Researcher ID - It's coming back!

[Arioch]

Damn, you think by introducing something cool and neat for those who don't want to fall under a Freelancer or Zoner would be a perk, and not... this.

Let me put some context to this, or explain a bit more. Haste, you are correct - I brought up the idea for the Researcher ID with Conrad, because the group I have are Researchers. We operate under the Zoner ID, but that comes with a certain stigma whenever someone sees the word "Zoner". We thought it would be cool to add. So that is where the conversation started from. Also, over 3 pages of discussion took place between the Admins (Including Alley about what perks we'll assign it), so it wasn't a "Oh look, me and Conrad have idea. Yes? Yes." A little more took place.

Now, for the SRP element - It looks like a copy/paste ID. To a degree, it is. It's an upgraded Freelancer ID for all intents and purposes. We actually were thinking of making it so you could only have 1,000 cargo. Then we thought "Well, no, there are quite a few people who RP in larger ships." So we then changed it to "You can only carry 500 of one type of cargo". Again, didn't quite work considering if a Researcher wanted to build a base or in certain cases NEEDED to haul large amounts of something. So then we though, why not make it SRp, so then we can ensure that it won't be used for trading first and foremost. Can you trade in it? Sure I guess, but it shouldn't be the purpose of the ID. It's meant for RP'ers. (The term Hardcore RP's isn't some new title, or meant as a slam against any type of RP. It's meant for those who want RP first, PVP/Trade/Etc second if at all.) So, it's now SRP, with less restrictions. I'm sure if we had the 500 of one commodity type, people would still complain and throw up their arms and yell at us for wanting to release a cool new ID back into the mix.

With that in mind, think about how easy it is to draft up an SRP now. 1 month of previous RP or activity, 250mil which you get refunded when it passes (Let me repeat that - You get that 250mil REFUNDED), and now you get a cool new ID. As Haste said, gameplay should be available to all. Ok, well lets look at that. Want a Nomad cap? You need to apply to K'Hara. You have to go through a screening process, then IF you get accepted, you then have to come up with the money to buy that cap. Or IND. Want a very OP trading ID, with only one rephack (Lane Hackers)? You need to draft up a post for application. It's then voted on, and then you may get accepted. Then you have to pony up the cash for the ship. So really, any faction tag - if you want to be recognized as a member of a certain faction, needs to apply for it. The Researcher ID is no different. You are applying for it, and we plan on being more lax than say if you're applying for a change in tech nerf or something. So it won't be hard to get.

Could you go for a Spec Ops ID then? Sure - But that ID says you have to follow your RP or the ID/IFF you had. So then, if someone meets you ingame, you have to explain what type of person you are, and have to make sure you follow the rules associated with whatever faction your char/group was from. The Researcher ID gives you a clear defined ruleset, and easily recognizable to someone you encounter ingame.

Honestly, if you don't want it, don't apply for it. If it doesn't affect you, why are you complaining? For those who RP a researcher, or want a Researcher group without being a Freelancer group or Zoner group, now have the option. I highly doubt a true researcher or researcher group will have any difficult getting the ID, and the 250mil back. And you know what, maybe we will put a restriction on it, with only allowing 1,000k hold - Or a limit on commodity type. But I can guarantee you, people will STILL find fault with that, and yell and complain.