News Development Update - 8th Jan

[DarthLuca]

I have not noticed any local news except the traffic report in any system I have been in. I think this may need to be looked at if you think it exists already.

Many areas exist to make this bring the galaxy alive. New rank gains in Pilot's federation. For small systems any PC destroying Pirates or Wanted ships would be newsworthy and should gain rep on the side of law and negative rep with any local pirate group/ black market. Likewise any Pirating in local system; Cmdr John Doe has been pirating this system and gained 123 Cr bounty for his activity here. NPC action might be a bit more difficult but maybe anytime an NPC is promoted to Tier 2 it warrants some made up article to call that to attention.

Weekly reporting of player achievements galaxy wide like most systems explored, largest star discovered, system with most planets discovered, most bounties collected, longest trade run. Some of it might even seem boring but since it is the player community almost everyone will love to see their own name in the headlines.

All in all the news at the moment is nice to have on the major story-lines. But it could be so much more.

Some really good ideas here +1 rep. F will hopefully have some of these ideas on their 'list'.

 

[wstephenson]

Seeing as we're misusing this thread in case MB reads our suggestions:

Generate names and home systems for the contents of Slaves canisters.
This would make players think twice about blowing up slavers and abandoning excess cargo.

Have anti slaving factions that pay for repatriation dependent on distance traveled.

 

[Titus Balls]

Any update on the Clipper Mass Lock issue?

I didn't realise how bad this was but it's *really* bad

 

[Redan]

Dude it's catastrophic. Completely ruins the appeal of the ship.

It SHOULD mass disrupt at around 20.

 

[calvinreidspot]

weapons definitely need to be re-balanced it just sucks all the fun out of the game when beam lasers and multicannons are the only viable loadout id love to see the weapon system get a major facelift...currently right now im using fixed railguns and cannons and even though they still pack a considerable punch its an arm and a leg to resupply i hope you guys will do something to help make other loadouts more favorable...if you guys have watched any of the youtubers you'll see what i mean. i know plenty of people are talking about this on reddit with great suggestions for you guys if you would care to take a gander...awesome game, just a few tweaks here and there and star citizen will never be able to catch up...Elite now Elite tomorrow Elite forever.

 

[Michael Brookes]

Michael, can you maybe take a look at the "Mercs of Mikunn" results thread (sorry, can't post link, thread id: ?t=97577) as the organiser seems to have run into issues with faction expansion. I understand that you may want to keep some elements of the faction system a 'black box' to be figured out by players, but it would be very helpful to understand if/where bugs still exist in the system.

Many thanks for the team's hard work to date, and the increased communications via the server status posts and this development update thread are much appreciated.

I've posted in the thread, but will repeat it here for people's information:

An update on this - we've identified two issues that would be causing problems here. The first is that expanding minor factions into nearby systems is causing the changes tobe applied to the wrong systems. There's also an issue where some systems aren't processing the queue of changes in a timely fashion so they haven't been applied yet. We're working on fixes for these two problems.

Michael

 

[Soda Popinski]

Thanks to Michael and the rest of FD for such a great game. Thanks again for looking into the Mikunn situation. Looking forward to the Missions overhaul - I'm guessing that's where the issues lie.


Now for something completely different. Out of curiosity, is there a plan to change the current 20ly to sell cartographic data system? While it's an improvement over the beta, where you could sell data while in the system you just scanned, it seems a bit arbitrary. Judging there's a section in the galaxy map to filter by cartographer, and Mr. Brooks has mentioned selling to different factions, I'm assuming this isn't complete yet.

Seems to me having Universal Cartographers (or factions) not in every station would make sense. This would require some travel (like the current 20ly), but would make more sense to me. Is something like this in the works?

Edit: Just saw your post right before mine. Yay!

 

[Acario]

weapons definitely need to be re-balanced it just sucks all the fun out of the game when beam lasers and multicannons are the only viable loadout id love to see the weapon system get a major facelift...currently right now im using fixed railguns and cannons and even though they still pack a considerable punch its an arm and a leg to resupply i hope you guys will do something to help make other loadouts more favorable...if you guys have watched any of the youtubers you'll see what i mean. i know plenty of people are talking about this on reddit with great suggestions for you guys if you would care to take a gander...awesome game, just a few tweaks here and there and star citizen will never be able to catch up...Elite now Elite tomorrow Elite forever.

You couldn't be more wrong. Beam Laser(s) and Canons are hands down the best. I can knock out an Anaconda in three shots from my Python's 4 medium canons (once it's shields are down). 12 rounds to the power plant and BOOM. Anaconda dead with 78% hull still remaining... as well as another 408 rounds of ammo. Full ammo reload? 9k

I could do this much faster.. but CLASS 3 GIMBALLED CANONS are still not in the game for... some reason?

~Steve

EDIT: On my Viper I think I prefer pulse lasers to beams to go with my 2 medium gimballed canons. But I'm a little torn.

