Smuggler Archive
Thread: Well Han had Chewy.... A Smuggler buddy discussion 2.0
Shrendyc
Mon Feb 28, 2005 6:28 am
#14
I think you need to talk to the developers about how they are treating smugglers - because this is exactly what they are doing to us. Slice bots, anyone?
Smuggler_Caylin wrote:
In an MMORPG I find it important to not seek a way to replace an active, living and breathing player with a lifeless automaton.
JTGAlpha
Mon Feb 28, 2005 10:30 am
#15
This is a MUCH more fleshed out and doable version of this idea.
Caylin I would agree with you, but the largest problem with demanding that Multiplayer Ships ALWAYS have another player in them to make them worth while is that even my BEST friends aren't going to be on when I need them 7 times out of 10. Everyone's got their own lives. An "NPC Buddy" could alleviate that. Heck, even just a "Co-pilot" abillity for ALL pilots would be acceptable.
SmugglinZane
Mon Feb 28, 2005 10:31 am
#16
Ok, so change buddy to being able to slice our own ships to allow anyone to fly co pilot... that was we can have buddies sit there who may not be of the same faction or on the same pilot level as us... it would only work for MP ships so it wouldn't bring an unfair advantage.
Zeon_Zaku
Mon Feb 28, 2005 11:11 am
#17
KaernLegorah wrote:
My only problem with the NPC "buddy" idea, as a whole, is that it essentially kills the solo-Smuggler. If the NPC "buddy" is so good that it seems stupid not to use it, then nearly every Smuggler in the game is going to have a buddy. It seems silly, in my opinion, to have almost every Smuggler have a buddy, but have very few Smugglers flying solo. Just because Han and Chewie were buddies, doesn't mean nearly every Smuggler in the Galaxy had a best chum that he/she smuggled with.
So, while I can appreciate how good your suggestion is yimaz, I'm still skeptical of the NPC "buddy" idea as a whole.
But you still get 5 stars
How about making it something of a "veteran Smuggler perk". After you're a Smuggler for three months or so, then you can get it. 
Or maybe completing a "Smuggler theme park".
But I think the idea sounds awsome. I'd love to have an NPC to follow me around, hang out in cantinas with, lock my MP ship turrets forward, give me a little extra inventory space, help me in ground combat, ect. That would be extremely cool.
I agree that we should be able to upgrade them, not ditch them from one to another. We should have one as our "pal" throughout the whole time. But I like the idea of being able to pick the race, gender, name and add clothing to it. It would suck to get stuck with a "pal" that you really hated.
Lets hope for this in the Smuggler revamp... whenever it comes around. 
Smuggler_Caylin
Mon Feb 28, 2005 12:59 pm
#18
JTGAlpha wrote:This is a MUCH more fleshed out and doable version of this idea.Caylin I would agree with you, but the largest problem with demanding that Multiplayer Ships ALWAYS have another player in them to make them worth while is that even my BEST friends aren't going to be on when I need them 7 times out of 10. Everyone's got their own lives. An "NPC Buddy" could alleviate that. Heck, even just a "Co-pilot" abillity for ALL pilots would be acceptable.
If it's just an issue with the MP ships, then why not push for a slave circuit that essentially does the same thing? Consumes Energy/Mass and can reroute some controls to the pilot station, that type of thing.
One of the Four Horsemen of the Smuggler Apocalypse! 
JTGAlpha
Mon Feb 28, 2005 2:36 pm
#19
Eh. I wouldn't mind if it was part of the pilot professions really. I think it's crappy that you HAVE to have a copilot or a gunner to make a MPS worth anything. And I just think it's nice to have NPC goon place holders in places to "fill the emptiness" so to speak.
RogueCloudwalker
Mon Feb 28, 2005 5:37 pm
#20
Its hard finding a buddy to do stuff with you in a solo game. Take Kettemoor for instance. My server population is so low that I would welcome an NPC buddy. I play solo 99% of the time anyway. Its just what I prefer. You could balance this with the fact that you would constantly have to pay the NPC or they will eventually leave. They would also take a % cut out of all your mission payouts. That way credits are being taken out through a drain. The better the NPC, the more credits you pay out. Considering that Smuggler is one of the weakest professions combat wise, and probably will be so after CURB, give this ability to Master Smugglers to help give them a boost to be somewhat comparable to the other rough and tough fighters.
VegitoX
Mon Feb 28, 2005 6:09 pm
#21
Taking this in another direction; I would be willing to have such a "buddy" for RP purposes; he/she wouldnt even have to serve me in the same capacity as say a creature to a CH..
Though I would gladly welcome the idea of giving said buddy; certain abilities that would add more flavor to an otherwise hollow profession.
just my two credit sticks.
BeigeKnight
Mon Feb 28, 2005 7:53 pm
#22
I've always liked the idea of a "buddy," especially with the whole MP ship aspect of it. In regards to the thought of everyone having a partner in crime, maybe there would be some sort of maintainence on it. I mean, they deserve their cut of the profits too.
Jaim_Darkstryder
Mon Feb 28, 2005 8:00 pm
#23
Cool idea!
Though I always thought that Wookiees should just be pets anyway
Though I always thought that Wookiees should just be pets anyway
Indy106
Mon Feb 28, 2005 11:38 pm
#24
I think that having a customizableNPC buddy to come up through the ranks with you is a great idea. If he/she started out as a weak smuggling friend, and grew stronger with you as you advanced in the Smuggler profession. I also like the idea of it having your buddy help out in space. I dont think that these NPCs should be better than a real life player, but a little help wouldnt throw things off balance.
Axe-Do Gibet
Master Smuggler
CoreTech
JTGAlpha
Tue Mar 01, 2005 1:08 am
#25
Because having a co-pilot is more fun. You can always push them aside, send them to the engine room, whatever, when you have REAL people with you.
Smuggler_Caylin
Tue Mar 01, 2005 1:21 am
#26
JTGAlpha wrote:Because having a co-pilot is more fun. You can always push them aside, send them to the engine room, whatever, when you have REAL people with you.
Will just have to agree to disagree on this issue I think. The only co-pilot I have fun with, is one who actually interacts with me and has a mind of their own. The conceptualization of smugglers as a pet-user does not sit well with me.