10/03/06, RPG Vault Peek #31 - Combat Details

[Xile Firebane]

Didn't see this posted yet, so here ya go.

Darkfall Peek #31 (http://rpgvault.ign.com/articles/736/736911p1.html)

[Donkey]

woohoo first post where do you find the updates anywaY?

[Sidabras]

early in the week for a peek

[Nasty]

man those screens are fucking hot

just reading the article, loving it

[Xile Firebane]

Seems they're in a push to attract new fans. It sucks for us that know most of this stuff, but it also means that beta is getting closer. So we take what we can get. No complaints here.

EDIT:
man those screens are fucking hot
I agree. They've been getting better and better.

[StANDY1338]

very nice.

[Donkey]

A peek this early in the week means



BETA IS SOON :D :ninja: :eek: :ohno: :lmao: :idea: :) :rolleyes: ;) :cool:

[Jangang]

Good article. :)

[Ankh]

There is nitpicking to be done! The dwarves all have the same faces :ninja:

[Shads]

Sounds nice, I'm still a bit sceptic about how it will all turn out though

[Mneh]

Warfare sure will be interesting, to say the least.

[Paradoxon]

hardly anything new but it was a nice read ;)

[paade]

hawt

[Supafroius]

Well written!

[Quinton]

One of the biggest things for me, after reading this, is their focus. It's not to make things pretty, it's not to make it easy... it's to make it tactical and to make combat how combat should be.

You say the screenies is hot? Their focus on making combat awesome is hotter.

[doma]

As expected it sounds like the best game ever. :P I just hope it turns out to be as good as its sounds on paper.

[Teth]

RPGVault updates are usually on Tuesday.

That said, nice article. Lovely screenshots (pack of dwarves on their crazy musk-oxen-thingies!), and the devs say such beautiful things in it, even if most of us had already suspected such to be true already.

[morde]

Very nice read.



Show us a video of these things.

[123kid4]

good article :D and those screens look great. All we need now are some new gameplay vids.

[Razel]

Those dorfs look suspiciously drunk, never have i seen that many dorfs in almost a perfect line formation. I would like to submit them to the infallible dwarfen sobriety testorz http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lg78JVt_Qs

[SamDog]

Good Sirs;

I might just have to train the kenetic blast skill so I can get on the roof. Can I use kenetic blast to get my hourse over the wall?

yours
SamDog

[Teth]

Good Sirs;

I might just have to train the kenetic blast skill so I can get on the roof. Can I use kenetic blast to get my hourse over the wall?

yours
SamDog
Fireball jumping!

[Geminireaper]

The graphics are coming along nicely. The anticipation is getting to torturous levels.

[Helgeran]

This wasn't an update, it was a summary.

[Painweaver]

So...many...midgets...

[Sarusan]

Now, THATS an update, even tho no Alfars. Good one at last!

[nhpr]

There is nitpicking to be done! The dwarves all have the same faces :ninja:
That is SO racist. I bet you think all Mahirim look the same, too. Biggot.

[G.Struepp]

i wonder if fireballs and arrows are influenced by DFs gravity? If not, tanks blocking the doorway better keep their shields on their back, unless mages and archers are standing on a higher level behind them :D

[Wisperer]

What is nice about the pictures is that it shows that armor can look different even when the same pieces are used in different sets of armor.
The brightness of the armor seems to be toned down some to and thats good.

I know...i am partial to dwarfs...but of the pictures released, i think, these are the best ones out so far.

The part where you can practice with clanmates with out penalties is good to know.

The rest of the artical is a good reminder of whats going to be in the game.
Overall this was a good update.

[Tiderius]

You can choose to block attacks manually.

So does this mean you can set blocking to automatic or does it mean that you can just choose not to block? :D

Also: Do you think formation will be "set" as in strategy games (ie: an option to stand in the formation) or will you have to be very coordinated and manually maintain it?

[lordbelerial]

it is, imo, looking crazier and crazier...

and even though it's nothing really new, it's a nice little recap that I can send off to people for an idea of what the game is about

[lipe[cpc]]

Very nice screens.

Fireball-jumping ftw. Hopefully there'll be some DEFRAG arenas.

[Atnas]

All the dwarfs have the exactly same beard and face, huh?

[Yarias]

Is there a way to implement taking more damage in the back without having multiple hitboxes?

[Yuengling.OoB]

There is nitpicking to be done! The dwarves all have the same faces :ninja:

That was something I notice too. Same beards, same faces.

But the armor is looking good.

[Aramoro]

Thanks for posting it up. Good article... There were a lot of recent forum topics discussed in this article, that's nice to see. Looks like from the dwarf screenie you can slap different pieces of armor together.

[SamDog]

Is there a way to implement taking more damage in the back without having multiple hitboxes?

Good Yarias;

Since you know the location of the hitter (or the center of the blast doing the dammage) and the facing of the one who is hit you don't need multiple hitboxes to up the damage to a player when hit in the back.

