In late 3304, the combined governments of humanity agreed that they needed to increase the sphere of influence of human-controlled space. Colonia was a great start, but it was too far to manage centrally; those leaving for the new world(s) likely weren't coming back. Rather, they needed to open up new planets nearby - ostensibly to create new trade routes, but a second, less publicized reason, was to create a new frontier that could further buffer the core systems from external attacks.
To that end, the major design corporations were tasked with implementing deployable planetary installations (DPIs) - basically self-building landing pads - that carried everything needed to build a landing pad and start converting raw materials into an installation. Each represented a design aesthetic, though Core Dynamics and Gutamaya had versions only available to appropriately ranked member of the Federation and Empire, respectively.
These deployable planetary installations weren't cheap, and they were bulky, but enterprising commanders were encourage to carve out their own space - their own kingdom - out on the fringes of the bubble. Once deployed in a spot - and the DPIs were locked on sale to only be deployable at least 150 light years from Sol - they could be accessed by the Commander, who would, as he or she delivered supplies, guide the transformation of the raw supplies into an actual planetary base, which would then open up to all for trade and run missions from, thereby helping expand the human frontier.
Implementation notes:
To that end, the major design corporations were tasked with implementing deployable planetary installations (DPIs) - basically self-building landing pads - that carried everything needed to build a landing pad and start converting raw materials into an installation. Each represented a design aesthetic, though Core Dynamics and Gutamaya had versions only available to appropriately ranked member of the Federation and Empire, respectively.
These deployable planetary installations weren't cheap, and they were bulky, but enterprising commanders were encourage to carve out their own space - their own kingdom - out on the fringes of the bubble. Once deployed in a spot - and the DPIs were locked on sale to only be deployable at least 150 light years from Sol - they could be accessed by the Commander, who would, as he or she delivered supplies, guide the transformation of the raw supplies into an actual planetary base, which would then open up to all for trade and run missions from, thereby helping expand the human frontier.
Implementation notes:
- The DPI is a ship available for sale. It's the size of a Type 9 (and similar looking) though it has no changeable internals; it's basically a fixed ship that, when landed, can open up into a small planetary installation. It carries a Sidewinder inside to allow the commander to fly back to another base and start hauling supplies. The commander can select what kind of economy they're hoping to support, which might impact where they deploy. (Deploying an extraction base on a depleted rock is going to make it a lot harder to grow.)
- Only one is available to a commander at a time. If they have a base, they can't purchase another one until they formally abandon the first, which makes it permanently uninhabitable, unless a faction moves into the system, at which point it could be automatically re-activated as a new planetary base for that faction. All references to the founding commander would be lost.
- Inactive bases could still have a POI marker, with a note of the original name and the date of founding.
- While active, these would be partially exempt from the BGS. The commander faction would always have at least 51% control over the base (and would never expand outside of it) though any other potential factions present in the future could have a presence on the base.
- At first, the installation would only have a small landing pad, but with enough supplies it could add a medium pad, then a large pad (as well as secondary pads).
- The station will not allow itself to be deployed within 10 km (or some decent number) of another station.
- In terms of base-building, the commander, as the station grows, can opt to spend time upgrading other station amenities, such as station security (want some security ships flying around? Deliver the right goods. Want some Vipers instead of a Sidewinder running patrol? Time to invest!) Also, adding the capability to host missions or passenger missions would require investment (i.e. deliver) of goods and resources. A shipyard could be available as time grows, but the selection of ships available would have to be unlocked (with Federation or Imperial ships available only if you align your player base with them.)
- The commander can also set the type of faction they have on the base. They could run a dictatorship or have anarchy or even run a cooperatire faction. Again, this player faction would not expand out of the base itself.