We now have a representative from Rebellion on our forum answering your questions. Multiplayer producer, Eric Miller, will be providing feedback to any questions you may have since playing the demo. Submit your questions in this thread. All questions must be gameplay-related. Thanks to Rebellion for taking the time out to come here and get involved in the community.
In other news, there’s a new AvP review in the latest issue of Official X-Box Magazine [UK] which is due out tomorrow. You can find a short teaser of it on their website. It scored 8/10. We’ll no doubt have scans as soon as possible. For those people who missed the Gamespot On The Spot segments, here’s the links: Alien, Predator, Marine which preview the first level in the campaigns. IGN have posted a Feature Video where they went down to Rebellion’s studio in Oxford and interviews various people.
I'm sure you're aware of the many issues there are for the game, exp glitches, mic issues on PS3, match making, etc, etc. I want to know, are you working on a solution for atleast the majority of these issues? And if so, when can we expect this patch that I think many of us are waiting for?
I know a few people ready to trade their copies in if they don't atleast hear word that there is a coming patch.
I'll be honest, I don't think I'd ever pick up another game that doesn't offer dedicated servers unless I hear the MP is absolutely out of this world brilliant, and that definitely includes any AvP sequel.
and Rebellion when are those female Marine MP skins coming for multiplayer?
Yea I'm playing in Ranked. And there's no way the XP is saved because I would be at least 1 or 2 ranks higher if the XP was saved.
P.S. Rebellion the game is still great, and I'm very appreciative of a good AvP game, there are just a few small flaws that are annoying.
You shouldn't count on the game being saved on the consoles by waiting for dedicated servers on there, they have only said they would like to do it, which is far from it actually happening.
So I haven't heard of anything coming down the pipe for PS3 or 360, in regards to fixing matchmaking and incorporating host migration, or even just the ability to join in progress games. Any hope of us getting some love in the near future? I so desperately want to love this game but 80% of my time with it has been spent staring at a rotating chestburster and being thanked by Weyland-Yutani for my patience. Right now Gamestop is actually offering about $38 for my game and I'm feeling quite tempted to try to cut my losses.
Thanks for coming here and helping us out. Ive got two questions and an opinion to share.
Number 1. What is the reason behind negating exp from friendly macthes? I honestly can not grasp the logic in this decision. Everyone wants to build their online profile, in this case with skins but with it being such a pain in the rear to get ranked matches, atleast for me on PS3, its really annoying that I cant just hop over to the game browser, pick a game and have some exp gaining fun.
Number 2. Why cant you do match making and game browseing in the rank mode? This too baffles me. So far, my experince has been much easier when looking for "freidnly matches". I can just browse, pick and wala! Why not offer these features in the ranked games too?
Lastly, and I know its a bit cliche at this point but why in god's green earth is the predators heavy attack faster then the Aliens? I can understand and appreciate you guys wanting to make the predators physical attacks more powerful since it holds true in the movie franchise but if we are sticking to realistic applications of these movie monsters dosent it make sense to make the alien faster in every aspect? Thats their strong point and the only thing going for them in the wepons department so why nerf them aginst the preds? Its just really annoying that unless I am up aginst a brain dead pred I have zero chance of killing one in a strait up, drag out melee contest. I do understand and enjoy the sneak attack tactics that the Alien excells in but with their ranged arsenol and vision modes it is VERY, VERY hard to sneak up on a pred and since everyone and their mother picks preds, well, its usualy a nothing more then acid blood everywhere.
Well, thats all from me. Thanks again for coming here and answering questions! Just please dont let this game fall into the "we dont care pile" because it has so much potential to be one of the greatest things out there.
1. Is there anyway I can Create/Host a "Ranked" match and set the options, e.g. change the time limit or kill count etc???
2. When a host leaves a game and we get sent back to lobby, do we keep all the xp we earned up until that point of the host leaving?
3. Is there some sort of punishment for people leaving? Like reducing their xp a little every time they do it, so many times I've seen people quit when they're losing, and it's a staggering amount, I refuse to believe everyone has that bad a connection.
Thank you again.