They might even have a graduated scale since they know the exact angle. This is not the same as hitboxes, but rather a geometry calculation.

yours
Samdog

[aote]

are the graphics getting better?

[Nevr]

Also: Do you think formation will be "set" as in strategy games (ie: an option to stand in the formation) or will you have to be very coordinated and manually maintain it?

My bet is on manual. With everything else they are doing to make the game "realistic and free", it seems rather foolish to restrict people's movement like that.

[Vinadil]

Everytime one of these updates comes out it is nice to go down the "Expected Features" list and check off the ones they are still promising. Each check mark makes it a little easier to keep waiting. I agree, though, that a Video showing such things as collision detection, aimed spells/arrows, and a start-to-finish combat would be nice :). But, just the fact that they are still promising it (and talking as if they have experienced it in game) is a good thing.

[Yuengling.OoB]

The ability to go anywhere
Any place you can see in the game is accessible to you. You can climb, jump, swim, crouch, get pushed, or use kinetic blast effects, to try to reach any place you can see.

Observe the movements of Agon's twin moons, which are part of a dynamic planetary system with smooth day/night cycles.

I will now refer you to the first picture in the newly released screenshots,
http://www.darkfallonline.com/gallery/visuals/Darkfall_2006_09_26_16_56_55_50?full=1

I will be begining my preperations for NASA (National Alfar Space Administration) immediately...

[Gaelan]

i wonder if fireballs and arrows are influenced by DFs gravity? If not, tanks blocking the doorway better keep their shields on their back, unless mages and archers are standing on a higher level behind them :D
I hope gravity affects arrows at least. If that were the case, archers can stay back and arc arrows over infantry and down on opponents. Would take some practice to get that right however.

[Airius Droc]

Well written, Tasos. That update made me want to quit my job, sell my kids to the gypsies, and hide from my wife in the basement the day this game goes gold. :)

[Asmodeus]

I hope gravity affects arrows at least. If that were the case, archers can stay back and arc arrows over infantry and down on opponents. Would take some practice to get that right however.
Its been said that gravity does affect arrow, as well as wind. so yes you will be able to arc your arrows over infantry, tho you will have to account for the wind as well.

[Novalithen]

I hope gravity affects arrows at least. If that were the case, archers can stay back and arc arrows over infantry and down on opponents. Would take some practice to get that right however.

Since you have a reticle to aim with, and they talk about being able to lead people with projectiles, I would definately say they have an arc. This game is way too fine tuned to have arrows travel a straight line and then dissappear at a certian distance or something equally lame.

So enough of the tree stumps, lets see some mirdains! I want non-metalic armor screens too, while I'm being unrealistically demanding. Maybe a movie of some kinetically tossed cattle on a roof or something too.

[Airius Droc]

Maybe a movie of some kinetically tossed cattle on a roof or something too.

Kinetics will be the most abused in-game feature ever...unless it's balanced. I wonder if the devs were smart (EDIT: thoughtful) enough to give players anti-kinetic spells and armor? (EDIT: For example, maybe I'd like to have walls that didn't allow things to be thrown over them by single players.)

[Daikos]

Now, THATS an update, even tho no Alfars. Good one at last!

They are saving the screenshots and videos of Alfar for last. Best for last obviously. When we see Alfar we can assume beta will be right around the corner.

[Metal Wolf]

Awsome armors and I also like the fact that the dwarf is holding a shield with the human insignia on it showing thats its somewhat possible to use others insignia.

[Airius Droc]

They are saving the screenshots and videos of Alfar for last. Best for last obviously. When we see Alfar we can assume beta will be right around the corner.

The Alfar are camera shy. *FLASH*

[mlshuford]

Great looking screenshots, the info was oldies but goodies, but I'm very concerened about the toon models. Honestly, I know very little about game design, but is the addition of whole new models and features something you would add late in a game's development or early? I would think if they had added it already then they would be showcasing it. Also, in addition to different beards, faces, tattoos, etc have they said whether you can pick your build (ie fat, skinny, tall, short)?

[Nafelos]

Needs more Elves, but over all I think it was a nice article. It confirmed a few things we were all wondering and detailed others.

[Nerma]

Sweet stuff. One random thing i noticed was the green paint on the tusks of the dwarf mounts. Good way to mark your players to keep track of who is who.

[crazyhorse]

The graphics are coming along nicely. The anticipation is getting to torturous levels.


Oh i couldnt agree with you more! Great update and the screenshots to match were very delightful. Get ready for some bull rushing :D

[alfaroverall]

Any place you can see in the game is accessible to you. You can climb, jump, swim, crouch, get pushed, or use kinetic blast effects, to try to reach any place you can see.
Interesting...so those 2D trees we've been seeing ARE climbable. Standing on a width of just a few pixels could be interesting.

anyone can practice against anyone else in specially appointed venues, also without an alignment hit.
LAME! Heck I was a tad annoyed by the clanmate-no-alignment hit thing, but being able to macro up with a non-clanmate is LAME! Meh, another one of those things that won't break the game for me.

