I have several questions in regards to crew dynamics. 1. It's pretty well known by now that we'll be able to recruit (I don't like to use the word "capture" here, because that implies kidnapping) non-monster NPCs and have them live on our station/base. Will we be able to split these NPCs into teams and take them planetside? From the answers I've read in similar threads of this nature, the answer seems to be no, or at least there would be some Pokemon style system where you could just collect monsters/NPCs and have them fight for you. 2. If the above is confirmed not true, will we at least be able to assign NPCs to certain duties around the base (research, cooking, custodial, peacekeeping, etc)? 3. Will NPCs interact with each other in any way? Will there be a crew loyalty system in place? I, personally, think that not being able to interact with your crew at such a level demotes them to nothing more than window dressing and kinda defeats the point of having NPCs in your base in the first place. I wouldn't mind a little crew micromanagement to add to the whole "I'm the leader/captain of a base/starship" dynamic, and I, contrary to what a few people have implied in other threads, don't see how it would diminish the SP or MP portions of the game. Heck, I'd love to see massive PVP battles between player crews. I dunno. When I first discovered Starbound, I was kinda hoping I'd get to be like Commander Shepard or Captain Picard, not Ash Ketchum. I've considered making a write-up of what I'd like to see in regards to interacting with crew and crew personalities, but I've never gotten around to it.
You will be able to take NPCs to your homeworld(s). The NPCs will probably interact with each other in some way, but I do know that some will give out quests which could possibly effect other NPCs. Whether there is a loyalty system or not is up to the devs; the idea hasn't been discussed much.
Considering the space station is your home and soul until you get a homeworld, I'd assume that the devs would include pretty complex NPC interaction to prevent boredom from setting in. Hopefully the interaction system that will (probably) be used for other, generic NPC's would be upgraded and applied to the NPC's of yours. 'Cuz you know, they're yours.
A little somthing like this... "Crew" "Sheparrrrrrd" "I feel...so bad..." "Hey...we'll bang ok?" "Set phasers to cool" "Already on it sir!" So perfect...
Well, I meant taking NPCs, or squads of NPCs, with you when you go planetside to any planet (not necessarily your homeworld), kinda like how you can select your team members in Mass Effect. Not what I had in mind.
No. When I said I meant that I wanted to feel like I was the leader of a living and breathing crew, and feel responsible for their well-being (in contrast to feeling like I'm simply collecting mobs to fight my battles for me). In a game like this, I believe that fostering some kind of emotional connection between the player and NPCs under the player's command is necessary to enhance the gameplay experience. Treating the NPCs like trophies, quest waypoints, or trading cards dilutes that experience; NPCs become objects, and, thus, no connection can really be made. I guess the fact of the matter is that I've heard very little in regards to crew other than "you will be able to collect NPCs and put them on your base" so I feel a bit left in the dark. I realize that the game is late in the development cycle, so adding anything as drastic as I've suggested would push back the game's release several months, but it would be nice to know what other purpose NPCs serve other than "stand around in your base looking pretty" and "sometimes give you blueprints." That said, I didn't say the above quote just so I could have the chance to make stupid quips from video games and tv shows.
I'm afraid I can't answer any of your questions, but I see what you're getting at and I agree. The whole micromanagement of a crew would add some strategy which is always nice. Of course I don't want to be able to order the crew to do anything and everything, I'd like some busy work to do myself, but I don't want the NPC's to just walk around doing nothing until I speak to them.
Crew Micromanagement....leaves a bad taste in my mouth when I try to pronounce it. Sure if done right it could be awesome, like if they kept themselfs busy, and it would be nice if you could have them do some things. but it could be annoying if done wrong, think sims with the moods and babysitting. not something I would like.
Hey, I get attached to my Pokemon. I also get attached to units in games. That's why playing XCOM can be hard for me. I'd love to be able to adventure across a planet with an unclogged screen until I come across a bunch of monsters. It'd be awesome to be able to have ranged soldiers beam down from my ship for support while I run in and cause some organ failure with my spear.
This seems like something that would really add some depth to the game. Perhaps NPCs; which I believe are already randomized, could have randomized personality traits. This wouldn't be like the Sims because, well, you aren't controlling them so they won't be standing there crying if you leave them alone, etc. Along-side randomized personality traits which could be used in the same fashion as those poses we've seen, there could be an underlying interaction system such as: Arrogant personality would pick on Docile ones, you'd see them chatting with random speech bubble that had pre-made phrases for each kind of interaction. If this were to happen, it would be interesting to have three traits per NPC, of course with some traits that conflict with each other and like Project Zomboid there's a point system that must be satisfied so there aren't too many goody-two shoes NPCs. Example: Docile is -4 points and Arrogant could be like +2 and the NPC must have a "neutral" charge, so they could have "Arrogant" +2 and "Tsundere" -2 which is balanced, but couldn't have Docile, Arrogant and perhaps "Clean" +2 because Arrogant and Docile are opposites. Or something, kinding about having tsundere. Just some thoughts. It may not be a feature AT release time, but it may be released later by the dedicated team. We just don't know yet. As long as it hasn't been said "omg no tats nvr hapnin'" I have hope.
It would be awsome if starbaund took a leaf from DF, and have the NPC's have living condition requirements and behavior patterns set to fufill them on their own ( going to eat when hungry sleaping wene tired), the space station will begin with at least basic facilities so you could bring NPC's abourd immidiatly, but home worlds will need those boult. Then in the homeworld the player could macro manege his NPC's seting gourd duties, or project wich available NPC's will do incorporate to their life rutine according to their persinality traits.
No no no no no. Next thing you know an officer is going to have someone beaten for not making a slade armor stand. Next thing you know the entire space station is going to be torn apart by a huge riot.
I disagree. Starbounds main focus should be exploration with all the randomly generated things, but if management on the homeplanet was necessary then it would take away time from exploring and you would hop off whatever planet you're on every ten minutes just to make sure none of your crew have died of flippin dysentery. On the other hand if management was too simple there would be no point, so i would prefer it not being there at all. If i got your idea wrong or you know a way how this could work please elaborate more.
