Nothing is fixed in stone, please complain about details.
Reasoning There needs to be a feeling of attachment to the ships in the game and currently this does not exist as exemplified when players have hundreds of cargo ships with the same name. Warships need to feel important as individual entities, so that it matters where they are and what they are capable of doing. Adding characters will have no effect on the feel of the game if there needs to be hundreds of them to make a difference (one on each ship). While there are other advantages to having less ships, such as the nexus working better and the game not needing converting to 64 bit, these are only secondary to how the game should feel.
We have had extensive discussions on this subject - literally weeks of conversations breaking down the problem, exploring possible solutions and generally rejecting them after analysis. We are not doing limits on ship quantities because we feel that there are already other indirect limits that seem to tie shipping capacity to weekly produced mass. We were worried that cargo movement would go crazy if we allowed more capacity but after looking at the stats from the game in detail we don't foresee that changing too much (on average) as the sources of mass will not be changing.
We are going with a system of upgrades, where ships can be made effectively x8 bigger. We fully understand that people are likely to quit if they feel they have to do a lot of work to make their empire function in a new system, so all the changes will be totally ignore-able in the short to medium term. All the changes will be small bonuses for changing to bigger ships - but the hulls sizes of the ships will not be changed. We will also use the class system to make bigger ships more of a bonus, so having the tech for a 400HH ship really means something (but not so much that other people can not compete).
Basics The existing ship class tag that is in scans will be formalised, giving ships a specific specialisation. So currently every time a ship is scanned it shows its class (in green):
FRE SHIP Shippy McShip Face (1337) - {50 Light Hulls} Barge Class Freighter {No Armour}
All ships will be converted to a 'Generic' Class. They can then convert a specialised class at a later date (or via BP), such as Freighter. These ships classes will have a set of options for upgrades and fixed abilities that they obtain when they are converted.
The philosophy is that in time everyone will use the new class system for the bulk of their ships, however it will never be used for all ships and the conversion over to classes should be over a long period of time. The thing to take from this is don't panic, you can ignore it in the short term and deal with it only when you want to.
Classes The ship classes being considered are: Cargo Ships:
Fast Freighter: Can land and has extended cargo
Blockade Runner: Can cloak properly
Heavy Lifter: Sounded cool but we have no idea what it should do...
Troop Transport
Freighter: increased cargo
Currently we are only set on the specifics for the Freighter: - Cargo Containers [1/25 Hulls +10000 cargo, -20% Cost vs LH Ship, requires crew factors] - Ore Containers [1/25 Hulls +40000 cargo] - Jumps for 50 Tus - Can Not Land (with the exception of Fast Freighter)
Utility Ships:
Explorer: Jumps for 50 TUs
Scout: Can cloak between turns, acts as 50 Hulls smaller than it is, min 5. Jumps for 50 TUs
Sensor Ship: Can scan a whole system [to replace mini scouts], GPI enhancement options [to avoid GPI swarms]
War Ships:
Escorts: Jump for 50Tus, Can not Land, Can screen multiple Freighters
Destroyers: 100HH+ / + 10% Missile Damage / Offence [x2-8] / -50% Armour / Can not Land
Cruisers: 100HH+ / Offence [x2-4] / Defence [x2] / -25% Jump TUs / Can not Land
Battle Cruiser: 100HH+ / +10% Energy Weapon Damage / Offence [x2-8] / Defence [x2-4] / Can not Land
Heavy Cruiser: 100HH+ / +10% Armour / Offence [x2-8] / Defence [x2-8] / Can not Land
Battleship: 250HH+ / + 10% Armour / Offence [x2-8] / Defence [x2-8] / [+ 1 offensive style upgrade from list / 50 Hulls over 200]
Dreadnoughts: 250HH+ / +10% Armour / Offence [x2-8] / Defence [x2-8] / [+ 1 defence style upgrade from list / 50 Hulls over 200]
Light Carrier: 100NH+
Carrier: 200NH+
Super Carrier: 300NH+
The Offensive Upgrades will modify the number of attacks and the Defensive Upgrades will modify hull defence, PD and explosion chance. The cost of these upgrades will be exactly in line with the costs of other ships. 8 200HH ships will be an equivalent cost of a full upgraded 200HH Heavy Cruiser (The armour bonus will only come into play when fully upgraded).
