DLC -- which way for PvP crowd? » Forum Post by WHIPperSNAPper2008

Not me.

IMO they are just milking the name and game a bit to much.

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It's hardly a lot is it? Stop being cheap greg.

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ZombiesRus5

Join Date 02/2009

+340

You'll be compatible either way so it won't matter. The community won't be split this time around.

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? how..

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Quoting ZombiesRus5,

reply 3

You'll be compatible either way so it won't matter. The community won't be split this time around.

What happens if 80% of the PvP crowd gets the DLC wants to play using the DLC? It seems like that would split off the other 20%.

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Quoting Freyja_Bjorn,

reply 2

It's hardly a lot is it? Stop being cheap greg.

HeHe

Its not a lot but I say if you missing 5$ to million you don't have a million.

Besides I hardly play sins any more. Getting my fix somewhere else recently.

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ZombiesRus5

Join Date 02/2009

+340

Quoting DirtySanchezz,

reply 5

Quoting ZombiesRus5, reply 3
You'll be compatible either way so it won't matter. The community won't be split this time around.

What happens if 80% of the PvP crowd gets the DLC wants to play using the DLC? It seems like that would split off the other 20%.

Yarlen: No, we'll be updating both versions as needed. Multiplayer shouldn't be affected by the DLC, as we've designed it to be compatible with the regular Sins: Rebellion build.

You'll still be able to play with people who don't have the DLC or vice versa.

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Seleuceia

Join Date 01/2008

+240

You haven't really answered the question, Zombie...

If the DLC adds new planet types, then presumably some maps will have those planets...and if you want to play a game on a map that contains those planets, how do you do that with someone who doesn't own the DLC?

If that forces MP to run on maps that don't make use of the new planet types, then why would the MP community even bother with the DLC?

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GoaFan77

Join Date 10/2008

+629

Quoting Seleuceia,

reply 8

You haven't really answered the question, Zombie...

If the DLC adds new planet types, then presumably some maps will have those planets...and if you want to play a game on a map that contains those planets, how do you do that with someone who doesn't own the DLC?

If that forces MP to run on maps that don't make use of the new planet types, then why would the MP community even bother with the DLC?

You mean MP doesn't only use random maps?

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Seleuceia

Join Date 01/2008

+240

I'll take your smart remark to mean that random maps won't make use of the new planet types...that can't be right though, since that would also severely slant the SP crowd, so I'll pin my hopes on the idea that you meant competitive random maps won't make use of the new planet types...

And if those are the maps that MP people play on, then I see absolutely no reason for any competitive MP player to get this DLC...

Even from an SP perspective I'm very unsure about this DLC...just from the replacement textures for the current planets, we've seen:

Problems with the dark side lighting textures not matching with the planet surface texture
Bad polar pinching on all the new planetary textures
No icons or pictures that correspond to the new textures...

Now, I'm hoping it is safe to assume the first issue will be fixed (though I haven't seen SD comment on it)...as for the second and third issue, SD has made no comment in regards to these observations and I have a foreboding feeling as to how they'll pan out....

For $5, the MP community is getting no real gameplay enhancement while the SP community is getting additional high-res textures at the cost of inconsistent icons/pictures and polar pinching...

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Quoting Seleuceia,

reply 10

For $5, the MP community is getting no real gameplay enhancement

It looks like there is planet specialization I do believe that would have some value. Correct?

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GoaFan77

Join Date 10/2008

+629

Quoting Seleuceia,

reply 10

I'll take your smart remark to mean that random maps won't make use of the new planet types...that can't be right though, since that would also severely slant the SP crowd, so I'll pin my hopes on the idea that you meant competitive random maps won't make use of the new planet types...

And if those are the maps that MP people play on, then I see absolutely no reason for any competitive MP player to get this DLC...

Even from an SP perspective I'm very unsure about this DLC...just from the replacement textures for the current planets, we've seen:

Problems with the dark side lighting textures not matching with the planet surface texture
Bad polar pinching on all the new planetary textures
No icons or pictures that correspond to the new textures...

Now, I'm hoping it is safe to assume the first issue will be fixed (though I haven't seen SD comment on it)...as for the second and third issue, SD has made no comment in regards to these observations and I have a foreboding feeling as to how they'll pan out....

For $5, the MP community is getting no real gameplay enhancement while the SP community is getting additional high-res textures at the cost of inconsistent icons/pictures and polar pinching...

