People's Anlave for Eqty & Contrail

[Nick87]

This thread wasn't made with the intention of stirring the pot or otherwise encourage malicious behavior. As such, I'd appreciate it if everyone who wants to participate, keeps a low profile.


I'm interested in getting feedback from the two main parties that are involved with the Anlave system, Contrail (a player owned group) and People's Anlave for Equality (the local federal minor faction).

Anyone who isn't familiar with Anlave's history and lore, will find this article very helpful. The content was taken from one of David Braben's booklets, Frontier Elite II Gazetteer. Now, on with my questions :


-- Concerning Contrail

A) What are the benefits for someone joining your group ?

B) What are your long term plans for the system (your influence is at 68% and rising) ?

C) What would you say to federal supporters who feel that Anlave being an iconic system, should be run by a federal minor faction ?


-- Concerning People's Anlave for Equality

A) Do you feel content, dissatisfied or otherwise uninterested in the system's current state ?

B) Would you be willing to put aside any differences if the presence of the group proved to be beneficial to Anlave in the long run ?


Some background info about me :

Soon after jumping in the game last September, I found myself looking for a suitable high tech world that would allow me to rare trade. Anlave seemed like a great choice, so I decided to make the move. Kobayashi City was my chosen station due to it's near proximity (I do have a soft spot for Ocellus starports though too), and it's the place I've called home ever since.

Personally, I don't meddle around with minor factions a lot, as that political aspect of ED doesn't interest me much. When it comes to Anlave, I think as long as everyone stays away from each others feet, things will be consistent and peaceful. The only thing I wouldn't be on board with, would be for Anlave to become a fully independent system. I think that would break apart the wide ideological support the system receives and undermine Anlave in the process.

 

[MottiKhan]

I'm not a Contrail member, but what they're doing is helping Anlave in my opinion. They only attack wanted CMDRs, so the system remains clean. With them in control of the BGS there, it's a safe place for traders.

Not being a member doesn't make me completely disconnected from the system or Contrail. I've gone there to assist in their civil wars and have sold exploration data there to help bolster their influence. They're a good group of people.

 

[Nick87]

I mostly play in Solo, but I too think having a group closely monitoring one of the most populous systems in the game, is in the best interest of most commanders. I hope they'll continue doing so though, while still respecting the player base that's affiliated with one of the other NPC factions. To ensure that, at least one station has to be controlled by each of the major ones at all times.

 

[Sapyx]

First, my background: The People's Anlave for Equality were the first faction I became Friendly with as a newbie, and as such I visited the system quite frequently until I eventually became Allied with the Federation as a whole, so while I no longer "need" the friendship of specific Fed factions, I'm still sentimental about the ones I befriended first. (And no, I'm not necessarily Fed-aligned either; I'm also Allied with both the Alliance and Empire at the moment; I guess I just like staying friends with everyone). I'm also an old-school Elite, FE2 and FFE player.

So my answer to your question (A) is: I am extremely upset and concerned over Anlave being given away to a player group in general, and to a non-Federation-aligned player group in particular. I am happy that FD have now seen the error of their ways and appear to have agreed to never, ever do this sort of thing again. Please understand, I have nothing against ConTrAiL as a group or their being given control of a system. My problem is their being given this specific system. They could have been given LHS 115, or LHS 1446, and I probably wouldn't have noticed and wouldn't have cared if I had noticed. I'm only slightly mad at ConTrAiL for asking for control of this system, I'm much, much angrier at FD for agreeing to simply give it to them. As far as I am concerned, every single system mentioned in the FE2 Gazetteer should have been off-limits to player group awarding.

As for question (B): I'm a Solo-only player. So I'm never personally going to see or know about any alleged benefits that ConTrAiL players might give to the system, in terms of anti-griefer protection. The only effects that affect me are the ones caused by the BGS: in this case, a formerly Federation system has become an Independent Democracy. I suppose it's better than an anarchy and doesn't really affect gameplay too much for me (I think NPC pirates are only slightly more probable in an Indie democracy compared to a Fed one), and as long as the Feds still control a couple of the other starports so I can keep earning credit with them if I need to, I suppose it doesn't really affect me. My main grievance is still the lore-breaking, which is mostly not ConTrAiL's fault. I'm prepared to live and let live, but please excuse me if I do so grudgingly.

I've only been back to Anlave once or twice since the handover - staying Allied to all three superpowers requires a lot of running around, so I can't stay in one place for too long.

 

[Zylark]

As one of the leaders of Contrail, I'll contribute my 2 credits worth...

-- Concerning Contrail

A) What are the benefits for someone joining your group ?

The benefits are threefold;

- We help beginners get a footing into the game. Teach them the tricks of their preferred trade and help them get from something abysmal (Sidewinder) and into something useful (Cobra) in a couple of hours.
- We provide experienced players with plenty of PvP training and actual combat. Both with regards to training, patrolling Anlave looking for criminals, engaging in massive battles with our allies against the combined imperial armadas of ToC, 51th, Triadius, SDC and others that from time to time invade Fed Space and last but not least organized combat through the PvP League.
- Participation in an active and social community of adult gamers who like working together towards a common goal or just shoot the breeze whilst 4 cans of beer in...

