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Face of Mankind: Rebirth: Dev Diary #4
Stradden
Managing EditorMember CommonPosts: 6,696
Face of Mankind's Marko Dieckmann pens this new Dev Diary that outlines the general concept of their game in terms of both features and gameplay.
Programming & General (written by Marko Dieckmann)A few more weeks than usual have passed since our last development update. But we’re still alive and the project is more than alive. It’s making progress and growing. Right on time for the Easter Holidays we took the time to release this new update. Happy Easter!
Let me announce an important thing first. As you have seen, we have basically taken down the Face of Mankind portal. There is just an image and a few links to fan sites. This is because we have to redo most of the site contents and it wouldn’t make much sense to keep it there half-baked and confuse new visitors by letting them register and then not getting anything from it.
For news releases we have chosen MMORPG.COM as our primary official channel. We have had many good specials running with the guys over there in the past. So, you can expect all major news related to FoM to be released on MMORPG.COM.
;)
Read the whole thing here.
Cheers,
Jon Wood
Managing Editor
MMORPG.com
Comments
Good, they are adding features to the game that were missing that caused the game to fail.
Good to see FoM finally at MMORPG. Its also good to see Pegasi as one of the starting colonys!
It's good to hear that the best MMORPG I ever played is taking steps forward again ...
!!!
Go marko
Seekah,
Best Game Ive ever played, can't wait for it to reopen.
FoM never really failed..they just ran into a speed bump, and an even bigger 1 when that 1 company decided to drop them >.>. FoM is honest 1 of the best games I'd rather go back to.
"Life is not judged by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."
WAY TO RUIN THE FUCKING GAME, SKILLS? O LOL NICE ONE MARKO YOU FAIL
I played the beta and it was one of the worse games I ever played. The only way I'd even think of trying it again is if it went F2P. How this game stayed open and Ryzom closed I have no idea.
Yes beta was buggy, the majority of those bugs was fixed though..
and ranger I think your over reacting a little bit....
One of my first memories of Face of Mankind was being surrounded by Most Wanted criminals in the factions MotB, BoS, and GoM. The clans all looked the same and no one could tell them apart. This brought about the "KILL REDS" government order. Anyone wearing the color red is to be associated with the Brotherhood and slaughtered on sight for crimes against humanity and the Global Dominion. A large force of FDC forced its way into the Manhattan market area and attacked us. Possible to have this experience in a safe zone? No.
Another memory was my friend was killed by someone named gFk. He was a mercenary, fully equipped with armor, guns, medkits, and implants. Yet, he was still able to die to us, two noobs with newly bought guns off the market. We hunted him down, and we died. Possible to have any form of chance against this guy if he and his "guild" farm Elementum all day and level their characters? No.
After that, we attempted to lure a man into the dark corners of the city. Half way through the tube he realized our promises of riches and free items was false, turned tail, and ran. He was too close to the public to fire on without causing a ruckus.
The players became more civilized through time, but it still had that freedom. Once a rank 6, I started numerous wars in Tiergarden.. for freedom.. Assassinated CMG in Brooklyn, surrounded by cops, to get the message across that the Brotherhood wouldn't rest until the war with CMG was over, even if they were hiding behind the government.
This is the only game that I've found to be this free. This is also the only game that made my hands shake and my heart pump when a fight was on.
Face of Mankind was a unique game based solely on the players. It had politics, war, peace, criminals, assassinations, arresting, drug dealing, oppression, FREEDOM, and even cyber sex (lol). Everything was player run, from the faction leadership (for the most part) to the items produced on the market.
This also had a price. It wasn't a game a lot of people could get into right away. With few players, it would cease to exist.
So, now Marko is making it into a GENERIC mmorpg in an attempt to salvage what still remains. A complete U-turn for the whole concept of what I believed FoM was suppose to be.
I have no doubt in my mind that some form of idiot will infest this plague of a game. Marko and co will be able to feed their families.. until more generic MMORPGS are pumped out in the weeks to come.
Good luck with your guild wars, mindless alien slaughter, and the leveling of your characters.
Sadly, entertainment is stuck in this same rut. All the movies, tv shows, and games are staying safely in a little circle of success, too afraid of failing when making something new.
I hope like the development blog
- SillDude
Face of Mankind Community Manager
http://www.fomrebirth.com
Great stuff, cant wait to play FoM again. Some of the best RP and PVP i ever had where in this game.
Garrik
________________________________
Waiting for:
Lost Ark
New World
"once upon a midnight dreary, while i porn surfed, weak and weary, over many a strange and spurious site of 'hot xxx galore'. While i clicked my fav'rite bookmark, suddenly there came a warning, and my heart was filled with mourning, mourning for my dear amour, " 'Tis not possible!", i muttered, "give me back my free hardcore!"..... quoth the server, 404."
i played beta, was one of the most horrible MMO experiences ever for me. absolutely atrocious. wouldnt go back truthfully they lost any and all credibility in my eyes.
