Post by smithy on Jun 2, 2011 2:22:11 GMT 10
As I keep playing the Alpha I can't help but compile a list of ideas for improvements.
Of the ones I have so far some are well known gripes, some are probably features Farbs has planned already, others might be new.
-Oxygen runs out way too fast. The game is about oxygen management, not exploration/battle/salvaging. Either make oxygen last notably longer, or at least add structures that help the situation such as oxygen tanks that give you a larger capacity or rebreathers that slow down your consumption.
-The telnet interface is fun and works well for complex types of actions, like interacting with banks or scrapyards. But I think there should be a some sort of 1-key shortcut to perform the default action of a station you're in range of. If I'm within docking distance of an oxygen station, I don't want to go through 3 or 4 keystrokes and watch a few 1-second long animations just to get oxygen. It'd be awesome if there was some sort of visual indication that the oxygen station I was in range of was the "Default action" station, and I could hit a "default action" key without having to telnet at all, and I could top off my oxygen without even leaving the ship view.
-(Some) factories should build multiple types of structures. Instead of the "Charlier Laser Factory" that just builds "Charlie Lasers", it could be the "Charlie Weapons Factory" that sells different Charlie level weaponry. The selection could even change over time, rewarding those who come back and visit every once and awhile.
-In addition to factories, there should be markets/bazaars where those mixed-class guys sell their wares. A Charlie-level bazaar could sell you Alpha/Beta/Charlie stuff at random. To further go in with the scavenger theme, the items they sell might be scorched from battle and not even be at full health.
-Speaking of full health, repair stations need a better interface. I have no specific suggestions. But they also need a new feature - "repair everything" where you see how much it would cost to top off your ship, and you give it a yes or a no.
-Upgrade stations. I have Bravo repair tools, but started getting damaged Charlie structures from battle. I actual kind of like the change that Bravo tools don't fix Charlie structures, but I don't want them to become useless. An upgrade station would be awesome. It could even be expensive to upgrade - much more, even, than buying a new Charlie repair tool. It might be worth it to sink a lot of money into upgrading a repair tool if I can't find a factory that makes them, or a cluster of pirate ships to kill that has them.
edit: Apparently there are upgrade stations, just not common. Awesome!
-Link (some?) banks. My ATM card works not only at different branches of the same bank, but at other banks (with a small fee). Sometimes its okay to shuttle cash from bank to bank, other times it's super dangerous. I think there's opportunities for some creative solutions here!
That's all for now.
The long list of suggestions is evidence I'm enjoying myself *QUITE* a bit, by the way. =D
Of the ones I have so far some are well known gripes, some are probably features Farbs has planned already, others might be new.
-Oxygen runs out way too fast. The game is about oxygen management, not exploration/battle/salvaging. Either make oxygen last notably longer, or at least add structures that help the situation such as oxygen tanks that give you a larger capacity or rebreathers that slow down your consumption.
-The telnet interface is fun and works well for complex types of actions, like interacting with banks or scrapyards. But I think there should be a some sort of 1-key shortcut to perform the default action of a station you're in range of. If I'm within docking distance of an oxygen station, I don't want to go through 3 or 4 keystrokes and watch a few 1-second long animations just to get oxygen. It'd be awesome if there was some sort of visual indication that the oxygen station I was in range of was the "Default action" station, and I could hit a "default action" key without having to telnet at all, and I could top off my oxygen without even leaving the ship view.
-(Some) factories should build multiple types of structures. Instead of the "Charlier Laser Factory" that just builds "Charlie Lasers", it could be the "Charlie Weapons Factory" that sells different Charlie level weaponry. The selection could even change over time, rewarding those who come back and visit every once and awhile.
-In addition to factories, there should be markets/bazaars where those mixed-class guys sell their wares. A Charlie-level bazaar could sell you Alpha/Beta/Charlie stuff at random. To further go in with the scavenger theme, the items they sell might be scorched from battle and not even be at full health.
-Speaking of full health, repair stations need a better interface. I have no specific suggestions. But they also need a new feature - "repair everything" where you see how much it would cost to top off your ship, and you give it a yes or a no.
edit: Apparently there are upgrade stations, just not common. Awesome!
-Link (some?) banks. My ATM card works not only at different branches of the same bank, but at other banks (with a small fee). Sometimes its okay to shuttle cash from bank to bank, other times it's super dangerous. I think there's opportunities for some creative solutions here!
That's all for now.
The long list of suggestions is evidence I'm enjoying myself *QUITE* a bit, by the way. =D
