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regardless of wether or not you "were" alpha, the ideas are as they were IN alpha, so the statement stands.
I'm not trying to make it better JUST for me, but as you said everyone, and I don't see making it harder to communicate between the 45 people that are on each night an IMPROVEMENT, I see it as a hinderance. If you want to get more RP in the game, add missions that deal with the backstory. ADD things to the game, don't strip it down. It's already pretty bare bones as it is. And yes, it's getting better, and is MUCH improved from when I started playing, and even better then that from when it was in alpha as so many alpha/beta players have said.
Again. I just don't like this idea. But regarless of what I feel it's what the devs think so don't worry what I have to say, just give you opinion, I'll give mine, and we'll let them (devs) decide what goes in and what does not. =)
I'm not trying to make it better JUST for me, but as you said everyone, and I don't see making it harder to communicate between the 45 people that are on each night an IMPROVEMENT, I see it as a hinderance. If you want to get more RP in the game, add missions that deal with the backstory. ADD things to the game, don't strip it down. It's already pretty bare bones as it is. And yes, it's getting better, and is MUCH improved from when I started playing, and even better then that from when it was in alpha as so many alpha/beta players have said.
Again. I just don't like this idea. But regarless of what I feel it's what the devs think so don't worry what I have to say, just give you opinion, I'll give mine, and we'll let them (devs) decide what goes in and what does not. =)
I think it's a good idea. It would add much more realism to the game.
Now days even with pilots as I believe some one used them as an example, they do not have a magic com channel where the pilots flying over in China can talk to the guy flying down in Mexico, it just does not work that way. And even if it did why would it?
Why would Mr. Mexico care what Mr. China was doing? He wouldn't. Same is for the most true in Vendetta.
I also like the idea of adding a delay, after all we are light years apart (Or so the back story says) at every worm whole. So any way you would send messages though them would have to use relays and no matter how advanced they are they would have to take at least a little time. Again I think it would add realism.
I also like the idea of every one having a generated name or maybe a real sounding name and then a nick name. If some had the nick name Snake Eye they would also have to have a real name. So good ol Snake Eye would become: John "Snake Eye" Smith.
I think it would also add to the realism of the game and also make role playing allot easier.
Now days even with pilots as I believe some one used them as an example, they do not have a magic com channel where the pilots flying over in China can talk to the guy flying down in Mexico, it just does not work that way. And even if it did why would it?
Why would Mr. Mexico care what Mr. China was doing? He wouldn't. Same is for the most true in Vendetta.
I also like the idea of adding a delay, after all we are light years apart (Or so the back story says) at every worm whole. So any way you would send messages though them would have to use relays and no matter how advanced they are they would have to take at least a little time. Again I think it would add realism.
I also like the idea of every one having a generated name or maybe a real sounding name and then a nick name. If some had the nick name Snake Eye they would also have to have a real name. So good ol Snake Eye would become: John "Snake Eye" Smith.
I think it would also add to the realism of the game and also make role playing allot easier.
roleplaying is as easy as staying in character. end of story.
Sometimes realism and game play do not mix, this IMO is one of them.
Not being able to choose your name in an RPG or MMORPG is just wrong, but I agree that real names are better then "ProjectRagnarok" for instance (not flaming you PR =) )
Sometimes realism and game play do not mix, this IMO is one of them.
Not being able to choose your name in an RPG or MMORPG is just wrong, but I agree that real names are better then "ProjectRagnarok" for instance (not flaming you PR =) )
Hi. Just a quick reply on a couple of points:
It's always been our intention to "regionalize" chat as the player base increased in size. Potentially to sectors only, with a really rate-limited "solar system" wide hailing frequency, and then direct player-to-player messages over any distance. As things became too noisy, pull them back to shorter distances.
At present, though, it wouldn't be a good idea to do this.. I recently made the change to have newbies join 100 by default.. because a lot of them didn't realize 100 exists (lets face it, a lot of people don't like tutorials) and thought the game was completely devoid of players.
I think the idea of having chay delayed by distance would be kind of neat, in certain cases. I also always espoused the notion that more limited communications under certain conditions (like say, if you were exploring a new wormhole that had no comm relay in place, or were in a particular kind of storm) that might be interesting.