Other stuff made for a good read.

[Shadow Walker2020]

Looks good. The combat sounds good too. More complex than point, click, and engage. It makes player skill the most dominant factor in the game, which is very good.

[Bigbone]

Nice Update!

[Airius Droc]

LAME! Heck I was a tad annoyed by the clanmate-no-alignment hit thing, but being able to macro up with a non-clanmate is LAME! Meh, another one of those things that won't break the game for me.

This is one of those things that seems like it takes all the risk out of combat. It would be nice if players still had to attempt NOT to kill each other casually or they'd get the alignment hit. Wounding is fine, killing someone = bad.

[damionD]

Sweet stuff. One random thing i noticed was the green paint on the tusks of the dwarf mounts. Good way to mark your players to keep track of who is who.

LOL! Umm... that is not green paint. It has been stated a few times that those are runes in the mounts tusks.

Nice summery of the game. It makes me very uneasy to see all the same beards and faces on the dwarves. Someone just asked this but, is it a little late to add new face/custom models?

[rilleh]

Getting a bit worried that I will get too addicted to this game once released :ohno:

[LanMandragon]

The variety of armor is awesome, and that its realistic looking.

Great update, ty.

[boby]

Really nice news, thx devs/ign

[nazual]

Those dwarves look awesome. I can see it now... A caravan of traders are across the plain of tall grass. Archers in the trees ready for an ambush... An outcome of wealth :)

[Mhorham]

I liked the update. It felt good to have solid confirmation on some info. I am glad to see duels between random players confined to special areas. There is nothing worse than seeing an Ally under attack and finding out is some candy ass duel. Leave that crap behind. War is war. coded duels should be held with the tea parties and wedding ceremonies some place off the field of battle.

[alfaroverall]

I liked the update. It felt good to have solid confirmation on some info. I am glad to see duels between random players confined to special areas. There is nothing worse than seeing an Ally under attack and finding out is some candy ass duel. Leave that crap behind. War is war. Honorable duels should be held with the tea parties and wedding ceremonies some place off the field of battle.
I've said quite a few times that the concept of a duel should be left to the players to regulate under an honor (or in some cases, the lack thereof) system. Specialized mechanics or zones for it are unecessary in my opinion.

[Shadow Walker2020]

Those dwarves look awesome. I can see it now... A caravan of traders are across the plain of tall grass. Archers in the trees ready for an ambush... An outcome of wealth :)

if the caravan is a bunch of dwarves, they wont have to worry. The grass will be taller than them. The archers wont be able to see them. One of the advantages of being short and stumpy, I guess. :D

[Shadow Walker2020]

Im looking at the screenshots and im really impressed at the level of detail that went into the weapons and armor. I reall like the etchings on the one humans sword in this screenshot. (http://mediaviewer.ign.com/ignMediaPage.jsp?media_id=3963761&object_id=16821&channel_id=227&page_title=Darkfall+Peek+%2331&adtag=network%3Dign%26size%3D468x60%26ch annel%3Drpgvault%26site%3Drpgvault_hub%2 6channel%3Dfeatures%26type%3Dpartner) Very impressive.

I wonder, is this an example of the level of detail which players can expect when they get into game to craft their own items? Will players be able to customize their own weapons with that much detail?

[traemyn]

This defensive tactic covers frontal attacks; attacks from behind in Darkfall do extra damage. AKA multiple hitboxes

This is the best thing 'added' since manual blocking. Awesome.

[Mennovh]

Wow I loved this update. By far the best in a while.

[Elandir]

Keeping us hooked ;)

[iza]

AKA multiple hitboxes

This is the best thing 'added' since manual blocking. Awesome.
Umm, no, not necessarily... It's easy to calculate from which angle the hit came without using hitboxes; probably the same thing goes for the shields/manual blocking.

[Acetaminophen]

Those dorfs look suspiciously drunk. . .

There's no suspicion about it, they are drunk as skunks. Tankards up, and slam them down! YARR!

[Suitepee]

"You can push players who are blocking you out of the way. You can crash into a formation with your mounts, which can also push."

Timely update on my birthday. Much enjoyed this one. :D

[Paco69]

Good info :D good pics

[Killuminati]

With aimed attacks, line of sight becomes a factor. In Darkfall holding the high ground gives you a considerable advantage over your opponents. Needing line of sight along with the absence of target selection allows you to use hard cover effectively.

cool, now I can yell I have the high ground to someone about to attack me. :D

[LanMandragon]

All of this sounds so good I want to cry.

Dont fail us now... your our only hope.

[Airius Droc]

btw, these screens are the best we've seen, imo. They're very impressive, darkfer looking, less cartoony (wow) and more detail (than shadowbane or planetside).

It's moments like this that I wonder if any of people here (including myself) deserve a game like this. Ok, that moment has passed. :)

[NyaR]

use kinetic blast effects to try to reach any place you can see.

rocketjumping?? hell yes!!!

[Stormsblade]

Brilliant update.

