They said the Thargoid plot would be dynamic based on player reaction.

[Winterwalker]

Just to point out, it wasn't my line

All good Commander. Apologies too, because I recognise that.

I guess I'd go back to what I was thinking about how you could have detection / research mechanics in game, when essentially you can only discover something the once. Once discovered it becomes old news so people will then stop playing it. The advantage guns have over that, is that you can use the same guns to shoot any kind of target, so essentially the same mechanic is easily reusable. Only pointed out because that's a real problem the devs are faced with when facing bang-per-buck decsions in development. Text (forum) based mysteries are therefore a more cost effective and attractive way for devs to go ..

So the question is; if faced with the question, what would you like to research (peaceful gameplay), what's the answer to that?
To communicate .. to what end?
To trade .. what's the trade?
To discover? ..

I actually think the last might be where FD are headed on this because there is an exo-biologist due to speak at the Frontier Expo in October. I think we might see a line of discovery - even player inspired speculation - about exotic species, if the community is able to be forthcoming with that in a technical sense, ie. reasonably well aligned with real exo-biological theory.

Those though are just of the top of my head. Hopefully others have other ideas of what they would like to know about the aliens. When there's a defined idea of that, then mechanics are easier to design?

 

[Ian Skippy]

Unless they now support dynamic campaigns I don't think so, it will be directed from the hands of FDEV just as it always has been done, and I'm not complaining about that.

They already have the mechnics for an automatically updated dynamic camplaign influenced by all players. Its called powerplay, and you could easily borrow some of those mechanics...

 

[S3B4ST13N]

I dont see the 'change'. There will be a war. The war evolves depending on how well we perform. I imagine they borrow elements from PP to create a Thargoid bubble, for example. They may target regions for attack, we may counter attack, and the bubble grows, shrinks and moves.

Oh now that's an interesting thought...

 

[Ralph Vargr]

I will not fire upon anything unless being fired upon.

ROE Bravo. Condition Two. Well done.

 

[Ralph Vargr]

I dont see the 'change'. There will be a war. The war evolves depending on how well we perform. I imagine they borrow elements from PP to create a Thargoid bubble, for example. They may target regions for attack, we may counter attack, and the bubble grows, shrinks and moves.

That's why Power Play was created.

At long, long last, we know why Power Play is in the game.

Everything that has been implemented in this game (save CQC), was in preparation for the Thargoids.

So, this GAME is a Thargoid Plot. Railroaded in the finest Killer DM fashion.

 

[mojonaut]

Then we'll get the usual buff/nerf balance passes (Thargoid Edition) and the accompanying mega thread.

.... and this will take several months of Lead Designer time while the rest of the game is left to fester as usual.

 

[Ralph Vargr]

We really shouldn't worry. Making the game all but unplayable for all but the top 5% combat pilots in the top 5% combat ships, would only lead to one thing. A large number of players leaving for being unable to progress, and quite possibly, irreparable damage to the game's reputation, which is already bad enough in attracting new players.

I imagine the Thargoids will be hard to kill. I imagine co-operation will be essential in killing them. That's fine. That's actually what I said a while ago, on what I think should be added to the game: Raid-style gameplay.

But the game has to accommodate all players. So no, the galaxy won't become, I suspect, an unplayable mess where all but the aforementioned top 5% will die every five minutes.

The people who are saying the game will be an unplayable mess are either deluded, and think that Frontier is about to abandon a large (note the lack of claiming majority) portion of the player base, which is responsible for a hefty sales Base in the format of skins. Frontier does not want to lose those sales.

Or, those claiming armegeddon (spelling?) are outright trolling passive players for a cheap forum laugh.

I suspect Frontier values coin over laughs. They are, after all, a business.

Blast! Out of rep.

No, I don't speak for everyone. Just most males aged 12-50

(I wonder what the ratio of violent to non-violent games on the market is? Or how much market share violent games enjoy over non-violent. I'm sure the numbers are as to be expected.)

I'm waaay past fifty.

 

[Winterwalker]

That's why Power Play was created.

I've thought it for a long time actually. Copy/Paste the map to see Thargoid controlled territory.

(Do it again for a killer virus)

Spoiler

[video=youtube;wzpFma-MbTw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzpFma-MbTw[/video]

 

[ElectricZ]

That's why Power Play was created.

