Smuggler Archive
Thread: Riddle me this.... (Updated)
Taln2 wrote:
It would be pretty cool if we could sell Jedi (or any player bounty)biosigs to the BHs anywhere, anytime by using a datapad to acquire the signature. A terminal would be pretty useless unless well-placed, as itwould turn a smuggler into a living SpyNet NPC.
Message Edited by Taln2 on 06-15-2005 12:34 AM
/mood cynical
Hmmm.. idk.. That sounds like it might take to much time out of tweaking the GCW (Jedi Academy Online). you know we cant have them devote any resources to other areas of the game except ones that parelel Episode 3 which is a civil time, a time with many many many lightsabers.. and no newbs wanna ride with you, no matter how pimp you pimped your ride, cuz you dont have a light saber, you just do /rollshots, dive shots and kipups, soloing yellow ranged NPCs, but nah... That aint cool cuz theres no lightsaber like they saw in the beginning when they first created character so you just hope to get challenged by some imp kid only 10 levels higher than you instead of 20 while farming ST's for SW tapes.
Thanks for the tips guys, I knew there was some stupid little thing I could do, but I kept playing with the HTML editor...oh well.
I liek what I have heard so far, especially the faction base location onformation, that would be very useful in the GCW. I also like Veela's idea involving BH and Jedi...in fact her datapad result is similar to how I thought about doing some things.
I will list what I have so far finally:
Types of Information usable as a game mechanic for SWG:
Loot
Areas where either a single loot drop or an overall increased (or unique) loot table could be used
Areas could be variable in size based off of Smugglers ratio of success
Where they are could be a single WP with an area (radius around in xxx meters,) around that point, or a "squared" area of 4 WP’s that makes it non-specific
Experience
Areas where xp is calculated at an increased rate (training grounds location)
Could be a single WP with a radius of xxxx meters with all lairs and spawns granting the increased xp.
Could be a WP that once it is reached begins a countdown ticker for x amount of kills that would grant the increase in xp; or a timer of x hours.
Amount of extra xp gained could vary by the success ratio of the Smuggler.
Resources
WP for an increased stat resource that is harvestable by the PC only.
Could be either a onetime harvest by harvester for x amount of time or an ablative source that only yields x amount
Variables could be impacted by Smugglers success ratio.
Connections
Create a "discount" add on for vendor purchases.
This discount window would allow a PC to use a "coupon" or "voucher" when purchasing an item.
This discount would be applied to the PC only and not to the vendor, thus a merchant will not lose money on the sale, but the PC will save money on it. (money sink)
A Smuggler can "talk to his buddy…" about getting a nice deal on an item (could be by category, or price range, or specific item)
Depending on the success ratio of the Smuggler a discount range is created giving the named PC a discount on a given single purchase
Contraband Scan
Allow a Smuggler to sell a voucher ticket, or create an invisible token (like the respect token) that grants a PC a free ride on one failed scan.
Shows the Smugglers contacts within factions, "hey, aren’t you a friend of so and so…right, well I guess I can let you off with a warning then…"
Bounties
Allows a Smuggler to sell the location of a Bounty to a BH of any skill level, at a lvl 4 parameter.
Location accuracy scales based off of success ratio of the Smuggler
Allows a Smuggler to sell the location of a BH with a mark on a given Jedi PC
Allow a Smuggler to make a once per day reduction in the Jedi’s visibility scaled in percentage based off of the Smugglers ratio of success (max of 50%)
Message Edited by JediArashi on 06-15-2005 09:35 AM
Ok, on another read through some of that isn't as clear as i thought it was when I wrote it in the middle of a sleepless night! 
I'm going to post how I think the "system" could work. This is part of the overall concept, that I didn't want to include here until it was finished, but I'll use it to explain anyway:
How the Interface works:
The Smuggler would be approached by a PC wanting information. The Smuggler would want to ask what type of information they are looking for. Knowing what the PC is after, a fee would be assessed and agreed upon. Then the Smuggler goes to work.
Using a special datapad the Smuggler taps into the SpyNet or into the HoloNet depending on the type of information is being gathered. This is done by either slicing (holo) or by making contact with a "friend" (Spy).
When slicing into the HoloNet the slicing interface would work in much the same way as current (at a data terminal), depending on degrees of success to get the type of information needed. Some random variable tables would need to be applied, with perhaps a mini-game that would allow skilled Smugglers a chance to be more successful then others. The ratio of success yields better results for the PC client. Depending on the type of information, a new datapad item would be created in the Smugglers inventory to trade to the PC client. The actual interface would be RP driven with stories or contacts similar to how missions are generated now (in terms of the descriptions).
When contacting the SpyNet, the datapad will generate a WP to a random NPC character not currently used by any mission system within a city. The Smuggler would have to physically travel to the location of the WP, and converse with the NPC. Through conversation choices, the correct type of information can be attained. The NPC then gives the Smuggler a datapad with the info for his PC client. Perhaps a window could be created that forces a Smuggler to input a PC’s name so that it is imprinted for them only (like gmail is).
The Smuggler can then complete the transaction by trading the datapad (which would have a description viewable in the trade window to see that it is legit, but not with the actual info requested viewable) to the PC. Payment could then be made in the same trade window.
To help balance against abuse a timer could be set up for each "information type" only allowing each type to be used once every 12 hours or something like that. I would not want Smugglers to replace the pre-CU docs as the first stop before hunting; at least not to the degree that they experienced. Many hardcore players would find the time restraint acceptable to be used essentially twice a day, for many that may only be one game session per day. This would also cut down on how often a Smuggler needs to use the ability while keeping a steady customer base that will keep coming back, because the product is worth while. These timers are in place for thing like the Health Buff Crystal and other high end items, so this should not be an issue for programming. For the casual players it means an extra bonus that they can use nearly every time they play if they play in limited hours per day, limited days per week.
Message Edited by JediArashi on 06-15-2005 09:39 AM
very smugglerish... we could then use this same datapad device to alter someone's identity temporarily (an ability i think Smugglers should definitely get sometime in the future)
GanymedePharuu wrote:
that would be pretty awesome to be able to slice into the holonet or Imperial network, or Rebel network, using a special datapad type link up!
very smugglerish... we could then use this same datapad device to alter someone's identity temporarily (an ability i think Smugglers should definitely get sometime in the future)
(maybe not just rambling there}
Message Edited by KainMalice on 06-15-2005 06:53 AM
- Alliance Soldier
JediArashi wrote:
GanymedePharuu wrote:
that would be pretty awesome to be able to slice into the holonet or Imperial network, or Rebel network, using a special datapad type link up!
very smugglerish... we could then use this same datapad device to alter someone's identity temporarily (an ability i think Smugglers should definitely get sometime in the future)
True, if ID's don't get the ability first I think that could be included in the concept for sure.
well i like the idea of IDs working with Smugglers to do this.
my old Smuggler/ID template would've actually been useful haha!
MISTagent01 wrote:
I'd love to be able to slice a BH terminal for a Jedi and find out the names of the BHs currently holding their mission, and then sell the info on datadisk to the specified Jedi.
No need for this, they're all his guildmates anyway.