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Screeps – the world's first MMO sandbox strategy game for programmers

screeps.com

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Re: Screeps – the world's first MMO sandbox strategy game for programmers

#61
post #6

You can tell it’s a strategy game created by [only] programmers — the graphics look like absolute ass.

Just because it doesn't look like what you'd expect a game to look like, doesn't mean it's bad. It has clearly defined shapes, a consistent design, and flat colors (as opposed to ugly textures IMO). I think it looks wonderful. Easy on the eyes and fits in with the theme of a game that uses a terminal as it's main interface.

Re: Screeps – the world's first MMO sandbox strategy game for programmers

#62

The problem with games like this is that players can share code. Decent scripts will be available for everything which takes some of the fun out of the game and makes it less fair to people who do it by themselves.

I imagine that depends on how the gameplay works. If there is a "right" answer to the strategy question, then it's a programming challenge and your code sharing objection seems about right.

OTOH if the coding itself is pretty lightweight and the strategy itself is what matters, code sharing might not be a problem. It would also be good for code learners. I think one of the challenges in learning to code today is the difficulty of fining projects where you can get dozens or hundreds of hours using fairly basic programming.

Re: Screeps – the world's first MMO sandbox strategy game for programmers

#67
I love that you are working on this and hope for great success. I have doubts though.

I worked on http://www.globulation2.org which also has some higher level of command interaction. "No micro management" is one of its core ideas. While I love it, I guess people just don't get hooked that much to it than to those other games that mainly live from your click rate or your repeated attention.

I also worked for 2.5a at Travian and know a thing or two about successful game design and how travian deals with scripting and why. From that I can just say that Screeps will not be massive in the sense of user adoption. I would be surprised to see more than 20 people being online concurrently at any time beyond the first days of the game.

Re: Screeps – the world's first MMO sandbox strategy game for programmers

#68

The problem with games like this is that players can share code. Decent scripts will be available for everything which takes some of the fun out of the game and makes it less fair to people who do it by themselves.

Well, maybe - people are gonna want to win, right? I don't see how this is much different to any game where players can share strategies and tips.

Re: Screeps – the world's first MMO sandbox strategy game for programmers

#69

I love that you are working on this and hope for great success. I have doubts though. I worked on http://www.globulation2.org which also has some higher level of command interaction. "No micro management" is one of its core ideas. While I love it, I guess people just don't get hooked that much to it than to those other games that mainly live from your click rate or your repeated attention. I also worked for 2.5a at T…

The good thing about Screeps is that online users counter means nothing here. You could build a large empire with a complex network of roads, sourcing, mining, manufacturing, border defense which would live on its own, while you would occasionally drop in from time to time just to check the situation and polish your scripts, if needed.
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