Talk:FTL: Faster Than Light

WIP

I will add info from time to time, however in the meantime feel free to contribute anything you have. Zackuber (talk) 12:52, 10 September 2012 (UTC)

Name change

Is there something else called FTL: Faster Than Light? If not, then please removed the parenthesis. --IronMaidenRocks (talk) 09:32, 14 September 2012 (UTC)

Not a Roguelike

The page currently describes this game as a roguelike, but at best it can be considered a roguelike-like, in that it contains some elements of a roguelike, but not enough to be considered one. It is even described this way on the developer's own webpage. Gilgatex (talk) 20:54, 21 September 2012 (UTC)

I took the liberty of describing it closer to how the developer clarifies their usage of the term (that they 'use this term loosely'). We don't need another subgenre of what is already a subgenre. Roguelikelike sounds silly anyway, not something one expects to see in an encyclopaedia. --86.5.226.63 (talk) 23:40, 21 September 2012 (UTC)

Building this, I did some rewording to be more consistent and to work that FAQ quote into the body. --MASEM (t) 23:47, 21 September 2012 (UTC)

Roguelike-like is *not* a sub-genre of roguelike. This game is not a roguelike. I'm not yet sure what the best designation is, but overloading words that have been in use for decades doesn't seem helpful either. 67.198.47.100 (talk) 21:27, 9 July 2014 (UTC)

There is yet no clear separate genre for "rogue-lites" in the industry, and as such, this remains properly classified as a "roguelike". --MASEM (t) 21:55, 9 July 2014 (UTC)

Simulator

Why does the article say, that it is a simulator? It's a space fighting game. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 78.94.9.156 (talk) 19:38, 24 September 2012 (UTC)

Space combat games are properly in the genre Space flight simulator game, including space combat games. --MASEM (t) 19:41, 24 September 2012 (UTC)

Actually, FTL is more of an RPG/dungeon crawler than a space simulator. It has little in common with traditional examples of the genre, like Freelancer, X, or Descent. I recommend that it NOT be classified as a "space simulator." Eridani (talk) 16:48, 23 October 2012 (UTC)

Per space flight simulator game, not all such games require 3d-like space combat (ala Elite/Wing Commander), and often include elements of trading (which FTL has) and less robust combat mechanics (such as early BBS games). --MASEM (t) 16:56, 23 October 2012 (UTC)

That article does not state anything that would suggest a game like FTL would be considered a flight simulator. It does not simulate flight in any way. The player does not control movement of the ship, besides picking destinations on the map.

A true flight simulator attempts to emulate the feel of flying an actual craft, which necessitates a first person (or third person over-the-shoulder) perspective. Although the space flight simulator game article plays a bit loose with the definition of flight simulator, FTL is far outside of the parameters. Also note the creators describe it as a spaceship simulation, not a flight simulator. Some guy (talk) 09:02, 26 December 2012 (UTC)

Not a real-time strategy game

How can this game rightfully be considered an rts? It shares very little in common with other games of that genre aside from the action of clicking certain units and ordering them around and its top-down perspective. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 98.236.66.29 (talk) 04:46, 16 April 2014 (UTC)

Because ordering units and running the ship are done in real-time. --MASEM (t) 05:02, 16 April 2014 (UTC)

The ability to pause the game at any time while still being able to issue orders and engage systems removes it from any mainstream definition of "real-time." — Preceding unsigned comment added by 65.112.206.26 (talk) 15:16, 16 April 2014 (UTC)

While that is technically true, generally real-time in a gaming context is used in opposition to "turn based", not in the strict sense of unpausable passage of time. -- ferret (talk) 15:27, 16 April 2014 (UTC)

Single player RTS have the ability to pause and issue orders (or at least assess the situation), and as you can't alter an incoming event, it's still real time for all regards. --MASEM (t) 15:33, 16 April 2014 (UTC)

Weird Worlds influence

Weird Worlds: Return to Infinite Space (2005) has been cited by Justin Ma as being one of FTL's primary inspirations, for example, during his acceptance speech for FTL's IGF award. Can this be worked in? Weird Worlds and its precursor, Strange Adventures in Infinite Space (2002), had an impact and along with Lost Labyrinth (2001), were also vanguards of the movement into the hybrid roguelike realm. 50.54.225.39 (talk) 16:02, 31 October 2013 (UTC)

