Coop or multiplayer in Subnautica? I'm afraid not.
Flayra
Game Director, Unknown Worlds EntertainmentSan Francisco Join Date: 2002-01-22 Member: 3Super Administrators, NS2 Developer, Subnautica Developer
Game Director, Unknown Worlds EntertainmentSan Francisco Join Date: 2002-01-22 Member: 3Super Administrators, NS2 Developer, Subnautica Developer
Hey everyone,
We've been getting tons and tons of questions and requests about whether we're going to add multiplayer to Subnautica or not.
Back in our early prototypes we always had multiplayer in the back of our mind. But we had so much to learn about the game, multiplayer was never a priority. Eventually we hit early access and now it would take many man-years to add any kind of multiplayer to Subnautica. We don't want to spend years more working on Subnautica before v1.0, so we sadly have come to terms with the fact that we won't be adding any kind of multiplayer or coop to the game.
Maybe one day we'll start over on a different engine and make a new Subnautica game based around coop. A game where one person is piloting the sub, another person is poring over readouts and computers, another is repairing the engines and yet another is radioing for help in a dark biome, where their Seamoth is almost out of juice. We would love to play that game.
But until then, we're going to finish up Subnautica the way it was meant to be: one person trying to survive in in a massive, dangerous, beautiful, alien world.
We've been getting tons and tons of questions and requests about whether we're going to add multiplayer to Subnautica or not.
Back in our early prototypes we always had multiplayer in the back of our mind. But we had so much to learn about the game, multiplayer was never a priority. Eventually we hit early access and now it would take many man-years to add any kind of multiplayer to Subnautica. We don't want to spend years more working on Subnautica before v1.0, so we sadly have come to terms with the fact that we won't be adding any kind of multiplayer or coop to the game.
Maybe one day we'll start over on a different engine and make a new Subnautica game based around coop. A game where one person is piloting the sub, another person is poring over readouts and computers, another is repairing the engines and yet another is radioing for help in a dark biome, where their Seamoth is almost out of juice. We would love to play that game.
But until then, we're going to finish up Subnautica the way it was meant to be: one person trying to survive in in a massive, dangerous, beautiful, alien world.
Comments
There is always hope
It's your decision, and it's clear you have good and valid reasons why Multiplayer isn't in the cards.
For example, I could definitely see it being an issue of it shaping up to not have the right code base for it to be even feasible to hire a team to do the work for you.
It's just the 180 from "after launch. If we can get someone ELSE to do it". To "Sorry guys, if we personally implemented multiplayer, it would delay 1.0 too much", that is the confusing part.
Not the need to drop multiplayer itself, which by itself is understandable with a wide variety of valid reasons possible.
I guess it does make for better press to say "It would delay launch for years if we added multiplayer before launch, and who wants a delayed launch right?". Than "Sorry, looks like the code just isn't viable for multiplayer. So that post launch multiplayer possibility couldn't happen without a complete do-over, whether we hired that other team post launch, or did it ourselves."
With it being such a hot button topic, I can understand wanting to go for the explanation that might generate more sympathy. Considering the circumstances out of your control on the matter. Good luck with everyone who will scream that you should take years to add Multiplayer anyways.
P.S I'm Subnautica's biggest fan, Im hyped for ghost leviathan!!!
What people might not be understanding is that Subnautica is not exacly a pure sandbox survival type dealio nor is that the emphasis. That's why there is a static map with non-alterable terrain. (as of recent updates in fact)
It's more accurate to say Subnautica, as a final product, will be an exploration-adventure game with some emphasis being on uncovering the story and surviving in a big lonely scary ocean. But there is a linear progression and likely an ending. I'd say the Skyrim/Fallout comparisons in particular are very apt. Perhaps Metroid is one to consider too.
To be fair, though, I can definitely understand the position of anyone who is upset because this isn't what they wanted to pay for when they bought the game in early access. It's understandable and nobody should hold it against you for being cross. But at the same time, this is what Early Access is about. The game isn't really "out" yet and putting your money on any game in early access is always going to be a huge gamble. This should be your wakeup call to be careful about your early access purchases and to consider not preordering games more generally. It's just not a good idea most of the time. But I still sympathize with however you might feel about this.
