Squadrons and Proper colonization mechanics

[Vicktore Beskor]

Hello commanders
Now that we are soon to have squadrons entered into the game many commanders are asking the questions what are they going to do and why do we need them. Well I would like to make a suggestion. Assuming That squadrons will be able to pledge to the minor factions that they support there is a lot that they can accomplish as a group. And one of those goals could be colonizing unpopulated systems with said minor faction. I am going to attempt to outline what I think would be interesting gameplay mechanics.

1-Squadron buys a colonization permit from universal cartography and or the superpower that they plan to colonize in
2-they buy a colonization module from an engineer
3- they use there Carrier to transport the module to the system they wish to Colonize
4- they place the module on a planet suitable for colonization
5- once this is done they can start to build the colony

Building the colony can take place in stages.

1- you start by building a simple land base.
2- as time goes by the land base can grow to a spaceport
3- once a spaceport has been built you can build an simple outpost in space
4- as time goes by the outpost grows into a space station
5- once the space station is completed the system enters into the greater BGS system wherein other minor factions can expand into.

Now this is the most simplest explanation of the mechanics I am suggesting I wanted to leave it open for debate. That being said in my humble opinion this is the type of gameplay that gives squadrons a lot of options. And if done right it dose not have to be gated off from solo commanders. If a solo commander wants to put the time and hard work it would take to accomplish this type of goal it should be open to them as well.

Thank you
Sky Marshal Vicktore Beskor (EDF)
Fly Strong

 

[Flavourless]

No player bases in ED. Hope, wish and pray.

 

[jasonbirder]

1- you start by building a simple land base.
2- as time goes by the land base can grow to a spaceport
3- once a spaceport has been built you can build an simple outpost in space
4- as time goes by the outpost grows into a space station

Let me take a wild stab in the dark...you're thinking that you/you're faction should earn money AFK from controlling a station...am I right?
For the love of god...no Player bases in Elite

 

[M00ka]

"Sky Marshall" - someone has delusions of grandeur .......

 

[RamirezKurita]

Not likely, squadrons are basically going to just be mass communications for player groups, not some kind of in-game entity. Bases and stations are the domain of the factions, which are exclusively NPC owned and operated.

 

[kpmop]

Yeah as long as it effectively just becomes another station/base, but obviously (initially at least!) under the "control" of the player faction, it sounds reasonable. The PF could choose the name and location though (obviously subject to the whims of FD!).

You could have CG type requirements for each "part" of the station: So a basic base would be small/med landing + refuel. Then you could add large landing pads, a commodities market, repair, shipyard, black market, I/F etc.

** edit: hmmm this implies that squadron == player minor faction, but thinking about it I, my understanding of squadrons is more of a glorified wing. Maybe this could work if the squadron was part of a plaor minor faction? ... or not.

 

[Vicktore Beskor]

Gameplay like this dose two major things. It provides a credit and time sink. Biggest question everyone has what do I do with my credits and what do I do with my time in game.

Let me take a wild stab in the dark...you're thinking that you/you're faction should earn money AFK from controlling a station...am I right?
For the love of god...no Player bases in Elite

You could not be farther from the truth. And this is just fear mongering.

 

[Muzz UK]

Fleet Carriers were/are the only real base building and colonisation features currently planned. Having planet bases or surface bases would take a lot of work and instancing. Maybe we'll get custom ship interiors one day though.

What we do or did know is they were player owned and could jump using materials and would be a place to store ships, dock and repair or refuel. I'd imagine if they can or could jump whenever we finally get them you could in theory move to an unpopulated empty system and leave it there and claim the system. Maybe we'll know in 3 to 6 months!

Suggest you check out No Mans Sky, Empyrion Galactic Survival or Space Engineers if you want a spacey sandbox builder

 

[Stealthie]

I can't help noticing that whenever the OP posts a thread, it's always about something which would probably make a player faction more powerful.

Just sayin'....

 

[Vicktore Beskor]

Not likely, squadrons are basically going to just be mass communications for player groups, not some kind of in-game entity. Bases and stations are the domain of the factions, which are exclusively NPC owned and operated.

We don’t know this yet. They have already said they are looking for ways to make squadrons meaningful this would be one way. And the squadron would not own the structures that they build the minor faction would. This type of gameplay would allow the players the opportunity to change the face of the map only. It is just like Colonia but player built. Commanders could make there own little bubbles of humanity out there somewhere in the Galaxy

Fleet Carriers were/are the only real base building and colonisation features currently planned. Having planet bases or surface bases would take a lot of work and instancing. Maybe we'll get custom ship interiors one day though.