Are you definitely playing in ranked matches? Because I recently saw another post that someone had tested and found you do still get the XP you'd accumulated so far if the host leaves.
Would be great if REB could confirm this though, yay or nay?
Cheers!
Valheru
I do not know if it has already been asked, but could it be possible to get each ranks requirements (XP) and each rank needed to unlock skins (along with the skin it unlocks).
Thanks.
i just have a couple of questions that i hope you can answer, just so you know im a ps3 user, so I'm relating to to the console versions.
Ok first question when will the extra multiplayer maps come out? i heard it would be a map a week starting from release so when the ps3 store updated and there wasn't one i was a bit downhearted.
Second question is actually a two parter which I'm sure you get lots of questions regarding, but i have waited and thought id see if i could get a more up to date response, will you be increasing the flamethrower damage? as it just doesn't handle right and is a weak aspect of the game, also will it show up on predators vision as a heat source for a more realistic appearance?
i like the idea of spraying the walls and lighting them up, all though even this aspect needs work as the flames do little damage or little to stop enemies just walking through knowing the attributes of the fire does little in terms of damage or them even getting alight.
an amazing game which i found mostly enjoyable i look forward to maybe seeing a few DLC's
but id really just like to know if there will be any updates to rectify some or all the issues i have come across
cheers for the good work on the avp game
Jason
thanks
What is being done to fix the Predator's balancing issue? Everyone one the forums at Sega is complaining about it.
As it stands, Predators are overpowered because they are better than Aliens at melee combat plus they get ranged weapons which are one-hit kills with tracking! It's not fair in the Alien vs Predator dynamic, because Predators have so much health that they can withstand two heavy attacks. Also, Aliens are knocked down when: they are countered, the Predator focus lunges from a distance, they are shot by the plasma caster, while Predators cannot be knocked down, and therefore can recover from an Alien counter attack. All other inter-species counter scenarios involve death, besides the Alien vs Predator scenario. It's just too easy for a Predator to hit an Alien in some way and it's game over because they get knocked down.
And then Predators weapons make virtually no use of energy. It would be one thing if Predators were in some way dependent on their weapons because their melee abilities were weaker than the Aliens, but the Predators have an advantage in melee AND they can spam discs and spears with infinite ammo! They also sprint pretty damn fast too. Why is it that the Predator is basically an Alien with more health, ranged weapons, and cannot be knocked down?
Will Alien's side-strafe be increased? Right now they are fast in a straight line but that's about it...
And finally, what about console patches? I realize XBL certification adds two weeks minimum, but they are coming, right?
1. Are we going to be able to join a session in progress? Or do we all need to be in the lobby then start? I am referring to the PC version.
Cheers.
Nice to finally be able to speak to a member of rebellion
first thing i would like to ask is when i saw the first look at the MP skins on the forums i saw the warrior dome model was the dog alien from alien 3 was that fake or was it removed? Also will there be a mode of gameplay put in the game like Evac from avp2?
I had hours of fun on that and i think it would fit well in multiplayer and make many people happy.
4 marines at a destroyed apc trying to get to a dropship with 14 aliens trying to stop them. i like them odds
thanks in advance for an answer
1. why havent the issues with matchmaking in the 360 version been addressed? ive seen multiple complaints about many waiting longer than 15 minutes to get into a ranked match on various forums, surely rebellion and sega are aware of these problems, can we get a little reassurance these problems will be fixed for the 360?
2. will the net coding be improved? ive had some horrible matches where the stealth kill function would not work no matter what even when i pressed "X" behind the opponent multiple times, why is it the button press wont respond when the visual notification is still on screen? (press X for trophy kill)
other than that im enjoying this game in the single player but will move on to multiplayer when you patch it.
And whats with the problem when the host is leaving the game?Do you fix it like MW2 with a new host automatic?
Well then, it must have been a calculated decision to make it the exact size it is in my screenshot, for it is different in the marine trainer and every other trailer ever made.
I resized my screenshot to have the same resolution as the trailer video, paused where the muzzle flash is the biggest:
http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/2427/muzzleflash.png
Do note that the video is also with the pulse rifle shooting in an ever darker area than my screenshot.
