It occurs to me that Starbase will have a potentially HUGE playerbase.
And as far as we know, sandbox mode isn't in the planning, so for those who want to play without fear of being hunted down constantly or looking over their shoulder, allow players to take themselves out of PvP, by toggling some type of change in their status. But the game doesn't have to focus entirely on PvP as a core feature, it can be modified to allow PvP to be optional.
So how does Frozenbyte going about doing this? Here's a few steps.
1.) Allow players to change their status from Hostile, to Non-Hostile. Being Non-Hostile means they can't be damaged by player ships or weapons.
2.) Allow players to change their statuses ONLY at stations, not in the middle of space, so they can't attack someone, then switch status to escape retaliation.
3.) Give incentives for even non-combat players to stay in Hostile mode, by increasing their rewards for their mining or salvage. Perhaps a 3x or higher price payout at stations so they are willing to take the risk and engage in combat if need be, to protect their haul.
4.) Keep safe zones, for newer players or those who aren't as financially motivated.
5.) Make some extremely valuable and rare ores, only possible to be mined, in a Hostile status.
So I'm already hearing some natural questions, many from those who aren't even going to read the entire post.
Q: If people can just put themselves on Non-Hostile then no one would do PvP right?
A: No. There will always be players out there looking to pillage and kill. The rewards for even miners and explorers to stay In PvP mode gives these PvP players targets to hunt. This is why you offer players, incentives and rewards for risking to be in PvP mode.
Q: Why should players be given a choice?
A: Because it increases the options for players. Not everyone wants to engage in PvP for time reasons or just personal preferences. Giving players an option, means that some players who want to play safe, aren't forced into become targets when all they wanted was just some peaceful (and less profitable) mining. Choice never hurts playerbases, limiting their choices will results in people leaving because they're constantly being harassed by PvPers.
Q: What is to stop a PvPer from abusing the system and then putting themselves on non-hostile right after killing someone?
A: Make the toggling system only changeable in a station, not just a safe zone, therefore it takes a long time to go back. That way it is a serious choice and decision to make before a player embarks on their task. A PvPer will be locked onto that status when they leave a station, and a non-Hostile player can't attack anyone else even if he sees an easy kill.
Again, I ask Frozenbyte to consider this as an option, because it will give more options to players. Giving players a choice, and sometimes the chance to make slower money but safer, an option.
And as far as we know, sandbox mode isn't in the planning, so for those who want to play without fear of being hunted down constantly or looking over their shoulder, allow players to take themselves out of PvP, by toggling some type of change in their status. But the game doesn't have to focus entirely on PvP as a core feature, it can be modified to allow PvP to be optional.
So how does Frozenbyte going about doing this? Here's a few steps.
1.) Allow players to change their status from Hostile, to Non-Hostile. Being Non-Hostile means they can't be damaged by player ships or weapons.
2.) Allow players to change their statuses ONLY at stations, not in the middle of space, so they can't attack someone, then switch status to escape retaliation.
3.) Give incentives for even non-combat players to stay in Hostile mode, by increasing their rewards for their mining or salvage. Perhaps a 3x or higher price payout at stations so they are willing to take the risk and engage in combat if need be, to protect their haul.
4.) Keep safe zones, for newer players or those who aren't as financially motivated.
5.) Make some extremely valuable and rare ores, only possible to be mined, in a Hostile status.
So I'm already hearing some natural questions, many from those who aren't even going to read the entire post.
Q: If people can just put themselves on Non-Hostile then no one would do PvP right?
A: No. There will always be players out there looking to pillage and kill. The rewards for even miners and explorers to stay In PvP mode gives these PvP players targets to hunt. This is why you offer players, incentives and rewards for risking to be in PvP mode.
Q: Why should players be given a choice?
A: Because it increases the options for players. Not everyone wants to engage in PvP for time reasons or just personal preferences. Giving players an option, means that some players who want to play safe, aren't forced into become targets when all they wanted was just some peaceful (and less profitable) mining. Choice never hurts playerbases, limiting their choices will results in people leaving because they're constantly being harassed by PvPers.
Q: What is to stop a PvPer from abusing the system and then putting themselves on non-hostile right after killing someone?
A: Make the toggling system only changeable in a station, not just a safe zone, therefore it takes a long time to go back. That way it is a serious choice and decision to make before a player embarks on their task. A PvPer will be locked onto that status when they leave a station, and a non-Hostile player can't attack anyone else even if he sees an easy kill.
Again, I ask Frozenbyte to consider this as an option, because it will give more options to players. Giving players a choice, and sometimes the chance to make slower money but safer, an option.
