Lo-Fi Games

Hi everyone, I'm new to the forum (but I already bought Kenshi few days ago). I have a little question: I know that there won't be a multiplayer mode (not a massive one), but what about a co-op mode to play with a friend (possibly in LAN)? It could be nice to play the game with someone. What do you think?

It's a possibility. Some of us think multiplayer would be really awesome on this game.

The idea of a multiplayer mod was thrown around.
But when the project moves further along we'll be talking to chris about putting one in himself. ^_^

From experience with other games, I know that developers often have trouble optimizing multiplayer when advanced AI is put into the equation. I'd rather see Chris expand the possibilities for the game by developing the AI and modable backbone for the game. But of course ideally he would make it possible for modders to write their own multiplayer optimization and netcode to create a multiplayer mod, not sure how that would happen practically though... ^^

It should of course be more than possible, we've seen independent coders make Multiplayer for GTA: San Andreas (while GTA IV and Just Cause 2 MP are in the works).

This can be found under "Game Design" :
"Is it a MMORPG? Is it multiplayer?"

No, its single player only.

GTA IV has a LAN coop. I am a big LAN gamer (I love LAN! ) though I remember Chris saying there will be no multiplayer features. I believe that a multiplayer feature would have too many synchronization issues with all of the NPCs running around, which was the case for the Guild 2.I don't know how well Chris is with networking, so at the moment I don't think that Kenshi over Lan will be a feature. However, I do know that some indie games (minecraft, and many others ) has such a feature so it is possible, but Chris said that there will be no mulitplayer.

Scab wrote:I'd rather see Chris expand the possibilities for the game by developing the AI and modable backbone for the game. But of course ideally he would make it possible for modders to write their own multiplayer optimization and netcode to create a multiplayer mod, not sure how that would happen practically though... ^^

Seconded. I don't really care if there is going to be a multiplayer mode or not, but if there is, it should be something that's either done by modders or after the singleplayer is finished.

Designing the multiplayer synchronization and netcode for this game when it's done is gonna be hell, it's something nobody should have to go through alone and the easiest way to get a lot of coders/programmers into it would probably be by doing it open source somehow.

Examples such as Victoria 2 and The Guild 2 show us how NOT to write netcode and multiplayer synchronization. Suffice to say the developers behind it didn't really know what they were doing. It's far from impossible to code multiplayer properly, but it would be very hard in a game that has a lot of stuff going on at the same time (like an AI heavy game).

Just have the host machine calculate everything and send this gamestate to the clients? And have the client's machine send the actions proposed by that user (go to x, attack y, etc.), which then assigned to a puppet character? Sure, things will start jumping around if there's lag, but over a LAN network lag shouldn't be a problem. The game already calculates inventory, stats and actions for hundreds of NPCs at once.

Though I'm probably oversimplifying things.

Sure, things will start jumping around if there's lag, but over a LAN network lag shouldn't be a problem.

With an AI intensive game, just the parsing of information between host machine and clients could present a challenge. I'm also thinking that the extra players will cause extra processing to be required by the host.

Though I'm probably oversimplifying things.

Yep!

Yeah, I seriously doubt this game will ever get multiplayer support. The game is designed around a one-player mentality, and truthfully, I'm not even sure how multiplayer would work. I can understand wanting multiplayer in a game where you only control one character, but this is squad based. Would each player have their own squad? Would they control the same squad? You're still drawing from the same pool of recruits, so would there even be a benefit to having to having two players at once?

I feel like any multiplayer mode we would get, would be pretty tacked on.

Well when Kenshi is finished we'll talk about modding it in.

You would still be able to recruit though, and build towns, wouldn't even have to be friendly with the other players...

Co-op though(LAN) would be you and your friend against the world...

If a LAN co-op mod can be made (without sync issues) that would be amazing
Nothing is better than an entire bandit faction slaughtered, co-op style.(or razing a town like in the Guild 2 (man, my brother really hated bakeries )

Panez wrote:Hi everyone, I'm new to the forum (but I already bought Kenshi few days ago). I have a little question: I know that there won't be a multiplayer mode (not a massive one), but what about a co-op mode to play with a friend (possibly in LAN)? It could be nice to play the game with someone. What do you think?