3.4ghz Phenom II X4 965, 8GB PC12800 DDR3 GSKILL, EVGA 560GTX 2GB OC, 640GB HD SATA II, BFG 1000WATT PSU. MSI NF980-G65 TRI-SLI MOBO.
I played Open Beta from Day 1.. Most fun I had in any Beta I tried.
After it went retail it was not so crowded.. But there is not one MMORPG that gave the players so much freedom. Politics and Roleplay were just amazing:D
EraserFemtiFem (GoM)
NemoDahFish (BoS)
Can't wait to play this game again. Oh.. dont forget to add lots of trees.
My cool sig: Turrets suck.
On topic, it's nice that these "pros" finally realized after all these years that a game actually needs content to get people to play. Wonder which one fell out of bed and hit his head to have that friggen epiphany?
It's been here forever, most people just avoid it.On topic, it's nice that these "pros" finally realized after all these years that a game actually needs content to get people to play. Wonder which one fell out of bed and hit his head to have that friggen epiphany?
I meant updating on MMORPG.
What your not seeing is, is that FoM was setup so the players make the content. By player made missions, a complex economy, and GM/Player hosted goverments. Don't be so quick to dismiss a game that didn't sterotype a game to be about NPCs, skills, and quests. Instead Duplux chose to use the most complex content, other people. Too many MMORPGs are solo grinds, where you never interact with people. FoM was a game where you had to interact with other people to survive.
Still no doubt you'll continue to argue contant, because there is no more RPG in MMORPG.
On topic, it's nice that these "pros" finally realized after all these years that a game actually needs content to get people to play. Wonder which one fell out of bed and hit his head to have that friggen epiphany?
I meant updating on MMORPG.
What your not seeing is, is that FoM was setup so the players make the content. By player made missions, a complex economy, and GM/Player hosted goverments. Don't be so quick to dismiss a game that didn't sterotype a game to be about NPCs, skills, and quests. Instead Duplux chose to use the most complex content, other people. Too many MMORPGs are solo grinds, where you never interact with people. FoM was a game where you had to interact with other people to survive.
Still no doubt you'll continue to argue contant, because there is no more RPG in MMORPG.
Yes, and we see how thinking you can be lazy and let the players "create their own content" succeeded. It didn't.Quote:
"Due to limited resources and time, we were never able to complete one major feature in MMOs, which is known as PvE (Player vs. Environment). This is basically known as “content”. We have often been criticized of lacking content, which is true. We are planning to change this now."
I don't need to argue the point. The games' dev does it well enough on his own.
On topic, it's nice that these "pros" finally realized after all these years that a game actually needs content to get people to play. Wonder which one fell out of bed and hit his head to have that friggen epiphany?
I meant updating on MMORPG.
What your not seeing is, is that FoM was setup so the players make the content. By player made missions, a complex economy, and GM/Player hosted goverments. Don't be so quick to dismiss a game that didn't sterotype a game to be about NPCs, skills, and quests. Instead Duplux chose to use the most complex content, other people. Too many MMORPGs are solo grinds, where you never interact with people. FoM was a game where you had to interact with other people to survive.
Still no doubt you'll continue to argue contant, because there is no more RPG in MMORPG.
Yes, and we see how thinking you can be lazy and let the players "create their own content" succeeded. It didn't.Quote:
"Due to limited resources and time, we were never able to complete one major feature in MMOs, which is known as PvE (Player vs. Environment). This is basically known as “content”. We have often been criticized of lacking content, which is true. We are planning to change this now."
I don't need to argue the point. The games' dev does it well enough on his own.
FoM was a niched game to begin with. They are just stating they are looking to expand their playerbase by seeking out PvE customers. Most of the current playerbase which is still active is very distraut over this dev journal and alot threaten to leave because of this catered content. So what seems to be a good update for you might be bad news for past paying customer. And face of mankind, a tick based FPS with limited skilling, outdated graphics, and understaffed support. Might find themselves going from one niche to another. Which could cause them to Lose past players and kill itself.
I may seem like a disgruntled fanboy player. But I am seeing almost the exact same thing I saw when Pre-CU swg was taken away.
On topic, it's nice that these "pros" finally realized after all these years that a game actually needs content to get people to play. Wonder which one fell out of bed and hit his head to have that friggen epiphany?
I meant updating on MMORPG.
