NPCs kinda suck

[boxcartenant]

but it's like the NPCs are intended to be just background objects.

That's the point.

Sure it makes flying around a little more interesting if NPCs can actually pose a threat, but it makes player interaction much more of a hassle, and player interaction is what this server is mainly about.
Trying to roleplay with someone with hostile NPCs around? You'll have to balance typing with dodging and shooting.
Trying to have a good pvp encounter? The NPCs will influence the outcome.

Anyone who was around for the god-tier IMG NPCs in Tau-23 that had debs and class 9 guns will know why we don't have strong NPCs anymore.

I understand that the moderators want this game experience to have a focus on player interaction, and that's fine and good. However, there should be areas where player interaction is more easy or more difficult, depending on each player's faction relationships. Wouldn't it make sense if it were "unwise" for two civilians to sit and chat in pirate space? Because right now, that's perfectly fine, and the only place where players have to be aware of their surroundings is at the far edge of the galaxy.

...

Then, significantly reduce the frequency of AI encounters. Perhaps limit them entirely to encounters with AI who are flying patrol routs (if they aren't already. If they are already, then reduce AI respawn rate). This would make space feel more real, because, for example, buying an expensive radar would be imperative for smugglers. A person wanting to do an especially dangerous trade rout might even have to learn the AI patrol paths to protect himself (almost as if the player's ship were actually in a hostile part of space).

The only instance where your objection is relevant is when a player from faction A is having an encounter with a player from faction B in an area exclusively patrolled by NPCs from faction B. NPCs from faction C absolutely should interrupt your encounter if you're in their way. (e.g. If you're civilian, and you're encountering a police, you should have to move the encounter out of pirate space to stay safe.)

So, if the NPCs have fixed patrol routs, and you're concerned about your NPCs from your faction shooting the player you've encountered, then you could move your PVP encounter to a more neutral area. Anyway, if you're at war with faction B, then your allies just might shoot faction B people, and you would be wise in real life as well as in RP to move all pleasantries with the enemy to a discrete location.

Jump Gate turrets should get a nerf imo.

Holy smokes, no. The last thing this game needs is less danger. If a jump gate is shooting you, it's because it's supposed to be a bulwark protecting its territory from your faction.

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