Admin Notice: Techcompat Overhaul

Disclaimer: This is the initial trial run for a system we're hoping to develop further, so everything posted under the new system is still subject to change as we test things out. Also, there are currently a couple of technical limitations with the plugin that require some restrictions applied to the approved characters. Hopfully if the trial run is considered successful, we'll be looking into expanding the plugin to allow for a more streamlined and convenient techperm system in future.

Before the current techcompat system, technology use was governed through a different system where official factions were able to grant access to their technology to individuals and groups, but flying unapproved tech could result in a sanction. That system was removed in favor of the automated techcompat system we've had in place in more recent years, which provides more choice for players without having to worry about sanctions, long as they're fine with the powercore reduction.

This new system is hoping to provide a "best of both worlds" hybrid of the two systems where technology can be freely used by any player, but players will now also have the option to roleplay the acquisition of the tech with official factions to upgrade their powercore to 100% through the new Techexempt system. Under the new system, removal of the powercore reduction is being split from the standard SRP system and introduced as a separate request system, primarily handled by official factions. Requirements for the new system will be much more lax than standard SRPs, and the normal SRP fee does not apply.

You can read the full details of the system in Techcompat Exemption Regulations and Application Form thread, but here's a quick summary of the changes:

Players now have the option to gain permission from owning official factions to upgrade a 75% loadout to 100% powercore.
90% powercore cells are removed from techcompat (with the exception of "defector" factions).
All previous 90% House Civilian techcells are updated to 100% on all IDs.
All previous 90% Faction Weapons techcells are updated to 100% on all IDs.
All previous 90% Close Allies techcells are updated to 100% on all IDs.
All previous 90% Lawful techcells are updated to 100% on Official Corporate IDs.
Other previous 90% Faction Ships techcells are updated to 75% on all IDs.
Roughly 600 of previous 10% cells updated to 75% or 100% across various IDs.

If you notice any inconsistencies/oversights in the chart, or if you're a faction HC who feels the new arrangement of your cells doesn't reflect the diplo of your faction well enough, all you need to do is drop a post here and it'll get a review. Thank you.

The powercore changes listed in the new techcompat will take effect after the following daily restart. The chart is always the most updated version, so if you notice any discrepancies between the linked chart and the ingame powercores, it means the changes listed aren't live yet.