Mission Architect sneak peek


Archie Gremlin

 

Posted

I've been writing the Master Zaprobo Strikeforces for a few months now. I actually planned for three arcs, each with four missions so this suits me perfectly!

Now I just hope a couple of things I wanted in there are possible (clickies that aren't highlighted, glowies that aren't mission objectives, branching text based on Origin and custom NPC's as mission contacts).

Otherwise, my missions will lose a bit of flavour I have planned!


 

Posted

Didn't they mentioned that missions that are well done and get high ratings will get unlocks like end xp, salvage drops etc. and ultimately might earn the "developers choise" and then get treated like a normal mission.

Not 100% on that, but i think i read it in some interview.


 

Posted

[ QUOTE ]
Didn't they mentioned that missions that are well done and get high ratings will get unlocks like end xp, salvage drops etc. and ultimately might earn the "developers choise" and then get treated like a normal mission.

Not 100% on that, but i think i read it in some interview.

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There's developers choice Hall of Famers and, if an arc gets enough Thumbs Up it will also become a Hall of Fame arc.

Thus I can see Farming arcs happening anyway via the power of the public vote, people will vote for the best farming arc and once it gets into the hall of fame all the rewards will be present.


 

Posted

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Didn't they mentioned that missions that are well done and get high ratings will get unlocks like end xp, salvage drops etc. and ultimately might earn the "developers choise" and then get treated like a normal mission.

Not 100% on that, but i think i read it in some interview.

[/ QUOTE ]

There's developers choice Hall of Famers and, if an arc gets enough Thumbs Up it will also become a Hall of Fame arc.

Thus I can see Farming arcs happening anyway via the power of the public vote, people will vote for the best farming arc and once it gets into the hall of fame all the rewards will be present.

[/ QUOTE ]

I have a feeling that might be a little more selective. I can't see that being left to chance to be honest. I expect the missions will be 'moderated'.


 

Posted

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Didn't they mentioned that missions that are well done and get high ratings will get unlocks like end xp, salvage drops etc. and ultimately might earn the "developers choise" and then get treated like a normal mission.

Not 100% on that, but i think i read it in some interview.

[/ QUOTE ]

There's developers choice Hall of Famers and, if an arc gets enough Thumbs Up it will also become a Hall of Fame arc.

Thus I can see Farming arcs happening anyway via the power of the public vote, people will vote for the best farming arc and once it gets into the hall of fame all the rewards will be present.

[/ QUOTE ]

I have a feeling that might be a little more selective. I can't see that being left to chance to be honest. I expect the missions will be 'moderated'.

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I'm just going on the thing posted yesterday with a link to the US boards.

To be honest I do kind of hope there is a Thumbs Up system too. Simply because a moderated-only system is likely to be used for a few months before stagnating and dying.


 

Posted

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I'm just going on the thing posted yesterday with a link to the US boards.

To be honest I do kind of hope there is a Thumbs Up system too. Simply because a moderated-only system is likely to be used for a few months before stagnating and dying.

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A bit like the original Creative Genius thread

Actually I was thinking that a mission would probably be allowed straight away but that complaints or other forms of moderation might get it pulled or altered. Wasn't something mentioned about missions being altered somewhere??


 

Posted

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I'm just going on the thing posted yesterday with a link to the US boards.

To be honest I do kind of hope there is a Thumbs Up system too. Simply because a moderated-only system is likely to be used for a few months before stagnating and dying.

[/ QUOTE ]

A bit like the original Creative Genius thread

Actually I was thinking that a mission would probably be allowed straight away but that complaints or other forms of moderation might get it pulled or altered. Wasn't something mentioned about missions being altered somewhere??

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Oh inappropriate content can be looked at alright and changed or deleted. Just like with character creation now, you can create the name and bio but if someone complains it'll be looked at. Thumbs Up approved Hall of Famers will follow the same logic I guess.


 

Posted

I just hope that MA continues to be developed after i14 and doesn't drop by the wayside like so other features (Bases, Customisable weapons, Power set purification)


 

Posted

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I just hope that MA continues to be developed after i14 and doesn't drop by the wayside like so other features (Bases, Customisable weapons, Power set purification)

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'Purification'....Lol
Bases are still WIP. We know this. As are Weapons and, possibly, Power customisation.
Its just everyone seems to think the Devs can do everything at the press of a button.
Well...they CAN...but only once they've pressed other buttons over and over again to write, develop, code and implement these changes
Cut the guys and gals some slack, willya?


