Proposal Discussion Talking to players that are docked at the same station

[bowman9991]

Just had a thought (not sure if its already planned or someone has thought of it already!!). Why not list anyone that is currently docked at a particular station and allow players to easily communicate with each other while docked (chat or voice)?

So, for example, you dock at a station and there is sub-menu under "Contacts" that lists everyone also visiting and in the hanger. You can then chat with them if you want to - perhaps join a mission together? (joint mission listings in the Bulletin board too that require 2 or more players!).

Chatting while in space is more awkward as you never know if someone is going to attack you.

Later you could set up a Space travellers bar or lounge where you could meet other players in person (their avatars that is).

What do you think?

 

[Elessarus]

I love that idea. I made a suggestion a while back to be able to see my radar when i was docked so i could see who is a real player and who is an npc so i could make a chat with some guys.

 

[Hermit]

I can see the spacebar happening, once they implement a free-roaming aspect (whether FPS or third person), but right now it's difficult seeing who's coming in and going out of space stations. You don't have access to the ship radar once in the hangar, so you scan contacts.

I've scanned one or two other players whilst in the hangar. I was going to advise one them on how to change their name from the backer number they still had, but they logged out as soon as they landed

 

[Xorr]

Yep totally, if this isn't planned I'd be a bit worried!
One to one chat based on chance encounters is currently cumbersome and of not much use really, beyond the cursory 'oh hi!'. Though that may change once player interdiction becomes a thing.

Station open comms however is absolutely critical for creating that sense of arriving at something other than a dull empty container in space where you flick swiftly through the menus and move on to the next one.

I also like the idea that busy stations will be reflected as much with a busy local community, but when you go out to more distance reaches there will be few and it'll be genuinely exciting to find maybe one or two others in a station far away and exchange information and tales.

 

[Patrick_68000]

I had in past, suggested this idea. But for all the players who passed in the space station, for the last 24 hours. It would allow to have a rough idea of the place where is the player, that we hunt, eg

 

[wstephenson]

Great idea for Beta. But long term, what about the dramatic potential of trying to remain undiscovered whilst docked at the same station? It should be possible to see which ships are on the pads. Would knowing which ships are in hangars require a reputation-bound interaction with the station controllers (under Contacts)? It would make a 'kill mission more interesting if you had found out that the Viper The Black Pig is docked, but you don't yet know whether CMDR Pugwash is flying it or is it just in storage while he is off in one of his other ships.

TL;DR - I'd have a 'Sign in to station Comm Net whilst docked' option in the right UI panel for this proposal.

 

[KEY]

Absolutely love OP's idea about station chat AND -maybe lateron- the option to meet up at a station lounge/bar to chit chat with Avatars. It would surely not only add to the immersion that -like Xorr said- you're arriving at a station that is "alive" rather than an empty container where you drop off/pick up your trading goods and do some repairs/ship modifications, but it would also add to the community/finding new friends thing.

Thumbs up and signed!



PS: I can't lie, I would love to see 3D Avatars and maybe the ability to personalize them when it comes to looks/clothing. Doesn't have to be as huge/complex as Second Life is (eg), but a few options would be very neat.