This issue I am referring to is shown here
What you have shown in your screenshot is expected behaviour
1. Add in somekind of "open" server/game option, where players
can drop in later on when the game is already running ?
2. Display Pings in the server/game browser ?
What? No! I have GTX 280 and I get this.
Proof:
http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/1069/avp2010022612190383.png
And the area it was taken in isn't even as dark as it gets in this game.
Sorry for the delay in responses, and I only have 1 post for you this time round. I'm sure you can appreciate that we are busy working on the Dedicated servers, amongst other things.
No, you must have a minimum number of players (depending on gametype) to start a MP map.
You need to be a minimum distance away from the target before a knock down can be achieved
We assume you are referring to the alien vision, and the answer is no for both questions.
There are 43 ranks, and they are just numbered.
No – I was saying that from a design point of view, we had the option in reserve not that there is a function that exists that we have simply disabled
Nice idea, we'd love to do at some point.
It's possible to create small lobbies with any map size
In MP, there are two body types – young blood and elite predator, depending on the skin type you have selected.
The muzzle flash issue, highlighted in the screen shot I linked to was a PC problem on ATi cards only.
There is no system link – but you can create private matches on all platforms.
There is a large arrow above your teammates head.
We respect your opinion and desires, but unfortunately we will not be adding in bot support at this time. Sorry!
Cheers,
Eric
Well in that case, Will there be updates to fix these problems? Mainly host migration and XP being saved, because like I said it's unbelivably annoying when I'm going 15K and 3D and then I persecute the host and he leaves.
Also will there ever be host migration?
Or will Xbox ever see dedicated servers?
1. Any chance that the alien standard jump (minus focus/facing scalable surface) will have more functionality?
As it stands, it's rather useless and the animation looks a little silly (weird squat jump?). And I'm not referring to the tap RT mechanic. I'm talking about how you do a standard jump forward and you go NOWHERE with a flying crouch.
2. I'm sure this is a resounding "No!" but I'll ask anyway. Will there be any new animation blending for the alien in mp?
Currently it seems like the AI aliens in Sp have much more fluid AND more numerous animations that really add to their characterization. In mp the alien seems a bit bland. I'm not talking about adding "attacks" just reusing animations. For instance, the AI alien's jumping swipe from "Survivor" would make a better standard forward jump then what is currently in place IMO. *Sorry, I'm an animator*
3. Seeing that the purpose driving the alien is to "stalk" their victims, will you be able to do a longer focus leap from a ceiling if an enemy is right underneath you?
I've experienced that on Refinery (among others), if I'm on the ceiling in the main room (with the smartgun) I can't focus jump at anyone underneath me. I have to take more (precious) time and move onto the support beam to actually ambush someone. Since all the alien has is melee, it'd be nice to be able to close the gaps a little faster if I've taken the time to go unseen.
4. No replay cam? Come on! That'd be awesome!
5. Any chance you'll revive if downed after your group/party has defeated a wave in Survivor? It'd make it more enjoyable and less insurmountable in areas I think.
Lastly, despite what's in the works and what isn't, what would YOU consider implementing as DLC for avp as a separate entity and fan, rather than a figurehead?
will you give us more server- or client-side variables both on the PC and on the consoles? Will we be able to adjust or disable e.g. the Predator's timer in Predator Hunt or make it so that friend indicators on the HUD are disabled and the radar bleeps don't differentiate between friend and foe?
With this being your first BIG multiplatform release what lessons have you pulled from the experience? What were some of the challenges you guys faced and has it changed how Rebellion will develop games in the future?
Please remind the rules for this topic. If you have suggestions, issues or you think that any mechanic should be changed, please use the proper threads. Comments that aren't questions may be moved without warning.
http://www.avpgalaxy.net/forum/index.php?topic=29542.0
into account, if you will get the change to do a sequel?
Now I am going to be honest here and say that I wasn`t too impressed by the new AVP that you just released.
Once the Dedicated Servers are release i'll probably pose such question.