On a strictly historical and "realism" note: As some may be aware, I grew up on a sailboat in the middle of nowhere. My parents and I were all ham radio operators, not as a hobby, but as a necessity of safety. "HF" ham radio works on the principle of ionospheric bounce.. certain layers of the ionosphere are ionized and reflect certain radio frequencies at particular times of day. This results in "skip" and can allow people to talk very long distances using very little power. We knew a lot of pilots who were hams as well.. again, mostly as a safety thing. If you're flying solo over say.. China, it's still very much a useful thing to be able to raise a concerned person in Mexico (or anywhere at all) if you're afraid you're going down (or, sinking, for that matter). At least someone will know where you were (or thought you were) and can try and notify authorities. I just thought I'd point that out regarding the current real-world realism of long distance communications.
It's always been our intention to "regionalize" chat as the player base increased in size. Potentially to sectors only, with a really rate-limited "solar system" wide hailing frequency, and then direct player-to-player messages over any distance. As things became too noisy, pull them back to shorter distances.
At present, though, it wouldn't be a good idea to do this.. I recently made the change to have newbies join 100 by default.. because a lot of them didn't realize 100 exists (lets face it, a lot of people don't like tutorials) and thought the game was completely devoid of players.
I think the idea of having chay delayed by distance would be kind of neat, in certain cases. I also always espoused the notion that more limited communications under certain conditions (like say, if you were exploring a new wormhole that had no comm relay in place, or were in a particular kind of storm) that might be interesting.
On a strictly historical and "realism" note: As some may be aware, I grew up on a sailboat in the middle of nowhere. My parents and I were all ham radio operators, not as a hobby, but as a necessity of safety. "HF" ham radio works on the principle of ionospheric bounce.. certain layers of the ionosphere are ionized and reflect certain radio frequencies at particular times of day. This results in "skip" and can allow people to talk very long distances using very little power. We knew a lot of pilots who were hams as well.. again, mostly as a safety thing. If you're flying solo over say.. China, it's still very much a useful thing to be able to raise a concerned person in Mexico (or anywhere at all) if you're afraid you're going down (or, sinking, for that matter). At least someone will know where you were (or thought you were) and can try and notify authorities. I just thought I'd point that out regarding the current real-world realism of long distance communications.
Inhibiting chat due to ion storms, undiscovered wormholes I see no problems with, but I think in the furure we will be able to set up some relays that work pretty fast, maybe not instant but close enough. But, if there MUST be some sort of delay, make it based on the number of wormholes away. But really, all it's going to do is make your conversations take that much longer. And really, what's the fun in that? It's a game, not a sim of real life.
See, this is what happens when you focus all your angst and bickering on half a suggestion. The other half, which happens to be more or less agreed on, gets completely overlooked by someone who hasn't been following the thread from point one.
What of the anonymous ships idea Mr. dev-person?
What of the anonymous ships idea Mr. dev-person?
I'm all for anonymous ships, but I would want guild tags to be displayed, or have it optionally displayed. Kind of like flying a flag.
silentbob, I agree, guild flags should be shown regardless of you having exchaged IDs. this will also help the "grouping" effect of people, where you see guild tags and you *are* associated with the guild tag since that's what they *can* associate you with. it's down the same line as you seeing what nation the player is.
as for delaying the chat, the reason I want it is to make distance felt. if you want to make chit-chat with people, you want to be close to them. a 10-15 second delay is fine for "need help at the voy!". and actually, I don't see this as stripping it down as much as I see it as enhancing the setting and feel of the game. to me, this would increase the feel and the immersion of the game itself, since it'd make me feel a lot closer to the backstory (the whole war thing) and I'd also feel a lot more alone in the dark whilst depending on my nation or my guild to help me -- not whoever was around from any nation / guild.
as for names, maybe we should all get generated names but be able to add a callsign or something like that for yourself?
and genka, thanks for pointing out that the 100-stuff isn't the only thing on the table, and as people realize, once we get enough players, that specific debate can resurface. what I'd like for people to think about is the big picture, and in that picture, "who the *bleep* is that guy" is a lot more fundamental a change than anything else.
as for delaying the chat, the reason I want it is to make distance felt. if you want to make chit-chat with people, you want to be close to them. a 10-15 second delay is fine for "need help at the voy!". and actually, I don't see this as stripping it down as much as I see it as enhancing the setting and feel of the game. to me, this would increase the feel and the immersion of the game itself, since it'd make me feel a lot closer to the backstory (the whole war thing) and I'd also feel a lot more alone in the dark whilst depending on my nation or my guild to help me -- not whoever was around from any nation / guild.
as for names, maybe we should all get generated names but be able to add a callsign or something like that for yourself?
and genka, thanks for pointing out that the 100-stuff isn't the only thing on the table, and as people realize, once we get enough players, that specific debate can resurface. what I'd like for people to think about is the big picture, and in that picture, "who the *bleep* is that guy" is a lot more fundamental a change than anything else.
