Here is a list of playstyle categories that Aquilai, Betel and I came up with on IRC:
A playstyle is how the player actively interacts with others or the environment.
combat = primary interaction is by fighting people or fighting for them
1. direct = Player personally fights directly with enemies
a. stand off = player fights from a distance
b. dogfight = player does not fight from a distance
c. piracy = player attempts to kill the crew of the ship, leaving it intact
d. slaving = player enslaves people
2. indirect = Player does not fight directly with enemies
a. passive = player sets traps, uses mines, starts fights between enemies
b. theft = player takes from people in a non violent manner (without engaging them in combat)
c. command = player gets others (autons, wingmen, mercs) to fight for them
d. steath = player disables or distracts enemies
trade = primary interaction is by buying and selling from people
1. legal = player buys low and sells high, visiting only legal markets (includes sellign to both ships and stations)
2. smuggler = player deals in illegal items, be they weapons or drugs
a. slaver = player deals in slaves
3. command = player gets other to trade for them (includes stock trading)
4. services = player offers services to other ships or stations like escort, delivery and the use of his items
diplomacy = primary action is trying to affect people's opinions of you
1. missions = player performs missions in order to gain favor
2. rescue = returning slaves, saving ships from enemies in non-mission situations
3. gifts = player gives things to people in order to gain favor with them
4. stealth = affecting or taking advantage of other's favor via misdirection or dishonesty (i.e. changing records, manipulating them to attack each other)
"profiting from the environment" = primary interaction is getting profit from non active sources
1. mining = self explanitory
2. exploring = searching for items; treasure hunting
3. scavenging = looting wrecks from battles you didn't affect
4. investments = using things that give you gain over time - getting paid stock dividends, using solar panels, getting paid to put ads on your ship
Play styles
These are some devices we came up with on IRC that would encourage specialization:
Trading:
Bulk Discount Device = gives a discount for bulk purchases
Bulk loader = allows you to buy more of the same item
Stock monitor = allows you to check your stocks outside of a station
Wholesale devices = allow you to purchase commodities cheaper (different commodities for difference devices)
Service devices = devices which you may sell the use of to people (like an autodoc, robot chef, etc)
Manufacturing devices = construct commodities (not usable items) out of cheaper commodities over time
Auction device = lets you participate in auctions remotely (slow auctions though)
Trading computer = lets you check to see what stations have in stock remotely and lets you see prices if you have been to that station before - provided you are in system
"profiting from the environment":
solar panels
Resources scanner = checks asteroids for resources, highlighting the ones that have some (either in the LRS or on screen)
Item scanner = can tell you which wrecks have loot. Cheap ones just tell you there is something in a wreck while expensive ones will show a list next to the wreck with the highest level items.
System scanner - as detailed in the more exploring thread, you can scan parts of a system
Auto ore collector = sends little robots to grab ore that you are close to
Grinder = converts wrecks into raw materials (can be nano based or physically grind them up)
Ads = any items/sets that someone pays you to use, presumably for advertising purposes.
Devices which give you gain over time, like enhancing your items over time or patch spiders.
diplomacy:
Disguises = allow you to perform actions in the name of others
VIP transport room/passenger quarters
entertaining quarters = entertains officials/VIPs and makes them like you, a place to host talks or etc
Diplomatic record altering device - you can change the relationships of soveriegns to you or others
display case = displays your medals and impreses people
Trading:
Bulk Discount Device = gives a discount for bulk purchases
Bulk loader = allows you to buy more of the same item
Stock monitor = allows you to check your stocks outside of a station
Wholesale devices = allow you to purchase commodities cheaper (different commodities for difference devices)
Service devices = devices which you may sell the use of to people (like an autodoc, robot chef, etc)
Manufacturing devices = construct commodities (not usable items) out of cheaper commodities over time
Auction device = lets you participate in auctions remotely (slow auctions though)
Trading computer = lets you check to see what stations have in stock remotely and lets you see prices if you have been to that station before - provided you are in system
"profiting from the environment":
solar panels
Resources scanner = checks asteroids for resources, highlighting the ones that have some (either in the LRS or on screen)
Item scanner = can tell you which wrecks have loot. Cheap ones just tell you there is something in a wreck while expensive ones will show a list next to the wreck with the highest level items.
System scanner - as detailed in the more exploring thread, you can scan parts of a system
Auto ore collector = sends little robots to grab ore that you are close to
Grinder = converts wrecks into raw materials (can be nano based or physically grind them up)
Ads = any items/sets that someone pays you to use, presumably for advertising purposes.
Devices which give you gain over time, like enhancing your items over time or patch spiders.
diplomacy:
Disguises = allow you to perform actions in the name of others
VIP transport room/passenger quarters
entertaining quarters = entertains officials/VIPs and makes them like you, a place to host talks or etc
Diplomatic record altering device - you can change the relationships of soveriegns to you or others
display case = displays your medals and impreses people
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Periculi
- Fleet Officer
- Posts: 1282
- Joined: Sat Oct 13, 2007 7:48 pm
- Location: Necroposting in a forum near you
You know, this is a great thread. Play styles and developing more 'angles' to the game are a fascinating subject.
As such, I wonder about the Personalities of transcendence. Why not have lots of NPCs (Non-Player Characters for those of you without a simple D&D background) running around and making life interesting.
For instance, it could be the real difference between a Luxury vessel such as the sapphire and the others. Freighters clearly are intended for work, Wolfens for fighting, but where does the Sapphire really get into the game?
Diplomacy and other forms of personal relations could play a big part for the sapphire. Carrying passengers of importance could be one of the major roles for the Sapphire and also a sort of career path for the player- and as such, Luxury items and devices (as well as Diplomatic items and devices) could be a major feature of every sapphire build. If, for instance, you didn't have luxury accommodations for seven and a roboChef5000 in your sapphire, you might never become a preferred transport for some diplomats and/or elite corporate officers... This could replace the Kill=>Loot=>Sell cycle for some of us who weren't into it as much with the ability to 'pimp' our sapphires out and get paid top credit for carting around the elite of EarthSpace.
A small side branch from the main game, yet playing the luxury yacht owner could present some interesting content for players to explore. And you never know- a top corp exec might recruit you to test out a brand new CyberNanoOrganic ship systemCore.... and you then laugh your way to the core with it!
As such, I wonder about the Personalities of transcendence. Why not have lots of NPCs (Non-Player Characters for those of you without a simple D&D background) running around and making life interesting.
For instance, it could be the real difference between a Luxury vessel such as the sapphire and the others. Freighters clearly are intended for work, Wolfens for fighting, but where does the Sapphire really get into the game?
Diplomacy and other forms of personal relations could play a big part for the sapphire. Carrying passengers of importance could be one of the major roles for the Sapphire and also a sort of career path for the player- and as such, Luxury items and devices (as well as Diplomatic items and devices) could be a major feature of every sapphire build. If, for instance, you didn't have luxury accommodations for seven and a roboChef5000 in your sapphire, you might never become a preferred transport for some diplomats and/or elite corporate officers... This could replace the Kill=>Loot=>Sell cycle for some of us who weren't into it as much with the ability to 'pimp' our sapphires out and get paid top credit for carting around the elite of EarthSpace.
A small side branch from the main game, yet playing the luxury yacht owner could present some interesting content for players to explore. And you never know- a top corp exec might recruit you to test out a brand new CyberNanoOrganic ship systemCore.... and you then laugh your way to the core with it!