Mode switching for missions and Smeaton Orbital [200mill/hour]

Briefly meandering back towards the OP...

As long as we're getting access to a live query table interface for the mission database so we can generate our own missions in real time based on how we'd like to 'play our own way' instead of subjecting ourselves the intense monotony of mode switching...

Is the database clever enough to check the market for commodities we can back load to fulfill local missions requesting particular goods? In other words, will we be able to fill our vessel to its optimal capacity and pre-allocate rewarding haulage for the return trip?
Isn't the concept of a game finding ways to deal with restrictions? Chess would become pointless if you just go: all these restrictions on the movement of my pieces restrict me gameplay, I want the pieces to be able to move anywhere I like.

Now, perhaps the new trading mechanics that are being developed can help a CMDR finding exactly what you describe. If by analysing the various trade information after you take a mission, you can determine: if I fill the remainder of my cargo capacity with coffee machines, which are in high demand at my destination, I can make some additional profit when I do this mission.

That would make it a little more challenging than: gimme an endless supply of missions, and would take some actual gameplay which, who knows, might be enjoyable.
 
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Isn't the concept of a game finding ways to deal with restrictions? Chess would become pointless if you just go: all these restrictions on the movement of my pieces restrict me gameplay, I want the pieces to be able to move anywhere I like.

Now, perhaps the new trading mechanics that are being developed can help a CMDR finding exactly what you describe. If by analysing the various trade information after you take a mission, you can determine: if I fill the remainder of my cargo capacity with coffee machines, which are in high demand at my destination, I can make some additional profit when I do this mission.

That would make it a little more challenging than: gimme an endless supply of missions, and would take some actual gameplay which, who knows, might be enjoyable.

Dear Satan

What Ziggy and all the other sensible people said

Or engaging combination thereof

Before Christmas

Hugs, Six...

Oh, and no boring board flipping please <3
 
Isn't the concept of a game finding ways to deal with restrictions? Chess would become pointless if you just go: all these restrictions on the movement of my pieces restrict me gameplay, I want the pieces to be able to move anywhere I like.


This is a great example to use, Ziggy.

Chess is a Closed System. Probably the most enjoyable, closed system in the context of gameplay there has ever been. The whole point of chess is to out think your opponent, within the confines of that system. Limited number of pieces, each with their own special moves, with a limited number of moves possible. A lot of moves in terms of permutations when starting a game, yes...which dwindle as the game goes on. The aim is to control that decline, ending up in a wining position.

Most Human vs Human or Unrestricted PvE Environments are not a closed systems, they are an Open System. Open Mode especially as you introduce human behaviours displays Open System characteristics, but even Solo Mode should be treated as a Closed to Open System transition.

Imagine going to play another game of chess, to find that some of the pieces move differently, there is now a grey team and the board is different. This is what happens every time a nerf or a buff is made arbitrarily in ED. It's still chess, but it's something similar to "Chess". It's just no one found out until the pieces were laid out. This is not an evolution, it's just an uncontrolled closed system, which are not okay. You have to re-evaluate the techniques through which the Closed System is controlled if you do things this way, which FD do not. If boxed up and understood as something that is not Chess, but is similar to Chess, with a revision of the rules and how to go about things however, it is okay. Examples would be 3D chess on Star Trek, or 3 Team Chess invented by Sheldon of The Big Bang Theory.

An open system by contrast adapts in line with internal and external factors. Stuff which acts upon and affects the system in place. It never becomes anything other than an evolved version of itself. Control factors sort themselves out (if it's designed properly). Not just which ship you use, how well you fly it, and why based on pilot and ship capabilities. Not just how big your gun is, what you choose to fire upon, and why. Not just what trade information is available, how inclined you are to make a profit and why. Or indeed:

Now, perhaps the new trading mechanics that are being developed can help a CMDR finding exactly what you describe. If by analysing the various trade information after you take a mission, you can determine: if I fill the remainder of my cargo capacity with coffee machines, which are in high demand at my destination, I can make some additional profit when I do this mission.

That would make it a little more challenging than: gimme an endless supply of missions, and would take some actual gameplay which, who knows, might be enjoyable.


That sort of thing. And it's not just you, it's several thousand other Commanders all doing different things, some activities completely unrestricted (no rules), all for different reasons....one would hope.

Add to that, ED is a collection of Open Systems, all acting upon one another in sometimes random and unforeseen ways. A Cybernetic System which brings with it a whole T-9 full of other issues. Or if I wanted to labour the point, a whole Squadron of the stuff.

Trying to manage it like a game of chess, as FD seem to do. Well.

This dichotomy is responsible for 95% of everything "debated" on these boards, and the approach will simply at some point...have to change.

So:

Dear Satan

What Ziggy and all the other sensible people said

Or engaging combination thereof

Before Christmas

Hugs, Six...

Oh, and no boring board flipping please <3


Yes, addressing this at a high level might get the game to look something like it should by the end of Beyond. Mostly due to if it's done, many other things having to be redone to bring the system capability of the ED Universe in line (the thing that maybe is proving to be the issue at HQ), making it a lot of fun for everyone concerned.

If it's designed properly.
 
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This is a great example to use, Ziggy.

.../snip

If it's designed properly.

this, and...

Aside from the grindy bits we don't like,
how spaceawesome are the bits we do!

