Forums » Suggestions

Let me hire a NPC transport

Jun 17, 2013 Kabuloso link
I'd like to be able to hire a Behemoth, fill it with whatever I want, and send it to deliver it wherever I want.
It will deliver it into my station inventory at destination.

Then, all I have to do, is to escort this NPC transport.
Jun 17, 2013 Faceof link
+1....
Jun 17, 2013 PaKettle link
You humans think in such small one dimensional terms....

I wanna trident or bigger if Im gonna pay!
Jun 17, 2013 Faceof link
im not human anyway:)
+1....
Jun 17, 2013 Kabuloso link
I just want to ferry my stuff and be able to fight back, at the same time.
Jun 17, 2013 Dr. Lecter link
This was an important and missing piece of basic functionality when it was first requested around a decade ago, and it's still needed.

Don't expect it before 2025.
Jun 17, 2013 Pizzasgood link
Um, you already can, Kab. I'm pretty sure that I've got more kills than deaths with my moth, if you only count the times I was actually using the thing as a cargo ship instead of for chuckles.

Also, keep in mind that escorting your NPC moth would not stop me from killing it. And I don't mean because you suck. You could be the best fighter in the game and I'd still manage to kill the moth before you'd be able to deal with me. NPC moths are very easy to kill.
Jun 17, 2013 Kabuloso link
Yes, Pizza, I'm aware that it is not pirate proof.

I'd add that this NPC transport, would only jump if the owner is 1km away. Or else, it would wait stopped at the jump point. So, it would still be possible for a trader to negotiate with the casual pirate.

And, if the player logs off, the NPC transport don't. Better for the pirate.

The price, I'd suggest to be the ship's price (plus a power cell), plus an additional per jump. And, if the NPC ship survives, it's sell price at destination is given back to the player.

About fighting back with a behemoth... never tried. I feel impotent driving that brick.

And Lecter... 2025? Not even Soon (tm)? I understand that it requires a lot more thinking to avoid creating other exploits, and will demand some precious Dev time. So, I hope it fits with Inc's ideas for 1.9 and 2.0, then maybe it come's before I loose all my hair, heh.
Jun 17, 2013 Alloh link
keep in mind that escorting your NPC moth would not stop me from killing it

That's exactly why it is a very interesting and balanced feature. I tried to implement it in PCC, but it would become too complex to give cargo to NPCs and get it back at destination... if we had Variables, that would be feasible...

+1 to be able to hire NPC freighters, from an Atlas to a Trident, with its corresponding price, and a safety fee returned if NPC reaches destination. Preferably thru a user-provided route.

Since the Safety Deposit is more expensive than NPC ship value, no absurd exploits as the 4C - "Convoy Cancel and Collect Cargo". So absurd that seems more suited to pirates than real escorts...
Jun 17, 2013 Pizzasgood link
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Dear Ford,

As a vehicle user, I am growing rather tired of replacing my vehicle every time I encounter a red light. I respectfully ask that you include a system to halt the vehicle when approaching an obstacle.

Sincerely,

Kabuloso

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Dear Kabuloso,

Here at Ford we take every letter we receive very seriously. We found your request particularly concerning, and have therefor studied the issue quite thoroughly. We believe that we have found a solution to your predicament, and by the time that you are reading this letter, we will have already deployed the new feature to all Ford vehicles. To unlock this new "halting before impact" feature, you will need to follow a very simple procedure, which is outlined below:

First, put your driver's license (assuming you have one) through a shredder, and then walk to the nearest Driver's Education class. If you have no license, then you may simply walk directly to the class without shredding anything. Under no circumstance should you attempt to substitute your hair for a missing drivers license when attempting a shredding. Any damages that may result will not be covered under your vehicle's warranty.

Having arrived at the Driver's Education class, you should enroll in the class and attend all class sessions until successful completion of the course has been achieved. Please pay particular attention to the usage of the "Brake Pedal". We are aware that some people find this to be a slightly odd concept, so do take the classes seriously to minimize potential for injury. Rest assured that our top engineers are currently at work making it even more intuitive than we feel it already is.

When the class has been completed successfully, find a (please excuse the use of a technical term here) "sap" to drive you to your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and provide a functioning and legal donor vehicle for the purpose of completing the driven portion of the test. Ideally, this "sap" should be wealthy, and the vehicle in question cheap, but any combination will do in a pinch so long as the vehicle functions.

Once you have arrived at the DMV, please approach the counter and notify the bored looking official* on the other side that you wish to complete a driving test, and then follow their directions. You may need to schedule an appointment and return at another time. We here at Ford realize this is inconvenient, but it is an unfortunate reality when outsourcing the testing. We do hope to make this a completely in-house process someday. At any rate, ensure that you and the donor vehicle are both present at the DMV at the correct time to take the test (the presence of the "sap" is not typically required, but you may wish to confirm this with the local official). Do not neglect to take the written portion of the exam, which usually precedes the driven portion. You may wish to study and practice for both portions of the test, as failure in either may result in the need to re-schedule and retake both parts of the test. Note that in many jurisdictions, a fee may be charged and a photograph will very likely be taken.**

Upon successful completion of the test and the issuance of driver's license, you will have unlocked the ability to halt before obstacles in all Ford vehicles via utilization of the "brake pedal" you will have learned about, and even those of most of our competitors. And as fair reimbursement for your trouble, we have granted you the full halting package, which, once unlocked, will allow you to halt at any arbitrary point**.

You may now at your discretion return the donor vehicle to the "sap". Please enjoy the new functionality!

*Appearance of the official may vary. This is a consequence of contracting out the testing and will be resolved when we at Ford are able to complete our vertical integration plan. In the meantime, please be aware that officials may alternatively look overwhelmed, domineering, or undead, or any combination thereof.

**To the best of Ford's knowledge, photographs do not steal souls. If, after having the photograph taken, you find yourself lacking of soul, you should first question whether you had any to begin with. Once you have confirmed that your soul has indeed gone missing, you may desire to search for it. While this is understandable, please wait until the licensing process has entirely completed, as that will enable you to use your Ford vehicle to search more efficiently, and augmented with new halting technology. Additionally, it has been our experience that listening to the vehicle's radio system can lead to an accumulation of soul without any need to travel.**** Should your vehicle be lacking a radio system, please take it to your nearest Ford dealership upon completion of the licensing process. The representative there will be able to assist you in acquiring one.

***Performance will vary with road and vehicle conditions. Additional mass will impair performance. Application of feature within inappropriate locations may carry safety and legal consequences. Do not use feature while under the influence of alcohol or other mind altering substances such as medication or illegal drugs. Use of the feature in a standard vehicle will require at least one working foot. If you have no working feet, please contact a Ford customer service representative immediately and we will do our best to fit your needs.

****Radio performance is highly regionally dependent. Tall objects and heavy electrical activity, including terrestrial and solar weather, can impact reception. Availability of soulful music also tends to be regionally dependent. We at Ford advise locations in and about Detroit for maximum soul accumulation. Some people may achieve better results in New Orleans, Atlanta, or Nashville, however, as there can be extreme variation between individuals. Even California, which is often reported to be soulless, has been found to have soul regenerating properties to those of the right inclination. In short, your mileage may vary.

Sincerely,

Ford Motor Company

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Jun 18, 2013 Kierky link
Holy shit ahahahahah
Jun 18, 2013 Kabuloso link
Jun 18, 2013 Touriaus link
...

I.. I Think I need to lie down..