[Suggestion] Make Galnet more immersive and interactive

[Marc_Hicks]

So I was watching the Frame Shift Zero video yesterday, & the first thing I thought was "damn, why can't Galnet *really* be like that?!?!"

Now I recognize that full-fledged voice acting & animations for Galnet & local news services might be a "bridge too far", but it would be nice to see some relevant still images, & possibly even a "Newscaster" avatar, within the article (different avatars for different types of news). A Text to Voice option might also help to make it more immersive-particular for those of us on long Super-cruise journeys to our final destinations.

However, where Galnet & Local News articles could really shine is if they could help better link us into the galaxy we inhabit, through a sort of "Rumors, Tip-offs & Mission" system.

Some Galnet/Local News articles will be just that-news to tell us what is happening in the galaxy. However, some might have an interactive component. Reading a Galnet article could trigger an inbox message, offering the commander the mission/community goal based on the article they were just reading.

Another option is the Tip-off, where clicking on a hyper-link beneath the article will show you the relevant system within which the "events" are taking place, to encourage players to look into those "events". This is similar to a system they had in Frontier: First Encounters.

Last option is the rumor. When an article involves a rumor, reading it will get it added to your Commander's list of current rumors. Whilst interacting with a relevant faction, you might get the option to ask about the rumor in question (maybe as a favour), & they can provide more information-info that could lead to a "Tip Off" or "Mission" situation.

Anyway, just some random thoughts.

 

[Hydrino]

I agree.

The DDF goals for newsfeeds were also really good and I hope still pinned to the wall at FD towers. Links to locations in the galactic map are a no-brainer, but usually not too hard to find anyway.

Another thought along similar lines I have had lately, is FD doing something like GalNet out of game but using a strictly in-game look-and-feel. Link it in GalNet or to the Launcher each week. It could still add immensely to the experience of players. Ditch the newsletter effort as anything but short promo-blurb and sale items of the moment. Ditch 90% of the livestreams. Instead put that effort towards a weekly GalNet video using in-game footage and "canned" Elite graphics, add NPC avatars and use text-to-speech for the audio or maybe an FD employee. Obsidian Ant practically does this now in 4-10 minute videos with a lot of "stock" footage plus unique footage from news when he can get it.

 

[Gorr]

Imagine "sneak peak" button where we get some random images from actual development. =)

Doesn't necessary need to be followed by text, it would make them more misterious that way.