Stronger Factions

[Dusty Lens]

Just asking, how would you powergame this sort of thing? I doubt anyone is going to type *kills you with psychic alien powers*

Hahahahahaha! I have ur admirals in my hold and I am killing them! What u do now? PATHETIC.

As to the issue brought up in the OP about the distinction between the LPI and the LN, it's a good observation and one which I've often cited for the underlying foundation of police factions and the like not succeeding. Chiefly in that they're redundant. Some of the upcoming ID changes are resolving some of those troubles, with police factions such as the LPI being the only ones whom can scan for contraband whilst the Militaries are the only ones with access to the heavy kit. Adding a trace of distinction to the two.

As to storylines, well, there's an issue that saddles up alongside those skylined by Xoria, in that it's troublesome to orchestrate events containing any permanence between NPC factions when they're played out by their corresponding "official" player factions, as the result might alter gameplay of non-faction orientated players who want nothing to do with it.

In which case, any official change to the gamescape generally takes place when Igiss shakes the map and moves the pieces around. Until which time we all dance our same dance time and again. The Xenos continue to pew pew pew, the Navy continues to stomp on gunboats and years pass without much changing.

Micro events between factions are epic fun, but as of late really haven't comprised of much more than an exchange of fire. With exception to events such as the LN/BAF recently having a ball playing out an expansion upon the treaty of their respective borderworlds. Nothing new, nothing that flies in the face of what's considered good to go for anyone faction or not, but epic none the less.

For better or for worse, the greater scape of Discovery is locked into the same step on the daily. I can expect my day to day impact to be extremely minimal and be assured that, should I burn Liberty to the ground, when I undock tomorrow my Xeno will be facing the same trials that he did today.

A good system for maintaining a balance of fun without requiring new-joins to research hours of back history to see whats what, but a system of adopting the faces of corresponding NPC factions does leave a certain, ah, desire for fluidity in the system.

Character Count:

David Chambers: Laid off school teacher who ended up on the wrong side of the economic line in Liberty.
Simon Young: Barely able pilot who managed to sneak through obstacles into a cockpit via luck.
Timothy Rhyme: Sweater wearing transport pilot just living out the day to day amidst crazed eccentrics.

Not just anti-superpower, but kinda sad really.