Galnet War Reports
This proposal is for regular automated Galnet reports summarising the losses sustained during what seems to be the inevitable confrontation with the Thargoids. It is intended to mirror the manner of war reporting in World War 2, whereby losses and victories would be reported in newspapers but adapted for the Elite: Dangerous setting..
The automated reporting of losses could be done on a daily or weekly schedule, depending on overheads and usefulness (e.g. if events are moving quickly, then daily updates might be necessary). These would resemble the current reports on famines, lockdowns, civil wars etc. and list the ten systems in which the greatest number of players were destroyed by Thargoids, along with the number of losses, as in the following example:
***Example Galnet War Correspondent, Summary of Losses 26th September 3303***
On 26th September 3303, losses of ships belonging to members of the Elite Federation of Pilots at the hands of Thargoid vessels occured primarily in the following systems:Maia: 26 ships destroyed
Merope: 24 ships destroyed
HR 1185: 18 ships destroyed
42 n Persei: 15 ships destroyed
Pleiades Sector IR-W d1-55: 14 ships destroyed
Pleiades Sector IH-V c2-5: 10 ships destroyed
Pleiades Sector OI-T c3-7: 9 ships destroyed
HIP 17694: 9 ships destroyed
HIP 19072: 7 ships destroyed
Pleiades Sector IH-V c2-16: 7 ships destroyed
.Merope: 24 ships destroyed
HR 1185: 18 ships destroyed
42 n Persei: 15 ships destroyed
Pleiades Sector IR-W d1-55: 14 ships destroyed
Pleiades Sector IH-V c2-5: 10 ships destroyed
Pleiades Sector OI-T c3-7: 9 ships destroyed
HIP 17694: 9 ships destroyed
HIP 19072: 7 ships destroyed
Pleiades Sector IH-V c2-16: 7 ships destroyed
Additionally, there could be weekly hand-written reports summarising the events of that week, possibly accompanied by shorter reports the day after significant events. In particular, these reports would highlight NPC losses and key battles as well as player casualties. It would be a very useful tool to engage the player base in the conflict and to enhance the atmosphere that there is a war going on with tangible effects and to convey how the conflict is progressing. For example, the loss of a Capital class vessel could be accompanied by a debris field or a persistent POI and this could be picked up on by the Galnet reporter, as in the following examples:
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***Example Galnet War Correspondent, Week Ending 1st October 3303***
This week of the conflict saw heavy activity in the Pleiades region but only occasional incursions into the heart of human-occupied space. Losses were incurred most heavily in the Maia and Merope systems but the key battle took place in HR 1185, with the Indra taking heavy damage. Her hyperdrive is currently under repair and will require several days to be made operational..
Total losses reported this week to Thargoid attacks:
Federation:
1 Farragut class battlecruiser, the FNS Perseus, MIA since leaving Maia on 28th September, presumed destroyed
14 Federal Corvettes
19 Federal Gunships
22 Federal Dropships
18 Federal Assault Ships
15 Lakon Type 9 Heavy Transporters
12 Python Light Cruisers
46 Eagle Mk2 fighters
20 Vulture fighters
Empire:
9 Imperial Cutters
17 Imperial Clippers
45 Imperial Eagles
33 Python light cruisers
12 Anaconda fleet auxiliary freighters
11 Lakon Type 9 Heavy Transporters
Alliance:
13 Anaconda cruisers
14 Lakon Type 9 Heavy Transporters
22 Python light cruisers
30 Diamondback Scout fighters
51 Eagle Mk2 fighters
Elite Federation of Pilots:
7 Federal Corvettes
1 Federal Gunship
2 Federal Dropships
13 Federal Assault Ships
6 Imperial Cutters
7 Imperial Clippers
1 Imperial Courier
3 Imperial Eagles
9 Anacondas
12 Pythons
9 Fer de Lance
12 Vultures
18 Cobra Mk3
6 Lakon Type 9 Heavy Transporters
5 Lakon Type 6 Transporters