Introduction of Ship Classes The current plan is to start with bulk freighters followed by more controversial classes as we move forward.
The ship class system is currently used as part of targeting so, it can not be immediately removed and replaced by the new classes. The class that ships are upgraded to will overwrite the class that the game assigns to each ship. Any game assigned ship class will have a [G] after it to indicate that it's a generic ship.
A ship may start as a Heavy Cruiser, because the game associates it with that class and show as:
Defence Class Heavy Cruiser [G]
It may then upgrade to a Capital Ship and show as:
Defence Class Capital Ship
Upgrades and Conversions All existing ships (and ships built before the conversion to the new system is finished) will be flagged as pre-conversion.
There will be 3 primary orders associated with ships classes.
Send Ship to Upgrade Pool: This takes an existing Generic ship and converts it (and all its components) to a pool of Production and Minerals (The Upgrade Pool). It then removes it from the game. Common minerals will be ignored and will be treated as present if the production exists. There will be a 10% bonus to the materials/production for doing this, this may be increased but we do not want to convert a incentive into a need to do operation. This order will initially only work on LH/XLH.
Ship Class Upgrade {Class} {Upgrade Path} : This will take components from either the Upgrade Pool* or docked base of the ship (once the pool has been depleted) and try to upgrade to the desired class / upgrade level. If the ship is flagged as pre-conversion it can be upgraded anywhere outside of space combat.
Harden Item {Item Number}: This order will can be run on any installed item by using more of the item, you can harden that item so that it has more defence. This can be done up to 8 levels. If the item is uninstalled, it will lose it hardening and split into multiples of the original item.
*The Upgrade Pool is designed to be an interim and temporary feature. As such it will always be used before accessing any other sources for the purposes of upgrades.
Specifics
[Recruit]
Ship Classes All current ships in the game are considered to have a generic ship class. This will be represented by a [G] after their name in all scans:
FRE SHIP Shippy McShip Face (1337) - {50 Light Hulls} Barge Class Fast Freighter [G] {No Armour}
The class of a ship can be upgraded by using the Upgrade Ship Class {Ship Class ID} order. The upgrade can be done at any base with ship yards and requires all the necessary materials for the upgrade to be present at the base. The ship's scan name will then have a new designation:
New Ship classes will have have a set of upgrade bonuses unique to the ship class and some classes will have the ability to mount external pods (such as cargo containers). These ship class upgrades will be introduced slowly and the first one will be for freighters
Freighter [x8] The freighter upgrade will cost 1 Freighter Upgrade [10mu] / Hull and this will cover adding a large spine to the ship that allows external cargo pods to be added. The core ship needs to be 50 Hulls or larger. The ship class upgrade will be:
Jump Drive: 50 TUs Landing: Can Not Land Transactions: 2 TUs Cloaking: Disabled
The cargo pods that can be added using the Install External Pods {Pod Id} {Quantity} Cargo Pods (5800) - 10000mu Cargo Habitation Pod (5801) - 5000mu Lifeform Cargo Ore Pod (5802) - 37500mu Ore Cargo Commercial Pod (5803) - 10000mu Trade/Life/Drugs Cargo External Cryo Pod (5804) - 9000mu Life (Requires cryo chamber bp at base to use Upgrade Asset Pool)
Each pod has the maintenance requirement of a 175 hull light hull ship. A freighter can mount 1 cargo pod / 25 Hulls
Upgrade Ship Class {Ship Class ID} This order upgrades the class of a ship from generic to a specific class. Each ship class have different abilities and some allow external pods to be added. The ship needs to be docked with a starbase that has a active shipyard. Ships with existing upgrades or artefact weapons/items installed can not be upgraded.
Install External Pods {Pod Id} {Quantity} This order addes external pods to your ship. Only certain ship class upgrades are able to use pods. Freighters are an example of this kind of ship.