[illicit]

Yay, I get married on the 14th and Beta starts. THANKS! :(

[|Avalanche]

Nice update, though not anything really new. But the first screen look on the level of detail on the armor! That is what I kall hawt ;)

[Moat]

I see the moon now I must get to it....

[TheAravan]

Are these idiots ever going to show us Alfar? I mean we've only been asking for months. No they want to show us dwarves AGAIN...

[Teth]

Are these idiots ever going to show us Alfar? I mean we've only been asking for months. No they want to show us dwarves AGAIN...
Alfar come last, because they are the best. Humans and mirdain will be next, interspersed with some media/general information updates - I can almost guarantee it.

[notext]

If they release this with all the elements they claim I am going to be thoroughly amazed.

Of course I 'hope' they manage it but the claims are just so huge.

[BlackVolgan]

the dwarves look like the all came from the same mother. There is appearance customization right?

[iza]

^Yeah, it probably just hasn't been made yet. Making face textures is a relatively minor task, which could be left till last.

[ObsiDian_Osiris]

nice

[Piggy Xyn Mbele]

This is one of those things that seems like it takes all the risk out of combat. It would be nice if players still had to attempt NOT to kill each other casually or they'd get the alignment hit. Wounding is fine, killing someone = bad.

What do you mean it takes the risk out of combat? If you kill allies during a battle, THEY DIE. You can work off an alignment penalty if you cared about that. You can't unlose a battle.

And they have showed screens of Alfar. They're just so stealthy, you can't see them.

[Sachem]

Really nice, it's not my concern to complain about minor artistic details. One could say that the level of depth in combat continues to grow, and amaze.

[Phooey]

I actually started drooling while reading this rpg vault peek. Seriously.

[Gib the Haunted]

Have to agree , best yet w00t :D

[Airius Droc]

What do you mean it takes the risk out of combat? If you kill allies during a battle, THEY DIE. You can work off an alignment penalty if you cared about that. You can't unlose a battle.

What I mean is that people can "GM" or whatever without ever fighting anyone but their best friend. Then they go out and hunt down people that didn't "GM" and kick the shit out of them. Wow, what a fucking dangerous game.

This is one of the things I didn't like in UO. You have bots macroing on each other, without any risk (social or otherwise). Then some dick logs back in and has a perfect character even though he's never done shit outside of his tower.

[Sack]

What I mean is that people can "GM" or whatever without ever fighting anyone but their best friend. Then they go out and hunt down people that didn't "GM" and kick the shit out of them. Wow, what a fucking dangerous game.

This is one of the things I didn't like in UO. You have bots macroing on each other, without any risk (social or otherwise). Then some dick logs back in and has a perfect character even though he's never done shit outside of his tower.
I appreciate your concerns and Im sure the devs do too. I read this differently than you did.

Training
Being able to prevail in group or individual combat requires the timing, knowledge, tactical organization and discipline that can only be gained through practice. Clanmates can train together without any alignment hits, and anyone can practice against anyone else in specially appointed venues, also without an alignment hit.

I take it that there will be a special feature when in a clan that will allow you to fight your clanmates without being "killed"... that's it. You may have to right click on a clan member and choose "clan duel". If they accept you can fight without the risk of dying, but likewise I dont think that you will receive training points. I believe that the purpose of this clan fighting system is just to train your clan pvp skills, not skill up your character stats.

[SamDog]

What I mean is that people can "GM" or whatever without ever fighting anyone but their best friend. Then they go out and hunt down people that didn't "GM" and kick the shit out of them. Wow, what a fucking dangerous game.

This is one of the things I didn't like in UO. You have bots macroing on each other, without any risk (social or otherwise). Then some dick logs back in and has a perfect character even though he's never done shit outside of his tower.


Good Airius Droc;

Guilds are going to have to train in formation fighting for days on end. If they all got penalties for doing it you wouldn't see formations (or only evil guilds will have formations). A highly trained army is supposed to be able to take out the zerg, so they need to let 'em train.

I agree the little arenas are sissy though.

yours
SamDog

[CyBrEn]

Good Airius Droc;

Guilds are going to have to train in formation fighting for days on end. If they all got penalties for doing it you wouldn't see formations. A highly trained army is supposed to be able to take out the zerg, so they need to let 'em train.

I agree the little arenas are sissy though.

yours
SamDog
A moderately trained zerg will take on any army, however!

[SamDog]

A moderately trained zerg will take on any army, however!

Good CyBrEn;

I agree, I think the zerg will still be very effective. I said trained formations were supposed to take out the zerg. I didn't say they would. Especially will little guild emblems on everyone--it makes it much easier for the zerg.

yours
SamDog

[LanMandragon]

I appreciate your concerns and Im sure the devs do too. I read this differently than you did.

Training
Being able to prevail in group or individual combat requires the timing, knowledge, tactical organization and discipline that can only be gained through practice. Clanmates can train together without any alignment hits, and anyone can practice against anyone else in specially appointed venues, also without an alignment hit.