B) What are your long term plans for the system (your influence is at 68% and rising) ?

In short, to make sure Anlave is a safe haven for all. We police it religiously, and the mere sight of a criminal will soon see a wing or more of Contrail members gathering to take care of business. Beginners are particularly welcome to Anlave, where they can expect to fly in perfect safety whilst in open. We're a group that really enjoys open, and we'd like more to do so. Us keeping Anlave safe for all clean commanders is our small contribution to that goal.

C) What would you say to federal supporters who feel that Anlave being an iconic system, should be run by a federal minor faction ?

We're entirely faction and power agnostic - why we're independent. We think Anlave should be a safe haven for all pilots, regardless of their affiliation to the one or other faction or power. We just have two conditions: Don't commit any crimes and don't actively undermine our minor faction.

---

We're not in Anlave to cause problems for anyone. Quite the contrary. It is a very nice system and we are quite fond of it. After our first choice of system did not come through due to a FD SNAFU, we looked around and decided Anlave would make a great home for us. Not only is it Sol v2.0, it is also conveniently right smack in the populated bubble and close by some of the major player groups we have relationships with.

We knew us being independent would create a bit of a stir amongst some Hudson and Fed diehards - and us working to control it have not been without opposition. Though now it seems most have come to rest with the situation - and see our governance of Anlave as it is - entirely benign and in some regards a benefit.

Since we assumed control and got the system stabilized after a brief turbulent period, availability of ship-modules have risen. More ships are even available. Commodities are more reasonably priced and most importantly it is a safe place to do business - particularly for beginners.

 

[Tuub t Tute]

I used to trade Superconductors from Sol Galileo to Anlave Hogg City and then haul Prog Cells back. The market price for SuperC crashed and profits were halved. It was a shame so I moved on.
I was initially surprised that FDev gave away a prime trading hub. After seeing some of the other gizzits, nothing surprises me any more with their approach to game impact.

 

[Banana's_Are_Good_For_You]

I thought they said that player factions had to be aligned with the power who controls at least, did I get that wrong?
Anlave is a Federation control system so Contrail should be Federation?

 

[Zylark]

I thought they said that player factions had to be aligned with the power who controls at least, did I get that wrong?
Anlave is a Federation control system so Contrail should be Federation?

It is now - but not when we got our minor faction into Anlave back in November last year. In other changes, player group minor faction won't now start with controlling influence and the controlling station. They'll have to 'earn' the system by working hard on the BGS. Like we did, as by a mistake, we started out at 14% influence rather than 60% as all other player group minor factions started out at back then.

 

[RandomGun]

B) What are your long term plans for the system (your influence is at 68% and rising) ?

I'm not a Contrail member either. I'm just a junior sociologist studying politics (i.e. BGS). So I only comment the influence number. For Anlave 68% or more doesn't mean much because Contrail is already the controlling faction. Kobayashi City is not going change its owner. High number only guarantees that Contrail won't get into Civil war or Elections with anyone. When the influence gets to 75% they will expand to another system, though.

 

[askavir]

Contrail seem like a quite nice bunch of chaps.

I once stumbled on their home system by total chance, when stopping for refuel on my way to a CG.

They actually greeted me in supercruise and welcomed me to "their" system.

It may seem meaningless but it was actually a refreshing moment when open seems to be slowly degenerating into a bit toxic environment.

 

[TheoZ]

Contrail seem like a quite nice bunch of chaps.

I once stumbled on their home system by total chance, when stopping for refuel on my way to a CG.

They actually greeted me in supercruise and welcomed me to "their" system.

It may seem meaningless but it was actually a refreshing moment when open seems to be slowly degenerating into a bit toxic environment.

Oh thanks for you kind words! In any case, I'd rather have some more ppl (PAFE supporters for instance) to join our ranks and support a Player Minor Faction, rather than a soulless NPC one. Anlave is indeed the former HQ of Feds, but let me say that again: FORMER. Former belongs to the past, CONTRAIL is the future of Anlave.

 

[Scal]

Sounds like a nice group of people have taken control there. It has always been a democracy, and it remains so. It sounds like they have won over the population in the correct and legal manner.

As far as lore (and law) is concerned, democracies will often change leadership - that is their nature. If a new faction has taken power by legal methods, then the lore has not been compromised - we live in a changing galaxy, after all.

I'm glad that custody of Anlave has gone to a nice group of players.

 

[Nick87]

Thanks everyone for your input, much appreciated

 

[Nick87]

I hope they'll continue doing so though, while still respecting the player base that's affiliated with one of the other NPC factions. To ensure that, at least one station has to be controlled by each of the major ones at all times.

There is no faction balance in the system anymore. Anlave Energy Company has even more stations than Contrail now and People's Anlave for Equality lost their Ocellus starport.