News: MMORPG.com Interview with Matt Higby - Page 3

Coreldan · 2011-12-26, 05:21 PM

While I have to say I liked the part AMS and ANTs (and Lodestars) played in the game, I would really lie if I said it wasnt boring to do that stuff. Nice stuff, but can't say I enjoyed my time doing that

That said, AMS isnt gone per se. The vehicle as we knew it will be, but there is some equivalent to it. There will be a whole different system for resources, which means having ANT would probably be badly implemented and just tacked on. Just cos we know those two are out doesnt mean there are no logistics and support anymore.

Sabrak · 2011-12-26, 05:37 PM

Originally Posted by Rivenshield

You had to have people who would volunteer to keep the supply train running and you had to have teams that would coalesce around them and help out, or it didn't happen.

They better introduce some new mechanisms to (a) allow attackers to besiege and starve a base, and (b) allow defenders to decisively force an attacker out of the contested area.

Well then, how about some (automatic) resources supply lines coming from buildings out in the wilds, and providing the bases for some specific reason ?

We know resources are an important part of PS2 warfare, and I'd bet taking positions from an enemy will disturb its bases' resources.

It's not exactly like "keeping the supply train running", but it still fits your a) and b).

CidHighwind · 2011-12-26, 05:50 PM

Originally Posted by Sabrak

Well then, how about some (automatic) resources supply lines coming from buildings out in the wilds, and providing the bases for some specific reason ?

We know resources are an important part of PS2 warfare, and I'd bet taking positions from an enemy will disturb its bases' resources.

It's not exactly like "keeping the supply train running", but it still fits your a) and b).

I do wonder if this type of system will operate in the same way that BF does, with a ticket like system. The more resources that a empire controlled base is in possession of adjacent to said base will allow for a higher respawn rate/ticket regen. This would make sense in terms of the resource supply line. I would hope that there would be user created efforts that would allow "airdrops" of supplies to bases, thereby adding a hard number to the respawn/ticket rate, which could then be depleted again. How badass would that be? seeing 5 galaxy gunships escorting a Galaxy supply drop of auraxium in boxes that players need to manually secure in the court yard to allow a battle to continue? If the infantry in control of the base fails to secure said drop, then it could be secured by attacking factions. This would certainly support the resource meta-game, and allow for the same level of logistics that ant's did, only using resources.

At that point, screw ANT's, this shit is the 101st in person! Arden Forest here we come! (Now THATS a Planetside moment!)

SKYeXile · 2011-12-26, 06:17 PM

Originally Posted by Hamma

No more ANT.. at least at release.

So no more ANT races

yea i dont like that, the ANT an AMS add another tactical to layer to the RTS metagame that is planetside. support and supply lines, cut of an enemy AMS supply line and you can push them back, cut off incoming ANT's for long enough and the base its yours. planetside had so many layers to it, its a shame to see them go because they want to cater to the casual ADD smacktard.

Arrow · 2011-12-26, 07:25 PM

Originally Posted by SKYeXile

yea i dont like that, the ANT an AMS add another tactical to layer to the RTS metagame that is planetside. support and supply lines, cut of an enemy AMS supply line and you can push them back, cut off incoming ANT's for long enough and the base its yours. planetside had so many layers to it, its a shame to see them go because they want to cater to the casual ADD smacktard.

But we also dont know what they are going to implement in other objectives wise for taking the base. Maybe more tactical routes then youd care to ever imagine that the ant/ams existed in the first place, while it will be missed I dont consider it a game breaker if it is dropped and that will just be a fond memory that keeps ps1 unique.

SKYeXile · 2011-12-26, 07:34 PM

Originally Posted by Arrow

But we also dont know what they are going to implement in other objectives wise for taking the base. Maybe more tactical routes then youd care to ever imagine that the ant/ams existed in the first place, while it will be missed I dont consider it a game breaker if it is dropped and that will just be a fond memory that keeps ps1 unique.

its all the little things that add up into something awesome. laying siege to a base was another way to take a base.

Arrow · 2011-12-26, 07:44 PM

yes I understand that completely, but whos to say they dont have something in store for that? But the little things like cloaker suits and plasma nades I can deal without :P

SKYeXile · 2011-12-26, 07:46 PM

Originally Posted by Arrow

yes I understand that completely, but whos to say they dont have something in store for that? But the little things like cloaker suits and plasma nades I can deal without :P

DIE IN A FIRE, SUCKA!

blbeta · 2011-12-27, 05:06 AM

There better be some method of winning a base by siege. I don't care about ANTs, but the ability to take a base because the enemy couldn't get out was great, even if it took a long time.

AMS removal makes me want to cry until I see how it plays out. Was such a great tactical vehicle that I loved to use and hunt down. I hope I don't end up missing it, but have a hard time imagining the replacement. Galaxy spawning, Leader spawning, and whatever just isn't the same. I can't say it is better or worse until I play. I do miss the idea of the AMS though.

Toonlad · 2011-12-27, 06:09 AM

The interview was very good, and informative, and as usual Mr Higby keeps throwing out little teasers for us to dwell on. He mentioned the physics of the game engine ie barrel rolls with your aircraft, that in itself im looking forward too. But how does it work on other players, can you do an /emote bumpchest and bounce off each other.

Bring on Beta (if i get lucky enough) and festive tidings to all.

ATB
Toon

ringring · 2011-12-27, 07:11 AM

Originally Posted by Trolltaxi

Actually I liked anting. It was like meditation or growing a bonsai tree... during downtimes.

But in the heat of the battle, arranging an ant+gal combo or an ant-race to fill a base before the inevitable OS (or, OS-ing the CY held by the enemy and synchronize the antdrop to that very moment) was pretty much one of those "planetside moments".

And about neutral bases. The shrinking playerbase turned draining a valid tactic. With multiple poplocked continents and caves (I bet the original concept was something like that) there is no need, no urge to make these ninja-tactics.

What Troll said.

The loss of the anting mechanic is 'a loss' and removes a little depth to the meta game. I presume / hope this will be balanced by an alternative.

ps - I thought higby had previously confirmed the return of ants?

Coreldan · 2011-12-27, 07:43 AM

They can still come, just not at launch.

Xyntech · 2011-12-27, 08:34 AM

I'm pretty sure that Higby only said that ANTs may be making a return in some form. Hard confirmation, what form they will take, and when they will be added haven't ever been specified I don't believe.

In a way, I take this as some amount of reinforcement that they will probably be put in at some point, although their role may be very different.

Shogun · 2011-12-27, 11:20 AM

one of my greatest ps moments was a base refill of a sieged base. don´t remember what base it was, but it had a red alert and was almost at zero ntu.
the enemys were already inside the base and had CE all over the courtyard. i had an ant and a great escort of a galaxy with a full squad inside.
the gal came in at maximum hight, the squad hotdropped to emp the CE at the silo and i dropped in with the ant, starting a refill. that was pure adrenalin, and the squad even managed to kill an nmy ams and keep the invaders inside the base for long enough, so we could refill to 80%, giving us enough time to drive them out again.

i hope there will be some replacement for siege tactics, as well!

Aaron · 2011-12-27, 11:55 AM

I'm confident they'll have something better to replace the ANT and AMS with. It is those "Planetside moments" they want to bring back in #2 better then ever, of course. Furthermore, if this change turns out to be detrimental for PS2, there is nothing saying they can't add/change/remove things from the game. They're with us on this one.