[Discussion] Custom race ideas

reynanuy

Newcomer

100g2g pts

13 years ago

Mar 13, 2012, 10:48:56 PM

Yes, some insight on that system would be immensely appreciated. I specially am interested on how complex the traits you are programming will be, although I am not expecting anything "game changing, I do expect to see the "classics" so to speak. For me variety means everything here and even if the gameplay effects are simple, they need to be there for any species customization to be worth it. Changing the flag/portrait/etc ala SOTS is not nearly enough for me.

Warren

Newcomer

Warren

Newcomer

300g2g pts

13 years ago

Mar 15, 2012, 4:56:24 AM

Build your own style along side a catalog of pre-built choices, ala MOO2

caekdaemon

Founder Man

caekdaemon

Founder Man

21 500g2g pts

13 years ago

Mar 15, 2012, 8:55:44 PM

As long as its possible to make a machine race who are effectively one with ships, I don't care about the race design. I just love machine races

maceman

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maceman

Newcomer

200g2g pts

13 years ago

Mar 11, 2012, 10:55:29 PM

I think you've identified the most important race points.

There are the basic finite characteristics which all races are based on which should obviously be balanced races for multiplayer. Some cosmetic differences make them interesting.

But in SP I don't feel there is as much need for perfect balance. Great sci fi 'evil' bad guys come to mind and inspire greater story telling. Cravers feel like a nod in that direction.

maceman

Newcomer

maceman

Newcomer

200g2g pts

13 years ago

Mar 11, 2012, 5:49:28 PM

Genetic engineering genius octospiders

Okim

Newcomer

Okim

Newcomer

1 100g2g pts

13 years ago

Mar 11, 2012, 5:56:51 PM

Sexy telepathic space chicks with pale/light blue skin

Seriously - Alkari, Silicoids, Sakkra and Mrrshan are my favorites. Alkari being the only race i play in MOO2 for the last... 4 years. Wow.

Nightraid

Founder

Nightraid

Founder

13 years ago

Mar 11, 2012, 5:57:28 PM

Well, since I nenver got to play MOO2 (I know I know, shame on me...) I can't say I know very much about these species. However, it's always good to have a rough concept of what you want before you star creating something new. The first difficulty (at least for me) is coming up with a good name that fits the species without being melodramatic or cliché

And I'm getting the distinct feeling that at least one person out there will try to recreate the Asari.

Alderbranch

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Alderbranch

Newcomer

500g2g pts

13 years ago

Mar 11, 2012, 5:59:44 PM

ninja-robot-pirate-monkeys!

It can be the easter egg if ppl consider it silly.

Nightraid

Founder

Nightraid

Founder

13 years ago

Mar 11, 2012, 6:23:30 PM

Well, many 4x games have races that one could call silly, such as the Teyes in Armada 2526, which were small, three-eyed aliens with both avian and insectoid characteristics that had racial traits portraying them as unorganized explosive breeders who still seemed to fancy themselves mighty warriors (or at least they got additional victory points for winning difficult battles), so maybe something along those lines could work.

Okim

Newcomer

Okim

Newcomer

1 100g2g pts

13 years ago

Mar 11, 2012, 6:27:53 PM

Hm, speaking of ME series. Asari are similar to Syreen from Starcontrol and Elerians from MOO2. These are actually that pale-skinned space babes everybody speaks about.

Sakkra are Krogan. The same bad temper and reproduction rates. Enjoy living in subterrenian sities.

Mrrshan are cats. Temper is similar to Turians. Have accuracy bonus.

Alkari are birds. Though i can`t recall any equivalent of those in ME. Have good maneurability.

Silicoids are nasty rock-people. In MOO3 those were replaced by crystal-people. No equivalent in ME if i recall correctly.

VIPznork

Ninja

i were a ninja once

VIPznork

Ninja

19 800g2g pts

13 years ago

Mar 11, 2012, 8:00:24 PM

moo2 hade a nice custiom race system that i liked

reynanuy

Newcomer

reynanuy

Newcomer

100g2g pts

13 years ago

Mar 11, 2012, 9:04:44 PM

What we need is a nice varied and distinct set of traits we can attribute to a species, the same ones that should have been first attributed to the stock species. The system should be at the very least, cover the basic "types" of species we all know so far; for example the scientific reclusives, the anaerobic superbreeders, the honorable warriors, the unscrupulous traders, the diplomatic manipulators, the slaver aggressors, the sentient machines, the cybernetic civilization, etc. From a biological form point of view, there are also some fan favorites to mention, such as the lizard/ape/bear/bird/cat/"animal x" men; although IMO some originality here would be much more than welcome.

