[Discussion] Divisions of TEST - Brainstorm
- Thread starter NKato
- Start date
I like this. I think I'm gonna have to agree with you. It's really up to how the game implements fuel logistics, but it may end up getting rolled up into the Logistics Division with ECON providing the funding for purchasing the fuel.
I can't disagree with that. If I become Logistics Chief, I'm putting you in charge of Fuel Logistics (if you want it). You have a pretty good grasp of it.
AntiSqueaker
Space Marshal
I came in here prepared to roll my eyes and get Nkato all hot and bothered by disagreeing, but this looks pretty solid.
EDIT: It might bear some consideration to have a 4th, much smaller subdivision for morally dubious shit like assassinations (aka black market bounty hunters), piracy, smuggling, slaving, etc etc since they seem to be such an outlier in terms of how they conduct business (mainly piracy here). But thats largely gonna depend on how reputation works I suppose.
EDIT: It might bear some consideration to have a 4th, much smaller subdivision for morally dubious shit like assassinations (aka black market bounty hunters), piracy, smuggling, slaving, etc etc since they seem to be such an outlier in terms of how they conduct business (mainly piracy here). But thats largely gonna depend on how reputation works I suppose.
that_frog_kurtis
Space Marshal
Great post NKato, I love reading this kind of stuff.
I personally agree with the three divisions over two but I think people are forgetting that this is TEST, not the Corporation. If you're working for the Econ Division mining/buying/finding/whatever Goods X and it's decided that it needs to travel three jumps to wherever TEST needs it and you want to have a change and move it yourself, nobody is going to be there going 'no you can't, thats for logistics', you just switch for a bit.
Ultimately it is a game where people will be on and offline all the time and so when a job needs doing it'll be a case of the guy in command saying 'who can move this for me?', if you're there to say 'I can' hes not going to deny you on the basis of your main division.
When I take a break from blowing stuff up I'd quite like to haul some stuff around for TEST but I'm not that interested in buying/selling, looking for the right price etc. so I'd go to Logistics.
I'll stay out of fuel because I don't and won't own a Starfarer and I agree, it is a bit of a special case.
I personally agree with the three divisions over two but I think people are forgetting that this is TEST, not the Corporation. If you're working for the Econ Division mining/buying/finding/whatever Goods X and it's decided that it needs to travel three jumps to wherever TEST needs it and you want to have a change and move it yourself, nobody is going to be there going 'no you can't, thats for logistics', you just switch for a bit.
Ultimately it is a game where people will be on and offline all the time and so when a job needs doing it'll be a case of the guy in command saying 'who can move this for me?', if you're there to say 'I can' hes not going to deny you on the basis of your main division.
When I take a break from blowing stuff up I'd quite like to haul some stuff around for TEST but I'm not that interested in buying/selling, looking for the right price etc. so I'd go to Logistics.
I'll stay out of fuel because I don't and won't own a Starfarer and I agree, it is a bit of a special case.
While I think the separation is good in theory, in practice people will want to do multiple roles if not all of the roles. I think it might be best to have sub divisions as links between 2 different ones. Someone wants to do econ and combat for example could have a bloodmoney division. People who want to do everything could be in a I have no idea what I'm doing division that would be in the center and can be called to help out anywhere. Even the most dedicated of people will want to switch up or split their time. The time they do have won't all be directed towards the org either, so the importance of utility players will become more pronounced.
I feel like it would be simpler for people to just 'sign up' for each division they're interested in, instead of making more divisions that fall under multiple categories.
That also gets at what Kersakov was saying, it would make sense if the command structure of each division is relatively static, but the people who are working in each division can come and go as they like.
Well I can only speak for myself but when I made the Rock Raiders post I quote myself:
I meant this looking at the whole picture of all aspects of the game and I still do. It is my hope that once people go off and try things for a while they come back to their original group because of their experience and ability.
This is what I'm talking about. Good wording here.
This is how I think it will end up being like: We have squads/units with specific areas of responsibilities established within each division, members sign up for those squads and become engaged with their specific interests. Based on our current proposed squads, here's how it would break down:
Combat Division
- Yellow Jackets
- Bounty Hunters
- Field Command
- Infinity/Exploration
- Hauler Squad
- Engineer Squad
- Spreadsheet Squad
- Etc.
As it has been said elsewhere in the Profession forum, it's possible for people to join multiple squads. The divisional structure simply gives us a simplified means of communicating with each other in terms of leadership. Squads can still talk to each other on an as-needed basis, and members can join as many or as few squads as they like.
So where does divisional leadership really fit into all this? That's simple: They're responsible for setting up the infrastructure for the divisions - job boards, communication channels, waystations/hubs, etc; as well as providing direction to the Squads when an official TEST directive needs to be accomplished.
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Arrangingstars
Space Marshal
I am fairly neutral as always about what I think should happen, but I do agree with the others everything looks solid as usual NKato. I'm by no means a theorycrafter, so I tend to just go with the flow of what other people want to do. I think it's important to have structure, but it's also important to remain true to the ideal of the organization itself. I joined because TEST portrayed itself as a casual, easy-going sort of Org that have a lot of fun easy going gamers to play with at release. I could have just as easily joined one of the more structured/strict Orgs that have already basically crafted these same ideas and are already putting them into place, but TEST just seemed to fit my casual/sometimes serious playstyle best because there wasn't the pressure of having to decide what I want to do or what category I want to be placed in.
