Time-based dynamics in maps
Archevil
Join Date: 2003-08-29 Member: 20339Members
Join Date: 2003-08-29 Member: 20339Members
I didn't come up with this idea, I saw it in another thread and thought it had potential.
I think that an additional dynamic in certain maps (and definitely not all of them) that would create more strategic potential is changing landscape over time. Note that I do not mean dynamic infestation, which is a reaction to player-based events, but something different. An example could be a door leading to the back of a hive opening after a certain amount of time (say 15 minutes). It could also be interesting to have these changes on a rotational basis, e.g. a door through the centre of the map that opens for 30 seconds every 5 minutes (allowing people to make rushes through there, forcing teams to defend that area for a small amount of time every cycle).
What is the point, you ask? The point is that it creates an additional strategic layer for certain maps that players can capitalise on to change the gameplay dynamic. With the second example (door through the centre of the level opening on a cyclic basis), it creates an interesting situation. For example, let's say that the two teams have each taken their halves of the level (note that it is possible to get to the other side of the level without travelling through this door, but the other routes are more defensible and hence harder to take). After one cycle the marine commander begins to ready a shotgun attack with a few heavy armors in the lead. He puts them in position and waits for the door to open. When it opens, the marines can rush forward and take control of the kharaa's area, unless the kharaa are defending. It redirects the flow of the action.
The important thing about these changes in the level are that they are outside player control. They can be a one-time event, a cycle, a random event, whatever. The point is that the players don't cause the changes, but have to react to them. Skilled teams can take advantage of the changes, while teams with poor teamwork can't do so as effectively.
I think that an additional dynamic in certain maps (and definitely not all of them) that would create more strategic potential is changing landscape over time. Note that I do not mean dynamic infestation, which is a reaction to player-based events, but something different. An example could be a door leading to the back of a hive opening after a certain amount of time (say 15 minutes). It could also be interesting to have these changes on a rotational basis, e.g. a door through the centre of the map that opens for 30 seconds every 5 minutes (allowing people to make rushes through there, forcing teams to defend that area for a small amount of time every cycle).
What is the point, you ask? The point is that it creates an additional strategic layer for certain maps that players can capitalise on to change the gameplay dynamic. With the second example (door through the centre of the level opening on a cyclic basis), it creates an interesting situation. For example, let's say that the two teams have each taken their halves of the level (note that it is possible to get to the other side of the level without travelling through this door, but the other routes are more defensible and hence harder to take). After one cycle the marine commander begins to ready a shotgun attack with a few heavy armors in the lead. He puts them in position and waits for the door to open. When it opens, the marines can rush forward and take control of the kharaa's area, unless the kharaa are defending. It redirects the flow of the action.
The important thing about these changes in the level are that they are outside player control. They can be a one-time event, a cycle, a random event, whatever. The point is that the players don't cause the changes, but have to react to them. Skilled teams can take advantage of the changes, while teams with poor teamwork can't do so as effectively.
Comments
There are others too, but yeah sounds great. Variety is almost always a good thing, start making some maps when NS2 comes out!! I will start playing once I can buy the game ANY OTHER WAY, other then through Steam. As much as I love NS1, I won't be playing it until it is released in some other fashion.