Forums » Suggestions
ok, been playing around with the prospecting mission and i have a few thoughts for it.
first off this mission will be PERFECT for new players. it is a simple mission, gives an opportunity to fly around and master some flight in a 'safe' sector. (i dont think there are many station sectors that dont have asteroids in them)
There is no up front cost for it since the faction gives you a scanner (that thing is perfect for a bus-98/101)
It does need a few tweaks tho.
First it needs to be made a little clearer that you need an empty small port ON your ship as you accept the mission. either that or the scanner needs to go to the station cargo like any other overflow cargo.
Right now all it gives is trade points. I think small amount of faction standing and some cash (a few hundred credits, at least enough to buy an ec-101) would fit this mission well.
Some form of marker box or tag on asteroids you have allready scanned would be nice.
I like that ferric ore isnt in ice roids and (i assume) aquean ore isnt in rocks, but perhaps larger roids/ice crystals could count as more than 1 unit of the ore in question. having a tiny little asteroid have the same value as a giant one seems a little odd, a company is going to be more interested in a motherload than a small trace amount.
first off this mission will be PERFECT for new players. it is a simple mission, gives an opportunity to fly around and master some flight in a 'safe' sector. (i dont think there are many station sectors that dont have asteroids in them)
There is no up front cost for it since the faction gives you a scanner (that thing is perfect for a bus-98/101)
It does need a few tweaks tho.
First it needs to be made a little clearer that you need an empty small port ON your ship as you accept the mission. either that or the scanner needs to go to the station cargo like any other overflow cargo.
Right now all it gives is trade points. I think small amount of faction standing and some cash (a few hundred credits, at least enough to buy an ec-101) would fit this mission well.
Some form of marker box or tag on asteroids you have allready scanned would be nice.
I like that ferric ore isnt in ice roids and (i assume) aquean ore isnt in rocks, but perhaps larger roids/ice crystals could count as more than 1 unit of the ore in question. having a tiny little asteroid have the same value as a giant one seems a little odd, a company is going to be more interested in a motherload than a small trace amount.
It should give more than 75xp- that mission can take a long time to complete...
suggestion: have the scanner available to buy for a price at level 0... that way the player can worry about equipping/unequipping their scanner at their own leisure.
Another thought: This is probably already in the making, but some sort of graphic with the scanner "scanning" the roids would be interesting. And if I'm not mistaken, there is no "scanning" sound effect, so I suppose that would be a nice addition as well.
I'd also suggest some sort of marker to flag the roids you've already scanned, but I have no idea how you would go about doing that and whatnot. Plus, running around and scanning the same damn rock four or five times is... fulfilling.
Other than that... pointing and clicking for a little trade exp? The lazy in me likes it.
I'd also suggest some sort of marker to flag the roids you've already scanned, but I have no idea how you would go about doing that and whatnot. Plus, running around and scanning the same damn rock four or five times is... fulfilling.
Other than that... pointing and clicking for a little trade exp? The lazy in me likes it.
I have an idea for the scanner graphic.
I'm sure the devs are allready on it, but since everyone else is dropping cents I might aswell:
A single-triangle animation!
One point towards the ship, two into space.
Some scanners are wider and reach longer, but with a single triangle mesh generation realtime should not be a problem.
Then it should (depending on "Effects quality" setting) be either translucent or not, and also r_glow depening on that setting.
Also, the color shoud differ depending on what is being scanned for.
Sound like something that should be in vendetta?
I'm sure the devs are allready on it, but since everyone else is dropping cents I might aswell:
A single-triangle animation!
One point towards the ship, two into space.
Some scanners are wider and reach longer, but with a single triangle mesh generation realtime should not be a problem.
Then it should (depending on "Effects quality" setting) be either translucent or not, and also r_glow depening on that setting.
Also, the color shoud differ depending on what is being scanned for.
Sound like something that should be in vendetta?
Maybe if you have scanned a roid the roid gets the 'carrying flag effect' but green, like the ships had when they captured a flag.
Demonen: Do you mean like those light show lasers?
Sheean: Why not just use the effect from the ion storms, only green?
mr_spuck: Yeah, something like that.
Actually I got the idea from the bioscan in the first door the playar goes through in DooM 3
Sheean: Nah, I don't think that's very cool... rglow on a zilion roids would cause my poor graphics card to run away. And besides: What if a person has rglow disabled?
I'd more like to see either a green or a red "targetbox" of somesort on the roid.
Actually I got the idea from the bioscan in the first door the playar goes through in DooM 3
Sheean: Nah, I don't think that's very cool... rglow on a zilion roids would cause my poor graphics card to run away. And besides: What if a person has rglow disabled?
I'd more like to see either a green or a red "targetbox" of somesort on the roid.
There definitely needs to be 'harder' prospecting mission... minerals that are really really rare.
After you do one prospecting mission, can you use the same roids in the first one in a second prospecting mission?
After you do one prospecting mission, can you use the same roids in the first one in a second prospecting mission?