Quote:
Originally Posted by Zwillinger View Post
GG, I would tell you that "I am killing you with my mind", but I couldn't find an emoticon to properly express my sentiment.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Captain_Photon View Post
NOTE: The Incarnate System is basically farming for IOs on a larger scale, and with more obtrusive lore.

 

Posted

Although the MA doesnt really hold anything for me, I was wondering if everyone has access to all the missions or is it split heroes and villains?

Just by default, most missions will likely be done from the heroes angle, so does that mean the villains will have less to do as not so many arcs? or can everyone do them all as long as the team is all the same?

Just wondered.


Zhaan, Chakyra, Fiorina 161, Aeryn, Polly Nation, Dee Pression, Shazanne, Night Jester and too many more to mention.

Network Hell 47640
Valley of the Harpies 74519
Green and Pleasant Land 75966

 

Posted

The last word was the "mission library" would be cross-server, cross-atlantic and cross-faction.


I really should do something about this signature.

 

Posted

Does that mean that people on Union server can play the GG 'Quest for Animated Hair' story arc?


 

Posted

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any word on the ability to customise the map or if we can actually set teh spawn point for enemies instead of "front" "middle" and "back" of the map ?

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If you read the linked thread, you'd know the answer to both these questions.

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no need to be p*ssy about it. I'm at work and dont have time to read the whole thing (internet was down over the weekend and is only back today). I asked a polite question but instead of a helpful answer or just ignoring the post you elected to be a [censored]. thank you.


 

Posted

to anyone else who doesnt know the answers to the above:

no you wont be able to make maps though a level editor has been mentioned but wont be available at release.

as for the second:
Likewise mobs will spawn on the maps at preset points.

so, no, it doesnt answer that one. preset points:

can you choose a subset of preset points ?
is it random ?
is it all of them ?

it is importnat as the pacing of a level , the build to finale or the calm between the storms can be seriously thrown off course by the level and placement of spawns. Hopefulyl the level editor will allow for spawn point placement and possibly a bit of randomness thrown in for good measure.

hey wow. the censored bit in my post above makes it seem much ruder than it was intended to be. Sorry FFM, its not actually a rude word. think of an alternative way of saying intelligent or well dressed pair of buttocks.


 

Posted

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so, no, it doesnt answer that one. preset points:

can you choose a subset of preset points ?
is it random ?
is it all of them ?


[/ QUOTE ]

Actually, it does answer it, quite clearly...

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Likewise mobs will spawn on the maps at preset points.


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Spawn locations are preset; you cannot control them at all. This only makes sense really as, if you COULD control them, you could load a specific point on your map with spawns and effectively make the mission impossible.

A little more digging in other posted information will reveal that each map always has a "boss room". As players, we're more then familiar with this concept as we see it all the time. This "boss room" is where your custom created boss is almost certainly going to spawn, and it's extremely unlikely that we'll be able to designate which room IS that boss room.

This DOES reduce the capabilities of the mission creator a fair bit, as well as not having ambushes as well, but a little creative thinking should be able to work around it.


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hey wow. the censored bit in my post above makes it seem much ruder than it was intended to be. Sorry FFM, its not actually a rude word. think of an alternative way of saying intelligent or well dressed pair of buttocks.

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Your question was somewhat of a silly question though, just leading people (well, me) to believe that you were too lazy to actually look up the information yourself and just wanted spoon feeding. If you'd actually said that you were unable to view the thread at the time, that would have been a different kettle of crocodiles.


@FloatingFatMan

Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

 

Posted

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Does that mean that people on Union server can play the GG 'Quest for Animated Hair' story arc?

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I may try something more subtle than that

If there are badges for getitng certain rating levels, then I may even need to call in a team of experts


@Golden Girl

City of Heroes comics and artwork

 

Posted

[ QUOTE ]
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so, no, it doesnt answer that one. preset points:

can you choose a subset of preset points ?
is it random ?
is it all of them ?


[/ QUOTE ]

Actually, it does answer it, quite clearly...

