Exploration

[BuffetRaider]

Had an interesting conversation with Abyssalrider the other day. We both feel that true exploration should be a part of Em-8ER. The image is just a snippet, but we discussed both Guild Wars 2 and Wildstar for elements we might like to see. Regardless of the form it takes, I believe there's a couple good reasons why exploration fits as a theme in-lore for this game.

1. Gatestriders are, first and foremost, explorers. It's in their genes and it's part of their cultural identity. They were resposible for driving the second wave of human interstellar exploration.
2. It's the perfect avenue for players to discover lost Tsi-hu tech and lore. We know next to nothing about this planet we've been stranded on and unless we discover its secrets, we're kinda screwed.

That said, I'd like to see what other people have to say about this. I think there's definitely a place for exploration as a core part of the game.

 

[zdoofop]

Absolutely 100% yes. I never played wildstar but I did play guild wars 2 for a little bit, and exploration is absolutely a component that just seems natural in Em8er. It could have multiple benefits, you could explore to learn about the terrain, to survey for deposits, or to develop strategies for taking/defending bases. IDK if there should necessarily be "rewards" for exploring, but it should definitely be an integral part of gameplay.

EDIT: When I say there shouldn't be rewards I mean like inventory items. XP (or whatever version of that we get) can be a benefit of exploration as could research (eg. going to coordinates xyz grants you a research blueprint).

 

[Abyssalrider]

As it shows in that screenshot, I live to explore in games with large maps for the sake of exploring the maps, and games often have incentive to do so, inFAMOUS had hunting shards and dead drops, Jak and Daxter had hunting Precursor Orbs, Far Cry has all their collectibles, you get the idea. Wildstar's explorer "path" was my favorite choice because it spoke to me, it was a secondary class that championed exploring for the sake of exploration and gave you experience for doing it. Obviously we don't need experience in a game that doesn't have vertical progression, but lore snippets, in-game titles, exclusive skins/textures for our gear, maybe even ways to find lost tech and reverse engineer it for new things on the crafting tree, etc. are all great potential ways to incentivise exploration for those who don't share the mindset and playstyle I do. Exploring every nook and cranny of areas that i can is what I live for, it is who i am, and my most played games exemplify that. Give me an area to explore, and I will comb every inch I possibly can just to find something others may not know about, do things while exploring others might not think is possible, etc.

 

[zdoofop]

Obviously we don't need experience in a game that doesn't have vertical progression

don't dismiss xp in horizontal progression so easily. There was a mechanic way back in early firefall where you could "spend" xp on perks like jetpack upgrading and stuff.

 

[zdoofop]

OH OH I literally just had this idea. In Rise of Nations (an RTS) you could collect resources by exploring the map from stonehenge-like objects. I can imagine that exploringin Em8er, instead of collecting resources, we encounter technology in the same way that we deposit at a base for research into other blueprints and go into hidden points in the tech tree.

 

[BuffetRaider]

OH OH I literally just had this idea. In Rise of Nations (an RTS) you could collect resources by exploring the map from stonehenge-like objects. I can imagine that exploringin Em8er, instead of collecting resources, we encounter technology in the same way that we deposit at a base for research into other blueprints and go into hidden points in the tech tree.

That's kinda the idea - you go out, find some Tsi-hu ruins, bring home a few relics and drop them into a research building. Help the community fill the progress bar and unlock a couple pieces of ancient Tsi-hu tech to augment your frames.

Of course, these ruins would have to be just as dangerous, if not more so than thumping - you'd need to deactivate a local stasis generator for the site, and then you either have a limited time to collect relics or you just have to see how far into the gauntlet you can push to find what the Tsi-hu are guarding. Something to that effect. Probably tune these to be like mini-raids, definitely should be oriented as group content.

don't dismiss xp in horizontal progression so easily. There was a mechanic way back in early firefall where you could "spend" xp on perks like jetpack upgrading and stuff.

XP in horizontal progression is more of a currency than anything else. It'll probably be how we buy nodes on the tech tree for personal use.

Vertical progression in Em-8ER will be World Tiers and zones.

 

[Pandagnome]

Exploring is a yes not just for achievement hunting, to also find shortcuts when time is limited even racing!

If you explored the whole area would the map be unlocked to see it fully unless the com systems are down?

Would pets benefit in exploring could in turn improve their tracking/movement systems in relation to where the owner is. As an example say there is a fog and the pet has not yet experienced this the pet goes into learning mode eventually it would adapt to the environments.

Lets say this pet is a bit lost and wonders off it makes you have to keep a close eye on the pet otherwise could get into the wrong hands :O

When i think of exploring the ways to explore, from high altitudes even in the floating city, to the depths of a dark lair to something as simple as a weird plant that could be overlooked but hold a clue to a research recipe.

Exploring not helps us to learn about the world we get to perhaps encounter other explorers too!

 

[Torgue_Joey]

EXPLORE FOR STRATEGICAL REASONS!

THAT CANYON, CAN I NUKE IT?

 

[Pandagnome]

EXPLORE FOR STRATICAL REASONS!

THAT CANYON, CAN I NUKE IT?

What if the canyon ate your nuke and became a bigger canyon would this lead you to investigate and explore this strange canyon hmm

 

[Torgue_Joey]

What if the canyon ate your nuke and became a bigger canyon would this lead you to investigate and explore this strange canyon hmm

THAT WOULD BE A SCARY WAY TO FIND OUT THE CANYON IS ACTUALLY THE MOUTH OF A CAT-5 KAIJU

NOPE!
I'M OFF TO ANOTHER PLANET!

 

[Myumyuh]

I want to explore caves like Deep Rock Galactic! And I want to make a killzone in one of the tunnel with lots of turrets. Underground exploration? Spelunking? is that possible with a game like this?

 

[Pandagnome]

I want to explore caves like Deep Rock Galactic! And I want to make a killzone in one of the tunnel with lots of turrets. Underground exploration? Spelunking? is that possible with a game like this?

I hope so i wonder also about underwater in specialised vehicles would there a lost city down there or just a big water kaiju sleeping below hmm

 

[zdoofop]

I want to explore caves like Deep Rock Galactic! And I want to make a killzone in one of the tunnel with lots of turrets. Underground exploration? Spelunking? is that possible with a game like this?

I remember in grav caves were considered dungeons but they weren't like ordinary ungeons, they were just small instances of stuff that was basically the same as the outside world. Perhaps you could find richer mineral deposits in caves, or there are certain kinds of dynamic events that only occurred there.