*though I feel this direction is an error; the aspect of starsector that I fell in love with the combat engine, all this effort directed at the campaign isn't improving this aspect of the game at all - in some ways it detracts from it.
This should probably go in a general discussion thread, but how exactly do you feel the combat engine still needs improved?
More ships, weapons, more diverse engagement scenarios, scripted objectives, terrain, etc.
Basically more depth within the combat engine itself; at the moment it's little more than a small arena where 'two fleets enter, one fleet leaves'.
Imagine the complexity of an RTS campaign mission from the likes of StarCraft, but played out in starsector's combat engine.
Complex objectives, multiple failure states, meaningful tactical choices.
In fact anyone who has experience of the SFC games (Starfleet Command) will know the sort of depth I'm hoping for.
Just yesterday I was imagining the viability of bringing classic RTS elements into Starsector's combat engine.
The type focused purely on tactical combat though, no base building, and the only resource being deployment points (rewarded for territorial control); a la wargame red dragon.
Pre-battle designing of your fleet, then in game you battle for territorial control, constantly pulling in new ships from your reserve to counter your opponent's current composition.
I can imagine it being immense fun, and with enormous strategic depth (both in the fleet design & combat phases).
Though It'd all be rather pointless without first having a functional MP mod....must get back onto that.