Hi... and something of a [proposal]

[SpinBlade]

Thanks, everyone, for the welcomes and thoughts.

Yeah, it's the kind of thing that puts people squarely in camps. So, to me, it wouldn't be skin off anyone's nose to have visibility of the avatar be an option switch and would make both camps happy. That would be nice: happy campers.

And/or (but preferably and), some level of customization would be nice. Being able to choose even just the colors of the suit and gloves, the fabric, and the weight of the avatar -- how 'thin or fat' it is, etc. would be an interesting experience. On your first play, loading up an option screen like that and being able to choose how you're going to look, even to a small degree, would trigger a personal engagement that would contribute something to immersion. I'd also imagine that female players (I've heard there are such things) would be appreciative of having something that's more anatomically in their ballpark to look down at than some dude's chest.

Additionally, an upgrade path of some sort for the suit would also make it a more immersive (yup, that's twice so far, jabokai ) element by making it a more integral and living gameplay component than just this graphical object that's only there because looking at an empty seat is weird to some. Suits can maybe take wear and tear over time and you have to purchase a new one every so often to prevent, I don't know, let's say G-force pressurization issues or breathing-gear equalization issues. Higher quality, more expensive suits can last longer, with top of the range suits lasting months or years. When the land and disembark expansion arrives, disembarking on certain types of planets with exotic atmospheres will require a specific type of suit only available at certain stations/shipyards or the like, and you're a goner if you disembark with just a normal suit.

To me, that level of personalization and narrative-generating gameplay will help make this avatar thing perhaps a bit more immersive (that's 3 ), and not something that, like Isinona says, dates the game and distances you from this unchanging figure that's supposed to be you.

Thanks, everyone, for your thoughts.

And just for jabokai, here's a 4x4 grid of immersion :

immersion immersion immersion immersion
immersion immersion immersion immersion
immersion immersion immersion immersion
immersion immersion immersion immersion

 

[Dejay]

Welcome SpinBlade

I love that they added an avatar. Imagine looking over to your wingman and his avatar looks back and waves I hate it in 3rd person games that you can't see your feet or legs when kneeling, or you don't cast a shadow. It's probably VERY important for VR on the oculus rift. But it's hard to get right so your view isn't blocked and your avatar doesn't look strange.

I hope they add customization so you can have different body sizes and suits.

 

[Ayo]

I guess I kind of assumed that there would be customization of your avatar based on the fact that we know there will be a female version and we know that there are different clothes that have been concepted (Is that even a word?)

 

[Razorwire]

I think you mean 'conceptified'

 

[SpinBlade]

'conceiveded'

 

[Ayo]

I think you mean 'conceptified'

Exactly, thankyou It's been conceptificated, so the real question is how much customization we will get at launch.

 

[SpinBlade]

Exactly, thankyou It's been conceptificated, so the real question is how much customization we will get at launch.

Hopefully they've concepturalated boatloads of customization, like Skyrim level customization.

But seriously, some level of customization will be really helpful. Being able to buy a different suit or different gloves whenever you like/can afford would also be interesting.

 

[Herik]

Hopefully they've concepturalated boatloads of customization, like Skyrim level customization.

But seriously, some level of customization will be really helpful. Being able to buy a different suit or different gloves whenever you like/can afford would also be interesting.

Customization would come but not till the 'expansions'. I don't think avatar development should interfere with the 'Core' Elite launch release.:S

 

[Winterwalker]

Hopefully they've concepturalated boatloads of customization, like Skyrim level customization.

But seriously, some level of customization will be really helpful. Being able to buy a different suit or different gloves whenever you like/can afford would also be interesting.

Again, it would break ~ and I use the word advisedly ~ immersion, to know that your avatar is inevitably exactly the same as everyone else?

Simple to concepticate I think; a 265 choice of colour on some of the piping (trim), achieves glove/ body customisation?

 

[metanoia]

I've been playing the alpha since the avatar has been added and I can honestly say I've not even seen it yet, I don't look down at my lap damn it, I've got a spaceship to fly, those asteroids aren't going to just get out of my way.

 

[baddog]

Being able to buy a different suit or different gloves whenever you like/can afford would also be interesting.

Making your own clothing, avatar shape and skin would be nice too, as you are able to do in Second Life.

Perhaps after we get planetary landings they could think of doing this. Strange mixed race human/alien creatures emerging from space ships and interacting with you might be rather fun.

There is open source code around that might help too (like OpenSim).

 

[Cosmo Bozo]

Customization would come but not till the 'expansions'. I don't think avatar development should interfere with the 'Core' Elite launch release.:S

I'd like to think there will be at least some customization at launch, it would be weird to suddenly have to create the character you have already been playing with for months. Especially if that involves a sex change or a change of body shape(if that is included).

 

[Ceeege]

Personally I don't notice the avatar when flying - it doesn't really bother me

BUT...

What if you want to roleplay being a blue slimy frog? Or you are in a system populated by the blighters? If you get close enough to a pirate there will the avatar in the cockpit be an astute azure amphibian or just another human model?

Another one for the true immersion hunters to ponder over

 

[Dejay]

I want to look like this:

And I'd be sinning "Yo Way Yo, Home Va-Ray, Yo Ay-Rah, Jerhume Brunnen-G!" all day.