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Well if all information is shared freely and instantaneously (i.e. Google maps) then all it would take is one player visiting one sector one time for it to be charted for all. In this case, why would there be any uncharted territory at all?
But let's back up a minute. Why should there necessarily be a universe wide map available to all? VO takes place in a time of war and distrust, just because today we have a worldwide database doesn't mean such a database would necessarily exist in the future.
In fact I find it more likely that separate corporations and nations would guard such information carefully rather than share it freely. They would use sophisticated jamming technology to prevent their space from being mapped and work to tightly control any information leaks. The only way to know something is there for certain would be to go there yourself, or somehow buy or obtain the information illicitly. A new space pilot just starting out would probably know little of the universe's geography beyond his/her own nation.
Would the Serco freely share their nation's information with the Itani? Would BioCom share maps of nearby asteroid belts with Axia? Would the Itani trust information regarding the location of the Serco capitol to their new recruits?
Rationalize it however you want in the end, from a gameplay perspective fostering a sense of the unknown and discovery is a good thing.
But let's back up a minute. Why should there necessarily be a universe wide map available to all? VO takes place in a time of war and distrust, just because today we have a worldwide database doesn't mean such a database would necessarily exist in the future.
In fact I find it more likely that separate corporations and nations would guard such information carefully rather than share it freely. They would use sophisticated jamming technology to prevent their space from being mapped and work to tightly control any information leaks. The only way to know something is there for certain would be to go there yourself, or somehow buy or obtain the information illicitly. A new space pilot just starting out would probably know little of the universe's geography beyond his/her own nation.
Would the Serco freely share their nation's information with the Itani? Would BioCom share maps of nearby asteroid belts with Axia? Would the Itani trust information regarding the location of the Serco capitol to their new recruits?
Rationalize it however you want in the end, from a gameplay perspective fostering a sense of the unknown and discovery is a good thing.
yes, more mystery is good. It gives you a feeling of wanting to discover stuff in stead of allready knowing everything.
It could allso be a good incentive for doing certain missions for example, wich give you acces to lets say Axia or Orion maps, or send you through space that you haven't charted yet, so taking the mission automaticly charts that part of space you have to travel through, or at least gives you direction to where you gotta be (X2 had a nice sollution for this, you actually had to interact with the npc's for directions).
Any way, this would definitely open a lot of new gameplay possibilities.
It could allso be a good incentive for doing certain missions for example, wich give you acces to lets say Axia or Orion maps, or send you through space that you haven't charted yet, so taking the mission automaticly charts that part of space you have to travel through, or at least gives you direction to where you gotta be (X2 had a nice sollution for this, you actually had to interact with the npc's for directions).
Any way, this would definitely open a lot of new gameplay possibilities.
Nation space should be viewable to a player right away and that is it, grey space, enemy space, UIT space the maps should have to be explored or purchased. Not everyone wants to explore <- I don't! but I will buy a map for a fee from someone who has explored! I am a convienence buyer, you have a map to dau senate where I can buy a Warthog WTD? ok! here's 20k thanks for help!
you know which grey sectors have really annoying bots and have marked them on your maps so I can avoid my slow as a brick moth getting ion stormed in there? ok! ill buy that map too.
Not everyone should have to explore and not everyone wants to but it is a good idea for those who do want to so an exploring/selling maps kind of thing would be good
you know which grey sectors have really annoying bots and have marked them on your maps so I can avoid my slow as a brick moth getting ion stormed in there? ok! ill buy that map too.
Not everyone should have to explore and not everyone wants to but it is a good idea for those who do want to so an exploring/selling maps kind of thing would be good
Yes, a little bit of info is good to start with. Then, make sectors explorable. Adding like triple the amount of current systems would be nice as well. And having cool things to explore in said systems would be even better. But, I guess we'll have to wait for the mission editor.
I like the idea of buying maps from stations, and stealing maps from dead player opponents.
I like the idea of buying maps from stations, and stealing maps from dead player opponents.
even mroe systems?
its already pretty darned unpopulated...
its already pretty darned unpopulated...
Wouldn't it be better to reveal the whole universe map, and then just make you explore to map/record details of stations, etc?
(such that after you explore a station, you will be able to recall a list of the commodities they sell there from the map, etc..)
Also, there could be unmarked objects/stations/artifacts which do not appear on the map until you discover them (like that tubular racetrack I stumbled upon in Sedina... wish that was on the map... no idea how to get back there; I don't remember where it was!)
(such that after you explore a station, you will be able to recall a list of the commodities they sell there from the map, etc..)
Also, there could be unmarked objects/stations/artifacts which do not appear on the map until you discover them (like that tubular racetrack I stumbled upon in Sedina... wish that was on the map... no idea how to get back there; I don't remember where it was!)
Awesome, Spellcast!
