There is no incentive to stick with a power longer than it takes to unlock the special weapon. Why not have all the specials weapons/modules available to all factions after a period of time and rank so no longer need to defect and start over in each one? This would encourage players pledging once and sticking with it.
PowerPlay weapon unlocks are a big part of what's wrong with it
- Thread starter Pendergast
- Start date
The ongoing Powerplay chess game in combination with the BGS is more than enough incentive and reward for me. I find it fun.
Personally I think I might get there if I didn't know that I was jumping ship in 4 weeks anyways. There are several weapons I want, so I know ahead of time no point investing any thought into a faction as I just going to defect anyway. If I could get all the modules in time in a single faction I would be incentivized to pick one I wanted to support.
Most of those weapons are sidegrades rather than upgrades.
What is needed for longevity are decent mechanics and at least the perception that cmdr activity is having an effect on the game universe rather than just sitting in a separate powerplay box. Cmdr activity is not reflected in the *ahem* narrative, the big PP events were essentially ignored by Galnet, the powers appear to have been relegated to mild flavours in parts of the thargoid storyline. its all pretty weak and un-engaging.
Yes, PP-specific weapons unlocking process is arguably single worst feature of PP and ED overall.
Guess if I was king for a day you leave the faction you lose the weapon.
Certainly for many players active on the forums at least, the main incentive for any activity seems to be credits and equipment rewards with any kind of "fun" aspect being a distant second.
Whilst I don't disagree, the biggest reason I don't stick with PP is because it's available to solo/PG grinders who cannot be countered.
But for this, I would pledge to a single power and stay there. Most of the toys are overrated anyway.
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I'm two weeks into my 3rd power in about 4 months. I started each with the end goal of an unlock, but figured I might as well help out while I'm there, and haven't left one on the 4 week mark yet. Eventually, I'll do at least two more, and I think the month spent waiting is a great time to get a feel for the faction and player community (if you can find one).
I'm not saying PP couldn't be improved, but saying there is no reason to stay when you're only there for an unlock would be like going to a movie for the popcorn then saying there was no point to the movie after you left with the popcorn you showed up for.
I'm not saying PP couldn't be improved, but saying there is no reason to stay when you're only there for an unlock would be like going to a movie for the popcorn then saying there was no point to the movie after you left with the popcorn you showed up for.
Good analogy.
Okay.
Aside from shooting and killing other players, there is no difference between solo/pg, and open as far as activities and counters go, and since all modes are available to all players and all powers, it ends up being a wash and everyone is still on an even playing field.
I don't want to drag the thread off topic with 'should PP be open only' - it's been discussed many times before and it's not going to happen. But it's a deal breaker for me at least. I could live with most of PP's other problems.
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I don't get the analogy really; I think what you are doing is staying in the theater after the credits have finished rolling. It's all very well to meet people and be invested in your power, but if you want prismatics or hammers or packhounds you are forced to pledge multiple times. Only forced if you want them I understand, but surely that is the first incentive players look at?
If you could unlock all PP modules in your chosen faction, over time (make it one per month so it's the same as now if you have to) you will be there for the long term. Like a movie marathon! I understand some are there for the long term anyways, but why not work to improve use of a what must have been an expensive feature?
IMO, they should really just dump them in the tech broker's inventories.
I like this idea. Leave the PP power and you loose the reward.
And require pledges to maintain level 3 and above to keep the reward.
So what? You can't go on holiday? Come on. This is a game not work. Lose access to it sure, but taking it from inventory is too much.
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Ya, you have a point. The powers are using their exclusive goodies to keep people on board I guess, since they know many won't find incentive to help them otherwise.
It still boils down to viewpoint.
Does PP exist to wall these modules behind time sinks, or do the modules exist to reward loyalty to Powers.
I don't think the tier 3 rewards are the reason for PP, and I don't think PP should be conformed to ease of access for the items. If you are looking at 6 items, all behind a 4 week wall, then ya, half a year could sound pretty ridiculous for what you're getting.
I'm a little odd for a gamer though. I don't think everything needs to balance or be available regardless of game choices, especially when there is a story/reasoning behind something.
If I could change one thing in PP, it would be the top tier benefits.