David Braben Powerplay AMA

[David Braben]

Hello David!

Will some of the issues with Wings be addressed in 1.3? I love Wings, but it has some minor instancing issues from time to time. A lot of people have been reporting not seeing any other players except for their Wing members in Wings, but as soon as they drop out of the Wing they see lots of players.

There are some bug fixes to Wings in Powerplay coming, and we are continuing to look at all issues.

 

[SuperMarco]

How the powerplay will impact the trader ? Will the trader earn more credit when selling goods ? will the missions have higher reward too ?

Because I am a trader full time and I really want how this update can help me.

 

[SlackR]

Will these perks of which you speak be more than discounts and credits? People have spoken about faction specific weapons, trade knowledge etc.

 

[Adept]

Are there plans to give people reasons to venture into dangerous anarchies and enemy held space in trade ships? My friends would love to do the whole "trade ship and escorts" convoy, but there aren't really many reasons for us to do that at the moment.

 

[jan]

Is powerplay a way to determ who be next Federal President or Emperor in a roundabout way by players?
Its been long time since we heard any News about how the Emperors Health is currently. Or is this just a emperor plot to deside who he can trust or not? Paranoia seem to be a common trait in Emperors.

 

[David Braben]

From bobiroka:
Will Powerplay effectively replace the current Community Goals system?

Certainly not!

Community goals will still be used in game, and can connect with Powerplay – for example: a campaign of goals to elevate a minor faction to a Power.

 

[Mithos09]

Just for clarification: The last newsletter mentions
"A bigger cash insurance safety net from the Pilots Federation for higher-ranked pilots so you can fly more expensive ships with reduced risk. We want pilots to be daring."
This just means that the maximum loan available will be raised form afaik 200,000 credits (now), but to which amount, exactly?

 

[Adept]

Will there be more mission oriented gameplay for traders, as opposed to bulk-hauling on trade routes? I find it much more interesting to do BB missions that just carrying hundreds of tons of performance enhancers.

 

[MrTrendall]

How should we start for trying to get our independant faction in to the top 20 list of factions we can pledge with? Should be start now rapidly expanding them or will we be able to choose our faction out of the 20 you pick?

 

[David Braben]

Is powerplay a way to determ who be next Federal President or Emperor in a roundabout way by players?
Its been long time since we heard any News about how the Emperors Health is currently. Or is this just a emperor plot to deside who he can trust or not? Paranoia seem to be a common trait in Emperors.

Yes, this could happen.

Medicine in 3301 is pretty good, so the Emperor may be in a coma for a while yet...

Also, just because you are paranoid doesn't mean they are not out to get you!

 

[Esvandiary]

1. When will we see better ways of interacting with NPCs, for example indicating an declaration of piracy?

2. Can we hope for the eventual return of Bobbleheads?


Thanks for all the hard work... It's much appreciated! (And I'd love to be able to show that appreciation some more by buying a couple of bobbleheads...! )

 

[nothingtoseehere]

Will the numerous influence bugs be fixed? Our indepedant should have a presence in 4 systems, but due to several bugs in the influence system we seem to be stuck on two, majorly hampering any minor factions attempting to become a power.

 

[Effects]

David:
You a say that a for a minor faction to become a Power it would need to control multiple systems. My group has supported a few different minor factions which now control multiple systems. How many systems are required? We have been hindered at every step by bugs.

 

[Vincent Starson]

When is the federal corvette making it's appearance?

When will passenger missions make their debut?

 

[nats]

Will Powerplay vastly increase the amount of news we see
Will only people allied to that power see that news?
Will there be red herrings/procedural news items added?

 

[Remklep]

Do you really want an answer to this?

Kind of a redundant question, isn't it.

I posted, therefore I do.

 

[SlackR]

When will there be non-celestial things to discover in deep space?

 

[David Braben]

How should we start for trying to get our independant faction in to the top 20 list of factions we can pledge with? Should be start now rapidly expanding them or will we be able to choose our faction out of the 20 you pick?

Firstly there won't be twenty to start with. It is likely to be ten when Powerplay first goes out. This gives room for more to come in later.

Currently there are no minor factions anywhere near being promoted to being a Power.

 

[MikeSnos]

Yes, this could happen.

Medicine in 3301 is pretty good, so the Emperor may be in a coma for a while yet...

Also, just because you are paranoid doesn't mean they are not out to get you!

What has the Emperor ever done for us?

 

[Mobius]

a teaser question,
I imagine that powerplay will keep your crew busy with updates and fixes for months, once this is out of the way would you care to tease us with a title of your next planned feature.