After all this time, has ANYBODY found out how to actually use fleet mining?!

[Vice]

Overall, I like several of the key components described in your post. Some of it is likely beyond the framework/scope of the existing game, but good ideas regardless. One approach I had considered a while back took the design-specific role element in a slightly different direction by being able to design automated AI ships/bots for specific tasks, then deploying them (the only real difference being that no human pilot was involved, only AI controlled, which in turn limited the scope of what they could do overall, but provided a very purpose driven design for various activities). It was for a more RTS game design I was considering a few years ago (and one which I haven't ruled out entirely yet either).

Edit: Oh, I also forgot to ask. Does this mean you do not want to see any changes in the amount paid to the player for fleet ship mining cycles? Do you want them to remain in the 100-500 per cycle range?

[Edited on 9-16-2013 by Vice]

[Riokushinaku]

Overall, I like several of the key components described in your post. Some of it is likely beyond the framework/scope of the existing game, but good ideas regardless. One approach I had considered a while back took the design-specific role element in a slightly different direction by being able to design automated AI ships/bots for specific tasks, then deploying them (the only real difference being that no human pilot was involved, only AI controlled, which in turn limited the scope of what they could do overall, but provided a very purpose driven design for various activities). It was for a more RTS game design I was considering a few years ago (and one which I haven't ruled out entirely yet either).

Edit: Oh, I also forgot to ask. Does this mean you do not want to see any changes in the amount paid to the player for fleet ship mining cycles? Do you want them to remain in the 100-500 per cycle range?

[Edited on 9-16-2013 by Vice]

The AI controlled "mining drones", if you will, sound like a great idea. Although it takes away the fun of calling them employees and managing pay . I would like the payout increase on fleet ships, but I have no idea what to suggest. Especially when the pay starts to go up for fleet ships, the mining payout would have to go up as well. Right? That's why I suggested the mining ships at a set price. An easier alternative to my idea would be to just add a new ship at a set price, that won't go up with your ranking. They could be made out of the existing ship parts, so you wouldn't need to make and program new models. No extra fleet options or anything. Since they would be useless for a fight, people wouldn't use them as cheap soldiers. This would make it hard for people who want to mix and match their soldiers and miners, but that's already hard anyways. Since your fleet commands go to every ship in the fleet, instead of one or a select amount. I just really would like to see mining go somewhere. I don't like the "hands-off" approach of trading, and I don't like endless combat missions. Mining would be that nice little go-between for me. I'm still doing something, but I'm not flying forever or constantly fighting. I still like combat, and trading to a lesser extent, don't get me wrong. I just love blue-collar economics . Work hard for your money, pay people to do it for you, and work with the people you pay when ya get there.

[Vice]

I would like the payout increase on fleet ships, but I have no idea what to suggest. Especially when the pay starts to go up for fleet ships, the mining payout would have to go up as well. Right?

Depending on how you use them, yes, low mining return can be a factor. However, the concept of 'automated gameplay reward' is generally minimalized in this game anyway, requiring more player involvement for a profitable gain. So they shouldn't really be viewed as a way for the game to play itself in order to earn you credits, as in a RTS, their use is intentionally focused more on additional protection with some side benefits for the player when they are doing either a related activity or an unrelated activity. For example, if you have a fleet, you can have them do something like mine while you yourself are mining for an added gain, but not necessarily something that is so beneficial that it rewards you better than what you can (and in the scope this game, should) do yourself. Or, you can have them mine while you go grab a non-combat contract to complete where you won't really need them, but you can put their time to good use to help offset their costs a bit.

[Maarschalk]

Fleet mining? what's that?

Seriously, I never knew that was a thing.

It is like milking the cow and every one else gets to drink its milk!.....:P:P:P:P:P:P:P

[Riokushinaku]

Well, that dang fleet mining button will taunt me for eternity. I hear it already, "Oooooooo, you want to be a big shot mining company owner? Too bad! Your playing a game about mercenaries, so deal with it!" XD Lol, either way, the game is fun. And I can't tell you your wrong for making YOUR game a specific way. But that doesn't mean I have to like 'every' aspect of it . By the way, I'm finishing my 12th day completely smoke free! ^_^ I'm past that, "go on starwraith and grumble grumble a lil' more than I should" phase. Lmao.

[Vice]

Congrats on your success!

[Riokushinaku]

Thanks