*Stamp of Approval*
*Stamp of Approval*
i second this ideea as well.
along with this it would be nice to restrict somehow or even entirely get rid of the chat channel 100, but that's doable only when at least a couple of thousand players are online, so it's practically undoable when i come to compute the odds for that to happen.
another way to implement this ATM would be to add some sort of shareable notepad (captain's log) that would have note pages asociated with each sector, so when you look at the map and mouse-over one sector you see if there's any note there. this personalized notepad can contain standard info that's put there when you enter one sector (how many bots and what kind of bots) which is available for the mission computer when you enter it, but also info you need to work for, like type of rocks available, secret portals, and so on.
i would allocate a certain amount of time to chart certain systems and i probably wouldn't share it to easily. also, this could be a good incentive to join a guild or even to be accepted in a guild, as you add value to it.
along with this it would be nice to restrict somehow or even entirely get rid of the chat channel 100, but that's doable only when at least a couple of thousand players are online, so it's practically undoable when i come to compute the odds for that to happen.
another way to implement this ATM would be to add some sort of shareable notepad (captain's log) that would have note pages asociated with each sector, so when you look at the map and mouse-over one sector you see if there's any note there. this personalized notepad can contain standard info that's put there when you enter one sector (how many bots and what kind of bots) which is available for the mission computer when you enter it, but also info you need to work for, like type of rocks available, secret portals, and so on.
i would allocate a certain amount of time to chart certain systems and i probably wouldn't share it to easily. also, this could be a good incentive to join a guild or even to be accepted in a guild, as you add value to it.
[What Zyl and Dihelical Synthesis said.]
I second this idea, too... that makes, what, 20 of us? Where is Incarnate, lol?
I've been hearing a lot of noobs saying they want to do "smuggling" as a profession, and this would certainly help in that specialization (i.e. the smuggler would buy maps to the places hes carrying items to).
The only maps you should have are your own nation's space, with everything else completely greyed out (maybe even some undiscovered wormholes, eventually?). Of course, the universe map is known by all nations at the moment, so that should be available to everyone. I'm hesitant to put a stamp of approval on the roid movement across sectors, though, because that would put some of the targetless data that people have collected to waste. Maybe a couple of "Turbulent" systems with sectors moving occasionally?
Anyways, this is a really good idea which adds an entirely new dimension to the game... along with capships could revolutionize game play.
I've been hearing a lot of noobs saying they want to do "smuggling" as a profession, and this would certainly help in that specialization (i.e. the smuggler would buy maps to the places hes carrying items to).
The only maps you should have are your own nation's space, with everything else completely greyed out (maybe even some undiscovered wormholes, eventually?). Of course, the universe map is known by all nations at the moment, so that should be available to everyone. I'm hesitant to put a stamp of approval on the roid movement across sectors, though, because that would put some of the targetless data that people have collected to waste. Maybe a couple of "Turbulent" systems with sectors moving occasionally?
Anyways, this is a really good idea which adds an entirely new dimension to the game... along with capships could revolutionize game play.
I think you should recieve a map of each captial system and the neighboring systems of the capital system you are in, with the locations of other systems of that nation, but no detailed maps. Greyspace should not exist on their map until they buy a map showing greyspace, probably at a more shady faction in UIT space (BioCom? TPG/Orion could show a map to Latos, where Xang Xi could sell other maps of greyspace. There's also Edras...). UIT maps might be for sale around Jallik and in neighboring UIT systems, Serco maps would be available in Arta Caelestis.
Example:
An Itani player starts with a map of Itan, Divinia, Eo, Setalli Shinas, and Pherona. Included are the wormholes to/in all other Itani systems. Greyspace is not visible until this player purchases a map somewhere around a border system. UIT space is not visible until this player purchases a map, probably in a border Itani system. Serco space would only be revealed when a map is purchased in UIT space or around Ukari/Helios.
My definition of detailed/undetailed:
Detailed is pretty much the same as the nav map we now have, maybe some of the asteroid fields/stations (Corvus) we see now missing (maps aren't perfect).
Undetailed maps show wormholes, planets, and suns.
I think maps should appear as a unit of cargo. Any map in any station's cargo would appear on your nav map. This opens up player trade and pirating.
Example:
An Itani player starts with a map of Itan, Divinia, Eo, Setalli Shinas, and Pherona. Included are the wormholes to/in all other Itani systems. Greyspace is not visible until this player purchases a map somewhere around a border system. UIT space is not visible until this player purchases a map, probably in a border Itani system. Serco space would only be revealed when a map is purchased in UIT space or around Ukari/Helios.
My definition of detailed/undetailed:
Detailed is pretty much the same as the nav map we now have, maybe some of the asteroid fields/stations (Corvus) we see now missing (maps aren't perfect).
Undetailed maps show wormholes, planets, and suns.
I think maps should appear as a unit of cargo. Any map in any station's cargo would appear on your nav map. This opens up player trade and pirating.
+1 to OP :}
Ancient post ressurected, but some good ideas deserve another live, after 2004 and 2006 lifes... Sounds good, make map a good you can trade, carry, loose if die... buy again... like an object that is loaded into your navcom.
As Tarenty said, basic map is free for all. Detailed ones are charged. Just like buying/equipping your ship with a NavCom. And you can upgrade it by mapping yourself or buy information.
As Tarenty said, basic map is free for all. Detailed ones are charged. Just like buying/equipping your ship with a NavCom. And you can upgrade it by mapping yourself or buy information.
Yeah, this is one of the (disturbingly.. many) areas that the game is well short of where I wanted to be. I concur, it would add a lot, and could be a really meaningful addition to the game. It could also tie into the intended (not-so-long-term) fogged "reef" choke points and things.