So let's not go in to the particulars of the recent event, but it shone a light on some of the darker corners of ED for a lot of people, one of them being Narrative. The context around the event was fairly thin, and while that's an issue, it doesn't exactly put it out of par with much of ED.
Let's go into that: based purely on in-game information, what is the difference between the Federation and the Empire? Why are they at odds? Where does the Alliance fit in? What are their policies, how are they viewed, how do they conduct business? Do you have a feel for these factions, or just an aesthetic impression from their ships?
Here's the point I'm circling - narrative surrounding these powers, and other things, is needed to really give some life to the galaxy. And more, while not every commander can be the hero, everyone wants to feel like they have some impact.
The idea is simple: A progressing chain of narrative missions for Superpowers, each with a specific starting location within their territory. The trigger could be as simple as doing a mission for an affiliated faction, player gets a message stating there's a high-priority mission at X system. From there, follow that faction's philosophy through a long mission chain, following a single story or objective.
For Empire and Federation, these missions would trigger once you've reached 100% of a rank, and serve as your progression mission. This solves the "where is my progression mission" problem people have, and provides some diversion from the "grind". Systems that unlock with progression are the start point for the next mission in the line.
Ideally, these would have some voice narration - an audio briefing that explains the mission and objective. Mission time can be a week long, and if it's failed, just pick it up again. Combat ratings of enemy ships will be dependent on CMDR combat rank.
Here's a theoretical rundown of some Fed progression:
Rank: None (triggered upon reaching 100% of listed Rank) Hire CMDR to recover the black box from the wreckage of a recon vessel (it should have a name: Iron Eagle, for example) shot down in an Anarchy system and deliver it to a specified Federation system and the Fed contact (who will be the one communicating with the player) "The Federation appreciates your service, Commander. We hope we can count on your loyalty in the future."
Rank: Recruit - CMDR given a bounty order on a pair of low-ranking pirates who took place in the attack on the recon vessel Iron Eagle. Collect one of the Escape Pods from their ships and return it to the Federation contact for interrogation.
Rank: Cadet - Information from the captured pirate shows that they were paid to attack the Iron Eagle by an unknown source. The transaction was completed at a surface installation; the CMDR will be instructed to scan the data beacon at the base for clues, then travel to the orbit of a nearby planet to find the source, a damaged Imperial Courier. Eliminate the Courier and retrieve the Black Box.
Rank: Midshipman - The Black Box data revealed the system the Courier came from - deep within Imperial space. How did they know where to find Iron Eagle? Travel to the Imperial system (should be a decent distance, 120-200 LY) and scan the Nav Beacon to log recent traffic, and return to the Fed contact with the data.
Rank: Petty Officer - scan data reveals that a federation navy ship passed through the Imperial system days before the attack on Iron Eagle. CMDR reports to Sol to obtain a new mission - track down the traitor and neutralize them. Travel to a nearby system and find a mission POI where the traitor(wanted, mission target), in a Federal Assault Ship. As the player drops in, two Federal Dropships jump in to assist the CMDR, "Sorry to follow you Commander, but we were sent to back you up". Eliminate target, return to Sol.
Rank: Chief Petty Officer - report to Vega to meet with Fed contact. Investigation has revealed that the traitor had Iron Eagle eliminated because the recon ship had discovered an Imperial listening post disguised as a mining outpost in a nearby system. CMDR is provided with a data package (mission-specific) to fly to that station and sell. "This data package looks like standard scan info, Commander, but contains a virus that will corrupt any intercepted Federation communications."
Rank: Warrant Officer - After receiving the mission from Fed contact in PLX 695, proceed to a nearby Anarchy system and eliminate an Imperial convoy of two Imperial Eagles and one unshielded Clipper (Clipper is Mission Target). The Imperials have been making deals with the pirates in this sector, their envoy needs to be destroyed before payment can be delivered. "Sorry, no backup this time Commander. These are Imperial Navy vessels, we can't openly attack them without risking an incident. We're counting on you to eliminate that Clipper." Clipper will ejects cargo if attacked: Gold and Narcotics.
Rank: Ensign - Report to Fed contact in Ross 128. After your last mission, pirates in that system have been more active. The Federation has worked out a deal with the pirate faction there, on one condition - the competition is eliminated. A chain of quick assassination missions in-system to remove the leadership, leading to the leader in his Python. Eliminate the target, return to Ross 128.
Okay that's...kind of an outline of what the first half could look like. It's a bit more combat-oriented for the Federation. Increasing in difficulty, with scaling enemy ranks based on the CMDR's rank.
And it wouldn't have to just end there. Give a similar format to Powerplay to tell a story for that faction. Have daily or weekly missions for a chunk of merits, based on rank.