Rather than the Bioscan, I'd say more like the decon scan from the teleporters in Doom3.
I agree with the origional post, way back when we were talking about Prospecting Missions, by SpellCast.
This is an ideal mission for fokls un-used to the game. Ship control is essential when flying through the obligitory mine field, as well as nav jumps when going from one sector to another in search of 'roid fields.
I'm sure that the confusion associated with the whole "empty slot for the scanner issue" will be resolved. i'd like to see the scanner be a very inexpensive, if not free, item that can be equipped. Issued scanners could go in cargo holds, and then be sold back for 0 credits. Seems the easiest to me.
I would also like to see a bit of money be issued as a reward for completing this mission. The experience it doles out is pretty small, compared to a combat mission. But combat is much, much more difficult, especially for a newb pilot. Still, some money so an upgrade in ships or weapons could be nice, as new "things" is a great way to build commitment to a game. If it's an hour into the game, and i'm still flying the same ship with the same eq as when I started, I might not be having much fun. but even small improvements (i mean, come on, does the mk II phaser really help _that_ much) will add to the new players enjoyment substantially.
Just my opinion. And I really like that a pilot doesn't have to blow things up just to accomplish a mission.
This is an ideal mission for fokls un-used to the game. Ship control is essential when flying through the obligitory mine field, as well as nav jumps when going from one sector to another in search of 'roid fields.
I'm sure that the confusion associated with the whole "empty slot for the scanner issue" will be resolved. i'd like to see the scanner be a very inexpensive, if not free, item that can be equipped. Issued scanners could go in cargo holds, and then be sold back for 0 credits. Seems the easiest to me.
I would also like to see a bit of money be issued as a reward for completing this mission. The experience it doles out is pretty small, compared to a combat mission. But combat is much, much more difficult, especially for a newb pilot. Still, some money so an upgrade in ships or weapons could be nice, as new "things" is a great way to build commitment to a game. If it's an hour into the game, and i'm still flying the same ship with the same eq as when I started, I might not be having much fun. but even small improvements (i mean, come on, does the mk II phaser really help _that_ much) will add to the new players enjoyment substantially.
Just my opinion. And I really like that a pilot doesn't have to blow things up just to accomplish a mission.
"Sheean: Nah, I don't think that's very cool... rglow on a zilion roids would cause my poor graphics card to run away. And besides: What if a person has rglow disabled?"
That effect showed up for me on a TNT2 in 3.1, thus no rglow (I don't know if the devs changed how it's done).
Idea: Also allow the scanner to be available as an outfit. If the players has that and an extractor equipped, allow him or her to mine the roid, and get x amount of y ore. The stuff seems to already be there for the scanning, so have an ongoing, transparent mission where if you successfully scan while you have the extractor equipped, it adds the minerals to your inventory.
That effect showed up for me on a TNT2 in 3.1, thus no rglow (I don't know if the devs changed how it's done).
Idea: Also allow the scanner to be available as an outfit. If the players has that and an extractor equipped, allow him or her to mine the roid, and get x amount of y ore. The stuff seems to already be there for the scanning, so have an ongoing, transparent mission where if you successfully scan while you have the extractor equipped, it adds the minerals to your inventory.
Yeah, the new one looks cooler and uses rglow. But the old one was okay...
Back on the idea of marking or flagging roids, I was thinking more along the lines of being able to equip your ship with some sort of rocket that you fired at a roid, which marked it with whatever... perhaps a sparkly ion effect similar to the storms (like rogue's idea, except I'm thinking more of a red or gold color). If you were poor and didn't want to waste money on ammo or didn't want to lose a weapon port, you could just run around and hope you didn't waste too much time attacking the same roids over and over again.
More random ideas: Completing the mission in within a time limit merits additional exp or credits? Something like a Scanner MkII that can be purchased and allows you to scan roids that are farther away, or more than one at a time? Some cheesey little info box that tells you which roids to look for (Roid biographies, with a picture and all :D )? Combine prospecting missions with trade missions (ie: get the ore and bring it to a specific station)?
More random ideas: Completing the mission in within a time limit merits additional exp or credits? Something like a Scanner MkII that can be purchased and allows you to scan roids that are farther away, or more than one at a time? Some cheesey little info box that tells you which roids to look for (Roid biographies, with a picture and all :D )? Combine prospecting missions with trade missions (ie: get the ore and bring it to a specific station)?
Another idea: Flag the roid with Aet's suggested rocket, but instead of an ion, make it so that it comes up as something on radar when you come within... let's say 3km.
Flagging roids would be cool... I think it would make more sense if they were flagged on radar rather than as a visual effect on screen.
Yet another idea: if the scanner were available as an outfit, let it provide information on the presence (or even abundancies?) of different kinds of ore in each asteroid. Also, let it provide information on what cargo ships are carrying.
Yet another idea: if the scanner were available as an outfit, let it provide information on the presence (or even abundancies?) of different kinds of ore in each asteroid. Also, let it provide information on what cargo ships are carrying.
