06-17-2017, 03:31 PM
Running along the theory that there is benefit to be had in the act of assailing multiple avian animals, while utilizing a single or very few pieces of rock .... I have identified a few problems which align to a certain potential fix. We have brought this theory to the community to get your thoughts, since it affects a very broad selection of the player base. Please take note that this is a tentative idea, and we want productive input on it. This is not a place for fights, drama, or yelling about how this change will ruin everything.
Problem:
1 - People want to see change in Omega-11 (either pro-RM/DHC or pro-RH), as the system has been incredibly stagnant for some time now. Unfortunately, it's one of those dual-control systems where if Rheinland or the Hessians capture the other's base, activity likely goes kaput.
2 - People want to have space be more dangerous, which we have been working on, but could always do more. I've been working with our wonderful System Modifications Developers for the past several months on experimenting with numerous natural dangers.
3 - People want less "borderworlds" that the Houses have infringed upon, such as Hudson, Cortez, Magellan, Omega-3, and Omega-7.
4 - People want Omega-9 to be made more interesting, which we had tried with 4.89 Initial, but it seems that removing symmetrical properties wasn't enough. Fair point.
5 - People want Omega-9 to be made non existent because it is viewed as kind of a buffer system, which we have considered from time to time, and we have generally removed most others from this mod.
6 - Lore indicates that Omega-11's dying red giant star is already overdue for its own final nail ...
Solution:
A - Write Omega-11's doom into the lore (fixes 1, 3, & 6 above). Will happen in 4.89 Final or 4.90 Initial, depending on how long this discussion takes.
B - Place Omega-9 in its spot and with all its connections, sans the Stuttgart JG connection (fixes 5). It will retain the Stuttgart JH link, of course. Omega-5 would gain links to Cambridge and Omega-52 while it would lose its link to Omega-9, which may or may not see a slight redesign to accommodate a sixth jump hole properly.
C - Add our creative natural dangers to Omega-9 (fixes 2). The system will appear very differently than it is now
D - Add uncut diamond fields to Omega-9 (fixes 4). This will compensate for the loss of Omega-11's fields.
Potential Problems with the Solution: (identified by the other story developers when we discussed it yesterday)
I - DHC and RH both lose out, instead of gaining or maintaining. This could be solved by giving both factions a tiny base (to replace the base entries of Solarius and Freital), which they would have to roleplay around to build up. This could also be the source for some Admin-run events, but at the very least some player-driven ones.
II - People do not always enjoy massive changes to holdovers from Vanilla Freelancer in Discovery. However, I see this as a logical progression of Vanilla lore, just like California Minor being done soon.
III - In theory, Omega-11's sun could still not die for another few decades, not being the most exact science. I suppose this could be our back-out excuse if this idea isn't well received.
IV - Hessians, Coalition, the IMG, and others have already shown interest and (in some cases) put forth effort into claiming Omega-9 as it is now. I do not see this as changing much for them, except that in Omega-11's spot, it would be slightly harder for some factions (such as the IMG) to reach.
V - Space doesn't necessarily need to be made "more dangerous" - people just need to stop reporting each other to their allies as a means to get other factions mad at their rivals. Unfortunately, this isn't something I or any dev can fix, it has to be a community effort.
Please discuss or share the merits, pros, cons, kudos, problems, questions, concerns, comments, etc. about this proposition in a constructive manner. There is no immediate or pressing rush for a consensus, although if it is to make it in for 4.89 Final instead of 4.90 Initial, the decision should be made in roughly a fortnight from now.
Thanks for your time.
Problem:
1 - People want to see change in Omega-11 (either pro-RM/DHC or pro-RH), as the system has been incredibly stagnant for some time now. Unfortunately, it's one of those dual-control systems where if Rheinland or the Hessians capture the other's base, activity likely goes kaput.
2 - People want to have space be more dangerous, which we have been working on, but could always do more. I've been working with our wonderful System Modifications Developers for the past several months on experimenting with numerous natural dangers.
3 - People want less "borderworlds" that the Houses have infringed upon, such as Hudson, Cortez, Magellan, Omega-3, and Omega-7.
4 - People want Omega-9 to be made more interesting, which we had tried with 4.89 Initial, but it seems that removing symmetrical properties wasn't enough. Fair point.
5 - People want Omega-9 to be made non existent because it is viewed as kind of a buffer system, which we have considered from time to time, and we have generally removed most others from this mod.
6 - Lore indicates that Omega-11's dying red giant star is already overdue for its own final nail ...
Solution:
A - Write Omega-11's doom into the lore (fixes 1, 3, & 6 above). Will happen in 4.89 Final or 4.90 Initial, depending on how long this discussion takes.
B - Place Omega-9 in its spot and with all its connections, sans the Stuttgart JG connection (fixes 5). It will retain the Stuttgart JH link, of course. Omega-5 would gain links to Cambridge and Omega-52 while it would lose its link to Omega-9, which may or may not see a slight redesign to accommodate a sixth jump hole properly.
C - Add our creative natural dangers to Omega-9 (fixes 2). The system will appear very differently than it is now
D - Add uncut diamond fields to Omega-9 (fixes 4). This will compensate for the loss of Omega-11's fields.
Potential Problems with the Solution: (identified by the other story developers when we discussed it yesterday)
I - DHC and RH both lose out, instead of gaining or maintaining. This could be solved by giving both factions a tiny base (to replace the base entries of Solarius and Freital), which they would have to roleplay around to build up. This could also be the source for some Admin-run events, but at the very least some player-driven ones.
II - People do not always enjoy massive changes to holdovers from Vanilla Freelancer in Discovery. However, I see this as a logical progression of Vanilla lore, just like California Minor being done soon.
III - In theory, Omega-11's sun could still not die for another few decades, not being the most exact science. I suppose this could be our back-out excuse if this idea isn't well received.
IV - Hessians, Coalition, the IMG, and others have already shown interest and (in some cases) put forth effort into claiming Omega-9 as it is now. I do not see this as changing much for them, except that in Omega-11's spot, it would be slightly harder for some factions (such as the IMG) to reach.
V - Space doesn't necessarily need to be made "more dangerous" - people just need to stop reporting each other to their allies as a means to get other factions mad at their rivals. Unfortunately, this isn't something I or any dev can fix, it has to be a community effort.
Please discuss or share the merits, pros, cons, kudos, problems, questions, concerns, comments, etc. about this proposition in a constructive manner. There is no immediate or pressing rush for a consensus, although if it is to make it in for 4.89 Final instead of 4.90 Initial, the decision should be made in roughly a fortnight from now.
Thanks for your time.