So I'm looking to start a new project, which is called EFRR for short. While I intend for this to be a series of maps, all independent, I would like to get the first one rolled out and working. Once everything is figured out the others will come much more easily. I posted this a while ago in the map ideas thread but now I actually have time to get this started.
First, I want to talk about this project. The way I want this to work is that you're going to have somewhere around 5 players and they're going to start the game by picking an exclusive hero. I'd like to have enough where there are 1 or 2 heroes not being picked. Each hero will have specific start locations, some will spawn together others will spawn in other areas.
Ideas
I would love to figure out how to use the bank system to act kind of like a quick save, so if the players fail they restart the map and load the save, either returning them back to their previously saved location or removing certain enemies and obstacles that have already been cleared. While in most cases it would be easiest to respawn the hero back at their starting location after a certain amount of time, once you reach a certain point in the map that won't be possible. Kind of a point of no return. Of course you could make a new spawning location based on that.
Strategy
The purpose of the map is that the heroes have to overcome obstacles using teamwork and their heroes unique abilities. Most obstacles will have 2 ways around them just in case somebody doesn't pick a specific hero or there will be a secondary obstacle, for a different hero, to bypass that one. Other obstacles will require multiple heroes to do something at the same time (e.g. 2 heroes are at different computer terminals to open a gate).
This will mostly be a stealth based game and mobs should only agro if they have LoS. I want to do LoS in a cone style similar to what they did in Commandos but I'm not sure how to do that yet, nor am I sure how to let the players know what is in a specific unit's LoS. Maybe if a player has a certain enemy unit selected it creates a flashlight effect in front of them. Which could bring another strategic element because each player can only see 1 LoS at a time so sometimes you would need multiple players to select each select an enemy in the same general area.
Plot
While this could be turned into a Library and used to create a series of maps will different plots, the main plot is that you're an elite force of soldiers working for Raynor's Raiders. While the locations and missions will change they'll all have a 'special ops' feel to them. For example, you have to infiltrate a training camp on Mar Saras and recover secret documents about a prototype weapon they're being ready to implement. After you steal the plans you need to destroy the prototypes (which ends up causing a decent ruckus, and escape. If you've taken the proper precautions the units that are alerted and come storming after you are thinned down by stuff like reprogrammed turrets, well placed reinforcements, etc. To end the mission all heroes must be alive and must return to the designated location.
The First Mission
This mission is currently being terrained by me. It will use the Agria textures and will be a training camp positioned near a small colony. The soldiers are exploiting the colonists by offering them 'protection' from the dangers of the world when in reality, the only danger would be from the soldiers if the colonists didn't cooperate.
The Heroes
The goal is for all of the heroes to be Terran, since that's the back story behind this elite squad of soldiers. Most of them don't have names yet.
Nova, the Sniper: After her initial mission with Raynor Nova did a little soul searching and has switched sides. While she has decent stealth abilities her specialization is in the use of her sniper rifle. She can cloak for limited durations to try and reach vantage points to silently pick off enemies.
Mike, The Mechanic: This prodigy of the mechanical world has joined this elite team against the wishes of Swann, who would rather have him aboard the Hyperion. However, nobody can disable/reprogram mechanical units and hotwire cars faster than Mike.
The Spy: Not much is know about him, because he prefers to be the keeper of secrets rather than letting his float around. The spy has one of those faces where he looks like someone you know, which he uses to his advantage by taking on the appearance of his enemies and infiltrating their ranks.
The Commander: This unit packs around a massive chain gun. He's part of this crew to provide firepower if the situation gets sticky. He also has the ability to call units to the field at his target location, which get dropped in by a stealth ship. This is great for positioning cannon fodder on high ground or behind enemy lines.
The Medic: Even though this group is about stealth, the fact that the Commander is part of this group is reason enough to have a medic. Aside from just being able to heal her allies she also carries a very lethal poison which she can inject someone with, if she manages to sneak up on them. (I want this unit to be the scientist lady you rescue - I forget her name and I'm playing FFXIV so I can't check right now)
The Demolitionist: While most firebats are happy with turning an army of Zerg to ash, that is not enough for this soldier. The Demolitionist has added explosives to his fiery arsenal (which is just a recipe for disaster). But it does come in handly when a grenade needs throwing or a door needs to be blasted down. (This unit will be General Warfield)
The Ninja: While it would be true to say that you don't see many Ninjas these days, that's kind of the point behind being a Ninja. This soldier uses swords to quickly and quietly take out his foes and has the ability to cloak for a much longer period than nova. While some walls prove to be impossible for the Ninja to climb, not all are.