I take it that there will be a special feature when in a clan that will allow you to fight your clanmates without being "killed"... that's it. You may have to right click on a clan member and choose "clan duel". If they accept you can fight without the risk of dying, but likewise I dont think that you will receive training points. I believe that the purpose of this clan fighting system is just to train your clan pvp skills, not skill up your character stats.

Yeah, im hoping that training battles are a full reality.

[Airius Droc]

Good Airius Droc;

Guilds are going to have to train in formation fighting for days on end. If they all got penalties for doing it you wouldn't see formations (or only evil guilds will have formations). A highly trained army is supposed to be able to take out the zerg, so they need to let 'em train.

I agree the little arenas are sissy though.

yours
SamDog

You bring up an excellent point when talking about clan warfare. The more I think about it, the devs seem to know what they're doing here.

I still have some concerns though, mainly dealing with individual players having a much more difficult time "skilling up" than small groups of players that only fight against themselves. I guess I just don't understand the logic behind say ME fighting against 30 completely different people in life battles, and THEM fighting 30 macro battles against their best friend (while risking nothing), how are they getting worthy experience out of that?

Maybe if the devs said that it takes 100 times longer to skill up in practice than it does in real combat...yeah, that would make me feel better about this.
I

[Airius Droc]

Training
Being able to prevail in group or individual combat requires the timing, knowledge, tactical organization and discipline that can only be gained through practice. Clanmates can train together without any alignment hits, and anyone can practice against anyone else in specially appointed venues, also without an alignment hit.

I believe that the purpose of this clan fighting system is just to train your clan pvp skills, not skill up your character stats.

I hope you're right, Sack. When I read that quote again, that could be what they're saying in which case my concerns would be of no concern. Thanks for pointing that out. :)

[losinglife]

that was like the ultimate reminder why i cant wait to play this game

[Malishan]

I hope you're right, Sack. When I read that quote again, that could be what they're saying in which case my concerns would be of no concern. Thanks for pointing that out. :)

Nope, he was wrong, you can spar your way to greatness. Too bad for you.

[Airius Droc]

Nope, he was wrong, you can spar your way to greatness. Too bad for you.

How do you rez on a SCS? :)

[Malishan]

How do you rez on a SCS? :)

You don't, DF is permadeath. You'll have to delete your dead characters just like you did in UO. Now stay on subject and lets not have any of your wacky exxagerations.

[Nalira]

an overview of all the stuff i already know... the screens are pretty though.

[Airius Droc]

You don't, DF is permadeath. You'll have to delete your dead characters just like you did in UO.

Just don't accuse me of not asking. :)

I hope you're wrong about the sparing for skills. I'd hate to think that players would get an advantage over a large portion of the population just because they know someone else in the game that will stand around for hours hacking away at them (again, risking nothing).

[Apraxis]

What I mean is that people can "GM" or whatever without ever fighting anyone but their best friend. Then they go out and hunt down people that didn't "GM" and kick the shit out of them. Wow, what a fucking dangerous game.

This is one of the things I didn't like in UO. You have bots macroing on each other, without any risk (social or otherwise). Then some dick logs back in and has a perfect character even though he's never done shit outside of his tower.

Well.. it is just realistic.. no soldier in real life go first into war to train a little bit shooting. They do it before, and than go to war.

But anyway this will not help as much in a game like Darkfall, they may have a good skills(charskill), but lack of experience and will nevertheless lose.

Darkfall is a player skill based games, it does help you a shit that you have some char skills on gm level.

And the point from Sam Dog is also correct, Clans need to train some tactics, formations or what so ever. But training is never true figthing experience, like in real life.

However it is really not a big point for me, because it is really unimportant if you kill some mobs or train with a clanmate to get a decent skill.. and the mob will give you at least some cash and the same for a real fight.

[Exodeus]

nice update :)

[Malishan]

Just don't accuse me of not asking. :)

I hope you're wrong about the sparing for skills. I'd hate to think that players would get an advantage over a large portion of the population just because they know someone else in the game that will stand around for hours hacking away at them (again, risking nothing).

Tell ya what, I'll go take fencing lessons from a pro, and you go skewer some rats, bunnies, and maybe a big hairy spider. Then come back, we'll have a duel and see who wins!

This is such an old argument...

Combat is combat. Don't forget that someone that spars is taking damage to his gear, and not collecting any loot. Thats a double hit on their pocketbook, and probably a fair amount of money if you build an entire character that way. Nobody is going to be able to afford to do that in the beginning, and later on when they can afford to, big deal, they've done it all before, and sparring with friends can be almost as fun as real pvp. You shouldn't force them to grind mobs in PVE if they don't need or want to.

[Airius Droc]

You shouldn't force them to grind mobs in PVE if they don't need or want to.

I would never dream of it. I actually suggested that Darkfall have NO mobs. I'm all about PVP.

But I'm not about two guys drinking coffee over a "practice" session, talking about the wife and kids, playing games that rival pro-wrestling verses any form of actual contest.

