Challenger = Chieftain = Crusader, Krait = Python... What's the point?

[anumist]

I agree with the original poster, why have ships that are almost the same design, but 2 differents one ? example, the keelback and the type-6

or the asp explorer and the asp scout. these are basically the same design, just small differences and we get them like that instead of having new designs

 

[Gully Foyle]

Besides an SLF what's the point of all these cloned ships?

Maybe I'm generalizing too much but I don't see enough of a difference to justify these new ships. SLF aren't even worth carrying from my point of view as they just get blown up instantly or sit unused taking up an optional slot while stealing my profits and experience. Marginal differences between the Krait and Python's handling characteristics and less cargo space don't justify me moving over to a Krait.

If they're going to introduce a new ship one would hope that it's at least different than what we have. This way we would actually have a reason for buying a new ship and going through the hoops of outfitting it and engineering the modules. Instead we just get more of the same, colour me quite disappointed in the creativity of the game developers.

For example how about we get a medium size imperial ship, (instead of another Challenger clone) which has be sorely missing from the game since the beginning? Imperials have either large or small ships and nothing in between.

you are generalizing too much.

they do not need to justify diddly.

They are more powerful than the other ones. They can fight xenos. Enough.

Down with the slaver Imps

 

[WR3ND]

They should have just given the python an SLF.

I'm glad they didn't since I don't use them and use the ship. I don't want it being balanced around having that feature. I mean, assuming Frontier actually intends on having some semblance of balance between the ships at their various price points and ranks in the game.

I wouldn't mind there being a variant of the Python that had that capability that cost a bit more and/or sacrificed some module room or something to account for it. I just wouldn't use it like I don't bother using most of the ships in the game that don't suit my tastes.

 

[Mxpower76]

I don't understand why they didn't just put a SLF in the Challenger. Two ships would have been enough IMO.

This. Add a fighter bay and class 7 PD to the Challenger and you're done. Now you've got a proper competitor to the FGS. Does feel like the Challenger is about to become obsolete.

 

[askavir]

Yeah let’s not even get into aircraft variants, the amount of variants of the same type is usually huge. Be it commercial all military.

True, but i'd rather play a flight sim where I could fly the F-16 Falcon, F-14 Tomcat, F-15 Eagle, F-4 Phantom, F-18, A-10, F-22, Dassault Mirage, Dassault Rafale, Tornado, Harrier, Eurofighter, Mig-21, Mig-25, Mig-29 Fulcrun, Mig-31 etc over another where I could fly 15 different Falcon variants.

 

[bitstorm]

Depends. If your game sells itself on having simulation elements then comparisons to reality are not only appropriate but effectively requested by the developers.

Also some of us think the ships are cool so even there we're covered.

I get where you're coming from but the idea that a "series" of ship hulls should be universally rejected as a design concept doesn't seem to play out here.

Not really buying the "immersion" argument.

I think given the choice nobody would argue for a over a variant over a new ship design, not even the hardcore RP or hardcore "sim" crowd.

 

[TheGrimCorsair]

The variants I agree with, but the Krite is definitely different from the Python. Handling, lower armor rating, dimensions, speed, canopy visibility, distributor performance..

Indeed, the difference between the Class 7 Distributor on the Krait Mk. II and the Class 7 Distributor on Python is so massive. Like, it's incomparable! It's a very different experience. Especially with how different the 2x C2 and 3x C3 hardpoints are on the Krait Mk. II from 2x C2 hardpoints and 3x C3 hardpoints on Python.

 

[House0fDerp]

Not really buying the "immersion" argument.

I think given the choice nobody would argue for a over a variant over a new ship design, not even the hardcore RP or hardcore "sim" crowd.

As stated before, one doesn't necessarily preclude the other since they can ad any number of ships.

 

[Winterwalker]

I agree with the original poster, why have ships that are almost the same design, but 2 differents one ? example, the keelback and the type-6

or the asp explorer and the asp scout. these are basically the same design, just small differences and we get them like that instead of having new designs

I suspect it's because whoever's responsible for the ship building at Frontier has had their hands mostly full, with 3 new guardian fighters as well as other Guardian tech models (and those Q3 narrative bases). Commercial realities might be a bit dull but they are after all realities and likely anything upward of $100k worth of development costs for a new ship from scratch. Can you stand seeing a ship variant this time, for having three new fighters instead? I think probably I can (and no way did I see them coming).

