I've noticed that now we get warnings 'entering conflict zone' and the like - which is neat, honestly, because it tells me when I'm flying combat-oriented 'Hey! There's stuff for you to do here!'
That said, I land at a station...which is CLEARLY in said combat zone, right?...and all is calm. I'm a huge fan of the Thargoid attacked stations and how cool they look and feel. Moody music, fire and explosions inside, rescues ships darting about. It's awesome! So...why not apply some of that immersion here, too?
What I'd suggest: when a system's factions are in a negative state, such as civil war or outbreak, stations owned by that faction reflect that state...with the most recent being shown (since it's possible for multiple negative states and we don't want to make this TOO complicated...)
Civil War
Inside: Propaganda Posters to 'Resist the Oppressors!', announcements to 'Fight the Insurrection', graffiti on the landing pads and hangar walls
Outside: 'Parades of Picketing' ships (all small and cheap, like Sidewinders and Haulers) and a heavier presence of system security
Chat: More blurbs and banter between system security, refugees, 'Racketeers' and Protesters
War
Inside: Damaged Pads, sounds of gunfire, signs of entrenchment (barbed wire, barricades, traffic stopped a security checks)
Outside: Battle - faction ships engaging in combat dangerously close to the station entrance
Chat: Similar to combat zones, reflecting the dangerous times occurring
Outbreak
Inside: Hazmat yellow EVERYWHERE, quarantine clearly in place, stockpiles of body bags or hazardous materials on landing pads, instructional signage
Outside: Heavy security presence (Large Ships) and cargo ships skinned as Aid vessels coming and going, scans much more common
Chat: Quarantine Instructions, Refugees lamenting lost or sick family, security reacting to illicit vessels
Bust
Inside: Dusty interior, several pads 'lights out' and not working, eerily quiet with no music, posters for job search agencies or Financial Aid
Outside: Virtually empty with only one or two security ships, only fighters, station itself seems dimly lit from outside
Chat: Residents complaining about no work, lack of certain commodities, or wishful thinking. Security complains of boredom or discusses getting new jobs
Lockdown
Inside: Similar to outbreak, barricades and security checks everywhere, lots of roving spotlights, NO traffic on streets, some graffiti
Outside: Heavy security presence and lots of scanning, Cargo Vessels labeled as 'Prison Transports' coming and going
Chat: Security is heavy-handed, prisoners complain of innocence or getting caught, security comments on how many being shipped out
You can of course do this exact same idea for positive system attributes, too! I'd love to see the BGS and its various states much more visually and audibly represented as we travel about. More immersion please!
That said, I land at a station...which is CLEARLY in said combat zone, right?...and all is calm. I'm a huge fan of the Thargoid attacked stations and how cool they look and feel. Moody music, fire and explosions inside, rescues ships darting about. It's awesome! So...why not apply some of that immersion here, too?
What I'd suggest: when a system's factions are in a negative state, such as civil war or outbreak, stations owned by that faction reflect that state...with the most recent being shown (since it's possible for multiple negative states and we don't want to make this TOO complicated...)
Civil War
Inside: Propaganda Posters to 'Resist the Oppressors!', announcements to 'Fight the Insurrection', graffiti on the landing pads and hangar walls
Outside: 'Parades of Picketing' ships (all small and cheap, like Sidewinders and Haulers) and a heavier presence of system security
Chat: More blurbs and banter between system security, refugees, 'Racketeers' and Protesters
War
Inside: Damaged Pads, sounds of gunfire, signs of entrenchment (barbed wire, barricades, traffic stopped a security checks)
Outside: Battle - faction ships engaging in combat dangerously close to the station entrance
Chat: Similar to combat zones, reflecting the dangerous times occurring
Outbreak
Inside: Hazmat yellow EVERYWHERE, quarantine clearly in place, stockpiles of body bags or hazardous materials on landing pads, instructional signage
Outside: Heavy security presence (Large Ships) and cargo ships skinned as Aid vessels coming and going, scans much more common
Chat: Quarantine Instructions, Refugees lamenting lost or sick family, security reacting to illicit vessels
Bust
Inside: Dusty interior, several pads 'lights out' and not working, eerily quiet with no music, posters for job search agencies or Financial Aid
Outside: Virtually empty with only one or two security ships, only fighters, station itself seems dimly lit from outside
Chat: Residents complaining about no work, lack of certain commodities, or wishful thinking. Security complains of boredom or discusses getting new jobs
Lockdown
Inside: Similar to outbreak, barricades and security checks everywhere, lots of roving spotlights, NO traffic on streets, some graffiti
Outside: Heavy security presence and lots of scanning, Cargo Vessels labeled as 'Prison Transports' coming and going
Chat: Security is heavy-handed, prisoners complain of innocence or getting caught, security comments on how many being shipped out
You can of course do this exact same idea for positive system attributes, too! I'd love to see the BGS and its various states much more visually and audibly represented as we travel about. More immersion please!
