Any info on the following

[LegionDiablo]

I did read some time ago that tfp are hoping the alpha 18 will be last alpha.

 

I'm not sure is that true or will there be more?

 

And is there a list of things they are hoping to put in it? I don't need a 100% list. I understand that some things might get scraped or no time to finish or something. Just what they hope to put in and/or change before the game is considerd finished.

 

I know the optimatization and bug fixes will be in.

[Snowydeath]

I did read some time ago that tfp are hoping the alpha 18 will be last alpha.

 

I'm not sure is that true or will there be more?

 

And is there a list of things they are hoping to put in it? I don't need a 100% list. I understand that some things might get scraped or no time to finish or something. Just what they hope to put in and/or change before the game is considerd finished.

 

I know the optimatization and bug fixes will be in.

 

Alpha 18 will probably be them adding all the stuff they dropped and updating the systems we use, if it is the last Alpha then we will go into Beta and they will start optimizing and cleaning up the code for the final release (which is scheduled for end of 2019 I believe) This just my speculation, this would mean that Bandits and other features (maybe ziplines and "boss" type enemies) will be added before they stop adding major features and start to cleanup the game. Of course they will support the game after gold but it would most likely be a little less than the love we have gotten pre-launch. Then I'm sure the Pimps will take a much needed vacation before starting on either a new game or more updates. (Most likely a new game)

[LegionDiablo]

I don't mind the wait. I got my money worth a long time ago. So they can take all the time they need to finish the game or even if they decide to leave it as it is. I understand beta. I'm just interested in the vision what they hope to add or change before they end it. No need for any dates or 100% promises or anything like that. I spent a lot of time in this game and got lots of great memories that are well worth the cost of the game.

 

So now when we are on what seams final stages I can't help not to wonder what will be the finishing updates. It's not even about what I like or not like anymore. They have a vision for their game and even that I don't like everything I can respect that in the end it is their game. I understand how alpha works and I'm not sorry for buying it several times. Still have 2 in my steam gift inventory that will be gifts for some people in the future.

[Xtrakicking]

Alpha 18 will probably be them adding all the stuff they dropped and updating the systems we use, if it is the last Alpha then we will go into Beta and they will start optimizing and cleaning up the code for the final release (which is scheduled for end of 2019 I believe) This just my speculation, this would mean that Bandits and other features (maybe ziplines and "boss" type enemies) will be added before they stop adding major features and start to cleanup the game. Of course they will support the game after gold but it would most likely be a little less than the love we have gotten pre-launch. Then I'm sure the Pimps will take a much needed vacation before starting on either a new game or more updates. (Most likely a new game)

 

I feel like if A18 is going to be the last Alpha, and Beta will be all about optimization and polishing, then A18 should focus entirely on bandits and human NPCs.

 

Even if some features are expected to come post gold, I feel like the game has to go gold with bandits in. It was one of the big things promised on the KS trailer, and they would be a complete game changer.

[LuckyStar]

I can't see A18 being the last.

Just an opinion.

 

One entire Alpha might be for multiplayer.

 

Madmole mentioned that fixing MP will take the entire team and it will be the last thing they work on.

 

He also mentioned in that same video that TFP had been discussing Colonies.

[Not that colonies are coming for sure, but that it was a possibility.]

 

If that's the case, we'll need at least 2 more Alphas before release, maybe three.

Not 1.5 year long ones but... very specific Alphas focusing on one major thing.

 

Just my thoughts.

[Roland]

Don't get too hung up on labels. They are going to continue to add features until they feel the game is complete enough. The "beta" is planned to be short as this Alpha has been a hybrid beast anyway. Here are the main things you should consider:

 

Some features on the kickstarter list will be added post launch.

The features added post launch are not going to be the one's mentioned in the kickstarter. They shuffled priorities early on.

They plan to continue to update and add content for at least 2 years after launch.

 

 

So the good news is that this train isn't stopping any time soon. Whether they call the next updates A17.5, A18, B1, or 1.1 the fact is that they will continue to work on this game.

 

I believe that water and watercraft is going to be one of the main priorities of the next update. But that could change.

