Disco Bounty/Player Tracker [BETA]

[GrueZilla]

Hi.

I've mentioned this in a few other threads, but the idea is finally coming together and I've begun development today.
I'm building a web-based tool to track bounty targets (and players in general) on the official Discovery RP 24/7 Server.
Yes, it is similar to Discovery Watcher by utrack, except it will keep past data in addition to realtime data and I prefer web-based stuff.

Here is a list of features already implemented or planned to be in the first release:

1) Replication of Generic Data Already Available
The tool will utilize the "Players Online" page on this very website to harvest data, so you will be able to look up any online ship and see its current system location.

2) Online Time Tracker
The tool will keep a cumulative time logged for any ship active after the tool goes live, very similar to the page which displays information on official faction time logged. Useful for leaders of unofficial factions that still want to track activity of their members.

3) "Last Seen" Feature
The tool will log the last time and system that a character was seen online. Useful to well...check how long it's been since a character has logged. Note that since the online player data is only polled every 30 seconds, a ship which logs on for less than 30 seconds may not have this statistic updated. Higher poll frequencies are being considered.

4) Friend Tracker
The tool will send you alerts (optionally by email, or will make a noise if you have it open) when characters you've designated as your "friends" come on and offline. Useful to coordinate and continue RP between specific characters.

5) Bounty Tracker
Similar to the Friend Tracker, this feature notifies you when a character comes on or offline. It will display all the usual information, and will also show systems they were previously in. It will also attempt to predict which system they will travel to next. Useful for keeping track of bountied players and intercepting them.

6) Proximity Alert
It will be possible to identify the name of your own character, and be alerted when either all ships or specifically listed ships are within X systems of your current location. Useful to preemptively escape lawful forces while pirating, etc.

7) General Statistics Suite
The tool will use all the data it accumulates to make generalizations about the Sirius Sector as a whole, including popularity of systems, most commonly trafficked routes, etc.

8) Integration with Forums
Possible integration with these forums, specifically the Bounty Board section, so that the tool can explain a breakdown of possible rewards for eliminating the target.

I plan to release the first version of this tool on September 1st.
Until then, I am looking for a group of players to help develop and/or beta test the tool.

So this thread serves two purposes.
Firstly, I would appreciate any feedback, positive or negative, on the existence of such a tool. Feature suggestions, complaints, etc.
Secondly, you may apply to help develop and/or test the tool. To do so, just leave a reply here with your Skype, an estimate of how frequently you play on the official server, and why you're interested.

Thank you for your time.

[Danny-boy]

Hello, we've talked on skype but I'll post my thoughts here anyway. I would love for this tool to be created and eventually implemented as a part of the forums and it'd definitely get me interested in bounty hunting which is something I've never really considered, that being said I probably wouldn't be much good at it with my PVP skills anyway .

As for helping you out on this I'd be glad to beta test it, unfortunately whilst I'm decent at maths I wouldn't understand the first thing about code so I won't be able to help in developing it.

[Thunderer]

Dr.Who is watching us.

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[Thyrzul]

I'm curious about the usage of which part of this whole will (or will not) count as metagaming.

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[Sturm347]

My only concern is that it might also be used by pirates to track down potential targets? And also might be detrimental to pirating, since a trader might track pirates to avoid them and it will be harder to pirate. Just my opinion though

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[Leppy]

I'm just going to add this to the discussion.

#6 seems like a very bad idea from a gameplay stand-point. It could only really hurt interactions between players and make it even harder to play the game.

The reason people play this game is to encounter other people, and your idea #6 encourages the exact opposite of that.


#5 I'm not a giant fan of because it could easily be used for OORP purposes to hunt down and grief a certain player over and over again if you know their characters' names. On the other hand, I could see how it would be useful to find a player with a bounty on their head.

[GrueZilla]

The reason people play this game is to encounter other people, and your idea #6 encourages the exact opposite of that.

Pretty good point, hadn't thought of it that way (though it seems obvious in hindsight).
Will probably do without #6.

[Zayne Carrick]

The only problem I see - it's heavy metagaming tool.
So write it for yourself and keep closed. LH~ have something like that, restricted to their higher-ups, therefore unabusable.

[VoluptaBox]

I kind of agree with the others, it can be abused. But it doesn't mean you should stop developing it.

I am extremely interested in the possibilities however, especially improving the current Bounty Hunting system.

I'd love to help you test this thing out, so feel free to add me on Skype (ombladon_91).

[Jack_Henderson]

The only problem I see - it's heavy metagaming tool.
So write it for yourself and keep closed. LH~ have something like that, restricted to their higher-ups, therefore unabusable.

That's not the way to go.
Everybody knows that when it is there, some will get their hands on it.

Opening the tools to everybody evens the field.
And ofc things can be abused. But that counts for every single item we have.

I'd day: Go for it. Seems interesting. And might save me the "F5"ing all the time on the player list.

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