Suggestions
I need them. Even if you don't have the time or desire to be a part of this project, I would love your two cents. If I get enough then maybe I'll have a whole dollar, which I can go spend at the dollar store. I need some names for the heroes and possibly a name for this project, if the name I came up with sucks.
Who I Need
I would prefer this project be more of a casual thing because I don't want people burning out and wouldn't mind a couple of experts lending a hand when they have a free moment and need a break from their own projects.
Data Editor(s): I suck at the data editor and I need someone who can make well balanced, solid heroes, with fun and unique abilities. I also need someone who can set up a 'flashlight' style Line of Sight system or a modify a unit's search cone (if that's the proper thing to modify) to make it so they can only see what is in front of them. Also need someone who can assign the proper animations to make an SM model fight like their normal model would.
Trigger Editors: I need two different style of trigger editors.
I need one who specializes in cinematics. While they're going to be skipable I want some well done cinema. I'm thinking stuff from a briefing starting aboard the Hyperian to ground level cut scenes. I'm not sure how tough they are to handle but I would actually prefer all of the heroes to use the SM models, in both cinematics and in combat.
In-game triggers. This is going to be very obstacle based and every obstacle is going to have intricate triggers associated with them. This is supposed to be strategic so the players will have little room for error. Also going to need triggers for the enemies to attack, since their LoS will be narrow there will be plenty of things to set them off and get them to look at where the players are at.
I want to do LoS in a cone style similar to what they did in Commandos but I'm not sure how to do that yet, nor am I sure how to let the players know what is in a specific unit's LoS.
You should be able to use a "search area" effect. I keep duplicating the mothership's cloak field. By narrowing the radius on that, it should be the first step in what you're trying to accomplish.
As for displaying the cone, there's an event in actors for "selected", you may be able to use that to draw the "flashlight".
A random little idea passed through my head of the team being assigned to a Zerg base on one of the missions, and the spy mentioning something about sneaking around being difficult, and the scientist says "Well, we did capture this.", pulling back a curtain to reveal a changeling on a slab, and the spy going into a fit about having to wear it.
Anyway, I could help some with triggers or data if you get stumped. I'm not really up for being part of the team, but I'll help where I can, maybe work out a puzzle or two for you if you need.
I'd be willing to help out doing stuff in the Data Editor if your still looking for people. I'm not an expert by any means, but I know my way around the editor well enough and right now am just kind of screwing off on my own map. Just send me a PM
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So I'm looking to start a new project, which is called EFRR for short. While I intend for this to be a series of maps, all independent, I would like to get the first one rolled out and working. Once everything is figured out the others will come much more easily. I posted this a while ago in the map ideas thread but now I actually have time to get this started.
First, I want to talk about this project. The way I want this to work is that you're going to have somewhere around 5 players and they're going to start the game by picking an exclusive hero. I'd like to have enough where there are 1 or 2 heroes not being picked. Each hero will have specific start locations, some will spawn together others will spawn in other areas.
Ideas
I would love to figure out how to use the bank system to act kind of like a quick save, so if the players fail they restart the map and load the save, either returning them back to their previously saved location or removing certain enemies and obstacles that have already been cleared. While in most cases it would be easiest to respawn the hero back at their starting location after a certain amount of time, once you reach a certain point in the map that won't be possible. Kind of a point of no return. Of course you could make a new spawning location based on that. Strategy
The purpose of the map is that the heroes have to overcome obstacles using teamwork and their heroes unique abilities. Most obstacles will have 2 ways around them just in case somebody doesn't pick a specific hero or there will be a secondary obstacle, for a different hero, to bypass that one. Other obstacles will require multiple heroes to do something at the same time (e.g. 2 heroes are at different computer terminals to open a gate).
This will mostly be a stealth based game and mobs should only agro if they have LoS. I want to do LoS in a cone style similar to what they did in Commandos but I'm not sure how to do that yet, nor am I sure how to let the players know what is in a specific unit's LoS. Maybe if a player has a certain enemy unit selected it creates a flashlight effect in front of them. Which could bring another strategic element because each player can only see 1 LoS at a time so sometimes you would need multiple players to select each select an enemy in the same general area. Plot
While this could be turned into a Library and used to create a series of maps will different plots, the main plot is that you're an elite force of soldiers working for Raynor's Raiders. While the locations and missions will change they'll all have a 'special ops' feel to them. For example, you have to infiltrate a training camp on Mar Saras and recover secret documents about a prototype weapon they're being ready to implement. After you steal the plans you need to destroy the prototypes (which ends up causing a decent ruckus, and escape. If you've taken the proper precautions the units that are alerted and come storming after you are thinned down by stuff like reprogrammed turrets, well placed reinforcements, etc. To end the mission all heroes must be alive and must return to the designated location.
