It appears that Ubi underestimates the value of their map editor. Perhaps they should consider selling off the intellectual property to a developer willing to do something worth while with the map editor and multiplayer.
Don't get me wrong, I understand the difficult decisions that often must be made in developing, I've spent the last 13 years (last 5 of which as a deputy program manager) in program management for military IT system, with annual budgets probably 3-10x the budget of Far Cry. So when the market, earnings reports, and stock holders give you an arbitrary date for delivery, I understand that you have to focus on your main money maker, the campaign, to the detriment of the MP map editor fans. Its business, I don't fault you for it.
But I still cant help but think you have severally undervalued your MP map editor. Perhaps my experience is anecdotal, but my group of friends were drawn into FC (Instincts) because of the map editor. It was what separated FC from the pack. We stuck with it from the high water mark of Predator, through the subsequent improvements of the editor, but significant degradation of the multiplayer. We loved the map editor so much that we foolishly pre-ordered FC4, despite the epic failure of FC3.
Ubi, you must act soon, sell off the IP while it still has value. Or as a minimum, spin it off under another Ubi team if you must. Heck, if need be make it a B title, we've proven we'd play it without great MP mechanics. But I cant help but think that you have a stand alone title in your map editor and a reasonable multiplayer.
And I also understand to absolute need to make a solid return. Not only can you get that return is selling off the IP, you could turn a quick dime with minimal effort on your own spin-off dedicated to MP and the map editor. Not to mention the potential for micro-purchases related to map making. Yea I said it. Pick my pocket $2.99 a pop if that what it takes to make it feasible,
Originally Posted by legacyzero Go to original post
You do realize there are TONS of free SDKs to make maps with on the PC right..? Consoles are really the only ones feeling the blow here. Granted, most SDKs are more complicated than FCs, but not terribly difficult to learn. Cryengine is fairly similar and you can even download community made assets to make maps with.
It's the simplicity that makes it appealing. I dont have the know-how to do those things.Originally Posted by AnEastonfection Go to original post
weve been talking about this for years at battlemap.Originally Posted by legacyzero Go to original post
We laid out a whole game concept based on this.
NO sp at all, just a fc style ige thats easy and intuitive, a variety of asset to start off with to fit a few themes, and later DLC themed asset packs that include added texture and tools to the ige if needed.
For example, a sci-fi DLC would have all sci fi assets and AI, moon/planet textures, laser weapons, maybe a crater tool, gravity modifier etc.
Or a Wild west DLC, with western AI, 6 shooters, desert textures and foliage and sounds etc...
And a simple dedicated lobby system that the host can playlist maps like in fc2.
Thats all we really need....
Im mean it wouldnt cost ubi anything to just make this if they wanted to,,,no story actors etc. use existing tech etc. a couple months they could bang it out and make a killing.
I dont know if you're all forgetting. But Ubi tried this already. It's called shootmania... and nobody bought it. There just isn't a market for it on PC. PC players have always been able to make their own content for free, so selling it to us isn't going to work. I hate to say it PC people. but you're gonna have to learn to use another SDK. Console players, theres always project spark or LBP....
Lets be honest... FC gameplay has always been crap too. Unless you like slow, clunky shooters. Point being, there are options for us on PC. You just have to get out of your comfort zone.
We should all be rejoicing at the fact that we dont have to buy another game that isnt going to support the very feature we all buy it for. $60 in my pocket and Steam sales approaching.