Why are there no player-controlled NPCs? : V - Skyrim

» Sun Jun 10, 2012 2:29 am

For example, I don't want to constantly battle mindless computer-controlled spiders. I want it to be controlled by some other player who is bored of questing.

Similarly, when I only have 15 min available, I'm not going to start playing Skyrim, since it is not enough time. But if I have the option to log in as a spider or as some other creature to attack another player in his quests, I wouldn't mind doing that for a bit. Then when I log out, that creature in his game can be computer-controlled again, or transferred over to some other player who logged in as a creature. Also, there should be some indicator when a creature is player-controlled.

Same can go for radiant quests. If I log in as an old woman, I wanna be able to make up a story and give the player random items/ locations to explore.

I think this is a novel idea. Skyrim is only single player in form yet the games tied to the internet and steam, it would work great if you ask me.

Sure this idea probably needs some issues worked out but I like the premise.

» Sun Jun 10, 2012 4:05 pm

This is a very silly idea. badly explained by the OP too.

Think about it. Are you really saying that someone should randomly take the place of an NPC so that you can fight him whenever?

Problem 1: This is boring for the guy pretending to be the NPC as he has to join your game then wander about trying to find you.

Problem 2: This is is boring for the `NPC` player because then he has to try and kill you and that`s it. Apart from killing you there`s no reason for him to be there.

Problem 3: Don`t expect him to just let himself be defeated just to suit you. He`d probably do something cleverer than you and kill you (like camping on a hill and arrowing you). And if you make it so he always loses you`ll get NO ONE to be your pretend NPC.

Problem 4: You need to think from two perspectives; the other guy joing as an `NPC` as well as yourself.

» Sun Jun 10, 2012 1:47 pm

This is a worse idea than the original multiplayer one. Who would actually want to play as a random creature/quest giver in someone else's game?

» Sun Jun 10, 2012 8:36 am

*sneeze* sorry people im allergic to stupidity and, by extention, trolls (which really really svcks, the only thing that is infinte is human stupidity :shakehead:

)

» Sun Jun 10, 2012 1:37 pm

I didn't say it would not qualify as multiplayer. I said it would not be "multiplayer AND destroying the genre." In terms of the 'time-invesment' fantasy that you describe -- this can be modded by anyone with access to the full code in less than 2 weeks. True multiplayer games with versus combat or with cooperative gameplay require changes in level design, etc, etc, etc...

Really? Have you written the code already? Have you sorted out the online infrastructure?

the key question here, is why the hell would anybody pay for such a 'feature' or ever want it? I mean, I enjoy playing computer games, but if the idea of popping up as a frostbite spider in a game someone else is playing ever appealed to me, I'd say I'm burned out and should do something else instead.

You would obviously spawn the spider in a region where the player is located, and the players location would be displayed on a minimap. These miniature issues can be dealt with in a variety of ways.

And then you go off and attack NPCs the player might want alive to do their head in. Or the player is in Whiterun - Oooh look spiders are spawning by Dragonsreach for no reason.

Sorry but the whole notion is hideously impractical and totally undesirable. Maybe - just maybe - that might be why in a world of lmultiplayer games nobody is doing anything like it.

» Sun Jun 10, 2012 6:09 am

There is already another thread for multiplayer discussions.