Introducing the XLOG video series

[Axeface]

You can get venture visitors in modified games, you just can’t send them. My idea would be to bring in visitors that you should attack, either defensively or offensively.
Somebody said they found new pirate faction(s) in the newer data files, so I’m sure missions involving them are coming.

I was looking at that file last night, wasnt sure if they were in the original or not. Interesting

[Nikola515]

That is interesting... Ill be keeping eye on. Problem with using existing assets or even other player venture ships will limit number of missions in universe (limited number of ships in universe vs production). Spawning ships out of thin air to be attacked or attack station would solve all of those problems.

[tomchk]

That is interesting... Ill be keeping eye on. Problem with using existing assets or even other player venture ships will limit number of missions in universe (limited number of ships in universe vs production). Spawning ships out of thin air to be attacked or attack station would solve all of those problems.

Don't other players' venture ships basically spawn? I didn't think they got produced but haven't looked at any code. If they must resort to spawning, I just want them to have a lore basis for it, like visitors or Khaak warping in or something.

[CBJ]

Please stay on-topic in this thread.

[obri [on Linux]]

Hi egosoft team,

I just watched the latest XLOG - very impressive how you simulate nearly the whole universe.

One question came to my mind. How many threads/CPU cores can X4 use? I own a Ryzen 7 1800x wich can handle 16 logical CPU cores. How much of them are used by X4? As the game seems to use a lot of CPU Power, this would be interesting to know.

Best regards

obri

[CBJ]

That question has been answered a few times already, but the threads are probably not so easy to find so you're forgiven for asking again.

The game uses two threads very heavily, one for the main universe simulation and one for rendering the current view. It then uses other threads for various tasks such as asset loading, pathing, certain types of physics simulation, and so on. Based on this, 4 cores is the minimum it can comfortably work with, and it will certainly make use of more than that but with diminishing returns after a certain point. What it can't do, because of the deep and complex interconnectedness of the objects in the game universe, is spread the universe simulation itself over multiple threads. This means that the core speed is, and will remain, an important factor, and will become more important than the number of cores once those diminishing returns kick in.

Again, if people want to discuss this further, please do so in another thread!

[DaMuncha]

When is the next XLOG and what will it be about?

What staff works on the different parts of the expansion or 3.0 update?

What is Bernd's role/what parts of the game does he work on at Egosoft?

Are you already thinking about the next X game or the next expansion?

[mr.WHO]

Are you already thinking about the next X game or the next expansion?

Probably way too early for next X-game, but with closing to release of Split Vendetta I think DLC 2 is already in the work (as they said it's too early for Borons, I hope for Terrans).

[sh1pman]

Please talk about the plans for endgame content, if there are any. Currently it feels lacking.

[Shehriazad]

Are you already thinking about the next X game or the next expansion?

Probably way too early for next X-game, but with closing to release of Split Vendetta I think DLC 2 is already in the work (as they said it's too early for Borons, I hope for Terrans).

I wouldn't mind if the second DLC was all about antagonists.

Expanded pirates, overarching Xenon plot, Khaak doing something shady again...or simply some megacorps trying to shift the power in their...profitable....favour.


I'd actually be happy about the Terrans NOT playing a big role. Heck...I would love to see a new player enter the cosmos as well.

[mr.WHO]

I'd actually be happy about the Terrans NOT playing a big role. Heck...I would love to see a new player enter the cosmos as well.

Why not antagonist Terrans? WIth what hapened in X3 AP I wouldn't be suprised them wanting to settle old grudges with their Argon cousins (they would be natural HOP ally).

[tomchk]

Yeah, antagonist Terrans sounds *sweet*, and the assets should be much less work, allowing Egosoft to focus on gameplay features!

[Greenhorn]

Hi benard,can you talk about ,end game stuff,like the appearance of the Ancients /soleran and Outsiders ?.What there ships look like? .Ancients purpose of the gates changing connections alot? .There war with outsiders?.Will these have an apperence in x4 foundations?.bye take care. .

[mr.WHO]

Hi benard,can you talk about ,end game stuff,like the appearance of the Ancients /soleran and Outsiders ?

I think they stated multiple times that Ancients/Outsider stuff will remain only in lore background as they would be too OP to even consider.

[Alith-Ahnar]

One thing I would love to hear more in depth would be the scope for the upcoming Diplomacy system.

Things like what are the supposed mechanics?
Can we shift relations between factions?
Can we make or break alliances between factions?
Can we become a minor faction to a major?
Can we become a major faction and have vassals?
Can we entice factions to merge "Holy Order of Argon Prime"?

