Pilot Archive

Update: As of late September 2005, it was stated that player-controlled capital ships were merely a demo as opposed to anything that would certainly be in-game at some point. Despite promises and numerous implications to the contrary, this statement has not yet been clarified or expanded upon, and so at this point I'd take them to be true: we may not ever see player-controlled cap ships in game.

Whether it's still worth discussing, then, is up to you. I'd encourage you to do so in case we ever do see them, but please temper your optimism with the latest status the SOE staff has given us.



Well, as of Fanfest today, we know they're on their way. Here's a thread running down the specifics of what was shown in the demo, and here's another discussing some of what they're thinking on them at this time.

Oh, and what's that? Here's the video.

With that said, I'd like to hear what you guys think in terms of player-controlled capital ships--what their role should be, whether they should be owned or borrowed, how hard it should be to obtain one, the sorts of modifications you'd want to be able to make to them (if any), ways to prevent or limit griefing, etc. Anything under the sun is fair game on this one. As always, though, keep it constructive; this is a combination of brainstorming, wishlisting, and concern-airing, and while debating each others' comments and ideas is fine, remember we're not the ones creating these things. There isn't really anything at stake here, so keep it cool.

As a general warning, this isn't exactly an addition we're going to see in the next publish, though they've definitely already done some work on it. On top of that, I'd imagine the mechanical restrictions on player-controlled capital ships could end up being pretty tight--so while I'm sure we'd all love to run the helm of a Star Destroyer, I wouldn't get hooked on the idea.

Anyway, everything on this front is still probably a goodly ways off, but it kind of looks like we're in the lucky position of knowing about a future addition before all the details have been set in stone. If that's the case, I'd love to be able to take some recommendations to the devs in the near future.

Message Edited by TomoRainer on 10-11-2005 12:35 AM

1st and woo!

A few things:

To prevent capital ship wars, they should require:

-Master Pilot

-Huge amount of Prestige points

-Very high rank (maybe new ranks like admiral, which should also cost prestige and involve new space quests)

If a Capital ship is disabled, it should cost a a lot to repair it.

One should be able to (say) disable it THEN /doc, get on board, fight the players and do something like base busting. If a ship is disabled from inside, it should take x days to repair it. I know that this might be very hard to code, but it would be cool..

Basically, capital ships are extremely cool, but we don't want to see 200 Vettes in space fighting each other and 0 starfighters.

Turrets should be manned, no npcs firing from turrets. It should take 7 or 8 persons to pilot/shoot/repair the vessel.

I don't like the "borrow" option, but I really don't want to see 200 Vettes at the same time..

• They should be player owned.


• They should be extremely hard to get, involving both strenuous ground and space missions. I don't want to see this as somethinganyone can bang out in a day.


• Have to be a Master Pilot andColonel to fly. Make something up for neutrals.


• Modifications should be given through quest-rewarded schematics. Throw a bone to thepoorSWs here.


• Gunnersshould control "bridges" instead of specific guns. That way they can control several weapons at once. This is mostly for effect.


• They should take a full crew to even function. One player cannot even begin to run half the crap necessary to survive (like I can running laps in my YT ).

• You don't have to be overt to fly one.


• You do have to be overt to participate in "taking over" a system, much like blowing SF bases on ground.




• Certain ships can only be attacked by overts. This includes the interceptors that protect whatever determines control of the system. That way a covert capital ship can't just sit there and obliterate the escort while others take out the base or whatever.

• Cannot insta-travel between planets. I'd argue further that you'd have to park them at a faction-controlled stations.


• Cannot hyper to enemy-controlled core systems. They'd first have to be secured. Outerworlds are fair game. (Assuming the "planetary-control inspace" ideastated above).


• Make them utterly useless in combatif controled by a single player.

And ummm.... that's all I can think of now.

---

TomoRainer wrote:
Well, as of Fanfest today, we know they're on their way. Here's a thread running down the specifics of what was shown in the demo, and here's another discussing some of what they're thinking on them at this time.

With that said, I'd like to hear what you guys think in terms of player-controlled capital ships--what their role should be, whether they should be owned or borrowed, how hard it should be to obtain one, the sorts of modifications you'd want to be able to make to them (if any), ways to prevent or limit griefing, etc. Anything under the sun is fair game on this one. As always, though, keep it constructive; this is a combination of brainstorming, wishlisting, and concern-airing, and while debating each others' comments and ideas is fine, remember we're not the ones creating these things. There isn't really anything at stake here, so keep it cool.

As a general warning, this isn't exactly an addition we're going to see in the next publish, though they've definitely already done some work on it. On top of that, I'd imagine the mechanical restrictions on player-controlled capital ships could end up being pretty tight--so while I'm sure we'd all love to run the helm of a Star Destroyer, I wouldn't get hooked on the idea.

Anyway, everything on this front is still probably a goodly ways off, but it kind of looks like we're in the lucky position of knowing about a future addition before all the details have been set in stone. If that's the case, I'd love to be able to take some recommendations to the devs in the near future.

Message Edited by TomoRainer on 06-05-2005 05:11 AM

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Owned or Borrowed: Owned

Modifications: Engines / Sheilds only ... weapons keep at what they are on NPC Vettes

I would also like to see if an enemy has a qualified pilot (that can fly the corvette) then maybe allow them to steal it (as a backup). If the losing party loses their Corvette then maybe let them go get another one (begging for a second chance).

