So (like usual) I'm a bit unsure about what I should do in regard to current way I'm handling the project, and thought asking the community may be the best idea, This time it's a poll that will probably have more effect on the project than before, so keep reading if you are interested:
I'm working slowly on the mod to the point some may lose interest when it finally comes out,
While I'm not fan of releasing unfinished stuff, I start to think it may be better to release the mods in parts (which also was the original plan tbh) in similar way to some mods such as Tibirium Essence and One vision in order to build some sort of community around it,
I won't deny that it also partly because I wants others to acknowledge my mod and the work I put into it, but I really think the main benefit about it being released in parts is that it have higher chances to build some sort of community for it over the current way things goes,
Think about it like this: We have many TW mods out there, Mods like Fallout and MidEast crisis which are probably the best total conversion mods around which also have the finest 3D models that were made by the modding community, Yet they don't seem to have much of community around them while mods like Tibirium essence and One vision does (or at least did at some point, cause I recall TE had more lively community back at 2015-), And the reason behind it?
Aside from being really good mods for their fanbase I also believe that keeping them updated over time with new releases (and ofc some good connections and community's advertising ;) ) did most of the trick (In Fallout's and ME crisis's case the updates stopped after the first few releases, and stuff such as bugs fixes and improvement had never been done ever since).
My main issue about releasing the mod now aside from being unfinished, is that I also added some really nice things to its map pack, which is also unfinished...
The mod is basically split into 3 main parts:
A. The factions (Still need to add few more units to some factions to balance the odds),
B. The map pack (Which have many nice effects such as rain/snowfall/sandstorm, Bug fixes, An hostile environment which is less unforgiving than TS's, Mutant facility, and some other nice surprises ;) ),
C. And the planned naval warfare (not really been working on it that much cause this requires a lot of work and I plan to focus on it only after the two parts above are more or less completed),
So releasing it as it is will feel like it's only have a part of its core gameplay without its "world" (the map packs), and that is my main concern...
If you don't mind about it however and take into account that it's work in progress, be my guess,
So what do you think I should do next?
1. Keep it as it is, we can wait 👍.
2. At least give us some access to a close/open beta.
3. Release it in parts, but split it even more (each release for each completed faction, than map pack, and whatever come next).
4. Release as it is right now in moddb, I will be forgiving (Hides an hammer behind the back).
5. I've a better idea! (write it down in the comments below)
You could release new versions more often, even if they are beta.
I don't like the parts thing so much.
The most important changes for me are the game to be balanced and bug free(not like the annoying harvester bug that it kees appearing in original game). Also without bugs mean that every building and unit should have their animation correctly(regardless of their shooting, moving or just standing still). One last aspect in the game should be that every building and unit there gets along and not being odd or having strange of overpowered abilities, for you to feel that it is part of the game and not made separately or imported from other games. For me i would love to see more units from c&c 4 imported there, because with little changes they would fit perfectly in the environment.
Althrough i don't suggest creating new units or modify them drastically because this requires a lot of work, i would like so much a naval warfare with the system, units and all that because no mod has tried this and it would be ******* interesting for a lot of folks here.
That's more or less what I'm aiming for, to have units that feels like they are actually part of the game, have a lot of bug fixed (game that is completely bug free is impossible though :/), and have gameplay which feels sort of "c&cish;", while trying to keep it balanced but also unique (which is hard).
I believe my last build is more stable than the vanilla at the very least but time will tell xP
The naval warfare may not be what you're thinking though, it not going to be like RA3's, and there's a mod that did it for TW but did things kinda poorly (only made two maps which let you use these stuff, and shrink all of the ships)
Honestly it really would be beneficial to release parts of the mod so you can build a community around it, but you could also get feedback from the community for like balance and bugs that needs fixing.
if releases would happen in parts, the only acceptable option, IMO, is first releasing a version with more or less balanced faction changes without unfinished naval combat or maps. releasing one update per faction isn't a good idea, i'd say.
My opinion is that everything a creator releases should work and be at least mediocre balanced. If this is the case, then i dont mind if there are several parts and updates, I mean that would be a nice "constant" stream of new tools to play with :)
As I have said before,the fourth or third option(depending on the state of each faction).Release what you have worked on so far,so as the testers can give you their feedback,while you work on your map project.
Once it is complete,make a far more complete release.
I agree with Kekoulis, ergo option 4 or option 3, my personal preference being option 4. As I'm more of an end user type instead of modder with essential knowhow, I'd be delighted at least to serve the project as a tester, thus being able to give my opinion and feedback from my point of view concerning the project.
I also agree with Radu273 about getting rid of as much of bugs as possible, for I've played a few mods with certain disadvantages that made them extremely vulnerable and prone of crashing.
Concerning the possibility of the naval units, I can wait.
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This, everyone want mod to be released in faster pace with updates instead of one which takes forever to be complete pacK!
:)
You could release new versions more often, even if they are beta.
I don't like the parts thing so much.
The most important changes for me are the game to be balanced and bug free(not like the annoying harvester bug that it kees appearing in original game). Also without bugs mean that every building and unit should have their animation correctly(regardless of their shooting, moving or just standing still). One last aspect in the game should be that every building and unit there gets along and not being odd or having strange of overpowered abilities, for you to feel that it is part of the game and not made separately or imported from other games. For me i would love to see more units from c&c 4 imported there, because with little changes they would fit perfectly in the environment.
Althrough i don't suggest creating new units or modify them drastically because this requires a lot of work, i would like so much a naval warfare with the system, units and all that because no mod has tried this and it would be ******* interesting for a lot of folks here.
Anyway nice work and good luck to you pal :)
That's more or less what I'm aiming for, to have units that feels like they are actually part of the game, have a lot of bug fixed (game that is completely bug free is impossible though :/), and have gameplay which feels sort of "c&cish;", while trying to keep it balanced but also unique (which is hard).
I believe my last build is more stable than the vanilla at the very least but time will tell xP
The naval warfare may not be what you're thinking though, it not going to be like RA3's, and there's a mod that did it for TW but did things kinda poorly (only made two maps which let you use these stuff, and shrink all of the ships)
Honestly it really would be beneficial to release parts of the mod so you can build a community around it, but you could also get feedback from the community for like balance and bugs that needs fixing.
I feel the same
if releases would happen in parts, the only acceptable option, IMO, is first releasing a version with more or less balanced faction changes without unfinished naval combat or maps. releasing one update per faction isn't a good idea, i'd say.
My opinion is that everything a creator releases should work and be at least mediocre balanced. If this is the case, then i dont mind if there are several parts and updates, I mean that would be a nice "constant" stream of new tools to play with :)
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As I have said before,the fourth or third option(depending on the state of each faction).Release what you have worked on so far,so as the testers can give you their feedback,while you work on your map project.
Once it is complete,make a far more complete release.
Mankind's Glory depends on it!
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I agree with Kekoulis, ergo option 4 or option 3, my personal preference being option 4. As I'm more of an end user type instead of modder with essential knowhow, I'd be delighted at least to serve the project as a tester, thus being able to give my opinion and feedback from my point of view concerning the project.
I also agree with Radu273 about getting rid of as much of bugs as possible, for I've played a few mods with certain disadvantages that made them extremely vulnerable and prone of crashing.
Concerning the possibility of the naval units, I can wait.
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3.
But I think it might have multi-languages which have Traditional/simplified Chinese.
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