AdeptusSteve
I first played this game nearly 2 full years ago, update after update, over that time my imagination considered various features I believe will make the user play longer, increase the potential outcomes for content creators, and overall bring additional investment to your game, your team, yourself, and thereby the content:
Animations need to be happening in the background while Maya is engaged with a chosen character. Yes, current NPC's walk, move, have some basic animation but nothing sexual.. For example, the user could create incredibly dynamic scenes if given more control over the characters summoned. Maybe give directions for the NPC's to interact with each other (built off of the system in place for observing characters:: observe character, select 'have sex with..' button, observe another character, select 'begin animation' button, something like that) to build up a scene around the player. Alternatively, employ a relatively simple AI system the player can toggle on/off with shortcut, instructing the npc's to 'get after it' on their own (use character arrays to match them up with some randomness and distance correction in Blueprint). If the animation system itself is incredibly demanding on hardware then limit the distance or the number of array-matches based on the chosen graphics setting (random idea..?).
Next idea: Mouse input control of the animation so the user can 'do the work'. The sliders need adjusting for each animation to be at it's best in my experience, although the default settings totally work. Some animations appear more realistic with unique slider adjustments and the animations are SO good that I really think the game would benefit from the user having more direct control and input to the system. This is not a simple or quick change, but you have a talented team and the resources (specifically the time..) to make it, and to make it better than other games that have tried. Imagine your same animation systems but the computer mouse is in charge of the 'thrust'. Unbelievable. It would be ABSOLUTELY worth the time. Next level gameplay for what is already a next-level game.
Final idea: This would require the most work and is more of an ideea for a side project, or for an update 3-6 months from now. The game is visually stunning, the animations amazing, and so much can be done in Sandbox mode already. But, while keeping sandbox mode the way it is, it would be cool to have an additional map, small, smaller than even the forest blockout, where Salivarius just 'grabs' you out of the jungle, or, more generally: the npc's initiate the animation. Requires unique AI design and some trigger volumes, behavior trees, blackboard complexity (you have a lot of characters), but the idea is to bring the environment to life by introducing some risk and reality. Is the tribe friend or foe? The creatures and furry characters? The armored, mechanized, war machine characters? The game needs a small, very small, map with a thrill, some risk, a more dynamic existence for Maya in this environment and assortment of unique characters that is both generous and hostile. Small map idea, play around with it
Thank you to you and the team for all the amazing work! These are ideas, suggestions, my own opinion. Unreal Engine is challenging on a good day and this game is a phenomenal achievement. Thank you.
~pajamapanda
