Rafael Horbach

[magnum1973 (Experienced Hunter)]

I read in the news that he had joined monumental and was working on this game. I was wondering if he ever drops by the forums? I am pretty sure he was the only person ever to answer an email from me at SLS. I am interested in finding what he has brought to the table from any of the other hunting games he worked on and wjat does he see in store for this game?

[mrtibbs]

I think this is a chance for me to get him in the studio for an audio podcast.

Please post any questions you may have for Rafael in this thread...

[magnum1973 (Experienced Hunter)]

1. Were you disappointed with the product in DHT that you had to release to the public? If so has that made you even more determined to bring a better quality game with Hunters World?

2. What attracted you to this game and to make you leave SLS?

3. Have you actually played any of the hunting games that you worked on? I mean just for fun, not testing them or anything like that.

4. What are you hoping to accomplish with this game compared to the others that you have worked on?

5. It seems like some of the hunting games out there are only geared to single player. From your experience, have you found that more people want to be able to play online with their friends or just single player?

6. In the other games they had a lot of replay value and as a matter of fact DH2005 is still going strong on some sites. What do you plan on doing with Hunters World to get that same replay value.


It is early and my brain isn't functioning fully. I will post some more questions later. Mr. Tibbs if you get him in the studio and use any of these questions, I am going to have to charge you one beer for every one you use.

[TKSniper]

My question is, what involvement, if any, will the community have in the development of Hunter's World? Will there be any editing tools so we, the community, can create and/or assist in creating new hunting environments? The bigger part of my enjoyment with the SLS games was tinkering with the editor.
MP is definitely a must, but so is variety of animals (including ambient creatures) and environments.

[mrtibbs]

Keep your questions coming in

[BoltAction 7.62]

my question would be very similar to whats already posted,
i feel the ability to provided the gaming comnunity some form of being able to actively contribute with tools such as an editor would provide a MUCH greater range of overall game enjoyment, knowing that you are helping the game in some form or another..
for those unsure
just look at what microsoft flightsim community has managed with places like
flightsim.com and avsim.com hosting many thousands of user files in models / re-skins / textures / scenery addons or mods..ect ect..the list is staggering..not to mention the Sheer size of the community actively participating in something they love with a passion..
it would be a Truly massive leap forward in virtual hunting sims to elevate there status to something more deserving than simply calling them Niche based games..
it would be very interesting to hear Rafael's Veiws on this.
and indeed any of the other hunters world developers , aswell as the whole forum
regards
gary

[MonacoSteve]

I'd like to know first which role Mr Horbach has played in the earlier hunting games. Was he a leading artist, a (co)producer, a game designer? Depending on this, I might also have some particular questions to him !

[mrtibbs]

He was a lead programmer and still is. A very talented one as well, but don't tell him I said that as he's also very modest!

[MonacoSteve]

He was a lead programmer and still is. A very talented one as well, but don't tell him I said that as he's also very modest!

OK, thx, so here is my question to him:

Hunting games try to mirror, much more than any other outdoor adventure simulation, the interaction of humans with nature. In order to be successful, hunters must know nature and it's inherent rules. Now, one of the key features of nature is it's incredible variability in terms of environment and the creatures that live there. Yes, there are rules and repeated patterns (otherwise, any life science would fail to define them), but a lot you see out there, starting with the shape of a simple leaf, and ending with the sophisticated behaviour of an animal, contains a lot of random elements. For me, therefore, one of the most important features that a successful new game in this genre should contain is the reflection of this variability. Now, everybody knows, that computers work (and MUST work) mainly with determinants and fixed rules rather than with random algorithms. How do you see the possibilities of modern coding to deal with this obvious contradiction? Will HW contain enough variability to reflect nature in an comprehensible way? Will the animals have enough different walking/trotting/running styles and small, natural body/body part movements so that they will not get boring and predictable after you see them for the third time already? Will the AI be sophisticated enough to react adequately and at the same time differentiated enough to external impulses?

OOps - this developed into a looong question, in fact. Nevertheless - any answer from the expert would be appreciated !

[bucknasty (Experienced Hunter)]

my question would be... are you as excited as us to be part of the 1st mmo hunting game?..thats rhetorical of course you are hehe.. now given the platform/format you have now.. you guys can do so much with this game than anyone else has ever done with hunting games..i have heard many great suggestions by the community on the forums.. like adding camps you can set up anywhere in the game temporary of course.. i have pictured it in my head and also mentioned in a thread how cozy it would be to see yourself in your own campsite fire goin and all..and being able to heal up from ther..also eat and drink up your stamina.. wich brings me to my question.. have you had any ideas that take advantage of this type of game and set it apart from the same old things you do in older hunting games like the DH series and such? if you have i wont make you give too much away...but if you can share anything with us i wont stop you either.