Droid Engineer Archive
Thread: Droid Construction: an alternative
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GraySeven
Fri Feb 18, 2005 10:15 am
#1
I'll keep this simple:
- Droid deeds are constructed as normal EXCEPT that no modules are installed
- Droid modules are constructed as normal
- Via a Module Installation Kit, modules can be added to activated droids by the owner
- Once modules are installed, they are permanent. No changes/removal after being installed
This would allow people to customize droids to their exact needs, but some changes would need to be made. One I can see is Data modules. People might buy one of each level in the misconception that they could then use 1 astromech for all their Piloting skill levels, not knowing that they stack to increase the rating. Some manner of fix or warning for this would be needed.
lindalu
Sat Feb 19, 2005 1:55 am
#2
i think this is the modularity thing everyone has been discussing for a long time. what it breaks down to, is that DE's will no longer make complete droids, but droid parts, and that's what bothers alot of us. as for making the droid into something that the customer wants, thats still doable, if the customer contacts at DE. i dont think any DE that visits this community will ever turn down a request to do a custom droid, in fact quite a few only do custom orders.
GraySeven
Sat Feb 19, 2005 10:20 am
#3
I do mostly custom orders, with things like BH droids being in stock all the time, but I constantly hear from my customers how much easier it would be to be able to pick out what they need without jumping through a lot of hoops. I enjoy interaction, but I can't be available all the time.
With a lotof discussion going on about decay, repeat sales and what not, this was just another option initiated because of what my customers have discussed with me.
For some reason, people fear change. They want a better system, but not if it requires drastic changes to be made. Ultimately, this leads to the status quo being maintained and nothing getting done.
And I don't mind the one stars, I collect them, but you aren't doing anyone any good without actually discussing problems and their solutions
YodaMac
Sat Feb 19, 2005 10:55 am
#4
Although I am in favor of the idea that droids can somehoe be "upgraded" (with both improved and new functionality, andfor continued lifespan),I am not in favor of modeling that after the Shipwright profession totally. I want to still be able to build the entire droid, not just supply parts. And I would want any "upgrade" ability to be part of the DE skillset. That way we onlyadd to the profession instead of adding some and taking away some.
lindalu
Sat Feb 19, 2005 10:52 pm
#5
having them discuss with you or with another DE should not be considered going though a hoop. if they know what they want they should be able to tell you in as clear of a manor as they can what they want. the only hoop-jumping i may see if someone contacts you but has no clue as to what a droid can do. there you have to have an ongoing discussion, breaking things down so they can understand what you are offering, and then have to try to match what you can do with what they want. which belive me nothing can be more fustrating than discussing with someone that has no clue what so ever what a droid can do ('hey can you make me a droid?' 'sure, what do you want it to have?' 'uh....what can they do?'), which thank god, is rare on my server.
we as DE's are not afraid of change, since we want a revamp of the current situation, what we are afraid of is being reduced to either a part junkie or a grease monkey, because, neither of those are fun things to be. i dont want to be reduced to making nothing but factory runs on modules for little to no profit.
jefmes
Sat Feb 19, 2005 10:57 pm
#6
YodaMac wrote:
Although I am in favor of the idea that droids can somehoe be "upgraded" (with both improved and new functionality, andfor continued lifespan),I am not in favor of modeling that after the Shipwright profession totally. I want to still be able to build the entire droid, not just supply parts. And I would want any "upgrade" ability to be part of the DE skillset. That way we onlyadd to the profession instead of adding some and taking away some.
I like the way you stated that YodaMac, that's a goal I'd like us to keep in mind as well. I would be in favor of allowing a customer to have us alter the modules in an existing droid, if it were an ability given to DEs to foster customer interaction. It would give people another reason to seek out DEs and the opportunity for DEs to talk with customers about other options, chassis, and complete droids.
GraySeven
Mon Feb 21, 2005 12:41 am
#7
lindalu wrote:
having them discuss with you or with another DE should not be considered going though a hoop. if they know what they want they should be able to tell you in as clear of a manor as they can what they want. the only hoop-jumping i may see if someone contacts you but has no clue as to what a droid can do. there you have to have an ongoing discussion, breaking things down so they can understand what you are offering, and then have to try to match what you can do with what they want. which belive me nothing can be more fustrating than discussing with someone that has no clue what so ever what a droid can do ('hey can you make me a droid?' 'sure, what do you want it to have?' 'uh....what can they do?'), which thank god, is rare on my server.
we as DE's are not afraid of change, since we want a revamp of the current situation, what we are afraid of is being reduced to either a part junkie or a grease monkey, because, neither of those are fun things to be. i dont want to be reduced to making nothing but factory runs on modules for little to no profit.
I personally enjoy the interaction, especially if explaining what is available and how it works. I also would like to modify my proposal in that I would not mind if I could configure droid modules in a more efficient manner, either by adding modules to the deed after deed creation (allowing me to have modules in stock to place into the deeds) or to the droid themselves (instead of allowing anyone to add the modules in).
Also, the current system that uses the module harnesses (to get 6 modules into 2 slots on an R3 for example) is cumbersome on an already cumbersome crafting system. Why not just have the module slots built into the different chassis (Adv R3's would have 6 slots, Adv R2's 5 etc) and to control the combat strength of droids have some slots be combat capable (say 2 of 5 on an advanced R2 would be combat capable).
I'm not asking for a profession exactly like Shipwright, but the DE crafting system is more cumbersome than the others I've mastered.
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