The "anonymous" ships idea definitely appeals to me, as does scaling back the scope of the various chat methods. It will make the universe feel larger and more imposing, and at the same time bring people into closer groups.
I especially like this stuff from the perspective of a guild like the Vipers. It would make grouping and being alert to other ships' presence a necessity. From our position, every ship is then both potentially in need of immediate defense and a possible threat.
I especially like this stuff from the perspective of a guild like the Vipers. It would make grouping and being alert to other ships' presence a necessity. From our position, every ship is then both potentially in need of immediate defense and a possible threat.
the hope would be that guilds would become a lot more important as they not only become your chat-buddies, but they're also your primary source of information and guidance. as you say, the VPRs would get to travel the trade lines in grey and look for anyone "hanging around", and, well, imagine the communications:
<VPR1> I have an unidentified Hornet camped at the WH entrance in Sedina B8.
<VPR2> Guild tag?
<VPR1> None. It's completly unknown to me.
<VPR2> Have you tried to talk to it?
<VPR1> Yeah, I hailed it a request for identification or purpose. No reply.
<VPR2> Okay, I'm inbound on your position and I've got a moth a jump ahead of me... Assume hostile and intercept?
<VPR1> 10-4, assuming hostile, intercepting.
of course, a neat part about the whole concept is that with transmission delays, UITs have a slight advantage when talking to members in grey, which again would be a nice tactical element. but if another VPR buddy, who happens to outrank VPR1 and VPR2 is in Itan doing some mining, the 12-13-14 second delay will make it tough to wait for orders if that hornet slides towards that moth...
it'll be a damn bit more fun to play that possible pirate as well, information becomes a commodity, you can try to pretend to be harmless (fly a Hornet MkII, you're a n00b coming down to get your first FC! please don't shoot!). so how do you deal with that? you ask for ID. if you don't get it, what'cha going to do? take the players word? nerves and tension abound as you just don't *know* anymore.
add to this that even if you get a name (but no ID, "I don't like to spread that out"), you don't know the person from something like 100. you don't know the person at all unless it's someone from your nation that you've seen on nation chat or something similar. and I think it will make the game *feel* a lot more like the war zone and the scary place I think it's supposed to be.
<VPR1> I have an unidentified Hornet camped at the WH entrance in Sedina B8.
<VPR2> Guild tag?
<VPR1> None. It's completly unknown to me.
<VPR2> Have you tried to talk to it?
<VPR1> Yeah, I hailed it a request for identification or purpose. No reply.
<VPR2> Okay, I'm inbound on your position and I've got a moth a jump ahead of me... Assume hostile and intercept?
<VPR1> 10-4, assuming hostile, intercepting.
of course, a neat part about the whole concept is that with transmission delays, UITs have a slight advantage when talking to members in grey, which again would be a nice tactical element. but if another VPR buddy, who happens to outrank VPR1 and VPR2 is in Itan doing some mining, the 12-13-14 second delay will make it tough to wait for orders if that hornet slides towards that moth...
it'll be a damn bit more fun to play that possible pirate as well, information becomes a commodity, you can try to pretend to be harmless (fly a Hornet MkII, you're a n00b coming down to get your first FC! please don't shoot!). so how do you deal with that? you ask for ID. if you don't get it, what'cha going to do? take the players word? nerves and tension abound as you just don't *know* anymore.
add to this that even if you get a name (but no ID, "I don't like to spread that out"), you don't know the person from something like 100. you don't know the person at all unless it's someone from your nation that you've seen on nation chat or something similar. and I think it will make the game *feel* a lot more like the war zone and the scary place I think it's supposed to be.
After thinking about it (yes, sometimes I do this before I post :P) I actually like the *you get a generated name* thing, i'd like to be able to chose my own callsign though, cos well, I like making up crappy names (this has been done throught the history of man, from naming spears, to *Maverick and Goose*) so I really see no reason why I cannot chose this and still RP.
I also definatly like the *dunno who the hell that itani pigdog was, but if i see him again, he's done for* feel the annonimous ship thing would create, and i'm guessing once the fabled *explore addon* is beginning to be implimented, (ie, hidden worm holes and sectors, unexplored area's, alien invasions, ect ect) some of this stuff could also be implimented to add to the feel of vastness, another issue atm is not just that everyone knows everyone, but that most know everything too.