[LuckyStar]

Don't get too hung up on labels. They are going to continue to add features until they feel the game is complete enough. The "beta" is planned to be short as this Alpha has been a hybrid beast anyway. Here are the main things you should consider:

 

Some features on the kickstarter list will be added post launch.

The features added post launch are not going to be the one's mentioned in the kickstarter. They shuffled priorities early on.

They plan to continue to update and add content for at least 2 years after launch.

 

 

So the good news is that this train isn't stopping any time soon. Whether they call the next updates A17.5, A18, B1, or 1.1 the fact is that they will continue to work on this game.

 

I believe that water and watercraft is going to be one of the main priorities of the next update. But that could change.

 

Seriously?

 

 

They've been teasing Bandits for two alphas now and they want to add boats?

 

[Doctor3D]

 

I believe that water and watercraft is going to be one of the main priorities of the next update. But that could change.

 

I really feel like it's time for bandits. We are at a point now where a lot of the core things are in place and some balancing needs to occur over the next few main updates. But, you can't really balance this game very well if an entire enemy AI isn't even in the game yet.

 

From all the features left to actually put in the game, bandits have got to be one of the most important in terms of core elements and necessity for its inclusion to begin the stages of proper balance and fine-tuning things going forward.

[LuckyStar]

I really feel like it's time for bandits. We are at a point now where a lot of the core things are in place and some balancing needs to occur over the next few main updates. But, you can't really balance this game very well if an entire enemy AI isn't even in the game yet.

 

From all the features left to actually put in the game, bandits have got to be one of the most important in terms of core elements and necessity for its inclusion to begin the stages of proper balance and fine-tuning things going forward.

 

 

+1

[Snowydeath]

I like that this discussion has become fairly active and Insightful! I look forward to the next few years of development

[Roland]

Two alphas? You've got more fingers than that to count the number of alphas we've been thinking "Okay, they'll be in the next one". I didn't say water was the only focus. I just know that they have a raft designed and ready to go so the next step is to fix the water itself.

 

Bandits...

 

There are still animation issues. Notice how Kinyajuu showed us some video of 3rd person mode but that is not in the game? Have you looked at other players as they animate in the game? It still isn't where it should be. Bandits will use the same animations as players.

 

Bandits are end game threats. They need to nail down player progression and get it balanced. They don't know yet how powerful to make them in order to challenge players who have progressed beyond the zombie threat. Now that they are finalizing the progression system and working on fine tuning it they will have a sense of what bandits should be.

 

Bandits are not just a new mob. They are part of the faction system that TFP has just BARELY started to implement. The devs have also talked about reputation and bounties associated with bandits which is also associated with the quest system we just got.

[LuckyStar]

Two alphas? You've got more fingers than that to count the number of alphas we've been thinking "Okay, they'll be in the next one". I didn't say water was the only focus. I just know that they have a raft designed and ready to go so the next step is to fix the water itself.

 

Bandits...

 

There are still animation issues. Notice how Kinyajuu showed us some video of 3rd person mode but that is not in the game? Have you looked at other players as they animate in the game? It still isn't where it should be. Bandits will use the same animations as players.

 

Bandits are end game threats. They need to nail down player progression and get it balanced. They don't know yet how powerful to make them in order to challenge players who have progressed beyond the zombie threat. Now that they are finalizing the progression system and working on fine tuning it they will have a sense of what bandits should be.

 

Bandits are not just a new mob. They are part of the faction system that TFP has just BARELY started to implement. The devs have also talked about reputation and bounties associated with bandits which is also associated with the quest system we just got.

 

SO you're telling us there's a chance?

 

[Roland]

SO you're telling us there's a chance?

 

 

And an even better one than that one.

[Xtrakicking]

I really feel like it's time for bandits. We are at a point now where a lot of the core things are in place and some balancing needs to occur over the next few main updates. But, you can't really balance this game very well if an entire enemy AI isn't even in the game yet.

 

From all the features left to actually put in the game, bandits have got to be one of the most important in terms of core elements and necessity for its inclusion to begin the stages of proper balance and fine-tuning things going forward.

