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Player Features and Ideas Discussion

 
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The Infinite Improbability Drive

Author
Goatman NotMyFault
Lubrication Industries
#1 - 2014-09-13 16:14:15 UTC
Not even remotly my idea, but it would be very interesting have in EVE....

The Infinite Improbability Drive is a faster-than-light drive. The most prominent usage of the drive is in the starship Heart of Gold. It is based on a particular perception of quantum theory: a subatomic particle is most likely to be in a particular place, such as near the nucleus of an atom, but there is also an infinitesimally small probability of it being found very far from its point of origin (for example close to a distant star). Thus, a body could travel from place to place without passing through the intervening space (or hyperspace, for that matter), if you had sufficient control of probability. According to the Guide, the drive "passes through every conceivable point in every conceivable universe almost simultaneously," meaning that whoever uses it is "never sure where they'll end up or even what species they'll be when they get there" and "it's therefore important to dress accordingly.
Celthric Kanerian
Viziam
Amarr Empire
#2 - 2014-09-13 17:06:06 UTC
So what's the idea? A FTL engine..? Sorry to break the ice, but we already got that buddy.
Goatman NotMyFault
Lubrication Industries
#3 - 2014-09-13 17:10:34 UTC
Celthric Kanerian wrote:
So what's the idea? A FTL engine..? Sorry to break the ice, but we already got that buddy.



gah....


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCf53ses22w
Wolf Incaelum
Sebiestor Tribe
Minmatar Republic
#4 - 2014-09-13 17:52:12 UTC
I think it would be better to go with the Alcubierre Drive concept. Granted, both require inconceivably large amounts of energy. At least they did, until someone came along and said "Hey, I think I know a way to dramatically reduce the energy requirement for the Alcubierre Drive." There are rumors saying that the videos on youtube of NASA revealing a prototype Alcubierre Drive are false, while others say they are legitimate. But that's beside the point. I think that it would be interesting if CCP changed the current propulsion system to an Alcubierre Drive because it could possible add some interesting facets to the game. For instance, since the Acbr (my new abbreviation for Alcubierre, because I'm tired of typing the whole name) Drive theoretically generates massive gravitational forces to create a "wave" of space-time atop which the craft basically "surfs", if you will, the gravitational distortion should be something that can be detected. When a massive wave builds up in the ocean and begins moving toward land, the wave can be detected by noting how far back the water line recedes, which is proportional to the size of the wave and it's distance from shore. In the same way, the Acbr Drive would create a gravitational distortion reflected by the displacement of space time. Just as with the water line on the shore recedes proportionally to the size of the wave, the gravitational distortion will be proportional to the size of the ship that is warping. An object with more mass will need a larger wave to ride on, after all.

Now, given the short amount of time that it takes for ships to warp from one point to another, this feature would be nearly useless for single ships or fleets. However, I think it would provide an interesting new facet for the occupants of a POS. A new structure could be created that can detect gravitational distortion. It could be part of an early warning system, to alert the occupants/owners that there are inbound warp signatures. Of course, the alert system will need to be customizable so that it doesn't go off on every ship that warps to it (or perhaps so that it does, if the owner chooses). It could be bases off of red/blue status. On a normal day, reds will set the alarm off. On a slightly more active day, reds and neuts set it off. If you want the whole thing on mo fuggin lock down, everybody sets that thing off. lol.

I understand that this wouldn't really be much of a change to the game. The ships already have FTL drives, so not much of a change there. Just a change in motion. Rather than the ship moving through space, the Acbr Drive makes space move around the ship. As far as we know, there are no objects other than light that can travel as fast as light. Not without violating relativity, anyway. However, there is no known limit to how fast space-time can expand and contract. But those are just scientific little things that don't really play much of a role in Eve. People just wanna fly their ships and blow stuff up. I figure they don't really care exactly HOW it all happens. But at least with the Acbr Drive, you don't have to worry about this quantum theory bull crap like "not actually knowing exactly where you are going or what you will be when you get there". In any case, i doubt it's even worth making the change. I think it would be cool, but there are certainly more prominent issues that CCP is tending to. It's kinda cool to think about, though.

ANARCHYFOREVAAARRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!

Nano Sito
#5 - 2014-09-13 17:55:34 UTC  |  Edited by: Nano Sito
"Having control of an infinitesimally small probability" sounds like an oxymoron to me. Although you could attempt (and fail most of the times) to have such control with atomic particles, to be able to replicate that on massive objects is certainly impossible. This concept also depends on the viability of multiple universes, something that isn't referenced in EVE although I could very well be wrong.
Goatman NotMyFault
Lubrication Industries
#6 - 2014-09-13 18:01:27 UTC
Where is Humma Kavula when we need him....
Wolf Incaelum
Sebiestor Tribe
Minmatar Republic
#7 - 2014-09-13 18:08:34 UTC
Nano Sito wrote:
"Having control of an infinitesimally small probability" sounds like an oxymoron to me. Although you could attempt (and fail most of the times) to have such control with atomic particles, to be able to replicate that on massive objects is certainly impossible. This concept also depends on the viability of multiple universes, something that isn't referenced in EVE although I could very well be wrong.


Not impossible. Just improbably (ironically). lol. And there's also the issue of the term "infinite". Infinity is purely a mathematical term and has no place in real science because nothing can be infinite.

ANARCHYFOREVAAARRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!

Kusum Fawn
Perkone
Caldari State
#8 - 2014-09-13 20:54:16 UTC
I really really like the idea of a ship that might (with a very small probability) drop in on a cyno which is not the one they intended to drop in on. infact, i would propose this as an idea of its own,

All jump ships when not using a POS based cyno beacon, could accidentaly another cyno regardless of range.

Its not possible to please all the people all the time, but it sure as hell is possible to Displease all the people, most of the time.

elitatwo
Zansha Expansion
#9 - 2014-09-13 21:46:34 UTC
'The Infinite Improbability Drive'

Hmm.. why does this sound so familiar??

Next thing you know, you are telling us about some missles turning into whales..

Eve Minions is recruiting.

This is the law of ship progression!

Aura sound-clips: Aura forever

Goatman NotMyFault
Lubrication Industries
#10 - 2014-09-13 22:01:12 UTC
elitatwo wrote:
'The Infinite Improbability Drive'

Hmm.. why does this sound so familiar??

Next thing you know, you are telling us about some missles turning into whales..


and a flowerpot :D
Wolf Incaelum
Sebiestor Tribe
Minmatar Republic
#11 - 2014-09-13 22:19:58 UTC
Lol. Missiles turning into whales. Those poor whales wouldn't stand a CHANCE in the vacuum of space!

ANARCHYFOREVAAARRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!