24 hour reactivation just to say...
+1 Spark Nerf
oh and...
PvP Force Projection is THE issue
I've read this whole thread and agree that it is a bad idea to give players the ability to mobilize PvP forces to multiple places on the map almost instantaneously ...over and over and over. Tactical mobilization needs more limits than the current system provides. Others have explained this well so I will not do it again. I will say Blobz are bad, ok. Time and space warping Blobz are even worse. Make those *** walk!
Missions not a Spark Issue
Sure you mission whores have made a bundle but sparks should not be changed for that reason. Devs have said they are working on missions, so work on them. Thanks.
Market Orders not a Spark Issue.
Yup, I get it. You guys are using your sparks to move from terminal to terminal to buy sell or whatever. Market orders need to have their remote mechanics tweaked, not Sparks for that reason. Devs have said they are working on market mechanics, so work on them. Thanks.
Extended Flag / Modified Flag
I don't like the extended flag idea, mainly because I like to be able to dock when the fighting is over. I used to like the idea of some type of modified flag that still allows you to dock, but not spark for xx minutes. But Arga talked me out of that idea with problem that not everyone flags. So you can still project force and spark away.
Logistics to Stock the Base
It is nearly irrelevant that one has to first place bots and gear in the target terminal. The logistics involved can be done easily, especially when individuals are using shared corporate resources. This 'limitation' can be overcome one time, and then it's free spark sailing. Limitation needs to be Persistent!
Standings Limitation
Like the bot stocking limitation you only have to do this once, then its free spark sailing. I still like this limitation ONLY IF getting spark related standing in one place limits you to getting spark related standings elsewhere. Otherwise it's just an annoyance, easily overcome with squad afk standings grinding. And for those who like have standings everywhere, no need to mess with that (beyond my knowledge or caring). Devs can add a few new Spark related standings corps that work against each other. High standings one, low standings the others.
Global Cooldown
At least for current mission and market reasons adding a global cool down will only make game-play terribly boring. Waiting for a timer may be worse than sitting in traffic. It does not matter that "you can do something else" while waiting for the timer when you don't have something else to do (or want to do). I only want to limit the ability for unrestricted massive PvP force mobilization. Global Cooldown is far too broad a fix in a game that has an already difficult transportation system.
Localized Cooldown
I kinda like the idea of creating a cooldown that is terminal (or island) specific. You can spark to a terminal (or island) and then off again, but you cannot go back for (1 or 4 or 24 hours). This can hamper the issues Lemon brought up. Alone it is NOT sufficient, however.
Kilometer Restrictions
I think Celebro and Sundial are onto another good one. That is some type of distance related spark limitation. Perhaps put in a daily kilometer cap on how far one can spark. Make it accumulate by the minute like EP. I don't know what that cap should be.
Unrestricted and Restricted Sparks
Another idea is to create different types of sparks. Unrestricted sparks let you spark spark spark like the current system, but you only get two and can set them only once every xx hours or days. These can be placed in locations anywhere on alpha, beta or gamma. For example, one on an Alpha market hub and another on your beta or gamma base. Then you can have another 5 or so restricted sparks wherever. Those will have global or local cooldowns and/or kilometer restrictions. Also put a placement cap on these so you have to wait some time to move them.
Motivation for Spark Nerf
I am blown away by the 'corporation dialogue' mindset that believes spark nerf is motivated by current political climate. It makes me sad to see some names I know so spastically sure this is all politically motivated. Well guess what... it is politically motivated. But it's not about you STC, it's about future powerhouses dominating this game with hundreds, not 10.
Timing
Why now? I remember the day sparks came out Gunner told me that without limitations it was broken. I agreed as I sparked and sparked and sparked. When steam comes people will get addicted just like you all are addicted now. No drugs for the children.
First Steps
Perhaps Localized Cooldowns combined with Daily Kilometer Restrictions are good first steps. Devs can start out with low local timers and high daily caps and work it out from there. But first, you need to fix missions and market mechanics. And add some more highways dammit!
oh and where are my new bots!!!!
Unfortunately, aside from global cooldown or removal of spark system completely I cannot think of a TRUE solution to the Force Projection Issue. Most solutions will hamper other types of game-play. I do hope, ZOOM and the the other Devs at least come to recognize that unrestricted PVP mobilization is BAD in a game that hopes to have locally controlled zones.
Sparking to other games
