Forums » Suggestions
Claiming sectors/systems/stations would increase RP
The background story could be you're surveying the sector for your government, collecting navigation data, etc., for them.
Maybe create a skill tree for surveying sectors, allowing for more credit the higher the player level in that skill tree.
The effects of multiple surveyors in the same sector would be cumulative (if same gov't affiliation) or, if from different governments, the effects would negate each other based on level, so a higher-leveled surveyor would simply "turn" the sector slower if an opposing, lower-leveled surveyor were in-sector with them, both transmitting.
You survey by equipping a (S)mall item, called a transponder, that, when "fired" or activated, announces to all governments that you are claiming that sector for your affiliated government. This transponder will be Itani, Serco, or UIT at first. Maybe you can only equip YOUR government's transponder...maybe you can help any government by equipping any transponder?
It might be cool to allow for a Guild transponder for those groups wanting to "carve out" their piece of the universe later on once the details are balanced out.
Each sector would need to be claimed, and "converted" before the entire System flips to the new government. The way a sector is claimed would be similar to mining - spend time in the sector with the transponder equipped and transmitting. While transmitting, you should be visible (at least by a directional arrow) or targetable by other surveyors in-sector, regardless of distance, to allow for those who would hide 30k out.
All surveyors would be considered potentially hostile. No automatic KOS while the transponder is off but no penalty for attacking them, either. Politely tell 'em to leave if they start transmitting....or else. In station sectors, maybe have a 10 sec countdown for accidental transponder activation that would set a temp KOS? After 1 min of unopposed transmission, they are KOS by that sector's "rightful" government? Thinking on the run, here...
Some sectors should be 'easier' to claim than others. WH sectors and station sectors, since they're constantly monitored, should slow down the claiming efforts. The closer the System is to the government's homeworld should also slow the claiming efforts down, probably exponentially to the point where it would be impossible to claim another government's homeworld system.
The thinking here would be long-term affect to gameplay...creating a 'purpose' for those of us needing one. It shouldn't be possible to "flip" an entire system in under a week, unless literally ALL Itani equipped transponders and went sector-by-sector in a system, transmitting. This would, IMHO, allow for a more protracted war between anyone who wanted PvP, and to allow for some actual RESULT of said PvP to affect gameplay.
Stations that "flip" allegiances...hmm...could do all sorts of fun stuff there. Maybe allow for different government equipment to appear? Higher-priced to reflect a learning curve on the part of the new manufacturing needs.
NPC's could go around "re-surveying" the partially-turned sectors back to where they "should be." Maybe they're escorted by some NPC fighters as well...or even have a combat surveying mission available so you could go as the surveyor or as escort.
That's all for now, I guess.
Maybe create a skill tree for surveying sectors, allowing for more credit the higher the player level in that skill tree.
The effects of multiple surveyors in the same sector would be cumulative (if same gov't affiliation) or, if from different governments, the effects would negate each other based on level, so a higher-leveled surveyor would simply "turn" the sector slower if an opposing, lower-leveled surveyor were in-sector with them, both transmitting.
You survey by equipping a (S)mall item, called a transponder, that, when "fired" or activated, announces to all governments that you are claiming that sector for your affiliated government. This transponder will be Itani, Serco, or UIT at first. Maybe you can only equip YOUR government's transponder...maybe you can help any government by equipping any transponder?
It might be cool to allow for a Guild transponder for those groups wanting to "carve out" their piece of the universe later on once the details are balanced out.
Each sector would need to be claimed, and "converted" before the entire System flips to the new government. The way a sector is claimed would be similar to mining - spend time in the sector with the transponder equipped and transmitting. While transmitting, you should be visible (at least by a directional arrow) or targetable by other surveyors in-sector, regardless of distance, to allow for those who would hide 30k out.
All surveyors would be considered potentially hostile. No automatic KOS while the transponder is off but no penalty for attacking them, either. Politely tell 'em to leave if they start transmitting....or else. In station sectors, maybe have a 10 sec countdown for accidental transponder activation that would set a temp KOS? After 1 min of unopposed transmission, they are KOS by that sector's "rightful" government? Thinking on the run, here...
Some sectors should be 'easier' to claim than others. WH sectors and station sectors, since they're constantly monitored, should slow down the claiming efforts. The closer the System is to the government's homeworld should also slow the claiming efforts down, probably exponentially to the point where it would be impossible to claim another government's homeworld system.
The thinking here would be long-term affect to gameplay...creating a 'purpose' for those of us needing one. It shouldn't be possible to "flip" an entire system in under a week, unless literally ALL Itani equipped transponders and went sector-by-sector in a system, transmitting. This would, IMHO, allow for a more protracted war between anyone who wanted PvP, and to allow for some actual RESULT of said PvP to affect gameplay.
Stations that "flip" allegiances...hmm...could do all sorts of fun stuff there. Maybe allow for different government equipment to appear? Higher-priced to reflect a learning curve on the part of the new manufacturing needs.
NPC's could go around "re-surveying" the partially-turned sectors back to where they "should be." Maybe they're escorted by some NPC fighters as well...or even have a combat surveying mission available so you could go as the surveyor or as escort.
That's all for now, I guess.
interesting idea, would add more targets to hunt for all nations and would make the Universe more dynamic. Would you need a Surveying License? Could you get better surveying equipment the better you were. Maybe this could be a way to add NEW star systems by surveying for new wormholes, opening new zones all together for guild claiming and populating.
maybe it would be a good idea to attach my warpgate idea to this. ;) That would allow this idea to function.
Im all for making certain areas of space player claimable (the areas that are claimable could be determined by your faction.) Id also like the ability to forgo all faction ties in order to be "freelance" this is a wholly pirate desire though, so i probably wont see it for some time yet to come. I can dream though
Excellent idea, and excellent post, Randomizer.. {bump}
Randomizer: Good post, and with a few additions, I fully agree.
Some of the nicities of claiming a station I think will arise out of the developers polishing off the parenting code that capital ships need to function well. So, turrets are actually tangentially a path toward what you want.
Also, Guild government interfaces (something not talked about much) are another step sideways toward claiming stations, because they give factions a powerful incentive for claiming stations/sectors/etc. if you can make money off them.
Some of the nicities of claiming a station I think will arise out of the developers polishing off the parenting code that capital ships need to function well. So, turrets are actually tangentially a path toward what you want.
Also, Guild government interfaces (something not talked about much) are another step sideways toward claiming stations, because they give factions a powerful incentive for claiming stations/sectors/etc. if you can make money off them.