Sand Box Features

MonsterBone · 2012-03-09, 02:42 PM

"The term sandbox refers more to the mechanics of a game and how, as in a physical sandbox, the user is entertained by his ability to play creatively and with there being "no right way" of playing the game."

There has been some talk about sandbox features in Planetside.

Matt Higby:
"Planetside 2, what we are moving toward, is the idea the idea of a sandbox game. So as an outfit I might be able to create a tower and place that tower and actually place it where I want a tower to be. Now then that tower is mine until someone comes and captures it. So now its a very strong impetus for that outfit to make sure that they maintain control of that tower and someone else doesnt come and capture it."

My favorite thing about PS1 is the ability for a friend and I to wander around. Maybe grab a lodestar and an AMS or a Galaxy or whatever and go somewhere vacant and mess around. We might run into a person and try to pick him off and we have been in very some epic 1 on 2 battles. But also we have spent hours just driving through an empty continent just spending time together.

If we could just put up a tower somewhere random that would be ours as long as we controlled it that would be perfect. I guess it would blow up if we lost it or it ran out of energy. Sandbox means to me having things that you can add to the world. Like a campfire or a tent.

Anyone know what the Planetside team means when they say Sandbox features?

Whalenator · 2012-03-09, 03:28 PM

Would be nice to see a reply from a dev here.
However I'm pretty sure they intended for most (all?) sandbox features to be implemented later after release. I always planned for my role in PS2 to be a Squad Leading defensive engineer, helping to plan ambush points to defend bases.

Skitrel · 2012-03-09, 03:32 PM

Relevant tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/mhigby/status/175695482906099712

"outfit bases, ability to deploy and defend your own bases are one of our long term (post-launch) goals!"

We've already had a fair bit of discussion on this over on reddit a few days ago if people want to take a look at other thoughts on it too: http://www.reddit.com/r/Planetside/c...oal_lets_talk/

Hamma · 2012-03-09, 03:46 PM

Sand Box could be anything really. Look at a game like EVE and all the different things that can be done. As Matt said Outfit Bases, who knows maybe even Outfit Vehicles that can be constructed - crazy stuff like that. Only the devs really know.

Maybe one of them will tweet the 5 year plan doc

Warborn · 2012-03-09, 03:47 PM

Originally Posted by MonsterBone

Anyone know what the Planetside team means when they say Sandbox features?

Well, this is why it's a long-term goal. It isn't something they've probably delved into much. They likely have some ideas kicking around, but I imagine they aren't even sure what they mean when they talk about sandbox features. It's something that will materialize later on.

Alduron · 2012-03-09, 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by MonsterBone

My favorite thing about PS1 is the ability for a friend and I to wander around. Maybe grab a lodestar and an AMS or a Galaxy or whatever and go somewhere vacant and mess around. We might run into a person and try to pick him off and we have been in very some epic 1 on 2 battles. But also we have spent hours just driving through an empty continent just spending time together.

From time to time I get the feeling that moments like this are going to be harder to achieve. Some of my fondest memories of PS1 were of myself and my team roaming around hacking vehicles mid battle and air-lifting them to somewhere our team could use them. We would also set up "protective" snipers and trade weapons with TR at remote locations, which often ended in small skirmishes.

They're removing a few of the items that allowed us to have those unique experiences when we wanted to do something besides battle at the bases. I get that they want to drive everyone into the battle, but PS1 wasn't always about the battles for me. I'm going to miss being a dedicated "support" pilot.

MonsterBone · 2012-03-09, 04:16 PM

Thanks for the links Skitrel. I read through them and there was an interesting idea. Branding a base or tower you capture with the outfits logo.

Whalenator · 2012-03-09, 04:31 PM

Originally Posted by Alduron

From time to time I get the feeling that moments like this are going to be harder to achieve. Some of my fondest memories of PS1 were of myself and my team roaming around hacking vehicles mid battle and air-lifting them to somewhere our team could use them. We would also set up "protective" snipers and trade weapons with TR at remote locations, which often ended in small skirmishes.

