The last few weeks have been pretty intense. Demigod has been unlike anything we’ve released before. The good news is that its sales have been really good and despite that first week which saw our network brought to its knees, the game’s average review scores have been 4 out of 5 (well over 4 out of 5 after the first week).
Our chief technology architect, Jeff Bargmann, who I brought onto Demigod a couple of weeks ago when it became clear that we were going to need to develop our own network solution for the game is clearly obsessed based on the 4am emails he sent me over the weekend. Jeff is also the lead developer on Impulse, ObjectDock, ObjectBar, Fences, and numerous other projects. When I absolutely positively must have something amazing done right and quickly, he is my go-to guy. So this weekend he’s been working on various proxy solutions. Cari, our lead game developer also found ways to solve some of the Pantheon and Skirmish issues that were reported over the weekend.
I don’t want to make any promises but given the success of Friday’s update and the likelyhood that the proxies will go online this week, we should be nearing the point of diminishing returns for getting people connected on the multiplayer match making side. I also know that Gas Powered Games is looking seriously at in-game connectivity.
Personally, I think the long-term solution is for us just to host the games entirely. That’s what we’re doing in Elemental for its multiplayer – our servers host the entire thing from the start.
But with the connectivity issues in MP likely to substantially diminish this week, it’s time to start thinking about what we should do next.
Demigod v1.1
So on the horizon there’s Demigod v1.1. Now, question is, what should be in it? Now, these aren’t expansion packs but I can think of a few things on my personal list that may or may not agree with what you guys want so let’s talk about that.
Here’s my personal preference list for v1.1 in brief:
Now, this doesn’t include DLC content such as Clan Wars, Scheduled Games, Group Join, etc. This is just v1.1. But it does give you an idea of some of the things we’re thinking of.
What would you like to see in terms of new features?
double post
I don't think that will be done so fast. Maybe in a year, imo...
I have a couple ideas to add to our little discussion.
-I would like to see more work done under the pre-game options. I think adjusting HP and Strength of both towers and creeps seperately would be a very nice game tweak. Deeper customization would make this game ever more splendid.
-Further work on the general type demigod's minion pathing.
-Some kind of additional Citadel upgrade to purchase.
-Fix roll over error bug on flags under the fog of war. Prison's Artifact flag is one example.
-Another game type would be a neat idea.
Keep up the good work guys. You're on the road to success in my eyes.
Frogboy, please have a look here: http://forums.demigodthegame.com/352593
A friend list please.
especially if people will be recruiting their friends.
btw, i really believe in what you've got going on with Demigod so im putting up some coverage on a site i submit articles to, www.lagwar.com
thanks for everything so far Frogboy!
Demigod does have a friends list. It's through the Impulse program, so you need to hold down SHIFT+TAB to access it in-game, if I remember rightly.
I don't know if this is feasible, but it would be nice if we didn't have to forward so many ports. I'd like to see if it improves my connectivity, but the numbers I see range from 20 (ImpulseReactorOptions) to 200 (I believe one of your posts, and the most recent HowTo that was written up)...either way, I can't forward more than one port at a time with my router and I'm not about to enter 200 forwardings individually. 20, maybe, but my impression is that this isn't enough -- please correct me if I'm wrong!
Personally:
"Simple" Feature - Change color in SP. I'm kinda sick of being stuck with yellow all the time. Couldn't we have an easier, intuitive method, such as simply click the color and checking a box (much like selecting DG) - those colors already taken could be greyed out.
"Complex" Feature - New map or two. I could stand to keep playing the original set of DG's and refine my skills with them, but a change of scenary and layout would be nice. I'd actually prefer new maps over new DG - but that's me.
Air quotes because I can't honestly say I know how much work, coding, and fiddling/error checking is needed for these.
I agree that better AI SHOULD be a high priority, but as it's pretty well crap to even semi-experienced players, I'd just assume not have the AI take over. If its 2v2 experienced players and 1 drops and the AI takes over, then that computer character becomes the easy one to pick on and easy to get money from. Better a nonexistant player than a gold mine for the other team IMO.