Once upon a time, "3 lives +1 at 10,000"
Then, Elite cheese wedged into our lives
Elite was pioneering, off-line, no patches

Elite Dangerous MMO went live unfinished
Also somewhat pioneering, but unpolished

We could help fix it, instead of breaking it
 
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I don't understand why missions need to be so server-heavy.
Here: dock at a station, tell everyone you're going to Smeaton, sit back and wait while propositions (think of them as previous missions) keep popping up on your left-hand menu. One at a time. You don't want rebels? Deny them transport. You want social workers/tourists? Check what they wanna pay, accept/deny.

One at a time, every some time.
Guys, think outside the box - nothing's going to improve if we're all stuck in the old ways. Maybe some systems are so beyond saving that a radical ideas are needed?
 
I don't understand why missions need to be so server-heavy.
Here: dock at a station, tell everyone you're going to Smeaton, sit back and wait while propositions (think of them as previous missions) keep popping up on your left-hand menu. One at a time. You don't want rebels? Deny them transport. You want social workers/tourists? Check what they wanna pay, accept/deny.

One at a time, every some time.
Guys, think outside the box - nothing's going to improve if we're all stuck in the old ways. Maybe some systems are so beyond saving that a radical ideas are needed?

+1 Have some rep ;)

Edit: "Chain Missions" has a nice ring to it...

Edit, edit: Or how about an incoming mission wrinkle...

"You're clear of the dock commander, come back soon."
"Frame shift drive, charging..."
"Incoming mission critical message"

CMDR, we hope you don't mind the intrusion, your passenger manifest appears to show nine empty seats to Smeaton Orbital. Would you mind picking up a team of seven doctors on your way? You will be well compensated for your trouble...

Last edit: (What would really happen IRL) CMDR! We can't have you leaving on such a ridiculously long journey with empty seats, there's money to be made! So, I took the liberty of overbooking you. Don't leave the system without visiting Jones Legacy.

I also drove the price up a little for us. Well, quite a lot actually. Don't forget!
 
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Hmm, they might do for Cordial and Friendly.

What about Hostile?

CMDR, what a stroke of luck! You weren't torn apart by the station guns. Pity.
I'll make you a deal. If you can make it out of the system with this bio-waste...
Take it or leave it, you're not welcome here.

Allied?

CMDR, priority APB hotshot! We're tracking an Elite felon in your current system.
What they did is apparently above my pay grade, this is an immediate terminate.
Sweet bonus! Can you assist?

Or allied?

CMDR, those damn Feds are poking their noses into our business again! Kill them!
Kill them all, aaargh! *Squawk, kill them all! Squawk, kill them all!* Go! Do it now!
If they spill any cargo, you're paying for it!

Neutral anyone?
 
Neutral anyone?

Aaaah, Commander. I see you took my advice and ordered a new flight suit, very fetching although maybe a little over the top. Well I can't admit to liking you anymore than I did, but your fashion sense seems to have improved somewhat. Keep up the effort, and I guess we'll find out how serious you really are about improving your lot. If you have a pair of space slacks, we're meeting at "Beyond the Ale" around 22:00 hours Station Time. Maybe you can, "mingle"....mhmmmm?
 
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Neutral / Remote civilian research outpost (Wrinkle on H-Jump exit)

CMDR, we hope you're not just 'jonking' through, we could really use some help!
O2 and H2O reserves are critical. We have pristine rings but noone to mine them.
If you're keen, there's plenty of work and our mining gear is heavily discounted...

Stop in, check the boards. You won't be disappointed.

[Edit: Later that day]

Friendly / Remote civilian research outpost (Wrinkle / route plot to Agricultural)

CMDR, you've really helped us out, and we don't want to stretch the friendship.
We took a quick look at the flight plan you filed. Ha, not many to sort out here.
Anyway if you were planning on coming back this way, none of us want scurvy.

240 units of fresh fruit and veg should keep us going for another few months...

------

Neutral / Remote megaship mining platform (Mining missions on board)[Or CG?]

CMDR, you're just in time to get dirty! You heard the Galnet broadcast I take it?
Never mind, you're here now and we can't pillage this systems gold fast enough.
Get out there and fill up, the brokers are climbing the walls to pay highest price!

[Edit, edit: Later this day]

Cordial / Remote megaship mining platform (Mining missions on board)

CMDR, pretty good effort, I'm impressed! keep it up, I might start trusting you.
If you're up for it there's another system nearby, but you'll need some escorts.
Come back with three more Average Cobras or better and I'll set up contracts.
 
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Objection, relevance.

Enough to stop grinding credits and focus on G5 materials?

Do you have a fleet to upgrade after the patch drops too?

Edit: Opportunity knocks people! Cash runs nerf hammered,
500+1000 G5's is gonna convert to a massive time saving...
(Ran a few errands for Ram Tah while his pocket was deep)
 
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Objection, relevance. Enough to stop grinding credits and focus on G5 materials? Edit: Opportunity knocks people! Cash runs nerf hammered,
500+1000 G5's is gonna convert to a massive time saving...

Overruled. This whole discussion exists because people have TOO MUCH time and are having such a hard time filling it that role playing a bus driver is the most rewarding thing they can think of! [big grin]
 
Overruled. This whole discussion exists because people have TOO MUCH time and are having such a hard time filling it that role playing a bus driver is the most rewarding thing they can think of! [big grin]

Yeah, noticed that.

But, why do people ask "How much money you got?" like it has any relevance to their progress and, isn't that considered a bit rude? Some employers have been known to prohibit divulging salary and we wouldn't want to risk our good standing with Tah, Palin et al. now would we...
 
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