Resource use and godpowers

One thing that I fear about starbound is that different aspects of the game won't cost resources. (I know that the game isn't out yet, so my fears aren't necessarily valid, but I still think we could have a discussion about it.)

There are two separate topics that I am particularly worried about: dyes and homeworlds

I want dyes to cost resources, in the form of plants or something, not just magically changing the color of things. Then it's not magic, and I think it works with the game better, and then it might force you to find new planets for new colors.

Concerning homeworld protection, I know that we will be able to protect our homeworld from things like explosions and meteors, but I'm worried that you just press a button and then you're safe. I know it wont be that simple, since that would be begging to be exploited, but I just want to make sure it's not too op. To defend from meteors, there should be something like a space laser you make that destroys them before they hit the ground, but only in a range. That way it reasonably costs resources, looks cool, makes sense (well, video game sense) and you have to choose the area you want protected unless you make another.

Also, I don't think explosions should be entirely stopped. Like in minecraft, no matter how good you are, creepers still can blow up your house. You just get better at protecting yourself.

Alright, there it is, what do you think?

 

That is something I like a lot. There should be some sort of degree to the game where you cannot protect yourself/your base 100%. It would require skills to have your base safe which you learn from trial and error. And makes the game a bit harder which is fun

 

But Minecraft does have anti-creeper mods for a reason...
If you could activate something like the device that protects the dungeons, so an adventure map wouldn't be ruined by explosions, it will be good.

 

As I recall, Minecraft blocks had varying explosion resistance and Obsidian was considered creeper proof. If Starbound had varying resistance similar to this then I would suspect that the strongest materials would match your criteria.

Agree on the dyes costing resources also

 

Well some materials can be colored without the use of extra materials, especially in a futury age. I'd be fine with this being an alternative, albeit having a hard-to-make recipe.
And I'm all up for turrets, traps and tesla coils to protect my base!

 

With some monsters being able to displace blocks, I'm hoping that no base would be 100% safe bar maybe the top 2-3 materials or so. Of course if it isn't, it's already been stated that modding will be easy, so I'm not fussed really.

 

Don't forget that they finally caved in and let us play Minecraft without creepers destroying blocks. Personally, I used to dislike creepers. Never had a problem with them damaging my stuff, but I also didn't giggle like a 10-year-old when they left holes in the ground. Know what I mean?

Let's also not forget that Red also caved in and the Terraria 1.2 update is going to stop clown bombs from destroying blocks. So, that is out, too.

You see... If something bad happens to my in-game house / base, I want it to be because of MY fault. Because I ignored or forgot about something I needed to protect against. Not because of some unpreventable game mechanic. That's just stupid game design.

It's amazing the amount of time that had to pass before game devs finally started to understand this concept. I'm not totally convinced that they do.

 

First, I agree dyes should cost something to produce. No argument there.

As for block protection of various kinds, I think there has to be some mechanism in place to allow for it. Personally, I like the added challenge of having to safeguard my structures from enemy attacks, but not everyone is like me. Also, I think there's cause in the aforementioned "adventure map" game type to make block destruction impossible (else the map could not only be purposefully "cheated", but accidentally broken).

The method by which block protection could be implemented is another matter though. If playing a "standard" game, and we're talking about protecting homeworld structures and such, I like the idea of having to build something that costs a lot of resources to do the protecting (an energy shield maybe). However, I also think that a server option should be available that makes it so any player-crafted blocks are immune to weapon/mob damage. That would allow those who want an easier experience to play in the way they like. For those who don't, simply don't turn the option on and build your bases more defensively.

 

I see what you guys are saying, on both sides, about explosions in your base. Enough to possible change my mind. I do like the idea of building some sort of defense, but I don't want that defenses to be that I have to run outside myself, because thats a pain. But atvthe same time I like the idea of being able to use stronger material, but then I can't be as creative. Actually, thinking about it now, I'm afraid that if we keep explosions by enemies able to damage your base, it would lead to people creating a standardized sort of pit outside each door. Sort of like all those terraria traps, and pretty soon every player has them outside their doors. Hmmm...

Could we compromise and say that there is a way to protect your house from explosions, etc., but it costs some resources? Just to avoid the protection being magic and unexplained. (I do realize this conversation has no effect on how the game will be.)

 

The Roadmap mentions an item inside dungeons that protects the dungeon from destroying blocks that you have to destroy before being able to remove blocks/objects from the dungeon. Maybe there should be a way to manifest the power of said item to protect your own base.

 

I can mostly agree with the dyes costing resources, but I wouldn't say anything to crazy, make it cheap and plentiful. Especially when it comes to making dyed blocks etc. Just my opinion but, I personally hate having to hunt down Squids in Minecraft for ink sacs, to make black wool. It's mostly annoying because of bad spawning mechanics on Squids.

As far as explosions go, again I'll opt for player option. My friends and I are building a town right now that's some 14 X 14 chunks wide, we have creepers enabled and they can damage blocks. Know how we stop that? We kill the damn things lol. Or we get Ocelots, scare the creepers off. It adds danger, it adds a sense of not everything being super easy. After all that's why there is a creative mode in minecraft. We enjoy the danger of having to fight for our buildings, Ig et not everyone does, so make it player/server option.

