I always love the idea of remote automation and unmannd drones doing all the jobs for us. But in the current live build, there are certain issues, or limitations, of limpet controllers that prevent many CMDRs from enjoying their benefit. To tackle the emerging trend of reluctance of using them, some thoroughly overhaul of limpet system is needed. I looked up some post before and saw some nice advise came up. Here I want to summarize them up with my own idea to improve this system.
I will start at the issue I saw in my point of view, and provide some possible solution to each one of them. Then I'll introduce some adjusted version of Limpet Controller. If you want a TL;DR version for new controllers, scroll down please
Current Limpet Controller
What I've seem:
What I consider a possible solution for them:
In the mean time, we can make them tougher or even shielded to avoid constantly replacing them. We can smash into a cargo canister without destroying them out right(if not driving too fast of course). A limpet weights one tonne could have protection in the same manner. The cost of a strengthened reusable limpet will certainly be raised, but I think is acceptable for an eco-friendly limpet.
These are the issues I found and possible solutions of them separately. But if we put all these adjustment together, how they interact with each other and how balance they are is another story. Here I'll propose two potential solutions to upgrade our limpet controller.
We can keep the current system by introducing a new module like "Advanced Limpet Controller" that uses expensive advanced limpet for more function, or simply upgrade the one we have now.
For an advanced version simultaneously exist with the current one:
Advanced Limpet Controller
In general this model is designed for players who prefer function over number. In the mean time we enhance older controller model to match their role of massing specialized limpet army by boosting their max active limpet count to make them a viable choice. Also, some QoL feature can be add to older model, like recall function or stronger hull.
For a upgraded version that is to replace the current one:
Gen 2 General Purpose Limpet Controller
This is the simplest solution to the current situation that limpet army is asking us to hand in internal space. We make them stay together without too many adjustment on mechanism. All current limpet controllers install on ships will be automatically upgraded to proper setup in the new system. This one is a straightforward solution for maximum compatibility.
That's it for my suggestion. A bit longer then I thought. I really do like the idea of drones(did i mention that before?) so it would be great to see them improved and more people using them. Thanks for reading
I will start at the issue I saw in my point of view, and provide some possible solution to each one of them. Then I'll introduce some adjusted version of Limpet Controller. If you want a TL;DR version for new controllers, scroll down please
Current Limpet Controller
What I've seem:
- It's disposable. Each and every limpet occupies cargo space. They all have limited lifespan and range, and are fragile to the bone that I dare not to count the limpet casualty caused by the all-tyrannical spinning asteroids and, in the past, their own moving mothership.
- It's specialized. If we want one more function for limpets, we use up another internal module space. It was fine before we have more of them coming to seize our ship's internal.
- It scales with progression in an uneven manner. We have 2 times larger cargo space for each size up, but have only one more working limpet every two size up. That is, we sacrifice 2, 8, 32, and 128 ton of cargo space for 1, 2, 3, 4 more limpets work for us. Adding to the fact that limpets need cargo space to live, the cost to install them is increased exponentially.
- It requires micro management. Every lost limpet will have to be replaced manually. It is most noticeable when using a large number of collector limpets to collect chunks. They die in traffic accident with speeding(rotating) asteroid, in over exposure of mining laser, for getting too far away picking up stuffs, and most of all time, due to its limited life span.
What I consider a possible solution for them:
- Make them reusable and have unlimited lifespan. A popular request for limpets. Now if we want to make them reusable after we launch them, some adjust in mechanism is needed. We can either introduce a new function "Recall Limpets" much like how "Recall Fighters" work, or makes them automatically return after certain event, like retracting hardpoint or after all jobs are done.
Or, we can use contact panel to communicate with them individually and give them order. (come back my prospector! that asteroid is done). For small numbers its fine, however in large numbers it would be a pain to recall all limpets one by one. It acts more like an alternative way.
In the mean time, we can make them tougher or even shielded to avoid constantly replacing them. We can smash into a cargo canister without destroying them out right(if not driving too fast of course). A limpet weights one tonne could have protection in the same manner. The cost of a strengthened reusable limpet will certainly be raised, but I think is acceptable for an eco-friendly limpet.
