New Module Slots: Ship Computer Slots

[Blackcompany]

Quick suggestion based on: many physical modules added to the ship make ZERO in universe sense. As such, the following modules should change from physical bolt on devices, to add ons for our ship computer:

KWS: We have a basic scanner that reveals systems bounties. Expand it with a pricey app to reveal ALL bounties. Cops can scan a plate or for speed now with tiny devices. Why do we need a one half ton device?

Advanced Discovery and Detailed Surface scanners: combine tomone. Make them take a computer slot, not a physical, bolt on slot.

Limpet Controller: one master controller. Uses computer app slot.

Making these changes frees up physical slots for things that make sense and future proofs for additional bolt on and software additions to ship, like soil scoopers and mineral/surface drills (physical) as well as sample analysis, gas and anomaly analyzers (software extebsions).

 

[Vorxian]

Makes sense to me.

 

[jaton666]

I belive FD want us to have to think about our ship outfitting. One ship shouldn't be able to fit everything. So the decision to have them as seperate modules was a gameplay design decision. To make sure each of our outfitting choices come with a sacrifice. It also incourages us to have multiple ships.

 

[Cmdr Thrudd]

They said in the recent livestream that they're looking at a slot system for Limpet controllers as there are so many types. Maybe they'll do something about some other modules once they've worked out a solution they're happy with

 

[JohnRoberts]

The module system is about creating a system where the player has to make design decisions, based on their needs. From that perspective, it makes sense.

Suggestions for other types of module slots (and "Computer Slots" are just another kind of module slot) has a couple of disadvantages:

- More complexity. We already have modules, military modules and utility slots, adding more just adds more complexity (for little benefit). Of course, it might improve some perceived reality, and/or some people might like more complex systems, but all development has an opportunity cost, and I think other things might give us all more bang for the development buck.

- You suggest this would free up physical slots, so you really just asking for all ships to be buffed with more module slots. If we want that, lets just ask for that, but this undermines the basic design of the module system - creating player dilema.

- Alternatively, existing module slots could be converted to the new kind (Computer Slots, in this case), so the overral number of slots was not changed (or not changed much). The problem is, what to do with all the ships that are using their slots for things that cant be moved to Computer Slots?

So the best approach is to have a simpler module system, and just accept some hand waving nonsense to explain it all.

 

[Boff'in]

Not only that but the current module system, also has internal values for mass, damage etc etc

 

[Zynniah]

I mostly agree.

The number of module slots in the ships come from the pre Horizons design. They added a single size one slot to the ships for the planetary landing package but ignored the massive increase in the number of optional that are now in the game. It’s only going to get worse.

The DSS and discovery scanners probably need specialized sensors that are not part of a standard load out; this should take up a slot, but in my opinion they should be combined into a single item.

Likewise the wake scanner should have a physical component for sensor. Possibly the Xeno scanner too.

But I’m with you on the limpet controller, all that needs is a a comm system and we already have that in our ship; the bounty scanner and probably manifest scanner too. These should just be software. And there should be an anti hacking software option that blocks the manifest scanner from working.

Similarly, the landing computer should just be software. And there should be auto pilot software that will jump from nav beacon to nav beacon between stars, that is just software.

When we finally get legs, are we going to get stomachs too. Will we need to add an auto chef and buy food pods or starve? Will we need to add at least one passenger cabin so we have somewhere to sleep on long missions. Will the alternative be restaurants and hotels at stations?

 

[MadDogMurdock]

I think the proliferation of modules does mean that some consolidation is warranted.

Personally, I'd go for adding a number of slots to modules for the appropriate items along similar lines to the Planetary Hangar and SRVs, and then revisit ship internals and utilities

Armour - slots limited to MRPs or HRPs
Shields - slots limited to SCBs or SBs
Sensors - slots limited to DSS, ADS, KWS, Manifest Scanner, Wake Scanner, are there more?

As per the OP - a new core Computer module with slots limited to Docking Computer, all the Limpet Controllers, something else?

The number of slots can be varied depending on module class and ship role specialization.

 

[ilo]

I belive FD want us to have to think about our ship outfitting. One ship shouldn't be able to fit everything. So the decision to have them as seperate modules was a gameplay design decision. To make sure each of our outfitting choices come with a sacrifice. It also incourages us to have multiple ships.

But that is still OK, say FD comes up with:
2 scanner slots: you chose to add a kws or a surface scanner..
same for limpet controllers:
3 slots: spice your pizza with 2 collectors 1 hatch breaker, 1 collector 1 prospector 1 refuel, etc

 

[KingPwn33r]

I always thought that the docking computer should be on the ship(s) when bought and not an added extra - let a known taking up a module slot.