Yeah, Im not fussed when it comes out, I dont mind waiting at all, in fact I think a delay in UGC is worth it because the concepts alone for the in-game content from the devs is inspiring because the quality and character is stunning.
Poll - UGC / Custom Content
- Thread starter Mr Deuce
- Start date
Yeah, Im not fussed when it comes out, I dont mind waiting at all, in fact I think a delay in UGC is worth it because the concepts alone for the in-game content from the devs is inspiring because the quality and character is stunning.
This way we can get used to the ingame possibilities and get the hang of that sharing system Frontier is working on. I think that we all can keep ourselfs occupied with that for a while.
How regular would you like them to be? If Frontier can churn out an expansion per calendar year would that be regular enough? That's what they're attempting with Elite: Dangerous (though not particularly successfully this year as there are already delays).
There are still potentially 9 months of development time for the game before release, so it's not out of the question that they would decide to use that time to implement the tools necessary for full-blown UGC / modding support. I don't think they will, as they'll already be on a pretty tight schedule. Just saying that it *could* be done.
Yeah of course, I have full faith in Frontier's ability to design and bring character into the game.
I think people seem to thing that's either or one thing or the other, when really everything should be working in tandem. People are willing to spend money on expansion, if they're outstanding and go beyond the usual thematics. But what we need to think about is, what happens in between expansions. I guess some people close the game and don't play it, until maybe a week before the expansions (a la Sim City 2013). But, if UGC does come (which I don't doubt tbh), it will fill the gaps and keep players in the game.
In our community, we play Tabletop Simulator most weekends, we have our main games, but what keeps those games becoming boring is UGC, we're always finding new stuff that the original devs didn't think of. When we play Cards Against Humanity, we use the usual decks and expansions, but those cards get boring after a while to, so in order to keep it fresh, we upload our own community cards, things that have happened over the time we've not played. It just adds more time to play and excitement.
Also what I think is important here too, is that UGC allows someone (especially hardcore players/designers) to personalise their parks in anyway they seem fit and that is pretty important because the last thing you want to do is shun the hardcore playerbase, these people are YouTubers, Designers, Bloggers, Reviews, Employers in gaming industries and their voices carry a lot of weight, which could also make or break a games reputation.
I do have faith that Frontier will come through with it, we know it's not coming at launch, I don't think anyone has a problem with that. UGC is important than what most people think, not just about longevity or personality, but from a business stand point in 2016's social and online free-press-voices, it's crucial.
It's very subjective when it comes to release time for new content. Gamers these days are used to patch notes and patches every few weeks. To me a year does sound a long time, but that also would depend on what the content is.
If we break it down into the parts that could come:
Standard Theming
Mechanics
Campaigns
Transport
Maps
Standard themes could be pretty easy to implement, re-skinning existing framework and structures etc about 6-12 month.
Mechanics - Something like Social Media expansions that allow the gameplay of the simulation to change, that could be a year-2 years, almost like an OS upgrade in a way.
Campaigns - Another thing that could be every 6-12 month or less, It's just set a variables that need to be completed and added.
Transport/Water/Hotels - These kinda things are once in a games generation, those I don't mind being when they're ready, they fundamentally change how you look at your parks.
Maps - These things depending on how they integrate with Campaigns and the Mechanics changes, if any. So again another 6-12 month.
To me, after spending a month with the initial release, I would start to slow down with playing it. If I think about how I was with Sim City, after 3 months I'd forgotten about it, the odd time I'd go back and start a new,,after a long while of waiting, they released the Future Expansion, I played it again for a few days, but then stop again after that.
I don't want Planet Coaster to be that, not because Sim City was bad, I actually quite enjoy it, even now. But It does go stale.
At least if the userbase is creating (and its important to keep creators engaged and inspired), then it keeps people in game, going back and messing, starting new because a new style of something has the internet talking (as sometimes these things make news and get people back in the game - GTA V for example, always something on IGN about user made stuff, same with Goat Simulator, free press brings in money, if the word is good).
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I'm not complaining about longevity, I'm using my experience as someone whose been around the gaming community for a long time, to provide examples of what happens to games if there is no UGC.
Comments like this is just sparking animosity.
Joël
Volunteer Moderator
I did not mean to say who is and who isn't in the majority. It indeed is all relative, depending on other factors that are present. And it can be a personal thing too.
UGC (external, out of the box) can be considered as a key feature, it can be considered as a dealbreaker, it can; it doesn't have to, it depend on ones personal preference.
I can say a large group of people find external UGC very important as a key feature in Planet Coaster, but yes, the actual size of that group is relative.
