1
Suggestions / Re: Integrating the Independents and Nova Maxios
« on: Today at 12:36:01 AM »
Independants (and Pirates) are presented as single "factions" when they are really a loose grouping of vaguely similar entities for a single reason: Gameplay conceit.
Firstly this reduces the amount of complexity displayed to the player, making the game much easier to parse at a glance.
Simpler is better here.
Secondly, this vastly reduces the amount of back-end work required to implement, because every faction must be reflected by every other faction, and each much have its own associated strings, data, dialogue, events etc.
The more factions you have, the more effort is required to manage them all.
And if you have a faction with mutliple "subfactions", how do you even show that in the intel listing?
Does each one get its own entry? If yes, how do you deal with clutter? If no, how is it presented? etc etc.
And lastly, Starsector is not a mapgame, and never will be. Having dozens upon dozens if tiny polities each with thier own reputation and relationship meters doesn't serve any useful purpose in the context of this game. It just adds clutter, complexity and a non-trivial amount of extra work that doesn't add much in the way of benefit.
I would rather see dev time being spent on actually interesting / useful things rather than trying to turn the game into something it isn't.
Independant markets existing are also an extra avenue for players to acquire military equipment if they do not wish to be tied to a commission, perform piracy or be forced to scavenge/salvage.
They also serve as the "baseline" trade partner for the player faction, as barring outlier activity by the player they will always be friendly enough to trade, and never under any circumstances threaten player colonies.
If you think Independants should either all be separate entities, or just entirely not exist, make a mod to do that for your own enjoyment.
You have the power!
Firstly this reduces the amount of complexity displayed to the player, making the game much easier to parse at a glance.
Simpler is better here.
Secondly, this vastly reduces the amount of back-end work required to implement, because every faction must be reflected by every other faction, and each much have its own associated strings, data, dialogue, events etc.
The more factions you have, the more effort is required to manage them all.
And if you have a faction with mutliple "subfactions", how do you even show that in the intel listing?
Does each one get its own entry? If yes, how do you deal with clutter? If no, how is it presented? etc etc.
And lastly, Starsector is not a mapgame, and never will be. Having dozens upon dozens if tiny polities each with thier own reputation and relationship meters doesn't serve any useful purpose in the context of this game. It just adds clutter, complexity and a non-trivial amount of extra work that doesn't add much in the way of benefit.
I would rather see dev time being spent on actually interesting / useful things rather than trying to turn the game into something it isn't.
Independant markets existing are also an extra avenue for players to acquire military equipment if they do not wish to be tied to a commission, perform piracy or be forced to scavenge/salvage.
They also serve as the "baseline" trade partner for the player faction, as barring outlier activity by the player they will always be friendly enough to trade, and never under any circumstances threaten player colonies.
If you think Independants should either all be separate entities, or just entirely not exist, make a mod to do that for your own enjoyment.
You have the power!
)
