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XCOMUFO & Xenocide

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NKF

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Here's an idea from my own private project that I thought I'd share.

 

I recall playing Ultima 8 a long time ago. Its savegame interface made it look like a diary of sorts where you could record your adventure in prose. I thought this was a brilliant idea and was quickly disappointed when I found out that it was only a journal in look only. But it did get me thinking about something I'd really like to have in a computer game.

 

A little in-game notebook that you can open up, jot notes down, perhaps some minimal organisation tools (sorting, custom topic tab titles, etc), and the ability to export these notes into an external text file.

 

Sure, you can just grab a bit of paper and write everything down, or dedicate your ideas to memory. But it would still be convenient to be able to write down ideas, write a list of things to do for when you return to the game several months later, chronicle your entire game in prose, write a strategy guide while playing the game, etc. Perhaps even use it as a method to export in-game text like the game message log to an external file to fire off to the devs.

 

Except for coming up with the GUI, it's not ground shattering or so cutting edge that it cuts itself. Nothing that would be terribly difficult to implement. But would it be useful? Any thoughts? Am I mad? Have a think about it anyway.

 

- NKF

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Commander's log: Boobs. Heheh.

 

Such a feature might be useful for testing purposes. Being able to log what's happening in the game could end up being a great way to provide input. But I don't see it having much use in the game. X-COM is not like those adventure games where you're barraged with places, dates, and passwords which mean life or death for your character. Pretty much everything you need to know is always available on one screen or another. IMO, it's not as though there is a point in the game where the options become too great for the player to keep track of.

 

This brings up the idea of some flavor text from the Commander's point of view. It would be interesting to know a little more about what's going on beside the hotseat.

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Well, I suppose it might not that be useful for a player who has played the game for a while and knows all the ins and outs. But for a first time player, you could possibly imagine notes like "Sloshtoids. Get weaker when exposed to loud noises and sunlight?", "Reminder: Something seems to be happening near the South Pole - need to buy longer range ships", "Lasers can reflect off mirrors!" , etc. Oh and inane banter if that takes your fancy.

 

It's one of those limited scope ideas that has its uses.

 

- NKF

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