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Two Cents

Jul 25, 2013 Ote Tola link
Hello VO!!

First off I would like to thank you for the game. Even though it seems to have been around for a while now, I definitely see it as the beginning to something much more grand as it continues to evolve. I know that the development time and budget is severally limited; I would love to see a bigger community help lift this thing, and its kind of one of those things where you need a bigger following in order to have the capitol to grow the game, but you need to grow the game in order for it to command such a following... Really wish I had the resources to help invest in the game other then my month subscription, as it seems whats truly making its evolution creep along so slow is the need for investors who see the potential and want to get it there. One way I DO have the ability to help however is with my meager two cents :) ... Even if they only end up eliciting eye rolls & other dismissive jesters... after all ... I am sure people have a million things they would like to see in VO; all the way from a spaceship version of an ice cream truck, to a stealth club ship with disco lights & woman with three boobs & 15 nipples...anyway.. 15 nipples not withstanding... Here are a few ideas.

1) One thing that has captured the imaginations and hearts of the space-fairing minded, ever since people could look up and say "Grog like lights in sky; Grog want touch them", is the idea of exploring. Some places in VO have those asteroid clusters people can fly to and maneuver around in, but one thing I have wanted a lot more of, is more that makes people say .. "look over there.. Should check that out". Recently you guys have added that graphics update; more impressive vistas ( distant supernovas, odd colorful anomalies and array of many other things ) coupled with more to actively explore, would definitely help with a lot more people spending more time in the vers you have created, especially helpful in keeping those people who like the trade/mining features, as the visual stimulation helps to make up for the lack of other excitement.

2) The stations -- As of now, every act in the stations is done through that single interface, which is very convenient and quick, and something I feel should remain as at least an option, but the act of exiting your ship and either 1st or 3rd person style walking around the station to conduct business as well, would be an excellent way of creating some kind of contrast that would make getting back in your ship and flying through space again even better, instead of someone feeling like they need a break from the space flying game play and logging out to do something else, the simple act of being out of your ship and walking the station for a time would make the getting back in your ship and flying out seem all that much more fresh again.. also plays into the exploring desire spoke of in number 1.

3) Planets -- Sometimes more recently in search of some pretty views, I have found myself flying around to all the planets I can find just to see some of the views and vistas created.. I cant tell you how badly I wish when that close to a planet (Gas giants & all) I would have an option available to "enter atmosphere" on at least some of them. Even gas giants that would only really give you an experience not much different then flying through an ion storm or areas in Deneb, just with different colors, would be a nice way of adding something more for people to break the monotony of flying through space, or adding a certain level of coolness when chasing someone. This of all things I am listing; I am guessing, ( at least with some gas giants ) would be something that could be implemented in short order without the level of coding and work required as everything else I am mentioning.. perhaps with more time ( money ) and effort, more could be done later to add more reason to enter them, such as floating creatures that may attack the ship but are worth something when killed, or even special ships or equipment; meant to in essence, mine elements found in the atmosphere *:) , or both those things to create a new mining like experience.

Of course in an atmosphere you would probably need to limit flying to F/A mode, and only certain ships ( unless other ships can have atmospheric flight ability retrofitted or something along those lines ).

If you actually read all this thank you! These be my 2 cents :)

I am looking forward to seeing how this game evolves over time and hope the work continues to make it so.

Thanks again VO!
~ Sincerely, Ote Tola (foreme)
Jul 25, 2013 tarenty link
3) Planets ... This of all things I am listing; I am guessing, ( at least with some gas giants ) would be something that could be implemented in short order without the level of coding and work required as everything else I am mentioning..

Hahahahaha. Nope.

I think I'm not stepping outside my bounds commenting on the devs' finances by saying #2 and #3 are not remotely possible within the next few years unless the devs run another, this time successful, kickstarter, or receive a very, very generous donation/investment. Eyerolling aside, #1 may be something. More spontaneous space events would be both interesting and, likely, possible without so much effort that it's thrown on the pile of "hopefully someday." I doubt it will happen until there are some very critical fixes made.

Welcome to VO, it's great you like the game. These ideas have been posted before and as you are evidently unaware of the intolerance the community has for restating the classic "walk in stations" and "fly over planets" suggestions, prepare for some negative feedback. Don't take the criticism/trolling/dismissive jesters you're going to see below too negatively and you'll be a lot better off. :)
Jul 25, 2013 Pizzasgood link
Actually, if you read his point 3 more closely, what he was getting at with gas giants was to basically just make gas giants be a fogged-sector type deal with the fog matching the colors of the planet. That is something the devs could do pretty quickly.

I don't think he meant to say that landing on planets in general would be easy.
Jul 25, 2013 Dr. Lecter link
Fewer drugs for that nooblet.
Jul 25, 2013 Ote Tola link
Indeed Pizzasgood. That is exactly what I was saying. Kind of a way to baby step into it, may make it more feasible to accomplish more with it in the future.
@tarenty: Yea I already assumed the inevitable outcome would be a lot of comments like that if it generated any conversation at all.. tiss par for the course. Not my first rodeo ;) Thanks for being more constructive.
Jul 25, 2013 TheRedSpy link
More like two dollars really.

