Suggestion] Personal Transponder Codes (PTCs) – Custom Ship ID System for Roleplay

[Deity]

Summary:

I suggest the addition of a Personal Transponder Code (PTC) mechanic a customizable ship identifier that players can set, spoof, or encrypt for the purposes of in-depth roleplay. This system would create opportunities for intelligence operations, smuggling, impersonation, and identification-related RP, especially for covert or law-enforcement factions.

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Core Mechanic:

• Players can use a command such as /transponder set <code> to assign a visible Transponder ID to their ship.
  
• This ID would be shown when scanned by other players:
  

  Transponder ID: ALG-Transport-922

  or
  

  Transponder ID: [CLASSIFIED]

  
  
• Optional variants:
  • [+] Spoofed Transponders: Pretend to be a different faction (e.g., pirate pretending to be ALG).
    [+] Encrypted Transponders: ID hidden from regular players, but visible to certain factions (e.g., LSF, Order).
    [+] Default Civilian Transponder: Always shows real ID, cannot be altered.
    
  
  
• Players could use /transponder hide or /transponder reset to manage visibility or remove it.
  

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Game Mechanics:

• Spoofed or encrypted transponders are purchased as RP Items (like cloaks/scanners).
  
• Changing or activating them would have a cooldown (e.g., 1 hour) to prevent abuse.
  
• Destruction of the ship reveals the true identity in the kill message.
  
• Advanced scanners or specific faction gear can "break" the encryption and expose the real ID.
  

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Roleplay Benefits:

• Enables covert ops and false flag missions for factions like LSF, MND, Order, GC, etc.
  
• Supports RP scenarios like bounty hunting, tracking smugglers, or setting traps.
  
• Creates narrative tension between law enforcement and criminal elements.
  
• Adds depth to intel-gathering gameplay without impacting core combat mechanics.
  

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Balance and Safeguards:

• Abuse prevention: Faked IDs would not change actual character name, so sanctions can still apply.
  
• Spoof items are limited and have strict cooldowns to avoid meta gaming.
  
• Only one active transponder per ship at a time.
  
• Possibly restricted to official/unofficial factions with RP justification.
  

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Captain Echo
“Flying free between the stars. No flag, no chains.”

Independent | Smuggler | Explorer