CELESTA AUNGM
Kang Lo Directorate
Gallente Federation
642
   |
Posted - 2015.09.10 18:31:00 -
[1] - Quote
In a passing thread Rattati expressed some agreement with a poster that the Skillbook expenses in Dust were a less than necessary feature in the game, and that it could be replaced with a non-book equivalent that makes just as much profit for the NPCs (aka grind for the devs).
I want to oppose any idea of replacing Skillbooks in Dust. For me, Skillbooks are an item with a retail value like anything in EVE, and once trading fully opens in the future, I'm looking forward to any Skillbook being resold player-to-player, or donated to a squadmate who's changing squad-roles. I'd hate to see that fundamental, fun opportunity removed....
But I'd like to introduce another use for Skillbooks: Strategy Tutorials.
CCP can insert these onto the Skill Tree in a separate category called Theology and Technology, etc. The category contains only 5 Skillbooks.
Skillbook titles: Combat Manuals 1 thru 5. Or Strategy Training 1 thru 5, or Field Experience Acceleration 1 thru 5. etc.
Bonus incentive for purchasing the book: 3% decrease in depleted shield delay, 2% increase in native movement, and 3% increase in native stamina per book.
Contents: Text narratives best describing the New Eden/EVE/Dust style of combat the way the devs intended. Explaining that the game is a asset-accumulation and ISK-Monopoly game more than a flat-out scoot-n-blast game. Explaining how New Eden is INTENDED to be a player-environment of cheating, tricking, and locating persons you can trust. How social networking and coop are the tools that you use to prepare yourselves against better opponents or teams you'll fight on the battlefield. Explain the racial bias that each technology uses to help you or handicap you in your choice of fittings. Narratives that neatly describe a devs-eye approach of character-creating, wallet-building, and team-interaction to the game, without condemning a player's freedom to play this anyway she wants, of course.
They would be completely optional. These books never have a prerequisite Skill to fulfill, and are never prerequisites to other parts of the Skill tree. Battle Academy Newberrys can buy them their very first day in the game (for the right amount of ISK), or ignore them entirely until you become a curious Vet 3 years from now.
Author of the text:  This is controversial. CCP has not been great at describing their own game in writing. Those of us who played through the game and admire its differences from regular fps gaming COULD be the better alternative.
CCP should hold a contest, and allow forum players to submit their best descriptions of "how Dust 514 is intended to be played". Not a fittings and weapons advice text. Not a Newberry Starter-Guide text. A game ideology text.
good ex: "Dust 514 is not a shooter primarily, but a wealth/asset management using combat and war machines."
poor ex: "Dust 514 has no roles; if you're a beginner, the best suit is a Heavy with scrambler rifle"
The submitted texts that CCP finds the most accurate and helpful would be used by the devs to form each manual. This helps ease CCP's workload, and also gives the clear-writing members among you to contribute lore, logic, and good tutoring to the game,... in permanent print.
Rattati, please let us know. Is something like this do-able, or just not really practical?
Universe of good wishes for the 49, especially CCP Eterne...
No story can have life without writers and publishers.
|