That stuff was stretch goals on the kickstarter campaign which gives us an idea of when it might be possible for VO. The answer is not for a long time unless we see a dramatic increase in popularity of the game.

I do think though there are more important things that vo should focus on rather than simple aesthetic experiences like walking through stations or entering planets.

But I just started playing this game too so what would I know ^.^
Jul 25, 2013 Ote Tola link
Na.. Two dollars would've been half a book and included pictures ;). Hopefully the popularity grows enough to allow for the changes and gameplay enhancements that could really allow this to take off.. Unfortunately; usually those things need to be in place before it commands that much attention. For now its most defiantly enough to capture the imagination for those of us lucky enough to enjoy whats been offered, and cheer on the developers for continuing to slowly peck away at this for as long as they have. Continuing to expand this game into new territory after so many years I am sure has been a difficult task with the lack of financial backing... I give applause.
~FORWARD!
Jul 25, 2013 Dr. Lecter link
Jul 26, 2013 Conflict Diamond link
15 nipples not withstanding...

Mine are standing. All 15. It's cold in space!

+1 to a spaceship version of an ice cream truck, or audio we can play that broadcasts locally:

Comm Officer: "Captain, I'm receiving a signal from an unknown vessel, audio only."
Captain: "patch it thru"
******* WARBLY TONE GENERATOR PLAYING "DO YOUR EARS HANG LOW"******
Captain: "ALL STOP! Prepare away team for boarding operations. Make mine a Carnation Malted.
Comm Officer: "The kind with one of those flat wooden spoons?"
Captain: "Aye. Make it so."

a stealth club ship with disco lights & woman with three boobs & 15 nipples

Welcome aboard the Compass Rose! Make sure to visit the swim-up bar on the Lido deck...

OK, regarding #1: VO used to have a MUUUUCCCHHH further clipping plane, and some asteroid chains went on for miles and miles. It was beautiful. Well the roids are still there, but in the interest of graphics loads the devs set it to something like 50km, and all the beuatiful vistas evaporated. Is there any way to mke that optional? when I'm mining I don't need killer frame rates.
Jul 26, 2013 vanatteveldt link
Re 1), what I really miss in exploring is something to find. E.g. ad hoc hidden pirate or trader bases that could give a great deal on something or an exciting mission, but that would randomly appear / move around, so there is a reason to keep exploring. Flying around an asteroid field can be beautiful but AFAIK there is nothing to be discovered there except for more asteroids.

Maybe they could do it a bit like the hive is at the moment, e.g. have a rogue trader / pirate nest that you can visit with peaceful or aggressive interaction; and it you follow certain ships there is a chance they will lead you to the place. If someone destroys it, it will be gone for a while but will pop up somewhere else at some point. If the pirate or rogue trading activity goes unchecked for a certain period, generate missions in nearby stations to first find the base (with some pointer that could lead to a ship that can be followed to the base) and then help destroy it. The alternative story line is convincing the traders/pirates that you are on their side, and engage in trade with them or even get missions from them. Presumably bad standing with the local authorities would help convincing the pirates.

More simple NPC based content would also be nice, e.g. finding a moth in grey that is assaulted by NPC pirates, where the player can choose to defend the moth or fight the pirates over the spoils, possibly leading to future storylines.

That kind of stuff :-)
Jul 26, 2013 abortretryfail link
Watch the hive sometimes. They do some weird things that you might not expect.

More interesting stuff hidden (but not TOO hidden) in unmarked places would be neat :)

Ote Tola - Check out row 5 in Sedina.
Jul 26, 2013 Ote Tola link
@Dr Lector -- Devils in the details Dr. Now if you would drop your gun ( you cant hurt me anyway.. not with my cheese helmet ) .. I am following Conflict Diamond to the Compass Rose (checks self in mirror) Feel free to join us & perhaps I'll write everything down into a parable that fits on a napkin. (walks out door)

@Conflict Diamond -- If you would be so kind as to save a seat.. I am only a little farther out.. By the way; the Dr may be joining me. Hes been a bit irritable lately and could use some extra nipples (clears throat).. I mean drinks ;)

@vanattevelt -- I like that idea :) .. but really at this point allot of random objects could be randomly thrown about to give cause to say "see that over there.. should check that out". :) ... You should join us at the Rose.
Jul 26, 2013 Ote Tola link
@abortretryfail -- Thanks .. I'll check that out.
Jul 26, 2013 Ote Tola link
@abortretryfail -- Nice! Woundered abt that thing :D
Jul 27, 2013 ryan reign link
@CD... All your nipples are belong to me!

The OP has some really great ideas, the Devs have shortages of monies and time and man power.
Jul 27, 2013 DeathSpores link
/me get his pepper pot and shoots ryan in da skullz, "avast scurvy dog! stay away from dis wench tits!"

+1 to any suggestion that makes ye explore,me lil' fellows, especially if said exploration occurs in gray space and makes ye carry awesome booties !
Jul 27, 2013 Pup link
turrr leerrng derrndr reeed
Jul 27, 2013 ryan reign link
Deathspores... even with six extra holes in my head, I feels no need to explore you, now kindly keeps away from my fit muscular bootie!
Jul 28, 2013 DeathSpores link
nice, but explore and me were coma separated :p, seems one of da six bullets damaged an implant :p

PS: oh and they aint leadfree :p