Online Starport

[Baobobafet]

Okay I've been chewin' on this idea for a while, because of talk of some code rewrites it's probably better to toss this idea out there earlier than later.

I've read some perhaps not all the issues in regards to adding multiplayer So I understand about trading off realism in the sim to accomodate multiplayer capability.

So I thought lets not touch the physics or anything that will impact the game directly and look at points in the game when the engine for all intensive purposes is on pause. In particular, this occurs quite naturally when a pilot docks at a spaceport. So lets imagine a pilot docks at a spaceport - the comms comes up and a new market is available. This could be a Public market that is interactive with a server to allow trade and comms between other pilots logged in to that particular spaceport's server. The moment a pilot disconnected from the public market, it would be no different had he disconnected from a AI driven market.

The first rule I think it should follow is that no trading should occur between players unless they are at the same corresponding station in the pioneer universe.

A single server could host comms and trades for many such spaceports. In addition having multiple starports with this feature allows a lot of RPG flexibility. Including relay races from one starport to another. This also opens up other possibilities - once there are uber servers around and depending on what flexibility is left in Pioneers code at that point.

The server connect yes or no option would be in the game options screen.

Earth seems a natural starting point for such an online market. It could be a great means of welcoming new people to the game.

What do you all think?

I'd also like to credit Issue #827 for reminding me of this idea and I think it would be a no brainer to include this data in any online data protocols established.

[Baobobafet]

Here's an important part: A subspace chat function talk to anyone anywhere in the pioneer universe if they are logged in to the subspace comms

option. The chat function could have two modes. 1.Stay connected even while in flight. 2.Disconnect on leaving station (could be set in game menu) The Global "subspace" chat function would aid in players finding a mutualy distant location to conduct their trade.

Perhaps a pilots name might appear after their 5? digit address number in the pioneer universe. so players might more

easily identify other traders in their neighbourhood, on the subspace chat list. Once identified each player could chat and decide

if they wanted to travel to a mutually close spaceport on order to conduct their trade or not.

buy sell trade, cargo, weapons, ships?, Online Gambling?

[robn]

https://github.com/pioneerspacesim/pioneer/wiki/Idea.Network-features

[Baobobafet]

Thanks robn,

Thats a full plate list of features :) Hope I'm not being too redundant but is there a chance of supporting the player to player trade of cargo items or ship equipment etc. in realtime or will it be (if it happens) via the bulletin board?

[robn]

There's always a chance. We're not much past ideas at this stage. There's lots of work to be done before all this can happen, mostly because we need someone to develop and maintain the server infrastructure. It doesn't hurt to throw ideas around though :)

[Baobobafet]

Could be a major feature for some people (drool) :P I hope all the devs are thinking seriuosly about this. BTW, To all the Pioneer devs, I have not yet said: ... Clap clap clap (yet well deserved, more claps) For a job exceedingly well done!!! It's virtualy impossible to stay on top of the immense number of developements made so far by the team... although, for some reason, I feel this crazy impulse to continually try ;)

Which reminds me, maybe a pointer or link as a result for searching "multiplayer" in the Issuetracker word seach function to the above planned network features page might not be a bad idea.

This topic can be closed.

[Divarin]

Personally I think this would only be useful if there were items which could be traded by players but not purchased from space ports otherwise. For example, perhaps mining could render special gems or minerals that couldn't otherwise be purchased but are either useful or fetch a hefty price. Then to obtain these items a player can either choose to be a miner or to buy them from another player who is a miner. This opens up other economic questions though: Why would a player buy something just so they can sell it unless they could buy it cheap? Maybe if these items were useful for something other than profit.

[Baobobafet]

One of my favourite games of old was a game called StarControl. It had an interesting feature that allowed a ship to have enhanced abilities due to the collection of a precursor artifact. If having a precursor artifact onboard your ship could enhance capabilities of weapons, shields, engines perhaps even enlarge available cargo space. Then you would have an item of great value. These artifacts could be treated as any other mineable item, but could be rare in the Pioneer universe.

[impaktor]

Documented here: http://pioneerwiki.com/wiki/Network_features

Also:

This topic can be closed.