 

[Johnny Spaceboots]

I intend to provide more details as they are firmed up - we're currently in a big planning phase and until we're certain of what and when it's difficult to talk in anything other than generalities.

Michael

I understand that. Hope to see these details soon, because a lot of things feel incomplete. Especially in regards to NPC's, and their actual purpose/persistence and the faction system. I really hope that's up for a major update to add depth and some sort of autonomy to the A.I, instead of seemingly having to have everythng be injected in the game by FD. The way it is currently where we just... grind missions indefinitely trying to raise a shallow % of influence is so abstract and illogical. Why does me delivering cupcakes raise a factions influence in the civil war by 1%? Why do wars suck, and just spawn conflict zones that endlessly spew forth trash mobs without context?

I imagined factions having similar depth as they do in grand strategy games, and that we could influence things organically. Hopefully it reaches that level. Because right now it just feels like a generic MMO scenario. I hope to see actual supply shipments that players can raid to disrupt a factions activities, having actual resources that can be diminished everytime they suffer a loss... an actual population. Because right they just seem to be passive abstract percentages with infinite resources endlessly spawning pilots that then do nothing

 

[Straha Yeagar]

This is not entirely true... You do have ranks and reputation in game that work in a sense as "levelling up", however you're not forced to climb through the ranks, you're not forced to do anything specific and this it beautiful in Elite series.

But... What is the purpose of increasing your reputation or a rank if there is nothing to earn from it? What is the point in putting that mechanic if you're not getting any rewards or achievements IF you do decide to follow this path? There has to be something... I'd love to see more logical and slower progression through the ranks which opens up more complex and even more specialised missions especially if you want to gain higher rank, it too easy and shallow atm.

I have faith that with time we will get it eventually there.

Reputation with a major or minor faction I can see and accept there being some perks and benefits, but rewards based on your rank such as better trading prices, increased damage, higher scan range, things like that based on your rank? No way. All the rank really does, and should do is give a bit of perspective as to generally where people fall in experience. Why does there have to be a purpose to increasing rank beyond the pride of increasing it?

 

[Sanderson]

I posted this thread"https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=97682 and it was closed and directed here. I don't see how these two threads are the same, unless I'm just daft.

Where's the bits about FD keeping the full dev team and even expanding it? I seem to have missed that in here, can someone direct me to the bits I'm over looking? Thanks.

 

[Tinman]

I posted this thread"https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=97682 and it was closed and directed here. I don't see how these two threads are the same, unless I'm just daft.

Where's the bits about FD keeping the full dev team and even expanding it? I seem to have missed that in here, can someone direct me to the bits I'm over looking? Thanks.

It's in the OP.

We’re proud of the fantastic game that we released before Christmas but intend to keep growing and developing it. To make this happen we’re expanding the team working on the game so that we can maintain a regular schedule of updates as well as working on paid expansions.

 

[Sanderson]

It's in the OP.

Ya I saw that, it's great but, this thread is about what they are doing. not about the fact that the full team is back and expanded and what that means as far as FD's commitment to ED. See the difference? Two completely different topics, hence the other thread.

FD could have layed-off staff and still ran this thread but, they didn't. They kept and expanded it. I appreciate the level of openess but, clearly two different topics.

 

[WeskerGorlovka]

Please help.
Waiting for this game since the announcement was going to buy.
But when she came out, we have already started the war (East Ukraine). Every day bombing (Gorlovka), there is no work, destroyed the banking system, chaos, nothing.
Here wanted to know whether it is possible to get it without buying the key, the demo key example. There is nothing else to do besides sit at home and hide from attacks.
Buy now I can not, but I am going to buy after the war.

 

[Soda Popinski]

Please help.
Waiting for this game since the announcement was going to buy.
But when she came out, we have already started the war (East Ukraine). Every day bombing (Gorlovka), there is no work, destroyed the banking system, chaos, nothing.
Here wanted to know whether it is possible to get it without buying the key, the demo key example. There is nothing else to do besides sit at home and hide from attacks.
Buy now I can not, but I am going to buy after the war.

Wow. Suddenly, my in-game problems seem inconsequential. Stay safe Commander.

 

[LeoKesler]

Well it would make sense if your reputation was good to get a 'small' discount on things you buy at a system. It doesnt have to be a large variation in prices.
For the rank though i dont know, it could be that people or factions wont trust you unless you have such or such rank. Reputation at least can be lost, not rank. So perhaps there's a middle ground to find there. Small advantages based on reputation, but not on rank.
And it could be temporary as well, like if you participated in war efforts in system X you get 5% discount on everything you buy from that faction for a set amount of time as a reward. though if you fought on the loosing side, well you might have to actually pay some tax as retribution to the wining faction, local or major.

Excuse me my bad english.

With higher rank, most important missions, special weapons (to buy or steal) can be available.