The First Mission
This mission is currently being terrained by me. It will use the Agria textures and will be a training camp positioned near a small colony. The soldiers are exploiting the colonists by offering them 'protection' from the dangers of the world when in reality, the only danger would be from the soldiers if the colonists didn't cooperate.
The Heroes
The goal is for all of the heroes to be Terran, since that's the back story behind this elite squad of soldiers. Most of them don't have names yet.
Nova, the Sniper: After her initial mission with Raynor Nova did a little soul searching and has switched sides. While she has decent stealth abilities her specialization is in the use of her sniper rifle. She can cloak for limited durations to try and reach vantage points to silently pick off enemies.
Mike, The Mechanic: This prodigy of the mechanical world has joined this elite team against the wishes of Swann, who would rather have him aboard the Hyperion. However, nobody can disable/reprogram mechanical units and hotwire cars faster than Mike.
The Spy: Not much is know about him, because he prefers to be the keeper of secrets rather than letting his float around. The spy has one of those faces where he looks like someone you know, which he uses to his advantage by taking on the appearance of his enemies and infiltrating their ranks.
The Commander: This unit packs around a massive chain gun. He's part of this crew to provide firepower if the situation gets sticky. He also has the ability to call units to the field at his target location, which get dropped in by a stealth ship. This is great for positioning cannon fodder on high ground or behind enemy lines.
The Medic: Even though this group is about stealth, the fact that the Commander is part of this group is reason enough to have a medic. Aside from just being able to heal her allies she also carries a very lethal poison which she can inject someone with, if she manages to sneak up on them. (I want this unit to be the scientist lady you rescue - I forget her name and I'm playing FFXIV so I can't check right now)
The Demolitionist: While most firebats are happy with turning an army of Zerg to ash, that is not enough for this soldier. The Demolitionist has added explosives to his fiery arsenal (which is just a recipe for disaster). But it does come in handly when a grenade needs throwing or a door needs to be blasted down. (This unit will be General Warfield)
The Ninja: While it would be true to say that you don't see many Ninjas these days, that's kind of the point behind being a Ninja. This soldier uses swords to quickly and quietly take out his foes and has the ability to cloak for a much longer period than nova. While some walls prove to be impossible for the Ninja to climb, not all are.
Suggestions
I need them. Even if you don't have the time or desire to be a part of this project, I would love your two cents. If I get enough then maybe I'll have a whole dollar, which I can go spend at the dollar store. I need some names for the heroes and possibly a name for this project, if the name I came up with sucks.
Who I Need
I would prefer this project be more of a casual thing because I don't want people burning out and wouldn't mind a couple of experts lending a hand when they have a free moment and need a break from their own projects.
Data Editor(s): I suck at the data editor and I need someone who can make well balanced, solid heroes, with fun and unique abilities. I also need someone who can set up a 'flashlight' style Line of Sight system or a modify a unit's search cone (if that's the proper thing to modify) to make it so they can only see what is in front of them. Also need someone who can assign the proper animations to make an SM model fight like their normal model would.
Trigger Editors: I need two different style of trigger editors.
You should be able to use a "search area" effect. I keep duplicating the mothership's cloak field. By narrowing the radius on that, it should be the first step in what you're trying to accomplish.
As for displaying the cone, there's an event in actors for "selected", you may be able to use that to draw the "flashlight".
A random little idea passed through my head of the team being assigned to a Zerg base on one of the missions, and the spy mentioning something about sneaking around being difficult, and the scientist says "Well, we did capture this.", pulling back a curtain to reveal a changeling on a slab, and the spy going into a fit about having to wear it.
Anyway, I could help some with triggers or data if you get stumped. I'm not really up for being part of the team, but I'll help where I can, maybe work out a puzzle or two for you if you need.
I'd be willing to help out doing stuff in the Data Editor if your still looking for people. I'm not an expert by any means, but I know my way around the editor well enough and right now am just kind of screwing off on my own map. Just send me a PM