Shouldn't we be focusing on the actual way player groups are being integrated into the game, rather that harp on this old tired model of empire building. FD are planning a feature that would put player groups right into the BSG. Right into the heart of how this game works, yet you seem driven to recreate someone else's vision. What you are asking for is just the same old offerings you see in every F2P game you can download. Let's move ahead to the plan that seems to be coming.
Dwelling on the features that every game has, even though the Dev's have a different approach is completely counterproductive. Get the info on how integration with minor factions will be done. Consider the ways you can meet your goals with the framework that has already been mentioned. Look to the future, instead of calling for the past.
The Vast majority of Guilds wont be empire builders. That's actually an emergent function of having a Game like ED with Guilds. If you have 400B systems some guilds are more likely then not to go out and forge their own piece of something, On there own, without permission, and without support. Just the way some guilds are.
As far as implementation goes, alright lets get that.
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Fleets In ED as I see them:
What is a Fleet:
A Fleet is a Social structure in the game of Elite Dangerous which lets the people who join it, make use of the following features:
* Rank system
* Fleet Emblem (Can be pasted on Ship)
* Fleet Colors (Can be used for ship)
* Members list
* Ability to set Fleet messages, Daily Messages, and Notification to Members.
* Enables Officers to send mails to Fleet Members "En-mass"
* Keeps track of Online offline status and Location of members, as well as Last time logged in.
* Allows an officer to select which Power (if any) the Fleet is aligned with once every 3 months (Or some indeterminate time decided by FD), more on this later.
******** Created by a Player,
RAN BY AN NPC AI via preset variables and Fleet Democratic Vote system. - More on this below.
Breakdown:
Mechanics for Creating a Fleet in ED:
1. A player would navigate tot he Fleet screen which will be in the Galactic powers area (it will have 4 windows instead of 3 at this point, and Galactic Powers text on the menu button in your ship will be changed to "Allegiances".) Here the player would select, the Fleet window, this will be both the way to find a fleet, as well as the way to create one. I'll let FD decide on how the layout looks.
2. The Player would select "Create Fleet". And another menu would pop up:
* Choose Fleet Name
* Choose Fleet Tag
* Choose Fleet Colors
* Write a description about what your fleet is about or Does.
* Design the Ranks
*****
Design the NPC who will be the "Fleet Master" and make Decisions about Kicking, Promoting, etc, and what Variables the NPC will use to do such. (This can be changed only by the person who created the Fleet, and only once a month to avoid abuse). The Player who creates the Fleet will Automatically be placed as an officer and remain such, this player can not be kicked/Demoted or removed from the Fleet (unless Voluntary). This would include selecting the NPC's Portrait Avatar, Naming them, writing a bio if they wish, etc
* Chose a Power: Optional - An officer can switch this at a later date if preferred through a Vote to the NPC AI Fleet Master which will be Fleet Wide.
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If a power is Chosen anyone who joins the Fleet will automatically be Aligned with said power, if already serving a power they will be Converted to the new one with all risks and responsibilities as if they had defected.
Officers, Can do the following:
* Schedule Events
* Send Notifications and mails
* Propose Kick From Fleet Votes to the NPC Fleet Master who will then Anomalously gather the votes from the other Fleet members, and decide to Kick, or Reject the Vote based on results. (This will ensure Fleets can have the ability to get rid of negative influences within the Fleet, without giving direct control over such to any player, and thus making the process, "Fair" as a majority fo people would need to agree to the kick, the vote would last 24 hours and then the NPC Fleet master would make a decision
"Based on Votes Received").
* Propose a Demote "From Officer" Vote to the NPC Fleet Master, which will then send a Vote to the "Officers" and make a decision based on results of Received Votes after a 24 Hour Period.
* Propose a Promote "To Officer" Vote to NPC Guild Master, Follows the same rules as Demote Vote.
* Propose a Power Alignment Change Vote to the AI Fleet Master who will then issue a (Fleet wide) Vote to determine if it changes or not. Vote will last 24 hours, after which the change will wait for 48 hours, before taking place. (For obvious reasons).
* Recruit, and Invite to Fleet - Approve, Deny Applications
* Promote/Demote to All Ranks EXCEPT Officer.
* Manage Fleet Structures/Inventory/Bank Etc
Hit Create, a preview screen would pop up with the info provided etc, and the player would then confirm, and create the fleet.
- A player may leave the fleet for another (Or Just leave it) after a 24 hour cool down period. A Player may not join another fleet (If they chose to simply leave rather then instantly join another) For one week. Again to avoid abuse.
- An officer must Approve all Applications to the Fleet in order for a player to join.
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This allows Fleets (Guilds) to exist while simultaneously removing actual Power from any one persons hands, placing them in the hands of a neutral AI. As even if there is only One Officer, that Officer still must rely on the judgments and decisions of the AI Fleet Master in order to Kick, Promote, and Demote. (With the exception of the First Officer Promoted)
Let me know If I missed something.
~Mal
