when i used to play mtrek, it was possible to target another ship and then use an intercept command so that your ship would set an intercept course that was constantly updated. (this of course can cause problems, such as accidental or intential ramming.) the intercept command could also be turned off. (turning off the intercept would allow ships to stand off a little from their target.)

1) this would allow ships to fly in "formation" also.
2) this would allow pilots of ships, to prepare weapons, chat or perhaps target a little better.

just a thought.

An 'escort target' command would be nice, but an intercept command isn't nearly as necessary in a visual environment as it is in a text based environment. Besides which, do you want to fly your ship or do you want to let the computer? If you want to let the computer do the work, why not just play Earth & Beyond?

I think it is more fun this way.

Yeah it would be cool if you could toggle an autopilot that would maintain a constant distance between you and a teammate, making it possible for cool formations. The AI wouldn't actually engage with targets. It would just be used to maintain an escort course. Wouldn't be too hard to program, would it?

I think the key word here is 'try' to maintain a constant distance. Remember that lag would make actually maintaining a constant distance 'impossible'.

if a player is afk, he could possibly get into a formation with another ship and follow him around (even through worm holes). the "slave" ship would only be able to follow the "master" ship, until formation was broken. if the "master" ship is attacked, then the "slave" ships try to maintain formation as best as possible (but can not offer assistance unless they break formation).

Obviously an AI of any sort wouldn't be able to maintain a PERFECT constant distance between a ship controlled by a human player and your autopiloted ship. I mean around sharp turns and stuff your autopiloted ship would obviously bump ahead slightly but then slow down to reach that distance again. It won't be perfect but the point of it is to get the AI to constantly adjust your controls to go back to that same position as best as possible.