We'd need a source of the IGF speech transcript/audio/video which likely does exist, I would think, at the GDC Vault, but once we have that, yes, it can be included. --MASEM (t) 16:32, 31 October 2013 (UTC)

Release date in the lead intro statement

According to Wikipedia:WikiProject Video games/Article guidelines#Organization, "[in the] Lead section: The name of the game in bold italics, its gameplay genre, release date, platform, and other identifying information go first." The lead first para should present the basic background information (in this case, release dates etc) per WP:LEADPARAGRAPH. So should we move the release date from the bottom para to it? Sincerely, Ugog Nizdast (talk) 13:40, 25 July 2014 (UTC)

The release dates are still mentioned in the lead, just in the second paragraph in logical order of summarizing the article - in this case, we have to explain a bit about the development of the game, and the release date naturally falls out of that from summarizing the kickstarter. It's still in the lead so there's no need to move it. --MASEM (t) 15:27, 25 July 2014 (UTC)

Redundancy?

noting that there were almost no barriers to the player restarting after a failed attempt; in considering that a loss in FTL means the player must restart the game, they felt that there had to be no barriers at all for the player to start a new game.

Didn't quite understand the quoted text, is it just me? --94.159.158.153 (talk) 00:55, 10 January 2016 (UTC)

I fixed it, the first part is relating to SMB. --MASEM (t) 00:59, 10 January 2016 (UTC)

GA Review

This review is transcluded from Talk:FTL: Faster Than Light/GA1. The edit link for this section can be used to add comments to the review.

Reviewer: AdrianGamer (talk · contribs) 04:56, 13 March 2016 (UTC)

• The first sentence of the lead should at least mention its first release date and platform
• The lead mentions nothing about the game's reception.
• The Synopsis section should have at least one source (since it is really just a simple setting section)
• The player must "jump" the ship between waypoints, normally unaware what awaits at each point, making headway to an "exit" point leading to the next sector until the Federation is reached - Rephrase it to "The player must "jump" the ship between waypoints, normally unaware what awaits at each point, and make headway to an "exit" point leading to the next sector until the Federation is reached"
• causes the rebel fleet to occupy more of the space in each sector. - What does this mean?
• "Players" or "the player". Choose one
• The gameplay section is completely unsourced besides the last sentence in the last paragraph.
• "the initial concept was as simple as wanting to put the player in the commander's chair instead of the pilot's", - can be paraphrased
• anticipate a 10% success rate - which aspect? Completing the game? Completing a mission?
• designed "to be hard, but not frustrating" - Rephrased it to something similar to "designed to be challenging without discouraging the player." Eliminate a quotation marks.
• Wikilink permadeath
• PC Gamer magazine offered an early preview of the game that created more media interest in time for the Independent Games Festival at the March 2012 Games Developer Conference - I don't think that the source clearly states that the PC Gamer preview created media interest.
• The OnLive cloud-based gaming service included FTL and other Independent Games Festival finalists for several weeks around the conference. - Included in what?
• The development section can be further divided into several subsections. E.g. Funding, design etc.
• Subset Games has stated that they would not likely create a direct sequel to FTL to through sales of FTL to continue to fund their future projects can be moved to a new section called sequel.
• a pulsar environmental hazard which periodically disable a ship's systems to All of the expansion's content can be disabled within the game if preferred. - All these are not included in the source.
• These sources aren't used for the development section

• 'We don't really like developing on iOS,' admits FTL dev team
• FTL Advanced Edition Exclusive Interview: FTL Creator Discusses New Ships, New Race, And The Possibility Of FTL Android
• Interview: Subset Games Talk FTL
• The music of FTL: Faster Than Light - an interview with composer Ben Prunty

• Would be great if you actually mention the actual game's release date. The "FTL: Advanced Edition" section should be renamed to "Release".
• It was reviewed by a lot of critics, and the section should be expanded significantly.
• For modern games, scores from GR is unnecessary per the template guideline
• The reviewers you use don't seem to be reliable or notable (GameCritics, Game Scouts etc.)
• Any sales information?
• This can replaced source 18. (secondary source)
• Should be GameSpot not Gamespot, GameSpy not Gamespy
• NeoGAFs result shouldn't be used as they are user generated. They can be included if reliable sources write about them.
• All the awards should be grouped together in one single paragraph.
• 4 dead links, and the sources from Penny Arcade don't seem to be working.
• No significant problems with close paraphrasing