Okay, all that said? Keep in mind when bringing up Don't Starve Together that DS was kind of a freak success. Not even Klei (the developers) were likely expecting it to do so well. They were flush with resources and they'd given DS so much content that, yes, it seemed logical to them to move to developing an oft-requested multiplayer version. We can only hope Unknown Worlds winds up in a position where they're on fire and can hire tons of people and development can suddenly pick up a lot of pace like that. But as it is, if they started developing for multiplayer right now, they game as we know it would stagnate. Imagine not getting another significant content update for, say, 24-36 months or more. That would kill Subnautica. They're making a practical choice as well as an artistic one, for what resources they can develop right now.
BTW, devs? I for one would be totally interested in a sequel that went the more Minecrafty route with proc-gen environs and developed with multiplayer in mind from the top. Would even follow nicely if the story to the first game has a relatively happy or optimistic ending.
I'd buy it. But regardless, I'm looking forwards to seeing where the world and journey of Subnautica leads. Its good that you guys know your limits. Trying to make it into a multiplayer game late in development could have easily broken it. And no one wants that.
At least the assets might make it into a sequel someday?
I think the current game set is too small for multiplayer mode, i imagine if 1000 players were connected and every one of them was scavenging for resources and trying to park his Cyclops, building bases and placing beacons everywhere, it would be a pain im sure.For this i agree multiplayer should be out of question.
However if we had at least 3 survivor npc´s tied to a good story that could be enough, the more i think about it the more a ONE person trying to survive fells unreasonable.
From my perspective this game would benefit greatly from having a "State of Decay" NPC survivors pool kinda thing, you know with an Aurora Crash solid story where we could rescue some survivors (probably facing difficult choices of having time to get only one person and that changing the outcome of the story somehow) and then assign them some tasks and having them walking around our base...maybe we could even upgrade our base and tech based on some of the survivors knowledge and suggestions... Without some purpose for building large bases and having 3 types of beds still makes the game fell empty, no matter how many fish you add it, I still feel something´s missing, I speak for myself here, not sure if others feel the same way.
Even I understand you guys are trying to walk a safe path, I think that if you don´t take some chances you will end up with another "No Man´s Sky" disappointing title, please don´t let this happen, the game is too great to go down like this.
Now, could you make a similar and definitive announcement about weapons never being added to the game? Perhaps that would stop the constant and steady flood of "give us guns already" topics on this forum...
I don't believe that kind of Multiplayer was ever in question. I also doubt that they could develop a server capable of handling that many players. (That's a lot of entities to keep loaded in at the same time). Subnautica isn't like Minecraft where things are much more simple when it comes to terrain and entity memory. The multiplayer that was in question would have been the reasonable standard of 1-4 players. Although I think if Subnautica (this current game) ever got MP, 2 player co-op would work best, while a new Subnautica designed for MP would benefit from a 4 player max.
i am sorry @ Community, i am absolutly new, but i need to say: Good Choice.
i do not need a Multiplayer, in a so fantastic World like Subnautica. I love this "1 Person exploring" to much.
and do remember what happens the most "Multiplayers" if you go offline.
You be robbed off
your things are destroyed
and other Things, that always boring and not nice.
so i love to start my Subnautica, and expore future there i stop.
nobody what want do to to the Bathroom in the Moment a Leviatan eats the Seamoth
no one is called by mummy
and no one runs away or disconnect
no other Cyclops that always only "hits" my Boad just because there some disturbing "kiddys" that always make "trash" out of a Game
and the best of all:
if i come to a new Stage to explore
there not 10 000 other ppl, with 100 000 Seamoths exploring and farming ( all away ??) like a Rush Hour in a big City.
no no...
i see really NO reason, for any Multiplayer here.
The most multiplayer games dont know what it means, to do a good solo player game
and the most "Multi Player" Gamer, never knows what it is, to play a epic Story Singel Play...
so i think, this is best can happen to Subnautica, no one needs a "Multiplayer" here.
The most games, have more Content in Singelplayer, than ever in Multiplayer have...
It was in fact the main reason I purchased the game after seeing it advertised on STEAM , because it WASN'T an MMO.
<shrug>
For the main topic: To change this game to multiplayer would be a huge undertaking, and doesn't seem to be something unknown worlds should do at this time. All further development would have to plan on being compatible with the unknown changes required for a multiplayer system. It's very hard to build around a shadow you haven't had the chance to explore yet. Sacrifices have to be made somewhere, and I am satisfied with this one.