- In terms of specialization, there's some idea about having limpets like what we do in fighters bay and Planetary vehicle bay. This can help with having more than one type of limpets in one compacted module and allow players to choose between different functions. Another idea is to program them on the fly, because lets face it, every limpet looks the same, cost the same and are actually the same thing. All we need to do is installing a computer and switching between their programming.
Both of them are nice. However, the thing is how to achieve this elegantly. We use one and only one button to launch limpets. There has to be some interface to support programming them before, or ever after, we launch them. This may be resolved by adding more function to role panel. After all, we are indeed managing their role so it makes sense somehow. Again the communication panel can also help in this case.
- The scale of progression of limpet is a big issue to me. I would rather have several size 3 controllers instead of a size 7. It just not cost effective for me. Minus 128 ton plus more reserve limpet just chew up my cargo space. If we simply make limpets reusable, half of issue will be solved. But size 5 and 7 still feels a little underwhelming.
What we can do here is perhaps moving limpet storage into the controller itself. Like some suggestion, make them ammo-based. But if we separate storage space for each controller like how weapons do, issues will occur when we have many controllers. If one of them runs out of limpet first, it will be 'out of ammo' while there are actually some limpet left in out controller's ammo box. To counter this we can make an independent shared limpet storage, separated form cargo space. The total limpet storage space of a ship is determined by its controller modules. To increase limpet storage space, use larger module or installing more of them.
To be honest, if we can control one limpet for 2 ton cargo space, why a controller occupying 128 ton cargo space can only control four limpet? In this independent limpet storage system we can say: "because a size 7 controller lets you store 100+ more limpet on your ship." Of course I do want to see more active limpet for larger size. Maybe 1, 2, 4, 8 progression like cargo space?
To be honest, if we can control one limpet for 2 ton cargo space, why a controller occupying 128 ton cargo space can only control four limpet? In this independent limpet storage system we can say: "because a size 7 controller lets you store 100+ more limpet on your ship." Of course I do want to see more active limpet for larger size. Maybe 1, 2, 4, 8 progression like cargo space?
- About automation and player control. We can make limpets auto launch as long as there are limpets left on our ships and the job is not done yet. The controller will always try to match the highest count the player has launched after hardpoints deployed, so they are not automatically pop out of the ship when the player is just trying to manually collect one rare material. This can probably be a option in ship function panel to allow players adjust how much they want their controller to do for them. For controller other then collectors, I rarely use them so I don't know how much it would help. Maybe this is only needed for collectors.
These are the issues I found and possible solutions of them separately. But if we put all these adjustment together, how they interact with each other and how balance they are is another story. Here I'll propose two potential solutions to upgrade our limpet controller.
We can keep the current system by introducing a new module like "Advanced Limpet Controller" that uses expensive advanced limpet for more function, or simply upgrade the one we have now.
For an advanced version simultaneously exist with the current one:
Advanced Limpet Controller
- Pros
- General Purpose
- Reusable
- Stronger and faster
- Cons
- Expensive and power hungry
- Less accessible ammo(maybe can only resupply in High tec, Military, Industrial, etc)
- Require larger module size, has relatively less active limpet
In general this model is designed for players who prefer function over number. In the mean time we enhance older controller model to match their role of massing specialized limpet army by boosting their max active limpet count to make them a viable choice. Also, some QoL feature can be add to older model, like recall function or stronger hull.
For a upgraded version that is to replace the current one:
Gen 2 General Purpose Limpet Controller
- Programmable. To answer the request of community. New functions are added and all limpet controller merged into one controller.
- Size, Price, accessibility remain largely the same to avoid balancing issues. In cases of using vehicle bay mechanism. different controller can still have varied source.
- (optional)Max active limpet size is larger and/or limpets use independent storage space to make larger size modules more cost effective.
- (optional)Reusable, stronger and unlimited limpet lifespan, to care about the environment.
This is the simplest solution to the current situation that limpet army is asking us to hand in internal space. We make them stay together without too many adjustment on mechanism. All current limpet controllers install on ships will be automatically upgraded to proper setup in the new system. This one is a straightforward solution for maximum compatibility.
That's it for my suggestion. A bit longer then I thought. I really do like the idea of drones(did i mention that before?) so it would be great to see them improved and more people using them. Thanks for reading