If we're actually talking about good solutions, then there would be an equation executed to determine what should happen if a teammate quits... if immediately, then let the guy who lost his teammate quit without any penalty if he wants. Give him an edge so that he would get a gold bonus to give him and advantage over 1v1 but close to even over 1v2. I can't really think of any scenario where I'd prefer for crap AI to take over... well, maybe 1... if there was no announcement globally that a player has left the game... for instance, if my teammate left the game and I was the only one to hear that message, cool (at least for a bit anyway). But if all hear and see who left, then they immediately know who's an easy kill. Anyway, my solution either make the AI replacement higher powered or to give the remaining human players a money bonus so they actually have some semblance of a chance. Can't imagine that would be insanely difficult to program based on map selection.
I nth the Replays suggestion. I'd also like to see:
The ability to map controls to mice with extra buttons
A way to look at Demigod skills while not playing the game
remember this..
You can do that at Demigoddb.com
mmrph. friend list should be more easily viewable in game, i dislike having to interact with another piece of software to find friends or make my list. If it was built into the DG interface i would be happy.
its not like theres a shortage of screen real estate, the menu is pretty small
OMG this is great Thank you! Sadly there is no manual when you purchased the game online
Heh heh, actually, wrong again. The manual is in your install directory/Stardock Games/Demigod/bin/DemigodManual.pdf
all your ideas are great, all needed but also id have to say, if theres never gonna be a map maker we deffinatly need more maps asap
maps
replay option
new DG's should come in expantion packs
Smart Quitting. If someone exits within the first 3 minutes (this is to long imho.)
I'll add a vote for Replays.
I agree that investing time in the AI is a waste of resources. This is either a MP game or it isn't. If you want it to also be a single player game then don't bother with a half-ass attempt that simply "upgrades" the AI. Add a campaign. A real campaign with existing AI would be far better than just "improving" AI and believing that this will satisfy single players. If your idea is to improve AI in order to give MP players the ability to practice for their MP games, then forgive me while I LOL and ROFLMAO.
Maps, Maps, maps.
New game modes (the original Assault mode in UT is a great example)
And please, sh*tcan all plans to add so-called "ban-lists" (aka griefbats)
The game should absolutely, without a doubt, never, ever, ever, ever put me in a game with nothing but bots when I'm looking for a game online. I don't care what connectivity issues there are or problems finding more people; there absolutely must be at least one other player, or don't start a darn game.
I would like to be able to look at my skill tree when I'm dead!!!
D%amn!!! It is boring when you are dead lol....
Not only that, but also citadel upgrades and shops. Just look, don't touch.
This was a suggestion mentioned on several threads in the Ideas subsection. They should know it by now, if they are reading the forums. That's why i find it odd to post here our wishes. What's the rest of the forum for?
Probably the same, what I hate more is that there doesn't seem to be any feedback yet about which points SD/GPG are taking up on, or some kind of summary list. They might 'close' the thread later to analyze and make one, but then I'd like to know an ETA on the end of this thread.
Definitely You guys should relase map editor ASAP.It's the easiest way to relase new good maps. Just let players make them - we know what we need !!
You can make some simple map downloading system. When someone try to join game with map which he don't have, game shows You map preview and ask if You want to download it from the host's computer.
There could be a "player-made" map ranking on the Demigod website with popularity (downloads so far / rating so far).
I have to admit, I'm a bit bored of Cataract right now... 95% of games with few players (2 vs 2, 3 vs 3) are on Cataract !! Ok - the map is good, but how long can You play on same map ?
IMO new maps are MUCH MORE important thing than those 2 new demigods...
Agreed! Although making a map editor is more work than you think. Besides it being a whole new piece of software with bugs on its own, they have to provide you with the 'building blocks' to do it. Making textures etc is a bit too much work for most people I reckon.
Well i heard there was some map editor during beta, so this shouldn't be a big problem.
Beside, they probably made all maps we see now in some editor. I don't think these days programists literally "write" maps from the scratch (correct me if i'm wrong).
Nah but there's a big difference between professional tools and map editors for the public. It depends on how they would like to present it I guess. Just a basic map editor where enthousiasts can hack a map together, which is relatively simple to make, or make a map editor for every gamer to use, which would require lots of work.
Also, most maps require lots of work to work out bugs and finetune it. The 80/20 rule applies.
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