Nightraid

Founder

Nightraid

Founder

13 years ago

Mar 11, 2012, 9:23:09 PM

Agreed, though some variations or subversions of the aforement types would also be appreciated. For example, the race out to conquer the entire galaxy could be convinced it's the only species capable of averting some catastrophic event that could destroy the entire galaxy, but the other races won't listen, so they try to unite the entire galaxy under their banner, by force if need be, as they are obviously too foolish to understand the situation.

caekdaemon

Founder Man

caekdaemon

Founder Man

21 500g2g pts

13 years ago

Mar 11, 2012, 10:36:42 PM

I'd like a machine race. Preferably one who are software, and simply download into ships, rather then having a crew walking the decks.

Similar to the Geth from ME, but instead of being limited to just bodies, why not ships and machines?

Why not a frigging death star manned by one sentient being, who feels with sensors, moves with engines, armour like skin.

Nightraid

Founder

Nightraid

Founder

13 years ago

Mar 11, 2012, 5:43:35 PM

Perhaps it is a little too early for this discussion, but what kind of species would you like to make with the custom race system, and what kind of elements should it have in your opinion?

As for me, I would like to create an aquatic (or maybe amphibian) race with strong interest in organic technology and physical and mental improvement. To that end, i would like to see elelemts such as preferred enviroment/planet type, diet, and something along the lines of cultural values in the species creator. And this might be a bit much to hope for, but I hope there wil be some kind of tool that will let you customize your own species' appearance and animationsinstead of just letting you upload pictures to represent it.

But enough about me, what do you guys think?

VIPSharidann

Newcomer

VIPSharidann

Newcomer

16 500g2g pts

13 years ago

Mar 12, 2012, 6:14:04 AM

Didn't remember the Asari being telepathic (unless you consider native biotic abilities to be telepathic. :-) But blue skin, hot chicks... well check! The Barmaid Matriarch in ME2 always cracked me up!

Nightraid wrote:
Well, since I nenver got to play MOO2 (I know I know, shame on me...) I can't say I know very much about these species. However, it's always good to have a rough concept of what you want before you star creating something new. The first difficulty (at least for me) is coming up with a good name that fits the species without being melodramatic or cliché

And I'm getting the distinct feeling that at least one person out there will try to recreate the Asari.

TrashMan

Newcomer

TrashMan

Newcomer

200g2g pts

13 years ago

Mar 12, 2012, 7:35:02 AM

Okim wrote:
Sexy telepathic space chicks with pale/light blue skin

Seriously - Alkari, Silicoids, Sakkra and Mrrshan are my favorites. Alkari being the only race i play in MOO2 for the last... 4 years. Wow.

Blue space chicks eh?

Guess I'm dull adn unimaginitive. I play humans. Always.

Nightraid

Founder

Nightraid

Founder

13 years ago

Mar 12, 2012, 7:47:52 AM

I can see why some people would play humans. They're certainly easier to relate to than a alien species with completely different values. However, one of the reasons why I like playing exotic alien species is because they are different, both physically, mentally and socially. It's both a pleaseant challenge to roleplay and an interesting break from the usual.

Hmmm, i wonder if you're gonna be able to play a plant- like or fungal race.

Okim

Newcomer

Okim

Newcomer

1 100g2g pts

13 years ago

Mar 12, 2012, 8:12:48 AM

Yeah! Give me a Supox Gardendom (or whatever those planties could call their society?)! Ascendancy had a nice treefolk race that liked to be left alone and somehow could block the warp points. I thinks that the same treefolk can be found in Armada 2526...

Nightraid

Founder

Nightraid

Founder

13 years ago

Mar 12, 2012, 9:24:15 AM

Something like that. Armada 2526 had the Walden Forest, a Gestalt race of mostly sedentary intelligent tree-like creatures and smaller ape- or squirrel- like critters that acted as their hands. They were peaceful and treasured all life equally, meaning that you actually lost points for engaging in combat with other races.