So let's think about mission design here for a second. Specifically the Naval progression missions.
To this date, since the PB, I've yet to see a mission request I cross real distances to get to the opposing major powers systems to wreak havoc. Instead, all we see are missions asking us to go next door to mess with, and earn fines with, another Federal system. While I've yet to run Empire missions, I'm assuming they are the same.
This doesn't make sense, either from a gamer or a lore perspective (though I'm happy to be contradicted here). Why would the Navy (I'm assuming the Empire is the same) ONLY be worried about killing local politicians, authority ships and smuggling. Sure I can understand local governmental powers getting involved in that, and we can work for them, but the Navy is supposed to be the predominant military power protecting all Federally aligned systems. They are not the local police force, they step in when other major powers get involved or there is a rebellion. From a gamer point of view, racking up HUGE bounties in and around your local stomping ground while trying to work (heck, even "role play") as an Auxiliary is frustrating.
Obviously blacks ops would exist, I'm not saying these missions make no sense at all, however the option to fly into enemy territory on an assassination mission, or destroy Empire authority/naval/trade ships, and so on should be included so that Navy gains some actual meaning. Missions with a focus on the other powers make more sense and fit in with what a overarching military power should be focusing on.
Lastly, that Naval missions are currently solely for the sake of ranking up (which, as we've all found doesn't always work, meaning you can acquire massive bounties for no gain) is a huge loss. Some changes I would like to see are:
1) Change the way internal promotions and their ranks works to that similar of our rating/influence/rep's.
2) At the very least, if you don't like the idea of ranks being earned incrementally, credit rewards are a must regardless. These need to make more sense. If, as a high ranking officer you are being asked to travel a 200ly round trip to take out an enemy Senator the credit reward should be accordingly high.
3) If travel is expected for a good portion of the Naval missions, a credit reward is essential to help players feel compensated for what could be a true campaign style mission into enemy territory.
As someone who spent a prodigious amount of time running Federal naval missions in Frontier and FFE (often in small craft like the Eagle Mk3 / Osprey X) I found those missions to be immersive and enjoyable. It made me feel a part of a power with real objectives in a real state of cold war. I cannot say the same for Elite Dangerous at the moment. All I've got to show for my work are massive bounties with zero rank progression. I should add that obviously the rank progression bugs will be squashed. But even so, ranking up for the sake of ranking up is not the best motivator.
Just my 2c, what do you think?
Edit: I feel that what I've suggested up top is possible with what Elite Dangerous current has going for it. Hopefully in the future we will get planetary bombing, surveillance and so on.
To this date, since the PB, I've yet to see a mission request I cross real distances to get to the opposing major powers systems to wreak havoc. Instead, all we see are missions asking us to go next door to mess with, and earn fines with, another Federal system. While I've yet to run Empire missions, I'm assuming they are the same.
This doesn't make sense, either from a gamer or a lore perspective (though I'm happy to be contradicted here). Why would the Navy (I'm assuming the Empire is the same) ONLY be worried about killing local politicians, authority ships and smuggling. Sure I can understand local governmental powers getting involved in that, and we can work for them, but the Navy is supposed to be the predominant military power protecting all Federally aligned systems. They are not the local police force, they step in when other major powers get involved or there is a rebellion. From a gamer point of view, racking up HUGE bounties in and around your local stomping ground while trying to work (heck, even "role play") as an Auxiliary is frustrating.
Obviously blacks ops would exist, I'm not saying these missions make no sense at all, however the option to fly into enemy territory on an assassination mission, or destroy Empire authority/naval/trade ships, and so on should be included so that Navy gains some actual meaning. Missions with a focus on the other powers make more sense and fit in with what a overarching military power should be focusing on.
Lastly, that Naval missions are currently solely for the sake of ranking up (which, as we've all found doesn't always work, meaning you can acquire massive bounties for no gain) is a huge loss. Some changes I would like to see are:
1) Change the way internal promotions and their ranks works to that similar of our rating/influence/rep's.
2) At the very least, if you don't like the idea of ranks being earned incrementally, credit rewards are a must regardless. These need to make more sense. If, as a high ranking officer you are being asked to travel a 200ly round trip to take out an enemy Senator the credit reward should be accordingly high.
3) If travel is expected for a good portion of the Naval missions, a credit reward is essential to help players feel compensated for what could be a true campaign style mission into enemy territory.
As someone who spent a prodigious amount of time running Federal naval missions in Frontier and FFE (often in small craft like the Eagle Mk3 / Osprey X) I found those missions to be immersive and enjoyable. It made me feel a part of a power with real objectives in a real state of cold war. I cannot say the same for Elite Dangerous at the moment. All I've got to show for my work are massive bounties with zero rank progression. I should add that obviously the rank progression bugs will be squashed. But even so, ranking up for the sake of ranking up is not the best motivator.
Just my 2c, what do you think?
Edit: I feel that what I've suggested up top is possible with what Elite Dangerous current has going for it. Hopefully in the future we will get planetary bombing, surveillance and so on.
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