What would you think of a house-building feature?

[TheBestOfUs]

So when i was playing the long dark yesterday, i was thinking of how cool it would be to make my own house, possibly use generators to keep the dark out of my house. To use cookers when a generator is running to cook food and to boil water. The question you all are asking; what would make it run? Kerosene or you can use gas by pumping it out of cars. So, if in a new update you could go and build a house out of the things that you have tonnes of, would it be cool? Another cool update would be to fix cars and drive them around the place, and to go on salvage trips. This is my first post, so please no making fun of no replies or slow typing. Thanks 

[cowboymrh]

I don't see this happening any time soon, but perhaps in the future something like that would be awesome.

First, you would need a map specifically designed for that purpose, one with no existing structures. Because to build a cabin on for example, Coastal Highway where there's already a bunch of habitable homes would be silly.

But if you had a map without structures, with a couple of nice lakes or maybe even a coastal shoreline, it would be great.

I'd also like to see it be a "log by log" process. Not like some of these video games where you click a button, and boom, a whole wall appears.

Make it log by log harvesting and building that would take you a couple of "game play" months to complete. Something that when you got done, it would really be something to be proud of!! And you could have 4 or 5 different floor plans to choose from perhaps!

And of course, while you were building your cabin, you would still have to do the daily grind of "survival". (finding food, water, mending clothes and so on)

Also, that being said, you would need new tools to find, such as a crosscut saw, and you could maybe even use the "forge" to make spikes out of scrap metal.

I like the idea, and hope it's considered in the future. And if not in the game, perhaps as a future "mod" .

[TheBestOfUs]

That is a good point, but if you were dying out in the middle of a snowstorm, then that would be useless, the log by log process. But the question would be is it better to stay out in your own home, or in a home already added? They would have to add features to the game like lights and possibly radios to make some use of it; the radios just to listen to music or a walkie-talkie docking port, if they add it. Having tapes would be cool, as the CDs would probably be affected by the persisting cold. I know what you mean, building it bit by bit, but would you use smaller logs, from tree limbs, or would they have to add a new tree chopping aspect to the game just to build your house? And about the mods, no, having them as mods would be unfair, as the ones on the PC would get the most out of it- i am a xbox one gamer. Thanks for the reply though

[Nervous Pete]

Hi BestofUs, welcome to the show. 

You know, when it comes to CD's I have a strong hunch that the Long Dark is more in the late cassette deck era of the very early 90's. I say this because of the floppy disc drive computer in one of the houses and just a genuine sense from the art style. Of course I could be wildly wrong. I'm not sure which direction they'll be taking the 'ultra-Carrington Event' style disaster, as to whether electronics are permanently burnt out or whether they come flickering back on during lulls - or thinking the other way perhaps even intense activity moments - of the solar storm. 

Naturally there'd be the problem of getting a generator too. If you find one working you'd be more likely to set up camp where it is, rather than lug it via a sled to your homestead under construction. I do like some of your ideas though, siphoning gas from stranded cars sounds pretty neat and doable. I think I'd be more content when primitive log houses come along to have longer burning lanterns burning on more available fuel like candles. Imagine having a string of them along your rafters - pretty cosy! As far as their updates go I think they'll offer ways to customise your chosen safe-house first with decorations, new furniture and perhaps natural sources of light - and then later on down the line go for the pioneer cabin kind of deal. (And wouldn't it be a whole huge realm of unlikely-cool if you could gain the help of a fellow NPC from another valley, and help him or her fix up theirs too. But perhaps I've been reading too much Little House on the Prairie, I digress.) 

You'd also need the snows to clear before taking on the cars, and again, perhaps the event precludes this. (Which I'm kind of hoping it does. I like the chilling notion of a post-technology world, but hey, whatever they go for I'm sure will be good.) 

Laters!

[TheBestOfUs]

Yeah, the thing is about the generators is that you can build a basement, and put it there, so it is away from the elements. Just adding more things to the game would be swell, as it does get very boring seeing the same couch along with the same bed and cooker- making use of those things would make it more life-like, just suggesting to the developers. Not being pushy or anything like that. I am that sort of nerd who collects old junk from the past, and squeezes hours of fun out of it - i have a commodore 64, so the cassette/ floppy disk thing would really appeal to me. Adding it would make it feel like it is set in a time period of no iPhones and things like that. If you could find music cassets in the trucks and cars, that would make sense, as most older cars had casset radios. Anyway, i will be gone for a bit, so i will reply tomorrow

[Nervous Pete]

Yay, Commodore 64! I had one of those, and later an Amiga 500. Good times. 

