I posted this in a reply, but I thought it was a more specific concept so I'm making a discussion. Let me know what you think.
I would like to see a face-to-face multiplayer mechanic where players create mission content for eachother which is reflected in a layer of RPG character development.
What we don't want: the space station cantina that looks like every MMO bar scene. 4 guys clustered around an NPC and a dancing person in their underwear. Nobody is talking, nobody is really interacting in any meaningful way. It's a sad, dead, lonesome bar, but not in a cool way.
Solution:
Players are sitting at tables offering interactions. table game for wagers or sitting with drinks.
A pilot looking for a smuggler or hitman comes in and sits at a table with a drink-sipper. Dialogue opens up where players can negotiate like,
**Also the pilots might be meeting cause they connected on a message board post or something.
"I'm looking for a pilot."
"What kind of flying do you need?"
"I need cargo transported, discreetly."
"Where to and how much?"
"5000c, or coords for an pristine mining spot. but I have conditions."
"It needs to be there in X time (or whatever)."
"I'll take the credits but I want half up front."
ETC.
The mission contract is generated, which can have any number of parameters, i.e. can't be detected, engage in combat, time parameters, cargo condition, etc.
BUSINESS REPUTATION:
The completion of the task and the payment of the fee are both tracked in a players public business credibility score. Stealing the cargo is an option, but lowered reputation may result in difficulty getting future contracts. If you're trying to find a pilot for something hugely valuable, you want to find someone hugely dependable. Etc.
NOTE:
This must NOT be like the eve online contract system. Though simple cargo shipment missions may be obtained on a message board, the face-to-face mission system would be for smuggling etc, just like in life. You don't go to craigslist to find a drug mule.. not usually anyway. Also, the missions must have sufficient available modifying conditions on both sides that a contract might be a interesting as a story mission.
I would like to see a face-to-face multiplayer mechanic where players create mission content for eachother which is reflected in a layer of RPG character development.
What we don't want: the space station cantina that looks like every MMO bar scene. 4 guys clustered around an NPC and a dancing person in their underwear. Nobody is talking, nobody is really interacting in any meaningful way. It's a sad, dead, lonesome bar, but not in a cool way.
Solution:
Players are sitting at tables offering interactions. table game for wagers or sitting with drinks.
A pilot looking for a smuggler or hitman comes in and sits at a table with a drink-sipper. Dialogue opens up where players can negotiate like,
**Also the pilots might be meeting cause they connected on a message board post or something.
"I'm looking for a pilot."
"What kind of flying do you need?"
"I need cargo transported, discreetly."
"Where to and how much?"
"5000c, or coords for an pristine mining spot. but I have conditions."
"It needs to be there in X time (or whatever)."
"I'll take the credits but I want half up front."
ETC.
The mission contract is generated, which can have any number of parameters, i.e. can't be detected, engage in combat, time parameters, cargo condition, etc.
BUSINESS REPUTATION:
The completion of the task and the payment of the fee are both tracked in a players public business credibility score. Stealing the cargo is an option, but lowered reputation may result in difficulty getting future contracts. If you're trying to find a pilot for something hugely valuable, you want to find someone hugely dependable. Etc.
NOTE:
This must NOT be like the eve online contract system. Though simple cargo shipment missions may be obtained on a message board, the face-to-face mission system would be for smuggling etc, just like in life. You don't go to craigslist to find a drug mule.. not usually anyway. Also, the missions must have sufficient available modifying conditions on both sides that a contract might be a interesting as a story mission.
