Standards for Role Play "Invention"

[worldstrider]

Does an automated ship sound like a magic trick?

<Thanks Xoria>

Let's use the automated ship as a concept to demonstrate:

First, we look for already approved/accepted in-game devices (actual vanilla/mod based first, role play ones second--and real life as a commentary/comparison source) in order to be "derivative". In creation of devices (by 'devices' I mean actual 'things' and/or 'effects') server rules can't be broken--your invention must work with server rules. You don't have the authority to replace server rules with "your good idea" (something factions could learn from too).

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1) There are automated, intelligent robots on Gammu. The details and complexity of these robots in the game and mod are unexplained but sufficient to indicate they are fairly advanced as they are able to maintain an entire docking system and supporting infrastructure and communicate with some decision making ability (granting or denying docking clearances, firing the defense grid). They also appear to operate with full autonomy--not requiring further human assistance or programming.

2) There are comm vids (small inset game-to-player communication scenes) where robots communicate and apparently [assumed] assist ships in docking and facility scenes where robots barter goods and determine to share apparently random but relevant rumors with players (bars, equipment bays, etc., etc.)

3) Ships have automated controls that can follow flight paths, dock bases and stations, avoid collisions with navigational hazards, maintain formations and track targets and navigational points.

4) Nomad brain types are known to control multiple ships and fleets, though they use a stated technology of "neural transfer" which may not correlate with actual "robotic intelligence".

4) The actual crew size of ships is unknown and primarily assumed--with varying conclusions--by varying players--so it is undetermined. In real life, military ships use redundant systems and carry redundant crew to compensate for battle damage and the need for in-battle repair. Merchant ship use more automated systems and carry smaller crews. Fighters, bombers, tanks, etc., etc. use even smaller crews and rely on base repair and maintenance to provide sustainability.

The engineering crew on a 77,000 ton carrier I was stationed on exceeded 1,000 people in number but a merchant ship of near the same size I transited on once had an entire crew totaling 29 in number. Some current hoverfoil attack craft can be operated by one pilot and one weapons officer--though they carry a few more crew for systems maintenance.

The above do not take into account any player faction/character role play devices as they are only supportive--not authoritative.

So lets: look at what we can craft:

Already within Freelancer computerized controls can pilot a vessel with minimal input from a single pilot.
Stations have automated defense turrets which can engage hostiles independently.
Planetary installations can be fully automated.
Robotic designs allow near full simulation of human form.
Robotic intelligence allows human communication and some decision making, independent of external control.

Based on the above:

1) It's a reasonable assumption that its no stretch for a ship to have automated systems--possibly controlled by a single pilot or specially programmed robotic pilot. There is no way to determine actual numbers but there is no reason to say "it can't be done".

2) It's reasonable to assume a ship could be fully automated and operated by a robotic intelligence but to simulate the robots seen in game there could reasonably be some limitations as follow: a) Such ships might only operate in a set range of functions--perhaps restricted to a single system or a single trade run. They may not be able to program themselves to perform radically different tasks. This can only be an assumption so it cannot be mandated either way. A good example of compromise in this matter is the Harvesters, who pause before action and articulate their "thought process" and the variables they are processing to make a decision, which they then announce.

As the above is already an accepted role play standard (we use that to support the above--not as the sole justification for an automated ship), its reasonable to say, "My ship is automated" as long as some role play is provided in game to demonstrate that and show it at work.
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So that's a good example to me.

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