This is more feedback than suggestion (although there's some in there, too). I've been fooling around with the BGS more since the awesome 3.3 update made it that much easier to understand what impact I and others are having. Tying squadrons into this is great - but I've come across several frustrating 'problems' that are less actual problems and more just lack of information to help me, as a commander, make better decisions.
1) I can't tell if there are any squadrons supporting any of the factions in a System
This is a big one because I went and made a squadron to support some minor faction, only to watch it get curb-stomped on its first election cycle by its obviously much-better supported opponent. This system lacked a traffic report, so I didn't really have an indicator as to who may or may not be acting in the system. Moreover, had I known that the opponent faction was so well-supported, I wouldn't have had a second-thought to just working on it instead!
The Suggestion: It would be handy if I could see what squadrons supported what factions in the system I'm in. Be that with just a little icon on a faction indicating a Squadron supports it to an actual UI inside of say, Contacts, that allows me to directly view the squadrons involved and even apply to them!
2) Searching Squadrons on PS4 is a joke
The filter is extremely buggy and doesn't work half the time, and it lacks the ability to search by a location or minor faction - which would make it a little easier to deal with Point #1 in finding out if a minor faction I'm interested in helping (or hindering) has any backing from a squadron.
3) The Squadron Public Message on PS4 is a nightmare to use!
It allows up to 300 characters, right? But it only takes the last 92 you've typed! In other words, a full public message - you know, the one prospective members you're trying to recruit will see - requires you to input it piece-meal and get punctuation between each piece perfect, or you have to start over because you can't EDIT in that box either! WHO BUILT THIS TYPING INTERFACE!? Seriously, typing messages on PS4 is a huge headache.
4) Suggestion: Allow Squadrons to Have Propaganda In Their Home System
Akin to EVE Online with its Corporate and Alliance Offices, it would be handy if in the home system of the minor faction you support messages were displayed broadcasting your squadron. Rookie and solo commanders alike would be easier to engage with an easy system like this and encourage them to reach out to your squadron when they pass through your space. GalNet Articles could also feature your squadron in systems your minor faction controls (algorithm derived just like the usual news, but clearly for a squadron to improve visibility).
5) Suggestion: Squadron Relationship Management
Again, akin to EVE Online, add into the Squadron UI a Relations tab that allows the leadership to add and remove 'relations' with other squadrons (rather than track all of them like EVE does). Say I want to add the [BOOM] squadron as allies, I type in their designator and set them to the according level. Then, I add the [ZAPP] squadron and set them as Enemies because they support an opposing faction.
Now, whenever I encounter a [BOOM] commander they show as a GREEN portrait just like allied factions, whereas [BOOM] commanders show up as RED indicating at a glance for my members an enemy they may want to intercept/avoid. Neutral (orange for those who don't have color-changed UI) is the default setting for all squadrons and is not tracked. Friendly could be blue whereas unfriendly could be yellow. A simple color-code system would do wonders for PvP engagement and activity between and among squadrons, and fuel future squadron interactive features if planned.
Those are my feedback / suggestions for Squadrons as they currently stand in the game. I'm all for fleet carriers and stations and cool stuff like that, too, but I wanted to give some immediately applicable suggestions that could improve squadron interaction for recruits as well as inter-squadron interaction. By providing relations and similar inter-squadron features, Open Play will become more lively and commander-owned as opposed to just commander-occupied.
Thanks for reading! Feel free to add your own suggestions for improved Squadron Information, Feedback for Members, and Interaction
1) I can't tell if there are any squadrons supporting any of the factions in a System
This is a big one because I went and made a squadron to support some minor faction, only to watch it get curb-stomped on its first election cycle by its obviously much-better supported opponent. This system lacked a traffic report, so I didn't really have an indicator as to who may or may not be acting in the system. Moreover, had I known that the opponent faction was so well-supported, I wouldn't have had a second-thought to just working on it instead!
The Suggestion: It would be handy if I could see what squadrons supported what factions in the system I'm in. Be that with just a little icon on a faction indicating a Squadron supports it to an actual UI inside of say, Contacts, that allows me to directly view the squadrons involved and even apply to them!
2) Searching Squadrons on PS4 is a joke
The filter is extremely buggy and doesn't work half the time, and it lacks the ability to search by a location or minor faction - which would make it a little easier to deal with Point #1 in finding out if a minor faction I'm interested in helping (or hindering) has any backing from a squadron.
3) The Squadron Public Message on PS4 is a nightmare to use!
It allows up to 300 characters, right? But it only takes the last 92 you've typed! In other words, a full public message - you know, the one prospective members you're trying to recruit will see - requires you to input it piece-meal and get punctuation between each piece perfect, or you have to start over because you can't EDIT in that box either! WHO BUILT THIS TYPING INTERFACE!? Seriously, typing messages on PS4 is a huge headache.
4) Suggestion: Allow Squadrons to Have Propaganda In Their Home System
Akin to EVE Online with its Corporate and Alliance Offices, it would be handy if in the home system of the minor faction you support messages were displayed broadcasting your squadron. Rookie and solo commanders alike would be easier to engage with an easy system like this and encourage them to reach out to your squadron when they pass through your space. GalNet Articles could also feature your squadron in systems your minor faction controls (algorithm derived just like the usual news, but clearly for a squadron to improve visibility).
5) Suggestion: Squadron Relationship Management
Again, akin to EVE Online, add into the Squadron UI a Relations tab that allows the leadership to add and remove 'relations' with other squadrons (rather than track all of them like EVE does). Say I want to add the [BOOM] squadron as allies, I type in their designator and set them to the according level. Then, I add the [ZAPP] squadron and set them as Enemies because they support an opposing faction.
Now, whenever I encounter a [BOOM] commander they show as a GREEN portrait just like allied factions, whereas [BOOM] commanders show up as RED indicating at a glance for my members an enemy they may want to intercept/avoid. Neutral (orange for those who don't have color-changed UI) is the default setting for all squadrons and is not tracked. Friendly could be blue whereas unfriendly could be yellow. A simple color-code system would do wonders for PvP engagement and activity between and among squadrons, and fuel future squadron interactive features if planned.
Those are my feedback / suggestions for Squadrons as they currently stand in the game. I'm all for fleet carriers and stations and cool stuff like that, too, but I wanted to give some immediately applicable suggestions that could improve squadron interaction for recruits as well as inter-squadron interaction. By providing relations and similar inter-squadron features, Open Play will become more lively and commander-owned as opposed to just commander-occupied.
Thanks for reading! Feel free to add your own suggestions for improved Squadron Information, Feedback for Members, and Interaction
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