I hightly doubt that if I were a squire playing with sticks against a practice dummy I'd know much about real fighting if I were thrown into the crusades. Nor do I think that whacking my cousin's friend in the leg 100 times with the dull edge of my blade would be of any help either.

That's why I was suggesting that training be more substantial. You can still hack away at each other, but you have to be careful, if you actually killed your opponent you'd take an alignment hit. THAT WAY, you couldn't just stand out in the middle of the woods chopping the heads off of people wearing potato sacks in an effort to max out your swordsmanship skill. You'd have to risk something..armor, alignment hits, things like that.

[CyBrEn]

Just don't accuse me of not asking. :)

I hope you're wrong about the sparing for skills. I'd hate to think that players would get an advantage over a large portion of the population just because they know someone else in the game that will stand around for hours hacking away at them (again, risking nothing).
Now, the worst part of this is, if it were SRS, you could go on your PK alt and kill both while they're AFK. Not that I support SRS, or MCS.
infact, I support everyone being a murderer. I just want to know who is who!

[traemyn]

Umm, no, not necessarily... It's easy to calculate from which angle the hit came without using hitboxes; probably the same thing goes for the shields/manual blocking.

well as I see it, HOWEVER they calculate the hit being on FRONT or BACK this still translates to either 1. MULTIPLE HITBOXES or 2. a MULTIPLE HITBOX EMULATION SYSTEM. They don't even have to tell us if its not a 'true' hitbox system, it will still appear that way.

[scottydont7]

Awesome Update, ive been waiting for an update that interesting for a long time! Im definatly more pumped for the game than i have ever been... and ive been following it for awhile. Its good to know that we are actually preparing to play a "skill based" MMO!

[Razel]

Yay, I get married on the 14th and Beta starts. THANKS! :(


hahaha couldn't hold out could ya, we lose more good men that way /sighs

[Fylraen]

Nice update.

I'll be five years registered come February, but I'm still here.

This stuff is why.

...

[V1RUS]

Great update. I like the screens and its nice to see the info given (even if alot of it was mentioned in the past).

For those concerned about the no alignment hits in the venues and such, I don't think there is much to worry about. Nowhere does it say they can't be killed by anybody else while they are dueling their buddy. And as Mal mentioned, their armor and weapons will still decay/break, and they don't gain any loot in the process. Also, who knows even if they actually gain skill points for "practicing". It may only be for player skill build up :P.

On another note, I wonder how much damage this "kinetic blasting" will do to oneself, or how much fall damage a player will take if he happens to miss his landing.

[Nehemia]

"You can climb.."

Hmmm climb? Where, to trees?

[Darkmatter]

Very nice update. I enjoyed reading it, and I am as ever eager to hear more in-detail about combat :) Spread the update around a few boards I know.

Edit: I hope there's a plethora of choices when it comes to making custom faces, combinations etc. The dwarves pictured are all looking identical. Well except the one with the nice helmet. I like the logos on the shield, inscriptions on armor etc. These can probably be clan or crafter brand related if made by players. :p

[Nazertheen]

Several post were made taking pot shots at the article, I just wanted to clarify some points:

On Dueling:

No Alignment Hit - This would both be nessessary and historically accurate, 'dueling' was widly accepted as means to settle an argument way back when, and when one party killed the other in a duel it was not concidered to be a murder since both sides concented to the terms of the duel, which would most likely involve one person dying. You did not lose status in society for killing people in duels.

Gaining Skill Ups - Fighting is fighting, sure you can learn how to use a sword killing mobs, target dummies, players, or even by dueling. How you do it is simply up to the player to decide.

Arena:

WoW Misconception: I think the one poster who bashed the arena concept was thinking about WoW a little too much. Arenas way back when generally held venues where combatants would fight to glory in the pit floor, and much wagering would be done on who would win. More or less it is a gambling institution. As such why would combatants take alignment hits for killing other gladiators? Isn't it the entire point to kill your opponet? If anything winning battles in arenas should boost your alignment.

[Preston]

Yeah, the game gets more difficult to resist as the updates continue...

I think the waiting was easier for me when there were no updates. :bang:

[Jaggid]

This the shit we want to hear about!

Detail detail! Loved it, best read yet!

[Yuengling.OoB]

This is one of the things I didn't like in UO. You have bots macroing on each other, without any risk (social or otherwise). Then some dick logs back in and has a perfect character even though he's never done shit outside of his tower.

and these are the people you poison and loot... duh.

(edit: I jumped to fond memories of poisoning and double stealing and missed your clever insertion of the word "tower". I have a feeling with Darkfall we won't have anything that compares.)

[WonderBrick]

Awesome update. One of the best yet. Even though it covers material we already know, it puts it all in one spot, and is suitable to send friends.

[JimLad]

Not much we didn't already know, but by George it's exciting to think about! :p
Also nice to see more armour and weapons, but you know what would be even better? Seeing all this in action. :sly:

[Chungo]

Nice screenshots and Article.

I believe skills will only raise to a certain percent via training. (Cant remember where I read that though.)

