Passive credit earning/AI fleets working for you/Space truck simulator

[Samoth]

Since we are so divided on the grind, what with the two camps being pro and anti, coupled with the fact that FDev goes buck wild with the nerf bat any time people see any forward momentum in the game, I started thinking outside the box for a way to try to resolve the issue for everyone, and I think if done right it could be really interesting: American Truck Simulator/Euro Truck Simulator in space. Hear me out.

In ATS/ETS, you are able to start your own company and not only drive all the trucks you buy, but hire other drivers to drive your other trucks for you. They complete jobs, sometimes well and sometimes not so well, all depending on their skill level, which you choose which facets they should focus on (long distance, fragile, etc.). However, it's basically their version of Elite's BGS. So, why can't we do it?

What do you guys think about hiring other AI pilots, not just for yourself in your fighter bays, but to fly your own fleet of ships in what would pretty much be the BGS? They wouldn't physically leave the hangar in the game, it would be part of the BGS. However, each ship you own that you assign to them would need repairs and you could upgrade not just the ship but the skills of your AI pilots and their flying prowess. You could send them off on mining missions, bounty hunting missions, exploration, whatever you want, and when they return, they return with credits, materials, or even nothing. Just like in ATS/ETS, they obviously have a weekly paycheck, but it never cuts in too much to your profits that you lose your profit margin. This would add a different element to the game, as you would be the boss of your own corporation or organization. You could go legit or go pirate, with each direction having its own pros and cons and different types of missions, coupled with not just monetary rewards but also rank and influence rewards as well.

I think it would open up a completely new dimension to the game and would alleviate some of the burden of those who may not be able to physically fly their ships due to time, yet still would like to progress in the game, even if only in a managerial capacity. You could play the game without even leaving the station, earning credits and reputation. It doesn't have to be tons of credits, just something fair. In any case, it would be a boon for roleplayers and could really open up a completely different style of gameplay for the game.

What do you think?

 

[Ben Sevil]

Since we are so divided on the grind, what with the two camps being pro and anti, coupled with the fact that FDev goes buck wild with the nerf bat any time people see any forward momentum in the game, I started thinking outside the box for a way to try to resolve the issue for everyone, and I think if done right it could be really interesting: American Truck Simulator/Euro Truck Simulator in space. Hear me out.

In ATS/ETS, you are able to start your own company and not only drive all the trucks you buy, but hire other drivers to drive your other trucks for you. They complete jobs, sometimes well and sometimes not so well, all depending on their skill level, which you choose which facets they should focus on (long distance, fragile, etc.). However, it's basically their version of Elite's BGS. So, why can't we do it?

What do you guys think about hiring other AI pilots, not just for yourself in your fighter bays, but to fly your own fleet of ships in what would pretty much be the BGS? They wouldn't physically leave the hangar in the game, it would be part of the BGS. However, each ship you own that you assign to them would need repairs and you could upgrade not just the ship but the skills of your AI pilots and their flying prowess. You could send them off on mining missions, bounty hunting missions, exploration, whatever you want, and when they return, they return with credits, materials, or even nothing. Just like in ATS/ETS, they obviously have a weekly paycheck, but it never cuts in too much to your profits that you lose your profit margin. This would add a different element to the game, as you would be the boss of your own corporation or organization. You could go legit or go pirate, with each direction having its own pros and cons and different types of missions, coupled with not just monetary rewards but also rank and influence rewards as well.

I think it would open up a completely new dimension to the game and would alleviate some of the burden of those who may not be able to physically fly their ships due to time, yet still would like to progress in the game, even if only in a managerial capacity. You could play the game without even leaving the station, earning credits and reputation. It doesn't have to be tons of credits, just something fair. In any case, it would be a boon for roleplayers and could really open up a completely different style of gameplay for the game.

What do you think?

I'd love it, personally, but the consensus is that it'll never happen.

 

[the100thmonkey]

That's not the BGS.

As for running your own company, it's not something that appeals to me at all, but whatever. If it floats your boat, knock yourself out.

 

[Samoth]

I'm not saying it would be the BGS, but would function like the BGS, i.e., in the ​background.

 

[BigBANGtheory [VR]]

What do you think?

I think you are describing a large portion of gameplay offered by X Universe games, go look up X4.

 

[Samoth]

I can't wait for X4. I just thought it would be interesting for Elite as well.

 

[Delilah]

Since we are so divided on the grind, what with the two camps being pro and anti, coupled with the fact that FDev goes buck wild with the nerf bat any time people see any forward momentum in the game, I started thinking outside the box for a way to try to resolve the issue for everyone, and I think if done right it could be really interesting: American Truck Simulator/Euro Truck Simulator in space. Hear me out.

In ATS/ETS, you are able to start your own company and not only drive all the trucks you buy, but hire other drivers to drive your other trucks for you. They complete jobs, sometimes well and sometimes not so well, all depending on their skill level, which you choose which facets they should focus on (long distance, fragile, etc.). However, it's basically their version of Elite's BGS. So, why can't we do it?

What do you guys think about hiring other AI pilots, not just for yourself in your fighter bays, but to fly your own fleet of ships in what would pretty much be the BGS? They wouldn't physically leave the hangar in the game, it would be part of the BGS. However, each ship you own that you assign to them would need repairs and you could upgrade not just the ship but the skills of your AI pilots and their flying prowess. You could send them off on mining missions, bounty hunting missions, exploration, whatever you want, and when they return, they return with credits, materials, or even nothing. Just like in ATS/ETS, they obviously have a weekly paycheck, but it never cuts in too much to your profits that you lose your profit margin. This would add a different element to the game, as you would be the boss of your own corporation or organization. You could go legit or go pirate, with each direction having its own pros and cons and different types of missions, coupled with not just monetary rewards but also rank and influence rewards as well.