 

I agree, it's time for bandits and NPCs. Sure, boats sound great. Yeah, other features and systems sound cool. But the problem is that, all these 17 alphas, zombies have been the one and biggest threat. Every update still focuses on building a base to defend against zombies, and eventually zombies aren't able to get you anymore, so the game ends.

 

We need something new. Something to keep the player at bay when zombies aren't as dangerous anymore. Something to look after, and that makes the world feel more alive and interesting. We need humans.

[Khulkhuum]

I have quite a few ideas what more content we can expect. Some of these are firm beliefs, whether others are little hopes based on what the game lacks (to some extent). Also, each new update may contain more than one of these, so it's not like we're expecting 10 more updates or something before BETA. There surely is a lot that can be done (and most likely will be done), but we have to be optymistic about it

1. Balance the current framework. Self explanatory really.

2. Add new items - this includes mods for tools and weapons. The system is there to create a wide variety of things, especially with the new buffs. After initial balancing is finished there will be enough ground work for further enhancements. There could be also added generic items to smoothen the progression or...

3. New foods and drinks - considering the variety of buffs that can be added, this could serve as an extension on the current buff and farming systems. Perhaps new plants to use in variety of new consumables.

4. New vehicles - A17 so far proves that implementing new vehicles will be at the very least plausible, if not way easier than in previous Alphas. As Roland stated, a raft is one thing (especially as it's only on water), but there could be more perhaps some more ground or air vehicles.

5. Perhaps some new weapons - Not too keen anything like that may happen, but considering there is room for adding more weapons we can expect something new. Perhaps new types of blades or blunt weapons. If not new weapons, perhaps some rework on the existing ones.

6. Factions - Considering you can get quests now, extending it towards getting influence and use it somehow to progress won't be too hard to code (i think). If it's in the works, we can expect a more advanced take on this topic, not simply quests.

7. Bandits and survivors - As we are expecting bandits, we surely can expect other survivors as NPCs (perhaps even quests to save them) found throughout the game world. In my opinion an extension to the factions system.

8. New traders - We just got a female trader (though her voice is a bit low), but who knows if we can get more of them?

9. New POIs - From A16 we are getting more and more POIs to play in. Who knows what TFP is cooking in their ovens in that matter. Some of the old ones still need reworking, but perhaps there will be new ones...

10. Smell system PLUS - Getting back to the idea of using smell to sense the player by the zombies. Currently we have sight and sound, which i think only requires some balancing for A17 stable. Getting more ways to be careful in the city may add more fun, as well as more challenge.

11. NEW ENEMIES - AI has been reworked and with some balancing it's plausible there will be new zombies (apart from bandits) or even new animals to hunt or run away from.

[Xtrakicking]

Bandits are not just a new mob. They are part of the faction system that TFP has just BARELY started to implement. The devs have also talked about reputation and bounties associated with bandits which is also associated with the quest system we just got.

 

However, I agree with this. Bandits can't just be zombies with guns, they need to be much more than that. A feature with this much work put on it takes way more time than one alpha.

[Doctor3D]

Since we're on the subject of bandits - just putting in my suggestion AGAIN for bullet-whizby sound-effects. It will make bandits shooting at you so much more intense.

 

The audio occlusion of firearms is awesome now. I love the way distant firearms sound when a party member is in another POI and you just hear the muffled sound come from the firearm. Add in some whizy-by effects, longer tracer effect ever third or so shot, and possibly some better ricochet sounds more unique to bullets and you'll have a pretty good sound and visual setup for them.

[beHypE]

Agree bandits should happen sooner than later. Like Roland stated, I can't even count how many times they have been postpone in favour of other, less game-revolutionizing features. There's always good ideas to implement like boats, fishing, new vehicles, new zombies / weapon mods etc. But none of those deeply change the way we'll play. It adds side-content, expands upon existing one, but doesn't feel like a disruptive evolution at all. Bandits, if implemented well, will just totally change the way the game is played on various levels (base building, weaponry used, offensive/defensive tactics...)