The latest news post dated October 23rd. http://www.vendetta-online.com/h/news_28105.html

(Edited by Incarnate, here is the screenshot for now):

\o/

[edit: thx for the screenshot!]

Looks like there was one, actually, but it isn't working.

That's interesting. It's not supposed to post until I run the script. I would guess something is automatically running the script now.

The newspost isn't done yet, hence the lack of screenshot.

Drain weapons sound awesome, what about weapons that add weight to the enemy ship?

Ok, there is now a screenshot. I think the site is automating updates now, to make sure Events are posted, but that was still only supposed to be once a day (and I thought, late at night), but whatever. Anyway, there it is.

Keep in mind that we're only able to vary the Trident geometry so far while maintaining the same texture coordinates that allows us to re-combine assets and keep texture memory/download from going overboard. So it's a variation, but obviously a fairly similar one.

Drain weapons sound awesome, what about weapons that add weight to the enemy ship?

Eaauh? It's possible, but that would be kind of an odd concept to explain. Like that sticky-ball security system from The Incredibles, except every ball is made out of Samoflange? Heh.

The energy-draining concept is more about moving towards weapons that allow the option of disabling rather than simply destroying.

Think a flare variation that explodes with a weighted magnetic liquid core that attaches itself to the outside of the ship and slows weight by 100kg stacking up to 400kg total debuff persisting for 20 seconds resetting the timer on a hit. (numbers fungible)

Hybrid weapons that do moderate damage and disable. My point is that if you're going to build weapons that disable ships, modifying the weight feels on balance more imporant. A weapon that reduces energy may seem very useful for disabling but you need to modify the weight of the ship for the actual maneuverability/acceleration debuff. If I had a choice of the two weapons i'd almost always choose one that adds weight to your opponent, but i'd love the option of both.

Also I really don't like the picture, i'd lose the extra pylons and just go with subtle changes, but it's a question of taste really.

My point is that if you're going to build weapons that disable ships, modifying the weight feels on balance more imporant.

What? I'm not sure how it "feels" that way. The value in energy is mostly because it was simple to do, but it also allows things like drain-mines that can be laid in a wormhole area and completely prevent a convoy from being able to jump out at a critical time, and all sorts of other stuff.

I see little bearing to changing the weight of an enemy ship, or what that has to do with disabling them. When I say "disabling" I mean like "their engines stop working and they're sitting in place". Not "making it harder for them to fly".

Changing mass sounds like a quirky thing to do to someone during 1-on-1 combat. But not a meaningful way for a pirate to run down and cull two ships out of a fleeing convoy.

Anyway, discussion of stuff beyond the scope of the items in the actual post is best served by a Suggestions thread.

It's on topic we're talking about the new weapon type.

All I meant was if you just drain their battery with a weapon they aren't going to stay in place at all, quite the contrary they are going to use their cruise thrust to twirl around or diamond strafe until they get enough energy to vector away. Do you mean you are going to make it disable the cruise thrust of the ship too? like EMP?

If you reduce their weight you directly impact their ability to vector away (i.e. where they use their turbo to change directions rapidly and get away from ships like the hound which has bad weight/turn/thrust ratio compared to say an atlas x). Weight reduction is much more useful in that situation for the pursuer than energy reduction would be, because they are turbo tapping anyway. So that is how in your pirate chase scenario it's going to be more useful.

Don't get me wrong, I love energy draining weapons, I just try to make it a point if i'm going to criticize something to also suggest a solution or alternative.

Keep up the good work.

Not everybody thinks the mass-adding Fat-Cannon is a good idea, TRS.

also lol @ "vector away"

Inc, did you guys shrink the engine housings on the Trident Type S or is that just a perspective trick?

Do you mean you are going to make it disable the cruise thrust of the ship too?

I'm not sure how I can be more specific than my previously stated "their engines stop working and they're sitting in place". I did not say that's what removing energy would do, I did say that was my definition of "disabled".

You're reaching on that mass thing. I'm not against it, it might be an option, but will it have huge strategic implications for dynamic warfare? No. How about stopping an entire fleet from jumping out, long enough to hit them Avalons? Yes.

And no, it's not on topic, you're asking for another, completely different weapon type. That's like me posting a new capship variant and you asking how about I add this other, totally unrelated capship variant with different properties. Suggestions have their very-own forum.

Inc, did you guys shrink the engine housings on the Trident Type S or is that just a perspective trick?

Erm, not sure. There is some perspective in the image, the nose on that one is quite long. But it could be both.

Cool beans :)

So who wants to sell me a Siepos Data Agg? ;)

Faille.

Wow, great News post. Thanks Inc.

you're asking for another, completely different weapon type.

Not at all, I am simply making the point that energy reduction on its own is not very useful.

The same can be said about concussion. On it's own it isn't especially useful but combined with the high damage and other properties of the sunflare it becomes the most popular weapon almost of all time.

I guess the actual question is do you have any idea of the specifics of the weapons you plan to create with the mechanic and what other disable mechanics are you looking towards in the future? (which is where weight comes in)

Oh and most importantly, will they be re-loadable?

Adding mass is irrelevant when trying to pin down a trident so it can't just rapid-jump all over the damned place. +1 to energy leaches.

Are you kidding, TRS? Energy drain weapons have a huge application for gameplay. Nearly everything is limited by the power cell right now.

The only possible application of drain weapons are preventing turbo, preventing jump or preventing fire by energy weapons.

I'm merely interested in what other disable mechanics are being considered as a point of curiosity.

But don't let that stop you from being so dramatic about it ARF! Oh the POSSIBILITIES!!@!#!!!

Jesus shut up TRS. (that was a prayer)

I think all long-nosed tridents should have the ability to adhere a hood ornament.

Can't WAIT for the energy weapons (though clearly we have to...). Really great to see some priority is being put on some new stuff that will really change gameplay -- outside the box thinking. Hopefully they'll have a completely different look too, and not be just some generic pulse of light. Swarms have been so lonely in the cool-looking-weapons category.

The new charge cannon shots actually look pretty cool, but the weapon's not particularly effective when used as-intended.

/me starts cranking out extra 80MW pulse engines for the Type S muscle-ship market.

Got any Type P screenshots? :)