FOSS gamedev and creative worlds

I'm asking everybody to express their feeling about default Minetest Game, right now it is basicly a peaceful creative sandbox, very basic one, it has:
+ pretty big selection of blocks (incl slabs, and panels)
+ pvp combat (very simple)
- no rail carts
- no mobs
- no pvp/pve/tools/armor visuals
- no ambience sounds
- no weather (well, it has one weather, partly cloudy)
- no protection
- no hunger or sprint
- no armor
- ...
For anything better it needs mods. What do you think about adding much more to gameplay? Or it is good for now? Vote and comment.

P.S. I'm not a developer, just want your opinion, devs also interested I believe.

The first 2 options are not possible.
1. MTG will always be developing and having new stuff added.
2. We will always need a basic subgame as a core for adding modules, and for lower power devices, so adding the 'best mods' cannot be done.

What is possible is:
Wait for modders to develop new subgames and add those (4)
Make the development of a new feature-rich subgame more of a core-dev thing, and more 'official', as a subgame alongside the basic game (3)
A mix of those, which would be my choice.

A better option would be to have a mod/subgame store instead of including more in the default installation, as then one can find any number of subgames (and will get updates).

Bundling all the best mods doesn't make a good game, consistency does

IMO it's good as is, only because i like to add my own mods and easier to update my subgame that uses vanilla minetest_game as a backbone

Dopium wrote:...because i like to add my own mods...

Which is a big problem; most newcomers see missing mobs, carts, more nodes and decent survival in minetest_game, complain about it, then leave MT.

The point is: Minetest should satisfy all users. Not only the users they want to create their own game, but also the users who want to install Minetest and start to play without searching for mods.

Minetest should be bundled with two games by default, maybe three. The current minetest game for those who want to make their own game, a subgame for builders and a Minecraft like survival game with mobs

burli wrote:The point is: Minetest should satisfy all users. Not only the users they want to create their own game, but also the users who want to install Minetest and start to play without searching for mods.

Minetest should be bundled with two games by default, maybe three. The current minetest game for those who want to make their own game, a subgame for builders and a Minecraft like survival game with mobs

I agree. The very least that should come with the game in any distribution is a mobs system. I suspect that a lot of new players shrug their shoulders and move on when they don't see anything moving in game.

I realize that it's a huge commitment on the part of the game developers, but people shouldn't have to go looking for basic features like that.

I voted "include best mods" but really what I mean is:

When you install Minetest default, you get something very bare bones. A somehow-curated small selection of "install this set of mods" (one-click style, in-your-face on the first screen) would be nice for those who are only just getting their toes wet. I remember not understanding the importance of mods when I first arrived, thought the game was lacking...

I'm actually looking into that as a small project for myself. I know "small" curated lists tend to become large and unwieldy the more desirable they are so I guess putting this on the shoulder of the main game is not to everyone's tastes...

Some really good points have been made and too bad i already voted as now i would be more then happy to change it to option three. As long as there is still a vanilla minetest_game i have no issue with other bundled subgames, hey may even give them a go for time to time.

Only reason i dont like too much change to vanilla minetest_game is everyone likes their own styles of mobs or additional ores/blocks, weather ect ect. Thats what actually makes minetest so appealing IMO, as devs work on updating the engine i work on developing my sub game based on minetest_game. Im aware i can remove items ect i dont like but that can also be a pain especially if other defualt mods depend on them, it can break all sorts of features. Also fully understand it may sound selfish however its just my opinion. Im neither against the subtle important changes like the ones made to minetest_game in the past. Changes such as an added sound for a feature thats missing or things like the recent mossy cobble stairs ect.

Freeminer adds all the mobs and a more "complete" game however the lack of optimization kinda destroys the gameplay. Too much going on and alot of features i find really annoying. Not saying it bad or anything but not for me. With my subgame i wont add anything that breaks the optimization or does not go with the style im going for. There has been many servers with a mash of mods thrown in together and everything from duplicate items to a mix bag of textures to partly broken mods is not a great experience IMO.

