CLF revamp: make them despawn locked objects instead of adding them to the carrier ship.
Relatively simple change, but would have huge impact on most gameplay loops. Despawning objects would allow preserving ship identity, thus allow carrying other ships.
Held objects wouldn't need to be rendered or simulated (only their mass distributed between CLF parts), which would increase performance.
Ships could potentially carry a lot more cargo, as the carried objects wouldn't contribute to ship building limits. Possibly ten-fold increase in capacity, as the frame uses very little voxels compared to cargo boxes.
Haulers would grow much bigger, thanks to being mostly empty inside. But better plated, due to CLFs requiring protection (unlike cargo crates, which provide protection).
Since cargo ships would be several times lighter without the cargo, many people may opt for not chasing max speed when loaded. Because of increased cargo capacity, the freed personel could instead be used for defence (escort fighters or upcoming ball turrets)
Difference in mass between full and empty cargo ship would also make arming them a bit more effective (since just dropping the cargo leaves you with pretty fast ship). As well as giving some cargo space to combat ships wouldn't compromise their combat efficiency as much as now.
Pirating would allow more choice for both sides: cargo ship could opt for dropping the cargo to run away, while pirates may aim specifically for CLFs to make the cargo fall behind. They would also have easier time taking the loot home, as they can grab ships as well.
Having CLF as the most efficient way for hauling would differentiate haulers from miners, as the later requires constant access to ore crates, so can't have them despawned in CLF.
Same system could be used on stations, to keep FPS high while storage still requires physical space.
Relatively simple change, but would have huge impact on most gameplay loops. Despawning objects would allow preserving ship identity, thus allow carrying other ships.
Held objects wouldn't need to be rendered or simulated (only their mass distributed between CLF parts), which would increase performance.
Ships could potentially carry a lot more cargo, as the carried objects wouldn't contribute to ship building limits. Possibly ten-fold increase in capacity, as the frame uses very little voxels compared to cargo boxes.
Haulers would grow much bigger, thanks to being mostly empty inside. But better plated, due to CLFs requiring protection (unlike cargo crates, which provide protection).
Since cargo ships would be several times lighter without the cargo, many people may opt for not chasing max speed when loaded. Because of increased cargo capacity, the freed personel could instead be used for defence (escort fighters or upcoming ball turrets)
Difference in mass between full and empty cargo ship would also make arming them a bit more effective (since just dropping the cargo leaves you with pretty fast ship). As well as giving some cargo space to combat ships wouldn't compromise their combat efficiency as much as now.
Pirating would allow more choice for both sides: cargo ship could opt for dropping the cargo to run away, while pirates may aim specifically for CLFs to make the cargo fall behind. They would also have easier time taking the loot home, as they can grab ships as well.
Having CLF as the most efficient way for hauling would differentiate haulers from miners, as the later requires constant access to ore crates, so can't have them despawned in CLF.
Same system could be used on stations, to keep FPS high while storage still requires physical space.