I can also see UGC is a point that causes friction among forum users, including myself. I do not want friction, so I will try to leave the UGC discussion as it goes.
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Wobbly, from me a big Thank you!!! as well. [up] Very well said.
+1 again. As a designer player, I really need the UGC! [heart] Just look at RCT3, who is playing now without UGC. Just take a look on shuyguy world forum to see all the projects with UGC! [yesnod] We need UGC and i think that Frontier understand that... The poll resume very well that need to! [yesnod] Sorry for my bad english but I from Belgium....
RCTW and Planet Coaster have taken two different routes to this. One offers any 3d model to be imported in the game, while the other gives us all the in game pieces needed to create almost anything we want. Right now, I think Planet Coaster is doing better at this because the people who don't make custom content will not have to rely on others to make good quality models for the game. While the UGC way technically has unlimited options, the way Planet Coaster is doing this ensures that everything in the game will be high quality and will be usable by all. It is a little bit of a bummer for the people who do create 3d models because they can't import their stuff in the game. But as many others have said, I think people will not care as much after they play the game and realize how flexible the current system is.
Looking at it from different positions of course, however, I know exactly what you mean.
I am not against UGC one bit, it would be a bit contradictory if I was... clicky
I just simply adore what Frontier are doing that I really don't want them to stop and work on something else, and water down their vision down in any way (at this early stage).
On reading some of the posts in this thread I would feel my heart pumping...
Just goes to show the diverse and passionate group we have here, and there's nothing wrong with that [happy]
Thats all.
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Voted!
Can I ask why you think that they'd stop and work on something else? Why would it be watered down?
Gaming companies have many departments, all working on different things. Not just building the base model, but in the creative and future development too, which includes new features (UGC mode). Starting work on a new feature doesn't stop anything that is already going on because time and funds would have already been allocated to the creative, development and expansion department anyway.
Nothing will be watered down, simply because the UGC that people make is optional for other uses to use, It's not mandatory. If you see something that looks like crap, don't add it to your park. On the other side of this, something amazing that a user has created, could potentially start off a new theme with the companies IP, leading to potentially more sales of the base game.
I'm sorry to say, but there is a lot of misinformation from people that do not know how the industry works, It's pure speculation made into facts. The truth is, Frontier know how important UGC is, It will come, not yet, but in time, which is fine. The reason for it coming, is because UGC is a money maker, It's free ad revenue, It's a proven model that works because it creates interest in the original product, which ultimately is where their revenue will come from.
Thanks Wobbly, and I wholeheartedly agree with you. My previous post was about my own personal (unfounded) fears and concerns, nothing more...
Logic can fly out of the window when passion takes over... (in more ways than one ha!)
Ha, yeah you're not wrong [hehe]
I dont want to talk about custom content again but, I just found a letter from a anonymous fan (with a nickname beginning with "a" and ending with "ngelis")
Here is what he says :
[IMPORTANT MESSAGE]
Dear Frontier,
I would like to say that UGC/Modding Support is confirmed post release, which is a great, but now, you need to give priority to this feature !!!
Because "UGC in the box" is cool, but can be quickly boring without personal 3D models, textures, music, sounds, etc... after a few weeks (maybe months) ...
Just a tip from a huge fan
Thank you.
I would not give my opinion on what he says, but I had to pass the information. [yesnod]
Here is what he says :
[IMPORTANT MESSAGE]
Dear Frontier,
I would like to say that UGC/Modding Support is confirmed post release, which is a great, but now, you need to give priority to this feature !!!
Because "UGC in the box" is cool, but can be quickly boring without personal 3D models, textures, music, sounds, etc... after a few weeks (maybe months) ...
Just a tip from a huge fan
Thank you.
I would not give my opinion on what he says, but I had to pass the information. [yesnod]
I think it is easy to understand why people want UGC.
Planet Coaster's scenery, theming and terrain editors are all very powerful already. But people WILL want to be able to create their own truly unique creations.
Also it cannot be ignored that, while clearly an inferior game, RCTW has boasted both UGC and Steam Workshop integration.
The advantages are clear. increased opportunity for customisation which will lead to the trailblazers of the community to be able to create truly stunning rides and parks. We saw it back in the days of RCT3 and I would love to see it for Planet Coaster. Using Steam Workshop or a similar integrated system would allow for user reviews which would allow the cream to rise to the top much like has occurred with Cities: Skylines. UGC has also been a huge boon for games like XCom Enemy Unknown/Enemy Within which had huge longevity added to the game thanks to its modding community. A fact that was embraced when they recently released the sequel with Steam Workshop integration and mods available right from launch.