No one has any idea how this DLC will work or what those features will really look like or how significant they will be. Seems a bit early to bash them for purely speculative problems, given all we have is a few sentences and pictures. I'm sure when they really explain it they'll reveal how multiplayer and mods will work with all of this.

And the 1.5 patch is a beta, it's quite possible not all the art assets are in yet but they wanted to test the balance changes (with good reason).

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Timmaigh

Join Date 05/2009

+76

Quoting Seleuceia,

reply 10

Problems with the dark side lighting textures not matching with the planet surface texture
Bad polar pinching on all the new planetary textures
No icons or pictures that correspond to the new textures...

Add lack of sunlight reflecting oceans on the terran planets to the mix.

I would buy the DLC anyway though, as its addititon to my currently favourite game. I hope these things get fixed though. Would be nice, if Yarlen acknowledged them.

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ZombiesRus5

Join Date 02/2009

+340

@Seleuceia Don't be such a Debbie Downer man...

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Seleuceia

Join Date 01/2008

+240

Quoting Timmaigh,

reply 13

Add lack of sunlight reflecting oceans on the terran planets to the mix.

It's not a petty aesthetic gripe, it's a bug that has been reported by multiple people...the night light textures clearly are made just fine but then don't line up with the planet surface...I and another posted screenshots of the issue because it is a bug....but those posts were ignored...

Quoting boshimi336,

reply 11

It looks like there is planet specialization I do believe that would have some value. Correct?

Yes that actually probably could...though only time will tell since we don't know much about it...

In theory the new artifacts and planet bonuses (considering the reduced cost of exploration) could as well but the problem with those is that they are completely random...we already went through making competitive maps specifically because the MP community doesn't like too much random...perhaps the competitive maps will include "competitive" versions of planets that have very predictable planet bonuses, but artifacts will still be a crap shoot (unless each HW starts with a unique one, and then it'd be just a different type of crapshoot)...

Quoting GoaFan77,

reply 12

And the 1.5 patch is a beta, it's quite possible not all the art assets are in yet but they wanted to test the balance changes (with good reason).

It is possible the icons and pictures will be added....I doubt however the polar pinching will get fixed, if it was made that way the first time I have a feeling it is here to stay....

Quoting GoaFan77,

reply 12

Seems a bit early to bash them for purely speculative problems, given all we have is a few sentences and pictures.

I'm not bashing them Goa, I'm simply evaluating their usefulness to MP play...and right now, it does not logically seem possible that I with the DLC can enjoy these DLC features in an online game if the other people in that game don't have the DLC...how can we both play on a map with ferrous and oceanic planets when only I have the DLC? Maybe some black voodoo dark magic will make it work....but I'm not holding my breath...

This doesn't mean the DLC is useless for casual MP players or the SP guys...but the main discussion of the thread is about competitive planet and currently it's my opinion that unless all MP peeps get the DLC, it ain't gonna help that community....

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Timmaigh

Join Date 05/2009

+76

Quoting Seleuceia,

reply 15

Quoting Timmaigh, reply 13Add lack of sunlight reflecting oceans on the terran planets to the mix.

It's not a petty aesthetic gripe, it's a bug that has been reported by multiple people...the night light textures clearly are made just fine but then don't line up with the planet surface...I and another posted screenshots of the issue because it is a bug....but those posts were ignored...

I know, i was serious with that "water reflection" thing as well. I actually care about aesthetics, perhaps more than you do.

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GoaFan77

Join Date 10/2008

+629

Quoting Timmaigh,

reply 13

Would be nice, if Yarlen acknowledged them.

It's the weekend, you'll have to wait until Monday.

Quoting Seleuceia,

reply 15

(unless each HW starts with a unique one, and then it'd be just a different type of crapshoot)

I don't think that's possible at this point anyways.

Quoting Seleuceia,

reply 15

and right now

All I'm saying is this is not the time to start this discussion. Honestly if I had to bet on one or the other, I'd probably agree with you, at best it is likely the DLC will add a few bells and whistles for MP but most of the benefit will clearly be in Single Player. But even attempting to really evaluate it right now seems a waste of effort to me.

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ARESIV

Join Date 05/2011

+58

There might be an rather easy way for Stardock to make DLC and non DLC games compatible together:

Give DLC content to all version of the game.... BUT

allow only people who own the DLC, to host or start new games with the DLC.

for example:

Player A - has bought the DLC.

Player B - has not bought the DLC.

Player A is hosting a game with DLC functionality.

Player B joins that game.