Conversion To allow removal of ships from the game and conversion over to upgraded ships we have introduced the:
Convert to Upgrade Pool {Sure- Yes/No} {Target Base}: This order takes an existing Generic ship and converts it (and all its components) to a pool of Production and Minerals (The Upgrade Asset Pool). All cargo items are transferred to the target base (regardless of location), along with all installed items that have very rare minerals. The position is then removed from the game. Common minerals will be ignored and will be treated as present if the production exists. This order will initially only work on LH/XLH. The Upgrade Asset Pool is listed on the political printout. Ships with a class upgrade can not use this order.
The Upgrade Asset Pool will be used in place of items in the Upgrade Ship Class and Install External Pods orders. Any XL/L ship in the game will be flagged as eligible for the Convert to Upgrade Pool as will any ship built for at least the next 6 months. At some point in the future we will (with a large warning time) flag new builds as not able to convert.
Instructions for 50LH Ship
[1] Take 7 50LH Cargo ships and run the Convert to Upgrade Pool order on each ship. This will produce a Upgrade Asset Pool of roughly (from standard build): Production: 9345x7=65,415 Uncommon Ores: 1108x7=7,756 Rare Ores: 165x7=1,155 [2] Take one 50LH Cargo ship docked at a base (hiport or standard) and run the Upgrade Ship Class {1} order (1 - Will be Freighter[x8] on order editor). This order will use 500 mus of production in place of the Freighter Upgrade (5700) item and convert the ship to a Freighter [x8] Class. [3] Take the upgraded ship and Install External Pods {5800} {2} and this will add 2 Cargo Container Pods (5800). This will take 55k production and 5.6k uncommons from your Upgrade Asset Pool. [4] Reconfigure the original ship to have more thrust engines and 1000 more crew factors.
You will now have a x8 freighter with with +20kmu cargo.
It will be a little slow at orbiting as the weight just went from ~10kmus => ~30kmus so you may want to add some thrust engines. It will also need 1000 more crew factors to cover the 2 cargo pods. Also note that while freighters can take off, they just can not land - so you will not be stuck landed on a planet.
You may get away with converting 6 50LH cargo ships rather than 7 but it will depend on the setup.
The ship templates will have a ship class in their design screen + external pods in the installed section and this should automatically do stage [2] / [3] / [4] for you with Refit to Template and when ships are built (i have not coded that yet).
Other changes: Commercial Cargo type This cargo type will be able to carry Trade Goods / Drugs / Life Goods. They will also support any lifeforms that exist in these categorises.
Jump Drives Any drive that jumped faster than 100TUs (Excluding the Jump Drive - Quantum) will now jump for 40 TUs
External Cargo Sections Will be reduced to 50mu Jacium
The situation in Solo appears to be getting even more heated. First the NHS dropped 600,000 troops to contest the system and then the DTR answered with enough troops of their own to trump the NHS claim. The NHS found yet more troops, taking the contesting claim up to 750,000 and once again the DTR answered, bringing Solo back under DTR control. Now the NHS have had a look down the back of the sofa and found yet more troops, taking the contesting claim to a massive 900,000 trained troops. We wait to see if the DTR have an answer to this. We can only guess where all these troops are coming from, but what is clear is that the established affiliations clearly have far larger armies than many thought.
In a shock move the NHS have contested the Solo claim with a huge garrison of 600,000 trained troops. In a move that nobody saw coming, especially as it was unknown the NHS had such a large force of troops to draw upon, the NHS seem to be provoking a response from the DTR. Currently there has been no word from the DTR in how they are going to deal with this claim jumping, although rumours are that they are pretending the Solo claim doesn't really matter to them and so action is unlikely. However this may be a smokescreen and we may yet see the DTR's powerful fleet cause havoc in the system of Solo, which has for a long time been an important junction and fought over by many different factions.
DNA Chairman TonTon resigns
The following communication has been leaked from the DNA to the GTT's PD.
Greetings CEO Fox. It regrets me to have to inform to you that the DNA nation state will be renouncing its claim on Aladdin system following a ceremony planet side, shortly. However, it gives me great pleasure to have to inform you that these ceremonies are being planned by Vladimir Tavikovitch, the South Road Traffic Coordinator. He is also responsible for all DNA and .ore. assets in the Outer Naplian (Capellan) periphery so if there are any further issues, please take it up with him. For any and all other matters, please forward your request directly to the DNA directorate services at NexusID: DNA people. The Foreign Ministry objects one last time to your illegal claim jump of Aladdin, but we realise it is time to de-escalate. Normally i would sign off with Naambta, but doing so would be hypocritical. Let me say good riddance instead. I hereby resign in protest!