But we need background. Context. Narrative. Personality to attribute to the galaxy around us.
Let's go into that: based purely on in-game information, what is the difference between the Federation and the Empire? Why are they at odds? Where does the Alliance fit in? What are their policies, how are they viewed, how do they conduct business? Do you have a feel for these factions, or just an aesthetic impression from their ships?
Here's the point I'm circling - narrative surrounding these powers, and other things, is needed to really give some life to the galaxy. And more, while not every commander can be the hero, everyone wants to feel like they have some impact.
The idea is simple: A progressing chain of narrative missions for Superpowers, each with a specific starting location within their territory. The trigger could be as simple as doing a mission for an affiliated faction, player gets a message stating there's a high-priority mission at X system. From there, follow that faction's philosophy through a long mission chain, following a single story or objective.
For Empire and Federation, these missions would trigger once you've reached 100% of a rank, and serve as your progression mission. This solves the "where is my progression mission" problem people have, and provides some diversion from the "grind". Systems that unlock with progression are the start point for the next mission in the line.
Ideally, these would have some voice narration - an audio briefing that explains the mission and objective. Mission time can be a week long, and if it's failed, just pick it up again. Combat ratings of enemy ships will be dependent on CMDR combat rank.
Here's a theoretical rundown of some Fed progression:
Rank: None (triggered upon reaching 100% of listed Rank) Hire CMDR to recover the black box from the wreckage of a recon vessel (it should have a name: Iron Eagle, for example) shot down in an Anarchy system and deliver it to a specified Federation system and the Fed contact (who will be the one communicating with the player) "The Federation appreciates your service, Commander. We hope we can count on your loyalty in the future."
Rank: Recruit - CMDR given a bounty order on a pair of low-ranking pirates who took place in the attack on the recon vessel Iron Eagle. Collect one of the Escape Pods from their ships and return it to the Federation contact for interrogation.
Rank: Cadet - Information from the captured pirate shows that they were paid to attack the Iron Eagle by an unknown source. The transaction was completed at a surface installation; the CMDR will be instructed to scan the data beacon at the base for clues, then travel to the orbit of a nearby planet to find the source, a damaged Imperial Courier. Eliminate the Courier and retrieve the Black Box.
Rank: Midshipman - The Black Box data revealed the system the Courier came from - deep within Imperial space. How did they know where to find Iron Eagle? Travel to the Imperial system (should be a decent distance, 120-200 LY) and scan the Nav Beacon to log recent traffic, and return to the Fed contact with the data.
Rank: Petty Officer - scan data reveals that a federation navy ship passed through the Imperial system days before the attack on Iron Eagle. CMDR reports to Sol to obtain a new mission - track down the traitor and neutralize them. Travel to a nearby system and find a mission POI where the traitor(wanted, mission target), in a Federal Assault Ship. As the player drops in, two Federal Dropships jump in to assist the CMDR, "Sorry to follow you Commander, but we were sent to back you up". Eliminate target, return to Sol.
Rank: Chief Petty Officer - report to Vega to meet with Fed contact. Investigation has revealed that the traitor had Iron Eagle eliminated because the recon ship had discovered an Imperial listening post disguised as a mining outpost in a nearby system. CMDR is provided with a data package (mission-specific) to fly to that station and sell. "This data package looks like standard scan info, Commander, but contains a virus that will corrupt any intercepted Federation communications."
Rank: Warrant Officer - After receiving the mission from Fed contact in PLX 695, proceed to a nearby Anarchy system and eliminate an Imperial convoy of two Imperial Eagles and one unshielded Clipper (Clipper is Mission Target). The Imperials have been making deals with the pirates in this sector, their envoy needs to be destroyed before payment can be delivered. "Sorry, no backup this time Commander. These are Imperial Navy vessels, we can't openly attack them without risking an incident. We're counting on you to eliminate that Clipper." Clipper will ejects cargo if attacked: Gold and Narcotics.
Rank: Ensign - Report to Fed contact in Ross 128. After your last mission, pirates in that system have been more active. The Federation has worked out a deal with the pirate faction there, on one condition - the competition is eliminated. A chain of quick assassination missions in-system to remove the leadership, leading to the leader in his Python. Eliminate the target, return to Ross 128.
Okay that's...kind of an outline of what the first half could look like. It's a bit more combat-oriented for the Federation. Increasing in difficulty, with scaling enemy ranks based on the CMDR's rank.
And it wouldn't have to just end there. Give a similar format to Powerplay to tell a story for that faction. Have daily or weekly missions for a chunk of merits, based on rank.
But we need background. Context. Narrative. Personality to attribute to the galaxy around us.
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