Hello Frontier and Community Members,
I wanted to create my own thread as I was concerned these ideas might get swallowed wholesale by the mega-thread/poll above. I hope it's okay with you all.
As you know, one of the biggest concerns regarding the proposed ship transfer mechanics is that the break with immersion. One of the biggest reasons the player base here loves this game is because of how 'real' it feels. Science and physics plays a large part, as does many political and social elements of the background sim. Even the alien story arcs are randomly dropped around and left up to outstanding individuals to find and decipher rather than being spoon fed to us. For this, Frontier, we thank you.
But unfortunately, the proposed ship transfer mechanics shatters all that by simply not making sense. Instantaneous travel from point a to point b simply does not exist in this current era without *significant* credit and material investment, using a *massive* one shot jump engine, for example those used by orbital stations when construction is ended. And even then, I'm fairly certain it's only used in exceptional cases, like at Jaques Station. Now suddenly, we are led to believe that some NPC ship transfer company can do this *at will*, yet even the richest of players cannot in ships they are piloting. And it's not like those jumps are dangerous to human health as Jacues station carried it's owners and crew with it.
So to offer something different in exchange that's fairly expedient but still immersive, I offer the below instead:
Ship Transferring Services Inc (STSI)
STSI has made an exclusive deal with the Pilot's Federation to provide ship transferring services for all it's members. A collective arrangement of sorts, STSI is offering these services at a reasonable rate, with your ships flown by experienced and qualified pilots.
For insurance purposes, and to ensure all ships are delivered safely regardless of possible problems with existing equipment, all ships will be temporarily fitted with STSI owned non-engineered Frame Shift Drives of the highest quality. An Asp Explorer would be a fitted with an STSI 5A FSD. A Cobra MkIII would be fitted with an STSI 4A FSD. The ship owner's existing FSD module will be securely stored in that ship's cargo hold for transport. Once the ship has arrived at it's destination, STSI will reclaim it's property and fit the ship owner's FSD module back into it's proper emplacement on board the ship. STSI understands that not all pilots can afford the very best Frame Shift Drives, and they are resolute in delivering your ship as quickly as possible, regardless of your existing module.
Ships will be delivered based on a reasonable time frame on a *per jump* basis. STSI has calculated the time estimated at TWO (2) MINUTES per jump segment. This takes into account fuel scooping, shipboard maintenance, and union sanctioned crew rest periods.
If a 5A FSD fitted onto an Asp Explorer can jump 30LY based on that ship's current load, it would take 20 minutes to travel 300LY. Obviously, a transfer to Jaques Station, while certainly doable, may take the better part of the day.
Fees are calculated on a per jump basis with an extra based on the ship's current value, including all equipment. Transferring a Cobra Mk III may be relatively cheap, while transferring a Federal Corvette may be quite costly, especially given the necessary added security on a large military ship of this type.
Kiosks are being set up in every major Starport, with expansion into certain outposts also being a possibility. We look forward to greeting new customers!
Players, let me know what you think.
I wanted to create my own thread as I was concerned these ideas might get swallowed wholesale by the mega-thread/poll above. I hope it's okay with you all.
As you know, one of the biggest concerns regarding the proposed ship transfer mechanics is that the break with immersion. One of the biggest reasons the player base here loves this game is because of how 'real' it feels. Science and physics plays a large part, as does many political and social elements of the background sim. Even the alien story arcs are randomly dropped around and left up to outstanding individuals to find and decipher rather than being spoon fed to us. For this, Frontier, we thank you.
But unfortunately, the proposed ship transfer mechanics shatters all that by simply not making sense. Instantaneous travel from point a to point b simply does not exist in this current era without *significant* credit and material investment, using a *massive* one shot jump engine, for example those used by orbital stations when construction is ended. And even then, I'm fairly certain it's only used in exceptional cases, like at Jaques Station. Now suddenly, we are led to believe that some NPC ship transfer company can do this *at will*, yet even the richest of players cannot in ships they are piloting. And it's not like those jumps are dangerous to human health as Jacues station carried it's owners and crew with it.
So to offer something different in exchange that's fairly expedient but still immersive, I offer the below instead:
Ship Transferring Services Inc (STSI)
STSI has made an exclusive deal with the Pilot's Federation to provide ship transferring services for all it's members. A collective arrangement of sorts, STSI is offering these services at a reasonable rate, with your ships flown by experienced and qualified pilots.
For insurance purposes, and to ensure all ships are delivered safely regardless of possible problems with existing equipment, all ships will be temporarily fitted with STSI owned non-engineered Frame Shift Drives of the highest quality. An Asp Explorer would be a fitted with an STSI 5A FSD. A Cobra MkIII would be fitted with an STSI 4A FSD. The ship owner's existing FSD module will be securely stored in that ship's cargo hold for transport. Once the ship has arrived at it's destination, STSI will reclaim it's property and fit the ship owner's FSD module back into it's proper emplacement on board the ship. STSI understands that not all pilots can afford the very best Frame Shift Drives, and they are resolute in delivering your ship as quickly as possible, regardless of your existing module.
Ships will be delivered based on a reasonable time frame on a *per jump* basis. STSI has calculated the time estimated at TWO (2) MINUTES per jump segment. This takes into account fuel scooping, shipboard maintenance, and union sanctioned crew rest periods.
If a 5A FSD fitted onto an Asp Explorer can jump 30LY based on that ship's current load, it would take 20 minutes to travel 300LY. Obviously, a transfer to Jaques Station, while certainly doable, may take the better part of the day.
Fees are calculated on a per jump basis with an extra based on the ship's current value, including all equipment. Transferring a Cobra Mk III may be relatively cheap, while transferring a Federal Corvette may be quite costly, especially given the necessary added security on a large military ship of this type.
Kiosks are being set up in every major Starport, with expansion into certain outposts also being a possibility. We look forward to greeting new customers!
Players, let me know what you think.