And as for my big picture, I dunno, i'm still waiting for the devs to show me it :P but I havent got a clue where vendetta will be in 2 years, nor any idea where I would like it to be, afterall, i'm just another character following the story (even if that story atm is game development).
I also definatly like the *dunno who the hell that itani pigdog was, but if i see him again, he's done for* feel the annonimous ship thing would create, and i'm guessing once the fabled *explore addon* is beginning to be implimented, (ie, hidden worm holes and sectors, unexplored area's, alien invasions, ect ect) some of this stuff could also be implimented to add to the feel of vastness, another issue atm is not just that everyone knows everyone, but that most know everything too.
And as for my big picture, I dunno, i'm still waiting for the devs to show me it :P but I havent got a clue where vendetta will be in 2 years, nor any idea where I would like it to be, afterall, i'm just another character following the story (even if that story atm is game development).
simple. make the ID annomity thingy an Item you buy at like...level 4/4/4/4/0/0 thus, if a noob got it, it prob'o'lee ain't no newbie.
The only thing about (US Navy) callsigns is that you have pretty much no say as to what your callsign is. If you go in having made up a cool callsign, your squadron mates will come up with something unflattering. A pilot who shoots the wrong target may be called "Sniper," or someone who doesn't necessarily fly smart might be called "Bozo."
well, we don't have to take the US Navy view on callsigns. :-p
zamzx, letting only certain characters at certain levels be anonymous at will sort of defeats the purpose of it as a general concept of the game.
zamzx, letting only certain characters at certain levels be anonymous at will sort of defeats the purpose of it as a general concept of the game.
Thats true al, im not ameriacan, if my brittish buddies called me anything but yoda, i would kick there asses. :P
"height-challenged speech-impared green scaly rodent-like guy".
a bit long for a callsign, but hey, I'm openminded.
a bit long for a callsign, but hey, I'm openminded.
Well Im sure we could come up with some variations on yoda.:-) Hmmm *me wanders off to come up with things to add after yoda
YodaBorgOf
Errrrm, can we take it back on topic :P
they did say something about stealth, so, some of the other stuff is planned. :P
they did say something about stealth, so, some of the other stuff is planned. :P
my slightly rambling thoughts on the above thread
sector chat is for hailing ships on your scanner (short range ship to ship)
longer range (out of sector) comms should only be possible on guild, group, or nation chat (11) and buddy chat between players on each others buddy list
Private/msg should only be possible in same sector or if ship to ship comms have been previously established in sector chat , or guild group or nation chat.(they know each others 'phone numbers')
channel 100 is fine for general chat, discussion about game events , asking for help etc.
but 100 really doesnt fit into the game at all, it doesnt fit with the backstory or make sense when compared to real world situations. Waring combat pilots and soldiers shoot at each other, they dont spam each other with text messages, make friends or discuss the weather.
100 has nothing to do with roleplaying really, its more of a social community channel. Maybe the answer is to make all chat channels behave like channel 11 - i.e. be nation specific. that way the only way you could talk to another faction would be in sector chat, group , guild or private message.
if people really want and need a place to chat, regardless of the effect this has on the immersive roleplaying experience of others, then maybe there should be some access to a global chat channel - but only between stations. (Players must be docked to see it or send to it)
general chat will have then been effectively filtered out of the game, but still be there for the social aspect - the bars are the obvious places for this sort of chat - just make all station bars transmit on channel 100 and you can only read or send while in the bar.
sector chat is for hailing ships on your scanner (short range ship to ship)
longer range (out of sector) comms should only be possible on guild, group, or nation chat (11) and buddy chat between players on each others buddy list
Private/msg should only be possible in same sector or if ship to ship comms have been previously established in sector chat , or guild group or nation chat.(they know each others 'phone numbers')
channel 100 is fine for general chat, discussion about game events , asking for help etc.
but 100 really doesnt fit into the game at all, it doesnt fit with the backstory or make sense when compared to real world situations. Waring combat pilots and soldiers shoot at each other, they dont spam each other with text messages, make friends or discuss the weather.
100 has nothing to do with roleplaying really, its more of a social community channel. Maybe the answer is to make all chat channels behave like channel 11 - i.e. be nation specific. that way the only way you could talk to another faction would be in sector chat, group , guild or private message.
if people really want and need a place to chat, regardless of the effect this has on the immersive roleplaying experience of others, then maybe there should be some access to a global chat channel - but only between stations. (Players must be docked to see it or send to it)
general chat will have then been effectively filtered out of the game, but still be there for the social aspect - the bars are the obvious places for this sort of chat - just make all station bars transmit on channel 100 and you can only read or send while in the bar.