Will Drones ever be added???

Magnum357 · #1 October 22nd, 2001, 09:18 AM

Ok, I understand that this is most likly the Last Patch (am I correct on this? Been away for a while). So will Drones be in this Last patch? I've been really wanting to have this feature added.

Puke · #2 October 22nd, 2001, 09:24 AM

no, it should not be. and no, they wont.

Atrocities · #3 October 22nd, 2001, 10:14 AM

Hey Magnum

Rumor has it that they will not be. Sorry to say that, but this will be something like the 6th patch, and no drones. Its been a year now, and no drones.

The writing is on the wall.

Good to see you post again, hope you will stay around.

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New Age Ship Yards

"We've made too many compromises already, too many retreats! They invade our space and we fall back -- they assimilate entire worlds and we fall back! Not again! The line must be drawn here -- this far, no further! And I will make them pay for what they've done!" -- Captain Picard STNG

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Andr�s · #4 October 22nd, 2001, 06:00 PM

I don't think that drones are important.
They were one of the many ideas they had when started designing the game but discarted later. We are not even sure of what a drone is.
The only difference is that every original shipset has a drone picture, and may fan made shipsets (including mine) also have.
I can think of many things I want to see in the game and drones are not a priority.

Aub · #5 October 22nd, 2001, 06:25 PM

I tend to agree - I don't see how adding drones improves the game significantly. Is there a function for them that the current variety of ships and units does not cover? Or do people want them for purely role-playing reasons?

I have found that, even without drones, the many different types of units with overlapping abilities confuses new players and makes the game harder to understand.

Do I defend my planets with platforms, satellites or bases? I hear this question all the time. The problem is that all three could be used to defend a planet. A player has to learn the subtle differences between them before they can go forward - basic planet defense is one of the first things you need to do.

Now if you add drones (which are similar to fighters, but somewhat different...) that would make the game even more confusing.

0.02
Aub

Baron Munchausen · #6 October 22nd, 2001, 06:32 PM

As others have said, no this not not the Last patch and no there will not be drones in this release.

There have been vague statements of "new features" to be added once this update is produced. I hope he realizes how badly people want drones and will make their implementation a priority.

mottlee · #7 October 23rd, 2001, 04:47 PM

An Idea for drones ....use a fighter that can use warp points, make them of a min size (35kt)

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mottlee@gte.net
"Kill em all let God sort em out"

Baron Munchausen · #8 October 23rd, 2001, 05:51 PM

Well, we've got a notice that a seperate list of testers will be setup for the new features while the old list is maintained for bug fixing. Only testers who have sold their souls for an NDA will be testing the new features so you won't know if drones are in the new package until MM and Shrapnel give the ok for people to say so.

Magnum357 · #9 October 23rd, 2001, 08:08 PM

Nice to be back Atrocities.

Been away for a while because I'm back in school and don't have a lot of time. I'm still working on my SFB/SE4 mod, but it will have to be put on hold for a while (plus, I want to wait until the very Last patch before I really get dirty with my project). Even if they don't add drones, Mottlee has a very good idea. It IS very possible for us to substite a Custom Fighter unit in the Data files as a "Generic Drone" and use it basically as a Crusie missile. I've tested the idea a little, only problem is that I don't think the AI will use this type of weapon system in the game (it would be strictly Player operated).

Q · #10 October 23rd, 2001, 08:27 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Aub:
I tend to agree - I don't see how adding drones improves the game significantly. Is there a function for them that the current variety of ships and units does not cover? Or do people want them for purely role-playing reasons?

I have found that, even without drones, the many different types of units with overlapping abilities confuses new players and makes the game harder to understand.

Do I defend my planets with platforms, satellites or bases? I hear this question all the time. The problem is that all three could be used to defend a planet. A player has to learn the subtle differences between them before they can go forward - basic planet defense is one of the first things you need to do.

Now if you add drones (which are similar to fighters, but somewhat different...) that would make the game even more confusing.

0.02
Aub

Probably you are right that a drone can't do anything new, that a ship can't (we don't know till we have them). But drones would be as units free of maintenance and therefore fill a gap IMO. Drones would have the possibility to warp but would be self-destroyed after a certain time (at least that was the initial description) in contrast to fighters. And yes it would make the game more complex and difficult, but that's exactely what keeps up the interest for this game, again IMHO.