Will Drones ever be added???

[mottlee]

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]

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]

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]

quote:

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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

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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.

[Q]

quote:

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

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It is impossible for fighters to use warp points without change in the hard code.