I think this is to be the sort of game where any change in your environment you've created is a very hard-won one, which I'm happy about. Adding a simple smokehouse hut to your existing cabin would take a long time for example, but you'd feel very proud of its existence once completed. Each new item, be it a patchwork blanket for a bed or a primitive outdoor shower, a further thumbed nose at the cataclysm of the Long Dark. 

[TheBestOfUs]

Having special things to fill up your bars would make it easier, say if you have just started. But having the generators would make a house feel different, and if you have a limited supply of fuel for the generators, then it would be hard, even if you are on pilgrim mode. You would have to worry, and you would regret leaving it on to heat up a can of soup. Using the dam would be cool, but there is no running water, unless there is some under the ice.

[TheBestOfUs]

Just adding it, having it so that you can actually see what the person is doing during those boring loading screens would be cool, as you could see your person open the door of the car and get in. Just those features would add a bit of difference to the other games.

[TLD Survivalist]

@cowboymrh I agree with ya there in the sense that itd be cool to have to make your own unique log cabin you make completely from scratch and you build it log by log... Again should also be in a new region with NO buildings like you said... We could craft a sled that wed haul around all those logs for easier movement... Wed have to build a foundation for it or else like thered be drafts... Essentially like the hut on TWM. If your not thorough in your construction you dont get a significant warmth bonus or something... I just think this would be a neat concept for truly making a place yours... Not anytime soon but later on... I recently saw some footage of this game The Forest and I gotta say the building mechanic is stellar!! If there was any possibility of Hinterland being able to recreate the base building from The Forest I would NOT be disappointed.

[TheBestOfUs]

Yeah, the idea of house building kinda came from other games i play; Fallout 4, Unturned and i liked the Forest as you could build houses log by log. Combine all of those together and throw in chunks of The Long Dark, and you have got a good game. The other cool thing would be if you could find other survivors, and send them to scavenge, possibly fish or kill animals. Being able to make your own town would be awesome, but i do not think the game is like that. Finding planes filled with crates of resources would compromise for the lack of houses and tools.

[TheBestOfUs]

And just another question- if you have the game now, will you get the full version when it comes out? I mean, i spent 20 euros on the game, and if it was just a demo, then that would not keep many of the fans.

[Scyzara]

17 hours ago, TheBestOfUs said:

And just another question- if you have the game now, will you get the full version when it comes out? I mean, i spent 20 euros on the game, and if it was just a demo, then that would not keep many of the fans.

With all due respect, TLD has by far the best hours of entertainment / money spent - ratio of all games I've ever played. Everyone who bought the sandbox game will also be able to play the first two episodes of storymode for free, as far as I know.

Besides, I'm pretty sure almost no-one here on the forums would mind to pay for further story mode episodes (or further sandbox seasons) of TLD. At least I for one definitely wouldn't.

The Devs need to live on their earnings, you really can't expect them to continue to work for years on end (in my case it's e.g. already 2 years) for nothing but your initial 20€ sandbox payment.

They have every right (and my full support) to make the other seasons seperate games (or maybe rather add-ons) we need to pay for again.

[TheBestOfUs]

Having you pay for the other episodes of the stories makes sense, and just having a couple to start off with would make you want to buy the other versions.

[Tbone555]

it isnt like i havent thought of it before, dont get me wrong. its an interesting idea. but i just dont think building a log cabin would be on your characters mind, without a chainsaw and some proper building materials. i sure as heck wouldnt be hatcheting down a tree and picking up the log with my bare strength alone to drag it to wherever i need it, only to have my brand new shiny cabin wall tip over with a bit of wind due to lack of proper build materials

it CAN be done... but i think im gonna conserve my energy to just stay alive in one of the many, many pre-existing homes or cabins. i got eeeeeverything i need at the old pleasant valley farmstead. got a cozy fireplace, a front porch to kick back on and watch the sunrise and a rocking chair and everything

the childrens room kind of gives me the creeps though. PLEASE give us the ability to remove the toys and scary bear poster that wont stop peering into my soul as i sleep at night, hinterland..