I think it would open up a completely new dimension to the game and would alleviate some of the burden of those who may not be able to physically fly their ships due to time, yet still would like to progress in the game, even if only in a managerial capacity. You could play the game without even leaving the station, earning credits and reputation. It doesn't have to be tons of credits, just something fair. In any case, it would be a boon for roleplayers and could really open up a completely different style of gameplay for the game.

What do you think?

I think yours is a great idea. The X series does just this. The limitation will be Frontier, who may make it so expensive that it is not cost effective.

 

[Vasea Azure]

I`m afraid you will get tons of "go play this and that" "you lazy you want the game to play by itself" lovely comments here commander. This was discussed few times and the answer is - it will never happen because FD said so - not the type of gmeplay they want in Elite. Personally as a open minded person I would like this option in E;lite, and if done properly it would add nice strategic/planning element to it.

 

[Samoth]

Ah, ok. I figured I'd suggest it anyway. I should've guessed that it had already been brought up though, what with games like Eve Online and the X series. Still, doesn't hurt to ask.

 

[Falcon_D]

Nope.

And if I'm not mistaken ATS/ETS is a single player game so you can manage your fleet and/or drive your trucks without affecting anyone else.
A closer analogy might be the X series. But even that is a single player game.
If people are so keen on managing spaceships/fleets why are they not playing games like STO, EvE, X, Homeworld 1/2 (awesome space combat for all those who wish to manage space ships in a fight)?
Why insist on turning pretty much the only MMO (ok there is NMS and we'll not even talk about the other one) where you as a pilot fly your own ship into one of these other games?

 

[PhantomWolf]

Yeah, I had the same idea a year ago and it would be cool along with having your own base on a moon or planet to run it out off

 

[hunvagy]

I`m afraid you will get tons of "go play this and that" "you lazy you want the game to play by itself" lovely comments here commander. This was discussed few times and the answer is - it will never happen because FD said so - not the type of gmeplay they want in Elite. Personally as a open minded person I would like this option in E;lite, and if done properly it would add nice strategic/planning element to it.

Yes but since this is at least parts a multiplayer game, you would probably also get the arguments how such should be handled. Which modes it should work in, how your NPC fleet should show up for other people. Could they just ambush and shoot them? If not one group would get the pitchforks, if yes then the other.

 

[Samoth]

Nope.

And if I'm not mistaken ATS/ETS is a single player game so you can manage your fleet and/or drive your trucks without affecting anyone else.
A closer analogy might be the X series. But even that is a single player game.
If people are so keen on managing spaceships/fleets why are they not playing games like STO, EvE, X, Homeworld 1/2 (awesome space combat for all those who wish to manage space ships in a fight)?
Why insist on turning pretty much the only MMO (ok there is NMS and we'll not even talk about the other one) where you as a pilot fly your own ship into one of these other games?

I don't want to turn it into those games, I just thought it would be interesting to have a little mini-game in it to add to the immersion. It doesn't have to be at the scale of those other games, just something to do. We hire pilots to fly with us already, why would it be impossible to hire something like a maximum of 5 pilots to assign your own ships and have them simulate missions that nets you a little coin as well as opens up a different dimension in the game? I'm not talking about something as fleshed out as Eve or X, just something that would piggyback on what we already have now. We hire pilots, buy them fighters, assign them fighters, and they physically fight with us RIGHT NOW. What would be the difference in doing a simulation of that if the community wanted it?

 

[BigBANGtheory [VR]]

I can't wait for X4. I just thought it would be interesting for Elite as well.

Personally yes I think it could work for Elite but I don't think it fits with Frontiers aims as I understand it, they want you the player to be doing the work.

 

[Samoth]

Oh we're working, alright. No doubt about that.

Not getting paid for it, but we're definitely working.

 

[Marra Morgan]

No thanks, I'd prefer the devs spent their time on improving existing gameplay concepts than bringing in more half-thought-out features.

 

[Vardaugas]

I heard Progress Quest is looking for more players.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Passive credit earning, or making money by logging out of the game seems like a terrible feature. This isn't a management game. There are other games more suited to this play style.

 

[Ben Sevil]

Why insist on turning pretty much the only MMO (ok there is NMS and we'll not even talk about the other one) where you as a pilot fly your own ship into one of these other games?

End-game problems. Once you've put a few billion into the bank, super-engineered all the ships you like to play, etc, the question - for some - becomes: What do the minor factions or even Edmund Mahon have that I don't? And the answer to that, currently, is to engage in powerplay with your friends. Note that suddenly it has gone from being a solo explorer, trader or fighter, to working in an organised group. So why not allow NPCs into that group - the reason can't be to keep the single-person experience. Hence, not only am I all for the OP's original suggestion, I'm also all for outpost and maybe even station construction.

And, yes, I used to play the X-series too. I shall always prefer the Elite universe because the star systems are real. If ever I can dislodge the Sirius Corporation from Sirius, I can look up into the night sky, and tell myself that it was a job well done.

 

[Daish]

Nice idea maybe implimenting it in a small way to start with (baby steps) I posted something similar but us working for contracted companies within the game but piloting the company ships and not our own, moving forward it all seems ok to start with or at least look into. Having a AI pilot is already here with ship fighters getting them to work for you I would assume would take some work but set on a designed path it could work, much like us as players working for contract space haluage companies flying there vessels, higher credits more variation better immersion is whats needed, I guess getting players off the quick and easy buck in favour of immersion is something lackingin game.