spike
Exemplar
Posts: 360
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Post by spike on Mar 4, 2011 12:36:35 GMT -5
It is a drag that I can't go to (e.g.) the Star Dock because my target is waiting there. Maybe I would like to repair some damage or refit at the Star Dock before tackling the target? I thought that the "Not now, later" menu was to allow me to visit the facility where the Contract target is, without engaging the target / doing the Contract.
Just cost me a Captain. OK I was short on time, otherwise I would've rearmed and refitted elsewhere en route.
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Post by Cory Trese on Mar 4, 2011 13:49:28 GMT -5
Yah, that is one of the challenges of taking contracts at the Starport. That's a central component of the stardock/contract design -- same with morale and spice halls, et al.
Landing Cost, Reward, Difficulty of Access and Blocked Services ... many things factor into a "meta score" for a contract.
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spike
Exemplar
Posts: 360
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Post by spike on Mar 4, 2011 15:16:05 GMT -5
Landing Cost, Reward, Difficulty of Access and Blocked Services ... many things factor into a "meta score" for a contract. The first 3 all make sense in the game world. Not so sure about the Blocked services, that's harder to explain in-game isn't it? Are we saying that I can wander about the planet all day, but as soon as I go into the facility where the target/agent is waiting, the target will get a "sixth sense" feeling and bolts? Maybe just plausible, certainly as a percentage / possibility. But I can't Explore some Wilds because there's an agent somewhere on the planet's surface, waiting for me to deliver a datapad? Not really credible. If it's a technical limitation then fair enough. In which case a flavour text solution would be along the lines of: "Approaching the [facility/planet's surface/etc] prematurely for any other purpose is unacceptable, your employer would immediately void the Contract." If it's not technically problematic, the desired behaviour would be that if I say "Not Now", I proceed to the facility/Exploration etc. When I come back out, that facility/option is still bolded, and if I hit it again, I again have the option to tackle the Contract (or not). My concern here is not game play but game feel, the feeling of 'reality' and belief in the game world. But it's no biggie. |
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Post by Cory Trese on Mar 4, 2011 22:40:49 GMT -5
I disagree, but I will put it into the list of player suggestions.
For my view of the world, if the Captain lands on the Urban Zone his crew, reputation, special social status and off-worlder nature gives him away.
He must tread carefully to avoid being spotted by his target or other hostile parties.
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I agree with you about mission that end in "Explorer" tho, that one does not make much game-world sense.
Let me see if I can adjust that one without re-writing the Contract state system.
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