How do envision the Prospector's role?
While more of the detail will be revealed later with the updated codex release, I can tell you that I envision the prospectors being the tip of the spear in any operation. every aspect of their job will provide and allow content for others to play. Making them a integral part of the team.
How dedicated to the industry gameplay do you expect your members to be? Could it be a part time gig for someone that has other main interests?
Any and all participating is a voluntary thing. You can come mine with us one day and the next go pvp if you want. We will be having positions available to hold that are officer positions which will require at least some amount of dedication since we will be relying on you to perform the designated role.
If you choose not to hold an officer position however you are not required to do anything at all. I believe I speak for montoya (he can correct me if i'm wrong) when I say that all divisions will have this similar setup where if you want responsibility to be required of you then you can hold a officer position, otherwise if you wish to come and go as you see fit and do what you want simply be a member of Test Squadron and you will have that freedom.
How will time sensitive material be moved when no Security personnel are available? What about an instance of Org wars making a sector unsafe for travel? Will transport costs skyrocket as you're forced to take longer routes?
1. Time Sensitive material will be moved with a general fleet in this case. The security personnel are the general Test members performing that role. The Security Officer (SACO) is a position that will be responsible for coordinating security for operations. There will be no member expected to always perform security. So when things need moved we will organize Test members to ensure it is secure and moved safely. In the event no one is online (let's be honest how often will that happen with over 4k main members) then it will be moved covertly. And that will not be public knowledge as to how we may achieve that.
2. If org wars makes a location unsafe to travel then the first option is to either move it covertly or utilize our pvp fleet as an escort to protect it.
3. Transport costs will never be much more than the cost to move it in materials but still allowing for a profit margin to pay for the time taken up by the player transporting it. If it requires extra security, transit time, transit distance then yes the price will be higher than simply taking it 3 jumps over threw safe space. However we do not expect costs to go up to greatly in the event of wars or unsafe territory due to the multitude of ways to move goods in the galaxy.
Do you see work available for small craft pilots that may not carry the normal SCUs? Such as Mustangs, Hornets, or other single seaters?
That can vary depending on the cargo being transported. If we only need a small amount of cargo moved then absolutely yes. They can also be distractions or even carry very sensitive cargo in a covert way. A single Aurora flying threw a system will hardly get the attention of a group of pirates when a Hull-C is nearby...
If cargo is intercepted and stolen are there any plans in place for cargo recovery missions? Or is it expected that insurance will cover the loss? And who is responsible for the loss?
1. Unless the cargo is so valuable that we have a legion out protecting it then we will not likely have any cargo recovery missions unless cargo is lost to NPC's. In that case it will be floating there for us to retrieve. If players have it then they are not likely to keep it for long before depositing it on a station or planet.
2. Insurance will always ultimately replace things from any loss. With how they plan currently to implement insurance is when a ship is destroyed it is replaced. How fast, ect is still to be determined and cargo itself has been hinted at being insurable so if this is the case then it will be replaced by instance. If it is not the case and they go for a more realistic "cut a check" from the instance instead of straight up replacement then losing goods can be far worse in that case.
3. The ultimate fault of any loss is the pilot himself (or captain if its multi crew) or the FC (Fleet commander) of the operation. Does that mean they will replace your shit if its lost? No it does not. The price of cargo will determine the measures necessary to keep the cargo safe. If it is lost and insurance will not replace it we do plan on having programs in place to help provide people with replacement goods if they are lost. More details on these programs as we get closer to launch and we have a clearer understanding of how insurance and other certain game mechanics will work.
How do you intend to plan big operations while people are bound to their time zone? I'm GMT +1, I can play when kids go to bed and I still have to work next day, so 21:00 PM till 0:00 AM would be a realistic time.
It depends on the Op really. If we need to act immediately on new information(ex. derelict Javelin) then it will be done as soon as we can muster the people and assets to do it. If you mean our regular large Division Ops they will be planned in advance giving people time to get to the site and we'll try to do them on dates and times that work for the most people.
The biggest thing for us to do is find members of each time zone to Lead fleets/operations and help us provide content for our members. This is how we will intend to have content for all time zones. This will dynamically happen as time goes on. Eventually we will find leaders in each time zone to keep up operations, money making, content finding, and defence of our assets.
If the OP is a Bengal, (I'm not the lucky guy to find one, but suppose I did) mustering enough people will cost valuable time.
In that instance....stuff happens. People will WANT to drop things and go there to help out.
Trust me when i say there are plans in place for this when (not if but when) it happens and it will include all of Test not just volunteer members of one division.
