Rail Duke
SniggWaffe
Pandemic Legion
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Posted - 2007.01.24 12:21:00 -
[1]
Devblog
If you look at how player infrastructure is built, there are intermediate goals already in place. You need Starbases to build an Outpost. The problem is, that there aren't that many of them, especially not combat-wise. There aren't really any goals to achieve against the larger player infrastructure when you are a part of a roaming 5-man fleet. We want that to happen, there should be goals for smaller fleets. Note that this is specifically about "fixed" goals, not taking out industrials or camping a gate.
Small fleets are fun. Roaming around, no need to wait for people, just gather some friends and start some skirmishes, deep infiltrations, war of attrition, mischief, mayhem and soap. This is achieved by adding more ways to affect player infrastructure, not just the only option of full destruction.
We'd like to give you the ability to upgrade individual parts of an Outpost but likewise allow your opponents to disable that specific part. If it's a factory, it might put all jobs on hold until you repair the facility. Don't worry, there would also be defenses at the Outpost, but I think you get the idea. More goals and more stuff for smaller groups to achieve.
Sure, big fleet encounters are still in there, but there should be a more natural escalation towards the fleet encounter, it shouldn't be the only option. A large fleet encounter should also span multiple solar systems, have tactical and strategic goals, it should be worth something to flank your opponents constellation, right? Right.
Well, no, that's the fun thing here. Everything listed improves performance. Smaller intermediate goals means less reason to blob, which is good for performance on all levels. Spreading out the force between multiple solar systems because that's better for the fleet results in better server performance. It's all part of this year's initiative, the "need for speed".
And talking about capital ships, the rumour is that ORE have one in the works. Unofficial sources state that it's not a miner per se, but is something every industrialist wants to have in his backyard.
We'd also like to see tactical starbase structures and modules, which deploy their effects remotely. No, this isn't a miniature Doomsday device, there is more than damage to deal out. Also on this line of thought, think "anti-blob" weapon, something which is bad for your fleet if you are all bunched up somewhere in one place.
Wait, you said anti-blob!?
Yes, quite right. The direction combat has been moving in the last year is a direction we don't like. It's becoming more and more important that you rack up 50+ ships to be able to do anything meaningful, preferably with 10 or more capital ships and astro-glide to get them into the solar system (what a suitable name for the space universe btw).
This isn't only hard on your real-life schedule (Well, I wouldn't know, I don't have one any more) but it's also affecting your gameplay. Who wan's to wait for 3 hours while a fleet is assembled?
Basically all of this plays straight hand in the hands of us, intentinal or not.
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