Howdy Fdev (and anyone else who wishes to contribute to these ideas).
Great job on the updates for Q4 so far, it's looking great, and I can't wait to get in there on the live servers.
A little while back you requested we give feedback to Powerplay, and unfortunately while I was too slow to respond to this, I think the suggestions below are valid given some of the new scenarios we are seeing in the new release.
The below suggestions aim to help add completely new dynamics to some of the new/existing content you all have worked so hard on, with minimal content added. I've written this over an extensive amount of time, after my 2000+ hours playing Elite. Each separate suggestion is noted in bold. Sorry for the wall of text in advance!
Powerplay Overhaul; Making Pledge Warfare Mid-End Game Content
Now before my post gets blasted with non-PVP'ers, hear me out. I have a few ideas that MIGHT actually make everyone PVP, while creating a space for mid-to-end game content that appears to be lacking from a lot of feedback.
I feel PowerPlay can do so much more than just simply 'get an overhaul'. It could potentially fill the gap of some of the things that Elite lacks.
Frontier, please take the below ideas as an opportunity to win back a lot of people who may be at end game, with nothing left to keep them coming back. The very same people that love your game, but feel disheartened that all roads in Elite lead to the same path: Blazing your own trail can be a very lonely experience sometimes.
I'll phrase the overall problem in a single sentence:
You need genuine, time-affordable and easily accessible player verses player content, that adds towards a persons experience of the Elite Universe.
Things like Raids, Player on Player 'cops and robbers' scenarios, and end game rewards that are tangible to the extremity of the deed. As such, this submission is assuming open play.
PowerPlay I believe, is an opportune moment for you to implement this. Here's my suggestions of what that I think will achieve the above:
Proposal 1: Big Risk/Reward Raiding Missions
Create Superpower aligned raids, that focus on risk and reward goals. And by rewards, I mean anything but monetary value. End game content must satisfy those who have made a fortune, and are looking for other goals and achievements.
Scenario A:
CMDR, We've found a derelict Megaship/Land base, that has been reclaimed as a known *enemy superpower* base of operations in this system. If we take this down our influence in this sector is sure to increase. Join this raid to assist us.
Scenario B:
*Enemy Superpower* has paid freelance mercenaries to attack the security forces at this undermined station! Help defend it at all costs!
Scenario C:
We've got a Megaship sized hauler currently under attack. It's full of propaganda/bonds heading towards this station. If we Can make this drop, we'll surely win this system over. Can you escort it CMDR?
Proposal 2: "Faction Freebie ships"
A player wants to join a faction, but doesn't have the credits for a decent ship or rebuy costs? Don't worry, the faction has you covered! After a few weeks of pledging, you unlock faction built ships.
These are unchangeable, built for purpose, faction owned ships, with a low risk low reward idea in mind. Meaning if you die in this ship, running faction errands, or opposing another faction owned ship, the insurance is covered.
Proposal 3: PVP "Big Power Player" Tipoffs
Scenario A:
*INCOMING CRITICAL MESSAGE*
"CMDR, we've received some information from our inside sources. I've got a big assignment for you. One *insert CMDR NAME here* is hauling a tons of bonds/propaganda, over and over again. It's risky business, they are being paid well, and someone is likely to notice eventually. They'll be making their next pickup and drop at *Insert stations here* if you want to pay a visit. As per usual, you will be paid well, and we're covering the insurance on this one. Comms out".
Scenario B:
*INCOMING CRITICAL MESSAGE*
"CMDR, we are contacting you with a critical message. A faction killer is on the loose, he needs to be shutdown. As you are pledged to our cause, we are enacting you rally any other members if you need to, hunt this criminal, and bring down their tyranny. We've marked them as *CMDR NAME* last seen in *SYSTEM NAME* As per usual, you will be paid well, and we're covering the insurance on this one. Comms out"
I propose that a tip-off notification system for big contributors of opposing pledges be implemented. This means a PVP bounty like system, where players can pay for tip offs from their power, receive a bespoke Player VS Player mission.
This would genuinely make PP great end game content. Is the target triple elite? Make the bounty larger. Has the target been caught/gotten away doing this before? Make them notorious/hero. Make the pay scale on these factors.
Base Assaults
Furthermore with the above, please consider implementing a 'Base Assault' mode to be added to multicrew. Essentially a mutlicrew commander can set the ship to autopilot a ship to circle around the base within minimum weapon distance, while the pilot's SRV is deployed from this height. Full pips to engines would make this quite easy ( a parachute would be pretty badass though ).
This coupled with turreted gunner weapons and fighter bay deployment would make base assaults EXTREMELY enjoyable and participatory, by merely adding one function to the game.
If and when npc pilots are expanded upon, implementation into these roles would be relatively easy also.
New Mining Update
Can I ask in regards to mining; Can we expect with the new squadrons & mining updates, to have new content in terms of missions aimed at mining? IE. Deep/long haul Space expeditions that collect a rare resource from afar? It'd be a great addition to tie in exploration as well!
Obviously the above is quite extensive, and I feel a fraction of them added may fill some gaps.
As always keep up the good work, I know you still have a lot you haven't revealed, so apologies if the above is redundant! Everyone else please do feel free to contribute suggestions.
