Conflict Zones seem a bit too opt in opt out

[Drunk Si]

I could be wrong here because I've only seen one system with a couple of conflict zones in it but personally I think there's too much of an opt in/opt out nature to them.

If war broke out down the road for whatever reason I wouldn't have much choice in the matter, whether I actively wanted to take part in the fighting or not I would be effected by it, but what I've seen of conflict zones in E: D is when you find yourself in a system with a war going on you can supercruise around it much as you would do elsewhere and the only difference is conflict zones appear on your nav computer. Then, if you so choose you may opt in to the fighting and choose what colours you want your ship to fly.

It's all very gentlemanly but I think if you find yourself in a system that is at war it should be a dangerous place to be. Maybe the combined mass of ships mustering at these conflict zones pull you out of supercruise if you stray too close and it becomes hard to break free, I dunno. At the moment it's very much a case of "I think I'll indulge in a spot of war.... nope nope, time is getting on, must be off. Cheerio!" or if you're a trader you can fly your space truck you can jump into a system that is at war and jump on without a care in the world.

I guess the only (half thought out, admittedly) suggestion I have on the matter is more widespread conflict zones throughout a system that is at war and that they should pull you out of supercruise if you so much as look at them.

 

[Seboss]

I agree systems at war are not much different except for the conflict zones, checkpoints and occasional capital ship points of interest in the navigation list. On several occasions, I flew across systems at war without even noticing.

I think military patrols should fly around the system, interdicting unknown or enemy ships. When flying to a warzone or after being interdicted by a patrol, the player should be forced to pick a side and stick to this choice for the duration of the war. Maybe authority ships around stations could hail players to pick a side as well. It doesn't make much sense that the player is able to change sides willy-nilly each time they enter a conflict zone, and committing to fight for one side of the conflict would put the players on their toes when flying around a system full of enemy patrol ships.

I suppose under some circumstances, the player should be able to become neutral again or even to turn their coat to the other side. This could take form of "double agent" missions received when visiting a station, an USS or maybe after a "friendly" interdiction.

Just a couple thoughts on this matter.

 

[Drunk Si]

I like your ideas, maybe there should also be more places of interest within a system that is at war. A rallying point or something, maybe nearby outposts should have a military presence as I imagine a supply of fuel is something that might be commandeered in such a scenario. Also maybe if you keep chopping and changing which faction you support in the war it'll get to the point where neither will have you.

 

[Talarin]

Using the existing game mechanics - maybe checkpoints spawning NPC interdictors who will check out players not allied to their cause?
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I agree with the sentiment though. It's quite immersion-breaking to be able to fight for both sides by simply leaving the conflict zone and returning again.