 

That is correct. Obsidian has a ridiculous resistance I forget how much TNT (if explosions stack, which they don't) it would take to destroy it.

True. I think it was originally meant to keep things interesting, having an enemy you had to protect against with something other then a wall made of blocks. But then it forced players to have to build traps to stop them. Even then (in minecraft at least) a creeper could spawn if you forgot to light up a single corner. I do think that the point of enemy entities having the power to "modify" blocks is supposed to help make sure you never feel completely safe. Personally I like the idea of it being a setting (preferably opt-in aka off by default) so you have the options to be force to protect yourself and your base or just protect yourself from their blast. If you don't care to much about looks you can build some traps to kill the explosive baddies but if you would rather have your base not have some ugly external security you can just leave the the exploding baddies breaking blocks to off.

I do hope with stuff like the dyes that their is a balance between resources and pixels.

 

Personally, I think creepers and endermen are mostly just Notch experimenting with stuff. Playing with behavior AI and seeing what he can do with it.

When it comes to the creeper, he either got what he wanted or it became too much of a slap in the face for some people. They SAY they've improved mob AI. Pathfinding AI is great, sure, but I personally think the creeper AI is less intelligent than it used to be. Maybe it was on purpose and I missed a changelog somewhere.

Ehh... I think the 3d printer is going to be bad enough. Not only does it seem a little too convenient, but it also seems kind of boring. I'm sure I'm the only one with this. Or am I?

They've got vending machines in the game, don't they? I don't see why they don't do away with the 3d printer and have vending machines serve that purpose. That way nobody could just make anything on the fly at any location. At the very least, we might need to use some brain power and plan a little before leaving the base. Is that such a terrible thing? Plus, those vending machines would have a really neat purpose other than just looks.

I doubt it'll happen, but I like the idea. Might be neat to hear the "ka-clunk" of the vending machine as I'm buying materials to make my next house or whatever.

 

I'd like to not have to farm ingredients for dyes and the like more than necessary.
Finding the material to make a set of dyes would be fine; as would replicating them afterward with the 3D Printer or some sort of dye synthesizer.
But I have no love of endlessly tending to crops for materials.

As for base defense; it needs to scale if implemented. Creepers are the fucking worst in a game that features creative construction as a primary element of gameplay.
I wouldn't mind being forced to adapt to incrementing attacks, but having random shit destroy my bases over and over would only eventually discourage me from bothering to build anything in the first place.
Which kind of kills half the appeal of the game to me.

If you create a problem for such a challenge, at least give the player a chance to find a sensible solution is all I'm saying.

 

Yeah, there was really no safe time (other then the first day) were you didn't have to worry that you might get in that awful situation where like 5 creepers gang up and destroy all your stuff.

And yeah, i think the main reason for the printer is so that the game isn't too annoying because you need just one more resource to complete an item but you have to hop all over the galaxy to find it. But it should be balanced so that it is neither not very useful (requires way to much stuff to work) but also not too powerful (scan something be able to make infinite amounts at will and never leave home). I think the main reason for it is so that you don't have to roam all over looking for the right random thing you need and maybe have a bad run and rage quit. While it was a bit to powerful (and is being tweaked a lot now), the minecraft mod that let you melt items for energy and then use that to make another item, was nice. It let you make what you needed but until you got to the point of making the machines that create the energy out of the air, you still have to look for items to melt, preferably rare ones that you didn't need. Hopefully the 3D printer will be featured in such a way that it will not make the game too easy.

 

Now we just have to get them to understand why we all hate horrible AI in escort missions...

 

It's not easy making assumptions if not arguing a point not having touched the game, but here's my 2 cents
1. Everything should come at a cost. In other words the game should try to follow the laws of entropy, governing dynamics and fundamental principles energy conversion. Something for something. You take from one, you deplete another. I don't particulary enjoy games that employ an infinite generator for mats. It quickly makes the game impractical if not down right boring.

2. Everything in the game should present some kind of challenge, including building your base. It is what sparks enginuity and creativity. How do you plan build your home on hostile worlds involving lava, fire, meteors, low gravity? This is what makes games like this very fun to play. It tests your meddle, resolve, and that little engineer in all of us.

3. Explosions should be standard fare, and in variety of sizes too. From the tiny firecracker to the crater forming charge - I think they should all be at the players disposal to aide in mining and defenses. However, there is something to be said about the truly impregnible fortress. This is your reward for having spent the time, resource, and energy to craft such a thing. I've done this in minecraft and enjoyed the results of having a obsidian style dwelling.

I don't see anything about god powers, but that too kills a game replay value, for once you have done it all in a 30 minute "god" session. Then what's next?

 

it would be cool if there were world events that are unimaginable hard like terrarias goblin army only it takes a hour to fight and will be extremely resourceful with siege and other thing
you know a real challenge for people at end game

 

Yeah, like landing on a planet with a few of your friends to farm huge monsters for rare mats. Setting up a base there would be next to impossible and require constant vigilance with the support of your friends.