Suggestion: Allow alts to 'hang out' in SG base

[chigiabelo]

If you have multiple alts in the same SG, then while you are playing one, I think it would be nice for the others to be able to hang out in your base so that when you go into your base, you can see them doing something, possibly interacting with each other. So if an alt is parked near a bookcase, he/she could be reading a book. Or if two alts are parked near a conference table, they might be sitting down conversing with each other or other sg members' alts. Maybe arm wrestling or involved in mock combat.

[klokwerkaos]

I like the idea, but I see technical problems with it.

 

Many many base builders are building with clipped walls and that presents huge issues for any AI, like, with pathing and collission and pretty much all the problems.  Static statue imports might be doable, but that's a big ask for custom imports for all players like that when it's a completely free game.  Additionally can create issues with clutter and rending for busy super group hideouts, particularly ones with lots of custom effects layered in.

[WanderingAries]

Very cool idea, very not easy to implement as it would require that the base be constantly active. IE: It would most likely ADD to the active server load. From what I understand, bases are quite large and this would probably be a drain on server resources.

[chigiabelo]

I'm not sure that the server resources need to be taxed as the servers only need to know that the alts are in the base and the exact locations where they are, which they keep track of wherever in the game world these toons are anyway. The rest could be handled client side.

[intussusceptor]

I like the idea. They don't have to be actively moving around or something, just do an emote/mov of your choice.

[EggKookoo]

Very cool idea, very not easy to implement as it would require that the base be constantly active. IE: It would most likely ADD to the active server load. From what I understand, bases are quite large and this would probably be a drain on server resources.

 

It's not like the alts would need to "be there" when no one's in the base. So really they're just more furniture for when someone is. I don't see how it would add to server load. The obstacles are probably more code-based.

 

I like the idea, it sounds like fun.

[_NOPE_]

+1

[Coyotedancer]

Might be something to suggest as a potential "NPC Object" reskin.

 

Things like the party-goers and lab tecs and animals that can currently be placed in bases don't have to patrol around... They just stay in place doing their particular emote. I'm not sure how something as specific as an alts costume file could be attacked to those objects, but that's probably a little closer to something that could actually be done than having them patrolling around.

[Catgoyle]

Might be something to suggest as a potential "NPC Object" reskin.

 

Things like the party-goers and lab tecs and animals that can currently be placed in bases don't have to patrol around... They just stay in place doing their particular emote. I'm not sure how something as specific as an alts costume file could be attacked to those objects, but that's probably a little closer to something that could actually be done than having them patrolling around.

Might be a bit odd seeing myself, I think that mission fighting a clone gave me PTSD :P

But maybe they can apply whatever "magic" that made the clone to a placeable NPC...

 

[Zep]

I like the idea - a lot.

 

A good sized SG could have hundreds or thousands of alts. Prob want to limit how many can be in the base at once. Set routines of generic figures coming and going and reskin client side would fix that. I would be neat to see myself (my other self) is active patrolling when not actively being played.

[OEM61]

They have something similar in SW:TOR.

 

If memory serves, in that game the characters are just holograms, but you can decorate your stronghold with NPCs that just stand around in their place.

 

I would approach this the same way.

The characters do not move around, they just hang out wherever you place them, just like a chair or a desk.

 

So in the base decorator a new category of "Group Members", and then whoever is decorating would have the team roster to choose from in their 0 costume.

 

Captain Amazing can stand over there by the workbench, Dr. Awesome is at the salvage rack, and Miss Mayhem and Robo-Riot are in the teleporter room.

 

That sort of thing.

If they could further add an emote action to the decoration even better.  Captain Amazing can look like he is actually working on something, Dr. Awesome might look like he is taking inventory or looking for something in particular, and Miss Mayhem and Robo-Riot could be talking or dancing with each other or whatever.

 

The big trick would be to have the decorations disappear if the character is logged in, or certainly if they enter the base.

Because while it might be okay for Robo-Riot to be talking to Miss Mayhem in the base while the two of them are actually online and running missions out in the world, it would not be okay at all for them to be in the base while their doppelgangers remain in the teleporter room.

 

[EggKookoo]

The big trick would be to have the decorations disappear if the character is logged in, or certainly if they enter the base.

Because while it might be okay for Robo-Riot to be talking to Miss Mayhem in the base while the two of them are actually online and running missions out in the world, it would not be okay at all for them to be in the base while their doppelgangers remain in the teleporter room.

 

In principle it should just come down to making them invisible and non-interactive/selectable (assuming they would be such when "present").