Just saying, the vanilla minetest_game is also appealing to alot of the community for many reasons. However thinking about it a additional subgame or two to keep both parties happy. Kind of interests newbies into the community/game then there is a vanilla subgame if they want to start diving into the modding world.

I would like theese things to see in a full version of Minetest game:

a) use a uniform coding style
b) add some new features, but not just add full mods
1. Add some simple peacefull mobs
2. Add more realistic decoration Blocks
3. Add more Plants and more trees like in Minecraft life in the woods
c) a few small things like dropping chest items when digging a chest and simular things

the minimal version could be like the minimal game, but more like Minetest game is now
a) use a uniform coding style

I see 3 areas Minetest can offer:

The core/engine (which already exists), and is continuously developed nicely.

Minetest_Game a base game, meant for modding / subgames, etc. (which already exists) and many love ( I am one of them).

The 3d is the area others would like to see more focus on... which is a more content rich "Game"
The only difficult topics surrounding this area is..., those who want it to be very similar to Minecraft, and those who do not... (My own opinion is, it should not... for legal reasons) Do not ever underestimate the size of groups MS lawyers are willing to witchhunt, and they are viscious, and precise, and very, VERY experienced.
Sounds paranoid??? Not really.

In order to provide this 3d option, requires..., people. And people who are able to work together well, and remain organized and focused on this particular work.
It also requires at minimal, 3 groups... those being:
*Game devs who can work "with" core devs, fluently and in a manner which is productive to both the engine and the official game. Their focus is on the game content. But core & game devs can help one another out when needed.
*Designers / artists who are able to work together, and focus on a smooth look & feel, across the game.
*Modders, who can work with the game devs, as well as designers, who focus on making mods conforming to the overall feel of the game.
These are just my own thoughts on all of this, and maybe not even my place to say all this but, I'm whacked in the head anyway :D
I don't wish to vote because I'm not sure there is only a single aspect which needs to be looked at as a whole. It means stepping back, looking at what is available from the start, and then going from there. Some things need to be picked apart, then put back together in a more unified way, etc...
Definitely not something which would happen overnight....
I will also not vote as I use Minetest, solely on creative as a hobby and a great stress reliever.
And just an addition... You know, I do not feel the "official game" actually HAS TO BE titeled Minethis or Thattest... in the end either. I think many get stuck on these namesakes
Minetest, is the engine
Minetest_Game, is meant for modding / subgames
The "official game" could have any name... and could be tagged with "the official Minetest Game"

HI!

Here are my suggestions:
Please add the following to minetest_game

3d_armour
boost_cart
Hunger_hud
farming_redo
mobs_redo --api is a must
[mobs simple] --Make a basic set of mobs including:
sheep
cow
stonemonster
oerkkii
sandmonster
rat

Also crafting guide built into inventory and possible skins

This simple set of mods will enhance gameplay immensely, give it a go!


P.S.

Another great, yet lightweight mod to add is cblocks, something to add a bit more colour to existing game.

I feel like Stu's Railnet (when finished) would be better.

boost_cart is the best (for now), was tested heavily on max_lag 0.5-1.5 server and on udp RTT=>1 server. Difference with original carts is huge, on Cash World it was epilepsy vs mostly smooth ride even on big network lag. On ESM I rided it for many thousands of nodes many times. At least it was my experience, I will never ride original carts again.

My crude vision of fuller version: armor(+stand+shields), wield_view, hunger/sprint/hudbars, boost_cart, baked clay, wool carpet, mobs_redo, player_plus, ethereal (yes, it is cool mod), ambience_lite, weather_pack (after updatelight function fix), hopper, mesecons.
This way you will have ambience and survival aspect, mesecons for bright individuals (with ability to disable certain mods for speed, modularity).

if we had mobs, we should put some option to be able to see peaceful ones only!
Maybe some kid want to play, but if his mom wants to don't have to make his child see zombies or dungeon masters and she doesn't know how to edit the option.txt what she can do then?