*** Vendetta 1.8.452.1
- Fixed error message on certain devices.

*** Vendetta 1.8.452
- New first-generation implementation of NPC-based Pirate Clans. Every
few days, one clan may spawn in a deep Grayspace system and invade the
wormhole sectors of that system with aggressive pirates. If an
individual NPC pirate ship is damaged over 70% (but survives), it may
then be followed back to another empty sector, where their capship
hideout may be discovered. Destruction of their capship hideout will
then result in all pirates leaving the system. A few days later, the
process may start again in a new location. This is only the most basic
framework implementation, but will eventually lead to more progression,
like badges, bounty hunting of specific pirate clans, conflicts with
the Hive and minor Factions, rare drops, as well as Clans gaining
strength over time and becoming a greater threat to the region if
their hideout is not dispatched. Stay tuned!
- Fixed issue with the Gamepad menu buttons not being visible on devices
with aspect ratios wider than 16:9.

Holy cow that was awesomely fun though. Making pirates have a dynamic growth system like the hive is great, and I cannot wait to see what you guys do with it in the future!

I do have a worry, though; will these pirate NPCs show up in random sectors just because pilots are there? Could be problematic for hosting events in Sedina, since thats where a bunch of the cool arena sectors are.

also of note, the itani blockade that moved through greyspace this time got killed by the pirates that jumped into their wormhole. the itani were slaughtered :P

i do hope the pirates and hive fight eachother

I do have a worry, though; will these pirate NPCs show up in random sectors just because pilots are there? Could be problematic for hosting events in Sedina, since thats where a bunch of the cool arena sectors are.

Currently, it is designed to deploy pirates only in the wormhole sectors of the system where the "hideout" is located. That might evolve over time to include stations and other locations, but not in the immediate future.

"I do have a worry, though; will these pirate NPCs show up in random sectors just because pilots are there? Could be problematic for hosting events in Sedina, since thats where a bunch of the cool arena sectors are."

Could they specifically ban them from certain sectors? That would solve that problem.

Don't see a problem here sounds like it would just add more targets to shoot at if they got in the way.

Coooool! Are these pirates gonna drop any cool loot when you kill them?

not yet, but as mentioned in the update, they are still a WIP and its a possibility. for now, they just engage anyone who happens to stumble into them at the wormholes. including Blockade bots and the rare Hive expansion, I suppose.

this is epic. im logging in now ok.

Lazy VO Pirate players...*grumble grumble*... can't even blockade grey space trade routes without AI assistance... *grumble grumble*...

But actually: Good work Inc., make grey space more adventuresome!

I'm a lazy Pirate, and although I'm still pissed about Inc stealing the LP on my hounds I might even sub again someday.

Cool deal on the AI pirates though. :)

i do miss gat ii hounds...

I'm a lazy Pirate, and although I'm still pissed about Inc stealing the LP on my hounds I might even sub again someday.

I don't mind he removed the Hound's LP, I mind that he was too fucking lazy to implement a tri-KOS exclusive, SP variant of the megaposi. The point of deleting the LP was to avoid swarm spamming, not cut the Hound's goddamn nuts off.

Chronically and intensely distracted, yes. "Lazy".. generally not?

Anyway, you may recall the original thread had some derailing angst challenges. You could certainly have bumped your suggestion thread (or referenced it) more recently, to attract attention.

ANYway, I'm glad people mostly like the new Pirate Clan stuff. And if you have some pet peeve that can be re-formulated into a non-angsty, positive suggestion, well hey! We have a forum for that!