Background Simulation - Raising Awareness

danmaxis

D
One of the coolest features in Elite Dangerous is the Background Simulation and how everyone can play a small part on changing galaxy dynamics.
But also seems one thing that is getting least attention from FDev.
I would like to start this thread to show FDev that this is one thing that really hooks players in the game and I should not be treated measly.
We all could list some top 3 things that we think that would make Background Simulation something to brag (beyond fixing tick update issues).

My top 3 suggestions:
  • Rebalance anarchy factions (so they can have their share in the sun again);
  • Improve the way wars/elections are displayed so they can be better followed up;
  • Bring undermining to Odyssey Settlements;
 

Drelthar

Drelthar
Make it do something beyond changing the names on stuff?

Make working for factions give the commander tangible benefits, like special modules/weapons/suits only certain factions will sell you when they control a certain set of systems, and you are friendly with them.

Make custom missions for specific factions.

Give factions their own colour schemes.

Allow commanders to directly join a faction and get alerts when they need help in wars and other conflicts, and get special faction paints/decals for supporting them.

Have CGs automatically generate based on what happens with the factions, and have the results change the systems (new stations and surface bases being built over time with different levels of construction, and new services as they go through those stages.)

Stuff that isn't just the name on the exact same never changing system
 

[VR] Bulbulunufus

[VR] Bulbulunufus
Can't disagree on anarchy factions and BGS visibility (polygonal map overlays a la powerplay for factions and superpowers might be interesting, and what about a regional version of galnet that updates about the big faction movements in your current quadrant of the bubble). Re: anarchies, an inverted bounty-style system, and inverted (but less immersion breaking) ATR that arrive when you kill too many pirates.

Another thing I'd love is if a set of BGS states (e.g. all or most factions at war) precipitated a descent into lawlessness and danger for the whole system. System-wide CZ, basically. This came to me after a combat CG which, with many players and the usual gankers, really felt like dangerous chaos. You could dial it down from that level, but there should totally be places that are sort of "no go" for the unprepared - create lucrative opportunities there to balance it.
 
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Ronzer

Ronzer
I go in and do about 3 or 4 ground conflicts each night, in places where whichever faction I wanna support is at war. Those outcomes are effected and usually result in victory. If I only do 1 or 2 conflicts, it goes either way, leaning towards a loss. So, even in that, I get to see a small influence. Go to any minor or player faction page on Inara (https://inara.cz/minorfaction/21490/#tab_minorfactionlisttype3 for example) and click on 'conflicts' about half way down the page. Quick and easy way to keep tabs on factions you wanna support.

Drelthar said:
Allow commanders to directly join a faction and get alerts when they need help in wars and other conflicts, and get special faction paints/decals for supporting them.
Click to expand...

Ages ago, I suggested being able to 'subscribe' to news feeds from factions. A lot of times you're just passing through a system, but if you check the newsfeed, it'd be nice if they had a toggle to subscribe to it, then you'd see their news/states etc anywhere. Maybe a maximum of 5 or 10, but still better than nothing, and when you see they are at war, at least you're aware and can go make a difference.

When you do any conflicts, space or ground, it seems factions have their own livery. Sometimes they're nice looking, even if only a handful of options. Would be nice if we could buy or aquire them somehow. ARX? Sure!

Also, when going into any conflict, like distress calls, or rescource zones, the systems cops show up. We really should be able to 'join' them, maybe even if needing to be an ally of that faction first. When joining them, maybe we could see who their targetting earlier, maybe put in some fun comms chatter. Sometimes on ground conflicts, I'll tag along behind an AI ally, and shoot whoever they shoot at. They say stuff too, so it give that feel you're part of the team.

Change the name from background sim to just the simulator, or ED simulator. 'Background' infers its not effected by you, when it clearly is.
 

varonica

varonica
I...don't think I have ever bothered to look into it. I am sure in the past I have ruined some players party by selling a billion or more explo data at the first available location, but that's just the luck of the draw!
 

