On ships or off

[Black rat]

Hi guys

 

Im new to the forum but have had me eye on this game for a while now

 

I have been playing POTBS for some time but also have my eye one this game ,,can anyone tell me will this game be ship only or like POTBS will I be able to get off my ship and take a look around on the islands.

 

Not sure if I speak for all but it sure would be good to run around on an island rather than be stuck to my ship the entire game

 

 

thanks in advance

 

 

jas

[Flip]

Most likely no, avatars are not really planned but have always been a 'maybe' far down the road if the game is successful etc.

[maturin]

That's more of a definite 'no' than a maybe. Playing on foot is like developing a whole other game. And think how terrible PotBS' avcom and quests were.

[Grim DeGrim]

I loved potbs avcom could it have been better? Heck yeah. But I enjoyed it

[si_the_sorcerer]

to be fair tho potbs did have somthing with the avatar combat/boarding action but they just broke somthing that wasnt broke in the first place. Aslong as there is a fair balence and the animation is sound i don't see why they can't do it as a side project (which could take years) but id rather wait for a perfect item than a quickly botched up thing like most other developers do.

[Oliver H. Perry]

I beta tested PotBS.  Avcom Boarding was, to me, nothing more than trying to pistol their Captain, and all of his/her respawns, as fast as possible.  Maybe it got more complex after release, but I was singularly underwhelmed by the avatar system in that game.

[Macjimm]

I thoroughly like NA because I spend most of my time at the deck level. It is the immersion that I enjoy. I would love to be able to move about the ship and go ashore. Definite YES. Would be fantastic to just be able to climb into the rigging, or go below deck. To have multi player on a single ship. Fantastic. To operate a gun, sight it and touch it off. Incredible. To move about on shore similar to many other games would be terrific, especially from the first person view.

But .... is this expecting too much. Perhaps we can look forward to this type of game ... someday.

I never enjoyed Eve because as I remember there was no interaction inside the vessels. It was all third person view.

[Birg]

I beta tested PotBS as well, and thoroughly disliked Avcom; it was too twitchy for my likes.  It didn't feel natural, even with the improvements that came later.  I was never that much into boarding so avoided it as much as possible.  For me, it rather ruined the game

[maturin]

I beta tested PotBS.  Avcom Boarding was, to me, nothing more than trying to pistol their Captain, and all of his/her respawns, as fast as possible.  Maybe it got more complex after release, but I was singularly underwhelmed by the avatar system in that game.

It got more complex, so that it was resoundingly un-fun and incomprehensible to the people who wouldn't or couldn't devote themselves to this spastic interruption to their sailing game.

[Balsafer]

I think it should be added eventually but done better than potbs to keep in line with how the rest of the game is... Realism wise 

[Black rat]

Hi guys thanks for all your replies

 

I do get what some are saying with the glitches that did come with POTBS and if labs decided that they cant do this then its the way it has to be I guess, however we are not just talking boarding battles and land combat here but maybe being able to run around on an island you have found or one that other players have found for a more personal feel to the game seeing the players character that you may or may not end up in ship battle with .

 

We can all slate POTBS for their lack of detail and feel with the character but lets face it its a very old game so surely 7 ,8 years on flying labs have the tech to push it to new heights

 

Ramble really but I pray one day that the game makers will make the perfect game and so far on a pirate theme POTBS have got the closest even with the glitches and bad mechanics there are in the game

 

I feel to make the game a long term game then missions treasure maps ship and land combat is a must ,IMO I feel we need more that a combat sim with a few other pop up screens when doing trade and finding new areas in the world

 

Getting off your ship and running to a mission or to the auction house is great fun,, also seeing other players doing the same with their own personal touch when customising their character adds a feel of freedom to the game and I feel this would be missed if not included .

 

POTBS with naval action graphics OMG what a dream

 

 

jas

[Horatio Cornblower]

Maybe do something similar to EVE where you can go into the captains cabin and move around as the captain or even maybe take a walk around your ship, no fighting but I would love to be able to take the avatar of my captain and walk around the ship, maybe even during battles for added realism?

[Black rat]

I think like potbs having it where you click on the island and takes you through a loading screen and then into a different world ,ie the island/town or enemy ship

 

I know this is extra work but how long do you think members playing the game will hang around just doing battles and looking at text in a box pop up on the screen letting them know they won a boarding battle rather than taking place in it .

