[POLL] Do you want to play as an independent?

[sgtcookie]

First off, I don't want Cory to drop everything else he is working on. Just actively try to do it. I don't mean to be rude Cory, so please don't take it that way.

So, do you want to play as an Independent?
I sure do.

[koles]

What you mean as 'independent'?
For now belonging to specific action is only a matter of first turns and starting place. This game is rather simulation of anarchic captains, not belonging to anyone. It looks like you are independent at start
Not your flag is important but your reputation

[Cory Trese]

The question is "do you want to see 'Independent' as a staring Faction choice?"

This would change some things about the starting -- no initial faction, start with an Independent Flag ship, Zealots wouldn't be able to start with Rank, ect.

It would require some code changes for it to work -- changes I am willing to make if people think it sounds like a fun challenge / change of style.

[whitegauntlet]

Bump.

[slayernz]

hahaha - bringing yet another post back from the dead. Zombie Post?

Delivery for you sir ... open with care

[whitegauntlet]

Hahaha. Was that you that just voted yes, slay?

[slayernz]

Not I ... I'm neutral on this one. I don't fly for cookie crumbs - and their markets are just too damned expensive for their own good. What mr independent merchant. Get many flagships come by these parts often? No. Well then get off your high horse and stop gouging in your prices. If I wanted to get shafted in buying artifacts, I'd head off over to Steel Song ... or Rychart!

err ... so what I'm saying is if you are an independent captain, you should get better pricing from independent nations!

[johndramey]

I'm all for adding variety to the game... but! Well, I just don't see it working. I really agree with slayernz's cookie metaphor, the indies are not a "faction" per se so much as a loose conglomeration of people who don't really want to deal with each other or other factions.

Even the idea of independent "captains" getting cheaper prices doesn't really make sense in the framework of indie planets. Why should they give anyone a break, each indie planet is purely out for itself.

So... Well, sorry, but I tossed a "no" vote into the poll.

[whitegauntlet]

Jun 17, 2013 7:59:56 GMT -5 johndramey said:

I'm all for adding variety to the game... but! Well, I just don't see it working. I really agree with slayernz's cookie metaphor, the indies are not a "faction" per se so much as a loose conglomeration of people who don't really want to deal with each other or other factions.

Even the idea of independent "captains" getting cheaper prices doesn't really make sense in the framework of indie planets. Why should they give anyone a break, each indie planet is purely out for itself.

So... Well, sorry, but I tossed a "no" vote into the poll.

This isn't about making indies a faction. I am against that. What I am hoping for is the ability to start off the game as an independent. No ties to any faction. It's not an independent faction. It's a no-faction.

[Jacob]

I support it! And Cory said that he is willing to make the changes, well ...

Cory Trese

... DO IT!!

[zciworezlo]

Independent faction choice would interest me if there was a way to build reputation (and reap rewards) with individual independent planets. Hero of Blastblink!

[xdesperado]

So I voted to be able to start and play as a true independent captain.

Been giving this some thought and its led me to the question of; Other than getting some small initial rep with your chosen faction and incuring some minor hidden penalty for flying a ship flagged from another faction, what does faction really matter?

You don't get any special treatment from your starting faction, indeed they view you as a bit of an outsider because your a free trader. Sort of mercenary/deniable asset whose only value is, what you can do for them today.

In essence your already an independent regardless of what faction you start with.

Is faction choice basically a role playing choice or are there other benefits linked to being a member of some faction?

[athios]

Jun 17, 2013 15:44:59 GMT -5 xdesperado said:

In essence your already an independent regardless of what faction you start with.

Is faction choice basically a role playing choice or are there other benefits linked to being a member of some faction?

I feel the same way. Once I start a game and have gotten a foothold and my upgrades, I generally ignore which faction I belong to.

I'm sure there are hidden values and calculation based on your faction, although how important it is I'm not sure. From my impression, I'm inclined to think your Rank matters more. I remember one of flavor texts saying that if your ship flag is different from your own faction, you get some penalty to the military trusting you? Although how this is possible I'm not sure, since you won't get barred from military base unless you have no rank or if there's a closure. And whether you get offered promotions is just based on your Rep. Maybe it affects whether you lose Rank/Rep when acting against a faction.

As to the initial question, I remember Cory saying before that it was impossible based on the existing game architeture, guess now they have figured out a way to make it work. My concern is that is just an "add in" feature, and without substantial work it may not bring enough unique story, challenges or practical difference in play style to make it worth it. The time spent on adding this in may be better spent developing other projects or fixing bugs and adding other feature requests.

[whitegauntlet]

"Maybe it affects whether you lose Rank/Rep when acting against a faction.".

It doesn't (or so the combat tree says).

[Misfit]

I like the idea, but I put in a NO vote cause it seems like it might be a lot of work for little gain. BTW guys, thanks for all the hard work on best game for the buck ever made ( including CK and TA too).