Imagine you're being chased and your only option is to drive into this really bad storm, like a The Perfect Storm with 50-100 foot waves where you have to steer your ship carefully into the waves and angle your sails to survive and must repair and/or bail much more and really work hard to survive the storm! I think the current storms are fun but they could be a lot more exciting!
Really bad storms!
More dynamic and varied storms would, in my opinion, add so much to this game. The one glaring issue that has been stated in a few different ways is that is would need to be handled very carefully as to not drive new players away due to the difficulty of them being possibly subjected to one or more of these storms just starting out playing this game. This potentially be on par with a new player being steamrolled by a skilled veteran crew or solo fresh out of port or just sailing for the very first time. I simply see no way to ensure that a very player doesn't get savaged by an overwhelming mechanic especially if done in a way where it would be seen as there was not (or would be no way in the future either) a way to survive or overcome the challenge.
This is a thorny issue indeed as again I believe that great storms would add so much to the games' atmosphere as well as excitement.
What could be interesting would be to give the existing Storm different intensities based on some context.
The simplest option would be to have this context be Region based. So you would have something like this:
Shores of Plenty = Weak Storm (Behaves like the outskirts of current Storm all the way through it - no damage from sailing, no messing with the wheel, no lightning threat, mostly just rain that fills Ships a bit)
Ancient Isles = Moderate Storm (Same as current Storm)
The Wilds = Strong Storm (Behaves like the center of the current Storm even at the outskirts - damage from sailing, wheel gets messed with, lightning threat)
From here, we could then add a fourth intensity to add some spice to things.
Tropical Storm = at various points the Storm can upgrade to a Tropical Storm, gives a notification similar to Fort of Fortune with a loud gust of wind heard all over the server, it could also be visible on the Map at this time with a little Hurricane type Icon that is large and Red, it can exist in this state in any Region and it makes the Storm even more intense than even the upgraded version in The Wilds with more frequent Ship damage (and maybe Damage to Masts/Capstan/Helm) and more impact on sailing due to more intense waves, and maybe can even harm an Anchored Ship. After a time it would cool down and go back to the normal Storm that is region intensity based.
This is essentially a learnable system through experience, and the real danger is hallmarked clearly so that new players don't get taken completely off guard as often.
That seems like a really simplistic way to make the Storm feel a bit more dynamic and interesting.
@ix-indi-xi They could make it so that you can clearly see the storm. It would be like an event. If you want to ride into it you can or not and you sail around it.
I simply see no way to ensure that a very player doesn't get savaged by an overwhelming mechanic especially if done in a way where it would be seen as there was not (or would be no way in the future either) a way to survive or overcome the challenge.
I honestly think the first time a new player gets wrecked in a storm it wouldn't be that bad. I mean we a talking about a game where people wait for you to finish a FoF and then gank you... I wouldn't feel as bad dying to a storm that you can clearly see from a mile away than being rob and possibly also insulted lol. Also you could probably come back for your loot as the storm passes unlike an enemy pirate who wouldn't be so generous.
They could also make the storms stationary so that you could easily avoid them if you don't want to to enter them like an event.
Those are good ideas. It would help to smooth out the experience some to make it more manageable for especially new players.
@jobaveyjones thanks, I believe I have suggested it before, cause this topic does come up every now and then, and it does seem like the most straightforward approach to the concept. It would add a little bit more dynamics to the whole system without veering into more complex approaches. And it is usually best with this game to lean closer to the "K.I.S.S." method when considering how to broach something for addition to the world. But, one could argue the completely static Storm we have now might be leaning a little too simplistic at the potential sacrifice of compelling gameplay options.
@redeyesith said in Really bad storms!:
@jobaveyjones thanks, I believe I have suggested it before, cause this topic does come up every now and then, and it does seem like the most straightforward approach to the concept. It would add a little bit more dynamics to the whole system without veering into more complex approaches. And it is usually best with this game to lean closer to the "K.I.S.S." method when considering how to broach something for addition to the world. But, one could argue the completely static Storm we have now might be leaning a little too simplistic at the potential sacrifice of compelling gameplay options.
Could always add some sort of encounter inside the storm(s) or treasures also maybe ?
i am the only one that hates so much the storm? for me it has to be removed.
In the old cinematic italian culture exist a Guy, the mr. Fantozzi that in his life he got a lot of bad luck and one of the things that in his life happened to him was the "Fantozzi's cloud". basically it was a little cloud that rains all over his head, but only on him. not matter if the day was a sunny one or he was inside some building. this little cloud rains all over him, constantly... well the storm is my "Fantozzi's cloud": there's no a session without she comes for me, at least 3 times
@jobaveyjones I do wish there was an element of skill based ability to traverse and navigate a storm
@jobaveyjones why not just have a random direction generator so when you enter a storm it will spin you randomly making it tougher to navigate and battle chaotic
I've voiced my opinion about the storm before: Mostly hitting the Outpost way too regularly. But I love the idea.....any ideas....that give the storms more oomph and strategic options. When I first started playing, losing sight of a ship in a storm was pretty easy. Loosing sight of a sloop in the high swells too. Seems now things have been pulled back and trying to use a storm to escape just isn't worth it. So yes, to different classes of storms. 100%. I even like a storm being so angry you are forced to drop anchor near an island and ride it out. I like the idea of a storm being so angry, I can run quests on an island knowing that I'm relatively safe for a while because no one would weather the storm to get to said island.
why not just have a random direction generator so when you enter a storm it will spin you randomly making it tougher to navigate and battle chaotic
Yes! Great idea!
I even like a storm being so angry you are forced to drop anchor near an island and ride it out. I like the idea of a storm being so angry, I can run quests on an island knowing that I'm relatively safe for a while because no one would weather the storm to get to said island.
Aye!
Lol that's funny I feel like a rarely ever encounter storms! I want some Pirates of the Caribbean moments where people a screaming and running around and we barely survive by the sink of our teeth!
Another element of difficulty would be if the waves crashed down on the boat and you weren't "holding on" to something (adjusting the sails or using cannon) or below deck you would get swept off the ship! If they really wanted to go for realism they could make your player move slower going against the wind and faster with it like when you're outside on a really windy day. Which would increase your chances of falling off and not being there for a min to help steer/repair etc. I mean can you guys imagine the epic battles that could happen in these crazy storms!?
Could always add some sort of encounter inside the storm(s) or treasures also maybe ?
Yes I was thinking something like a whirlpool or something in the middle with a normal amount of treasure PLUS all the loot from the ships that have sank in the storm!!! So there would be motivation to enter the storm in the first place and motivation to follow someone and try to sink them! Guys this is great stuff!!
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