[WIP] HOST: Use the bodies of other creatures! Version 0.17

[Captain Ventris]

REQUIRES R1259 OR LATER!

This is the alpha version of my new project, Host. It is intended for multiplayer.

Rather than re-type the description, I'll just put an excerpt from the Readme:

So I've gotten to a good point on ZDoom Wars development, and I decide I want to start another
project. I thought about doing something akin to an online Shadowcaster, where players run around
shifting forms and killing each other. So, I started drawing up some plans. One of my classes I
brainstormed was a parasite, that was physically weak, but could possess random neutral creatures
that wandered about. Then I thought, hey, why don't I just do a wad of THAT! So I am.

In Host, the Player is a small, slug-like parasite, being contained and studied with it's fellows inside various facilities.
However, parasites don't particularly like each other.

You have very little health, and only the most pitiful attack. However, with alt-fire, you can lunge violently, and upon
contacting a non-parasite, you can burrow into a creature's nervous system and kill it, afterwards taking control of it's body.
When the host body is too damaged to be of any more use, you will leave it and can then search for more prey, which is found
wandering about the level. There are several types of host, each with unique abilities!

Right now, there are 5 classes, the Bullpig, Hyper Mastiff, Venus Man-Trap, Arachnophobius, and the Wraith. I plan on having a total of 8 classes, and possibly expansions later. The weapon spawns are replaced by a random critter, which wanders about aimlessly, waiting to be possessed! If your host dies, you emerge, and might get away. Each class has an Alt-Fire attack and plays a little differently. This is just an early rendition, and Skulltag is not yet caught up-enough to run it.

Basically, this will either be terrible, or pretty fun. I would put screenshots, but there are no HUD graphics, and the critter and parasite graphics will be familiar to you all anyway.

DOWNLOAD (Version 0.17):
http://www.sendspace.com/file/uhdw44

Mirror:
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=VQEW9U00

[Mortarion]

Cool idea, kinda reminds me of the flood.
(possesing monsters would be cool). Can you mirror
This? I keep getting 404 not found(odd, considering it's existence)

[Captain Ventris]

There ya go, a Mega Upload mirror.

[XutaWoo]

I expected more. Like being able to take over actual monsters after you've killed them.

Still a nice concept, though. The fact that the bodies replaces weapons allows for Deathmatch, which is why you did that, I'm guessing?

[Captain Ventris]

I expected more. Like being able to take over actual monsters after you've killed them.

Still a nice concept, though. The fact that the bodies replaces weapons allows for Deathmatch, which is why you did that, I'm guessing?

Yes. This is meant for online play, though I may make you able to take over the enemies in single player, just 'cause.

[Juan "JacKThERiPPeR]

Giving a try...
The venus man-trap is pretty funny.

[Captain Ventris]

I have edited the first post to state that this is intended for multiplayer. I am now working on a couple more classes, but I'll need feedback to determine whether this is actually, you know, FUN.

Sadly, ST does not yet have the PICKUP flag, nor the support for custom damage type pain chances, it seems.

[Imp Hunter]

Reminds me the game Geist o_o

You need to scare the human to use his body!

[Captain Ventris]

Updated, with some balance changes, and a new Host, the Arachnophobius! Again, this is for MULTIPLAYER. Particularly because the Arachnophobius relies on a poison bite.

With the poisondamage property, the number represents duration, but in what measurement?

[XutaWoo]

Tics, probally.

[Captain Ventris]

Tics, probally.

In that case, the spider bite is anti-climactic. The spider's alt-fire is to shoot a web ball, which will momentarily stun opponents, allowing the spider to bite them and flee (since it isn't real tough).

[Captain Ventris]

Alright, this version has a much more virulent spider bite, and a new class, the Wraith, who uses stealth to leech health from his opponents, and can almost teleport away from hot spots, in which his very low health does him little good.

[MasterOFDeath]

Your mirror and primary download are the same link. :P

This is interesting. I really like the concept but it's execution feels a little iffy at the moment. One thing in particular that bothers me is no ranged attacker besides the spider's alt-fire. Speaking of, some kind of "progress bar" for those would be pretty cool. Overall though it's a neat idea, just needs work and maybe some custom maps. :P (Regular Doom2 is HARD with this, even unplayable in spots.)

[XutaWoo]

ranged attacker

Was the plant dude changed?

[Captain Ventris]

Your mirror and primary download are the same link.

This is interesting. I really like the concept but it's execution feels a little iffy at the moment. One thing in particular that bothers me is no ranged attacker besides the spider's alt-fire. Speaking of, some kind of "progress bar" for those would be pretty cool. Overall though it's a neat idea, just needs work and maybe some custom maps. (Regular Doom2 is HARD with this, even unplayable in spots.)

Omg, how did I not notice that?!

Nope, the Venus Man-Trap has a ranged attack. I, sadly, wouldn't know how to do a progress bar for the Spider.

And AGAIN, this is intended for ONLINE play, so expect to get raped in SP.

What do you think I could do to better "execute" this?

ranged attacker

Was the plant dude changed?

And no, he still shoots stuff. Has anyone tried the new Wraith class?