Agrik wrote:Sorry, I don't get what can be the "game tuning" you mention that is alike to a car tuning for 1% of racers and has something to do with exploits. Any example?
Tuning code is much like tuning an auto engine--looking at individual parts and figuring out what can be changed to make it perform better. The techniques may not be quite the same since the medium is different, but it's a lot of trial and error and testing for both. The end goal, however, is different. In a car, it's to squeeze every bit of horsepower, torque, speed, and other performance factors. Otherwise, a car that isn't running at 100% of it's capability is still drivable and usually considered safe (clear exceptions, of course, like the brakes being out, no working lights, etc).
Software that isn't performing it's job strictly and exactly has conditions where things break down, too, but instead of performing at a lower level, it becomes exploitable and hackable. For an average user, this usually isn't a problem as they're not going to seek out the exploits and holes to break the software. They're just going to use it for what they need it for. One the issues we had in the past were wall and cliff jumping (before cliff climbing was an actual mechanic). In games, typically single player, these sorts of issues are seen as quaint little easter eggs or fun parts as long as they don't break the game. In multiplayer games, especially those with any form of competition, this becomes a real issue due to some players seeking any edge they can over others, even to the point of 'cheating.'
One big example from the past was the "wall jump" issue. Anyone that has been around more than a few years can likely name someone they knew that got raided this way. it was a problem for even the largest factions. Others can be named, too. There were more than a few combat hacks over the years.
Because of holes in the designs or bugs in code, exploits emerged. It's this way with every bit of software ever made. Cars that don't perform at 100%? Safe as long as the driver is competent and aware of the mechanical limitations. Software that isn't 100%? Always a risk to the user and developer.
I've always likened computers to cars. you can be a simple driver getting back and forth to work, you can be a tinkerer fixing your own cars (or computers), or take the leap into software and build your own systems. Good thing about software is you don't need a lot of money (or getting your hands dirty).
Agrik wrote:Totally possible, even though "player base" is a scope too vague to deduce something objective from its opinion.
Let me rephrase that: "active forum members." (Two old sayings amongst my friends: "It's just a theory, it could be wrong" and "Theories are like assholes--everyone has one..." and I'll stop that one there just to be polite.)
Opinions expressed in this statement are the authors alone and in no way reflect on the game development values of the actual developers.