Forums » Suggestions

/demandmoney

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Nov 19, 2009 skelbley08 link
I agree, this would be a useful command. I was mainly killed as a newb because:
1. I had no idea what the heck the red text up there was
2. I didn't know the command to pay
3. I messed up syntax (didn't know I needed quotes)

Obviously, I figured out 1, then ran into 2, then 3.
Something like this would go a long way towards giving new players a chance to survive. And while quitting after a few bad encounters is a cowardly thing, for those who are just learning the ropes and searching for a fun game, it leaves a bad taste in their mouth right from the start if they are killed right away and don't know why. A feature like this at least gives them a shot.
Nov 19, 2009 Tael link
I'd like to point out that every 'Noob' is not an illiterate moron. I've been around PCs for 20 years and I still had to spend an hour searching the manual, reading through chat commands and implementing/learning the VO specific syntax.

Alot of the communication elements in VO need some tidying up, and simplification. In fact there are several plugins which address the more common 'Chat' features which require the dexterity of an octopus to type out quickly enough.

The Tutorial idea is perfect. Having completed the beginner tutorials, I had no issues navigating VO up until I encountered the infamous 'Inco and his shotgun tutorial on'advanced' chat commands. ;P

If I had seen a tutorial on Chat commands I would have readily used it. So far most of my learning in the past fortnight has come from ingame help by veteran players.

So.. Vote One : In Game Tutorial "Advanced Communication Tips" (or similar title)

It doesn't even need to be a travelling mission, I'd be happy to read through it like the introduction to using Stations was.

As a new player, suffering because you had no idea in the first place, is frustrating. If I had an option and I didn't use it, then it certainly is my own fault.

Though I still feel a notable HAIL BEEP is needed.. chat /100 which I monitor always, can move very fast.. and when you're eyes forward and flying.. you easily miss commentary.

- Taele.
Nov 19, 2009 Dr. Lecter link
they are killed right away and don't know why

The reason is simple and clear: they left nation space.
Nov 19, 2009 Tael link
"The reason is simple and clear: they left nation space."

Yah, true. But we do have a kernel of Pirates who run the Turrets to hunt new players in Nation Space/Capital zones, now that's an above average unexpected death when you're trying to learn.

I'm behind that tutorial idea.. even the Grey Sector lockout before certain Licence levels has it's appeal. The prior seems more easily added via update as a My First Station Visit(tm) "infomercial" mission. :)

best,
Taele.
Nov 19, 2009 ladron link
The problem is, newbies avoid tutorial-type things as much as possible because they want to get on to the 'real' game; this is especially true for those that are on 8-hour free trials.

Something mandatory but non-intrusive (like an NPC pirate with some nice HUD-text warnings) would be the best way to do this, methinks.
Nov 19, 2009 vIsitor link
I think the meaning of "The Void awaits" is clear to much of VO and I see no reason to cater to the lowest common denominator by dumbing it down.

Actually, a hail like "The Void awaits" is hopelessly generic, Lecter. Easily mistaken for a generic 'hello', in fact, contrary to what you might like to believe. It only inspires fear because its your catchphrase, and we already know who you are (and what your intentions are). Sure, a name like "Dr. Lecter" ought to be something of a giveaway, but not everyone has seen Silence of the Lambs, and when your on your other alts you don't even have that excuse.

I'm not saying that you need to change your hail to a complete tutorial for your would-be victims, but given your reputation, just about the only people who would consider paying you either don't need to be hailed, or have no prior knowledge of who you are. Something as simple as "Your money or your life" would suffice, I'd think.

Also, I think an actual, honest-to-God chat commands tutorial would be a novel idea. The only real way to learn these commands effectively at-present is either to have some benevolent benefactor forewarn you (rare), or suffer the consequences first-hand (Happens a lot). Its not that these newbies "don't belong in grey", as Roda would like you to ignorantly believe, but that they've never had a chance to practice such things to begin with. At least with a tutorial, the victimized newbies could be set in the right direction.

An NPC pirate would be good in conjunction with this too (even if it is Roda suggesting it). Putting them on (or at least near) the nation borders would be best, as by the time the newbies reach B8 they're likely running into real pirates, and the whole point of the NPC is countermanded.
Nov 20, 2009 Dr. Lecter link
Something as simple as "Your money or your life" would suffice, I'd think.

Which is why I almost always say exactly that -- along with an express command to halt and the precise number of credits being demanded -- over sector chat once I've closed distance with a target. The ones that dally in silence or that try and flee usually get a "Last Warning, halt at once and pay."

