Sooo, there has persistently been this big debate over what an ID is, and if it can be seen when someone is scanned, and how other characters can react to it, and why you cant use certain equipment with particular ID's, yadda yadda yadda. What if the ID's were turned into RP items, specifically: Powercores.
My specific proposition is this:
In the name and text of each ID the word ID is changed into the word Powercore, other then this all the OOC text would remain the same. A paragraph would follow the name at the top. This paragraph would describe the RP behind the powercore. For example:
Corsair Powercore
This powercore is most likely manufactured by the Corsairs. It has less radiation shielding than most powercores as Corsair pilots arent expected to live terribly long anyways. It appears to be somewhat inefficient and not the best maintained.
or
Smuggler Powercore
This powercore could have come from one of many manufacturers. It is heavily shielded. This may be so as to reduce the emission profile of the ship and minimize detection. The owners intent or alignment cannot be determined by this alone.
Perhaps even remove the 'most likely'. The point is it can give players more wiggle room when talking to their enemies and gives them something that is specifically in RP to talk about rather than the nebulous concept of the ID. For example:
Police: I am hardly picking up any emissions from your powercore... Almost like you didnt want to be detected...
Smuggler: Yes officer. I carry a great deal of radiation sensitive cargo so I have had to make special modifications so as to protect it.
Police: Alright, move along.
or
Outcast: Your power signature reads as Corsiar, tell me why I shouldnt kill you.
Corsair: My power core was damaged from a fight with the IMG on the way here. It must be giving a false signature.
Outcast: Not likely, leave now or be destroyed.
It also gives the characters accusing other characters of being associated with an enemy faction something more concrete to talk about. Here would be an example conversation:
Lib Police: I detect you are using an Outcast powercore.
Outcast: I had no idea officer. I acquired this powercore second hand from a junker.
Police: It doesnt matter, Outcast powercores have been outlawed in Liberty space, you will surrender and your ship will be impounded or you will be be destroyed.
or
Outcast: Your power signature reads as Corsiar, tell me why I shouldnt kill you.
Corsair: I had no idea. I acquired this powercore second hand from a junker.
Outcast: Who would fly this far away from safe harbors on a second hand powercore. You must think me a fool. Prepare to die.
Now this would eliminate most of the debate over how players can react to ID's and turn it into constructive RP instead. Turning ID's into powercores would also provide RP as to why certain guns and ships cannot be used with certain powercores: They simply arent compatible or the powercore isnt large enough for certain ships. In the case of white cells on the tech chart it can simply be said they are close enough that the core and/or power distribution of the ship and/or weapon can be modified, but only with the assistance of the ship/weapon manufacturing faction.
Personally I think this would solve a ton of problems and add a lot of fun RP, and all that is needed is some text.
Oh and just to be clear: I am in no way suggesting that my proposed powercores would have any functional purpose, such as determining the amount of power capacity or regen a ship has.
ID=IFF. At least applying to factionized ID's. So if you have Corsair ID/IFF, that means you actually are Corsair. In this case ID=IFF=Transponder. What else?
It's a good idea, and works under the assumption that an ID card would be something people wouldn't flash around (say, like a driver's license -- you can't scan into someone's wallet).
So Alex, IDs exist in RP, but the question is whether or not the person can see them. This clarifies that indeed, your scanners can see them.
And it goes without saying that the "Can trade, can hunt pirates" etc. stuff on IDs would remain on powercores.
I really like this idea to be honest. Would add some Roleplay Options and everything and it also justifies why things wouldn't be Compatible (Red Cells) And how SOME can be (White Cells) And what not. So yea I approve this idea.