Missions in Beyond: increased BGS effects

Ian Doncaster

Ian Doncaster
I've noticed missions other than passenger missions in Beyond now seem to have a reputation/influence effect on the destination faction.

So far:
- generic goods delivery, +rep +inf +boom (was just +boom)
- biowaste goods delivery, +rep +inf +outbreak (was just +outbreak)
- data courier, -rep, -inf, +boom (was just +boom)
- surface scan, still no effect (it does now list a destination faction, but this at the moment appears to be cosmetic)
- fetch cargo, still no destination faction

I'm reasonably sure that the "extra rep" and "extra inf" alternate rewards also affect the destination faction - the rep one certainly does, so it would be surprising if the inf one didn't.

I'll update the mission rewards reference once 3.0 is live - https://cdb.sotl.org.uk/missions - in the meantime I'll keep this post updated with other changes I hear about or observe.
 
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Schlack

S
Ian Doncaster said:
I've noticed missions other than passenger missions in Beyond now seem to have a reputation/influence effect on the destination faction.

So far:
- generic goods delivery, +rep +inf +boom (was just +boom)
- data courier, -rep, -inf, +boom (was just +boom)
- surface scan, still no effect (it does now list a destination faction, but this at the moment appears to be cosmetic)
- fetch cargo, still no destination faction

I'm reasonably sure that the "extra rep" and "extra inf" alternate rewards also affect the destination faction - the rep one certainly does, so it would be surprising if the inf one didn't.

I'll update the mission rewards reference once 3.0 is live - https://cdb.sotl.org.uk/missions - in the meantime I'll keep this post updated with other changes I hear about or observe.
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If I recall the dim distant past correctly (2.0? 2.1?) mission destination influence effects were introduced before. It was subsequently and fairly quickly removed again due to the havoc caused - leaving only stake bucket effects. That havoc may have just been due to mission stacking ability coupled with credit/rank grinding locations - which is less of an issue these days (but not eliminated).

If this change is confirmed though it is probably the most significant BGS change in years. Definitely worth testing in Beta and Live once released. Likely systems will find a new equilibrium but it will be different than previously but people will not understand for some time - leading to a certain amount of forum salt.

Just a note of caution. BGS testing in beta is somewhat difficult due to the lack of background traffic - and on occasion the effects are turned up to 11 for visibility for the duration. It is also FD's MO to have any new feature of a patch be influence OP (single mining missions giving +3% influence boosts for instance!)
 

Walter2

Walter2
Jane Turner said:
Yes! Its why we love it
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Absolutely - up to this point.

But will it be as much fun when you log into the mission board and you can't take any missions because of the adverse affect on another of your supported factions? (It's bad enough at the moment where the list is composed of nine mining missions and three assassinations.) This is the current position with passenger missions, but if the process is applied to all missions it's likely to drain some of the enthusiasm. Missions will only be accepted after being passed through a lengthening list of conditional filters to ensure allied/enemy factions are suitably helped/hindered. And that list of conditions has to be communicated to all group players in the hope that all will follow the rules.

Mining for profit could make a more attractive proposition, especially if the benefits of mode switching are removed.
 

Jane Turner

Volunteer Moderator
Jane Turner
Walter2 said:
Absolutely - up to this point.

But will it be as much fun when you log into the mission board and you can't take any missions because of the adverse affect on another of your supported factions? (It's bad enough at the moment where the list is composed of nine mining missions and three assassinations.) This is the current position with passenger missions, but if the process is applied to all missions it's likely to drain some of the enthusiasm. Missions will only be accepted after being passed through a lengthening list of conditional filters to ensure allied/enemy factions are suitably helped/hindered. And that list of conditions has to be communicated to all group players in the hope that all will follow the rules.

Mining for profit could make a more attractive proposition, especially if the benefits of mode switching are removed.
Click to expand...

It's been like that before... in ancient BGS history - I am sure we will cope
 

Ryan Murdoc

Ryan Murdoc
Schlack said:
If I recall the dim distant past correctly (2.0? 2.1?) mission destination influence effects were introduced before. It was subsequently and fairly quickly removed again due to the havoc caused - leaving only stake bucket effects. That havoc may have just been due to mission stacking ability coupled with credit/rank grinding locations - which is less of an issue these days (but not eliminated).

If this change is confirmed though it is probably the most significant BGS change in years. Definitely worth testing in Beta and Live once released. Likely systems will find a new equilibrium but it will be different than previously but people will not understand for some time - leading to a certain amount of forum salt.
Click to expand...

I guess it pays to do the BGS under the impression that everything does have a effect, even if it doesn't. At least in our case we don't need much change, been pointing out to our Commanders only to take certain types of missions and avoid others. Mostly for Passenger missions but all others as well.

It's not seen as something that kills the enthusiasm here but is rather inspiring. If things are too easy there is no feeling of accomplishment when you finally get your rewards.
 

Schlack

S
Coragaon said:
It's not seen as something that kills the enthusiasm here but is rather inspiring. If things are too easy there is no feeling of accomplishment when you finally get your rewards.
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^^^^

The challenge of figuring out the black box is one of the better parts of playing the BGS.
 

Ryan Murdoc

Ryan Murdoc
Walter2 said:
Once, long ago in the days of Innocence, the BGS was a pleasant pastime that gave a mere nod to intellectual rigour.

Now it's more like playing three-dimensional speed chess blindfold while crossing a minefield.
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I remember them humble beginnings as well. It's great to grow with it and learn / discuss / test things and compare experiences.

And considering what tools we have today to track the other MF (Faction Summary I worship thee!) I can only say I'm happy to be part of an ongoing, growing and evolving process. Let's go on and see what comes next.
 

Crank Larson

Crank Larson
FrogsFriend said:
I'd be interested to know if all the different flavours of Data Missions cause -rep -inf with the destination Faction.
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I was wondering about the -rep -inf. I assume that applies to the target faction, not the one you are running the mission for? Though I'm not sure I understand the logic behind it - why would their influence be reduced?
 

Ian Doncaster

Ian Doncaster
Crank Larson said:
I was wondering about the -rep -inf. I assume that applies to the target faction, not the one you are running the mission for? Though I'm not sure I understand the logic behind it - why would their influence be reduced?
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Yes, the target faction. Back in 1.x you used to get superpower-aligned factions with "deliver superpower propaganda to nearby other-aligned faction" missions, which would have made sense for a -inf effect ... but I can't understand why +boom as well.

Bulk refugee and bulk prisoner transport give +inf +civil unrest, so it's not the first mixed effect. Still odd, though.
 

mark antony

mark antony
I hope that the new elements do add some useful tools for those of us who enjoy manipulating the BGS. Definitely looks promising. That players who have no interest in the BGS can take extra credits rather than rep or influence is something I particularly like.

The only real concern I've had from playing the beta is that the influence on the system map only displays the percentage as an integer, not as a decimal.
 

Ganjanoof

Ganjanoof
Walter2 said:
Once, long ago in the days of Innocence, the BGS was a pleasant pastime that gave a mere nod to intellectual rigour.

Now it's more like playing three-dimensional speed chess blindfold while crossing a minefield.
Click to expand...

Once, long ago in the days of no innocence at all, BGS players have been able to cope with influence and state changes with the destination faction.
On the other hand, whining never helped, be it long ago or just right now :cool:
 
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