10 years to destroy and a second to build

( seems like the kind of thing that'd be pretty quick to mod and try out ;) )

Honestly, I largely agree with the sentiment, but its a bit late to make changes that big to the overall flow of the game. If you want a mode without building during the fighting, there's TDM.

I think that (as you've identified) it's a big issue with "build and fight" games at large, where in order to avoid the building becoming too niche we make it instantaneous and as gratifying as possible, at the expense of everything else. If I make another game like KAG in the future I'd like to slow down building or keep it limited to smaller areas like the engineer building in TR.

I dont think I'd mind it being more of a niche role from the start, as it is it's too easy to keep jamming blocks in the holes and hold out for years, and its very frustrating. Changing it at this point though on a global level is just likely to rustle feathers.

 

I suppose you're talking about CTF, or at least that's what I had in mind while reading. I can't at least imagine the idea applied in TTH, or not in its current state.
What you propose is interesting, and what you defined as unfun too. Perhaps is a bit too late, and as Geti wrote, it can be easily tested as a mod. Removing that part of the building creativity (from offensive building for gaining map control, to fast thinking in stress situations) might be a killer, but the mode looks worth trying. And this is being said by someone who's been playing mainly builder for around 4 years.

Nevertheless you're pointing out some of the most common concerns about the casual gameplay (leave alone competitive matches). Summing up, all those features and mechanics that are unfun but effective, (needless to say most of the good players exploit them as much as they can): entombing, tunneling, the abuse of specific items like burgers, drills, mines etc. And I would add common tactics used every match nowadays like keg drops, bomb bolt spam, bomb arrow spam, teleporter spam, water ammo spam...

I suggest to have it like an alternative game mode, something like War or Siege. At KAG, with all these explosives destroying castles is as easy as melting butter. Perhaps making it simpler could fit your ideas: only normal arrows and bombs.

As you say the community might be a bit conservative, but there's some people making mods, and dedicated players join modded servers often (at least for a couple of weeks :>).

 

Mmm. As 8x said, such a game mode might very well be worth trying (even if builder is my main class). Also, going off something else 8x mentioned, it'd definitely require a change in items, in available blocks, in siege and explosive equipment. Would make for a very different game; but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Actually, it reminds me of the old A&D (Attack & Defence) servers where side A started with a massive castle and a flag, and side B had to try and break in and capture said flag. Those games were loads of fun. Lots of hilarity and shenanigans, even by KAG standards. The only major difference between those and what you're suggesting is that in your mode both teams get castles to defend; and the castles aren't predefined by the map--they'd be unique as per the creative instincts of the players.

Idk. Maybe I'm imagining things the wrong way; but what I've got in my head is a gamemode that plays out in two phases: part A has everyone slaving away as builders to create glorious monstrosities of masonry and lumber, while part B has everyone suit as either knights or archers and try to break through the enemy and claim the enemy flag. So kinda like if a creative server and a RCTF server had babies.

Ofc, with such a game there'd need to be careful map design and (v possibly, some extra game mechanics at work) to ensure that the game progressed apace, rather than grinding down into an awful back-and-forth stalemate where no one can claim ground (bc no builders, lol).

 

True, but don't underestimate the potential for pubs to continue to push back/forth across no man's land without ever resolving the match, haha.

 

That would be good, although the potential for some kind of sudden death mode shouldn't be overlooked either. I've often wondered about having a match timer (say, half an hour?) that, upon expiry, implemented a sudden death-ish situation (e.g. both teams get 20 tickets and 5 minutes to try and win the match--cue much desperation and wild antics). It'd certainly stop matches form dragging out for hours and, more importantly, would generally lead to some kind of satisfying ending. Possible endings from this kind of sudden death set up being:

1. A wins by killing all B;
2. A wins by forcing B into hiding and stealing their flag(s);
3. B succeeds in forcing a draw by holding off A due to the heroic efforts of a few surviving B players;
4. a no-score-draw due to all surviving players from both teams being cowards & turtling until the 5 min timer expires.

Of those possible endings, only #4 lacks any kind of conclusive finale; and the players only have themselves to blame for betraying their colours and turning yellow. In many respects, it would be a return to those high-stakes endings that frequently happened back in Classic; which would be pretty cool, tbh. Some of my fondest KAG memories involve attacking or defending during a 0 tickets situation; where a mistake could easily lose you the match. Imagine: it's just you and a few others players left. You've most of your (currently dead) team looking on, cheering, shouting out encouragement or advice. Your heart-rate skyrockets. Your palms grow sweaty and fingers start to slip on keys. The clock it ticking, the enemy advances, the game... The game is ON!

Best days of our lives.