[Ultimo]

incredible, the more i hear the more i love

[JediMindTrickz]

Show Some Gd Elves!!!

[Zerikin Loukbel]

awesome

[Rokolith]

Thank you for this extra and awesome update. Very good read and I loved the screen shots.

[Zentor]

Great article! Makes you want to get on a horse/ram and run something over.

[TreyDingo2020]

very nice.

game play video with some ships with alfar on drakes fighting some sprinting mahirim would be pretty sweet. (maybe even some mirdain swimming in the back round with floaties on having a splash fight:p )

i love being able to be racist

[Norse]

The dwarf pic is hot hot hot...

[-Zephyr-]

wow that was a great update.

[Skeanthu]

I am getting wackadoo, the results of any action and how it interacts with the fight, could this be true!?!!?

[BLACKWATCH]

Hum,
The objective, an appealing one to many observers, is to make it possible for players to follow virtually any type of career path they might want, becoming a de facto explorer, hunter, mercenary, smith, magician, fisherman or almost anything else by making the appropriate choices, with optional prestige classes such as Paladin, Assassin, Gladiator, Enchanter also available.

Now if only they rounded it all out with Taming and Farming...(Well there were allmost right, Allmost any career but the ones sorly lacking...)

[NoxVision]

I drool. I drool a lot. ;)

[LanMandragon]

Hum,
The objective, an appealing one to many observers, is to make it possible for players to follow virtually any type of career path they might want, becoming a de facto explorer, hunter, mercenary, smith, magician, fisherman or almost anything else by making the appropriate choices, with optional prestige classes such as Paladin, Assassin, Gladiator, Enchanter also available.

Now if only they rounded it all out with Taming and Farming...(Well there were allmost right, Allmost any career but the ones sorly lacking...)

Your not letting the taming and farming go are you...
well good for you blackwatch someone has to keep em on their toes.

[Airius Droc]

Now if only they rounded it all out with Taming and Farming...(Well there were allmost right, Allmost any career but the ones sorly lacking...)

It's kinda funny how in Darkfall we'll get pvp first, and farming in the expansion. Oh the irony! :)

[Adapt]

bla bla bla BETA :bang: <-- wall of "stfu and wait"

[Razel]

the dwarves look like the all came from the same mother. There is appearance customization right?


Not only did they come from the same mother but i believe Surly is responsible for most of those that look the same. Neway ... yes they have said there is appearance customization.

[Strontyd]

combat sounds great, at last a PvP mmo that has decent combat, no names over heads, no radar, awsome, those guilds that can get it together are going to do well in this game.

[Dair]

This looks amazing, cant wait for beta.

[Exmortis]

Everything I read makes me want this more and more. It's literally how I would have designed an mmorpg if I were given the opportunity. I am so very pleased with every aspect of Darkfall's development.

As a suggestion, please ensure that the identification information given when the targetting reticle is placed on another player only works in short-range situations. If I spot a player on the other side of a field, I do not want him to be able to aim at me and know exactly who I am. I would say the in-game approximate of 15 yards is a good range for this function. This will ensure that players simply using their mouse to sweep a line of trees won't accidentally pull up the name/information of a player who would otherwise be hidden aside from his shoulder or foot sticking out from behind a rock. In a game like Darkfall, ambushes will be a very important tactical element, and therefore artificial means of detecting players (in other words, not just whether YOU the player actually sees their character model or not) are bad IMO.

Thanks!

[LanMandragon]

Everything I read makes me want this more and more. It's literally how I would have designed an mmorpg if I were given the opportunity. I am so very pleased with every aspect of Darkfall's development.

As a suggestion, please ensure that the identification information given when the targetting reticle is placed on another player only works in short-range situations. If I spot a player on the other side of a field, I do not want him to be able to aim at me and know exactly who I am. I would say the in-game approximate of 15 yards is a good range for this function. This will ensure that players simply using their mouse to sweep a line of trees won't accidentally pull up the name/information of a player who would otherwise be hidden aside from his shoulder or foot sticking out from behind a rock. In a game like Darkfall, ambushes will be a very important tactical element, and therefore artificial means of detecting players (in other words, not just whether YOU the player actually sees their character model or not) are bad IMO.

Thanks!

Good point, Im sure it wont "Pop" up out of say 10-20 yards. Wouldn't make sense and they really are promoting stealth. Hopefully you would actually have to let the mouse target someone also, not just if you were sweeping the mouse around, protect those close to ya cloakers.

[DeathBuddy]

I am really excited for this game. I can't wait until Beta.

The art in this game alone is enough to make any MMoRPG gamer drool in his sleep. I just want to get my hand on the game so i can immerse myself into what is shaping up to be a great in game world.

[Nevr]

Good point, Im sure it wont "Pop" up out of say 10-20 yards. Wouldn't make sense and they really are promoting stealth. Hopefully you would actually have to let the mouse target someone also, not just if you were sweeping the mouse around, protect those close to ya cloakers.