Great job on the updates for Q4 so far, it's looking great, and I can't wait to get in there on the live servers.
A little while back you requested we give feedback to Powerplay, and unfortunately while I was too slow to respond to this, I think the suggestions below are valid given some of the new scenarios we are seeing in the new release.
The below suggestions aim to help add completely new dynamics to some of the new/existing content you all have worked so hard on, with minimal content added. I've written this over an extensive amount of time, after my 2000+ hours playing Elite. Each separate suggestion is noted in bold. Sorry for the wall of text in advance!
Powerplay Overhaul; Making Pledge Warfare Mid-End Game Content
Now before my post gets blasted with non-PVP'ers, hear me out. I have a few ideas that MIGHT actually make everyone PVP, while creating a space for mid-to-end game content that appears to be lacking from a lot of feedback.
I feel PowerPlay can do so much more than just simply 'get an overhaul'. It could potentially fill the gap of some of the things that Elite lacks.
Frontier, please take the below ideas as an opportunity to win back a lot of people who may be at end game, with nothing left to keep them coming back. The very same people that love your game, but feel disheartened that all roads in Elite lead to the same path: Blazing your own trail can be a very lonely experience sometimes.
I'll phrase the overall problem in a single sentence:
You need genuine, time-affordable and easily accessible player verses player content, that adds towards a persons experience of the Elite Universe.
Things like Raids, Player on Player 'cops and robbers' scenarios, and end game rewards that are tangible to the extremity of the deed. As such, this submission is assuming open play.
PowerPlay I believe, is an opportune moment for you to implement this. Here's my suggestions of what that I think will achieve the above:
Proposal 1: Big Risk/Reward Raiding Missions
Create Superpower aligned raids, that focus on risk and reward goals. And by rewards, I mean anything but monetary value. End game content must satisfy those who have made a fortune, and are looking for other goals and achievements.
Scenario A:
CMDR, We've found a derelict Megaship/Land base, that has been reclaimed as a known *enemy superpower* base of operations in this system. If we take this down our influence in this sector is sure to increase. Join this raid to assist us.
Scenario B:
*Enemy Superpower* has paid freelance mercenaries to attack the security forces at this undermined station! Help defend it at all costs!
Scenario C:
We've got a Megaship sized hauler currently under attack. It's full of propaganda/bonds heading towards this station. If we Can make this drop, we'll surely win this system over. Can you escort it CMDR?
Proposal 2: "Faction Freebie ships"
A player wants to join a faction, but doesn't have the credits for a decent ship or rebuy costs? Don't worry, the faction has you covered! After a few weeks of pledging, you unlock faction built ships.
These are unchangeable, built for purpose, faction owned ships, with a low risk low reward idea in mind. Meaning if you die in this ship, running faction errands, or opposing another faction owned ship, the insurance is covered.
Proposal 3: PVP "Big Power Player" Tipoffs
Scenario A:
*INCOMING CRITICAL MESSAGE*
"CMDR, we've received some information from our inside sources. I've got a big assignment for you. One *insert CMDR NAME here* is hauling a tons of bonds/propaganda, over and over again. It's risky business, they are being paid well, and someone is likely to notice eventually. They'll be making their next pickup and drop at *Insert stations here* if you want to pay a visit. As per usual, you will be paid well, and we're covering the insurance on this one. Comms out".
Scenario B:
*INCOMING CRITICAL MESSAGE*
"CMDR, we are contacting you with a critical message. A faction killer is on the loose, he needs to be shutdown. As you are pledged to our cause, we are enacting you rally any other members if you need to, hunt this criminal, and bring down their tyranny. We've marked them as *CMDR NAME* last seen in *SYSTEM NAME* As per usual, you will be paid well, and we're covering the insurance on this one. Comms out"
I propose that a tip-off notification system for big contributors of opposing pledges be implemented. This means a PVP bounty like system, where players can pay for tip offs from their power, receive a bespoke Player VS Player mission.
This would genuinely make PP great end game content. Is the target triple elite? Make the bounty larger. Has the target been caught/gotten away doing this before? Make them notorious/hero. Make the pay scale on these factors.
Base Assaults
Furthermore with the above, please consider implementing a 'Base Assault' mode to be added to multicrew. Essentially a mutlicrew commander can set the ship to autopilot a ship to circle around the base within minimum weapon distance, while the pilot's SRV is deployed from this height. Full pips to engines would make this quite easy ( a parachute would be pretty badass though ).
This coupled with turreted gunner weapons and fighter bay deployment would make base assaults EXTREMELY enjoyable and participatory, by merely adding one function to the game.
If and when npc pilots are expanded upon, implementation into these roles would be relatively easy also.
New Mining Update
Can I ask in regards to mining; Can we expect with the new squadrons & mining updates, to have new content in terms of missions aimed at mining? IE. Deep/long haul Space expeditions that collect a rare resource from afar? It'd be a great addition to tie in exploration as well!
Obviously the above is quite extensive, and I feel a fraction of them added may fill some gaps.
As always keep up the good work, I know you still have a lot you haven't revealed, so apologies if the above is redundant! Everyone else please do feel free to contribute suggestions.
