Bunyip
Gallente
Center for Advanced Studies
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Posted - 2010.04.29 04:15:00 -
[1]
While I can't agree to the outright removal of local in 0.0 and/or low-sec, I think you may be on to one point. The following is my idea for local in low-sec and 0.0.
In low-sec:
Concord doesn't have much presence here, so have the factions control the local chat. The catch is that they're not going to give this permission out for free.
Local would be in delayed mode until a person paid a given amount at a station or a new 'agent in space' to use the comms system. Once that price was paid, the user would be able to get local until he logged out or left the system. The price wouldn't have to be high (maybe something like 10k or so).
To compensate for this, make all PvP within 250 km of stations and warpgates prohibited. Warp bubbles might be incorporated for use in low-sec to allow for new hunting techniques (the prey could simply warp to a nearby planet then towards the next gate, but that planet might be patrolled too). This idea (minus the warp bubbles) could be transferred to high-sec as well.
Advantages:
* Station games will be a thing of the past. After all, why would a station allow such combat where people could get injured on the station from stray shots?
* Another ISK sink to replace the ones being lost by PI.
* Possession of a system means a lot more, where control of incoming and outgoing ships would be more than just gatecamps.
* More prey in low-sec, since the entry will be far easier.
* More access to choice toys in low-sec, given the new trade hubs possible.
Disadvantages:
* New mechanics would have to be introduced to allow for this.
* Tactics would be thrown into a blender, making pirates actually think for their kills rather than just smartbombing everybody who comes into a system.
In null-sec:
The sovereign power in the system would get a new "Communications Relay Tower" for Ihubs that would give their pilots local. Whether this could be transferred due to standings or not remains at the discretion of the developers. Everybody else (macroers included) would have to run cautiously.
Advantages:
* Intel now becomes much easier for the sovereign power.
* Intervening space would be more likely to be sovereign, given the lack of intel in nearby non-sovereign systems.
* Macroers would have a lot more difficulty operating in 0.0, especially if it's held by another alliance.
* Cloak ships could be more of an asset for small-gang PvP, allowing groups to attack by surprise, even if not the sovereign power.
Disadvantages:
* Expense for alliances to set up the Comms tower by their Ihubs.
* Redesign of mechanics necessary to put this into place, including standings-based local if implemented.
I feel that this will work a lot better than the additional server queries that constant d-scans would create with the OP's idea. Any constructive criticism is welcomed.
"May all your hits be crits." - Knights of the Dinner Table. |