Independent as a faction choice

[sgtcookie]

I think that being forced to chose a faction is somewhat limiting as there are independent planets and ships, so why can't the player be independent?

I know that this would mess up the first mission, deliver a message to the capital of your faction, but can't an indie planet be chosen for that?

This would provide some benefits, rep gain/loss is 75% of normal value rounded down, i.e if attacking a merchant ship would loose you ten rep if you were part of a clan, you would only loose 7 rep, conversely if you perform a contract that would get you 20 rep you only get 15.

What do you think?

[Kelvin Zero]

I have usually viewed the Independent planets as independent even with each other. I don't think there is an Independent Faction per se. I have seen missions from Independent planets that warn about opposing Independent agents. These planets are worlds either too tough for the Factions to take over or worlds deemed too worthless or dangerous to use.

Technically, I never view any of my Captains as really belonging to any faction in particular. They will have affiliations with several factions at the same time but loyalty to none in particular. An Independent planet would probably never tolerate a Captain who could possibly switch loyalties at any time. I think that is why they never offer military rank or give favors.

[sgtcookie]

I don't mean faction as in house thulan. More like its just you, your crew and your ship trying to make it in the quadrant.

I said faction choice as that is what it would replace, rather than as a faction as a whole.

The description could be something along the lines of:
"The life of an independent captain is a long and hard one, you have no ties to a faction, you must survive on your own skill and luck. May what ever god you believe in keep you alive.

Worlds: None

Feature: Rep loss/gain is 75% of normal."

[Cory Trese]

I will look and see if this is possible in the database.

Independents are "Faction Zero" and existing simply as "not the other factions" in the game's engine.

If it is something I can offer it sounds like an interesting idea -- although 75% reputation won't be the bonus that would mean a lot of extra multiplication checks.

[RushSecond]

One benefit should be better prices at independent planets, because currently they are horrible.

[darkmonk]

Or possibly terrible prices at all planets? You're not a hero, not well liked, not trusted, just a scruffy nerf-herder who nobody knows and who has no Faction affiliate to vouch for their honesty or credibility. I always saw Independents as the truly 'outside of the law' rogues; not necessarily evil, just very mercenary, and out for only themselves.

Consider it a purist, or very difficult mode? No friends, no allies, just temporary acquaintances until the credits stop flowing

[militantofficial]

then what happens if the captain wants to dedicate to one particular faction?
least w/ independent traders we have someone we can always pick on

[sgtcookie]

Bump and a question for Cory: Do you know yet if this can be done?

[Cory Trese]

not sure, it is on the list of minor features to investigate. it is one of those things that if I can add it by simply removing the check that stops it, I'll throw it in as a release feature.

If it gives me any trouble, I'm not really going to fight for it unless a bunch of people really like the white and red flag.

[sgtcookie]

Ok. If it's fine with you, I'll make a poll to see if people would want it.

[kyleobrien]

So I've been playing this game for a couple of weeks now and this is my take on it. We should be able to play as independents. I'll explain why. Seeing as how we get to pick our classes and faction it is only fair that independents should be in the mix.

I believe that Independents are, as there name suggests, independent. So when you start in that class, you start outside a random indie world. Now from here you go to this world. This indie world, is your home. your capital to you. You get discounts at this world alone because everyone there knows you. Remember these indie planet are small groups of people, so we could assume that everyone knows you on this planet. It's like a small town community. Other than your home planet I believe all the other prices should be the same on planets.

Here is the kicker I think should go with this though. I haven't seen this anywhere as of yet either. Say you're an indie and you decided that in order to make more money you wanna ally yourself with De Valtos. So you go to them but a trade and death warrant. You gain favor with De Valtos but because you're indie all of a sudden your planet, your home world, hates you. You've betrayed them. Now for that planet your prices skyrocket.

You'll still fly the red and white but for your home planet anyways, you've become a traitor. Other indie planets wont care. and the other factions won't care either.

I don't know if this would be easy to code or not, but it's just an idea, and as I said I'm fairly new to this game. Enjoy

[Cory Trese]

Thanks for the post! We'll definitely keep all the feedback we get in mind as we build this game and future games.

The ST story is about a Faction Star Trader, a spacing Captain and master of a Ship. It is a wild story, right!

Thanks for the post and feedback.

BY THE WAY! Welcome to the Forum

[Deleted]

Aug 1, 2013 22:03:44 GMT -5 Cory Trese said:

Thanks for the post! We'll definitely keep all the feedback we get in mind as we build this game and future games.

The ST story is about a Faction Star Trader, a spacing Captain and master of a Ship. It is a wild story, right!

Thanks for the post and feedback.

BY THE WAY! Welcome to the Forum

and plus the ST game engine makes it impossible to be independents. Otherwise the ability to play as independents probably would already have been added

[Nail]

How about the option to form your own named faction? Mount & Blade style, you could have a choice of flags and invade a poor planet for your own homeworld or possibly build a space station or wilderness base. Though I'm guessing this kinda stuff is easier said than done but it would be cool.
I would happily destroy all the other factions =)
Speaking of which, I also think it would be awesome if factions could conquer other factions planets and bring them under their control.

[Cory Trese]

Thanks for the suggestion and we'll definitely keep it in mind for future games!