Questlines [Map-Independant Quests and Stories]

[UberWaffe]

(Last Edited: 2014/05/11 07:58 +02:00)
Userstory:
Something that had breathed a lot of extra life into Minecraft for me was the HQM mod, which basically allows multiple simultaneous quests (usually with an associated story) to be defined.
Given that such quests could be applied even to randomly generated maps (as opposed to just specifically defines scenarios), it allowed for a great amount of replayability.
Additionally, given the typical freedom you (as the story author) have in choosing the objectives and timing, this added a great means of both teaching, guiding and even pushing players.
I feel that a similar modular system (of quests with possible associated story) could provide a lot of value to Factorio.

Currently Factorio already allows for stories (Story.lua allows for a single questline) but does not support multiple simultaneous stories.
This limits the possible quests. For example, custom code would currently be required to implement a main quest while simultaneously having timed side-quests.
A simple GUI means to display the quest lines (Example of HQM mod from Minecraft: http://i.imgur.com/rA1bplb.png) would also help a lot.
(Example of the workings of the HQM mod for Minecraft: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOYqTvfeHcg. The type of objectives you have, how rewards work, the workings of repeatable quests, etc.)

Prerequisites:
None.


Game-value:
Extended game re-playability. (Can change how any map, even random ones, play out.)
Enhanced game-play. (Interactive story-telling)


Developer-costs:
Unknown. Without knowing the code base and people I have no way to even guess this.


User-opinions:
None yet.


Full blurb:
(Originally posted here: https://forums.factorio.com/forum/vie ... 288#p79288)

[bobingabout]

Don't we already have the abillity to write in quests and stuff?

[quinor]

I think he means quests like in KSP, where while freeplaying you can complete random generated objectives in order to get more money (or in case of factorio, resources, techs or some unique rewards). That's something I'd also like to have here as part of diverse gameplay.

[ssilk]

For me this is a mod, that helps generating mods. Or do I see something wrong with it?

[UberWaffe]

@bobingabout: If this is already possible I apologise. I had not found any references to quests or objectives that fit this idea on either the wiki or the result pages of the searches I did.
If the decision is that such functionality be created ad-hoc via scripts, that is fine.

I am mainly suggesting something along the lines of a lua library for handling multiple active stories.

Looking at Story.lua it seemed to me to be able to handle a single active story at a time.
So to have multiple simultaneous story branches (or questlines) I would have to code the handling of it in lua.
I figured an already provided lua library to handle that could make sense.

[SirRichie]

I think we need to clarify what this suggestion is actually about.
I first read it as a "generate random quests at random time intervals to keep the player busy" (like psorek did). I would oppose such a suggestion, as for me, Factorio is all about automation, so quests popping up that require manual intervention contradict that. Besides, even in an MP game, you are already busy enough with trying to automate/optimize things.

The discussion and clarification by UberWaffe, however, make be believe the suggestion is about improving on the current story/quest system/support (I am happy to stand corrected). In this regard, I believe there is room for improving the API we can use to define quests, especially when it comes to side quests / main quests and parallel quests. I do however believe that in the wake up development progression, the devs will eventually want to define more complex missions and as a result of that improve on the authoring mechanism.

[UberWaffe]

I've attempted to clarify what I mean a bit (See updated original post).
The best means I can do this is with a link to a video showcasing the HQM mod for Minecraft (which this suggestion is a copy of.)
I was trying to avoid having to waste people's time with a video, but my explaining skills are obviously lacking.

[ssilk]

Ok, then it it is a "more random, without time-limit Tight Spot Scenario-Challenge"?

[bobingabout]

Yeah, I'm fairly sure most of the coding should be in there already, because I've played the scenario pack, some of the missions in there could possibly be coded into randomly generated missions in the mainstream game, Perhaps as a new game mode with a randomly generated map, complete with custom settings. (like sandbox is now, just with missions)

[UberWaffe]

Ok, then it it is a "more random, without time-limit Tight Spot Scenario-Challenge"?

No, it is more like "an extended story lua library (or libraries) to help make scenario creation easier." along with "The ability to create a scenario that uses a randomly generated map."

Yeah, I'm fairly sure most of the coding should be in there already, because I've played the scenario pack, some of the missions in there could possibly be coded into randomly generated missions in the mainstream game, Perhaps as a new game mode with a randomly generated map, complete with custom settings. (like sandbox is now, just with missions)

You are right, I am mainly proposing for an expansion on the current lua functionality.
New interfaces to code also likely, for example if we want StarCraft 1 style "transmissions with text, audio and animated character portraits.", which I'm pretty sure is currently not possible.

[ssilk]

Ok, then it it is a "more random, without time-limit Tight Spot Scenario-Challenge"?

No, it is more like "an extended story lua library (or libraries) to help make scenario creation easier." along with "The ability to create a scenario that uses a randomly generated map."

Ok, then I answer:

For me this is a mod, that helps generating mods. Or do I see something wrong with it?

[Lutra]

for an example watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfdYRQr ... rlDdm-izkt . i imagine the system would be relatively easy to make as a mod- use a similar system as techs for unlocking quests, the supply scenario could be utilised for quest delivery and game.local_player.insert for rewards. the quests could include building a certain number of machines and submitting a number of a certain resource produced by said machine. quests could easily be submitted by people- make the mod use a folder for the quests which consist of a text file containing description, requirements and rewards... i tried but i'm not brilliant at it.

[Lutra]

ok. here's what i've got so far. there is no functionality(yet) because factorio does not support reading text files, so all the quests will have to be put directly into control.lua. i also still need to create the functionality of the 'quest delivery system', but that seems simpler as i can use [entity.get_item_count].

[Lutra]

i dun it: viewtopic.php?f=94&t=23477

[ssilk]

You mean more like
viewtopic.php?f=97&t=23491 Quest Mode!

[Lutra]

ah. yes. sorry. i changed the thread. oops