When I think of it GOIO world always seemed like just steampunk air-pirates free-for-all, so it would be cool to actually have a zone which no faction controls, a kind of "What about this dark spot there? Never go there, Simba" place, an outer rim territory. It would be neat if some semi-random (low force) raid attacks could happen from that area, but that's probably not going to happen.
Well, newspapers is just an idea, it can be just explained as a kind of meeting with some of your faction higher-ups who makes a quick briefing (assuming: right before you move out to battle). It also gives opportunity for fluff exposition (hint hint, devs said that whatever happens in open beta is canon now). Anyway some kind of algorithm for creating short notes about the world, I think many forum witers can help with that.
About "marking" your ally being captain and knowing their hull - probably not going to happen, this is a design choice, such us unclear colours of sails/flags or whatever there is there.
Speaking of, the macthmaking..... ughhhhh....
I have no idea how queues are formed, but it's usually single ships, the extended search time probably overrides your preference of server (even when t plops you in solo with an empty lobby), it ususally not even against the faction you originally set out against (and sometimes not even WITH your faction), and they take up the majority of queues so making 2vE or higher more difficult. Though I believe you will still be gaining the war effort in your deployed area, it's confusing and makes forming crews with friends in enemy factions more difficult. Making Custom Games is really the only way to play with your faction and friends. Is it even necessary to show the fighting parties, or could we do away with it altogether so that the war effort you gain goes to your deployed territory regardless of "where" you fight with your (enemy faction) friends?
This is a huge problem for two reasons:
Firstly, we should assume that people would want to be loyal to their factions, because that's the point, to get more territories, to get faction rewards etc, so it creates a quick division. I am a Guild player - I want to play Guild matches only if possible. Then if situation is sticky I may consider being a mercenary. Match against my faction? Never. And at first, when hype was still there and population reached 700 it was fairly easy to find a good match, but when it dropped to 300ish (didn't play last 2 days, probably even lower now) it was really difficult and this is WITH most matches being one ship, which I think should be forbidden. At this point I am wondering if it wouldn't be smart to just scrap one faction entirely and leave it at 3.
Even bigger issue would be when people frustrated by not being able to find a match (and also by getting constantly whopped on the map) changed factions to the winning side. I'm willing to bet that this was at least partially the case in this 8-day alpha with Chaladon's domination (perhaps devs could check the 'active' members). I mean, we all want Alliance to succed, but what if? I think to avoid this devs would have to either:
a) implement a purge, map reset feature once in a while with borders going back to their default state (frequency up to debate)
b) implement a system of handicapping the factions that grow too strong (remember pirate raids?)
c) perhaps implement a system where territories further into core lands are harder to conquer (supply lines, more population solidarity and willingness to fight, etc) OR at least take longer to conquer. Or just every territory further has additional bonus-free fortifications?
Also, one thing that bothers me in world progress. The rewards sound like warfare is mostly through land (defense = palisades and stuff, and soldiers as attackers) which makes no sense to the lore. I thought that battles are mostly through ships, in the air and then whoever is left takes the city (people care about their lives so they don't revolt when literally at gunpoint). In game we see a lot of turrets, planes and ships OUTSIDE OF HIGHLY POPULATED AREAS. Land attack sounds like suicide. I think the defences (like palisades) should be replaced with turrets and offensives should be replaced with ships or sth like that.
And my pet peeve, while on assault it always frustrates me that every time there is something small blocking the view (and shots) in front of the generators (or whatever we are destroying on the towers). Like some small pipe, or rope or something. Not sure if it's on purpose or not.
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