Player B has DLC features... but only as long as he is in the game of Player A.

OR

Player B is hosting the game.

Player A joins in.

Player A is downgraded to Non DLC status and will not have any DLC features available in this game of Player B.

This way you might actually advertise the DLC and it will be seamlessly integrated.

The drawback is.... in theory one player with DLC is enough to host a game for up to 9 NON DLC people.

Although, in reality, I do not believe that this will be much of an issue as the by far largest majority of Sins player is SP only.

+1

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Seleuceia

Join Date 01/2008

+240

Yeah..........I don't see SD doing that....

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Quoting Seleuceia,

reply 19

Yeah..........I don't see SD doing that....

Man what is your problem Selecuceia? Eat a snickers or something ...

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Yarlen

Join Date 01/2005

+359

Quoting ARESIV,

reply 18

There might be an rather easy way for Stardock to make DLC and non DLC games compatible together:

Give DLC content to all version of the game.... BUT

allow only people who own the DLC, to host or start new games with the DLC.

for example:

Player A - has bought the DLC.

Player B - has not bought the DLC.

Player A is hosting a game with DLC functionality.

Player B joins that game.

Player B has DLC features... but only as long as he is in the game of Player A.

OR

Player B is hosting the game.

Player A joins in.

Player A is downgraded to Non DLC status and will not have any DLC features available in this game of Player B.

This way you might actually advertise the DLC and it will be seamlessly integrated.

The drawback is.... in theory one player with DLC is enough to host a game for up to 9 NON DLC people.

Although, in reality, I do not believe that this will be much of an issue as the by far largest majority of Sins player is SP only.

This is actually exactly right. Points to AresIV!

+1

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Yarlen

Join Date 01/2005

+359

Quoting Timmaigh,

reply 13

Quoting Seleuceia, reply 10

Problems with the dark side lighting textures not matching with the planet surface texture
Bad polar pinching on all the new planetary textures
No icons or pictures that correspond to the new textures...

Add lack of sunlight reflecting oceans on the terran planets to the mix.

I would buy the DLC anyway though, as its addititon to my currently favourite game. I hope these things get fixed though. Would be nice, if Yarlen acknowledged them.

We're investigating this issue now. Not sure what's going on with the oceans and sunlight. The dark-side lighting is fixed internally (bad export).

Polar pinching is working as intended and can be removed by running with 4X or higher filtering enabled (Options -> Video -> Texture Filtering). This is an artifact for how the planet textures are made now and won't be resolved otherwise.

We don't plan to update the icons for the new textures, but the center selection pictures should be already. Can you give more info on which ones aren't?

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Timmaigh

Join Date 05/2009

+76

Quoting Yarlen,

reply 22

Quoting Timmaigh, reply 13

Quoting Seleuceia, reply 10

Problems with the dark side lighting textures not matching with the planet surface texture
Bad polar pinching on all the new planetary textures
No icons or pictures that correspond to the new textures...

Add lack of sunlight reflecting oceans on the terran planets to the mix.

I would buy the DLC anyway though, as its addititon to my currently favourite game. I hope these things get fixed though. Would be nice, if Yarlen acknowledged them.

We're investigating this issue now. Not sure what's going on with the oceans and sunlight. The dark-side lighting is fixed internally (bad export).

Polar pinching is working as intended and can be removed by running with 4X or higher filtering enabled (Options -> Video -> Texture Filtering). This is an artifact for how the planet textures are made now and won't be resolved otherwise.

We don't plan to update the icons for the new textures, but the center selection pictures should be already. Can you give more info on which ones aren't?

Thanks for the info!

Regarding the water reflection, was not sure, if you know, what i mean, so i highlighted it on this picture:

With 1.5, the reflection/gloss is not there, at least not for me. Whole planetary surface is basically diffuse/lambertian/whatever is it called. It kinda undermines whole effort of yours, as those new HD textures look otherwise truly nice.

I would post a picture from 1.5, just to prove it, but unfortunately i am not on my main rig right now, with Sins installed, so i cant do that. Perhaps tomorrow.

Anyway, thanks for caring.

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Looks like the meshes gloss setting maybe to high, holding the light bulb to close.

old terran
Glossiness 6.000000

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Timmaigh

Join Date 05/2009

+76

Quoting myfist0,

reply 24

Looks like the meshes gloss setting maybe to high, holding the light bulb to close.

old terran
Glossiness 6.000000

Is this reflection of some "invisible lightbulb" rather than reflection of the parent sun?

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