Please can we have NPC crew to replace modules

[Moesis]

Where do the NPC crew go, when commanders tele-presence in; and please let's not have AI are 'taken over' by commanders, because please no. If frontier add NPCs as crew, then I think this has to follow the basic rules of commander multi-crew. No wings. And if you have NPC crew on board, then player's can't tele-presence in.

You can have one, or the other. Seems a reasonable compromise; I think frontier are concerned this would just become the defacto outcome for large ships though - which of course for a lot of people automatically would, because extra pips and so on.

It's a thing where if you can defacto have 3 crew on board, pretty much all the time, then why wouldn't you? I probably would. Because it'd be stupid not to.

One thing I'm curious about is how is it currently handled ? i.e. we do already have NPC crew, but only in ships with SLF's. What happens here when humans crew into such a ship ? is the number of humans allowed reduced by one, or do they take a nap somewhere in the ship.

With regard to the pips, I don't think NPC crew should give you extra pips, they currently don't and if we could have more of them why would that change. To me the advantage of NPC crew is that they can actually fly the ship. I'd simply like NPC crew to be able to be gunners and/or SLF pilots, so now if there is a seat, NPC crew can be there. Still can't do anything if there aren't the required weapons/utilities, but if they are there, they could be a gunner, while also allowing us to be the gunner while they fly the ship, like they do with SLF's.

 

[Marc_Hicks]

I am hopeful that, once all the major elements of 2.4 are out in the wild, then this is exactly the kind of stuff they'll go back and revisit.

 

[Ben Ryder]

NPC crew to fill AI slots for turret control? Unless there are differences in the coding, I can't see the difference between AI and NPCs tbh, except immersion of course ... which is not a bad thing, is it?

NPC skill level Pilots Federation Ranking. A NPC that's mostly harmless would be pretty useless and only fit for mining. Perhaps one that is Elite woudl be a better shot that an AI.

[video=youtube;fBagc1Ww0_Y]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBagc1Ww0_Y[/video]

 

[Franc Kaos]

A science officer that performs the same function as discovery scanners but targets the nearest unknown star space rock without having to point the ship at it.

I would love that! Plus all the other great idea's in this thread. [up]

 

[Kerrash]

I'd settle for just having useless NPC dummies in those extra seats, being the only crew member on a bridge with multiple seats makes me feel like I'm on a suicide mission and about to scuttle the ship. Also...it feels so lonely

This I agree with. It would be a relatively simple and nice addition to see our NPC crew in seats, at least when not using multi-crew.

However I don't see the benefit of an NPC to be a gunner. It's effectively the same AI routines so it is kind of moot?

 

[Stinja]

NPC crew to fill AI slots for turret control? Unless there are differences in the coding, I can't see the difference between AI and NPCs tbh, except immersion of course ... which is not a bad thing, is it?

Yeah the code could be pretty much the same, in that case, but what about if you have fixed / gimbals equipped, and hand those off for your NPC crew to control?
You could use the same sort of coding to fire, but they'd be restricted in arc, and do more damage (at the cost of paying crew, needing right sort of ship etc).

and instead of a docking computer can the SLF pilot dock my ship for me while I have a stretch?

That would be even better. You'd free up a module slot, and that lazy bum could earn his/her credits by doing something...

"oi, i'm going for a ciggy. Dock the ship, and try not to scratch the paint this time... oh and hum 'The Blue Danube' while you're at it - do you want me to replace you with a computer?!"

 

[CMDR Iolair]

I would love this; mostly for immersion.

 

[Fosdyke]

NPC crew will be a nice and strong addition to bring life in the cockpit and for a very nice immersion. We got SLF pilots yet, please Frontier, the core mechanics for them are here Really hope 3.0 wil bring them.

 

[masCh]

This thread. Please do this FDev. You have no idea how much you'll be adding to the game with this.

 

[Tom Melegaris]

This I agree with. It would be a relatively simple and nice addition to see our NPC crew in seats, at least when not using multi-crew.