Overall

GA review – see WP:WIAGA for criteria

1. Is it reasonably well written?

   A. Prose is "clear and concise", without copyvios, or spelling and grammar errors:

   B. MoS compliance for lead, layout, words to watch, fiction, and list corporation:

2. Is it factually accurate and verifiable?

   A. Has an appropriate reference section:

   B. Citation to reliable sources where necessary:

   C. No original research:

3. Is it broad in its coverage?

   A. Major aspects:

   B. Focused:

4. Is it neutral?

   Fair representation without bias:

5. Is it stable?

   No edit wars, etc:

6. Does it contain images to illustrate the topic?

   A. Images are tagged with their copyright status, and valid fair use rationales are provided for non-free content:

   B. Images are provided if possible and are relevant to the topic, and have suitable captions:

7. Overall:

   Pass or Fail:

This is a quality article, and the development section looks fantastic. However, I got to say that the gameplay, reception and the lead suffer from quite a lot of problems, which I think will take quite a long time to fix. The article is reaching the GA status, but there is a lot of room for improvement. Leaving this on hold. AdrianGamer (talk) 15:36, 15 March 2016 (UTC)

@Omni Flames: Can I get a progress update? AdrianGamer (talk) 14:27, 20 March 2016 (UTC)

@AdrianGamer: Oh, right sorry! I've done some of the things you asked for [1] but I've still got some more to do. I plan to do it in the next couple of days or so. — Omni Flames (talk contribs) 20:50, 20 March 2016 (UTC)

@Omni Flames: - Can I get another progress update? It was left on hold for 16 days already and I don't think it is appropriate to leave a review on hold for this long. AdrianGamer (talk) 13:21, 31 March 2016 (UTC)

I think you should decline it. I'm going to do some work on the article, but it will probably take some time, I'll be back with another nom after. — Omni Flames (talk contribs) 05:33, 1 April 2016 (UTC)

Starfleet Battles

It is shocking that Starfleet Battles is not listed as an influence for this game, considering that except for not using Star Trek and Trek-themed ship designs, this game is almost a perfect rendition of the Starfleet Battles gameplay. Credit where credit is due, Subset Games! GlassDeviant (talk) 14:03, 26 July 2016 (UTC)

WP:OR Some guy (talk) 07:32, 27 July 2016 (UTC)

It's not a game made in China

This game is not Chinese game but was marked as Category:Video games developed in China. I have told User:DrStrauss to fix the problem and he removed the category.

@DrStrauss and RileyBugz: So here is new proof, this site introduces the game and didn't mentioned it's made by Chinese game developer, too. We know that Chinese are so proud of themselves. If there is game made in China, they call it 国产游戏 (National-made game), so we can make a conclusion here.--Beta Lohman (talk) 09:56, 11 February 2017 (UTC)

They started the development while in Shanghai after both quit from 2K China. They have since moved, but an appreciable amount of time of this game was made in China by definition. --MASEM (t) 14:31, 11 February 2017 (UTC)

@DrStrauss, Masem, and Beta Lohman: So, let's define where it was developed by where it was finished. So, in that case, we have to find out where it was finished. RileyBugz^{Yell at me} | _Edits 15:47, 11 February 2017 (UTC)

It was probably finished in the US, but I can't confirm (it just seems obvious given all else we know). So for that purpose, the game would qualify as both a game developed in China and in the US. The key is that those catagories are not looking at the nationality or place-of-registration of the developers but simply where a non-trivial amount of the work can verifiably be confirmed to have been done. --MASEM (t) 15:50, 11 February 2017 (UTC)

Subset Games

The article Subset Games redirects to this article. The redirect was decided upon because, at the time, Subset just had one game, this one. Now that they have two games, does it make sense to ressurect/recreate the Subset Games article? Both games, while not AAA games, were highly acclaimed. Thoughts? — Frεcklεfσσt | Talk 18:26, 31 March 2018 (UTC)

There's little about the studio themselves beyond their games, which is a limiting factor for notability. --Masem (t) 19:03, 31 March 2018 (UTC)

Rebels "xenophobic"?

The synopsis says the Rebels are xenophobic, but there's no valid citation for this. The first citation doesn't load anymore, and the other citation is a review where the reviewer claims the rebels are human supremacist but doesn't say why.

I've got a lot of hours in this game and I don't think the Rebels are portrayed as a xenophobic group. There is to my knowledge only one single example in the game of one guy on one rebel ship with this attitude. 121.200.5.198 (talk) 03:46, 22 April 2023 (UTC)