Yes, it makes perfect sense; thanks for explaining. And honestly I don't see much of a difference between the two ways of handling the modification of credits, either one would work just as well in my eyes. But then again, I'm used to complicated and unintuitive processes from modding other games, so I guess I'm hardened against that sort of thing
Cool. If you do think of something else that would help, please mention it - either here or via PM.
So will the Ox Frigate Freighter be in the game Alex, or the larger fuel ships? I can't imagine that it would take as much time since they're all civilian and they already have sprites made for them. Also what is the status on the weird ship with the purple cosmic armor?
The large fuel ship sprites aren't actually done - what you see on that armada screenshot is scaled-down concept art, even though it looks more sprite-y than you'd expect. Actually... this reminds me, the medium tanker
is done. Not much incentive to put it in because fuel isn't used yet, but I ought to do it now so I don't forget again
The Ox - maybe. Have to see how the concept for it fits (it was originally meant as a tug). It may just become a freighter, but we'll see.
Is it another phase ship, or does it belong to another faction or what?
Early concept of a phase ship.
Also, will any of the new weapon systems still in the game's graphics files make it in? Gorgon, Hydra, VLRM, etc. Same goes with the other ships that have graphics but no data such as the 'Heavy Escort' fighter.
These are on the long-term-when/if-I-get-a-chance TODO list. So, no promises either way, but I haven't forgotten about these - and might take a crack at one or two if time permits before the next release.
@Alex: I have a question/request. Can phase ships retreat while phased? And I know this sounds silly, but can you make sure that doesn't cause a crash/error? My playtester-senses are tingling.
Yeah, that works fine. Tested just to be sure, because I'm paranoid
The Mule is a destroyer, right? 5500 hull puts it at the very top, even above the Enforcer. Course, it doesn't have near the weapon systems but its still pretty neat to have a freighter rocking such defense - in other space games the freighters usually have paper-thin defense.
Yep, destroyer-sized.
another vulture? oh god the balancing issues are multiplying
the vulture is already crazy FP efficient in terms of cargo and it packs plenty of firepower and armor on top of it, also has a flight deck and is pretty cheap for what it is, not sure if its such a good idea to have another one like it. There has to be some trade off eh, or you make the normal freighters useless. I suggest giving the normal freighters much more cargo, with the exception of the atlas. they are just so fragile to hold so little for so much FP, and the destroyer sized ones dont really get the whole high speed thing that a frigate would to make the fp worth it.
Ps. forgot i was talking about starfarer mid post when i noticed both the mad dog and the atlas lurking around my thoughts. Too much mechwarrior living legends, i suppose.
The thing that confused me the most here is at one point we did plan a Vulture, which would be a combat conversion of the Tarsus (like the Condor is a carrier conversion). So I immediately started thinking whether this was something that was talked about in public
The Mule has less cargo capacity, requires more crew, and is less fuel efficient (useless as a tradeoff right now, of course). Finer-grained balance is just going to have to wait until the campaign is mostly done - I can easily see other mechanics emerging that would affect the desirability of any given hull.