Shite
I'll hope for multiplayer in this release, but if you guys wanna release a new Subnautica with multiplayer, I can deal with that.
(EDIT) After thinking about it, multiplayer in this build is actually very much possible, and with this I hope they do add multiplayer.
plz add it it all it need to be the best!! thanks
As regards modding, again, this game is built using Unity, so unless UWE write some specific modding tools, which they have not given any indication of doing, the only mods you'll see coming out for this will be DLL hack mods, and as fun as they may be, they always add instabilities to your game.
Then this game will die. Unless you guys integrate mod support.
I like the game as it is. Thank you for your immense work.
If you make a multi player version in a subsequent release, make it 2-4 players. And allow for solo offline play when not playing together.
And...Please, please, PLEASE don't go MMO. Subnautica would be RUINED by MMO gameplay.
I play some MMOs and that would only devolve to griefing, violence and fighting. Because of the mindset of 1/2 of the people who like MMO games.
But having even just 1 friend to share the experience with, would be a way to explore and make memories with a friend ...or two.
Yeah like all those games before multiplayer was a big thing *sarcasm* I think it will do just fine
And guys...no means no. Whining isn't going to change anything. By all means, those who want to go play something else are free to do so.
@SEA_STEVE Did you miss the numerous warnings about "Early Access" means? Don't bitch at the devs because you didn't read the VERY PROMINENTLY PLACED blurb Steam puts on the store page of EVERY EARLY ACCESS GAME. Here it is, just for you:
Early Access Game
Get instant access and start playing; get involved with this game as it develops.
Note: This Early Access game is not complete and may or may not change further. If you are not excited to play this game in its current state, then you should wait to see if the game progresses further in development.
The devs have added to this, it's all right there on that front page.
I think I would last 100x longer with multiplayer. And if not multiplayer than it would last about 50x longer with mods. And if you take those two and put it together you got 500x longer. If this game doesn't do one of the two. It will eventually die.
All games eventually "die" in some form or another.
Look at SWG, a fantastic game that was killed almost overnight, by foolish developers who listened to a "very vocal minority" of players and changed the basic design of the game.
This game hasn't even released fully finished yet, and already the "doom-sayers" are complaining about it.
How silly is that.
It's not going to be a MMO game, period.
But that doesn't mean it's not going to be really fun to play, it just means that certain folks will have to get their MMO-fix elsewhere.
I personally can't wait for V1.0 and I've already played through the game twice since finding it about a month ago.
I'm pretty sure it will do very well when it becomes a fully fledged experience.
I know I've already started telling my gaming friends about it.
I am sorry to say but that is not a basis of what we want. It has been stated that it was an idea you guys wanted in the game in the beginning but it was just too late. Sorry but we want Co-op in subnautica. I would suggest scratching the idea for a Multiplayer game that relies heavily on a number of people greater than 2 to complete a game. But perhaps a whole new game that takes place on a whole new planet that is a little more above ground. As a new game in the series if we don't get Co-op for Subnautica. I have played many hours of Subnautica and from all my gaming experience it has the feel of a Single player/Co-op game. Some things can make or break a game. The only thing that could have made Skyrim better was Co-op. Some experiences would be better if shared. Lets put it this way I have 1 copy on steam. If Co-op comes out I will then have 2 on Xbox as well. One for me and one for my wife. I have to say I am incredibly disappointed. I want nothing but success for Subnautica as it is a great game but i am sad to say games like this have a very rough road ahead. Don't know if you play ARK Survival Evolved or not but could you imagine that as a singleplayer game only. It would get boring and lonely and would just fade into nothing.
But not releasing multiplayer *ever* is a really really bad idea. To make the very obvious comparison, Minecraft is a great game because it allows people to explore and build, but it's continued popularity is because of it's multiplayer ability, not despite it. Had it remained single player forever, I'm sure it would have waned and died down the line.
I do recommend making the single player and multiplayer experiences separate, mind you. The single player should be what's in place now, which is a static map with a set storyline. A multiplayer setting should make large randomized maps, with wrecks and blueprints scattered randomly so that each multiplayer server would be different. I do *strongly* recommend keeping max multiplayer count on any server to around 10 or so. Personally, I think 4 would be the sweet spot.
Of course, I'm sure most people here appreciate the difficulty of implementing this and don't expect such a thing to happen anytime soon at all. Could be two or three years down the line and released as a paid expansion, for example.