Just improve the missions..

Space Fan

Banned
S
There are technical issues (stuttering), there are balancing issues, and several others. And concerns from explorers.

What we have in Elite is so impressive in so many ways, but many critics would be quieter if, months ago, complaints were heeded and, rather than the (largely unwanted?) PowerPlay fiasco, there were proper missions to play.

They are low cost - they don't require any special new costs, or graphics - just stories.

Things for players to do, with some continuation.

Ideas for missions anyone? I could write a dozen in a day.

Edit: I'm exaggerating, doing one of those superboles again, I could write a decent mission in 6 hours.

p.s. Or was that hyperbole..I know they're pronounced differently apparently :)
 
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ElectricZ

ElectricZ
People have been clamoring for improved missions for some time now but here are a few it seems like would be easy to implement in the current framework:

Greetings, Commander. Our company is exploring resource extraction from SYSTEMNAME and are in need of mineral samples from at least three extraction sites. Bring back samples of (MINERAL NAME) from each site and we will reward you handsomely!

Greetings, Commander. A shipment of cargo en-route to here is overdue. It was last seen in the system of SYSTEMNAME. We need someone to find it and fast. Locate the ship and escort it safely back. We'll make it worth your while.

Greetings, Commander. We are contemplating expansion into systems SYSTEMNAME 1, SYSTEMNAME2 and SYSTEMNAME 3 but our cartographic data is out of date. Scan those systems and return with the data.

Greetings, Commander. We are in desperate need of RARECOMMODITY. Head to SYSTEMNAME where RARECOMMIDTY is produced and bring it back. I know it's a long haul, but our buyer wants it and wants it fast. We'll pay top credit if you get it back before the deadline.

Greetings, Commander. One of our business associates was detained at STATIONNAME in SYSTEMNAME. He posted bond but rumor has it that bounty hunters know his location and are moving in for the kill. Get to STATIONNAME and pick up our contact and bring him back here. Be warned, as soon as you collect him, contract killers are going to be all over you. It's a dangerous job, but that's why we came to you.

Greetings, Commander. Want to get in on the ground floor of something big? We're looking for undiscovered earthlike and waterworlds and we're willing to pay someone to find them for us. Provide detailed surface scans of at least 3 earthlike or water worlds and turn them in here for a big reward.

Greetings, Commander. Our rivals are planning something big at STATIONNAME in SYSTEMNAME but we haven't been able to get anyone close enough to look. We'll load a scanner suite into your cargo bay. All you have to do is get it in STATIONNAME's dock and the scanner will automatically kick in and do the rest. Then come back with the data. Be warned, Commander, that this isn't exactly legal and if you're scanned by System Authority vessels, it's gonna get ugly. But we feel the compensation will more than make up for it.

Greetings, Commander. We notice that you're not exactly friendly with FACTIONNAME. Well, it turns out they have a cargo convoy heading from SYSTEMNAME1 to SYSTEMNAME2 just loaded with cargo. We need you to locate this convoy and transmit their location. They're carrying heavy metals so you can bet there will be an escort. You won't be alone, though. Once you scan them, we'll pick up your location and send in a wing to help you with the heavy hitters. Disable the engines of the transports - DON'T DESTROY THEM. Once the transports are disabled, our own carriers will move in to offload cargo and you're free to come back and reap your reward. Needless to say, this mission isn't exactly public knowledge.

I just thought of these while sitting here. Missions for exploration, mining, smuggling, piracy, bounty hunting, transportation... All of this seems like it could be done inside the existing framework. Long haul missions for rares and exploration would give people reasons to get out and see the galaxy, too.

Maybe someday...

EDIT: as long as we're wishing, how about an "invite wing" that would allow pilots to selectively invite their wingmen along if they accept and automatically update their transaction screen to reflect it.
 
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who?

who?
I think even how the message is presented could make a big difference.

Instead of the "wall of text", how about if the same mission text appeared in message form. If terminal-style character-by-character is too old-school, maybe each paragraph popping up like a live conversation, rather than a novel that you have to read before scrolling down to see the details and reward..

Given how dynamic the rest of the game is, and my ship can't spring an oil leak without "Cortana" starting a dialogue about it... having to switch back to a big static wall of text does seem like a bit of a step backwards.
 

Space Fan

Banned
S
>>Greetings, Commander. We notice that you're not exactly friendly with FACTIONNAME. Well, it turns out they have a cargo convoy heading from SYSTEMNAME1 to SYSTEMNAME2 just loaded with cargo. We need you to locate this convoy and transmit their location. They're carrying heavy metals so you can bet there will be an escort. You won't be alone, though. Once you scan them, we'll pick up your location and send in a wing to help you with the heavy hitters. Disable the engines of the transports - DON'T DESTROY THEM. Once the transports are disabled, our own carriers will move in to offload cargo and you're free to come back and reap your reward. Needless to say, this mission isn't exactly public knowledge.<<

Agreed ElectricZ, that's exactly the sort of thing - a story, some information, some consequences. And how good you would feel about reporting it back? And then some targeting knowledge needed. And then seeing a wing advance. Maybe a reward at the end. Perfect.