Screemonster

Screemonster
The main things on my wishlist for the BGS are as follows:
  • Bring anarchy factions more into line with non-anarchy factions - in both directions.
    • Anarchies should issue bounties (well, order hits, same thing) but only if their ships are attacked in their jurisdiction. They don't care about anyone else.
    • That means wanted ships spawn in their systems that you can whack and turn in for bounty vouchers.
    • Pirate lord assassinations should be able to target any faction. Lawful factions clearly have their own pirates, a trip to a res will tell you that.
    • Pirate massacre missions shouldn't care what faction you target, just as long as they're pirates.
    • You should be able to get away with crimes in any faction as if it was an anarchy - as long as you get out before the cops ID you.
    • Odyssey specifically - If nobody witnesses a murder and you get out without the alarm being raised, you shouldn't get a bounty.
  • Implement somesort of brake on factions blobbing out and overexpanding like mad. The pre-3.3 BGS achieved this with universal states, so a war starting off in some rando system somewhere could snarl up and cancel expansions. There are a few ways I can think of to do this:
    • Passive - make inf+ actions in non-native systems marginally less effective the further away from the faction's capital they are, and the more systems the faction controls. Not actively draining influence over time or anything like that, but just... if you do an inf+++++ mission against a faction with a 20% tax, it only counts as inf++++. (apply all this scaling before calculating diminishing returns so it isn't tooooooooooo harsh)
    • State-based - make certain states have faction-wide effects again. For instance, for factions that have a war or civil war somewhere, reduce the effectiveness of economic actions in every system that is not in a conflict. Likewise, reduce the effectiveness of combat actions if there's an election happening somewhere. This would make getting into multiple conflicts extremely disadvantageous (or extremely advantageous for an attacker)
    • Make and civil wars lawless for all jurisdictions affected by the war. Award bonds for killing military ships outside of CZs.
  • Change the political leaderboard so it counts all political action without requiring the squadron to be pledged to a faction.
 

danmaxis

D
Drelthar said:
Make it do something beyond changing the names on stuff?

Make working for factions give the commander tangible benefits, like special modules/weapons/suits only certain factions will sell you when they control a certain set of systems, and you are friendly with them.

Make custom missions for specific factions.

Give factions their own colour schemes.

Allow commanders to directly join a faction and get alerts when they need help in wars and other conflicts, and get special faction paints/decals for supporting them.

Have CGs automatically generate based on what happens with the factions, and have the results change the systems (new stations and surface bases being built over time with different levels of construction, and new services as they go through those stages.)

Stuff that isn't just the name on the exact same never changing system
Click to expand...
More explicit relations towards a particular faction as you're saying would really nice. Just like the squadron boards and screens, it would bring inside the game things players already do outside.



Screemonster said:
Bring anarchy factions more into line with non-anarchy factions - in both directions.
  • Anarchies should issue bounties (well, order hits, same thing) but only if their ships are attacked in their jurisdiction. They don't care about anyone else.
  • That means wanted ships spawn in their systems that you can whack and turn in for bounty vouchers.
  • Pirate lord assassinations should be able to target any faction. Lawful factions clearly have their own pirates, a trip to a res will tell you that.
  • Pirate massacre missions shouldn't care what faction you target, just as long as they're pirates.
  • You should be able to get away with crimes in any faction as if it was an anarchy - as long as you get out before the cops ID you.
  • Odyssey specifically - If nobody witnesses a murder and you get out without the alarm being raised, you shouldn't get a bounty.
Click to expand...
This. This should be in an update log as soon as possible.

Thanks for your contributions so far!
 

Drelthar

Drelthar
danmaxis said:
More explicit relations towards a particular faction as you're saying would really nice. Just like the squadron boards and screens, it would bring inside the game things players already do outside.
Click to expand...
The squadron boards and screens are more of the same "meh" stuff to me.

I don't care about a name being next to another name, and I definitely don't care who shot the most ships or moved the most cargo.

Tangible, in game things, with gameplay value.

Not more text on a UI panel.
 

Ruurka

R
danmaxis said:
Rebalance anarchy factions (so they can have their share in the sun again)
Click to expand...
This should be first, which they should do it. Anarchies needs more changes not only in Odyssey, but for Horizons also.
This requires changes for their black market, their systems and their organisation and missions. They needs rework for them not negatively, but positively. Bonus points, if they'll be published in GalNet.

In some cases I agree with Scree - Why lawful factions have massacre pirates/assassinate pirate lord which often is targeted against anarchies (exception: follow on (from donation) assassinate pirate mission, which can spawn against other than anarchy faction)? And other lawful factions are often protected by those type of missions against them, because they don't have any of pirates? I'm sure they have pirates, but why is not targeted, while easier is lay on anarchies?

About crimes, I also agree with Scree - additionally I would be add about escaping crimes, that if you're quick enough, then you should be also avoid notoriety for murders.
 

Raliel

Raliel
Drelthar said:
Make it do something beyond changing the names on stuff?

Make working for factions give the commander tangible benefits, like special modules/weapons/suits only certain factions will sell you when they control a certain set of systems, and you are friendly with them.

Make custom missions for specific factions.

Give factions their own colour schemes.

Allow commanders to directly join a faction and get alerts when they need help in wars and other conflicts, and get special faction paints/decals for supporting them.

Have CGs automatically generate based on what happens with the factions, and have the results change the systems (new stations and surface bases being built over time with different levels of construction, and new services as they go through those stages.)

Stuff that isn't just the name on the exact same never changing system
Click to expand...
yep faction and Superpower suit skins, that rank, would be an excellent thing
 
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