Posted this on Reddit the other day and it got quite a bit of feedback, I wonder what do the forums think of it?
Instead of simply ranting that "Multicrew is Broken" or "Instancing is broken", I'd like to propose some changes that I believe would help improve and increase multiplayer opportunities in the game. (Once Odyssey launch settles down a bit maybe)
And then, the feature I think would make Multiplayer great:
Longer term, if Multiplayer becomes more stable and players are able to group up easier, FDev could look at adding more missions designed for a full crew, using a "combined arms" approach to things, a crew mate in an SRV while fighters scout overhead, taking out turrets so a foot soldier can sneak in...
As you might be able to tell, the lobby system is the main thing I'd want to be added, but I'd hope that the quick wins at the start would be quite beneficial too!
Original Reddit thread
Instead of simply ranting that "Multicrew is Broken" or "Instancing is broken", I'd like to propose some changes that I believe would help improve and increase multiplayer opportunities in the game. (Once Odyssey launch settles down a bit maybe)
- Share ALL Missions. Wing missions are designed for wings and regular missions are usually based around a single commander. But we should be able to share them anyway. Games are usually more fun with friends, even if we're doing easy missions.
- Increase Crew Earnings. (Multi)Crew members get that reduction in credits based on rank difference. Just get rid of it. Make every multicrew member get 100% of the credits per bounty. Earning down to 10% of what you can in your own ship or a wing is a huge turn off for multicrew players.
- Share Engineering Materials. When in a crew and the Helm picks up an engineering material and gets 3, let the crew receive 1-2 of the material as well. It would promote multicrew material gathering.
- Fixing the bugs.
- The SLF deployment bug that cripples PvP
- The plethora of multicrew issues that have been around since it was released.
And then, the feature I think would make Multiplayer great:
- Add a Lobby System.
- In order to encourage people to group up more, add a lobby system to the game.
- This would replace the "Join a Crew" list in the social tab.
- Lobby System would allow a user to either host, or join, a lobby.
- A host can set up their lobby for Crew or Wing gameplay using a toggle.
- A host can set their activities, similar to the join a crew list
- A host can specify mission types they'll be participating in
- A host will receive a notification when someone attempts to join their crew and can accept/decline.
- A host can select from "Open Play" or "Private Session" - which would be either fully open as now, or an ad hoc private group that only contains the members of the lobby.
- A crew member can view a list of available lobby sessions.
- A crew member can filter sessions to join the one they want.
- A crew member can see the host's ship and it's capabilities, eg to check for turrets, or a fighter bay before joining.
- When a crew member joins a lobby they are given the option to join the host's ship if there is space, or fly their own.
- If the crew member joins the host's ship they are physically present (no telepresence), but cannot transfer their own ship for balance purposes (maybe, haven't thought this one through)
- When a crew member leaves, or is removed from a lobby, they are returned to their ship.
Longer term, if Multiplayer becomes more stable and players are able to group up easier, FDev could look at adding more missions designed for a full crew, using a "combined arms" approach to things, a crew mate in an SRV while fighters scout overhead, taking out turrets so a foot soldier can sneak in...
As you might be able to tell, the lobby system is the main thing I'd want to be added, but I'd hope that the quick wins at the start would be quite beneficial too!
Original Reddit thread