Forums » Suggestions

UPK npcs

Dec 22, 2010 PaKettle link
UPK was a interesting idea that never really lived up to its potential. Creating a Uit military that patroled both uit and some of grey space would add to the overall busyness of the game and provide opportunity for a bit of meaningfull interaction.

Example:
regular UPK patrol of ukari l-2 with response based on Uit standing...
KOS - attack
Hated - attack unless bribed
all others scanned for contraband with bribes to avoid scans

Example:
periodic heavy cruiser and escort patrol from azek to arta to verasi
Dec 22, 2010 ryan reign link
Yes please.
Dec 22, 2010 zak.wilson link
+1

What is contraband?
Dec 22, 2010 tarenty link
+1.
Dec 22, 2010 drazed link
"What is contraband?"

I believe this is determined by the individual UIT factions, but in general the following substances COULD be considered illegal to transport over MOST borders:

Controlled Substances:
- Spices (Betheshee, Divinia, etc)
- Synthetic Tequila
- Sedina Chocolates
- Serco Cybernetic Implants
- BioCom Implants
- Biotechnology Research Supplies

Controlled Weapons:
- BioCom Miniature Teller-Ulam Mine
- Dev Avalon Torpedo Launcher
- NiCad Power Cell

Some Data Storage (depending on contents):
- Corvus Holo Disks
- Itani Education Disk
- Blank DataPads

Fruits and Vegetables:
- Verasi Specialty Foods
- Textured Vegetable Protein
- Other

Again, transport of some/all/none of the above MAY or MAY NOT be legal in your jurisdiction. Ask a local station guard to obtain further details on what you can/cannot bring into their port prior to your transport of the goods above.
Dec 22, 2010 ryan reign link
Directly related (though it would be more work)...

http://www.vendetta-online.com/x/msgboard/3/24005
Dec 23, 2010 Whytee link
Just remember that all of their ships need to launch at only 80% armour, the pilots need to be newbish in levels and all of their ships/weapons needs to be Mk I only. We really cannot have them spending the senate's money on unnecessary upgrades/repairs!!
Dec 23, 2010 Alloh link
Check my post about it: Draft: Border Patrol and Contraband

+1 to this simplified implementation. But instead of UPK, name it Border Patrol and add it to all nations. And keep guards inside borders.

Notes:
1) The local list of banned items should be informed by any border guard and turret when hailed.
2) Bribe is more complex to implement, maybe leave it for a next upgrade. Start simple, Border Guards hail, approach and scan without ordering to stop. Exactly like station guards does when a convoy enter station sector. If contraband found, the smuggler is declared TEMP.KoS. Later refine procedures.

.
Dec 23, 2010 PaKettle link
@Whytee

Its ok - Ecka is paying for it. The bill passed the UIT Senate with only 1 voting against it.

@Alloh

Actually I figure they would first establish the basic patrol and then upgrade the AI and other features as time permitted. The patrol could be a light frigate and a few other ships like hogs. They would fly a route that takes them thru all of uit space and they should hold for say 30 minutes at each end point. Once that was in place and working well then they could have the patrol start to react to the players with appropriate hails.

Dec 24, 2010 Alloh link
Sure, I noticed that. Seems the most logical way, small constant upgrade, as GS does.

I just noticed how similar this "Nation Patrol" is to the "War Convoy", the only difference is the route... Probably the same AI could be used to control both.

But I think we really need "real" guards flying around WHs, not only turrets.

Evolving:
Let's have 2 groups. One stays drifting around border WHs, the other patrols the nation space.

So, initial steps
1) Define a list of banned items per nation, maybe some for smaller factions, like Biocom bans Serco Implants
2) Make the turrets and guards at border sectors respond to hails with a "Ban List". A simple string.as "SERCO BAN: Itani and Biocom products"
3) Create the border patrol and the nation patrol groups. BP stays around WH, NP performs a round-trip including capitals for restok.
3.1) Start making the border patrol behave exactly like station guards, closing in visitors, and reply to hails with ban list.
3.2) Then make them hail incoming players, scan and react properly to cargo found.
3.3) On a later stage, make them more interactive, and establish bribe.
*Guards must have a built-in cargo scanner, and local ban list.

We can also have missions to join BP/NP, and to smuggle items...

RP-wise: Every X hours the Nation Patrol reaches the Border and starts the Guard Mounting Cerimony. Some smart smugglers call it "the magic moment" because no scanning is performed. But it is a brief cerimony, and who jumps in late meets a full Guard Fleet...