Crew Requiremens 8+. I would say that the only way the shields would work without people actively manning the shields (co-pilots) is if the pilot walks over to the terminal to activate both shields (primary and secondary...one at each station). Make it inconvenient to fly solo, make it impossible to defend solo. All Pilots/Co-Pilots must be Ace Pilots of similar faction (Smuggler Alliance ok with Rebels, RSF ok with Imperials)

Ideally:

1. Pilot
2. Co-Pilot 1 (Primary Shields)
3. Co-Pilot 2 (Secondary Shields)
4. Co-Pilot 3 (Flight Computer)
5. Flight Operations Officer (Manages Shuttle Bay/Traffic of friendly ships boarding & leaving)
6. Engineer 1 (Manages/Repairs Reactor)
7. Engineer 2 (Manages/Repairs Engine)
8. Engineer 3 (Manages/Repairs Primary Shield)
9. Engineer 4 (Manages/Repairs Secondary Shield)
10. Engineer 5 (Manages/Repairs Weapons)
11. Engineer 6 (Manages/Repairs Weapons)

12-18. Turret Operators (Gunners)

19. Communications Officer (Designates Suggested Targets and tries to keep everyone on the same page)

20-25. Flight Surgeons (Heals Crew as needed)

26-50. PvP - Defends the ship from boarding party

51-75. Pilots on board ready to defend/attack (Can launch their ships to join the battle)

All Turrets must be controlled by a person, pilot has no offensive capabilities.

Also, keep in mind that one thing that makes the Ace mission (somewhat) challenging is working around the gunships and the fighter escort. They need to do the same thing with player-owned. Let tactics win out, if I have a group of 20 Corvettes blockading an area (say the Rebel Space station blocked by 20 Imperial Corvettes) then it should take A LOT of firepower to conquer it.

I would also suggest any repairs that need to be made (except 25% engine repair) can only be made at the appropriate station in deep space & that it should take time (not instant repairs). For example, a 2 minute timer for each component (1 at a time):

Damaged Rebel Corvette flies / spawns at Dantooine Space Station. They repair the engines to 25% and fly to the Rebel Deep Space Station.

At the Rebel Deep Space station in Dantooine, they select "Deep Space"

Once in Deep Space, they fly to the Rebel Station and communicate with the station.

Station asks which component do they want to repair?

- Options include all damaged items

- Pilot selects primary shields

- Pilot waits 2 minutes

- Pilot selects secondary shields

- Pilot waits 2 minutes

(continues until completed repairs...but no decay)

I would also say hyperspacing out of the sector does not repair capital ships. I would like to see a little risk of the ship just sitting there.

Message Edited by stupidjedi12345 on 06-05-2005 07:06 AM

Message Edited by stupidjedi12345 on 06-05-2005 07:07 AM

Nice idea

make some new zones exclusive for the capital ships, where they can fly covert for all of us who enjoys a little "sunday-flying". When you have got used to it, then you can go overt and enter the"core"systemsto duke it out

I think it is important when (and if) the capital ships come that space is divided into different zones, so you can chose between PVE and PVP -and between fighter vs fighter or fighter vs capital and the other way round, so you have a zone for each type of combatand one or two for all out war

They need to be soloable, this is only a game not "americas army" converted into space combat, before posting that it needs 100 crewmembers please remember this is only a game. I also believe that if you need 10 just to fly this thing then 8 is going to do really boring stuff - and after one tour with nothing to do you will never go up in a 'vette again - please keep that in mind also.

But if you are 20 or so in the crew thenyouwould win every time you go up against a solo-flyer - basically it has to be fair both ways.

You will not need a master ground combat skill to get a capital ship, how many fighter pilots is also a navy seal in their spare time? I cannot remember any such type in the movies or in the EU - if they decide you have to some combat then let be some boxes in the marksman profession (thats the beginner one right? )

Remember the shipwrights, let them craft some stuff whatever it will be

quests - it could be really cool if they made some more story-driven quests to play with after you have aquired the 'vette.

'vette? Only a 'vette - why not 5 or 10 different ships now they are making them? or perhaps just make one standard type and then let the shipwrights build different modules for it, so if you wanted a really offensive type you would install that - orif you wanted a huge engine you could install that in expense of other stuff? I know the mass system is there but this other system should give the ship customization a little more edge

Ok that is my opinion and i do not decide anything, so if you disagree just tell why, so we can keep this thread to the point

Message Edited by stupidjedi12345 on 06-05-2005 07:24 AM

Some really nice ideas, I'd really love to see this too. But its kinda scary as well. Everyone will get one that can get one, just to have it. I wouldn't like seeing so many. So my only idea I'm going to throw out there.

Only a guildleader can have a capitol ship. Its a reward for being the guildleader, and for being in a guild.

And maybe somehow tradable or whatever. But only one capitol ship per guild.

Should make guilds cooler, and PvP tons funner. And each guild having their own would be sweet. But thats just my idea.

Hiya Tomo,

I would LOVE this system to include PAs. Since the beginning, TIO has always wanted a Star Destroyer to call its own. I have even stated I would NEVER leave the bridge if we had one

But if that does not come, I could settle for a Dreadnought. Guild controlled Capital ships would be ideal.