Re: more stuff we need
 

Mysterial confused the original question.

Currently in SE4, all mines are "smart", and assume races with treaties should not be blown up.

Apache wants mines to default to "dumb" and require a computer or sensor package to top them from blowing up friendlies. (They shouldn't ever blow up your own ships, right?)

This would allow you to limit the movement of friendlies through your core systems (dumb mines), while allowing limited access to outlying systems, or "warp point highways", so your allies can send reinforcements through.

Re: more stuff we need
 

You are correct. Sorry about that. I'll have to read more carefully next time http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: more stuff we need
 

The only problem I can see with that is that the AI will probably do what it usually does with mines and keep fragging itself with the dumb mines. Unless, of course, the mine entry in the AI's design_creation.txt file specifies that it must have the IFF detector installed before designing/building the mines.

Re: more stuff we need
 

The "dumb" mines should have enough smarts to not attack your own ships.

The key ability here is in restricting "friendly" movement through your systems.

Re: more stuff we need
 

I thought the reason mines didn't blow up friendlies is because they knew where the mines were, and thus can avoid them. Albeit this doesn't make much sense for places like warp-points where you blockaid the whole warppoint, but still. I like the idea of smart and dumb mines though.

Re: more stuff we need
 

what if you tied "dumb mines" to the type of treaties you have with the AI or other players?
If you have trade/trade reasearch/military they would have access thru the dumb mines, other treaties they blow up. I would think if you had trade etc type treaties your partners would have to have access thru your fields or no trade etc could take place. Military similiar in theory or maybe on a restricted basis, possible example, anything up to a CA allowed thru without sometype of sensor, anything bigger it goes '"boom". You could make it that you would have to "gift" them the tech in order for them to get thru the mine field or something on that order.

just some ideas mac

Re: more stuff we need
 

I suppose what we really want is a toggle or command for the mines, to decide whether to blow up "allied" ships or not.
IE: select the minefield, and there is an order/options window, where you can check/uncheck "allow to pass" button for each race in the game.