 

Potbs you take part first hand in matters on the islands,, this all leads to breaking the norm up

 

I know they say there looking at where the interest in the game goes and maybe,,maybe they might look at land and so on but I feel its the effort they put in that will make players follow and join the game .

On the fact that a buggy game like POTBS is still running and last night there was a good amount of players playing the game there must be a cryout for a game like POTBS but better .

 

Take a look at Dayz buggy as hell but not finished by a long shout but still has a huge following

 

I know this is down to the guys working on the game as they have the last say but I feel that POTBS with these graphics will produce a game that people wouldn't even mind paying a monthly fee for ,, look at world of warcraft

 

This post is not a moan at the guys working on the game as so far all you can say is wow top work but just sit back and think of how good it could be if it had the same format as POTBS with the graphics of naval action WOW

 

jas

[Birg]

I think much of what Game-Labs is dealing with is how to manage game mechanics on a number of scales, while not compromising on realism and period authenticity.  Will they adopt the strategic level sailing map, as used in PotBS and Sid Meier's Pirates?  How do they handle time compression and concurrent game play?  I think they are looking for a system that will be revolutionary, as is the current sea battle system.  Adding the capability to go ashore, whether in port, or on an unexplored island will entail a number of game mechanics that cannot be borrowed from the sea battle system; it will have to be built from scratch.  How do we get ashore?  By long boat?  Zoning screens?  What happens to your ship while you are galavanting about on the beach?  Can other players try to board and take your ship?  Do the devs incorporate protection mechanisms that prevent this, and therefore strain the immersion factor and suspension of disbelief?

 

I am not suggesting that a disembarcation module not be included in the game, but to do something like this well, and keep it up to the excellent standard set by the game as it stands now,would be a strain on current resources, and take a tremendous amount of time to complete.  When I was in the PotBS beta, I remember when Flying Labs made a strategic decision to push back the release date by a year because they wanted to provide a more robust land-based PvP system, which seemed to me to eventually overshadow the rest of the game.  Flying labs had a large development budget and an equally sizable team, and with that, it took them a year to complete the land based portion of the game.

 

I want Naval Action to be a ground breaking game with revolutionary concepts that have never been tried before, but I don't want the developers to over reach and decide to take shortcuts to throw something together that will drag the game down and ruin it, as I think happened in PotBS.  I think they need to focus on the fundamentals and perhaps create a modular product that can be extensible over time, allowing NA to be more fully fleshed out when the time is right.

 

Perhaps more to the point the development of a purpose to be at sea, to create a non-linear mission generation system that includes a far reaching strategic goal is challenge enough to give the current game depth of play that will keep us coming back day after day to push our progress toward that strategic goal.  Incorporating a a shore based exploration and replenishment system would be most welcome, but I hope it will not be at the sacrifice of finishing the at-sea component of the game.

[Horatio Cornblower]

Totally agree with you Birg! I would rather a developer take there time and produce something in its own league than worry people will leave as its taking to long to produce, As it stand its a rather niche game but you can see by the amount of people who missed out on keys that are desperate to play (me among them) that this game already has a huge following, I mean look at DayZ for example, that game has had a fair amount of delays and push-backs but every time I download an update its like a new game I have to learn and I'm far from complaining, I already have 4 friends who will also be getting this game when we can and all I did was link them to the website! And as they say good things come to those who wait.....even though I'm struggling to wait myself lol

[Austrum]

I have to admit I kind of liked having an avatar to walk around the towns with, however I hated to actually gameplay including boarding action.   That being the case it would be kind of cool to have an avatar to wander around with, got to the tavern, interact with players with, etc.

 

As far as boarding, I do hope they come up with something a lot better than what we have now.  What we have no sucks so badly I can't describe it.

[Birg]

I have to admit I kind of liked having an avatar to walk around the towns with, however I hated to actually gameplay including boarding action.   That being the case it would be kind of cool to have an avatar to wander around with, got to the tavern, interact with players with, etc.

 

As far as boarding, I do hope they come up with something a lot better than what we have now.  What we have no sucks so badly I can't describe it.

I think everyone has their specific level of enjoyment, and I respect that.

