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Post by qbspy on Feb 15, 2017 23:21:19 GMT -5
I think Tommy Wiseau said it best. "That's life."  |
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Post by Cory Trese on Feb 15, 2017 23:55:34 GMT -5
Why is that specific part of the game based on chance?
Because this way is more fun! We tried all the other ways -- this one is the best for sure.
Beyond just trying all the options, we thought about "What is fun?"
We researched the psychology of the fun. We consulted with some people who did their PhD research on the brain chemicals that make this type of fun really fun and hard to stop.
We combined all those together -- the best implementation, the science of fun and what we know, from our other games, about our fans.
And the result in this skills and attributes heavy, with a side mechanic of chance. The chance element is ultimately minor, in the long game, but in the short game it provides excitement and when you see the finished UI, you'll see how much fun!!!
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Post by ChocoCrowbar on Feb 16, 2017 6:48:31 GMT -5
You can install Exploration specific components on your ship to help increase rewards and decrease damages. I think an important thing missing is what each ship component brings to the table. The descriptions are simple (I know, alpha), but knowing what that component does, apart from what it soaks, would help with people buying more of those things. |
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Post by bobc on Feb 16, 2017 7:14:32 GMT -5
We researched the psychology of the fun. We consulted with some people who did their PhD research on the brain chemicals that make this type of fun really fun and hard to stop. They got that right. Months in the wilderness, ship falling apart, crew in tatters, away team a fading memory, but I've got to spin the cards one more time because this time its going to be pay-day and all the pain will have been worth it and my crew will forgive me (both of them)! |
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Post by fallen on Feb 16, 2017 11:51:23 GMT -5
bobc - hahaha, exactly. This is the mentality of the Explore Captain to a T! I know it is out there ... just one more ... expedition. If you haven't, you should check out Brett Caron's work about Explorers -- No Legacy Between the Stars. We were really excited to try to capture the feeling of his story within the system, and I am so happy with how it turned out. www.tresebrothers.com/fiction/
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Post by bobc on Feb 16, 2017 12:55:18 GMT -5
Got it thanks, it is a fun read. Enjoyed Subjective Vengeance too. Can totally recommend both books to anyone who wants a flavour of the STverse.
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Post by fallen on Feb 16, 2017 13:26:47 GMT -5
You can install Exploration specific components on your ship to help increase rewards and decrease damages. I think an important thing missing is what each ship component brings to the table. The descriptions are simple (I know, alpha), but knowing what that component does, apart from what it soaks, would help with people buying more of those things. Thanks for this prompt. The description text was written, but some bad display logic was failing to show it. All added for next release -- the components of interest are -- Extraction Drill Increases yield of Raw and Refined Resource discoveries by up to +6 during Exploration Harvester Bay Increases yield of Raw and Refined Resource discoveries by up to +12 during Exploration Resource Processor Increases yield of Raw and Refined Resource discoveries by up to +16 during Exploration Javat Mechi-Reaper Increases yield of Raw and Refined Resource discoveries by up to +20 during Exploration Matchweave Suits Reduces crew damage during Exploration, Spying, Blockade or Patrol by 50% L-Support Rover Reduces crew damage during Exploration by 66% Hyperion Exo-Suits Reduces crew damage during Exploration, Spying, Blockade or Patrol by 66% and 50% less crew are harmed Exo-Crawler Reduces crew damage during Exploration, Spying, Blockade or Patrol by 66% and 66% less crew are harmed EVA Module Reduces ship damage during Exploration by 25% Weather-Plating Reduces ship damage during Exploration, Spying, Blockade, or Patrol by 40% Radiation-Plating Reduces ship damage during Exploration, Spying, Blockade, or Patrol by 50% Mesa Radiate-Seal Reduces ship damage during Exploration, Spying, Blockade, or Patrol by 60% Surface Scanner Increases Data Records gathered when Exploring by 15% Wide-Arc Scanner Increases Data Records gathered when Exploring by 25% Depth Scanner ZED Increases Data Records gathered when Exploring by 50% Rychart Depth Scanner ZED7 Increases Data Records gathered when Exploring by 60% Orbital Fuel Scoop 1 Reduces fuel cost of Patrol, Spy or Blockade by 1 Orbital Fuel Scoop 2 Reduces fuel cost of Patrol, Spy or Blockade by 1-3 Orbital Fuel Scoop 3 Reduces fuel cost of Patrol, Spy or Blockade by 2-4 Orbital Fuel Scoop 4 Reduces fuel cost of Patrol, Spy or Blockade by 2-5 Signal Array Increases Data Records gathered when Spying by 15% Dual-Arc Signal Array Increases Data Records gathered when Spying by 25% Triple-Arc Signal Array Increases Data Records gathered when Spying by 50% Multi-Signal Array Increases Data Records gathered when Spying by 60% |
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athios
Templar
[ Star Traders 2 Supporter ]
Posts: 1,611 
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Post by athios on Feb 16, 2017 13:48:13 GMT -5
Okay, so I made a new Explorer captain on Demanding, with multiple overlaps of 2nd/3rd jobs as Explorer or Exo-Scout (total Explorer skill of 33!) and a Retired Explorer as Contact. Things are going much smoother this time around, and it is not difficult to eek out a living by combining trading and primarily explorer missions. I'm very much looking forward to more advanced features/cards!  I know the card draw is completely random, but I'm happy to report that I've had quite a few explore missions end with the required card on the first round. Thanks RNG! Follow-up question: Does the pay rate for exploration missions currently take into account the hostility/danger rating of the destination planet? I had one where I swear every single draw gave +1,+1,-4,-6,-6 and I had to do it sooo many times to get the mission completed... |
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athios
Templar
[ Star Traders 2 Supporter ]
Posts: 1,611
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Post by athios on Feb 16, 2017 13:51:24 GMT -5
Exo-Crawler Reduces crew damage during Exploration, Spying, Blockade or Patrol by 66% and 66% less crew are harmed I assume that's a typo? |
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Post by grävling on Feb 16, 2017 13:55:08 GMT -5
You buy these wonderful components at the stardock? Or do you need to find a special contact that sells these things?
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Post by fallen on Feb 16, 2017 13:55:41 GMT -5
Exo-Crawler Reduces crew damage during Exploration, Spying, Blockade or Patrol by 66% and 66% less crew are harmed I assume that's a typo? Don't think so. If the original damage orders were "Do 50 Dmg to 3 Crew" this module would reduce that to "Do 17 Dmg to 1 Crew" |
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Post by grävling on Feb 16, 2017 13:56:23 GMT -5
Exo-Crawler Reduces crew damage during Exploration, Spying, Blockade or Patrol by 66% and 66% less crew are harmed I assume that's a typo? or do you mean that the damage to the crew is reduced by 66% ? |
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Post by fallen on Feb 16, 2017 13:56:49 GMT -5
You buy these wonderful components at the stardock? Or do you need to find a special contact that sells these things? Currently, the game's availability system for Upgrades is flat. They are available everywhere, any stardock that can upgrade has everything. It won't last. Whenever a component is used in Exploration / Patrol / Spy / Blockade, it takes direct damage for its use (maintenance). |
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Post by fallen on Feb 16, 2017 13:57:21 GMT -5
or do you mean that the damage to the crew is reduced by 66% ? Both # of Crew and Dmg to crew. |
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Post by grävling on Feb 16, 2017 14:02:55 GMT -5
s/66% less/66% fewer/ then though I would much prefer 66% of your crew escape damage, myself.
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