[ QUOTE ]

Likewise mobs will spawn on the maps at preset points.


[/ QUOTE ]

Spawn locations are preset; you cannot control them at all. This only makes sense really as, if you COULD control them, you could load a specific point on your map with spawns and effectively make the mission impossible.

A little more digging in other posted information will reveal that each map always has a "boss room". As players, we're more then familiar with this concept as we see it all the time. This "boss room" is where your custom created boss is almost certainly going to spawn, and it's extremely unlikely that we'll be able to designate which room IS that boss room.

This DOES reduce the capabilities of the mission creator a fair bit, as well as not having ambushes as well, but a little creative thinking should be able to work around it.


[ QUOTE ]

hey wow. the censored bit in my post above makes it seem much ruder than it was intended to be. Sorry FFM, its not actually a rude word. think of an alternative way of saying intelligent or well dressed pair of buttocks.

[/ QUOTE ]

Your question was somewhat of a silly question though, just leading people (well, me) to believe that you were too lazy to actually look up the information yourself and just wanted spoon feeding. If you'd actually said that you were unable to view the thread at the time, that would have been a different kettle of crocodiles.

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Thats pure speculation though, Floaty. Sure you're stuck with the points. But its possible that you can control things to *do* with the points, e.g. which is the boss spawn, hostage spawns, etc. It might *not* be, but it might be, in equal measures.

The answer, as normally is, is;
We Dont Know


Quote:
Originally Posted by Zwillinger View Post
GG, I would tell you that "I am killing you with my mind", but I couldn't find an emoticon to properly express my sentiment.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Captain_Photon View Post
NOTE: The Incarnate System is basically farming for IOs on a larger scale, and with more obtrusive lore.

 

Posted

Well... We shall see who's right.


@FloatingFatMan

Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

 

Posted

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Does that mean that people on Union server can play the GG 'Quest for Animated Hair' story arc?

[/ QUOTE ]

I may try something more subtle than that

If there are badges for getitng certain rating levels, then I may even need to call in a team of experts

[/ QUOTE ]

Someone like Laboratoire Garnier perhaps?


 

Posted

*snicker*


I have some story plots laid out, i hope the mission architect will allow me to do em the way i want to. Will see when it comes i spose


 

Posted

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*snicker*


I have some story plots laid out, i hope the mission architect will allow me to do em the way i want to. Will see when it comes i spose

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*is afraid*

...

*but also strangely curious*


 

Posted

I'll probably be creating more missions and arcs in this than I will be playing through them.

I just know that if I play through one and the creator has terrible spelling errors in it then I'll shout, quit and rate it the lowest possible score


[url=http://vox-doom.deviantart.com]Take A Gander At This.[/url]

 

Posted

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I just hope that MA continues to be developed after i14 and doesn't drop by the wayside like so other features (Bases, Customisable weapons, Power set purification)

[/ QUOTE ]

'Purification'....Lol
Bases are still WIP. We know this. As are Weapons and, possibly, Power customisation.
Its just everyone seems to think the Devs can do everything at the press of a button.
Well...they CAN...but only once they've pressed other buttons over and over again to write, develop, code and implement these changes
Cut the guys and gals some slack, willya?

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I fully appreciate that the devs are very busy but it would be nice if things they added in previous issues were also worked on for example weapon customisation there was a huge fanfare for it at the time but since then very little shield when it was released came with a shed load of elemental and other no standard shield looks it would have been nice if they had carried these over to the other weapon sets


 

Posted

Evidence is emerging that there will be some degree of power selection, for at least some of the mobs in the MA.

There has been a leak of "mission maker powers", which on it's own I wouldn't take as confirming anything, however, Castle has posted in the thread saying this:

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Kheldians and Arachnos Soldier powers likely won't be available at launch. Possibly never.


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Which seems to imply that the powers for at least some of the other ATs will be in at launch.

In order to make this work, the general mob AI will also have to have had a revamp, at least with regard to choosing which power to use, and when to enter melee range.

Read the original thread for context.


I really should do something about this signature.

 

Posted

That is very interesting and somewhat encouraging that the whole thing won't be some sort of glorified map editor.

I am REALLY looking forward to MA. Honest;y, I am dribbling from my happy places with excitement.