What we do or did know is they were player owned and could jump using materials and would be a place to store ships, dock and repair or refuel. I'd imagine if they can or could jump whenever we finally get them you could in theory move to an unpopulated empty system and leave it there and claim the system. Maybe we'll know in 3 to 6 months!

Suggest you check out No Mans Sky, Empyrion Galactic Survival or Space Engineers if you want a spacey sandbox builder

This is a future gameplay suggestion

 

[Vicktore Beskor]

I can't help noticing that whenever the OP posts a thread, it's always about something which would probably make a player faction more powerful.

Just sayin'....

You are wrong I suggest gameplay mechanics that anyone can participate in.

 

[M00ka]

Hate to break the news to you Supreme Overlord Commander and Chief Bottle Washer, squadron mechanics is only comms at this stage, no empire building (was never mentioned) no creation of your own gatactic empire, the only minions you will get to rule are those that follow you now. There has never been, never suggested, never mentioned base building, owning your own station, owning your own system mentioned.

 

[Stealthie]

You are wrong I suggest gameplay mechanics that anyone can participate in.

"Participate in"?

Sure, anybody can "participate in" the stuff in your OP but the only people who benefit from that participation would be the members of a PF... such as the EDF.

It's kind of like Cecil Rhodes claiming that "anybody can participate in diamond mining".

*EDIT*

I should say, good on the OP for RPing as an expansionist megalomaniac though.
I genuinely mean that.
The game needs people with big ideas. [up]

 

[Cmdr Ultra]

So what? Give player groups something to do. A reason to exist. If they can code want the OP wants fine by me.

I will never personally join a group. But why deny game possibilities just because lone wolf players can't take part?

 

[M00ka]

So what? Give player groups something to do. A reason to exist. If they can code want the OP wants fine by me.

I will never personally join a group. But why deny game possibilities just because lone wolf players can't take part?

It is simple, if the OP gets his way sooner rather than later one of these groups will take full control over some vital system or station and suddenly some rare item we all need for engineers or whatever is denied to all except these squadron members. Or they will decide that anyone entering their system is the enemy and killed.

 

[Cmdr Ultra]

Well I play in Open so I see your point. I still think it would be worth it to add some life the Galaxy. Some intrigue.

Fact is some Engineers commodities have already been affected by System lockdowns.

And remember no group can blockcade a System ever - because Solo mode.

 

[M00ka]

Well I play in Open so I see your point. I still think it would be worth it to add some life the Galaxy. Some intrigue.

Fact is some Engineers commodities have already been affected by System lockdowns.

And remember no group can blockcade a System ever - because Solo mode.

Not if the these new super squadrons decide to block access to their station to MEMBERS ONLY. So it wouldn't make any difference if you are in Solo, a PG or Open, can't land, can't get the bits you need. Think I am being over the top, nah I have seen this in nearly every game where group mechanics get allowed in.

 

[kpmop]

It is simple, if the OP gets his way sooner rather than later one of these groups will take full control over some vital system or station and suddenly some rare item we all need for engineers or whatever is denied to all except these squadron members. Or they will decide that anyone entering their system is the enemy and killed.

Except this is about creating new bases/stations etc. (probably in currently uninhabited systems), so unless FD gave the new station a rare commodity and then made that an unlock requirement for an engineer, I can't see it being much of a problem in that respect.

**edit: it would effectively just be another station/base, so as blockade-able as any other. So if the PF want to sit there blocking a back-water station in an mostly empty system, good luck to them!

 

[Vicktore Beskor]

Hate to break the news to you Supreme Overlord Commander and Chief Bottle Washer, squadron mechanics is only comms at this stage, no empire building (was never mentioned) no creation of your own gatactic empire, the only minions you will get to rule are those that follow you now. There has never been, never suggested, never mentioned base building, owning your own station, owning your own system mentioned.

In my humble opinion the BGS is one of the best parts of the game it is like a huge game of risk and to allow commanders to add pieces to the board would be innovative and allow for emergent gameplay. And to lower yourself to trying to insult me by calling me names only shows everyone how close minded and short sighted your are.

 

[M00ka]

Except this is about creating new bases/stations etc. (probably in currently uninhabited systems), so unless FD gave the new station a rare commodity and then made that an unlock requirement for an engineer, I can't see it being much of a problem in that respect.

Okay doesn't even have to be about rares or engineering requirements, it could be as simple as not letting non-squadron members dock to refuel or repair. Especially if they find their new system nicely placed on route to Colonia or somewhere.