Topic: A prediction (about outpost locking)
DEV Zoom edit:
So this topic has become more than what it started as.
To recap, the current options for what we can do are (in order of preference as it seems to me):
Add 1 or possibly 2 new public main terminals to beta2 islands.
Open up beta2 outposts, leave beta1s as they are.
Both of the above.
Open up beta1 outposts.
Do nothing.
Original post follows:
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So today i'm going to make a prediction.
Over and over we've talked about opening stations so that emergent gameplay can exist and people can carve a life of danger and lucrative gain in Beta. Over and over we've been told that with ten men you can take a station. Norhoop isn't even defended. Nobody is contesting SAPS because people are lazy that's why stations dont change hands. Now Joke hasn't really cared about stations but we can see why people would have that point of view.
Joke thought, lets put that to the test.
Its clear that Inda and his little ERA alliance want station ownership. They were defending their existing stations on Norhoop and attacking Initia with mixed success. While Joke didn't want to be in the same squad or Comms channel we still figured we could play a part and tip the scales in ERA's side to see if what had been talked about could be true.
Can ten people contest a station? Is Beta working? Would taking a station someone wants result in a mass login where - as we have said all along - you need to win vs 30 or 40 people or not bother?
So Joke support in a couple of fights. Through 'sources' we understand a mixed NSE / PHM / CONS gang was going to try to gank an ERA fleet and we turn up as a third party.
This happened:
http://www.perp-kill.net/related/264704
and we tip hats to our (kind of) allies in ERA and move on.
A few more skirmishes go on with us supporting alongside returning elements of Nebs among others.
http://www.perp-kill.net/related/264734
http://www.perp-kill.net/related/264740
We kill some dude in a mk2 heavy while in assaults and in response NSE drops three mk2 heavies on us. Sadly for them we were ready ..
http://www.perp-kill.net/related/264757
So at this point good fights have been had, ERA have done some saps and Joke have fought some fights and I can almost believe Beta works. Almost.
So back to my prediction. The point of this rambling thread, the whole reason why in our opinion Beta does not work. I predict that this status quo of losing fights and winning fights and stations moving from entity to entity will end with an attempt to crush this emergent gameplay with vastly superior numbers. The 'we just have ten guys' spin will go out of the window and we will see a big showing from NSE, Cons and their masters.
The game will once again demonstrate that station ownership is based upon the ability to win a pitched battle vs whichever side of the game is in control. This crushes emergent gameplay and forces a two side war on the game.
Beta is sick and removing station locking is the cure.