Those are just a few questions that make me wonder what to expect.
Certainly there are others that would also appreciate the team spending some time to talk about the system.

[Axeface]

Can we entice factions to merge "Holy Order of Argon Prime"

I really hope not. The idea that the player and their small (by the grand scheme of things) corporation can have such massive political clout is just farcical to me (clout that can even influence the interaction of entire species to a large degree).

[Shehriazad]

Can we entice factions to merge "Holy Order of Argon Prime"

I really hope not. The idea that the player and their small (by the grand scheme of things) corporation can have such massive political clout is just farcical to me (clout that can even influence the interaction of entire species to a large degree).

Every faction is lead by a single entity....and if we look at real life there are individuals that managed to cause conquests of nations and continents....some of them starting as an absolute nobody.

To be a leader all you need is willpower, charisma...and the luck to meet a few people that believe in you.

And let's not forget that you can get like Jeff Bezoz type rich in this game....and have more military might than any single faction if you work hard enough.

Making others team up even if it's just because you are too dangerous is actually super plausible.

[Alith-Ahnar]

Can we entice factions to merge "Holy Order of Argon Prime"

I really hope not. The idea that the player and their small (by the grand scheme of things) corporation can have such massive political clout is just farcical to me (clout that can even influence the interaction of entire species to a large degree).

Well you see and that's the point why those question are on my mind and i would like to hear more of it in detail beyond a vague "Players gona have a endgame system to influence factions."

The tools and the option (If you don't like it don't do it) to merge Factions and create super factions like those that have been mentioned back in the first X games the "Foundation Guild" and the "Profit Guild" are enticing to me.

So what is it you want from the Diplomacy System is there nothing that makes you curious?

[spankahontis]

My biggest question about X4 3.0 is how Bernd went from X-Rebirth era serious Bernd

KNEEL BEFORE ZOD!!!

Well you see and that's the point why those question are on my mind and i would like to hear more of it in detail beyond a vague "Players gona have a endgame system to influence factions."

The tools and the option (If you don't like it don't do it) to merge Factions and create super factions like those that have been mentioned back in the first X games the "Foundation Guild" and the "Profit Guild" are enticing to me.

So what is it you want from the Diplomacy System is there nothing that makes you curious?

Mergers with Corporate Factions definitely.

Problem at the moment is Factions keep to themselves when it comes to building their empire, only expanding into other Factions territories when they are invading.
Hatikvah/Argon/Antigone are a slight exception.
But you never see the Teladi expanding into other neutral/friendly Factions territory (Which would be lore accurate if they do). They are obsessed with profit so would set up shop anywhere to acquire it

[Axeface]

Every faction is lead by a single entity....and if we look at real life there are individuals that managed to cause conquests of nations and continents....some of them starting as an absolute nobody.
To be a leader all you need is willpower, charisma...and the luck to meet a few people that believe in you.
And let's not forget that you can get like Jeff Bezoz type rich in this game....and have more military might than any single faction if you work hard enough.
Making others team up even if it's just because you are too dangerous is actually super plausible.

I dont really see it like that,, considering the population of planets I dont think the player can be a Jeff Bezoz like you say. Ive always seen the factions and npcs we see in the games as any one factions spacefaring people (that are a tiny tiny minority) rather than an entire faction or even a large part of one. Its more like a colony or expaditionary force, with a large smattering of civilians, no? To me this implies that most real or impactful politics is happening down there on the ground where we cant influence it. Maybe im wrong and the spacefaring world, that is all we actually get to see, is much more influential and important than I realise - but I doubt it (the reality is that its probably not actually even been considered, I think it would be interesting to consider it).

As for the player influencing factions, I wanted to say 'to a large degree' - I think we should have influence, perhaps be able to cause a truce between two rival factions (like a truce in the paranid civil war), but should we really be able to disolve the reasons behind something like the Split and Boron relations? More deep seated things. I dont think so. The specific quote I was referencing was saying the player could unite the Paranid... and upon thinking about it more... maybe I was wrong and that is a place it could make sense? That civil war is a temporary issue caused by a sudden shock to their culture, and isnt so deep seated - possible. And a united Paranid could be rather scary ;p

Making others team up even if it's just because you are too dangerous is actually super plausible.

I totally missed this bit, sorry. Absolutely. Other threads have talked about ship quotas and rep hits for being too powerful, to that I am in total agreement.