Piracy : include data-mining limpets

[Dox Paradox]

Pirates could have data-mining limpets to steal & acquire exploration data from exploration ships.
A data scanner would be helpful to determine what kind of data and what volume is on any given ship.

 

[CMDR Hagglebeard]

This was originally planned, but there aren't any explorer NPCs, and it's really not balanced for PvP. Some of those guys have months or years of first discoveries they could lose - and whats the chance of finding them, anyway?

I guess it could be cool to have explorer NPCs in fringe and colony systems. Maybe you get X system scans per some time within proximity to the target? Data's tricky.

I think that this is really a punch-list item for a while down the road.

 

[Dox Paradox]

This was originally planned, but there aren't any explorer NPCs, and it's really not balanced for PvP. Some of those guys have months or years of first discoveries they could lose - and whats the chance of finding them, anyway?

I guess it could be cool to have explorer NPCs in fringe and colony systems. Maybe you get X system scans per some time within proximity to the target? Data's tricky.

I think that this is really a punch-list item for a while down the road.

Good points. It could be a temporary equipment for a set of missions then, so the target is already identified. Then up to the commander to accommodate his build for this mission, making room for the special dedicated (probably illegal) equipment.
Likewise returning commanders could be assaulted by NPC trying to steal (some?) of their data =)
It would be a "new" gameplay because the NPC will not try to kill the commander, but to follow, interdict & steal (probably also try to damage the ship thrusters/FSD)

 

[GroG79]

I like the Idea

 

[Kissamies]

Not the biggest fan of the PvP aspect of this idea, but if the pirate only steals the credit reward and the explorer still gets the first discoveries, my greatest issue with it is gone. I agree that there should be an NPC element. I would also suggest not coming up with a whole new limpet type, but repurposing the recon limpets for the task. Currently they only work on installations and megaships, doing nothing on ships.

 

[Rubbernuke]

You could build a whole gameplay loop round this.

Have a data cache on destruction POI so you can recover your stuff

Use the FSS to transmit data to remotely earn money - as you explore you drop nav buoys like a chain tether.

Make more of computer cores on ships / protected spaces against hacking (so an engineer update is making hatches / computers hack proof).

 

[Ian Doncaster]

We already have recon limpets which can steal data - just needs them to work on NPCs and give a credit data package and a bunch of engineering data.

(Which probably means they won't work on players to stop people just passing the recon limpet back and forth collaboratively, but still, working on NPCs would be a big step)

 

[Rubbernuke]

We already have recon limpets which can steal data - just needs them to work on NPCs and give a credit data package and a bunch of engineering data.

(Which probably means they won't work on players to stop people just passing the recon limpet back and forth collaboratively, but still, working on NPCs would be a big step)

Its a shame you can't reverse it, in that those data missions spawn stealthy NPCs who want to steal it.

 

[Factabulous]

(Which probably means they won't work on players to stop people just passing the recon limpet back and forth collaboratively, but still, working on NPCs would be a big step)

Oh, I don't know - the ability to use Recon limpets on players to steal their UC data could be interesting

 

[Ian Doncaster]

Oh, I don't know - the ability to use Recon limpets on players to steal their UC data could be interesting

It'd give an actual use to the ECM module, I guess - and exploration ships usually have a bunch of spare utility slots.

 

[Rubbernuke]

Adding that amount of weight and gameplay for explorers is akin to griefing them, probably. Exploration is hard enough with er...not crashing, and learning to turn away from wavy arms of stars

*runs

 

[Factabulous]

Adding that amount of weight and gameplay for explorers is akin to griefing them, probably. Exploration is hard enough with er...not crashing, and learning to turn away from wavy arms of stars

*runs

The sight of two explorers locked in glorious combat to the death over their combined findings would be a glorious thing to behold

 

[Ned Flandalorian]

It'd give an actual use to the ECM module, I guess - and exploration ships usually have a bunch of spare utility slots.

Depends how the limpets attach, given you can avoid hatchbreaker/repair/fuel limpets just by spinning to keep them away from your cargo hatch.

 

[Northpin]

Stealing the data would be a bit harsh
making a copy instead...

but then again, this would be open to exploit when the explorer comes with several bn worth of data, they let some of their friends "leech" on their data (trusting them they will wait for him to turn it out, then they selling that data as well). With the help of LYR bonus... one fat explorer can pump up their entire squadron to win the season...

 

[Rubbernuke]

The sight of two explorers locked in glorious combat to the death over their combined findings would be a glorious thing to behold

Explorers griefing other explorers? That breaks the natural order that only the shooty gun people are bad

madness I tell thee! Madness!

 

[Factabulous]

Explorers griefing other explorers? That breaks the natural order that only the shooty gun people are bad

I've mocked up how it could work in game.

 

[Rubbernuke]

I've mocked up how it could work in game.

View attachment 322422

Cleese activating his ECM module just right there to deflect the unpleasantness...

 

[zikolach]

Stealing the data would be a bit harsh
making a copy instead...

but then again, this would be open to exploit when the explorer comes with several bn worth of data, they let some of their friends "leech" on their data (trusting them they will wait for him to turn it out, then they selling that data as well). With the help of LYR bonus... one fat explorer can pump up their entire squadron to win the season...

Stolen data could be not legal to sell in Universal Cartographics, but instead to sell it on Black Market.

 

[Factabulous]

Stolen data could be not legal to sell in Universal Cartographics, but instead to sell it on Black Market.

Nah - allow people to steal finder credits. Far more fun.

Also make bounties and bonds and fines stealable and maybe even notoriety ... might end up stealing more than you expected

 

[zikolach]

Nah - allow people to steal finder credits. Far more fun.

Also make bounties and bonds and fines stealable and maybe even notoriety ... might end up stealing more than you expected

You mean stealing other commander profile to commit crime on behalf of the other (and bounties going to the other commander)?