Play By Web : Starfury!

[geoschmo]

So, I have this idea. It's probably not an original idea, but I can't remember anyone doing it before if it's been talked about. I could setup a multiplayer scenario on PBW where each player is in control of just a ship instead of an empire. You'd need some sort of moon base just to keep in contact, but that's no problem. We'd need some sort of non-player empire controlled by a game master. All the players would keep a military alliance with the galactic empire, which would allow them to refuel their ship at Imperial bases. Then you'd be flying around the quadrant doing stuff. We could give you cargo to transport from place to place to earn a living. The empire could give bounties for pirates killed etc. Maybe have some weak AI races for the pirates, or just other players. Over time you could upgrade your ship or buy additional ones.

I see no technical reason why this wouldn't work. Anyone have any thoughts, or see any problems I might be missing? Does it sound interesting?

Geoschmo

[Ragnarok-X]

That indeed sounds interesting. The map should be quite small though, to ensure every player has something to do each turn except clicking "end turn".

[FLX]

Sounds great here's one player *rises one finger*

[geoschmo]

Come, join. We will discuss things further here in this thread, but the more people that join the game the more likely I am to remain motivated enough to actually get it off the ground.

Here's a link:
PBW: Starfury!

[bearclaw]

Sounds interesting indeed!. Would there be missions like in Star Fury too? I guess the NP-Empire would hand those out. With only one moon base, how would maintenance affect things? What sort of mod changes would need to be implemented? if any..

[FLX]

hmmm here are some questions:
how will we pay maintenance cost of our ship?, and what happens with the trading generated by allies?

Should we use some roleplaying mod?

[Atrocities]

It sounds kind of borning to me Geo. Sorry, I think it is a great idea, but just not my cup of tea.

I really wish Starfury would have been MP. That would have been a hell of a fun game more so than it was.

[TerranC]

I'd like to see how this goes; I've already put in a request to join; You all should do the same too, if only to make Geo work his head off.

[geoschmo]

Yay, questions.

Here is what I am thinking, but bear in mind nothing is set in stone till the game starts.

Maintenance. Yes, it would be an issue, by design. I will have to play around with some testing, but I am leaning towards having your base empire resource generation give you just enough to cover the maint on the bare bones ship that you get at game startup. The more advanced your ship gets, or the more ships you get, the more it will cost in maint, and the more you'll have to do to keep up with it. But I will make it so you have some chance of advancing in the game without getting choked to death paying your bills, that doesn't sound like fun. I merely want it to be one small part of the overall strategy.

Treaties with other players will give you some resources. But your empire resource generation will be so small (And all the other players too), that even 20% of that isn't going to be very much. You might make enough to support a couple extra frigates, but it's not like you are going to get rich off it.

I think it very likely that a mod will be needed for this. Mainly because I want to include stuff like a little captain avatar for all of you, pasengers, special cargo, etc. A lot of ideas will come fomr the various "Role play" mod ideas we kicked around on the forum months ago.

Missions, yes. Some things I can think would make good missions:

Go to system X and hunt down pirate raider.
Ferry Ambasador Zed to conference on Omnicron Prime.
Take medical supplies to stop plauge outbreak.
Escort colony ship travelling through dangerous par tof the quadrant.
Explore systems and sell star charts to Galactic Imperium.

All kinds of stuff really. These are just some ideas for start.

Boring AT? Well, it probably won't be for everyone, but I hope it's not boring. That's ok. I hope it becomes a popular way to play so someone else will run a game or two and I can try it out as a player.

[Slynky]

If I understand it, then someone has to be the "dungeon master", right?