Hey MHigby, here are some command/mission ideas

[Sardus]

Hey Matt, it sounds like you and the team are working towards a system that encourages good leaders to succeed while trying to minimizing the "popularity" contest thing.

I had a few ideas and perhaps some of the other people here on these forums would like to chip in too.

What about a 3 tiered mission system?

One designed in such a way that following your squad leader gives the largest bonus, followed by outfit leaders giving a lower bonus, and then ultimately followed by "empire commanders" giving relatively the least. (I.E, 100 xp for completing squad mission, 50 xp for completing outfit commander mission, 25 xp for completing empire mission). If these missions align and you actually get credit for multiple missions at once, why not? you should be rewarded for synergy and working together. This encourages you to work as closely as possible with the people directly playing with you, but it also encourages you on a more "macro" scale to contribute to the greater war effort.. and not just leave your squad mates to die as you race off to get that empire cap (everyone remember the glory days of base capping in planetside 1? you know, where you abandoned everyone to get get that base cap for EXP?)

I'm not so sure about the idea of "the more people currently following your mission, the more xp rewarded to the followers" since this would only encourage people to flock to a few commanders and not allows others a chance.

Instead, maybe consider a system where players are able to give you a "thumbs up" (and perhaps even a "thumbs down") after completing your missions (or failing to complete).

The more followers, the more command tools that are unlocked. As a new commander you'd start off by gaining followers by squad leading people, running outfits, and eventually you'll have enough to start creating empire wide missions. Basically, the more thumbs up you get, the bigger missions you can give to larger groups of players.. and the larger the missions.. the more people out there with the potential to give you a "thumbs up" or "thumbs down". You'll slowly "grow" as a commander. Some nights might be good, others not so good. But the point being- you'll be constantly working to improve your skills and your reputation.

Any player can give a "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" to any other player you wish, but you have to complete (or possibly fail) one of their missions for the option to pop up (still thinking about this comment though).

And how about this for an idea: your powers would be determined by how many people online have given you a "thumbs up". So if there are 100 TR online tonight, and 80 of them have given me a "thumbs up", then I have 80% approval rating that night, and I should have all of the goodes and powers unlocked in line with that approval rating. But this could fluctuate tremendously and that's good! This would encourage you to remain active and not "slump off". Like, "oh hey.. i just got the /comall ability! I better not fuck up now and /comall lame stuff that pisses people off! "

Examples (just throwing out some random numbers):

5% approval - new commander, first access to empire missions
80% approval - supreme commander, can do huge empire impacting missions, use /comall, etc. etc.

It generally follows the same concept as PS1... in that people listen to the commanders (CR5s) and outfit leaders that did a good job and treated their people well. It was pretty clear when someone logged in that he or she was worth listening to and it was time to get to work.

What do people think?

[Bolbis]

I like the idea of squad/outfit/empire missions that can run concurrently. I am not completely sold on the thumbs up/thumbs down idea. I see a lot of room for abuse by those who are haters, and there always seems to be a ton in MMO's. I think the concept is solid, but the reward could be just based on the % of completed missions rather than a voting system. IE: 25% completion of missions = first level of commander unlocked, 50% completion of missions = second level unlocked, 75% = third level unlocked.

With the grid system that is set up, I don't think it would be hard to make mission bonuses and completion goals based upon sticking together - which is what will set PS2 apart from all other games. Making squad/platoon/empire coordination and teamwork integral in the game play is what will give PS2 the competitive edge over all of the other FPS & MMO's out on the market. Currently there are few games that require you to coordinate with more than a small handful of people, and not only is grouping together for a specific goal fun, it is also a very positive life lesson to be learned about success reached through teamwork and communication.

[DayOne]

Obligatory "wait for beta" comment.

Really though, wait for beta. This is a system that can only be gotten right when tested with a LOT of players.

[Sardus]

Originally Posted by Bolbis

I think the concept is solid, but the reward could be just based on the % of completed missions rather than a voting system. IE: 25% completion of missions = first level of commander unlocked, 50% completion of missions = second level unlocked, 75% = third level unlocked.

I was thinking about that too. I like that idea - and it's a bit simpler to do. Just one problem though- if someone accepts your mission, wouldn't it be logical to assume they are going to try to finish it? It might be a little too easy to level up is what I'm getting at.

[EightEightEight]

Originally Posted by DayOne

Obligatory "wait for beta" comment.

Really though, wait for beta. This is a system that can only be gotten right when tested with a LOT of players.

thinking about the game from previous experiences in PS1 really can't be helped I know sardus really wants to get in beta, we all do, then we can actually base things like this on facts. Until then the ideas fly and we need to write them down so that if indeed they might work better we have them here to act on.

[Sardus]

Originally Posted by EightEightEight

thinking about the game from previous experiences in PS1 really can't be helped I know sardus really wants to get in beta, we all do, then we can actually base things like this on facts. Until then the ideas fly and we need to write them down so that if indeed they might work better we have them here to act on.

I see where the guy is coming from and I know beta is a long ways off. Outfits, Commanders and mission giving hasn't been discussed a in detail yet and I just wanted to start a conversation on it and see where it goes.

[SgtMookie]

From what I have heard Sardus mission giving will be add after release.

[Sardus]

Originally Posted by SgtMookie

From what I have heard Sardus mission giving will be add after release.

I hope there will be at least some "command rank 5" like abilities come release.

[Whalenator]

Idea Subforum

Also on a sidenote I fear ComAll will be ignored now more than ever. PS2 is faster paced and has a much smaller HUD. ComAll should be displayed separately, at the top of the screen for all to read.

[EightEightEight]

Originally Posted by Whalenator

Idea Subforum

Also on a sidenote I fear ComAll will be ignored now more than ever. PS2 is faster paced and has a much smaller HUD. ComAll should be displayed separately, at the top of the screen for all to read.

In the trailer from GDC there was an announcement that shot across the screen I kinda hope that's comall but then again I kinda hope it's not as well cause it could be heavily abused

[CyclesMcHurtz]

Originally Posted by EightEightEight

In the trailer from GDC there was an announcement that shot across the screen I kinda hope that's comall but then again I kinda hope it's not as well cause it could be heavily abused

I think you're talking about the sys-admin broadcast messages the team used to communicate with the folks in SD.

[Xaine]

Originally Posted by CyclesMcHurtz

I think you're talking about the sys-admin broadcast messages the team used to communicate with the folks in SD.

Indeed.

That was just used for the purposes of the demo, i believe.

[Crazyduckling]

I'm listening to the AGN recording, and there seems to be some speculation as to whether outfits will use the mission system.

Within outfit options, there could be a system where you can select (and later change to suit your outfits playstyle) what type of outfit you are: armor, air, infantry, gal ops, etc. You select your primary and secondary functions and based on those, the game gives you missions.