Clockwork Jester
Namtar Elite
Gallente Federation
0
   |
Posted - 2013.09.19 01:00:00 -
[1] - Quote
Sorry for the long post, quick synopsis at the bottom.
One of the major issues with PvE at the moment is the technical limitations currently in place. At the moment we canGÇÖt go beyond 16v16 or 32 total players per match. They have said that increasing that number is in the works but at the moment 32 is the limit. In order to work within the current limitations what about the possibility of moving drone battles from a standard 16v16 format to a single squad unit vs. drones. So then the game could be 4v28 or 6v24. This would change up some of the gameplay, changing some of the dynamics moving from the multiple squad battles that we currently have to a smaller single unit encouraging teamwork and communication. It could be looked at as a single elite unit being used to clear out the infestation. Using this set up it would most likely be better to use a 6-man squad compared to the standard 4. The smaller Ambush maps could also be used making the combat closer together. The mode could also be changed to move from a death match to a more objective based game mode. While the players lose if they have no more clones the match could be won if certain objectives are held for x amount of time or all the drones are destroyed.
As for the EVE, Dust link what about the possibility of the drones dropping salvage that is useable in EVE, Items that could be used in manufacturing and research. They could drop materials such as salvaged materials and rogue drone components. After and infestation has been dealt with and the rogue drone factory has been taken over it can be broken down giving the Dust mercs even more salvage used EVE side. In this way there will be a little bit more interaction in the economy with those playing Dust having the possibility of actually having some influence in the economy. The only major issue is the numbers; obviously EVE pod people are capable of producing and mining these resources at a far higher rate that the Dust mercs can. It would require much tweaking, and the possibility of certain salvage only being found in the drone centered battles. With the drones getting more difficult as the security level drops, as well as increasing the quality/quantity of the salvage that is available.
Like MartinofskiGÇÖs Idea regarding how the infestation level is spawned. I would like to suggest adjusting the numbers so that there is a greater chance of higher-level infestations spawning in lower security space. Similar to the way Rats currently spawn in EVE. So in high-sec space you canGÇÖt run into an incursion/infestation above say level three. This makes venturing out into low-sec and Null space worth it. Higher probability of running into a higher level infestation, but also the possibility of greater gains. High-sec space could be there for the more casual players or those who are risk averse.
In low and null space level 4 and 5 infestations have a probability of manifesting, the chance of higher level encounters increases as the security level decreases.
Another issue is the lack of art assets for drones. While this could be worked around just using the current player models and using them as drones it would probably be better to have actual Drone art assets, like the ones seen in the gathering forces video. You could also use the current vehicle assets as drones, creating drone tanks and dropships, requiring the players to make use of AV gear.
Synopsis:
-PvE as a single squad event 4v28 or 6v26 working within current tech limitations.
-Objective based missions to change from normal deathmatch
-Drones give salvage that is useable in EVE, quality/quantity determined by infestation level and security rating of system. Allows Dust players to have an actually impact on economy.
-Higher level infestation only available in low and null space
-Possible use of current assets like character models as drones, using tanks and dropships as drones.
|