Another way to think: in events like Lugh, if a faction have many players with higher rank, the faction can get a small boost in reputation. Like in real life, when big actors uses the fame to get visibility to some subject.

Otherwise, if many low reputation players (like pirates or players with high bounties) try to "help" the faction, this faction can get a drop in status. Or all players, allied with the station of this faction, can get a bounty in your heads.

With higher rank/low reputation, a faction can choose to accept a offer from a player to help for free or pay you to help (mercenaries job ? ).
With higher rank/higher reputation - big moral boost, more impact in actions etc...
In same way, if a faction see a player with low reputation or if the player is allied with other faction, they can refuse the player help and turn the player an enemy.

Another thing to think about reputation: What is the meaning of get the Allied status with a station (green icon) ? What is the advantage ? Are there any issue with other stations in same system ? Or everyone is best friends or dont care if other station is getting better trade/business ?

This is not entirely true... You do have ranks and reputation in game that work in a sense as "levelling up", however you're not forced to climb through the ranks, you're not forced to do anything specific and this it beautiful in Elite series.

But... What is the purpose of increasing your reputation or a rank if there is nothing to earn from it? What is the point in putting that mechanic if you're not getting any rewards or achievements IF you do decide to follow this path? There has to be something... I'd love to see more logical and slower progression through the ranks which opens up more complex and even more specialised missions especially if you want to gain higher rank, it too easy and shallow atm.

I have faith that with time we will get it eventually there.

Exactly.

 

[Straha Yeagar]

Excuse me my bad english.

With higher rank, most important missions, special weapons (to buy or steal) can be available.

Another way to think: in events like Lugh, if a faction have many players with higher rank, the faction can get a small boost in reputation. Like in real life, when big actors uses the fame to get visibility to some subject.

Otherwise, if many low reputation players (like pirates or players with high bounties) try to "help" the faction, this faction can get a drop in status. Or all players, allied with the station of this faction, can get a bounty in your heads.

With higher rank/low reputation, a faction can choose to accept a offer from a player to help for free or pay you to help (mercenaries job ? ).
With higher rank/higher reputation - big moral boost, more impact in actions etc...
In same way, if a faction see a player with low reputation or if the player is allied with other faction, they can refuse the player help and turn the player an enemy.

Another thing to think about reputation: What is the meaning of get the Allied status with a station (green icon) ? What is the advantage ? Are there any issue with other stations in same system ? Or everyone is best friends or dont care if other station is getting better trade/business ?



Exactly.

The thing with the ranks though...trading and exploring really don't take a whole lot of skill...just grind time. Combat rank on the other hand is still ultimately meaningless as an indication of skill when it comes to human players. A person could be a top notch combat pilot, thousands of kills, then wipe their save and go back to harmless...

As far as special weapons, special missions being available based on rank, I still completely disagree. We already have certain ships, missions, system permits only available based on reputation...the glaring exception is the Founders World.

 

[OriginalBadBoy]

I don't see this as an issue. If you are already rank Dangerous, for instance, any update should just recognize that and additional missions and benefits (like discounts or whatever) will be applied systematically.

If you are talking about earning badges or some such then maybe I can see a disruption. But we have to accept the game will be developed over time and to get the full experience from scratch will require starting over at some point or introducing the game to your kids or another player. "it is what it is".

Totally agree with that ..... As stated though there is certainly a percentage of players that would not want to start from scratch. As you say your not bothered and neither am I in all honesty.

Once planetary landings are in and other such game mechanics have been updated to match I will almost certainly start again from the beginning.

 

[Adept]

Any update on the Clipper Mass Lock issue?

What is the issue? Does it not mass lock things as it should?

 

[Virgil Kyle]

Hey Michael, thanks for the update I have a few questions that I was hoping you could answer, if you have the time...


First of all, are you at liberty to discuss why there are Level 2 and Level 3 Detailed Scan categories listed under the Exploration heading in the Statistics section of the Status tab in the right-hand HUD panel? Are these types of scans implemented in-game yet, and if so, how does one go about doing them? I've read posts that people have tried using Detailed Surface Scanners and Advanced Discovery Scanners, the best kit credits can buy, and they've had no luck in doing one of these scans. I just figured I'd ask, being as how, well.. I'm curious, hehe


Also, is there something official I can read to help me with particular questions I have about effecting factional influence changes in different star systems? I've tried looking this up on the forums, but I haven't found a good, or even decent, centralized source yet. Specifically, I'm curious about how to help kick a star system into a civil war state, among other things, particularly when it's not as straightforward as cruising into a conflict zone, or taking the appropriate missions at that faction's stations. Should I be pirating that faction's ships or something? Targeting civilian ships is dishonorable to me, and ruining my reputation with a particular major or minor faction doesn't seem wise either, so some official go-to document on this sort of thing would really help me out, as I'm sure it would a lot of folks.


Thanks for your time, and your help, in advance!