 

I never, for a moment, entertained the notion in PotBS that I was even half good at sword play, and because of the fact that I sucked terribly at it, I dreaded being boarded.  In one encounter early after the game released, I was on the British faction, still only in a Cutter, sailing SE down the South American coast from Trinidad when a Pirate player in a Xebec closed and engaged me.  I had no respect for Xebecs but I knew that they could sail closer to the wind than I.

 

When we entered the battle instance, I kept my distance and managed to out damage him to the point where his hull armor was nearly gone.  He repeatedly tried to close and board me, but I let myself get mired while crossing the wind, and he succeeded in boarding me.

 

His Xebec had a larger crew than mine, even though I had shot him up pretty well, so when we engaged in sword play, he had the advantage with 3 waves of attacks to try to take me.  I defeated him in the first 2 waves but in the third, he prevailed and took my ship.

 

I was rather PO'd about the situation, and really never forgot it.  I out sailed and out fought him in the sea battle and nearly out fought him in the boarding, but because of the terrible game mechanics of Boarding, and a stroke of luck on his part, he beat me.  I should have congratulated him on a well fought battle, but I just couldn't do it.

 

It kind of reminded me in that scene in Saving Private Ryan where the German soldier slowly pressed his bayonet through the chest of the American BAR gunner.  It was agonizing and rather unnecessary to have to watch.  I felt the same way with how boarding mechanics worked in PotBS.

 

After seeing the current rock/paper/scissors approach to boarding in NA, I rather like it.  It is fast and painless, with not nearly so much emotional investment.

 

I think everyone will have different preferences for boarding actions, and I won't argue with them, because we each need to enjoy the game in our own way, if possible.  One of the reasons why I love the Age of sail is because of how slow things develop at sea.  There is plenty of time for me to think before I make my next move,  When the game gets down to twitch mechanics, like Avcom was in PotBS, I lose interest.

 

Game-Labs won't be able to satisfy everyone, but I hope they will find a middle ground between the extremes (assuming there too will be shore based PvP) that we all can live with.  Sorry to shanghai the thread.

[Chustler]

I would much rather see a simple, strategic boarding game as has been suggested many times in other threads. The AvCom In potbs was horrible (and I was good at it).

I would be happy with portraits and a good boarding mini game. What do avatars really give us outside of something to look at and dress up?

[Black rat]

I don't think members will worry about how long it takes ,, lets face it most Early access games take a long time to finish
 
Heroes and generals ,Dayz standalone, And now H1Z1 are early access titles and there a year plus off completion and Heroes and generals ,Dayz standalone have been out for a year plus already .Does this bother most that their taking a long time,,NO most are happy to grow with the games .

 

I think the biggest problem most had with dayz was the lack of info about plans the devs had with the game

 

I do agree with a comment made that we are all looking for and have different ideas as to what we want from a game and for me its content ,,visual content not just popup screens with text telling me what I have just done I would rather be part of and see what I have done.

 

Visual and gameplay content is what brings people back again and again to a game and I worry that if the only visual content is from your ship then this may become repetitive over time .

Take a look at elite it has a silly amount of planets and systems to go to but all done from the cockpit of your ship and it gets very repetitive as time goes on (I Think they are going to add planet and space station character access in time,maybe repetitive issues are on their mind to)

 

Sailing the 7 seas is meant to be full of excitement and exploration visually and mentally and to do this in a text style fashion will become repetitive and unexciting .

 

A question to you all ,,would a PVP ship battle game be good enough to keep you coming back. Or would you rather  see Land PVP ,In game story and random missions with like already been said loads of land areas to go chat with other players you haven't met before ,,Its called game content and that is why games like world of warcraft ruled the roost for so long.

 

Usually i don't get too involved in game topics on forums as it ends up a slagging match for all or most involved in it however on this board its kept polite so credit to you all

 

jas 

[Austrum]

I think everyone has their specific level of enjoyment, and I respect that.

 

I never, for a moment, entertained the notion in PotBS that I was even half good at sword play, and because of the fact that I sucked terribly at it, I dreaded being boarded.  In one encounter early after the game released, I was on the British faction, still only in a Cutter, sailing SE down the South American coast from Trinidad when a Pirate player in a Xebec closed and engaged me.  I had no respect for Xebecs but I knew that they could sail closer to the wind than I.

 

When we entered the battle instance, I kept my distance and managed to out damage him to the point where his hull armor was nearly gone.  He repeatedly tried to close and board me, but I let myself get mired while crossing the wind, and he succeeded in boarding me.

