Giving each galactic region a "transit hub"

[Wheeltalk]

Hey all,

I originally sent this idea to Frontier support, and the team member who answered, suggested I pin it here.

-One or two in each galactic region, located in the most high-traffic non permit system (or two) in that region

-CMDRs could only access a hub if they've personally flown to at least one port in that region before. Discussion on whether or not carriers count as a port for this purpose

-If two in each region, spread them out into different halves of the region

-Possibly limit fleet carriers to 10 days in that system out of every 30 day cycle, claiming it's for space traffic reasons? Would require changing carrier admin to include an auto depart config

-Shipyard and parts outfitting in the hub
---For players with odyssey, ability to take the elevators not just between their active ship and the lounge; also able to take the elevators to their ships stored in that hub, and to view or even switch to those ships. FDev could use this feature in the hubs, as a playtest to see whether to add it to other starports

-Interstellar mass transit hub:
---Flat rate 100k CR, ??? hour player transportation from one hub to another
---Flat rate 200k CR, 3x??? hour ship delivery from one hub to another - possibly tiered by ship size - plus the cost to get it from its current station to whichever hub it's closest to
---Possible flat rate module delivery, unsure of ideal price, same delivery time as ships
---Cannot have any active passenger missions, nor any active cargo missions, when using the transport or delivery features
---During player transportation just a CQC minigame for players without odyssey, and a choice of multiple minigames for players with odyssey

Narratively, the idea would be that you're buying excess capacity on somebody's fleet carrier, that's already moving through the galaxy. To "pick up extra cargo or work along the route", the narrative could be that carriers go past these hubs and offer a bulk price just to not leave any space unused in transit.

Mechanically, it would be a great way to get back to the bubble after a CG, without having to totally uproot yourself in case you want to pick up missions, or do sightseeing, in the area around the CG. Super useful for people who want to take part in CGs, but who also want to get back to the bubble for, say, engineering or for naval ranks. It would also prevent you from having to pay more than the value of your ship just to have it transported to you.

Commercially, it would bring up user engagement because players would feel more able to do long-distance traveling, and the minigames during transit could convince more people to buy Odyssey.

 

[zikolach]

Isn't there already dockable megaships in game which allow to move to distant star systems?

If it would just be a little more "organised" and have more destinations. E.g. I go to Apex and buy a ticket with exact date and time, system and FC which I have to dock. I know it is available off game, but I'd like it to be in.

 

[Lugh]

There are already loads of things to help players get around. Both on the game side and player made communities.


At best this would appeal to the type of player that would be turned off by most of elite.