Vote On What I Do Next

[Abbysynth]

So with the Predator rewrite nearing completion (hope y'all like them a little more now, not hearing as much salt anyhow..), I've got a few other things that have been half, partially, or not at all completed on the back burner.

1. Xenomorph update. This will be a big one. This involves a veterancy and upgrade system for xenos that allow you to upgrade and customize your caste, including stuff like new sprites, new overlays, lots of new abilities, and cosmetic stuff like nicknames, scars and exoskeleton color patterns. The framework for this is already done, but not yet used anywhere in the game. It will likely be the last major xeno update.

2. Projectile rewrite. This is a complicated one, but not very time consuming. Essentially it would involve ripping out the entire convoluted, 10 year old Bay projectile code that we all know and hate, and rewriting it to a more modern pixel projectile system that doesn't consume 5% as much CPU and memory overhead. Our current projectiles are absolutely horrifying in terms of what they do to the server; bullets and shell casings along probably account for a scary percentage of our total CPU cycles. This would mostly involve much smoother, more realistic and intuitive projectile pathing as well as more customizable options for ammo, guns, and full integration of weapon attachables to allow for things like mounted grenade launchers or flamethrowers.

3. Efficiency rewrite. Hooboy, this is a doozy. As we all know we are limited by our version of Bay, pre-license, which gives us a lot more freedom in what we can do with our code (and means I don't have anyone picking through my worthless notes) but it's also an inefficient monstrosity. An optimization rewrite could be both time consuming AND difficult, but would have significant payouts in terms of both future content and lack of server lag.


So, which would you guys prefer and why?

[RoswellRay]

Xeno in the hopes it'll balance them out a bit more,just watched 3 rounds where marines rushed the hive and slaughtered everything in under an hour.

[Peachy2912]

I reckon number #2 should get priority to improve the overall performance of the server (but only if its going to take a relatively short time) and then the Xenos should get some love.

[DernSquirrels^3]

I think you oughta get the easier stuff out of the way first. Projecticle rework first since you said it'll take the least amount of time, then the xeno update and the efficiency update.

[Wesmas]

I think the order you put there is best. Bring Xenos to a point where they are a bit stronger and a lot more enjoyable, because its frustrating most of the time.
Then move onto the projectiles, though that sounds like a sub-section of the efficiency code. Depends on the time though, if its not gonna be too long, I wont really object.

I think the efficiency work should be done in bits and bobs, because from doing that kinda thing with 200 lines in VB nearly drove me mad, I doubt you could only do efficiency and not end up in a straight jacket.

[Seehund]

Honestly, I'd say 2, 3 and 1 - in this order.
Yes, I spite xenomorphs, why do you ask?
I'd say smoothness takes priority over fancy new systems, despite how objectively cool they would be.

Not sure what else to say, really. If you say the projectile rework wouldn't take much time, it'd allow to move onto the general efficiency update and, once everything is working nice and smooth, give the xenomorphs some love.

[WyattH]

Projectile rewrite first.
Efficiency rewrite second.
Xenomorph update third.

Always good to have a strong efficient codebase upon which to build any future changes and improves overall player experience.

[Grypho]

Projectile rewrite takes the priority of course. Then the number #3. There is no hurry with new xeno stuff.

[Tub]

2->3->1 most likely. For the same reasons as WyattH.

[Sargeantmuffinman]

Same as above with the 2,3,1 since we need the lag to go away.

Okay we need the lag to go so 3,2,1.

[Biolock]

Also agree with 2 > 3 > 1

It'd make sense to get the more imperative stuff out of the way, and clean up the systems before incorporating a new moving part.

[Disco Dalek]

I'm going to have to say 2,3,1 as well. It seems better to get everything cleaned up before we add anything else.

EDIT: After thinking it over a bit more, I'm changing it to 2,1,3.

[Egorkor]

Projectile update goes first, not sure about the second one though. Xenos I guess, since the last one will be the hardest.

[Stivan34]

Definitely xenos first, Best idea. Do not buff marines before giving xenos some swag...

[Seehund]

Definitely xenos first, Best idea. Do not buff marines before giving xenos some swag...

If by buff you mean, less lag for everybody and more predictable bullet patterns?

[Stivan34]

If by buff you mean, less lag for everybody and more predictable bullet patterns?

By buff i mean grenade launchers and flamethrowers attachable to a weapon.

[GGgobbleCC]

#1 is direly needed so people will actually play xenos for a change, marines don't need >another< buff

The complete and utter lack of anything on part of the dev team has shown nothing but massive incompetence on their part. On top of that reading through the thread the massive marine bias on part of the player base is compound is wanted with the projectile change, aka marine buff, aka alien nerf

Devs shouldn't ask what should be done, they should be able to look at the sorry state of balance on the server and know what needs to be done

[Feweh]

2-1-3

For obvious reasons you wouldnt do any optimization before before you patch in a major update like the Xenos.

[Fritigern]

2, 1, 3

Projectile update helps everyone, aliens and players alike.

Xeno update second because I think we need to have further discussion about how the aliens should be balanced in the first place, and this gives us a bit more time to have a dialogue (hopefully without the salt).

[Arachnidnexus]

231 or 213. Less awful and gamey bullet projectiles would be nice. Right now it's kinda dumb how you can abuse certain diagonals with rifles.

[aphotic]

1, then 2, then 3.

If projectile/efficiency updates weren't important enough to take priority over stuff like the marine research thing or updates to a white-listed race that very few players have access to, then they can wait a bit more while the xeno faction receives a desperately-needed overhaul.

[Edgelord]

I'd say 2 is best because it's quick and beneficial. But after that perhaps 1 would get more people playing xeno.

[MikeHdez97]

2,3, and 1
the server needs a better system because the last days we have been dealing with a high amount of lag and the first two options will help both sides

[Adjective]

1 > 2 > 3 People need to realize Xenomorph players have been waiting long enough and asking desperately for changes. Guns are easy and simple to change around, it can follow quickly after Xeno changes.

Anyone that suggests the efficiency changes as a priority before gun or Xeno changes should realize this will take months at a minimum, whereas the Gun and Xeno updates can take up to a few weeks if the staff are synced on the project.

[Azmodan412]

1 > 3 > 2.