I really want to love this game, which is super close to being exactly what I've been looking for. But it's missing some key features. The universe feels dead. There are a lot of things that I would like to see changed, but I want to focus on an easy one: Comms. I've read a lot of people complaining about the grind, all the time they spend traveling to sell something or meet a bounty or whatever else. I believe that these potentially boring elements can be easily alleviated by the use of a radio.
What I would like to see is an in game radio system (with text chat as well) for ship to ship communications. Not opening a single chat with a single person, but something that allows me to just talk. All of the slower paced games I've played, such as large battles in ARMA, have been good fun for me just because I get to talk to the people around me. Not people on my friends list, but people nearby or in my squad who I may never have met. The social element is what makes games like this work. So here's my outline of suggested rules:
Primary chat will remain as is; targeted ship to ship, text and voice as needed. For many players, this would be the end of their comms experience.
Each sector will feature a UNICOM channel, allowing for proximity chat with everyone nearby. Your comms will automatically have this channel open. However, it will not be required, and players can disable this feature. This one is partly social, partly utilitarian in case information needs to be exchanged.
A number of numerically identified channels will allow for open chat. Think truckers talking on two bands depending on which highway they're on. Range on these channels would be limited, but will not be sector limited. I'd like to hear comms from a few star systems in any direction on this channel, maybe with degradation at larger ranges (harder to program, may or may not be included).
Channels may be identified with a set purpose, or that could be left to the community. Since there would be a number of frequency filters, you would likely end up getting on the same band with the same people periodically, especially if you fly the same routes. This would result in not just social interaction, but relationship building in a very real way.
Private channels would also be available, essentially the same ship to ship but with the option of allowing multiple people to chat.
Players must, of course, have the ability to ignore and report any player they choose, and can always just turn off the radio if they think spamming is a problem.
That's it. With these fairly simple implementations the game could become a lot more playable, and will open itself up to a lot more players wanting to get involved. I'm a fan of radio communication in reality. I consider those conversations to be fun, regardless of if I'm chatting on the amateur bands at home or on the road, or if I'm using it to coordinate with other people on site at my work. I know a lot of other people enjoy that activity. Implementing something along those lines here, especially with a VOIP focus, could add a huge level of immersion and depth. This also answers something I've seen elsewhere, where people stated that it would be nice to have a meetup place for people to talk and exchange information. Here it would be a channel for people running trade in your area, or whatever else. If this very simple change were made, I think I would be an avid fan and would recommend the game to my friends without hesitation.
What I would like to see is an in game radio system (with text chat as well) for ship to ship communications. Not opening a single chat with a single person, but something that allows me to just talk. All of the slower paced games I've played, such as large battles in ARMA, have been good fun for me just because I get to talk to the people around me. Not people on my friends list, but people nearby or in my squad who I may never have met. The social element is what makes games like this work. So here's my outline of suggested rules:
Primary chat will remain as is; targeted ship to ship, text and voice as needed. For many players, this would be the end of their comms experience.
Each sector will feature a UNICOM channel, allowing for proximity chat with everyone nearby. Your comms will automatically have this channel open. However, it will not be required, and players can disable this feature. This one is partly social, partly utilitarian in case information needs to be exchanged.
A number of numerically identified channels will allow for open chat. Think truckers talking on two bands depending on which highway they're on. Range on these channels would be limited, but will not be sector limited. I'd like to hear comms from a few star systems in any direction on this channel, maybe with degradation at larger ranges (harder to program, may or may not be included).
Channels may be identified with a set purpose, or that could be left to the community. Since there would be a number of frequency filters, you would likely end up getting on the same band with the same people periodically, especially if you fly the same routes. This would result in not just social interaction, but relationship building in a very real way.
Private channels would also be available, essentially the same ship to ship but with the option of allowing multiple people to chat.
Players must, of course, have the ability to ignore and report any player they choose, and can always just turn off the radio if they think spamming is a problem.
That's it. With these fairly simple implementations the game could become a lot more playable, and will open itself up to a lot more players wanting to get involved. I'm a fan of radio communication in reality. I consider those conversations to be fun, regardless of if I'm chatting on the amateur bands at home or on the road, or if I'm using it to coordinate with other people on site at my work. I know a lot of other people enjoy that activity. Implementing something along those lines here, especially with a VOIP focus, could add a huge level of immersion and depth. This also answers something I've seen elsewhere, where people stated that it would be nice to have a meetup place for people to talk and exchange information. Here it would be a channel for people running trade in your area, or whatever else. If this very simple change were made, I think I would be an avid fan and would recommend the game to my friends without hesitation.