At long, long last, we know why Power Play is in the game.

Everything that has been implemented in this game (save CQC), was in preparation for the Thargoids.

So, this GAME is a Thargoid Plot. Railroaded in the finest Killer DM fashion.

God, I hope not.

In its two years since inception, what has PowerPlay accomplished? What game mechanics have changed? How has it "shaped the galaxy" considering that it has its own rank and currency structure (PP levels and merits), has little or no effect in the appearance or behavior of its "exploited systems," never implemented a collapse mechanism to depose of failed factions or introduce new ones, and is ignored by 90% of the playerbase?

I suppose the introduction of the Thargoids and Aegis can now be used as an explanation as to why there has never been nor will there ever be true military career paths utilizing the rank structure, or why conflict zones like the current Empire vs Fed ones in the CG let you switch sides freely, back and forth, without any damage to reputation or even memory that it occurred from either side. It was because all along, the Empire and Federation KNEW the thargoid threat was coming and they were going to have to work together, right?

I really, really want to see the Thargoids as a persistent threat with in-game mechanics and consequences, and not a random encounter with occasional community goals requesting that pilots "Collect thargoid components from conflict zones around Merope for study." Or worse, a Power-Play like faction where you have to deliver "30 tons of Anti-Thargoid propaganda" to a drop off location every 30 minutes for merits.

Otherwise it's just more of the same with reskinned enemies, and recycled engineer mechanics required to fight them.

 

[Ralph Vargr]

Otherwise it's just more of the same with reskinned enemies, and recycled engineer mechanics required to fight them.

They would *never* do that.

 

[Deleted member 115407]

I'm waaay past fifty.

Meh, you play video games. Still a spring chicken!

 

[Deleted member 115407]

I can't help but feel as if the way 2.4 is unveloping is a big kick in the teeth to the likes of Canonn and all those who would rather research and develop with the Thargoids rather than shooting them.

Anyways, like I said - you people have had plenty of time to snuggle with your alien buddies. Now it's our turn to shoot at them.

 

[TartanDragon]

Anyways, like I said - you people have had plenty of time to snuggle with your alien buddies. Now it's our turn to shoot at them.

 

[Deleted member 115407]

https://s26.postimg.org/e17pthu3t/202-_Tropic-_Thunder-quotes.gif

lol +1

 

[yodajedifishmaster]

tbh the pvp crowd subsection who just want to shoot everything rather than have meaningful gameplay will be the ones determining thargoid interaction. so basically, galaxy war 2 is about to begin.

 

[Vasious]

tbh the pvp crowd subsection who just want to shoot everything rather than have meaningful gameplay will be the ones determining thargoid interaction. so basically, galaxy war 2 is about to begin.

Isn't shooting Thargoids PvE?


Really more the looting and vandalism of barnacle site and alien sites may have set the tone

 

[Heater]

I think it's an FD plot to get everyone to support the FED's....
after all, it is always the FEDs getting attacked!

 

[ebbrell]

Its more like Feds attacked them. and thargoids shoot back

 

[Cosmos]

When all you're given in game by FDEV is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.

This ^

 

[lysan]

We really shouldn't worry. Making the game all but unplayable for all but the top 5% combat pilots in the top 5% combat ships, would only lead to one thing. A large number of players leaving for being unable to progress, and quite possibly, irreparable damage to the game's reputation, which is already bad enough in attracting new players.

I imagine the Thargoids will be hard to kill. I imagine co-operation will be essential in killing them. That's fine. That's actually what I said a while ago, on what I think should be added to the game: Raid-style gameplay.

But the game has to accommodate all players. So no, the galaxy won't become, I suspect, an unplayable mess where all but the aforementioned top 5% will die every five minutes.

The people who are saying the game will be an unplayable mess are either deluded, and think that Frontier is about to abandon a large (note the lack of claiming majority) portion of the player base, which is responsible for a hefty sales Base in the format of skins. Frontier does not want to lose those sales.

Or, those claiming armegeddon (spelling?) are outright trolling passive players for a cheap forum laugh.

I suspect Frontier values coin over laughs. They are, after all, a business.

That is a bit dramatic isn't? In IL-2 some players can't even land their aircraft, not to mention take off with out damage, so there is a learning curve for you.
And it got many players playing the game.