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Formations.
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Jerry McNugget
Doomheim
#1 - 2013-03-28 08:24:47 UTC
Hello,

I was just discussing the game that got me into EVE with someone I know and I realized that there is something that would make EVE absolutely epic and would also make a lot of sense for structured warfare.

The game is Homeworld and the idea is... Formations.

Do you remember the epic feel of that RTS? Is eve really any different on larger scale?
It makes complete sense to have formations in such a position-based game, my suggestion is making them squad-wide, maybe give some presets like claw, V, wall, line, sphere, etc. Give squad commander the control of the whole squad's movement, make squad move as a single unit, slowest ship defining the speed, least agile ship defining the agility, etc.

I know some of you might consider this idea as "making game too easy", but it seems silly that a game with such importance laid into positioning to not have any way to achieve something so essential to 3D combat.

Thank you,
I can only hope this gets looked at and I'm sure that this is not a new idea, but it sure would change the feel of large scale combat from blobs into actually sensible and structured warfare that it should be.
SSN 609
Xevera
#2 - 2013-03-28 08:45:04 UTC  |  Edited by: SSN 609
I think making EVE an RTS is a mistake, but lets get to the next part.


Squads having formations.

I think this is a great idea. At the moment, there is not really a reason to have squads other then bonuses. Current bigger fleets have people following a single "anchor" point anyways, and you get this amorphous mass.

So why formations?

1. Controls

The way that EVE currently is, you can't possibly control your ship well enough while trying to keep a formations (ok maybe someone could, but I can't) In any case, there is enough to pay attention to in the first place, so a formation isn't taking anything away from the individual pilot. Hopefully this could be implemented like group warps, where you can cancel them... not to mention how awesome would it be to get your squad to align :P

2. Ship Classes

At the moment squad commander positions are overlooked. Imagine having squads that are all in the same ship, that does specific tasks. The formation would accomplish this easier, and make more sense in terms of piloting, rather then just orbiting an individual making us all look like blobs.

3. Eve is pretty

I personally think they look pretty :P


So why not formations?

1. Making Botters

This is the biggest problem, people can literally "automate" fleets with the Squad commander. While this isn't horrible for bigger fleets, it could be problems with smaller. I personally think this isn't really much of an issue, you can already squad warp anyways, and assigning each character to follow the SC isn't difficult.

2. Its too easy

Squad Commander is a worthless role, formations are merely being more efficient with space, not with your ships themselves. I really doubt this will give any big benefits other then not looking like freaking blob of crap and forcing people to fit correct ranges... all of which is good news.




So in any case... I am for the Formations. I am not for making Eve Homeworld... that should never happen, but it is a very good example of how formations are pretty, and can be utilized correctly. Imagine a squad of ceptors :P

Director
Jerry McNugget
Doomheim
#3 - 2013-03-28 08:48:01 UTC
Squad of AF's or Bombers imo :E
SSN 609
Xevera
#4 - 2013-03-28 08:50:31 UTC
Jerry McNugget wrote:
Squad of AF's or Bombers imo :E


X-formation with a bunch of bombs... now that would be pretty awesome

Director
Lineath
The Scope
Gallente Federation
#5 - 2013-03-28 09:06:07 UTC
Formations was announced back 2 or 3 years ago in a fanfest.

Finally this feature was scraped by cpp. So no formations.

Sorry.
Castellan Garran Crowe
Caldari Provisions
Caldari State
#6 - 2013-03-28 09:08:03 UTC
Congratulations you just introduced a way to multi-box perfectly......

This is bad for EvE, CCP does not mid you having multiple accounts, but do not support multi-boxing programs.

The reason it is bad is cause one person can multibox lets say 5 accounts and easy blap with snipers and many other ways.
SSN 609
Xevera
#7 - 2013-03-28 09:13:14 UTC
Castellan Garran Crowe wrote:
Congratulations you just introduced a way to multi-box perfectly......

This is bad for EvE, CCP does not mid you having multiple accounts, but do not support multi-boxing programs.

The reason it is bad is cause one person can multibox lets say 5 accounts and easy blap with snipers and many other ways.


How specifically does this change what is currently in EVE?

As pointed out, you can already follow a SC, and you can already fleet warp...

Director
SSN 609
Xevera
#8 - 2013-03-28 09:20:32 UTC
Lineath wrote:
Formations was announced back 2 or 3 years ago in a fanfest.

Finally this feature was scraped by cpp. So no formations.

Sorry.


Lineath, correct me if I am wrong.

I believe the original idea was to use formations to create a "super weapon" that could take out capital ships. That idea was defeated, but formations in general are still open to discussion. The idea that it came up in the first place gives it more legitimacy that its a possibility of happening with the current system.


Also... since when does them saying no mean forever?

Director
Grarr Dexx
Now Look What You've Made Me Do
#9 - 2013-03-28 12:42:00 UTC
Since EVE has no purpose for line of sight, things like squadrons and formation flying are entirely pointless. Even if they were introduced, manually piloting your ship would still be much preferred.
Jerry McNugget
Doomheim
#10 - 2013-03-29 07:10:15 UTC
Grarr Dexx wrote:
Since EVE has no purpose for line of sight, things like squadrons and formation flying are entirely pointless. Even if they were introduced, manually piloting your ship would still be much preferred.


That being said, positioning and placement is still important, there's next to no drawbacks and...

IT JUST LOOKS DAMN PRETTY
Arronicus
State War Academy
Caldari State
#11 - 2013-03-29 07:40:29 UTC
Jerry McNugget wrote:
Give squad commander the control of the whole squad's movement, make squad move as a single unit, slowest ship defining the speed,


Aside from the way this is already present via fleet warping,

No no no no no no no. This would seriously detract SO much from the game it's not even funny. That, and considering Eve ISN'T really position based for firing parameters, cover, friendly fire with turrets and such, I can't really see how this fits in.

However, you already have the ability to do this. Simply train your pilots to fly in a formation. It wont do you much good, and really, will probably hurt your success, as pilots won't be flying in proper orbits, or approach trajectories, but at least you would improve fleet discipline, which is always a good thing.

I don't really see how this would work, without allowing one person to control the movements of other peoples ships, which as far as I'm concerned, is a very very bad thing. Takes too much away from the game, and like was said, it turns it into an RTS.
Jerry McNugget
Doomheim
#12 - 2013-03-29 07:57:15 UTC  |  Edited by: Jerry McNugget
Arronicus wrote:

I don't really see how this would work, without allowing one person to control the movements of other peoples ships, which as far as I'm concerned, is a very very bad thing. Takes too much away from the game, and like was said, it turns it into an RTS.


You need to be slightly more specific on what exactly it takes away, because I really don't see how it will change things significantly. Yes, it will make the game easier(which is good), but when squads are limited to 10 people, it really isn't that big a deal.