[TheBestOfUs]

I get that the idea of building the house would not be the first thought to come into your mind in a live-or-die situation, but they have to make the game more entertaining, otherwise the only thing that keeps people from leaving would be story mode, and that could be the best thing ever created, but i am not counting on the story mode keeping me very long. I just had gone through a 'hibernation period' where i do not play many games, but now that i am back, i notice how little there might be after the game is 'finished'. Asking for a lot before the story mode would eventually make the story better.

[nicko]

I think building a house would be last thing I crafted in this game! why cause we have friggin buildings to live in already

please let's build more useful stuff into this game first. Such as ideas of smokers for preserving our food better, drying racks for skins.More clothing items made from rabbits felts. Candles, list goes on just read their current road map list.

[Tbone555]

1 hour ago, TheBestOfUs said:

I get that the idea of building the house would not be the first thought to come into your mind in a live-or-die situation, but they have to make the game more entertaining, otherwise the only thing that keeps people from leaving would be story mode, and that could be the best thing ever created, but i am not counting on the story mode keeping me very long. I just had gone through a 'hibernation period' where i do not play many games, but now that i am back, i notice how little there might be after the game is 'finished'. Asking for a lot before the story mode would eventually make the story better.

hinterland is currently coming up with small side activities to keep us occupied in our spare time. they understand how dangerous boredom is (its made me jump off of the Raven Falls train bride before...)

i didnt say it wasnt a good idea. i'd love to be able to build me a nice little cabin, provided they can find some way to make it tie realistically into the game however, with complete lack of technology and machinery, building a cabin by hand is easier said than done. theres a reason cavemen lived in caves, instead of going out and building their own houses

[hauteecolerider]

I would much prefer the ability to "customize" the existing structures much in the same way that @nicko describes: adding smokers, drying racks, candles, etc. to make an existing building more efficient and useful as a home base and make it more "homey" (great for morale, if you ask me). There are a lot of great little structures scattered around the maps that it would be difficult for me to justify the time and energy spent in finding that "perfect" place and building a cabin. 

Of course, my favorite Home & Garden shows are the ones about renovating existing structures . . .

[TheBestOfUs]

Well, if in the story mode you would be able to drive a car, who is to say that you will not be able to startup a chainsaw or some big vehicle to cut a tree down? There is the clear cut area in some places, and far than enough logs around it, to build a small log cabin. To be able to build small extensions would be cool, also removing furniture to add in your own could technically make it your own house.

[Berniyh]

If you look at the roadmap, it says:

• Simple shelter-building

And that's actually scheduled for the next update. In principle that's the start for what is asked here and it's what you would do irl.

First build a shelter, then expand that to be more robust until it's possibly a real house. It's doable, no doubt about that and I don't even think it would be that hard for Hinterland to implement, depending on the interface and the amount of interaction with the build process.

Think about The Forest, where you just place a blue print and then have to carry X logs to the spot to build it.

However, I don't think it would add that much to the game, because the expense of calories would be immense to build your own home and then it still would not have the same warmth bonus as one of the "proper" houses (maybe as much as the Mountaineer's Hut on Timberwolf).

It wouldn't provide much space and storage and no work bench (or you have to build that on your own as well).

Thus, it would be interesting, but – I think – rarely used, apart from accepting the challenge to get it.
 

Edit: Just thought that it would be a great challenge to build such a house on the top of TWM

[TheBestOfUs]

No way... where do you find the information on new updates? Please if you would tell me, it would reduce the number of posts that have titles such as 'What about a new gun?' (an actual post i was gonna start sometime soon) and other posts like that, of an over-excited person in their house for about 2 and a half months doing nothing but trying to get one character to 50 days or more of survival, and to do that with ease would be the best i have ever done (for a long time my high score of six days :) ).

[Scyzara]

16 minutes ago, TheBestOfUs said:

No way... where do you find the information on new updates?

Klick me, I'm the Roadmap! 

[TheBestOfUs]

Thanks a ton for that, seems like a lot is being added!

[cullam]

I would love to see slow, long term modification to buildings. For games where you're in for the long haul. Like being able to cobble together a bed, or put in a work bench. Better yet, having places like the mountaineering hut be too cold and drafty to often stay in, without a fire, but allow you to slowly fix up the cracks, repair the roof, close up the window, etc. Maybe it's just my play style, but I'd really enjoy picking out a place to stay that has potential, but then working on making it your own. Plus, it's something to do in games where you're playing more than 100 days.