I approve this idea. If this game had multiplayer over LAN or TCP-IP, I would buy the game instantly!

Doesn't LAN require the same infrastructure as a fullfledged multiplayer part? You know with a server that makes all calculations+ player input and outputs results to all players.

The only multiplayer mode I see that would be easy to make would be a hotseat mode (not saying it would be easy to play, but could be fun)

Kelloth wrote:

Panez wrote:Hi everyone, I'm new to the forum (but I already bought Kenshi few days ago). I have a little question: I know that there won't be a multiplayer mode (not a massive one), but what about a co-op mode to play with a friend (possibly in LAN)? It could be nice to play the game with someone. What do you think?

I approve this idea. If this game had multiplayer over LAN or TCP-IP, I would buy the game instantly!

Kenshi worth buying anyway!

Marcuss2 wrote:

Kelloth wrote:

Panez wrote:Hi everyone, I'm new to the forum (but I already bought Kenshi few days ago). I have a little question: I know that there won't be a multiplayer mode (not a massive one), but what about a co-op mode to play with a friend (possibly in LAN)? It could be nice to play the game with someone. What do you think?

I approve this idea. If this game had multiplayer over LAN or TCP-IP, I would buy the game instantly!

Kenshi worth buying anyway!

I do not buy singleplayer games. Those I download or find some crack or something. Multiplayer games I buy and enjoy with friends!
That is why I wish Kenshi will have a multiplayer so it won't become 'just an other singleplayer junk' but 'epic goodness for samurai fun'

actually... come to think of it. Mount & blade was singleplayer game only at first and now it's super popular multiplayer game. About everyone I know has played the warband so what the hell! I'll buy kenshi anyways hoping it will one way have a multiplayer so I can roam in the deserts as mighty ronin with my friends

Mount & Blade is singleplayer only. The sequel "warband" has multiplayer support (in case you are mixing them up)

Chris has stated that the game is not ever going to be multiplayer. The reason being is you would have to start out making it multiplayer compatible which of course he didn't. If you are still thinking maybe a modder could create multiplayer. No they cannot. This is the developer of the game's words straight from that interview he did. It's unfortunate but the game will probably be more streamlined and less buggy anyway staying singleplayer. Not to mention developed faster.

ownpk611 wrote:Chris has stated that the game is not ever going to be multiplayer. The reason being is you would have to start out making it multiplayer compatible which of course he didn't. If you are still thinking maybe a modder could create multiplayer. No they cannot. This is the developer of the game's words straight from that interview he did. It's unfortunate but the game will probably be more streamlined and less buggy anyway staying singleplayer. Not to mention developed faster.

That and your friend wold most likely screw up what you had in mind and make the game frustating (fustrating? Idk, problably the 1st one).

What would be a shame. Or is a shame. I have a circle of gamer buddies, and it always suck if you find a really great game, that you are unable to enjoy together.

We are bunch of coop gamers, something thats not easy to find out there. Most developers and publishers seem to prefer the PvP aspects. Sometimes you get a skirmish option against KI that is coop playable, but real coop games where you can experience anything side by side, a complete game, or capaign are rather rare. What usually makes such few that have it true gems, that are played over and over.

Old System Shock 2 anyone? I think there are still few games who can compete with it. Or even stuff like Red Alert 3. Or in super old times "Thandor" that even had a "unify" option after getting allied, that allowed the control of the complete side/faction for both players at once... 2 factions would turn into one, that both players could control. Like many newe Anno parts like Anno 1404 or Anno 2070 have as well. Games like this get played by us for hours, and over and over again - as you rarely find any alternates.

This game here more or less would scream "survive sidy by side". Human race made it, cause of sticking together, of forming a society, helping each other out, healing the wounded, caring for the old - breaking natures natural selection.

So why are there only so few games supporting this, allowing us to fight side on side, making something happen together as a team?

A shame that technical difficulties may keep another very amazing canditate for such a type of game play singleplayer. That it is such a nightmare to program and implement such things. I guess thats the reason why there are so few games out there that support it, and so many games that scream "Lost Potential" - by being single player only.