An idea for the Retirement Award

[hillm1234]

What about allowing an Elite Insane Captain that has made it all the way to Retirement to create and/or name a ship class?

[Tenebrous Pirate]

The idea isn't bad, but I would worry about game balance for player created ships. I don't think the coding would allow this option though.

[hillm1234]

Yeah, that's true.

Maybe you get a "codeword" that you can PM to Cory in the forums when you unlock the award, and he'll name a ship after you in the next update.

I wouldn't mind buying a Tenebrous Cruiser at my local Independent Stardock.

[slayernz]

Balance - I don't care about no steenkeng balance! So long as there are 40 barrage guns at the bow, and 40 barrage guns mounted aft, you've got some balance. Of course, 80 engines + 120 sails seem to weigh about right too.

I wonder if you can get a ship with a hull of 30, cargo of 400, 80 engines, 120 sails, looking like a porcupine with turrets.

• Cadar - no, they believe their ships should remain the most superior in the galaxy.
  
• Rychart - no, they've got enough problems with hat shortages (Old Alchy is sorely missed)
  
• Thulun - no, they're too thick to know how to build things more complex than a door stop.
  
• De Valtos - no, they'll certainly take your money and promise the ship of your dreams, but will scarper with your cash and leave you with a shiny new door stop.
  
• Javat - maybe - but they'd probably prefer to replace the guns with excavation implements to help with mining efficiencies
  
• Steel Song - no, although they're a little smarter than Thulun, any ship with Steel Song flag also has smaller print saying "Please shoot me". I've come across countles Steel Song ships like this and have learned it's easier to comply than question why.
  

[gearheadwhat]

Or potentially even a ship builder function would be a cool unlock...

I have a retirement idea I would like to see. Retire your character, but you get to leave behind either your ship for the next character (maybe too good) or the next character you start gets to start at like level five or ten.

[spectre]

That is a fantastic idea gearhead!

[slayernz]

I like the idea of leaving your ship to your successor - but newbie characters typically only have small pilot skills (at most about 6 points). Flying a ship with a hull of 20 or 30 with a pilot skill that low would be like giving a 15 year old a Ferrari as their first car to learn how to drive in. The kid will be beaming ear to ear until he pushes the accelerator just a tad too much and wraps the car around the nearest lamp post.

One retirement reward/unlock that could be great would be that after your captain reaches retirement level, every NEW pilot created gets a bonus 20XP at start. This is because your retired captain continues to impart some wisdom to the younglings. That is kind of like your "Start at level 5 or 10" reward, but effective for more than only the next character created.

[Cory Trese]

I have considered many times enabling the retirement award which would currently allow the retiring character to increase the rating of one world by +1. So a great smuggler could retire to Javat Prime and +1 Spice Hall Rating for all following characters.

I dunno, it would be weird and with enough play the map could get totally unbalanced.

Starting characters get enough XP as is =)

[Tenebrous Pirate]

Jul 31, 2011 14:05:34 GMT -5 Cory Trese said:

I have considered many times enabling the retirement award which would currently allow the retiring character to increase the rating of one world by +1. So a great smuggler could retire to Javat Prime and +1 Spice Hall Rating for all following characters.

I dunno, it would be weird and with enough play the map could get totally unbalanced.

Starting characters get enough XP as is =)

Well, I think that is kind of the point here. With enough play, you should be able to unbalance even the most carefully balanced games. ;-)

[innomynate]

What about to unlock the option to play as an "independent" or get enough wisdom to use an alien ship?

[Tenebrous Pirate]

You start as an independent. You stop being one as soon as you take rank with any particular faction. ;-)

[innomynate]

Lol ok.... hahaha ok didn't think about that but you can't get rank with independent faction and you can't buy 2 type of upgrades in independent planets ... I mean unlock independents as a faction ... maybe it's too complex to program... anyway it's just an idea.

[Cory Trese]

Yah that's one of those things were the developer just shakes his head and says "I'm afraid not, Captain."

The independents are not really a Faction. They're more like a proto-faction.

You'll note that in CK, I took this request (it has happened before) and honored it. The Free Streets (indy) are a real full faction instead of a proto faction.

I do listen, even when sometimes I can't apply the request until the next game.

[phantum]

Thinking of the retirement award, isn't it something more for veteran players, so focus on 2 things, leaving your name on the world, and speeding up some part of the game that veteran players do a lot, or maybe a small chance at a save for some high level situation. There is no need to make the game easier for players who are retiring captains, or to make the implementation too difficult for Cory as veteran players especially enjoy all those many upgrades he works hard on.

Could the awards only be active for characters with the retiree's first name as part of their name, activated in character creation to avoid issues with previous versions and saved captains?

for part 1: I know you can rename your players ship. Would it be easy in the game to do an automatic rename of the ship class that the player retires in to have their name in it? That way when you see it for sale in the stardock you get that nostalgia feeling. I thought about naming other things like an officer level, or star base, but ship rename is already implemented in game.

1a) You could maybe even get a small discount text if you buy it, not enough to unbalance, and player is not likely to be short of cash.

1b/2) Maybe it is not so hot seeing a ship named after your father shooting you up. Maybe some slight extra chance you can escape due to a back door to the ships computer your Dad mentioned, or do something to the ship, or blow it up/ commandeer it for no faction loss or something. Nothing unbalancing, just a touch.

2a) Could there be an option for a new captain to start out at the planet their father retired at, and would that be any use to start more at the far reaches as those worlds have less missions? Or alternatively an extra starting mission that takes you there but gives you the same faction, xp and money as those first 5 missions you usually start each character with?

2b) Since it hurts that bit more when a captain you have spent many hours with dies suddenly and unexpectedly. Some little tweak that effects and end game encounter, like an alien attack. I have not been in to attacking aliens yet so not sure what helps here, but something like a 1/5 chance of an event. Not enough to loose the thrill of the risk of certain death.

Cheers

[phantum]

Officer unlock: Parental ghost

He/she was the best, and not they have come back to teach you all that you need to know. Already got 3 officers on the ship? Don't worry they can stay in your cabin!

- provides advice notification on everything (particularly that new redhead mechanic you have onboard)
- they don't need a 2% cut on profits, (they pay you an allowance!)
- increases intimidate and explore (not regarding the mechanic though)
- they get bonus for plants on board (in your cabin)
- can convert plants to luxury rations.
- Bonus to moral (didn't all your friends think your parents were great?)

PS don't get me wrong, I have the greatest respect and love for my parents!

PPS maybe it could actually work as part of a serious suggestion, actually giving out the advice of other officers, but not the bonus.

PPPS could a ghost be a future officer in some other sense?