could be fun to try out in UFO-AI.
Hmm cant think of more right now.... perhaps later