 

His Xebec had a larger crew than mine, even though I had shot him up pretty well, so when we engaged in sword play, he had the advantage with 3 waves of attacks to try to take me.  I defeated him in the first 2 waves but in the third, he prevailed and took my ship.

 

I was rather PO'd about the situation, and really never forgot it.  I out sailed and out fought him in the sea battle and nearly out fought him in the boarding, but because of the terrible game mechanics of Boarding, and a stroke of luck on his part, he beat me.  I should have congratulated him on a well fought battle, but I just couldn't do it.

 

It kind of reminded me in that scene in Saving Private Ryan where the German soldier slowly pressed his bayonet through the chest of the American BAR gunner.  It was agonizing and rather unnecessary to have to watch.  I felt the same way with how boarding mechanics worked in PotBS.

 

After seeing the current rock/paper/scissors approach to boarding in NA, I rather like it.  It is fast and painless, with not nearly so much emotional investment.

 

I think everyone will have different preferences for boarding actions, and I won't argue with them, because we each need to enjoy the game in our own way, if possible.  One of the reasons why I love the Age of sail is because of how slow things develop at sea.  There is plenty of time for me to think before I make my next move,  When the game gets down to twitch mechanics, like Avcom was in PotBS, I lose interest.

 

Game-Labs won't be able to satisfy everyone, but I hope they will find a middle ground between the extremes (assuming there too will be shore based PvP) that we all can live with.  Sorry to shanghai the thread.

 

 

The problem with the current boarding mechanic is that is is so unrealistic it isn't even funny.  Right now the action almost always goes to the captain who has the most crew, even if that  difference is very slim.  It does not take into account things such as crew morale, the fact that it is much easier to defend against boarding than to attack, sea conditions when boarding or sea conditions that might prevent boarding, better trained crews, better led crews, better equipped crews, etc.  Now I have no real issue with not having an avatar to fight it out so to speak, in fact I hated it from PoTBs, but the current rock, paper, scissors mechanic with zero depth needs to go away and fast.  

Edited April 2, 2015 by Austrum

[Birg]

The problem with the current boarding mechanic is that is is so unrealistic it isn't even funny.  Right now the action almost always goes to the captain who has the most crew, even if that  difference is very slim.  It does not take into account things such as crew morale, the fact that it is much easier to defend against boarding than to attack, sea conditions when boarding or sea conditions that might prevent boarding, better trained crews, better led crews, better equipped crews, etc.  Now I have no real issue with not having an avatar to fight it out so to speak, in fact I hated it from PoTBs, but the current rock, paper, scissors mechanic with zero depth needs to go away and fast.  

I take your point about adding more variables to boarding combat, such as crew quality, command quality, morale, and even time at sea would add more depth to the evolution, and I fully expect that the devs will give this game mechanic full consideration and proper treatment.  When I said I rather liked the Rock/Paper/Scissors dynamic I meant it in the context of comparison to the contrived mechanism used in PotBS.  I expect the current NA Boarding mechanic is merely a placeholder until they can give it a full overhaul and replace it.

 

If variables such as crew quality & morale vs. crew size is added to the dynamic, it would give players a number of goals to strive for, and remain engaged in the game.  Will the British be penalized for their historic penchant for Pressing to fill out their crews, and will the Americans receive bonuses for all-volunteer crews?  How will fear and intimidation play into crew performance when the CO rules with an iron fist?  I think there innumerable possibilities that can be brought to play in boarding combat.  How does a player gain a reputation bonus, such as that of "Lucky Jack" (Aubrey), such that a small crew will overcome insurmountable odds to carry the day?

 

I am not against a more complex boarding system, but I am not in favor of one that is contrived, time consuming, and bears no resemblance to reality.  I am sure that Rock/Paper/Scissors days are numbered.

[Balsafer]

maybe in future have boarding set up as a mini RTS where you issue orders to your crew? I disliked potbs avcom as well but this is a different development team than those that made potbs and so far a far better team than those that made potbs and with that being said if NA Devs decide to add avcom im pretty sure they will do a far better job at it.

[Black rat]

I agree with your comment Balsafer about a better team working on this game and with some luck there take it to the next level and give us a better looking and playable avcom

 

Its not just however the boarding situation but the island visits,, to have your own character in the game you can feel part of makes a game

 

Be good to see where they go with the game