It depends. Powerplay done right would add a great deal to an already mature BGS- however its if it can be done in budget and if its worth the effort in return that is the big question.New question - do we think that Frontier is actually applying any kind of logic to their actions?
To be honest I have never touched Powerplay other than earning the PP weapons/modules. I don't really have any idea how it works so I won't pretend otherwise. I do have an in depth knowledge of the BGS though and I will say that the BGS could definitely do with some work being done on it too. Again, presuming that it was done right, so maybe don't ask Frontier to do it.
The issue is the BGS has the basics right, but conflicts, expansion and retreat are still quite vague to the layman. PP was intended to be (back when the BGS was very primitive) the combat 'layer', but as time went on the BGS has grown into what PP was supposed to do- it makes sense that a PP rework folds into that BGS but also brings more clarity to retreats, war etc too. Ultimately it would harmonise Thargoid conflict, human conflict and micro faction conflicts in one scalable system...if FD need an extra few months to achieve that then I'm more than happy (if they bloody tell usTo be honest I have never touched Powerplay other than earning the PP weapons/modules. I don't really have any idea how it works so I won't pretend otherwise. I do have an in depth knowledge of the BGS though and I will say that the BGS could definitely do with some work being done on it too. Again, presuming that it was done right, so maybe don't ask Frontier to do it.
)But "Powerplay done right..." isn't really a thing...
My concern is that by not announcing U16, FD are kind of hedging bets and not locking in that update.I have the impression that you'd be more than happy if there is a good update to PP/BGS even if you got told nothing before it got released..
I'm so close to unleashing several essays on Powerplay right now.But "Powerplay done right..." isn't really a thing...
Being fair, Open is really a shortcut to opposition since PP V1s NPCs were stunted by EDs wider design. Later BGS revisions have scope to have alternatives.Be sure to mention the open mode!
Speaking as a former full-time BGS player that ran my own group and regularly had discussions with many other full-time BGS players, including Jane Turner, I have to say that if the BGS went open only, as many people seem to want, the majority of the full-time BGS players that I know would stop playing the game.Be sure to mention the open mode!
The problem is (from a PP perspective) the PvE NPC opposition is nil as both shooting and cargo hauling are the most basic PvE ED ever had. Making PP more BGS like would then allow danger (from NPCs) to be priced in (via missions, ranks, merits moved etc).
Maybe the re-work should include a new NPC AI that is actually challenging? Could that possibly alleviate the need for it to be in open?
Its much, much simpler than that- in that give NPCs engineering and have mixed wings.
The biggest 'shock' ATR have is removing your ships shield. Build a hull tank and ATR are G5 Vultures / Pythons.
Its not easy
Im wondering if this new Thargoid Dynamic Campaign AI has something to do with it, perhaps it is a first taste of the tech that will be folded into that existing core mechanic overhaul. When viewed like that both PowerPlay as the core mechanic overhaul and the delay due to concentrating on the Narrative makes sense plus it is also tightly embedded into the BGS which is something Codebase 4.0 introduced. Either this AI has shown great promise and more ideas about a PowerPlay v2 have come out of this Narrative test bed or things have proven more tricky and so the same people who would be working full time on the Powerplay overhaul have had to spend more of their time getting it working in the Narrative. Seems to fit quite well.The issue is the BGS has the basics right, but conflicts, expansion and retreat are still quite vague to the layman. PP was intended to be (back when the BGS was very primitive) the combat 'layer', but as time went on the BGS has grown into what PP was supposed to do- it makes sense that a PP rework folds into that BGS but also brings more clarity to retreats, war etc too. Ultimately it would harmonise Thargoid conflict, human conflict and micro faction conflicts in one scalable system...if FD need an extra few months to achieve that then I'm more than happy (if they bloody tell us