They're removing a few of the items that allowed us to have those unique experiences when we wanted to do something besides battle at the bases. I get that they want to drive everyone into the battle, but PS1 wasn't always about the battles for me. I'm going to miss being a dedicated "support" pilot.

*insert generic "this is alpha" post here*

Synapses · 2012-03-09, 04:36 PM

Originally Posted by Alduron

From time to time I get the feeling that moments like this are going to be harder to achieve. Some of my fondest memories of PS1 were of myself and my team roaming around hacking vehicles mid battle and air-lifting them to somewhere our team could use them. We would also set up "protective" snipers and trade weapons with TR at remote locations, which often ended in small skirmishes.

They're removing a few of the items that allowed us to have those unique experiences when we wanted to do something besides battle at the bases. I get that they want to drive everyone into the battle, but PS1 wasn't always about the battles for me. I'm going to miss being a dedicated "support" pilot.

Who is to say that you cant still be a support pilot of any vehicle? Hacking vehicles isn't out of the question yet.. Nor is any of the things we used to see in PS1. This is player driven game, so I wouldn't be surprised if things still end up going in the way they did for battles in PS1. Just because there is so many capturable area, dosen't mean the main attack force isn't going to be pushing on just one base or area. People will try to stay where the fight is, while small groups will be trying to hold down the other areas that other small groups will be trying to take. At least thats how I think it will play out.

Alduron · 2012-03-09, 05:03 PM

Originally Posted by Synapses

Who is to say that you cant still be a support pilot of any vehicle? Hacking vehicles isn't out of the question yet..Nor is any of the things we used to see in PS1.

If the community wants something, we have to let them know every chance we get. Seems to me that they're on the fence about a few of these items, and I'm going to take every chance I get to let them know how much I loved them.

Originally Posted by Synapses

This is player driven game, so I wouldn't be surprised if things still end up going in the way they did for battles in PS1.

Exactly the reason that I post my concerns of them possibly removing things I liked.

Originally Posted by Synapses

Just because there is so many capturable area, dosen't mean the main attack force isn't going to be pushing on just one base or area. People will try to stay where the fight is, while small groups will be trying to hold down the other areas that other small groups will be trying to take. At least thats how I think it will play out.

I'm not too sure where you're getting at because I didn't bring anything like this up(might not be directed at me). I have no worries about them directing the concentration of battles because so far they seem to be doing a bang-up job.

Raymac · 2012-03-09, 05:13 PM

Originally Posted by MonsterBone

My favorite thing about PS1 is the ability for a friend and I to wander around. Maybe grab a lodestar and an AMS or a Galaxy or whatever and go somewhere vacant and mess around.

I'm sorry. I can't help myself. That really sounds like the plot to Brokeback Planetside. I sincerely hope the devs have enough sandbox elements that support your gaming and lifestyle choices.

Alduron · 2012-03-09, 05:14 PM

Originally Posted by Raymac

I'm sorry. I can't help myself. That really sounds like the plot to Brokeback Planetside. I sincerely hope the devs have enough sandbox elements that support your gaming and lifestyle choices.

....

Machinima idea!

EVILPIG · 2012-03-09, 06:30 PM

Higby spoke of the ability of outfits to challenge other outfits to private matches. Personally, while I usually say let's test it first, I have always opposed anything that would pull soldiers, let alone entire outfits off of the battlefield.

The real competition happens on the battlefield every day.

MonsterBone · 2012-03-09, 07:18 PM

Originally Posted by Raymac

I'm sorry. I can't help myself. That really sounds like the plot to Brokeback Planetside. I sincerely hope the devs have enough sandbox elements that support your gaming and lifestyle choices.

Raymac, you might be having flashbacks to the Blue Lions nightly retreats but I was talking about team building exercises...

Crator · 2012-03-09, 07:28 PM

Originally Posted by Raymac

I'm sorry. I can't help myself. That really sounds like the plot to Brokeback Planetside. I sincerely hope the devs have enough sandbox elements that support your gaming and lifestyle choices.

LOL. I was thinking same thing...