Player Features and Ideas Discussion

Bottom-Line-Up-Front: I hate the blue mining beams!

I'm a hardcore miner, and I have to say the new mining turrets released as of Captain's Quarters really turned me off. While I can accept the current ball extension turrets on the mining barges, I'm not happy with the new beams at all.

I loved the original orange beams that constantly emitted "drilling" audio (for lack of a better term). Same went for the ice beams, and the intermittent pulses of the miner turrets. They were unique, and much more awesome than what we have now.

What we have now with these blue beams that emit no noise puts me to sleep. They don't seem to make mining as interesting or invigorating, according to my observation and the observations of my colleagues.

The new blue beams are too quiet, they seem weaker (even though cycle time, range, and yield haven't been affected), and I feel like I'm not doing any kind of damage. Crazily enough, I don't feel "powerful" in my Hulk with these blue beams. The orange beams made me feel like I was really blasting away at the belts and really getting stuff done. Now, I feel like I'm doing nothing, or at most mining ice without impact.

I know-old "orange drillers" vs "quiet blues" are aesthetics more than anything else, but I loved the old strip miner and miner turret audio and visuals, and I'd love to see them come back.

What it should be is a Spectrum of Colors.

Orange for Mining Ore
Red Orange for T2 Crystals
Blue/White for Mining Ice
Deep Blue / Bright White for Mining Ice.

Or based on the Crystal and the Ore you could have the color change from an Orange to a Green if you're mining a Greenish ore. More so as you get from Miner I's to Miner II's to Tech 1 Strips to Tech 2 Strips with Crystals.

Miner I's would have a very faint sign of green as it uses great power to mine less ore.
Miner II's would have a Faint Sign since it's not as powerful as a Strip Miner.
Etc.