Luxury Affects Game Play

[NaffNaffBobFace]

I posted a response on RSI Spectrum to a thread called "Luxury Affects game Play" but because the thread was over four days old it refused to be Necro'd, so i'll post it here instead.

Original thread here: https://robertsspaceindustries.com/spectrum/community/SC/forum/65299/thread/luxury-affects-game-play but don't bother going to it because no one will see your response.

"Okay... luxury is supposed to boost Rep... Okay...

An Argo lands at pad C4. No one notices. The pilot gets out and walks through the vacuum of space unnoticed in to port and a short time later walks out again, gets in the ship and flys away.

A Origin 350R lands at pad D6. No one notices much apart from it's an unusually expensive ship for this part of the System and they'll have a job finding ammo for those unusual Sawbucks on the wings. The pilot gets out and walks through the vacuum of space unnoticed in to port and a short time later walks out again, gets in the ship and flys away.

A Freelancer flanked by three Hornets approaches the pad. It's pilot advises the port there is a dignitary on board. The port opens its single usually off-limits internal landing hangar, one Hornet enters to ensure there are no other ships or traps waiting, the Freelancer follows and touches down while the other two Hornets circle outside. They repressurise the hangar at great expense so the passenger does not have to even think about putting an EVA suit on. A welcome party approaches the ship. Its ramp lowers, at the top stands Admiral Bishop. "Admiral, Welcome aboard."

If a rep system comes along, fair enough, however in a game that says "You make your stories in the Verse, not the other way round." I don't think it's going to mean much. Admiral Bishop arrives in an Argo or Freelancer or Origin, he's going to be met with approval. No one is going to deny him audience because he turned up in an Aurora and forgot to put on a tie that morning.

If a rep system is as simple as "Fly Ship Brand A" and "Wear Mobi-Glas Brand Z" and "Carry Gun Brand Q" citizenship won't have to be eared, it'll have to be bought.

:frowning2: I want my characters exploits to be its reputation, not its possessions :frowning2:

 

[Bambooza]

But why would Admiral Bishop want to fly in a Freelancer when he can instead be treated well while flying aboard a 600 or phoenix? While one can say that the cargo is more valuable to the rep system then the ship used, but one can also say that the cargo will not fly in anything else as much as you paint up the Freelancer and take out all the empty beer bottles it will never have the same vibe.

 

[NaffNaffBobFace]

But why would Admiral Bishop want to fly in a Freelancer when he can instead be treated well while flying aboard a 600 or phoenix? While one can say that the cargo is more valuable to the rep system then the ship used, but one can also say that the cargo will not fly in anything else as much as you paint up the Freelancer and take out all the empty beer bottles it will never have the same vibe.

Arnold Schwarzenegger arrives in a Ford Focus, everyone says "Holy shit, theres Arnold Schwarzenegger". He gets out of the car and walks round the corner, everyone still sees Schwarzenegger because of who he is, not what he has.

I arrive in a Pagani Zonda, everyone says "Holy shit, there is a Pagani Zonda." I get out the car and walk round the corner, everyone will just see another guy while running to look at the cool car.

Of all the games there ever were, SC has the opportunity to be that "Make a name for yourself" game where you work your way from Zero to Hero not because you bought a load of crap but because you made an impressive trade run or fought off a wave of Vanduul single handed or rescued a twenty dudes from a failing ship or picked up as many people as you could from the science station before Tyrol's star went Super-Nova.

Having a gatekeeper to parts of the game being your ability to afford certain things? I just don't think it'll work.

 

[AstroGimp01]

After I make the Kessel Run in less than 12 parsecs I am going to be fucking rock star famous!

'Gimp

 

[Sraika]

They should implement another rep system for how wealthy people are, that way you can still have the luxury missions after a player reaches a certain level, but it wont affect your regular rep.

I think ferrying high level rich people types around in an argo would be bloody hilarious. I'd like to find out if that'll be possible at some point. :)

 

[Bambooza]

Arnold Schwarzenegger arrives in a Ford Focus, everyone says "Holy shit, theres Arnold Schwarzenegger". He gets out of the car and walks round the corner, everyone still sees Schwarzenegger because of who he is, not what he has.

I arrive in a Pagani Zonda, everyone says "Holy shit, there is a Pagani Zonda." I get out the car and walk round the corner, everyone will just see another guy while running to look at the cool car.

Of all the games there ever were, SC has the opportunity to be that "Make a name for yourself" game where you work your way from Zero to Hero not because you bought a load of crap but because you made an impressive trade run or fought off a wave of Vanduul single handed or rescued a twenty dudes from a failing ship or picked up as many people as you could from the science station before Tyrol's star went Super-Nova.

Having a gatekeeper to parts of the game being your ability to afford certain things? I just don't think it'll work.

Am I misunderstanding you in that you are not talking about the person being the cargo but about you being the famous person and what ever ship you might fly it doesn't impact your creed. Or are you talking about being the pilot and chauffeuring around the rich and famous, in which case the ship you use would matter greatly in what clients you could attract to your service. While Arnold might be comfortable driving his own Ford Focus to the trendy event its highly unlikely he will hire you to drive him in your Ford Focus to the trendy event.