If and when we are able to mine the ore, this should progress in mission strings to higher level propecting missions. After all, mining companies are willing to pay lots for that impossible to find roid.
Also, make it so that if roid rarity goes up, roid availability goes down, and vise versa. Carbonic ore and whatevers in the ice roids should be everywhere, while that damn Xithricite ore should be impossible to find, but really brings in the money.
Also, make it so that if roid rarity goes up, roid availability goes down, and vise versa. Carbonic ore and whatevers in the ice roids should be everywhere, while that damn Xithricite ore should be impossible to find, but really brings in the money.
Here is my idea of extending prospecting missions:
1. Simple 'find a roid with minerals'. You got scaner (mkI - very specific one, for example it only can find aqueran ore in roids. It should be in it's description).
You go around and scan.. One big roid should have more than one unit of ore!
2. Advanced 'find minerals and escort mine drones'. There are 3 - 4 small spider-like drones flying with you. If you find a roid with minerals they start to mine for that mineral. Futuremore you might be redirected to specified sector in system. The drone has a capacity of 5 units, if he mine more mineral units it should leave it as cargo (so you can collect it and deliver to base)
If you lose the drones, the mission is over (and you should get a faction penalty)
3. Expert 'find dozens of minerals and return'. Something like 'we urgently need some rare minerals, our scouts (other players hehehe) found them in blablabla, go there and collect us xxx units'
It should be a group mission. The amount should be about 50 - 150 (depending on ships that might be used). The group recives 3 small mining drones for each player. The drones can't jump, so they will need to be transported IN your ship as cargo (2 cargo slots for 1 drone).
In order to complete the 3rd scenario there need to be additional improvements ;))
a) Centaur II: (12500 hull, lower agility, 20 cargo, 1s 1l port)
b) expandable modules for ships
Such modules can be connected to some ships like: ec-x8, atlas, centaur, prom, maruder.
Each module came in two types: basic and advanced. there can be several types, but basic should be: cargo, rafinery, mining (stores drones). You can connect 1 basic module OR up to 2 advanced.
Stats as follows:
Basic: 3000k Hull, + 2000mass
Advanced: 6000 Hull, + 4000mass
Cargo modules should add your total cargo (+4/+8), rafineries should be able to rafine minerals (xintricite ore -> high yeld xintricite ore etc), mine would store 3 drones, which can drill stones, defensive packs will hold avalon warhead, wchich can be dropped just like a BIG prox mine ;D
1. Simple 'find a roid with minerals'. You got scaner (mkI - very specific one, for example it only can find aqueran ore in roids. It should be in it's description).
You go around and scan.. One big roid should have more than one unit of ore!
2. Advanced 'find minerals and escort mine drones'. There are 3 - 4 small spider-like drones flying with you. If you find a roid with minerals they start to mine for that mineral. Futuremore you might be redirected to specified sector in system. The drone has a capacity of 5 units, if he mine more mineral units it should leave it as cargo (so you can collect it and deliver to base)
If you lose the drones, the mission is over (and you should get a faction penalty)
3. Expert 'find dozens of minerals and return'. Something like 'we urgently need some rare minerals, our scouts (other players hehehe) found them in blablabla, go there and collect us xxx units'
It should be a group mission. The amount should be about 50 - 150 (depending on ships that might be used). The group recives 3 small mining drones for each player. The drones can't jump, so they will need to be transported IN your ship as cargo (2 cargo slots for 1 drone).
In order to complete the 3rd scenario there need to be additional improvements ;))
a) Centaur II: (12500 hull, lower agility, 20 cargo, 1s 1l port)
b) expandable modules for ships
Such modules can be connected to some ships like: ec-x8, atlas, centaur, prom, maruder.
Each module came in two types: basic and advanced. there can be several types, but basic should be: cargo, rafinery, mining (stores drones). You can connect 1 basic module OR up to 2 advanced.
Stats as follows:
Basic: 3000k Hull, + 2000mass
Advanced: 6000 Hull, + 4000mass
Cargo modules should add your total cargo (+4/+8), rafineries should be able to rafine minerals (xintricite ore -> high yeld xintricite ore etc), mine would store 3 drones, which can drill stones, defensive packs will hold avalon warhead, wchich can be dropped just like a BIG prox mine ;D
I still want a mining laser, shoot big rocks, mineral depletes in the rock (to go back up in time) turns to mineral *cargo* and stops mining when cargo bays are full/at batt drain (maybe it should take up-to 1 min at around 150m to mine 1 unit???....)... This would mean on prospecting missions (easy) your learning where the *good stuff* is, and when you have the exp for a mining laser, you can take the (harder) find us cos we need missions... (or just mine rocks for the cash.....) And you should be able to shoot players with it, but give it minimal damage, and no auto aim.... (so it looks kool™...lol) - (will take some coding i expect....lol) maybe have the *Mine Bots* as an option....