But seriously, ANYONE who is in Grey and finds themselves being charged at by an unknown black ship, that displays as a Corvus Greyhound and which is being piloted by someone with a lot of PKs and a hail stating that the Void awaits . . . should find themselves a bit apprehensive about their immediate future.
Nov 20, 2009 toshiro link
Slap Wakaba marks on them. Newb badges! They are somewhere around the target box, in the sector list, and in the charinfo.

To remove it, you have to log playing hours (maybe 20?) on a char. I'm unsure how exploiting this could be avoided (people creating newb chars and tricking newbs into fighting them, thus racking up kills). Suggestions welcome...

Looks like this (for the lazy of clicking):
Nov 20, 2009 Tael link
"An NPC pirate would be good in conjunction with this too (even if it is Roda suggesting it). Putting them on (or at least near) the nation borders would be best, as by the time the newbies reach B8 they're likely running into real pirates, and the whole point of the NPC is countermanded."

Not unlike that Navigation mission with the chatty Veteran Spacefarer? Yah, that would be cool.

One could have the Player get jumped by the NPC Pirate, begin the chat command conversation and be saved by a couple of Border Guardians who scare off the pirate. Player learns to chat and survives the encounter unscathed.

A fair bit of work, but certainly immersive for Pirate encounters, if a little too soft on the player :)

I'm still sold on the basic infomercial read through mission format though (remains as a reference too), in lieu of the above idea not being picked up.

- Taele.
Nov 20, 2009 skelbley08 link
Could the newb badge be controlled not by character hours, but account? I know they've got to keep track of that somehow. Or if not, it wouldn't be too hard. And yes, people could get around it by making new accounts, but it's much less likely.
Nov 20, 2009 Dr. Lecter link
How is that any different from painting a giant bulls-eye on them, Tosh?
Nov 20, 2009 Restayvien link
You're complaining, Dr? :P
Nov 20, 2009 ladron link
To me, that badge would simply say "This pilot is too stupid to pay, don't bother hailing".
Nov 20, 2009 Aticephyr link
racking up the bus-kills ladron?

rats these days... no sense of decency.
Nov 21, 2009 Dr. Lecter link
Traders aren't interested in treating us like rats, why should we play like them?
Nov 21, 2009 Alloh link
Ok, flame on!

Maybe a whole bunch of old ideas packed into a new system may work. New idea here is only combine old ideas into a new one, with measure/countermeasure.

1) Disable gun (contact type)
Pirate must get within X meters of trader, shoot and keep aim for n seconds to disable all ships' weapons and engines. It can release after, or keep disabled for up to X seconds (keep shooting). It is a new class, closer to a mining beam, but a leech beam (do not steal cargo, only drains battery/energy)
To disable ship, gun must scan other ship, so, disable gun also shows cargo content and disable traps.

2) Pirate Prevention Devices (tm)
TWO kinds of PPD implemented, each must be purchased and uses cargo storage space (1cu). First blows all the cargo if ship is blown. Second is a trap-device, cargo becomes explosive and damages who picks it up.
((Only one PPD can be used at once?))

NOTE: Disable gun also disables traps. Pplz eject cargo as payment, with trap. Pirate "disable" cargo and safely take it away. Do not have disable gun? Vendetta!

Another important thing. While using disable gun, a WINDOW appears to victim with pirate's "hail" and demands, and he victims options: pay, refuse, bargain or yell for help. So i can yell, bargain to gain time, and hope being saved, since pirates' ship is "locked" to mine disabling it. Or pay if no one comes within to help. Or refuse and die quietly trusting my traps will provide my vendetta.

That would not eliminate griefing, but clearly separate pirates from trolls. Before attacking a trader, bad guy will remember the consequences. And add another variable to piracy. So, pirating is still possible, but more "pirate-oriented". Despite being a pain "there", it really adds a lot to game, brings the unexpected into game.

Main doubt: Small or Large port? I'd prefer it large, so vultures cant disable no one (they almost can't carry load anyway)
Nov 21, 2009 Alloh link
On same subject, but other topic: PRICE

Maybe pirates should consider values... It makes no sense to pay 100K for a revenant full of carbonic ore, since ship+equips+cargo woth <10K.

So, instead of demand:
"Pay Xc or die", maybe a
"Stop and make an offer for your life. If you try to evade, you will die" or anything with same overall meaning?

Also, some pirate told me he has 2 hails based on victim's XP... good idea indeed!!! Another topic with alias/binds for that?

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Make the hails be many lines long, so it is VISIBLE even on crowded chats.
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Nov 21, 2009 Dr. Lecter link
Can we please require a normal set of chromosomes for posting to the suggestions forum?
Nov 21, 2009 Aticephyr link
Lecter, you and I both know the ACLU would have a shit-fit.