@ Drewid; there is discussions which does suggest at the moment there is limited support for the title, I am only voicing the opinions of the masses, with some of my own takes of certain elements. I do hope they are but I am raising the issue, hopefully with a full bodied explanation of the current situation.
Yeah Im on PC as well and trust me it does respawn, if taking a lot longer than other weapons...but that makes sense as it is a powerful gun even if it takes more bullets to kill someone, it does it very quickly and accurately.
On Survivor I think you're correct, it does not respawn otherwise I suppose it would be too easy as I take out about 40 - 50 aliens with it in the first couple of rounds. When you pick it up in Survivor (I can confirm this now after playing last night), you get 150 ammo in the gun and 250 in extra mags....so 400 rounds and who knows if you walk over the other SG in the Survivor map that has 2, you may actually be able to get more than 400!...I will endeavour to test this out tonight
Cheers!
Valheru
Thankyou for coming an helping us with our questions.
Just wondering is there going to be a Patch for the Ps3 versions of AVP for the freezing issues people have been having.
Thanks
Do the console versions give those same options or is it PC only? I'll edit those out if it's so (and also sorry for being retared by not noticing them).
EDIT: Edited them out. Thanks!
I understand, except the rank progression in this game gives players no advantages whatsoever over lower ranks. In games where you unlock superior abilities and better weapons this kind of restrictive system makes sense but unlocking skins is hardly grounds to impose such restrictions. If people boost or abuse it (which they can anyway due to glitches outside the multiplayer) who ultimately should care?
You can alter some of these in player matches if you are the host (FF, species ratios, and player counts, match duration), but some of the other ones would be neat. I find the predator's time limit in hunt mode to be a bit too pushy, especially when you can't move around too quickly (well you can, the marines will just know where you are).
Hey Valheru, Thanks for the response. That is one long wait for a gun respawn it has to be over 3 minutes in regular mp I have the PC game. I have never seen the gun respawn in survivor after you pic it up. I spawned right near the gun when the match started. It was a 15 min match MTDM. I had the gun for a good 3 minutes on ruins no one was on that side for a while. Finally I was attacked and killed, I spawned ran to the area and still had to wait for it to spawn. When it finally did there was 11 minutes left to the match. That's a long time when you compare it pulse rifle, ammo is 30 second respawn and I feel the smart gun isn't more power then the pulse rifle at all.
After testing I found no two weapon spawns where the same(how that was i don't know). I did get an average of 4 minutes for the smart gun. I found that the pulse rifle required less ammo to kill an alien or predator in the body then the smartgun. These tests where at stationary targets, It took 7 to 10 rounds from the pulse rifle to kill and alien 15 to 20 to kill a Predator. With auto tracking on or off i found that it took 15 to 20 rounds to kill an alien and 20 to 25 rounds for a predator. Burst shooting the weapon didn't do anything in my tests.
Maybe I need to clarify and reword my questions to Rebellion.
A few questions to ask rebellion?
Why isn't the smartgun not like the movie. It feels more like a Gatling gun sounds like it too.
Why is the smartgun doing less damage then the pulse rifle?
Why does it require more rounds to kill then the Pulse rifle?
Why does it take almost 4 minutes to respawn?
Why isn't the smartguns mag bigger? If it does less damage and has a longer ammo respawn why the low ammo?
Several people do, like you can see in that poll / thread, even the people got different opinions what should happen:
http://www.avpgalaxy.net/forum/index.php?topic=29682.30
POLL results of 90 people that voted:
decrease the range of it
- 31 (25.8%)
change the way of the activaition (hold the button for 2 seconds for example)
- 14 (11.7%)
decrease the range and change the activaition
- 15 (12.5%)
make an option to turn it off
- 23 (19.2%)
just usable against rines
- 0 (0%)
remove it
- 3 (2.5%)
no fix needed
- 34 (28.3%)
In the thread are some other ideads to change it.
Just talkin for me:
I dont hope only for reduce the range, then make it really a real stealthkill and unabusable so you can fight two aliens/preds as pred/alien. Even the damn rines are better in this (in meleerange!). Thats something even AVP2 accomplished.
I like the game, but that really ruins it for me in many matches (not all, cause it depends on some factors).