Max FaceLift
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Posted - 2005.11.09 00:54:00 -
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Note that this FEATURE addition will allow the devs to incorporate moving entities within solarsystems, introducing the concept of "bookmark decay" to some extent or another. Bookmark "short-cuts" would still be viable on a short-term basis (say, for a mining op), but bookmarking an entire region would be a quixotic task.
For anchored objects, incorporate enough "drift" that bookmarks will become completely unusable after, say, a month... this will give pilots a "grace period" in which to train up the new navigation skill(s), ensuring the smoothest possible transition for the player base.
All in all, I believe that the "Precision Warping" idea is a feature that is overdue. It will improve the game in several ways - pilots will no longer have to weed through absurdly large quick-jump menus, the "Navigation" skillset will get some love, and we'll reduce bookmark-related lag by a factor of 100. It's really a win-win proposition, IMO - I hope you see it the same way.  Either way, let me know what you think!
Max DeathWish.
P.S. - Here's a little chart comparing the "precision warping" concept w/ the status quo:
BM: Cannot be used by autopilot
PW: Cannot be used by autopilot
BM: Satisfies player's need to warp-in at 0km 100% of the time (assuming good bm's)
PW: Satisfies player's need to warp-in as close as possible, but has to be earned
BM: Can drop you on top of gate for free
PW: Can drop you on top of gate with investment of training and familiarity
BM: Each BM applies to only a single short-cut
PW: Bonus applies in all solarsystems, to varying degree based on familiarity
BM: Causes lag when loading & copying BM's
PW: No lag
BM: Something you hide out of embarassment when guests come over
PW: Is seamlessly integrated into game interface, so no need to hide
BM: Can be obtained without risk via copying (at cost of lag)
PW: Solarsystem familiarity attained with inherent risk
BM: Clumsy, awkward, ugly, stupid
PW: Streamlined, elegant, efficient
BM: Has little roleplay utility
PW: Ability earned on a per-character basis, distinguishes one character's navigational ability from another's
BM: Based on a silly "stationary solarsystem" premise
PW: Is compatible with dynamic solarsystems
BM: Is the status quo, and change is bad.
PW: Visits to System stat already tracked, so older characters will not be "penalized" by new system
BM: may require additional fiber intake to insure regularity
PW: may require additional trips along a route to traverse it more quickly
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