Several years ago, I suggested to introduce
Software Upgrades.
Not only would this counter the dreaded "Module Inflation" but also leave the critical Modules vs. Internals untouched.
IMHO :
- any FCS, Sensor or Computer function should be Software in nature and not require any slot
So without any Module/weight/Internals balancing requirement, you can get
- Docking Computer
- Adv. Docking Computer
- SuperCruise Assist
- Planetary auto-landing (incl. selectable "hot pickups", where the Ship automatically retrieves the SRV)
- in-System navigation (full Autopilot, incl. Planetary waypointing & navigation)
- Hyperjump/Route management, offering Deep Space and detailed Route Filters
- Adv. Trade computer (in-System and Galaxy Map plotting by Economic priorities instead of classic Nav)
- "Codex/Lore", instead of unsorted Codex tables this connects the dots and incorporates any new Data gained from any Source, visually representing timelines or connected events in the Galaxy Map. Also assists any Code breaking or Puzzle solving.
- Exploration Computer (vastly improved Galaxy Map & Route filters, incl. all Codex Data, all personally discovered items, Routing Simulator, highly optimized Neutron plotting, Waypointing, Stellarium, Visual ID & Nav based on visual marking of observed Objects in the Galaxy backdrop)
- Adv. Mining Package (flight path and already mined locations marked in Navigation, allowing for a more structured approach to mining; local yield assessment and statistics about the quality of visited & sampled Mining locations, tracking of discovered Hotspots)
Very broad spectrum, all Optional, maximum flexibility and all possible flavors served. None being the wiser. Don't like it? Don't buy it - or disable it in the right Panel when equipped.
Otherwise, in a few years I sense a stock Sidewinder might have more Internal Slots available than an original Type-9 used to have at Release lol
(just yesterday I hopped into my Sidewinder and put the 2 new Slots to use.... and thought "damn, this tiny Ship is now offering a huge amount of Internals. Where does all this tonnage even fit inside it ?!")
PS.
I fully realize our Ships are (in mechanical essence) just glorified Vanity Cams surrounded by Cockpits and UI & Audio, with all Ship stats just being entirely arbitrary numbers chosen for balancing.
That balancing though is what gives them credibility and immersion, so seeing Ships grow upto 256tons (Type-9 buff) or a tiny Sidey suddenly take "Singularity Cargo racks - needs no physical space" feels wrong, even if the Ships benefit or deserved a buff.