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IDProjectCategoryLast Update
0001091AI War 1 / ClassicSuggestion - Game MechanicsDec 6, 2010 10:32 am
ReporterSizzle Assigned ToChris_McElligottPark  
Status consideringResolutionopen 
Product Version4.028 
Summary0001091: [Minor Faction] Spire Guardian Factories
DescriptionThe Spire had a number of automated defense factories that the AI subverted during their short war.

These Factories produce automated hunter-killer fleets that are currently under AI domination, but the AI hasn't figured out how to fully control them. They've just managed to make the fleets non-hostile to the AI, but hostile to any Spire ships that are nearby.

The player can attempt to convert these factories to player-friendly but hostile to the AI by getting a mobile repair station or engineers to generate X number of repair points against the factory. While this is occurring, the Factory will defend itself vigorously, generating ships to defend itself with. The allegience of the factory is NOT tied to ownership of the planet, so the player can go out and enter enemy territory to switch the allegience of the factory.

IF Hybrid hives are enabled, there is a further twist:

The hives have the additional ability to convert the factories to be hostile to the player, via the same mechanic (the factory will defend itself against the hybrid). Builder hives will in fact seek these factories out to convert them against the player, so the hunter-killer fleets will seek out the player's worlds. Over time if not held in check, hybrids will generate even more threat against the player. In fact hybrid builders will even go on raids into player territory with the express purpose of coverting any player held factories back to AI control and then retreat -- could cause chaos in the back lines!

This "additive" threat with hybrid hives makes for a unique "how to really amp up the threat" for players who are gluttons for punishment.
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Sizzle

Nov 4, 2010 7:15 pm

reporter   ~0002727

Note I've deliberately left 'what' the factories produce up in the air, it could be guardian ships, could by dyson gatling type ships, could be fleet ships, could be missiles.

The idea is whatever they produce goes out and seeks the 'enemy' and tries to kill it, autonomously -- apart from the direct control of whoever has influence over the factory.

Of course community feedback / tweaks etc are greatly helpful and anticipated.

Sizzle

Nov 18, 2010 8:32 pm

reporter   ~0003924

So it's been a bit since I came up with this idea, and just wanted to solicit feedback. Seeing as there *may* be a chance for another minor faction or two with LotS, I wanted to see if there was any feedback from other players on the idea above. Silence (more or less) since it was submitted seems to indicate something is lacking or wrong -- or people are just not interested enough to comment. Even if this idea is busted completely, if I were to submit future Ideas I'd like to know what doesn't work about the above -- I've deliberately left it somewhat vague, and just present the idea as a mechanic, so that it could be shaped by feedback.

Toll

Nov 18, 2010 8:49 pm

reporter   ~0003925

Looks interesting; kindof a dyson sphere that's under player control. Personally I'd like to see it build a ship that's unique to it, like the dyson gatlings are unique to the dyson sphere. As for stats... well, there I have no clue, unfortunately. Probably close to a dyson gatling though.

Sizzle

Nov 18, 2010 8:56 pm

reporter   ~0003926

More like a dyson sphere that *can* be under player control, but can be *taken back* by the AI or (as I suggest) by hybrids. Kind of a "capture and hold" or "king of the hill" type structure.

Tune it so that it takes a fair amount of time to switch ownership, and it could be a real pain if the hybrids manage to take it back! Or, who says it has to be symetrical? AI could capture it back in half or quarter the time it takes for us lowly slow thinking humans to capture it.

Toll

Nov 18, 2010 9:04 pm

reporter   ~0003927

Would also be interesting if you could set a rally point for the structure; kindof like "Go to that planet and destroy". If set to a friendly/non-hostile planet, it'd go to the nearest AI planet. That way you'll have some control of the drones, but not complete control.

Winter Born

Nov 18, 2010 9:11 pm

reporter   ~0003930

Ok, Just saw this mostly because of the # of posts on the issue.
Title did not include "player capturables" wich would have caught my eye.
Cross post to the Forums to get more action/input

Ty

Chris_McElligottPark

Nov 18, 2010 10:06 pm

administrator   ~0003935

Note that we're not really soliciting new features for LotS now, we're pretty much full up with what's left in the queue. But we're always interested in archiving ideas for potential future use!

Sizzle

Nov 18, 2010 11:58 pm

reporter   ~0003960

Thanks Chris.

So for future reference, the key concepts I wanted were:
- a capturable that exhibits "king of the hill" characteristics, players could lose control over it (with possibly dire results).
- a mechanic that combines with other mechanics specifically -- hybrids actually going out of their way to find these and convert them to the AI side for example so that players can combine specific factions for an additional boost, or the 2+2 = 7 phenomenon :P

Draco18s

Dec 6, 2010 10:32 am

developer   ~0005361

One note: MRS and Engineers don't function out of supply. No deep-raids to "repair" those factories for player use!

Issue History

Date Modified Username Field Change
Nov 4, 2010 7:09 pm Sizzle New Issue
Nov 4, 2010 7:15 pm Sizzle Note Added: 0002727
Nov 18, 2010 8:32 pm Sizzle Note Added: 0003924
Nov 18, 2010 8:49 pm Toll Note Added: 0003925
Nov 18, 2010 8:56 pm Sizzle Note Added: 0003926
Nov 18, 2010 9:04 pm Toll Note Added: 0003927
Nov 18, 2010 9:11 pm Winter Born Note Added: 0003930
Nov 18, 2010 10:06 pm Chris_McElligottPark Note Added: 0003935
Nov 18, 2010 10:06 pm Chris_McElligottPark Assigned To => Chris_McElligottPark
Nov 18, 2010 10:06 pm Chris_McElligottPark Status new => considering
Nov 18, 2010 11:58 pm Sizzle Note Added: 0003960
Dec 6, 2010 10:32 am Draco18s Note Added: 0005361