Tuesday, April 5, 2011

How to make hauling fun

Let's face it, moving cargo from Point A to Point B isn't the most exciting gameplay.  In Stellar Fortune's first Alpha release, that is all there really was to do.  Hauling cargo is only meant to be a short term activity until you advance beyond the Merchant rank.  That doesn't mean it shouldn't be fun.

The possibility of combat is one way to spice things up, but I don't plan on adding that for quite a while.  It will be in eventually, but for now I am concentrating on the economic aspects of the game.  I do have some ideas on making the early parts of the game a bit more fun.

Smuggling.  This is basically cargo hauling, but with more risk and more reward.  As a smuggler, you won't be blasting your way anywhere.  Instead, you are all about avoiding detection while transporting your cargo.  There will be a full post on this topic, but in essence you will be avoiding patrols.

Haulers Union.  The HU will be one of many factions in the game.  The more you haul, the better your standing (kinda like seniority).  As your standing improves you will be able to get paid more and be able to take on more lucrative jobs.

Ships.  There will be a whole line of cargo ships for the player to purchase.

Be the Boss.  Eventually, the player will be able to start a Company.  Once they do, they will be allowed to hire NPC haulers and will get a cut of their earnings.  This one is still on the drawing board, but should be fun.

For the next Alpha release, I will be concentrating on making the first part of the game more enjoyable.  It is tentatively scheduled to be out at the end of April.

Anyone else have some ideas on how to make this mundane task more interesting?