Sa'angreal
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Posted - 2006.07.20 12:38:00 -
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I am not sure if similar idea was dicsussed before, but here we go:
Branded cuztomizable ships and items.
I know that some people are worried about balance issues that might cause, or lag that all the customization will cause, but it realy shouldn't if done properly. I am thinking in terms of prefixes and sufixes, like Diablo has. Make 50 prefixes, 50 sufixes. Give frigates 2 of each, cruisers 4 of each, battleships 6 of each etc. Add class-specific prefixes and sufixes. Make t2 frigates, for example, using 6 *ixes instead of 4. Make the extra *ix cost heaps more in terms of manufacturing time, resources etc. Make it exponential So you can have 5 *ixes on frigates but it will cost you several times more than 4 *ixes in terms of resources, minerals, production time etc.
Make several base items/ships. With generic attributes. For example "generic" frigate will have 3 hi, 3 med, 3 low slots. Then you have 2 prefixes (one that adds extra high slot at the expense of CPU, one that adds extra powergrid) and 2 suffixes (one that adds 10% turret damage for every level of Frigate skill, and one that removes Race requirement. So if you have level 1 of any Frigate skill (Minmatar, Amarr, Caldari, Gallente) you will be able to fly it. Obviously every single one of those *ixes add certain amount of minerals, parts etc. to the final BPC. Yes I am thinking about having new "design-your-ship" interface that will output BPCs after you designed everything. During the design stage you will be able to select amount of runs, ME, PE, which will affect how long it will take the interface to produce that BPC for you. For example if you want increase ME by 10% it will take several hours extra = same amount of hours you could've mined for the minerals to make up the difference.
Same sort of idea for ship equipment. Obviously less *ixes and related to the actual item. Name will be generated based on the set of prefixes and suffixes. Obviously Legendary Laser Frigate of Powerplant is not really an option as a name. Use syllables or random name generator. Completely custom names are possible, but will have to be controlled somehow so we won't get UB3R |<1LL3R frigates flying everywhere.
External customization will also be possible. Have a base model +bits in some places; (similar to portrait creation, but for ships. ~10 areas i can modify, ~10 different options for each area = 10! variations of ships with almost no extra staff for clients to download since individual bits are already on your PC.) +camo patterns (yes I know that they are useless in space, that is why they should be any colour, pattern we want. If I want to make my assault gunboat pink i don't see why I should not be able to.). Obviously corporate and alliance logos on them as well, serial numbers etc. Well you get the picture.
That's pretty much it. Hope it makes sense. Would like to hear some feedback on that and if you have any questions/suggestions, feel free to add them.
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