 

[Printimus]

I am Grand Admiral Printimus, hail me and know my mercy. :P

 

[Talonsbane]

If I was to observe Admiral Bishop arrive in a secured internal dock from within a mere Freelancer, the 1st thing that would come to mind is that he is playing things so low & close to the vest that something massive must be up in the works of the UEE. I'd also figure that this seemingly "common cargo run" had possibly made its way past some dangerous areas, but that it was really some of his most trusted pilots & escorts. Good call @NaffNaffBobFace .

 

[NaffNaffBobFace]

Am I misunderstanding you in that you are not talking about the person being the cargo but about you being the famous person and what ever ship you might fly it doesn't impact your creed.

Yep, it's about the name you make for yourself opening doors and making rep, not the ship you fly or the watch you wear.

While Arnold might be comfortable driving his own Ford Focus to the trendy event its highly unlikely he will hire you to drive him in your Ford Focus to the trendy event.

And it is highly unlikely if I were in the position to own a Zonda that i'd rent myself out like some kind of taxi service for the 1%. Everyone seems to assume the 'Verse is going to be teeming with rich people who are rich enough to be snobbish about the type of ship they travel in but too poor to go buy one of their own.

As for getting a lift in a Ford Focus:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tv6D1QLhmb0

 

[Bambooza]

Verse is going to be teeming with rich people who are rich enough to be snobbish about the type of ship they travel in but too poor to go buy one of their own

I imagine it would be more like the private jet industry now were even if they own the jet they still have pilots and flight attendants and do not do the flying themselves. Even still the rich typically don't own the jet just rent it for their needs much like the mega yachts one can rent for a week getaway.

Yep, it's about the name you make for yourself opening doors and making rep, not the ship you fly or the watch you wear.

And I imagine this will be true Chris as already allured to the fact that your name and your legacy is what Star Citizen is about and not the ships you fly as being the source of progression in the game. So its all about faction standing and reputation and not about upgrading ships.

 

[Han Burgundy]

Question: Which of the following Gentlemen would you rather buy your wares from?

Spoiler: Mr. A

OR

Spoiler: Mr. B

And which of the two do you think may be able to charge more for their services? In sales, image is everything.

 

[CosmicTrader]

Nothing says V.I.P. like an Aurora ES................

 

[NaffNaffBobFace]

Question: Which of the following Gentlemen would you rather buy your wares from?

Spoiler: Mr. A

OR

Spoiler: Mr. B

And which of the two do you think may be able to charge more for their services? In sales, image is everything.

Trick question: They are the same person 6 months apart - Photo B is how he looks now, after single handedly carrying almost everyone out of the burning office building he worked in just months earlier in Photo A...

I say almost everyone...

He couldn't reach the office Day-Care before the flames took those little lives. Although being hailed a hero for all he saved, the screams of the children haunt his every waking moment... but it is when he sleeps the visions come, every dream a reenactment of being beaten back by the heat and smoke, getting so close to being their savior only for a back-draft to incinerate them before his very eyes.

He struggles to stay awake but inevitably finally falls unconscious only to relive the horror over and over and over in his fevered nightmares... sometimes he sees their burning, melting, screaming faces before him when just blinking.

A hero no one can save.

 

[Sirus7264]

Question: Which of the following Gentlemen would you rather buy your wares from?

Spoiler: Mr. A

OR

Spoiler: Mr. B

And which of the two do you think may be able to charge more for their services? In sales, image is everything.

Mr. B looks like he's drinking the good stuff so id probably buy from him. Mr. A looks like hes going to try to rip me off for water.

 

[Sraika]

Trick question: They are the same person 6 months apart - Photo B is how he looks now, after single handedly carrying almost everyone out of the burning office building he worked in just months earlier in Photo A...

I say almost everyone...

He couldn't reach the office Day-Care before the flames took those little lives. Although being hailed a hero for all he saved, the screams of the children haunt his every waking moment... but it is when he sleeps the visions come, every dream a reenactment of being beaten back by the heat and smoke, getting so close to being their savior only for a back-draft to incinerate them before his very eyes.

He struggles to stay awake but inevitably finally falls unconscious only to relive the horror over and over and over in his fevered nightmares... sometimes he sees their burning, melting, screaming faces before him just blinking.

A hero no one can save.

Now that I know his backstory, I'd buy whatever he's selling, if only to sooth even the slightest bit of his suffering.

 

[maynard]

sounds like the devs will be balancing risks and rewards for a couple of years after the game goes live

or else it won't ever get out of Beta

 

[Talonsbane]

Question: Which of the following Gentlemen would you rather buy your wares from?

Spoiler: Mr. A

OR

Spoiler: Mr. B

And which of the two do you think may be able to charge more for their services? In sales, image is everything.

If I have to choose somebody to purchase from in the Verse, I'll choose 1 of you wonderful TESTies over any stranger that seems like either of these examples you've provided because WE are all OWL.

 

[NaffNaffBobFace]

If I have to choose somebody to purchase from in the Verse, I'll choose 1 of you wonderful TESTies over any stranger that seems like either of these examples you've provided because WE are all OWL.

I'll do *most* of my buying via Kiosks direct from the local markets anyway.

 

[Takeiteasy]

I'll have my own reputation system in the game, basically I'm at the top and then it's TEST members and then it's scoundrels and murderers and then UEE and then at the very bottom you have the lowest most vile vermin and then below that you got Disco Lando for that video telling people to join anyone but TEST....