Not when the number of casual gamers far outweighs the number of hardcore gamers. Especially for a game with a pay structure such as this (fixed entry cost), the developer would be better served financially getting more new people into the game, rather than get the same people to play the game more. In a p2w or p2p or whatever you'd like to call it, the developers have a greater incentive to develop a hardcore fanbase as their willingness to pay is higher. It's economics.
That was a joke. I was pointing out the flaw in your arugement. It's based on conjuncture.
I sure hope you'd feel you're ship getting hit by a rocket even if your person isn't hit.
The player is not part of the ship. They are not integrated into the ship as some sort of human steampunk hybrid. There is no connection between the player and the ship. The player cannot feel the ships pain. Its difficult to explain how the player knows where the damage is coming from. Its not an natural connection like FPS. The player does know they are under attack though. Lets take your example of an rocket. I would assume it's from a Banshee.
First indication of being hit. You would hear the sound of the rocket striking the ship, if you didn't hear the rocket in flight already. Second would be the particle effects and third would be the ship shaking. There are indication that you are under attack. A quick survey of the area will generally give you an idea of where your being attacked from since the effects would be on one side of the ship. You would also see the rockets in flight if not the ship itself. Don't see it? Then hydrogen, chute vent, kersonne, moonshine, whatever to get out of that position. They obliviously have an good position of you. This is all relying if they have not been spotted this whole time.
And no, additional UI components don't have to be obtrusive. A well thought out UI can take an OK experience and make it enjoyable. I do it for a living =)
I'm a software engineer for a living, but you don't see me toting that around the forums like it makes my arguments anymore valid. I'm not telling Muse they need to fix X because I'm a software engineer, so that makes my suggestion right.
Here's a challenge for you that will cater to someone of your skill. I have provided 3 examples in my previous post of why addition UI elements would be obtrusive. I have seen no reason from you why addition UI components would not be obtrusive, beyond "It wouldn't because I say so". Granted your attempting to defend a design that does not currently exists. So put your skills to the test and pop open Photoshop. Put together an screenshot of what you would feel is an acceptable HUD for the player. Post it up here for criticism and you never know. Maybe Muse will take your designs to heart. It wouldn't be the first time it has happened.
