by Fisherman » Sat Oct 10, 2009 3:25 pm
Paul, from the start I, and probably others here assumed that the other boats had some sort of AI involved that guided them and that they actually "Fished". That illusion is gone with the sightings of boats circling endlessly, ramming into us at the starting dock and other points and the numerous other incidents involving the other boats(Blue Boat-Grrr! Red Boat-What a NUT!).
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While I look forward to the new update, whatever improvements to be made, I wonder about these other boats and what substance they really have beyond their mere physical presence. Since the boats that already exist have a certain amount of individuality to them, as far as color and design go, could further development of these "Fisherman" be possible? Could they be programmed to be linked to the guide service tips, for instance, and go to a specific area to "Fish" for a specific species? Like a Star rating of Five for a Tournament Pro, Four for and Experienced Fisherman, Three for a Duffer, Two for a Novice and One for a Newby, with the types and colors of boats they fish in tied into that rating, leading to their potential to "Find" and "catch" the tournament fish? That way there would be fisherman one would come to recognize and challenge at each tournament, and they could specialize in certain species.
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A random effect of "Luck" could affect any outcome randomly,(everyone gets lucky sometimes, but the best are the best for a reason), but say, if we knew going into a tournament that we were going up against "Joe Fisherman", who had won five tournaments, and also "Bob Bassman" winner of a truck and boat his last time out(Which reminds me that we could won more than cash at tournaments, cars, boats, trucks, motors etc could be added, collected and even sold), that would add a great degree of tension, excitement and fun to each and every event fished. A win would mean even more then. Cutscenes at the weigh-in of their praise or scorn could be added, and the weigh-in itself could have the "Hotseat", with an angler waiting to see if anyone can unseat them and claim at least a temporary advantage. But it would take a really great fishing day to beat the top tournament fishermen, even if their "Skill" was largely an illusion born of behind the scenes numbers. It is the illusion that we play in I would like to see brought to life. A "Tournament Trail" and a "Cup" awarded for best fisherman in each species would be cool as well. Look good on the photo wall.
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Now I don't know what all is possible for you to do, Paul, but I feel you have a template here that has great potential, much of it still untapped. As the fishing itself, the fish, and the lakes and their various environments improve, I would like to see the other areas of the game grow as well, to maintain the high quality and balance of play we are coming to expect from your games. The tournaments and the fishermen in them remain unrefined. Some individuality and personality would go a long ways to restore the illusion of substance the other fisherman now lack. They could go from a danger to be avoided, to a "person" to be admired, and defeated.