I’d like to clarify something regarding my earlier response to Chenzo's post about the 30 seconds on screen and the need for instant-kill weapons. I don't think bringing back the SNAC in its original form would be a great idea balance wise. I also think the current selection of mines is quite solid, though the Swatter may be a bit overpowered as it stands.
What I was aiming for was the idea of "glass cannon" type weapons. For example, a missile with an enormous blast radius and/or high damage, but you can only carry one. Or guns that perform exceptionally well but have very limited ammo, things like that. These weapons wouldn’t be useful for racking up multiple kills in quick succession, so they wouldn't necessarily benefit aces, but they could give someone who's not great at PvP a lucky kill every once in a while. Limited ammo could also promote more tactical and even logistical gameplay.
I know I’m suggesting some unusual ideas here, but the main point I want to emphasize is: think outside the box, especially when it comes to appeasing new or less pvp oriented players. I understand balancing this game is extremely difficult, and I want to be clear: I think you guys have done an amazing job so far. The balance feels much better than it did five years ago, and definitely ten years ago, when even ships within the same class were terribly unbalanced. You've given players a real reason to enjoy light fighters, heavy fighters, missiles, and much more, and that’s fantastic.
The balance is looking good, but unfortunately, people's emotions don’t always align with the facts. So now, we need to seriously think about how to make players feel like they have better ships, weapons, and more choices to make. That’s an entire science in itself, and it involves more than just numerical balance. it’s also about customization, sound, visuals, and the overall experience.
I see a lot of people saying things that don't align with the facts in this thread. A lot of it is just spewing raw emotion, and blunt and confusing as that may be, it is also a good sign. It means people really care about this game and this community. I would like to see people be less hostile and more constructive in their criticisms. All that hard work, and don't underestimate how much hard work it is, is not something we should take for granted. It's being done for you, and for you and for you, and for me, and none of us pay a dime for it.
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