However, we are a large guild and there will need to be some semblance of structure so I think this is a good step forward into finding out what sort of direction we should go to give those who need more direction a helping hand.
However, we are a large guild and there will need to be some semblance of structure so I think this is a good step forward into finding out what sort of direction we should go to give those who need more direction a helping hand.
Per your request, I have read through the thread. Looks good to me, and as you've said, we need to be clear that this isn't locking anybody into specific roles.
For normal day to day operations you're just going to have someone in Econ requesting that someone in Logistics come up with a squad of people who can help transport some materials from A to B. Then they'll take a look at who has 'signed up' as interested in Logistics and grab whoever's available.
The higher the risk of the operation (whatever it is) we'll be more organized since we obviously don't want to be entering battles with ad-hoc organization.
I don't see the division heads as COMMANDERs for day to day stuff. They would just be facilitators, because I'm pretty sure we're all smart enough to be able to figure out useful stuff to do by ourselves for the most part.
For normal day to day operations you're just going to have someone in Econ requesting that someone in Logistics come up with a squad of people who can help transport some materials from A to B. Then they'll take a look at who has 'signed up' as interested in Logistics and grab whoever's available.
The higher the risk of the operation (whatever it is) we'll be more organized since we obviously don't want to be entering battles with ad-hoc organization.
I don't see the division heads as COMMANDERs for day to day stuff. They would just be facilitators, because I'm pretty sure we're all smart enough to be able to figure out useful stuff to do by ourselves for the most part.
that_frog_kurtis
Space Marshal
Flashwits got it. Realistically I think it will naturally pan out to be a lot more organic. Most testes have multiple ships and intend on playing multiple roles, especially at the start. Its likely that we will have a core group that want to run these individual units and a few people that want to attach themselves exclusively to those units, but the majority will be beetling around doing their own thing, taking jobs from each, if and when something interests them.
ThomSirveaux
Space Marshal
I'm reserving this spot, as I have been requested to comment.
4/16/2015 - Okay, having read through the thread, this seems solid. My main concern is how the in-game mechanic will be for engineers. I'm sure there will be a squad of combat engineers (in-op repairs, ground support, etc) situated under the Combat Division, with Engineering Command under Logistics... right?
Additionally, as long as I am dully elected as Grand Spymaster of the Office of Special Inteligence [sp], I think we'll be fine. ;)
4/16/2015 - Okay, having read through the thread, this seems solid. My main concern is how the in-game mechanic will be for engineers. I'm sure there will be a squad of combat engineers (in-op repairs, ground support, etc) situated under the Combat Division, with Engineering Command under Logistics... right?
Additionally, as long as I am dully elected as Grand Spymaster of the Office of Special Inteligence [sp], I think we'll be fine. ;)
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I'm reserving this spot as I will need to post a pic that totally undermines Thom's comment with pointless humor and/or weirdness.
It appears to me that the structure is designed to be flexible and organic at the lower to mid levels, as anyone can do anything at any time. The "upper" levels seem to be more static , as you have a few people like Kato who just want to command the fleet, etc.
To keep the spirit of test while maintaining sufficient structure for an organization our size we really need to look at the static "command" structure as op facilitators as previously mentioned opposed to flat officer/commander types with in-field leadership being generated as necessary...
More like a central core dispatch unit than generals and admirals
To keep the spirit of test while maintaining sufficient structure for an organization our size we really need to look at the static "command" structure as op facilitators as previously mentioned opposed to flat officer/commander types with in-field leadership being generated as necessary...
More like a central core dispatch unit than generals and admirals
ThomSirveaux
Space Marshal
This is assuming my actual comment doesn't include pointless humor and/or weirdness... which it might... maybe just a little.
I could not have said it better myself.
In addition to
I also totally agree with Arrangingstars. Unless it goes counter to the first.
AntiSqueaker
Space Marshal
I think we can have it both ways: Structure for the sake of organization and casual drop in, drop out play.
Think of it like this. TEST is going to have a "free for all" squad system. Don't like who's running the current mining operations? Make your own! Sick of X person making bad calls and getting you killed? Join a different squad!
I see these divisions as more umbrellas for similar activities. Interested in exploration tonight? Hop over to the Logistics mumble sub-channel and see who needs a ship or crew. Wanna cause a little mayhem? Hop over to combat ops and get some lads to crew your Retaliator.
Now, more "dedicated" people will naturally emerge and specialize in one or two divisions, probably spearheading group operations and making steady squads. This lets people "climb the ranks", so to speak, if they want, or be more flexible and do whatever suits them at that particular moment.
Think of it like this. TEST is going to have a "free for all" squad system. Don't like who's running the current mining operations? Make your own! Sick of X person making bad calls and getting you killed? Join a different squad!
I see these divisions as more umbrellas for similar activities. Interested in exploration tonight? Hop over to the Logistics mumble sub-channel and see who needs a ship or crew. Wanna cause a little mayhem? Hop over to combat ops and get some lads to crew your Retaliator.
Now, more "dedicated" people will naturally emerge and specialize in one or two divisions, probably spearheading group operations and making steady squads. This lets people "climb the ranks", so to speak, if they want, or be more flexible and do whatever suits them at that particular moment.
New thought, shortened division names:
Combat - COMB or ARMS
Logistics - LOGI or HAUL
Economics - ECON or CASH
:p
Combat - COMB or ARMS
Logistics - LOGI or HAUL
Economics - ECON or CASH
:p
I like the ARMS, HAUL and CASH ones tbh.