One of the few minor problems existing in Feralheart is 'The visual inconsistency problem'.
This occurs when different users use different markings, items and other content.
For example,
Player 1 is downloads and uses Markings A and Items A.
Player 2 is downloads and uses Markings B and Items B.
Player 1 is using a marking called 'Back Splatter' (a body marking from Markings A), although Player 2 sees Player 1 using a marking called 'Chest Fade' (a body marking from Markings B). Likewise, Player 2 is using glasses and a scarf (both are items from Items B) although Player 1 sees Player 2 using neon pink antlers and a beak (both are items from Items A).
Thus, both players never see each other's markings or items correctly until they decide to use the same markings and items download as each other (a solution that is unreasonable when dealing with large numbers of users!).
My solution to this problem is inspired by Feralheart's PresetSync client.
If my understanding of how the PresetSync client version of Feralheart works is correct, it enables users to see other users' presets by enabling them to download them to their preset folder during initialization of the Feralheart game client, provided the users' presets have been successfully uploaded to the Feralheart servers.
With all the markings, items and other content being developed, I wonder if it's possible for markings and items to be uploaded to Feralheart's server for us to download at our next log-in, enabling us all with the ability to make use of the new stuff people make and see them clearly without inconsistencies.
However, with all suggestions like these, there are significant questions to be asked and considerations to be made, such as:
If we allow markings and items to be uploaded, it makes them standard to all Feralheart users. If they're forced to update their game with these new markings/items frequently because of new user content releases, user memory storage will be significantly impacted.
If inappropriate markings and items are uploaded, will Feralheart's team regulate the content with moderation? If so, how will they do it? Is it feasible?
Some users produce content that is their own, which may be pirated and uploaded to the Feralheart servers for anyone to view/access. This may already occur with the PresetSync, but it will be a greater problem if it occurs with additional content such as markings/items.
Some user content, like animations, cannot be synchronised properly - as there's no means of selecting which animations bundle the user would like to use when accessing their character in the character creation menu. Will this require expansion? or will it be excluded from the content synchronisation altogether?
Feel free to post your questions and thoughts about the solution suggested, along with your own ideas as to how the solution might be amended to properly fit user comfort and reliability. If you have a solution of your own to make that is entirely separate from this one, please start a new thread topic and provide a link referring back to this one so that other users may explore the various options and provide critical input.
Thank you for your time, suggestions and feedback.
