New and Improved Shipyard and Outfitting

[M00ka]

I am sure the majority here have done this: Gone and bought a new ship only to find out it doesn't really match your playing style or didn't live up to the expectations you imagined. Or gone to the Outfitting Station and bought a new weapon or module only to again find out it isn't right for you. But then you are stuck, often what you have traded in is now gone and if not, you are going to make a loss on switching back. Or worse, you find out that new plasma cannon isn't as good as you thought as you are taking on an Elite Anaconda!!

Wouldn't it be nice if as part of the Combat Training module, you could go there and try out every ship, fit any module or weapon you want - all at no cost. As it is in the training module, there could even be a small system, with a RES (to try out mining and combat - filled with NPCs of varying ranks and ships), a Nav Beacon and even a couple of stations so you could see how tight a fit that Anaconda is.

I think it would be a great idea (yep blowing my own trumpet here) as it would stop a lot of players buying the wrong thing then jumping on here asking asinine questions. It would also allow an astute player to plan his acquisitions better, give him or her a better goal so to speak.

Any thoughts on the idea???

 

[Glock_N_Load]

I am sure the majority here have done this: Gone and bought a new ship only to find out it doesn't really match your playing style or didn't live up to the expectations you imagined. Or gone to the Outfitting Station and bought a new weapon or module only to again find out it isn't right for you. But then you are stuck, often what you have traded in is now gone and if not, you are going to make a loss on switching back. Or worse, you find out that new plasma cannon isn't as good as you thought as you are taking on an Elite Anaconda!!

Wouldn't it be nice if as part of the Combat Training module, you could go there and try out every ship, fit any module or weapon you want - all at no cost. As it is in the training module, there could even be a small system, with a RES (to try out mining and combat - filled with NPCs of varying ranks and ships), a Nav Beacon and even a couple of stations so you could see how tight a fit that Anaconda is.

I think it would be a great idea (yep blowing my own trumpet here) as it would stop a lot of players buying the wrong thing then jumping on here asking asinine questions. It would also allow an astute player to plan his acquisitions better, give him or her a better goal so to speak.

Any thoughts on the idea???

While we are wishing, you would also be able to set up a fight with any combination of ships and setup their loadouts as well. (If wishes were horses......)

 

[Krepose Gavayne]

I would add a priviso that if it is implemented you can only do so with the equivalent credit balance that you have within the game proper. This would mean that you would still have an incentive to earn enough money to get your new toy, and there would remain an excitement and wonder about the game ahead. If you can immediately try every ship and every module, that's rather like not waiting to open your birthday presents after hoping you get what you want, but you get to try everything in the department store and have it given to you straight away. Kinda sucks all the joy out of the whole experience.

 

[lenna]

How about adding a "Test Drive" button to the outfitting menu which effectively launches the combat simulator albeit with the current ship and ship load-out?

It would not avoid the 10% penalty for buying a ship and then not wanting it but it could at least avoid potentially more expensive rebuy and/or mission failure costs from picking the wrong ship/loadout for you.

 

[Guidebot]

Mm. Valid suggestions. Some of the most fun I used to have playing Xwing vs TIE fighter was setting up fights to play with friends. So simple, pick your forces, pick theirs, fly the battle; simple fun. Elite is a deeper game but it would be fun to have this ability in it.

 

[LeetNoob]

Personally I like the feeling of buying a new ship and flying it out for the first time not knowing what to expect.
The best feeling in the game for me is when you are working up the credits for that ship you have your eye on and you finally get it. I always remember my first flight in my Eagle, Viper, Cobra, Asp, Vulture, Clipper (especially the clipper) and Python. The Hauler and T6 not so much. Then kitting out different load outs and seeing how it works. Everyone remembers the first time they discovered power management by jumping into a fight and deploying hard points only for everything to shut down.

But I can see why some people would like this, I just don't think I would use it.