David Braben Powerplay AMA - all of David's answers in one place

[Edward Lewis]

Here's a closed thread with all of David's replies from the Powerplay AMA.

 

[David Braben]

From CdrTwisted:

Does this mean the existing missions are staying but there will be more, or are the existing missions getting a good scrub?

It’s a mixture of both. The core mission system has been completely overhauled to allow better support and extensibility – which means we can do more with it as we move forwards both now and beyond the Powerplay update. Two main examples for the Powerplay update is the ability to find mission ships in supercruise and ambient traffic - so not just in USSs. There’s also better integration of mission branching in the inbox.

 

[David Braben]

Powerplay group functions.

with powerplay bringing players together under one flag I would imagine that new groups will want to form up to protect their faction, with this in mind will powerplay or future updates for powerplay add a group management function like member search or the DDF discussed feature to automatically kick players from a group who attack another player that belongs to their group?

Hi Mobius - this is something we will look at in the future, but is not part of Powerplay.

 

[David Braben]

Hi David,

Will we be seeing Harry Duval as one of the faction leaders?

He is involved in one of the Powers...

 

[David Braben]

If you can't reveal the release date of Powerplay, can you confirm if there will be a beta test period for Alpha/Beta backers before the release goes live?

Yes, there will be a beta test. We're planning to announce the dates, as Michael would say, "soon" ;-)

 

[David Braben]

Can you be aligned with more than one Power? Also will certain Powers be at conflict with another? ie you cant join both Power A & B because they are enemies?

I think it said this in the newsletter. You can be aligned with multiple Powers, but only one at the same time. Defections should be fun... and will have consequences.

 

[David Braben]

From AnnuverScotinExile:

So, on the subject of a real power play, when do we get our God-like powers David?

There has been a considerable discussion on the practicalities of what those God-like powers mean in the game. We see a path where the DDF (and perhaps other invited members of the community) have direct input into the Powers.

We are looking into ways we can make this work, but it will not be in Powerplay at day #1. Maybe even one of the powers could be driven directly by the DDF?

 

[David Braben]

Greetings CMDR Braben

How do YOU pronounce Patreus?

Sorry - just told Ed off for this on the great interview he gave on Twitch... It should be P-at-ree-us. ;-)

 

[David Braben]

Will we be able to name a power is we get our ranks to the top?

No - the Power's names need to remain consistent; we can't have them changing all the time.

For ones that have risen from a minor local faction by player action, we might be able to do something there.

 

[David Braben]

Hi David, cockpit access to Galnet is a good new feature. Will this have a range? I.e will explorers on the other side of the Galaxy still have access?

Thanks

Yes, they can access "global" news, but for system-local news, you need to be in the system in question.

 

[David Braben]

Surely a "right on commander" is long past due? If not will there be some other kind of recognition for ranking up in the game?

I quite agree.

 

[David Braben]

What's the rank requirement for the new Imperial ship in 1.3. Also is frontier alright with people modifying the HUD color in ED? I'v'e seen a lot of screenshots with the diffrent colors but never saw an offical stance on that matter.

"Master" I think.

Yes, we're OK with it.

 

[David Braben]

From Jorlin:
How will supporting a "Power" influence my standings with the "Major Factions"?

The same actions that support a Power can have a knock on effect for your wider reputation with a major faction in the same way as working with a minor faction does currently.

 

[David Braben]

Hi David,

First, thanks for the effort from you and your team for providing a such good game!

Secondly the question:
I'm still wondering about the increasing complexity around factions. Can you clarify the linkage between Factions and Powers?
From what I understand now we have: A minor Faction is dependent (or not) to a major faction. A Power has influences on several minor factions and/or major factions. A minor faction can evolved (or split?) to a Power. Finally, is Power a "meta faction"?

Thanks!

You're very welcome. It is the great team here that do all the work, though!

Minor Factions are small, relating to local governance (like running stations), Powers are much wider entities, with Major Factions above them. Effectively it is a new, intervening layer.

 

[David Braben]

Question is in the title.

Is PowerPlay system control built on top the minor faction system control mechanism?

Yes. There is quite a bit of interrelation between the two.

 

[David Braben]

Will be be able to express our allegiance to a power (and also, support the ongoing development ) by purchasing power-specific paint jobs for ships?

We are looking in to this, but probably wont be in Powerplay.

 

[David Braben]

Will the current ranks and reputations be adjusted? What about the people who are allied to all three powers, and hold top rank for both the Federal and Imperial navy? That seems like an impossible or at least undesirable situation.

That's not a problem. The Powers are separate from this, and not all Powers are linked to a Major Faction.

 

[David Braben]

From Rall:
Will there be independant powers to back, and can player backed minor factions become powers if deemed important enough. E.g. The Crimson state

Yes and yes. Powers can be independently aligned and minor factions can become Powers if they are successful enough (although this is no easy task!). There’ll be a chance at this for an Old World resurgence around the time of the Powerplay launch – if the players should choose to back them.

 

[David Braben]

Hi David,

A philosophical question:

Do you think Powerplay reflects wider society today, in the same way that the original Elite reflected a Thatcher inspired cultural focus on money and the individual way back in the 1980s?

Nice!

It's funny that many people have connected the original Elite and the Thatcherite world view from the time - but that is not why we made 'score' into money. Both Ian and I were not quite so politically savvy I think it would be fair to say, but were just frustrated about the rut games were in. I was annoyed that almost all games got a smart bomb (or equivalent) at 5000, and an extra life at 10,000. I wanted to be able to choose!

As for Powerplay, it is more of a way of broadening involvement in the story. It has been in the works long before the election fever in the UK started, and is more inspired by TV shows like the excellent "House of Cards" and "Game of Thrones" than current political battles.

 

[David Braben]

What's stopping say a group of factions from forming a large alliance and dominating us all? SOMEONE GET MY TIN FOIL HAT.

There are escalating costs and supply line issues (based on the distance from the "capital"). Multiple Powers working together is possible, but it depends on the ethos of the Powers. I'm sure people will try this, and I'm sure others will attempt to sabotage it!