[GrimGriz]

Attention Deficit Disorder.

I seriously think a major flaw in Jumpgate was not only how long it took to get somewhere (to the fight), but how much of that time was simply pointing at a gate, increasing throttle, and waiting.

Put nonsense in the flight paths so that you have to actively steer from gate to gate. Shoot for near constant user input. The player should ALWAYS be doing something.

I think WoW nailed this...you can't even fish and go afk.

[Chicod]

Hush your mouth! lol

I lost enough credits to Emma, in a tow. I don't want other things in the flight path too!.

But in all seriousness, I think you are right. Give them something to do. An example of something might be your ECM or ECCM. Having to manually do something to maintain that system during a sneak-run might add an interesting element to the game. Perhaps a more dynamic power flow monitor where for more advanced ships, you can alter your power flow manually. *Takes a little from the engines and gives it to the sheilds*.

[Ambrosius]

Originally Posted by GrimGriz

I seriously think a major flaw in Jumpgate was not only how long it took to get somewhere (to the fight), but how much of that time was simply pointing at a gate, increasing throttle, and waiting.

Put nonsense in the flight paths so that you have to actively steer from gate to gate. Shoot for near constant user input. The player should ALWAYS be doing something.

I think WoW nailed this...you can't even fish and go afk.

While I personally don't hate this suggestion, Eve, the ULTIMATE afk game, has shown that its approach is popular, too.

I always thought Jumpgate had a decent balance. I'd keep it similar.

[Tobyus]

While trying to think of something that they could add that would add more incentive to staying at the keyboard, an idea popped into my head. What if there were types of missions that could start anywhere out in space, and have decent/good rewards and require you to be watching out for them while you are flying from point to point?

One example might be a rescue mission. You spot an escape pod floating helplessly out in space (or it shows up on your radar, maybe you even hear a distress signal). If you weren't at the keyboard you would have completely missed it, but because you were there you slow down and pull up beside it. It would be great if there was a scoop upgrade like in Elite where you actually had to maneuver to pick them up, but if you just had to get close and activate some kind of tractor beam or tether to pull them into your cargo hold, that would work too. You then could deliver them to wherever they ask you to take them and be compensated with items, money, reputation, personal favors , etc. Perhaps the mission would also involve getting jumped by whoever put the person in a pod in the first place, scaling in difficulty based on the level of the player who scoops them up, and the rewards would scale with the difficulty as well. Maybe you just have to escape from the bad guys, or maybe there's some extra reward for getting revenge.

I like the idea of having something to keep us busy while traveling, but I would want it to be fun rather than tedious.

[Wild_Bill]

Interesting idea Tobyus. I hope ND is paying attention (snicker).

[Romulus]

Originally Posted by GrimGriz

Attention Deficit Disorder.

I seriously think a major flaw in Jumpgate was not only how long it took to get somewhere (to the fight), but how much of that time was simply pointing at a gate, increasing throttle, and waiting.

I agree with this statement. What kept me from playing was the time it took to get anywhere. In some of my other games I could do quite a bit of stuff in the same time. Espcially when I running fully loaded tugs during the mining contests.

[Chaser]

I also agree, being able to do things/ watch for things while traveling is good and would help with bordom on long distance flights. Of course this is a space sim, so it does take a while to travel long distances, it always will, but watching for things like pods, or cargos you can claim, will help pass the time. In reality thats a reason many people might not do long distance freight work, too boring, so it would take a special person who enjoys the solitude, but all good ideas here.

[Tobyus]

Originally Posted by Wild_Bill

Interesting idea Tobyus. I hope ND is paying attention (snicker).

Thanks I wonder if anything like that has been posted on Codemaster's forum...I've not been there much since I registered (it's censored at my place of work), and I've had so many things going on at home that once I sit down to relax, I don't go to message boards...I start a game.

[xerout]

Sounds annoying more than anything else GG. I'd leave it close to the way it is now. Flux (or whatever) and gates with the occassional stray asteriod are enough to put in direct flight paths. It's nice to have the occassional quiet between gate runs now and then....my bladder loves em.

Xerout

[Istanbul]

Originally Posted by Tobyus

While trying to think of something that they could add that would add more incentive to staying at the keyboard, an idea popped into my head. What if there were types of missions that could start anywhere out in space, and have decent/good rewards and require you to be watching out for them while you are flying from point to point?
with the difficulty as well. Maybe you just have to escape from the bad guys, or maybe there's some extra reward for getting revenge.

I could swear that ND has made official comments about situations like this being a part of their new dynamic mission system that they are working on.

[Tobyus]

Originally Posted by Istanbul

I could swear that ND has made official comments about situations like this being a part of their new dynamic mission system that they are working on.

Sweet! If you remember where you saw it let me know. I can't get enough Jumpgate information these days.

[netburnr]

Thats because there isn't that much information to be had, especially considering how later in the year it is getting.