DTR threaten WMB with fines for multiple breaches of DTR Law
Lady Sylvansight of the DTR has issued a fine of 1,000,000 stellars to the Wimbles for multiple breaches of DTR Penal and Territorial Law. This seems a very brave move of the DTR to risk upsetting the huge and warlike WMB when they also have the rival NHS Solo system claim to deal with. No word has been recieved yet that the Wimbles are going to pay, but if the formidable WMB warfleet is seen heading for the DTR home systems we will know what their thought are on the matter. The DTR and WMB fleets going head to head would be a sight to behold.
*** Affiliations ***
AFT Association of Free Traders (54) - Marion Tweedy BLG Bolg Organisation (22) - Akhenaten CIA Combined Intelligence Agency (64) - Laton CIA DNA Displaced Natives Asylum (66) - DNA people DTR Detinus Republic (58) - Morley Decker DWK Dewiek Packs (19) - <Unknown> FCN Falconian Republic (70) – Graspien FEL Felini Tyranny (49) - Kr'Shan FLZ Flagritz Republic (47) - Kayxaer FET Frontier Exploration & Trade (56) - Cu Chulainn GTT Galactic Trade & Transport (52) - Xavier Fox HEX Hexamon (23) - Tranquility KRL Krell (30) - Namica KRT Krell of the Reverence Temple (37) - Cyn KST Kastor Kastorians (12) - Kastor MOH Mohache (73) – Listens NHS Noble Houses (41) – Roy Roberts NLF Naplian Liberation Front (38) - NLFHQ SMS Stellar Mining and Smelting (53) - MikhailM WMB Wimble Nations (25) - zz
* Leader MAY be inactive, affiliation may be active ** Only known contact, please update us if this is incorrect.
By private message to The Editor or via Mica if you prefer to remain anonymous.
*** Inter Galactic News ***
DNA and GTT clash over Aladdin system claim while Pirates look on.
The GTT have this week launched an attack on the DNA outpost in Aladdin, in what appears to be little more than a turkey shoot. Around 100,000 GTT Naplian Startroopers attacked the DNA position to remove the rival system claim. Reports indicate the DNA garrison were taken by surprise and lost control of the base in the first few hours of the fighting. The base has since been reflagged from [Free Naplian Capital] Peaceful Protest to [Loyal Naplian Capital] DNA claim Ended so it's fair to say there was a clear message being sent by the GTT. We have been waiting for the DNA leadership to comment but so far they have been unusually silent. No doubt when they have crawled out from under their desks they will have something to say on the matter.
While this attack was going on several pirate ships were also seen in Aladdin, according to the GTT in what may be true or may be a diversion, with reports of a pirate GP and scout being destroyed while a 150HH pirate warship slipped away and escaped from incoming anti-pirate patrols.
Secret meeting of the EEM
A recent communication intercepted by one of our top reporters today made us aware of a meeting of the EEM. This is underway in a top secret location called Black Pool, which sounds suspiciously like the lair of a pirate band. After pulling in many favours, we were able to identify some of the attending members. On the bases that they won't be named we were able to find out some slight information of the subjects to be discussed at the meeting and one thing is for certain, there could be huge impacts to the lives of everybody living in the galaxy. Details to follow. When the shadowy figures of the EEM come together with the top political players in a pirate base the possibilities are endless!
You are never more than 6 systems from a RAT 🐀
A new saying has arisen in the bars and spaceport of starbases throughout the many peripheries; you are never more than 6 systems from a RAT.
It is understood that this saying originated in Yank and spread by trade vessels to peripheries far and wide. Many starbases have heightened their security and added additional sensors and locks to various entry points including foul and grey water outfalls. Beer and drug stocks are undergoing increased proofing to avoid the critters gaining entry and consuming the stockpiles.
Will this present as a new plague of proportions never before seen or is this some simple urban myth being spread for the amusement of some mischievous entity? Who knows, but to be certain... check the shadows.