 

[WR3ND]

...they can ad any number of ships.

Is this like in game pre-order kickstarts for concept ships or something? [hehe]

Anyway, I agree with your point in general. While I would prefer having more unique ships in general, if someone is really hot for some sort of variant, more power to them.

 

[ozrix84]

Indeed, the difference between the Class Distributor on the Krait Mk. II and the Class 7 Distributor on Python is so massive. Like, it's incomparable! It's a very different experience. Especially with how different the 2x C2 and 3x C3 hardpoints are on the Krait Mk. II from 2x C2 hardpoints and 3x C3 hardpoints on Python.

Glad someone else noticed

 

[Lightspeed]

FD: "Well, Design Team, we need to design some new ships."

Community Managers: "But the forums are full of people saying devs need to spend more time on core game play features"

FD: "Ok then, design one ship and copy it for the other sizes."

Which would the forum prefer?

 

[bitstorm]

FD: "Well, Design Team, we need to design some new ships."

Community Managers: "But the forums are full of people saying devs need to spend more time on core game play features"

FD: "Ok then, design one ship and copy it for the other sizes."

Which would the forum prefer?

Aye I get it, if Frontier produce something substandard it's the forum's fault. Makes sense.

 

[Winterwalker]

the proportion of developement energy devoted to keep the more mentally/emotionally challenged audience buying junk in the shop, vs the energy devoted to actually add valuable content into the game which would foster retention and draw in more people.

That's a slow burn though right? Big galaxy to populate .. and wing surface missions is still core code. (I think it's the last one though? Add datapoints etc. to murdered individuals and delivered goods, to cover all the goals with the mission generator. Then - and really, only then - you can chain the goals to create quest).

 

[evanevery]

Besides an SLF what's the point of all these cloned ships?

Maybe I'm generalizing too much but I don't see enough of a difference to justify these new ships. SLF aren't even worth carrying from my point of view as they just get blown up instantly or sit unused taking up an optional slot while stealing my profits and experience. Marginal differences between the Krait and Python's handling characteristics and less cargo space don't justify me moving over to a Krait.

If they're going to introduce a new ship one would hope that it's at least different than what we have. This way we would actually have a reason for buying a new ship and going through the hoops of outfitting it and engineering the modules. Instead we just get more of the same, colour me quite disappointed in the creativity of the game developers.

For example how about we get a medium size imperial ship, (instead of another Challenger clone) which has be sorely missing from the game since the beginning? Imperials have either large or small ships and nothing in between.

I disagree. SLF's are one of my favorite weapons...

 

[askavir]

Indeed, the difference between the Class Distributor on the Krait Mk. II and the Class 7 Distributor on Python is so massive. Like, it's incomparable! It's a very different experience. Especially with how different the 2x C2 and 3x C3 hardpoints are on the Krait Mk. II from 2x C2 hardpoints and 3x C3 hardpoints on Python.

So what?

These ships all have the same distributor size and same hardpoints: Viper III, Viper IV, Cobra III, DB Scout, Keelback. Does that make them all the same ship? Imperial Clipper and FAS also have the the same distributor size and hardpoints. Are they the same ship as well? There's more to the ships than just the rate at which they thrown projectiles.

 

[NeilF]

I disagree. SLF's are one of my favorite weapons...

And wouldn't something more interesting to do with fighters be more beneficial than just adding more of them.

Ie: Is adding more and more and more weapons making combat more engaging? Surely at some point , after X years, some more engaging combat scenarios and gameplay might be beneficial?

 

[Shinji Ikari]

Player choice is good.

We didn't chose this.

 

[ozrix84]

So what?

These ships all have the same distributor size and same hardpoints: Viper III, Viper IV, Cobra III, DB Scout, Keelback. Does that make them all the same ship? Imperial Clipper and FAS also have the the same distributor size and hardpoints. Are they the same ship as well? There's more to the ships than just the rate at which they thrown projectiles.

I see, he was being sarcastic.. I agree, they do perform differently while using the same class internals. They are completely different hulls for crying out loud.. Try boost spamming in both ships with the same distributor and watch the difference. Claiming the Krait is the same as the Python is plain stupid. They share some similarities, but that's it.

 

[Shinji Ikari]

They should have just given the python an SLF.

Yep, there's no reason why similarly sized ships can't carry SLFs as well.