Hellscrag wrote:Hmph. I'd have to give that some thought, as to do that would be to finally say goodbye to any aspirations we might have had to make something distinct out of BfNP, including its interesting story - no small decision. I do, however, share your concerns about the potential lack of initiative to do anything substantial with the BfNP content post-RD. I'd like to hear from more members of the BfNP team on this matter, if there are any around.
I was actually considering the preservation of the story
first when I made the suggestion, since that was always my favorite part of what we had going and a lot of the ideas we all decided on for BFNP's story (A Na Pali fifteen years after Unreal) were all taken into account with RD if you recall. Since continuity between the packs had been part of my agenda since some years back (as continuity with Firestorm be maintained as well), many elements of BFNP were taken into account when I conjured the Na Pali of RD, which shows a Na Pali many years after what happened in 7B and what was to happen in BFNP (the warring factions of Skaarj, in particular, are a big part of it). So in regards to RD, BFNP is
already accepted canon. I even kept this stuff in mind with that fan fiction I wrote.
The way I see it, if a smaller pack is made of the current maps that storyline will effectively need to be changed anyway. Possibly removed altogether, and rebooted.
Hellscrag wrote:Another thing to consider (I see you alluded to it) is the potential clash of themes. My icy town map is meant to be idyllic and is not laid out to function as a combat map (being the first map of the pack, before the serious events of the story kick off). The other maps, meanwhile, are very colourful and clasically Na Pali in theme, albeit a lot more detailed and not as derivative as those in Deja Vu. Are they compatible with the atmosphere you had intended for RD?
The reason why the Na Pali segment of RD needs the most work done after so many years is because I planned it as the most explorative segment of the game. The ice themes would be the biggest issue to deal with, given that's the one area (the climate) that is contrary to the continent explored in RD...but really only in regards to the level you made (the town). Climate can be dealt with, especially in terrain maps. As for the colorful/classy aspect of the BFNP maps...well that's just Na Pali. What makes this easier is the subleveling system in RD, and the nature of many of the completed or near completed maps of BFNP, where sprawling locales on and below Na Pali are present and easily integratable. Na Pali really is a flexible planet. Really, the odd map out is the icy town...but depending on what could be done with the weather situation (snow removed, replaced) it might work. If not, well,
maybe there's some other project me and you were working on that might be suitable, pending some private chatting
Really, this is a big decision. It takes into account a lot of content shared between alot of former members of Team USP, both present on the forum and otherwise. And I propose it only because I think it might be the best way to preserve some of the best aspects of what we tried to do with BFNP (it would actually mean more work for RD too, since I'd have to change some stuff around to accommodate the levels, but if you ask me this is would easily be worth it).