I am not saying it is a must for the game at launch. But I think Frontier would do well to note how much life modding has given to these community driven games.
Planet Coaster's scenery, theming and terrain editors are all very powerful already. But people WILL want to be able to create their own truly unique creations.
Also it cannot be ignored that, while clearly an inferior game, RCTW has boasted both UGC and Steam Workshop integration.
The advantages are clear. increased opportunity for customisation which will lead to the trailblazers of the community to be able to create truly stunning rides and parks. We saw it back in the days of RCT3 and I would love to see it for Planet Coaster. Using Steam Workshop or a similar integrated system would allow for user reviews which would allow the cream to rise to the top much like has occurred with Cities: Skylines. UGC has also been a huge boon for games like XCom Enemy Unknown/Enemy Within which had huge longevity added to the game thanks to its modding community. A fact that was embraced when they recently released the sequel with Steam Workshop integration and mods available right from launch.
I am not saying it is a must for the game at launch. But I think Frontier would do well to note how much life modding has given to these community driven games.
You guys are forgetting something. We modders don't need permission or support. Sure it would be handy, but back in the days modders went to the level of bytes and bits to mod stuff. I actually miss those days, digging in libraries and reverse engineering fileformats. So even if they never add support, I might still mod the ❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎ out of this game.
People can already do some pretty ridiculous stuff with the limited objects the current alpha has. Adding more props and assets combined with the blueprint and online sharing feature is going to be awesome. Thus, I have absolutely no problem with modding support not being here at launch.
Provided that.
1. Frontier confirm that extensive modding support will be a big focus for an update after launch.
2. Frontier build the tools needed (importer, documentation, UGC planning bible, API/SDK etc) for people to take full advantage of the feature.
3. Frontier either use the in-built online infrastructure for hosting and maintaining modded content, or lets users download and install from other sources without DRM gating.
4. Frontier decide to do this as passionately and seriously as we have seen with other aspects in the game so far.
Contrary to popular belief, a PC game in 2016 can both have extensive modding support AND a good post-release monetization record. Community goodwill and developer support after launch pays dividends, fast (there are a lot of examples for that in the industry). Also, modders can and will do what they can to make a game better, but formal support from the developer is what is going to make the game spectacular.
There is a lot to learn for making UGC and modding a game, from proper UV maps to making LODs and optimizing your models/textures/maps/animations so that the game performance does not suffer, and from having an easy to use and powerful API to being able to understand why something you made does not work properly, and how you can reach the amount of detail and quality the official content has.
A lot of developers seem lately to merely slap-on a steam workshop skeleton, make a mod file directory and let the game implode from people that do not or cannot do what is needed to keep their mods both compatible and optimized.
So, Frontier, your help and your support is needed. Trust me when I say this, If you do the community good, the community will return the favor in hard cash, name/brand recognition, free marketing and advertising. In tenfold.
So, we need your unequivocal and undivided commitment that you will do this part of the game justice, and will do it properly. You don't need to do it as timely as some have mentioned. We need to know though that you will do it. And we need to know now.
just my 2c..<3
Provided that.
1. Frontier confirm that extensive modding support will be a big focus for an update after launch.
2. Frontier build the tools needed (importer, documentation, UGC planning bible, API/SDK etc) for people to take full advantage of the feature.
3. Frontier either use the in-built online infrastructure for hosting and maintaining modded content, or lets users download and install from other sources without DRM gating.
4. Frontier decide to do this as passionately and seriously as we have seen with other aspects in the game so far.
Contrary to popular belief, a PC game in 2016 can both have extensive modding support AND a good post-release monetization record. Community goodwill and developer support after launch pays dividends, fast (there are a lot of examples for that in the industry). Also, modders can and will do what they can to make a game better, but formal support from the developer is what is going to make the game spectacular.
There is a lot to learn for making UGC and modding a game, from proper UV maps to making LODs and optimizing your models/textures/maps/animations so that the game performance does not suffer, and from having an easy to use and powerful API to being able to understand why something you made does not work properly, and how you can reach the amount of detail and quality the official content has.
A lot of developers seem lately to merely slap-on a steam workshop skeleton, make a mod file directory and let the game implode from people that do not or cannot do what is needed to keep their mods both compatible and optimized.
So, Frontier, your help and your support is needed. Trust me when I say this, If you do the community good, the community will return the favor in hard cash, name/brand recognition, free marketing and advertising. In tenfold.
So, we need your unequivocal and undivided commitment that you will do this part of the game justice, and will do it properly. You don't need to do it as timely as some have mentioned. We need to know though that you will do it. And we need to know now.
just my 2c..<3
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