CCP Abathur
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Posted - 2007.11.10 09:18:00 -
[2]
 Originally by: Jinx Barker
Can.. I... have... your.... baby? 
Are you hot? 
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Artwork Issue:
Why would it it be difficult to make the modules interconnected. The templates already exist in game, where everything is mapped and accessible to an artist. I mean there is no real need to create separate modules, or to redo entire assembly of modules, use existing templates.
(Please bear in mind, I am not an "Artwork" guy, so I am maybe missing something, so I apologize in advance for being dense.)
I'll try to shed some light on this but your last sentence sums me up as well. I'm not in Art but I have run into this problem before as well when the Design team has come up with an OMGUBER idea. Artwork in EVE, as you've noticed, is serious business. Our company takes a lot of pride in making sure the game you play looks very different from anything else on the market. From a simple 'looks' standpoint, we don't want you to have to play something that looks ordinary or plain.
That aside, the addition of any new object in the game requires significant planning and time. I believe that from proposing an idea to initial sketch to an actual finished model (then implementation, programming mechanics and balancing, etc...) can take between 3-6 months depending on the complexity of the object in question.
So when you see an entirely new ship enter the game, such as the Tier 3 battleships or the Rorqual, it's a pretty big deal.
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Programming Issue:
The Template for the "Modular POS" already exists in game. Some Angel & Minmatar missions have the "Construction Yards" that closely resemble the proposals in this thread.
"Closely resemble" doesn't cut it.
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The Integrated docking for POS can also be "copied" from the current Station Environments, that, I would admit, might require some more programing and coding than usual, but it is not the major issue, and most of us could live without it for quite a while.
I learned long ago never to say stuff like, "I'm sure that's not a major issue." around programmers as they tend to get upset and throw things at me. Heavy things.
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Main concern is to make POS:
1) Less Laggy
2) More Useful/Read Better Utility
3) More like a star-base should be, a single structure, that contains vital elements to make a whole. And, even that has a basis in game now, the "Station Services" options that appear as part of the Station, and yet are invisible and can be targeted individually.
All valid points and interesting ideas.
As a designer my view is that what we have here is a game object (starbase towers) that have been in game for years and has had no real revamp in terms of functionality. This situation is very similar to what is going on with Carriers at the moment and why they are under such intense scrutiny.
Starbase warfare as a whole is going to be something that gets a lot of attention in 2008. I cannot say if that means we will be adapting something similar to what is proposed in this thread or going an entirely different route. Rest assured though that we do read these forums and discuss the ideas presented. 
Abathur
Game Designer
"Tux did it!" |