Let's Talk Fuel

[YenExios]

I've never liked fuel as a mechanic in any game. I definitely think it wouldn't work in this game either.

There has been a lot of cool mechanics that Discovery has added. Such as: Cloaks, Jump Drives, Player Owned Bases, playable large capital ships, crafting, mining, pve encounters, and more. All of these aren't mandatory to playing the game. Anyone can play Discovery without touching most or any of these things, and they can still enjoy the game.

Fuel feels different. It feels like a forced mechanic. The idea of having to stop multiple times in a trip just so you don't go empty, feels like it is needlessly extending the trip while adding nothing. It feels like another chore. I admit I do think the potential RP encounters could be interesting, but I think it won't feel that unique from a normal encounter we have now. At least, not unique enough to justify adding fuel as a mechanic.

It goes without saying that unlawful and alien players would probably have a terrible time if they don't have enough neutral/friendly bases. I think making unlawful and alien engines more fuel efficient would be a compromise, but I have no idea what you would give lawfuls to balance it.

The final nail for me is vague, but simple: It wouldn't feel like Freelancer anymore. I didn't play this game just so I can play EVE-lite or something. I'm down to buy fuel or insurance as RP. Heck, I find myself buying food to RP eat from a certain traveling pair quite often recently. I can sure as hell tell you I don't want to do any of those things as a mechanic I have to do.

With all that said, I do think the idea is interesting. I appreciate you presenting said idea, and asking for opinions. I just don't see it working well in Freelancer.

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"It's not that I'm dumb. I just get unlucky when thinking sometimes."