This year we will again be returning to the Briardene Hotel. They were welcoming, the bar didn't run out of beer pre-covid and there was room for quiet chats. Along with Wetherspoons there is the Victoria just down the road (Sam Smiths - last time beer was around 2 shillings per pint and a full round was less than £10).
Mostly drinking beer and talking toot though we have a good few things on the agenda.
Bookings are done directly with the hotel. Book by phone and say that you are with KJC Games
Briardene Hotel Telephone: +44(0)1253 338300 All staff should be able to deal with the booking but if there are any problems ask for Tracy (manager) as she dealt with all our foibles in previous years.
*** Inter Galactic News ***
Dog days are over
With the fall of the DEN and the implosion of their home territory as the AFT, DTR and GTT moved in, it was unlikely the Dewiek would rise again. The DWP gave the species a little hope with the Dewiek Pocket Periphery kept under lock and key. But news has reached us of the AFT's penetration of this private area of space that's been locked down. With a base and claim in one of the three visible systems it seems that the end of the Dewiek is near. A once noble and aggressive race, determined to make an impact on the galaxy is now little more than a species that lives under the command of others. A sad end to a once powerful species that used to control a significant part of known space.
Pirate activity continues
Yet more reports of pirate activity have been received, one from the WMB, losing a freighter in Solo and another from the FET who reported they had engaged and hit the attacking pirate ship with several weapons before it managed to make off with it's prize. Hopefully the pirate ship took significant damage and will now be out of action for some time. The Corewards periphery seems to have been plagued with pirates recently and many travellers would welcome a break from attacks.
MEK incursion into Corewards
The FET and GTT have mounted a joint venture into Nog-Kesri to tackle a MEK force. It isn't known where they have come from, with the only other MEK ships seen so far being located in the Orion Spur. The lack of a known link between where they have appeared in Corewards and the Orion Spur has caused some concern among planetary populations as who knows where they could turn up next! Fortunately the combined FET/GTT task force dealt the MEK a heavy blow and the threat has been eradicated. But we all know this is unlikely to be the last we hear of the MEK in Corwards and we would encourage ship captains to keep a keen eye on thier sensor screens when travelling near Nog-Kesri.
The tensions between the DNA and GTT in the Coptuv system recently spilled over into the DNA system of Aladdin. A significant party of GTT ground troops has reinforced one of their bases in the system and claimed it, forcing the system claim into turmoil as the DNA finds itself under threat of losing the system. With the DNA chairman asking for help, several affiliations have been seen sending ships to evacuate any in the local population that want to escape the GTT. But so far not a shot has been fired and despite the AFT, FEL and DTR assistance no reisistance to the claim jump has been encountered so far. It remains to be seen if the DNA and it's friends will scatter before this hostile take over or put in a last minute counter claim to thwart GTT intentions.
Increasing pirate activity
Recent reports indicate a new surge in pirate attacks with the AFT and GTT reporting ships lost. Knowing how some don't like to advertise losses we wouldn't be surprised if this is the tip of the iceberg. Reports passed to us show the ship PIR Scavenger running ID 43174 and another ship of the same name running ID 68668 have both been in action with successful boarding attempts. It's unknown whether these are seperate ships or the same ship reregistered, but our information suggests that it would be hard for these pirates to cover the space where these attacks happened with just one ship. One thing is for sure, be on your guard as open space is not as safe as it once was.
GCE ships loitering in deep space
After the fall of the GCE and a lot of their assets being shared or purchased it was thought that the affiliation was no more. Yet deep space scans indicate that there is still a significant number of GCE warships holding station in deep space between Coptuv and Yank on the transport route into the Corwards Arm. Nobody knows what these ships are up to and why they are still flagged GCE, but our best guess is that are captains either awaiting new orders or owners after the fall of the GCE command structure.