What your not seeing is, is that FoM was setup so the players make the content. By player made missions, a complex economy, and GM/Player hosted goverments. Don't be so quick to dismiss a game that didn't sterotype a game to be about NPCs, skills, and quests. Instead Duplux chose to use the most complex content, other people. Too many MMORPGs are solo grinds, where you never interact with people. FoM was a game where you had to interact with other people to survive.
Still no doubt you'll continue to argue contant, because there is no more RPG in MMORPG.
Yes, and we see how thinking you can be lazy and let the players "create their own content" succeeded. It didn't.Quote:
"Due to limited resources and time, we were never able to complete one major feature in MMOs, which is known as PvE (Player vs. Environment). This is basically known as “content”. We have often been criticized of lacking content, which is true. We are planning to change this now."
I don't need to argue the point. The games' dev does it well enough on his own.
FoM was a niched game to begin with. They are just stating they are looking to expand their playerbase by seeking out PvE customers. Most of the current playerbase which is still active is very distraut over this dev journal and alot threaten to leave because of this catered content. So what seems to be a good update for you might be bad news for past paying customer. And face of mankind, a tick based FPS with limited skilling, outdated graphics, and understaffed support. Might find themselves going from one niche to another. Which could cause them to Lose past players and kill itself.
I may seem like a disgruntled fanboy player. But I am seeing almost the exact same thing I saw when Pre-CU swg was taken away.
The few people remaining paying and playing weren't enough to even keep the game running. We're not talking about 100k-200k people being hit with NGE, we're talking about 50-100 ( if that ) being unhappy and leaving to hundreds or thousands coming to play a game with content. Sorry, but if I wanted my game to succeed and can't get more than 100 players subbed in a good month, I'd rather add content that would bring enough people to at least let the game break even.
It's been here forever, most people just avoid it.On topic, it's nice that these "pros" finally realized after all these years that a game actually needs content to get people to play. Wonder which one fell out of bed and hit his head to have that friggen epiphany?
I meant updating on MMORPG.
What your not seeing is, is that FoM was setup so the players make the content. By player made missions, a complex economy, and GM/Player hosted goverments. Don't be so quick to dismiss a game that didn't sterotype a game to be about NPCs, skills, and quests. Instead Duplux chose to use the most complex content, other people. Too many MMORPGs are solo grinds, where you never interact with people. FoM was a game where you had to interact with other people to survive.
Still no doubt you'll continue to argue contant, because there is no more RPG in MMORPG.
Yes, and we see how thinking you can be lazy and let the players "create their own content" succeeded. It didn't.Quote:
"Due to limited resources and time, we were never able to complete one major feature in MMOs, which is known as PvE (Player vs. Environment). This is basically known as “content”. We have often been criticized of lacking content, which is true. We are planning to change this now."
I don't need to argue the point. The games' dev does it well enough on his own.
FoM was a niched game to begin with. They are just stating they are looking to expand their playerbase by seeking out PvE customers. Most of the current playerbase which is still active is very distraut over this dev journal and alot threaten to leave because of this catered content. So what seems to be a good update for you might be bad news for past paying customer. And face of mankind, a tick based FPS with limited skilling, outdated graphics, and understaffed support. Might find themselves going from one niche to another. Which could cause them to Lose past players and kill itself.
I may seem like a disgruntled fanboy player. But I am seeing almost the exact same thing I saw when Pre-CU swg was taken away.
The few people remaining paying and playing weren't enough to even keep the game running. We're not talking about 100k-200k people being hit with NGE, we're talking about 50-100 ( if that ) being unhappy and leaving to hundreds or thousands coming to play a game with content. Sorry, but if I wanted my game to succeed and can't get more than 100 players subbed in a good month, I'd rather add content that would bring enough people to at least let the game break even.
Well here is the kicker, forgot to mention this, for the past year or so Duplex has been working on milestone 2 which would have added Aliens(PvE), an Alien planet, and more contant without effecting the core gameplay. But they haven't delievered yet and they are just revamping everything by adding skills, guilds, quests, and classes. So the fact is they were going down the right path content wise but they decided to turn a whole new direction all together.
And to your latter comment. Do you really think you or I want to see another mmorpg transform into a mainstream and bury diversity? Why do I need another Wow, Tabula Rasa or Neocron? I want to see Marko Dickman and Duplex succeed as a pioneer, not as a sheep.
Sure you might say changing the game may save it, is this a fact? In the future Age of Conan comes out with FPS tick combat, clans, quests, and other resembling qualities of FoM:Rebirth. Wouldent the old innoviative FoM hold out better? Who knows.
There are many other things old FoM could of done to succeed, like advertise, create dev journals which they never did with the old development plan, put in Aliens, or hell did you know for most of retail half of the customers exploited payment methods so they played for free?
