Stewart ask me to post a response to my email to get more feedback to send back: (I've underlined important stuff)
Me: "An issue we faced with modding LRR was (as previously mentioned) that it's not particularly affordable to the average Joe, which therefore meant that next to no-one is creating new models for any of their mods. Then the programs that can do the conversion between the formats, still cost around $50 or more (such a Milkshape 3D)."
Stewart: "This is a huge help in our production run, however we could perhaps create a conversion program, from another less expensive modeler, which 3d modeler packages should we go for?"
Me: "I'll give an example: You start the game for the first time, the game retrieves the resolution of the monitor and sets the game's resolution to match. This resolution is then written to file, which is then read by the game every time it starts. This means that, if 2 years later and larger resolutions come along the settings file can be changed to also support that resolution without the game needing an update."
Stewart: "Our latest code, checks for system for the available screen resolutions and then works at the highest resolution"
Me: "I have managed to get LRR to run at 1024x768 by changing stuff in the CFG, but the darn right menu can't be moved so it sits in the middle of the screen"
Stewart: "we are now set up for more varied resolutions, so the HUD menus are all definable, in new code you will be able to position them anywhere."
Me: *paragraph on types of multiplayer such as Direct connection, Central servers and player servers*
Stewart: "This area we have not developed, we have functionality from DIrectX but we will have to do some specific programming or license a library to do all of this"
Me: "As for multiplayer modes. Here's some ideas to just throw out there: - Drill together to achieve one goal - Some sort of player vs. player mode (who can achieve the goal first) - Rogue player(s) mode, a player controls the monsters or natural elements in an effort to destroy the other players progress? - Race mode, who can drill their way to a point first? - Sandbox mode, drill, build and chat to your heart's content - Base defence, protect your base(s) from waves of monsters."
Stewart: "Sure no problem with these, more ideas welcome"
Me: "Monster Suggestions - Rock Monster is a must - Small fast monster that hides in the dark and attacks things that walk into unlit tunnels. - A monster that emerges from lava pools (this is a good reason to stop lava erosion)."
Stewart: "I like lava monsters. Lego would not let us make the monsters to scary or do much damage, now we are freed up should we go for meaner monsters?" (I understand this to be that LEGO may have not wanted to to be too hard).
Stewart would also like more feedback based on experience with LRR (modding and play) and more monster ideas.
If you post stuff I can bundle it all to send back to him.