*** Affiliations ***
AFT Association of Free Traders (54) - Marion Tweedy BLG Bolg Organisation (22) - Akhenaten BHD Brotherhood (63) - de Molay CIA Combined Intelligence Agency (64) - Laton CIA DNA Displaced Natives Asylum (66) - DNA people DTR Detinus Republic (58) - Morley Decker DWK Dewiek Packs (19) - <Unknown> FCN Falconian Republic (70) – Graspien FEL Felini Tyranny (49) - Kr'Shan FLZ Flagritz Republic (47) - Kayxaer FET Frontier Exploration & Trade (56) - Cu Chulainn GTT Galactic Trade & Transport (52) - Xavier Fox HEX Hexamon (23) - Tranquility KRL Krell (30) - Namica KRT Krell of the Reverence Temple (37) - Cyn KST Kastor Kastorians (12) - Kastor MOH Mohache (73) – Listens NHS Noble Houses (41) – Roy Roberts NLF Naplian Liberation Front (38) - NLFHQ SMS Stellar Mining and Smelting (53) - MikhailM WMB Wimble Nations (25) - zz
* Leader MAY be inactive, affiliation may be active ** Only known contact, please update us if this is incorrect.
By private message to The Editor or via Mica if you prefer to remain anonymous.
*** Inter Galactic News ***
Tension in the Corewards Arm
With the DNA obtaining several ex-GCE bases in the Coreward Arm it has found itself in the middle of an asset grab of serious proportions and aggression. Our reporters witnessed several GTT troop carriers heading for the Corewards system as the DNA published information suggesting they were accidental owners of the system and that the assets were to be moved on. As the GTT ships started to arrive the bases were quickly passed to the CIA, thus thwarting the GTT intentions as they were hardly likely to start dropping troops on their allies bases. This shrew move by the DNA seems to have calmed matters in the Coreward arm temporarily, although the shift in relations between the GTT and DNA has taken a negative turn. When asked what their next move might be the GTT refused to comment.
GCE collapse
The GCE are no more, save for some scattered light freighters. The affiliation which enjoyed a sharp rise and profiltable relations with many has ceased trading. Rumors point to the GTT buying up GCE assets before stripping the rival corporation of anything of value. Although our reporters at the SSS have been quick to point out that any GCE assets not in GTT systems have been taken over by both the DNA and FET. So it seems many different affiliations were able to profit from this development including a new group called the HSH who appear to have taken over the GCE war fleet. No doubt many in the peripheries will be watching with interest where these ships are used, who the HSH are and how they were able to get thier hands on so many warships so quickly.
Secudus trials
In the Cluster Secudus has continued his trials, claiming to root out terrorists working against the Empire. With tends of thousands of beings being sent to the camps or worse. There is no sign of these actions stopping as the NHS clamp down on the locals and bring them under the harsh control of the Empire.
*** Affiliations ***
AFT Association of Free Traders (54) - Marion Tweedy BLG Bolg Organisation (22) - Akhenaten BHD Brotherhood (63) - de Molay CIA Combined Intelligence Agency (64) - Laton CIA DNA Displaced Natives Asylum (66) - DNA people DTR Detinus Republic (58) - Morley Decker DWK Dewiek Packs (19) - <Unknown> FCN Falconian Republic (70) – <Unknown> FEL Felini Tyranny (49) - Juris FLZ Flagritz Republic (47) - Kayxaer FET Frontier Exploration & Trade (56) - Cu Chulainn GTT Galactic Trade & Transport (52) - Xavier Fox HEX Hexamon (23) - Tranquility KRL Krell (30) - Namica KRT Krell of the Reverence Temple (37) - Cyn KST Kastor Kastorians (12) - Kastor MOH Mohache (73) – Listens NHS Noble Houses (41) – Roy Roberts NLF Naplian Liberation Front (38) - NLFHQ SMS Stellar Mining and Smelting (53) - MikhailM WMB Wimble Nations (25) - zz
* Leader MAY be inactive, affiliation may be active ** Only known contact, please update us if this is incorrect.
Welcome to the latest version of ESNN, giving the news and views from the ESNN's reporter and news anchor, Ainsley Moore, making this the peripheries' most favourite and most reliable unbiased publication in the known universe from our home in the Heartland,
And so with the news from the last couple of weeks,
I’ve played on and off for approximately 10 years, over a 20 year spell. After some interesting debate on the in-game forum, I did wonder what, exactly, has kept drawing me back to the game, when for so many others I’ve generally lost interest after a few months.
Ultimately, I think it is a combination of automation (that allows the game to handle thousands of positions to interact on a daily basis) coupled with Special Actions (that allow the story arc to develop in a way that could not be catered for by a set of predefined list of available orders).
-Zigic
