Crazy Idea

[scimon]

Bear with me here but I've got a little idea that I think might really help the game. In Open change the UI functionality a bit :

• All ships show up with filled in blocks on the scanner
• Remove the CMDR in front of players names
• Instead of a list of local ships just show whether there are any other players in the current instance.

This way you can open local comms and talk to people, chat to your friends and stuff and there's no discrimination between AI pilots and Human ones.

Thoughts?

 

[ajg74]

Crazy

 

[Stealthie]

I'd rather it was optional.

In the right HUD, underneath the "Beacon" toggle, add a new "Pilot Federation Transponder" toggle.

Off and you're just another filled blob with "CMDR" removed from your tag.
On and you're a hollow blob with the "CMDR" title applied.

That way people could fly "incognito" in Open if they wanted to, or they could announce their presence whereas in a group like Mobius you could leave it on all the time without concern.

 

[Pville_Piper]

Hang on... I'm making some popcorn...

 

[Gamatech]

If Fractured Space is anything to go by, not being able to differenciate between AI and player will only cause headaches for devs and frustration from players.

 

[Crank Larson]

So... What you're suggesting is that there are no hollow squares anymore? Can't think that this has ever come up before...

For what it's worth, I agree. But I think that the argument was lost a very long time ago.

 

[CMDR Goro]

How would one distinguish on scanner griefer from NPC in CG system?

 

[Ian Skippy]

How would one distinguish on scanner griefer from NPC in CG system?

By watching their movement. And the 'griefer' cant see the 'victim' immediately either. In any case, it will drastically reduce social interaction of every kind, which kinda seems to be the point of Open in the first place. OPs suggestion follows a recent negative experience with a 'griefer', to put things into context.

 

[GreyAreaUK]

It's been suggested a few times, but it's problematic because it would give a false sense of security - human pilots fly very differently to NPCs, and it's really obvious when you start looking at it.

 

[Cmdr Ultra]

Screw that - I get a rush of adrenaline every time I see a hollow square or triangle on the scanner.

You want to be a blob or Cmdr neutral - there are other places to do that rather than Open.



OP I know you're feeling a bit down lately and I'm sorry for that - but here's a crazy idea...

You become the griefer. Share the pain. Reaver of the spaceways. It might be carthatic for you.

 

[scimon]

I guess it's because I still don't get it. The attacking people for no reason thing. And I've still not heard a valid rationale.

Of course if CQC let you fly your ship from the main game that might help. Hmmm...

(Yeah I know this has probably been mentioned before but I stopped using the forum about 3 years ago because if the Troll infestation. Thought I'd see if it had got better).

 

[Globusdiablo]

Bear with me here but I've got a little idea that I think might really help the game. In Open change the UI functionality a bit :

• All ships show up with filled in blocks on the scanner
• Remove the CMDR in front of players names
• Instead of a list of local ships just show whether there are any other players in the current instance.

This way you can open local comms and talk to people, chat to your friends and stuff and there's no discrimination between AI pilots and Human ones.

Thoughts?

You're obviously new to E: D, as these ideas have been tossed around since the dawn of time.

Welcome Commander

 

[scimon]

You're obviously new to E: D, as these ideas have been tossed around since the dawn of time.

Welcome Commander

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.

No.

As I said I gave up on the Forums as I have a Troll allergy. Been playing on and off since Beta.

Open often makes for the off.

 

[GreyAreaUK]

I guess it's because I still don't get it. The attacking people for no reason thing. And I've still not heard a valid rationale.

It basically boils down to 'some people enjoy it'. Despite playing in Open though, I don't really like PvP and I'll avoid it wherever possible.

A notable exception to this are the players that roleplay pirates. If they're entering into the spirit of it then they can be great fun. I've been pirated twice by players, and it was a total hoot both times.

 

[Riverside]

Scenario 1, players are visible to each other:

In SC, you immediately know where the other players are & are able to review the body language of those few ships, isolate the potential ganker(s) and attempt to evade. They have the same small list of ships to choose a victim from. Little skill is required by either party.

Scenario 2, players are indistinguishable from NPCs:

In SC, every ship is a potential ganker, you have a much larger pool of ships to check. You need to quickly gain experience & skills to distinguish players from NPCs and then still need to identify the ganker(s) among them. Similarly you need to look for bespoke NPCs looking to interdict, which represent a different threat level.
The Ganker is experienced at identifying their targets, and has no objective other than to find you (you have to get to the station as well as identify them).

If players are masked, the cat & mouse game relies more on experience & skill than if they are separated. Personally I enjoy trying to out-think the ganker before they ever get to fire a shot so I'm okay with this, but inevitably I don't do that run to the station 20 times a day, the ganker does.

In a contest of skill the ganker (or blockader, or pirate) will inevitably have more experience in that situation than the trader.


So having players visibly separated from NPCs is a skill leveller, which I suspect is what the OP is looking for.

If the OP is looking to remain in open, can I suggest flying an FDL? You can still carry cargo in it but you will be masquerading as just another ganker, reducing the likelihood of them interdicting you. And if they do, you have a tough, fast, manoeuvrable ship in which you can fight back or evade & survive. You just won't be delivering as much cargo

 

[Cmdr Ultra]

I guess it's because I still don't get it. The attacking people for no reason thing. And I've still not heard a valid rationale.

They are stupid kids - what more reason would you expect. There is no valid rationale.

Up your skills, ship and most importantly situational awareness and you will welcome the challenge.

Elite gives you all the tools you need to survive Open.

"Blaze your own trail in a cutthroat galaxy" or play in Mobius with lovely folks or on your own.

 

[danteuk]

I'd rather it was optional.

In the right HUD, underneath the "Beacon" toggle, add a new "Pilot Federation Transponder" toggle.

Off and you're just another filled blob with "CMDR" removed from your tag.
On and you're a hollow blob with the "CMDR" title applied.

That way people could fly "incognito" in Open if they wanted to, or they could announce their presence whereas in a group like Mobius you could leave it on all the time without concern.

Okay - original idea was bad - I don't want to waste time trying to talk to NPC's because I can't tell the difference.
This idea of making it optional - so griefers can choose to masquerade as NPC's ? seriously ? - NO.

 

[Lightspeed]

In the last beta, a bug caused all hollow squares to be solid. It made for some interesting encounters and game play tactics ! Pirates were pretending to be NPCs and cargo-hauling commanders were pretending to be NPCs too

 

[Kerrash]

I guess it's because I still don't get it. The attacking people for no reason thing. And I've still not heard a valid rationale...

In GTA for myself that usually boils down to, it's funny and I am bored.
It's the antithesis of rational.