Coop Idea
This is a little idea I had for coop. Basically, it is a 'simple' modification, that replaces P-Body and Atlas in coop with Chell and Rattman.
No, really!
Obviously, this would require a custom playermodel for Rattman, (which would probably take quite awhile,) but I think it could be done. I have neither the skills nor tools to do it myself, but I just thought I'd throw this idea out there.
Anyhow, I'd like to see everyone's responses to this 'little' idea. I doubt anyone will actually pick it up and make it, but I thought it was worth mentioning.
(Moderators, if this is in the wrong section, feel free to move it, or delete it if it's that appauling.)
Custom model for Rattman... a little difficult. Would have to copy all the animations from Chell to another human character which has been modded. Getting the models to work in coop may be a problem, but changing from Chell in single player to a bot is easy and works. So the reverse would probably work too.
Personally Rattman and Chell together would be awkward, but I guess it could be pulled off.
Awkward, probably. They just seem like they would be such a good pair to test with. They ran around in portal 1 not directly contacting each other. Maybe this would require a full blown mod and story Chell/Rattman coop based. Hmm.
Another thing to consider is the animations that the robots do for human characters. (High five, rock paper scissors, hug, etc.) They would probably be changed to make them more...normal for people to do. (I think there's one where the robot's torso spins around or something.)
Also, the dissasembly chambers. Nuff said.
You also would need some voice lines for Rattman... and you'd need them to sound really wierd.
[spoiler][SP] Alternate[/spoiler]
Human dissassembly! :O I'm guessing this will be custom maps and so then you will need a more single-player approach to level changing.
Also now that I think of it, just moving over the animations from Chell would look weird, seeing as Rattman is crazy. Also it would make sense that Rattman would talk, Chell however, never does.
You could do some interesting things with this. Chell in a puzzle chamber, Rattman in a behind-the-scenes area helping her from there (set it up so he can see into the chamber, but never actually go in there with her).
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Being separated from your partner isn't very fun tbh. If you are to have a coop with Chell and Rattman they should be in the chamber together. OR you could have one chamber that involves this concept, not all.
I'm not as convinced. I think Chell and the Rattman must never see each other. That's part of the whole secrecy around the aperture labs.
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There could be a set of maps just for this where you never see your partner, (even never communicate,) but you would be helping your partner somehow the entire time. Maybe you would see danger ahead and stop it or something. To make this mod even more....uh....heartwarming, there could be a level where Rattman helps Chell escape to surface, but trapping himself down below at the same time. Or the other way around. An even better approch is to allow both players to escape if and only if they're crafty enough.
In short, a simple solution will allow 1 player to escape, but a harder solution allows them both to.
Personally, I think that like chickenmobile said, its just no fun to play coop seperated from your partner. Surely the whole point of coop is to work together, how could you do this if you never see each other or communicate? You may as well play single player.
I think in terms of boolean variables. Generally, it makes things easier.