However I don't see the benefit of an NPC to be a gunner. It's effectively the same AI routines so it is kind of moot?

role playing with a AI routine vs a digital doll

 

[Kerrash]

role playing with a AI routine vs a digital doll

Oh I understand that distinction, but my point is that it is just a visual one.
The current Turret fire mode option could be switched with a gunner orders.

EDIT: To be clear, I would love to see voice acted NPC crew in the seats like in the 2.4 trailer

 

[Pumabear8]

Some of us have got fancy ships with spare seats that are not occupied by players in multi-crew.

Can we have some NPC crew please that can do stuff

Instead of having a AI turret, I'd liek to be able to hand over the firing of weapons to a gunner

and instead of a docking computer can the SLF pilot dock my ship for me while I have a stretch?

A science officer that performs the same function as discovery scanners but targets the neares unknow star space rock without having to point the ship at it.

Nothing over the top, just a little more life in the game. They'd get a cut of profits as usual and a nice perk woudl be that I could free up a small module slot or two.

I'd really like that, oh yes indeed.

Cor my imagination is starting to take hold... they could chatter, a bit like the station staff do but they'd be talking about the latest galnet news. Even if it were as simple as saying 'Commander there's a new article on Galnet worth taking a look at'

What I'd really like is to see my fighter crew member occupying one of the empty seats when shes not out in the fighter, for now I'd be happy with her just sitting "looking" like she's doing something, pressing buttons, whatever, just make her a real part of the ship instead of a picture on the console.

 

[Tom Melegaris]

Oh I understand that distinction, but my point is that it is just a visual one.
The current Turret fire mode option could be switched with a gunner orders.

EDIT: To be clear, I would love to see voice acted NPC crew in the seats like in the 2.4 trailer

Agreed and we may need a commanders supplemental update post 2.4

 

[Cmdr Aeries Hunter]

Oh I understand that distinction, but my point is that it is just a visual one.
The current Turret fire mode option could be switched with a gunner orders.

EDIT: To be clear, I would love to see voice acted NPC crew in the seats like in the 2.4 trailer

Yes please. That would be a fantastic addition to the game and really bring it to life. Voices for the traffic control added so much to the game, just imagine NPC chatter at certain key moments as you play.

 

[Old Duck]

I want NPC crew if for no other reason than to tell me how nice I look with my new suit and haircut (and shades). I mean, why get all dressed up if I'm alone? Might as well fly in my underwear...

 

[Ralph Vargr]

Some of us have got fancy ships with spare seats that are not occupied by players in multi-crew.

Can we have some NPC crew please that can do stuff

Instead of having a AI turret, I'd liek to be able to hand over the firing of weapons to a gunner

and instead of a docking computer can the SLF pilot dock my ship for me while I have a stretch?

A science officer that performs the same function as discovery scanners but targets the neares unknow star space rock without having to point the ship at it.

Nothing over the top, just a little more life in the game. They'd get a cut of profits as usual and a nice perk woudl be that I could free up a small module slot or two.

I'd really like that, oh yes indeed.

Cor my imagination is starting to take hold... they could chatter, a bit like the station staff do but they'd be talking about the latest galnet news. Even if it were as simple as saying 'Commander there's a new article on Galnet worth taking a look at'

Guess how long I've been saying they want other players to die in open, or pay for for commander slots for NPC crew... $30.00 USD, please.

 

[Jack Schitt]

Whatever happened to the mechanical crewmembers that were proposed in the DDF? IIRC these were single-role robots that would add bonus functionality (but not as much as a human crewmember) and could be stored as cargo when not required. I'd like to see this idea revisited if we're not going to get fully fledged human NPC crew. It would even solve, to some degree, the voice acting problem since all robot voices could be synthesised.

 

[Bdibble342]

I've been complaining about my lazy NPC crew for months, I really want to put them to work, else I'll have to fire them.

 

[lysan]

NPC Crew in the seats would be great, agree, it would help against the space madness you can get out there sometimes.

 

[lysan]

Oh I understand that distinction, but my point is that it is just a visual one.
The current Turret fire mode option could be switched with a gunner orders.

EDIT: To be clear, I would love to see voice acted NPC crew in the seats like in the 2.4 trailer

Good, for a moment there I was afraid of your mental state