Player feedback: Technology

[Dave Baughman]

This is a non-binding poll purely for the purpose of gauging player interest.

With the impending move to equipment-table based FP calculation for aerospace, I am toying with the idea of bumping up the available technology to that found in Total Warfare. This would mean adding MMLs, HAGs, Plasma Weapons, etc. as well as unlocking many of the designs and variants that are currently not available in FGC and likely never will be under the current R&D rules.

Pros: This would establish a clear baseling of available technology and unlock a lot of content that currently isn't in play. As equipment tables are transitioned in, this will ensure that all factions have plenty of designs to choose from as they build their tables. This will also somewhat dilute the TH's moderately ridiculous technology advantage.

Cons: Some factions have been more success with R&D than others. There will be no refunds for RP spent developing designs and/or on R&D prior to the step-up to Total Warfare. While all factions will benefit from the step-up, the factions that spent large amounts of RP developing domestic designs (as opposed to designs they do not have in canon) would benefit somewhat less. Dilutes the "different" flavor of the FGC universe vs. Canon somewhat.



The poll will stay open for 5 days, and each user is entitled to one vote. Feel free to leave comments.

[NVA]

Not fair...Tough choice...Have to think long...

[Fatebringer]

I support upgrading, but am saddened to know that the random and restrictives equipment lists are comming to the FGC.

[Holt]

Voted No, lots of RP was spent for certain technology advanced and it would be unfair to just give everything for free. Also their is certain tech thats available to factions that they did not create it, and right now not even the creating faction has it So giving it to everyone dilutes the creating factions bargaining power in trading it to others.

[NVA]

Well, I think I agree with Holt.  As a small faction who actually has a cool technology, I would hate to see others lose something of value.  Bring in TW and there is nothing to sell, because everyone has a toy they want to use.  Besides, I am not sure who else would get my tech. 

[Jeyar]

Also, one reason that the techs haven't spread is that there are harsh limits on the spread of that technology. The TC has 3 techs we aren't able to spread for production - even to allies.

Even more to the point - we have examples of complex deals that EXPLICITLY hurt factions to the tune of 50 RP in the last 2 turns if we'd known about this. At lest as how prior rules have been judged.

[GreyJaeger]

 I can agree with Holt's position, but then there is the fact that the Clan's were purposefully f#@!*d over in the R&D department. Yes, the IS players had to spend the same RP, but they at least got to have PFs.

I am torn...

[chaosxtreme]

I am completely for this, It makes all the new goo-gads available. I've liked the table setup in Flashpoint and it protects from the "Ok i've assembled my x amount of FP...then the guy your playing against selects his designs specifcally to take advantage of the weaknesses of your designs.  Not saying that happens a lot but it happens under the current setup.

Or one turn the FP is Heavy fighters with carrier dships, the next turn the same FP Is a bunch of Overlord A3's...nope nope nope. I for one welcome our new table design overlords.

[Dave Baughman]

For the record, I'm not voting in this poll. My primary interest is to gauge the feelings of all of you on what is a very complex and multi-faceted issue.

[Iron Mongoose]

I think the correct step is to reevaluate R and D, not to just give away freebies.  Over the years, both the FWL and Mandrills spent a lot of cash on R and D, and got things for it.  Other things came by trades, or thefts, or other means.  This offers some flavor.  As has been said, some factions have gotten tech that they did not invent in canon.  Why not?  Why can't the Cappies be the ones to invent the HPPC, or the Lyrans, or even the MoC?  The oppertunity to keep things fresh and difrent is exciting, not knowing what the future holds.

Yet, most of us are realistic enough to know that the future holds remarkably little.  R and D, despite the new rules, is largely a black hole, and when it yealds resualts its often not tech.  Sometimes its RP or MP, sometimes intel, sometimes some sort of scheming back door RP bonanza (why every faction and their brother seems to have got this roll and the FWL never did is beyond me).  So let's reevaluate the system, gear it more twards tech, and take a look at the ways new units get introduced.  Lets get the new designs and new tech into the game, hell yeah, but lets do it by game mechanics, rather than by decree. 

[JediBear]

I just hate all the new crap. It's going to be pretty disappointing to have to deal with it. Of course, I suppose I'm used to dealing with stuff I hate.

I'm going to agree with those who say it should be brought in through the R&D process somehow.

[GreyJaeger]

 I have to agree with IM about revamping the R&D system and geting the new techs through that.

[GI Journalist]

I love my primitive backwater Periphery. Once you uncork new technology for everyone, it will be very hard to put the genie back in the bottle. I would like to see more opportunities to develop and "acquire" existing technology. If you want to add 3070 tech to the mix, then I suggest adding it to the R&D result table and let nations develop it at random.