Tbh guys my mind is so scrambled on this so I needed to put everything in one place to compile everything.
So basically, my first argument is that this isnt a pred game, its a poorly balanced asymm with a predator skin (Not to mention more of those skins being sold to us on arguably better and p2w classes ;D)
“Predator Hunting Grounds”
“Play an asymmetrical multiplayer shooter that pits man against Predator. As part of a Fireteam, complete missions before the Predator finds you. Or be the Predator and hunt your prey.”
Now from the title of the game, and the description (On EGS), You can surmise that the game while an assymetrical shooter, Is going to be one with a stealth, tracking, and “Hunting” playstyle for pred, whilst a complete mission and “survive” style of gameplay for FT. However this is not the case. This game is a brawl, and whilst it is “possible” to achieve gameplay along these lines, its rare, and when it does happen, its forced.
Not to mention the balance of the game is practically nonexistant. Most weapons are useless, because a select few weapons are so “meta” that they overshadow everything else. Add onto that the fact that pred has practically nonexistant stealth, as well as now piss poor damage, and FT has far too much time, and not enough pressure, to do their missions, and realistically most games devolve into a single fight that is wholly unsatisfying, especially considering the queue time that is involved. Add onto that, that the matches are often one sided. If the Fireteam is uncoordinated, the likeliness of them winning is low, if they are coordinated, preds chances of winning are just as bad. And finally reinforcements which completely dissolve any semblance of pressure, or fear, or anything for the FT, and yet while I dislike them strongly, its a necessary evil in the current iteration.
The issues with this game, On every level, has to do with the focal point of the balance. Hence the poll I held the other day. (Due to the fact that it doesnt render here, and the menu is broken I will be estimating the results here.)
The question posed was “What should the game be balanced around?” And of 64 voters:
*Game should be balanced around both teams killing each other 17%
*Game should be balanced around FT surviving and pred being second winded (can be done solo) to buy him time 13%
*Game should be balanced around Pred Being OP and FT only being able to kill him as a team 70%
On one hand this is good. It means that the majority of (at the least the voters) players still wish to see pred in the power postion. However it is bad, because clearly this focus on teamwork to kill predator is destroying any chance this game has at balance. (at least on a casual level.)
On the other hand, This game is a combination of both the pred being op, and both teams fighting option. Which only further cements its failure. This part of the balance often creates too much room for the game to end abruptly before the 5 minute mark, and as such, people get frustrated and leave because no one wants to wait 10+ minutes for a 3 minute game.
Hence why my option was placed in there. A new focus around stalling for time, rather than outright killing each other, will allow the game to become healthy again. Balancing around second wind, would allow pred to apply more pressure to the ft, Whilst making his punishment for a bad play, not being the loss of the match necessarily, but rather the loss of pressure, and as such time. This will also allow people with individual skill to shine, regardless of teamwork, because if they are cautious they will be able to second wind predator, and as such force more time. This will significantly extend matches, but more so, will allow for a multitude of other changes to take root.
My opinon has always been that predator should be “Overpowered”. But not because he can run in and tank bullets while he slaps down the FT. More so in the sense that he holds a significant advantage through his technology, equipment, and most of all, intelligence.
Once balanced around that, the next priority should be preds stealth. He needs to be able to move while cloaked and remain invisible. But he should be slow while doing it, hence the idea of crouch walking and moving around in trees being fully invis (as well as standing still). Moving uncrouched, leaping, and for a short time after firing most ranged weapons, pred should be semi visible. Pred should be able to see which state he is in to prevent confusion. And the clicking he makes, should no longer be directional, however it should be louder. It should be the sound that puts fear into the FT, good headset or not, because whilst they know pred is there, they dont know “exactly” where. that will give the game far better atmosphere on the FT side
On top of better stealth, damage on both sides needs to be significantly improved. TTK shouldnt be instant, but it should be fast enough for pred to capitalize on a lone player (at the least downing him), or for said lone player to turn on pred and second wind him. Ranged weapons need to also be improved, as they give away preds position, and with his lack of health that can get him winded, with no reward as he cant capitalize on a down.
To further support queue times, as well as the improved atmosphere, reinforcements need to be removed. Preds second winded health should reflect the number of players in the match, and as such it should be easiest for the last person to kill him in second wind alone. This makes suvival more rewarding, and intense, whilst also improving the 1v1 experience at the end without making it to strong early.
Maps obviously need to be bigger, and objectives should encourage splitting up, at times. to create opportunities for Pred, Or pred should have better ways to split the FT up. Not forcing them apart, but not making it easy to stick together.
Preds tracking needs to be revamped. Footprints should be permanent, but also should drop off within a proximity to FT members to prevent figuring out where exactly they are. They should be very visible so they can be easily tracked from the trees.
While rough, and not really as descriptive as I can be, This, is the foundation of a Real predator game. This is what Im fighting for. And this is not a simple matter of “You’re bad” or “Git Gud”. Its a matter of opinion, and also in my opinion, its the changes this game needs to survive.
New maps, New game modes even, wont fix the core issues of the game. They might keep you interested for a bit longer, but they will never be the saving grace, They will only make the issues we have currently worse in my opinion. I believe strongly that what I am proposing will make this game far more interesting for both sides, as well as bring back all those we have lost. This is the kind of redemption no mans sky had, And the kind of redemption this game needs.