22 Asp Explorers
23 Diamondback Explorers
2 Orcas
As can be seen from the summary, this week has seen logistical convoys suffering the heaviest losses, as Thargoid attacks have been concentrated on supply lines and infrastructure. This suggests that these attacks may be a preliminary phase prior to weaken human defensive capabilities, or perhaps to establish their own territorial boundaries, but it seems likely that the Pleiades will continue to see heavy Thargoid activity in the coming week.1 Farragut class battlecruiser, the FNS Perseus, MIA since leaving Maia on 28th September, presumed destroyed
14 Federal Corvettes
19 Federal Gunships
22 Federal Dropships
18 Federal Assault Ships
15 Lakon Type 9 Heavy Transporters
12 Python Light Cruisers
46 Eagle Mk2 fighters
20 Vulture fighters
Empire:
9 Imperial Cutters
17 Imperial Clippers
45 Imperial Eagles
33 Python light cruisers
12 Anaconda fleet auxiliary freighters
11 Lakon Type 9 Heavy Transporters
Alliance:
13 Anaconda cruisers
14 Lakon Type 9 Heavy Transporters
22 Python light cruisers
30 Diamondback Scout fighters
51 Eagle Mk2 fighters
Elite Federation of Pilots:
7 Federal Corvettes
1 Federal Gunship
2 Federal Dropships
13 Federal Assault Ships
6 Imperial Cutters
7 Imperial Clippers
1 Imperial Courier
3 Imperial Eagles
9 Anacondas
12 Pythons
9 Fer de Lance
12 Vultures
18 Cobra Mk3
6 Lakon Type 9 Heavy Transporters
5 Lakon Type 6 Transporters
22 Asp Explorers
23 Diamondback Explorers
2 Orcas
Fly safe!
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***Example Galnet War Correspondent, The Defence of the Indra***
In the early hours of September 26th 3303, a force of five Cyclops class Thargoid Interceptors attacked the Megaship Indra in the HR 1185 system. The attack came without warning or provocation. A distress signal was sent and both the Federation and the Empire despatched rapid response units, until which time the local security forces, aided by members of the Elite Federation of Pilots, attempted to hold off the attack. The Indra's jump engines were quickly disabled in the early stages of the attack but within thirty minutes of the distress call being sent members of the Elite Federation of Pilots, equipped with the latest anti-Thargoid weaponry developed by Aegis, had managed to engage the Thargoid fleet and force a stalemate..
The INV Imperial Freedom and the FNS Nevermore and their associated battle groups arrived forty-five minutes after the distress call was sent and at once engaged the Thargoid fleet. In the ensuing melee, two Thargoid vessels were destroyed and the remainder withdrew in the face of superior firepower. Whilst the Indra was severely damaged and her hyperdrive disabled, she remains able to accommodate and resupply visiting ships. Both the FNS Nevermore and INV Imperial Freedom sustained moderate damage. Losses to the Federal battlegroup are estimated to be 3 Federal Corvettes, 5 Federal Assault Ships and 9 Eagle Mk2 fighters, whilst the Imperial Battlegroup lost 2 Imperial Cutters, 4 Imperial Clippers and 9 Imperial Eagles. 18 insurance claims by members of the Elite Federation of Pilots have been reported by the Bank of Zaonce from the site of the battle.
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The INV Imperial Freedom is reported to be remaining on station until the Indra can be repaired and restored to normal operating conditions.
***Example Galnet War Correspondent Bulletin***
Reports are surfacing of an engagement in the HIP 19072 system between Thargoid vessels and a Federal logistical supply convoy. Communications from the site are garbled but at least five Lakon Type 9 Heavy Transporters appear to have been destroyed, along with numerous escorting fighters and Python light cruisers. Pilots visiting the area should take extreme caution, as Thargoid ships may still be nearby.