I think the best way to go about something like targeting would be to have an algorithm based on distance and atmospherics (since we have weather :D) to determine the time it takes to ID someone. Obviously if they are right in front of you, you should be able to ID them almost instantaneously. However, the further away they get into your field of vision, the longer it should take to ID them, up to a point where you cannot see them clearly and therefore cannot ID them.

Edit: And of course, if you don't have line of sight, no ID for you.

[Amundi Olaf]

I love these things ^,^.Please keep them coming,lol.I want to know all I can.





- Amundi Olaf ^,^

[BLACKWATCH]

Your not letting the taming and farming go are you...
well good for you blackwatch someone has to keep em on their toes.

A great Adventure game would naturaly include Farming and Taming.
There are enuf Shallow PVP games allready flooding the market..
(If UO could do it so many years ago, Darkfall team can do it beter! Shurly? )

(They know Im here, lol.... :P

[BLACKWATCH]

As a suggestion, please ensure that the identification information given when the targetting reticle is placed on another player only works in short-range situations. If I spot a player on the other side of a field, I do not want him to be able to aim at me and know exactly who I am. I would say the in-game approximate of 15 yards is a good range for this function.
Thanks!

Good , Realy Good point.
So many used that trick to look for hidden players, Move your mouse in a circle
and ck for name tags poping up, or Lags as the server wanted to pop a name up
but then stoped..

Stopping the long range ID tag is a great idea!

[LanMandragon]

There are enuf Shallow PVP games allready flooding the market..
(If UO could do it so many years ago, Darkfall team can do it beter! Shurly? )


Thats such a solid point I cant argue with you.

[Amundi Olaf]

Yeah I also agree about the out of range id thing.I think it would be wierd to not be able to see the person clearly but your character is like "oh yeah that's bobby" or something like that,or maybe the longer the range the more transparent the id (thingy-ma-bober) as in your right infront of the person and while you walk back it slowely dissapear's and such.I personally don't know exactly how the id thing is going to work,another screen popping up maybe?I know we won't have dumb names floating over our head ( Thank's dev's =) ) so it would be wierd if the id thing pops over the person's head.
I don't know what else to say now so...any opinions,objections,appraisals ;)?



-Amundi Olaf


EDIT:P.S:Sorry for all my dumb watcha-ma-callit words and such.

[Angry-Khan]

*yawn* nothing new.

[AD_Blazzen]

I wonder how bad latency or lag will affect the manual aiming and manual blocking. I hope it is something they've taken into consideration.

[Airius Droc]

I wonder how bad latency or lag will affect the manual aiming and manual blocking. I hope it is something they've taken into consideration.

That's the 10k per server question. No one really knows how well this is going to work yet. No one.

[Airius Droc]

I still love this update...but after reading it several times I keep wondering how 3rd person view will effect gameplay.

In Planetside, 3rd person view ruined many of the better aspects of the game...hiding for instance. If you're hiding behind a rock and another player peeks around the rock using 3rd person view, that's not really fun. Likewise, if you're hiding behind a rock and use 3rd person view to see around that rock, again, where's the skill involved in this?

Rule of thumb...anyone hiding behind a rock better have to physically move into view of enemies to see around that rock. Oh yeah, and 3rd person view sucks my ass, fyi.

[Loose]

I agree, how the game is laid out already makes it superior, but stealth could be affected tremendously by 3rd person view. I suppose it won't be so bad, as it will be really dark at night, and alot of the playerbase comes on at night or in the afternoon. Wearing dark armor could make it seriously difficult to see you.

Also I doubt players will always be on total lookout for stealth characters. You stealth dudes will just have to strike when someone is busy killing something or is busy pickin' some resources up off the ground, or looting. Lots of chances to sneak up..






:ninja:

[alfaroverall]

So anyone know what tomorrow's update is going to be?

[demonic]

great info inthere, but once again... nothing i didn't know like 6 to 12 months ago

not bashing at anyone or anything but this is a summary of old info, nothing new...

I hope they can manage to make the game exactly the way they make it sound,
if they can do that, then the game will score big time and be part of MMO history in a lot of aspects...

[Gojo]

I still love this update...but after reading it several times I keep wondering how 3rd person view will effect gameplay.

In Planetside, 3rd person view ruined many of the better aspects of the game...hiding for instance. If you're hiding behind a rock and another player peeks around the rock using 3rd person view, that's not really fun. Likewise, if you're hiding behind a rock and use 3rd person view to see around that rock, again, where's the skill involved in this?

The game will almost always be in 1st person view... only when you engage in melee/close combat will the view change to 3rd person. You will not be able to toggle the view yourself, or even change to 3rd person by drawing your weapon.

This was just a short summery of what I read an admin write somewhere (cant remember)...

-Gojo

[Akatosh]

You will not be able to toggle the view yourself, or even change to 3rd person by drawing your weapon
-Gojo

3rd person view is enabled when you draw a melee weapon, but it's supposedly /very/ close.

[alfaroverall]

So where's update 32?