(this quote box is getting big :P )
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(this quote box is getting big :P )Sorted
There's no reason for the game to be a carbon copy simply because it gets PvE, quests, etc.
For example, if I wanted to build on FoM to make it successful, I could do it based around the current game. NPCs' can give quests, with item/credit rewards ( but leave crafted items as superior, the quest rewards just need to be good enough for players to keep up, not to excel ). They can give quests ranging from kill 10 aliens all the way to kill 10 cops (players included ). But you have the current player ability to give quests. So you update and streamline that process, make it easier for someone who has never played in a dynamic world setting before. Now, players can get quests from both NPCs and players, and both can be used for PvE or PvP purposes. But if their is no quest/mission from players, the rest of the players don't have to sit and twiddle their thumbs for something to do. They just get a mission from an NPC. Base quests on the storyline, on the differing factions, etc.
There are ways to upgrade FoM to have things other mmorpgs have, while maintaining the current roleplaying focus and player involvement.
One of the things that forced me away from the game was having to depend on other players to have something to do. Especially when most grew tired of nothing to really do and turned the game into more of a gankfest than a game. What else was there to do with no static content, noone willing to sit and think up content every day for others to do, except play the damn game like it was nothing more than a bad counterstrike copy? For every 1 player who would be willing to create content, you'd have 10 that couldn't or wouldn't be bothered. Doesn't take long for even a devoted roleplayer to say screw it and join 'em. Then it all goes downhill, as we've seen.
All the things that have happened to FoM were told to the devs by players back in beta. The devs didn't listen. Now they have to do what they should have done then, in an effort just to get back on the map. When they could have been a large chunk of that map if they'd done it right in the beginning.
W00t!! Even on non-FoM forums there are flamefests about FoM!
There's no reason for the game to be a carbon copy simply because it gets PvE, quests, etc.
For example, if I wanted to build on FoM to make it successful, I could do it based around the current game. NPCs' can give quests, with item/credit rewards ( but leave crafted items as superior, the quest rewards just need to be good enough for players to keep up, not to excel ). They can give quests ranging from kill 10 aliens all the way to kill 10 cops (players included ). But you have the current player ability to give quests. So you update and streamline that process, make it easier for someone who has never played in a dynamic world setting before. Now, players can get quests from both NPCs and players, and both can be used for PvE or PvP purposes. But if their is no quest/mission from players, the rest of the players don't have to sit and twiddle their thumbs for something to do. They just get a mission from an NPC. Base quests on the storyline, on the differing factions, etc.
There are ways to upgrade FoM to have things other mmorpgs have, while maintaining the current roleplaying focus and player involvement.
One of the things that forced me away from the game was having to depend on other players to have something to do. Especially when most grew tired of nothing to really do and turned the game into more of a gankfest than a game. What else was there to do with no static content, noone willing to sit and think up content every day for others to do, except play the damn game like it was nothing more than a bad counterstrike copy? For every 1 player who would be willing to create content, you'd have 10 that couldn't or wouldn't be bothered. Doesn't take long for even a devoted roleplayer to say screw it and join 'em. Then it all goes downhill, as we've seen.
All the things that have happened to FoM were told to the devs by players back in beta. The devs didn't listen. Now they have to do what they should have done then, in an effort just to get back on the map. When they could have been a large chunk of that map if they'd done it right in the beginning.
Well I do hope they do conserve revamping FoM, and what you propose is fair. However, there are just doubts, which I hope are wrong. And alot of the doubt comes from adding clans and bonuses to what faction you choose. It kills roleplay when everyone chooses the GoM faction to recieve a 10+ health regen and not for the roleplaying aspect of the faction. Alot of doubt also comes from getting rid of the police force (LED) and jail/crimes. While players could try to recreate factions, there are not suffiecent tools. Of course clans open some roleplaying oportunities, it also closes alot of others such as rank, faction funds, offical history, and squads. So I hope the developers will add these tools to allow players to customize a faction, the only problem is they haven't mentioned including these old features that I am aware of.
A big misfortune of FoM in early retail was there publisher Ojam. Which did not provide sufficent funding to Duplex and hindered many ideas/updates. And also from the old community manager "smoker" who did not listen to players. Now we have Zordax as the community he listens pretty well, I hope he can find away to cater to potential and old customers.
I just don't think Duplex ever thought, hey we don't need more content. It was just the lack of funding and time as they were squeezed by they're publisher.
It's an epidemic!
honestly, the reason i could not get into the game was because everywhere i went someone killed me for no reason before i even knew how to play... (and these were people from every "faction")
hopefully the new changes will fix that and ill actually be able to play the game instead of being slaughtered whenever another player sees me