It can't be that hard to do...Not as hard as PowerPants..

Thanks mate.

Rep +1 if I can afford.

Edit: I think they call this concept 'gameplay' :)
 
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Meric

Meric
They said that the changes to missions in 1.3 were ground work for much more variety in the future... Improvements are likely to be forthcoming :)
 

Vingtetun

Vingtetun
As per my discussion with Michael Brookes at Lavecon, they're working on creating procedurally generated mission structures that are deeper than they are at the moment and will potentially give you your own mini-story-arcs related to your mission choices. They want to avoid having to manually inject missions to keep everyone interested asn from what it sounds, there are some behind the scenes operations going on to give the game more depth. There were no promises, just a lot of theoretical chat.
 

Space Fan

Banned
S
Vingtetun said:
As per my discussion with Michael Brookes at Lavecon, they're working on creating procedurally generated mission structures that are deeper than they are at the moment and will potentially give you your own mini-story-arcs related to your mission choices. They want to avoid having to manually inject missions to keep everyone interested asn from what it sounds, there are some behind the scenes operations going on to give the game more depth. There were no promises, just a lot of theoretical chat.
Click to expand...

If they are doing that - brilliant. I can't add more, except (oops) I think they lack genuine 'creatives' - I don't count myself as one, they are not necessarily clever people, but they have ideas. Stories, and the like..

Edit: I withdraw my enthusiasm: no more 'procedural' - they need CREATIVES - ideas and stories, not so much mathematically generated testicular matter. Oh God - they are going to mess it up again by being too clever. Shakespeare - Oh, all so bloody procedurally generated..

Edit 2: Please listen FD, stop being too clever - please! - or at least employ clever people..
 
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Evil

Evil
They re-worked the mission system in the last update, now we are just waiting to see the benefits from additional missions added to the game.
 

IronGremlin

I
Space Fan said:
If they are doing that - brilliant. I can't add more, except (oops) I think they lack genuine 'creatives' - I don't count myself as one, they are not necessarily clever people, but they have ideas. Stories, and the like..

Edit: I withdraw my enthusiasm: no more 'procedural' - they need CREATIVES - ideas and stories, not so much mathematically generated testicular matter. Oh God - they are going to mess it up again by being too clever. Shakespeare - Oh, all so bloody procedurally generated..

Edit 2: Please listen FD, stop being too clever - please! - or at least employ clever people..
Click to expand...

Ok.

So, first off, the mission text we currently have is evidence that they can write good mission text. Not all of it is A grade, but if anyone does anything 200 times, they'll include at least some amount of less than stellar matter.

Secondly, I think "creative" processes are very obviously at work here. The galaxy we got is brilliantly realized and quite beautiful. The audio is second to none. The ships were largely extrapolated from stinking wireframes, that's obviously a creative effort.

"Creatives" don't get to have their vision realized in a fortnight. It takes hard work, dedication, and time. And you assuming that the game we got is the result of people who weren't creative is dismissive and profoundly insulting.
 

ElectricZ

ElectricZ
Space Fan said:
Edit: I withdraw my enthusiasm: no more 'procedural' - they need CREATIVES - ideas and stories, not so much mathematically generated testicular matter. Oh God - they are going to mess it up again by being too clever. Shakespeare - Oh, all so bloody procedurally generated..
Click to expand...

Procedural missions work just fine for sims. So long as there is a good mix of varied objectives they can entertain a good long time. Though it would be cool to have more scripted stuff thrown in on occasion for special missions and the like. But getting the bulletin board missions working well would go a long way toward keeping this CMDR flying.
 

Space Fan

Banned
S
IronGremlin said:
Ok.

So, first off, the mission text we currently have is evidence that they can write good mission text. Not all of it is A grade, but if anyone does anything 200 times, they'll include at least some amount of less than stellar matter.

Secondly, I think "creative" processes are very obviously at work here. The galaxy we got is brilliantly realized and quite beautiful. The audio is second to none. The ships were largely extrapolated from stinking wireframes, that's obviously a creative effort.

"Creatives" don't get to have their vision realized in a fortnight. It takes hard work, dedication, and time. And you assuming that the game we got is the result of people who weren't creative is dismissive and profoundly insulting.
Click to expand...

IronGremlin, you are right, that was too harsh and I withdraw it. I'm guilty of overstating my point.

But it's essentially this: what Elite has achieved has been impressive, but - is modelling the already existing galaxy really a creative act? It is an impressive one, but is it genuinely creative? It's the creative elements in any project that really catch our attention.

And regarding the mission text - I'm afraid I have to strongly disagree there - the quality of some of the writing is, I'm afraid, rather poor. You see the same problems in Galnet. Very poorly constructed sentences - they wouldn't get past a sub-editor in a town daily.
 

Banana's_Are_Good_For_You

Banana's_Are_Good_For_You
Might be nice to have a thread were the community could offer suggestions for missions but this would need to have some criteria as to what can and can't be incorporated into them.
It's definitely an area I would love to see improved.
 
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