Endless Sky: Towing Ship For Non-Jump Ships - Feature Request
Hey guys! Let's dive into a cool feature request for Endless Sky that I think will seriously improve the late-game experience, especially when dealing with those tricky captured alien ships. We all love snagging those powerful alien vessels, but sometimes, it's a real pain to get them back to a friendly outfitter if they don't have a jump drive. So, let’s talk about a dedicated towing/salvage ship!
Problem Description
In the late game of Endless Sky, a major challenge arises when you're trying to recover captured alien ships. You know the drill – you've fought hard, disabled that awesome alien ship, and claimed it as your own. But then you realize: it doesn’t have a jump drive! This is a huge problem, especially when you're stuck in the middle of nowhere, like hostile alien space, with no friendly outfitter in sight. It's like finally catching the biggest fish, only to realize you don't have a net big enough to bring it home. This issue can turn a triumphant moment into a logistical nightmare, forcing players to come up with elaborate, often tedious, workarounds.
The current game mechanics don't really offer a straightforward solution for this situation. You might end up having to painstakingly escort the captured ship, jump by jump, with a fleet of support vessels, which can be time-consuming and risky. Imagine capturing a powerful Hai carrier, only to spend hours inching it across the galaxy because it can't jump. Not exactly the epic space adventure we signed up for, right? So, what can we do about it? Let's explore some ideas to make this process smoother and more enjoyable.
This problem is further compounded by the fact that alien ships can be quite valuable, both for their technology and potential resale value. Stranding these ships in deep space feels like a waste of a hard-earned prize. We need a reliable way to bring these ships back to civilization, where they can be refitted, repaired, or sold for a tidy profit. A dedicated towing ship would not only solve the immediate logistical problem but also add a new layer of strategic depth to the game. Players would need to consider how to transport captured ships as part of their overall strategy, making fleet composition and mission planning even more important. Plus, it would just be super cool to have a specialized ship designed for this purpose, adding to the richness and complexity of the Endless Sky universe.
Desired Solution
So, what’s the dream solution here? I'm envisioning a dedicated Salvage/Towing ship that’s specifically designed to handle these situations. Think of it as the ultimate space tow truck! This ship, when equipped with a jump drive, could dock with and transport non-jump-enabled ships from hostile alien space back to an area with functional outfitters. This would be a game-changer for recovering captured ships that get stranded, making the process much more streamlined and less of a headache.
Imagine you've just captured a massive Korath Raider, but it's dead in the water, light-years from the nearest friendly port. With a dedicated towing ship, you could simply jump in, dock with the Raider, and jump back to safety. No more tedious escort missions or desperate calls for help. This would not only save time and resources but also add a cool new dynamic to the game. Players could specialize in salvage operations, building fleets centered around these towing vessels, and making a living by recovering and selling captured ships. How awesome would that be?
This towing mechanic could also open up new gameplay possibilities. Maybe there could be missions specifically focused on recovering derelict ships or rescuing stranded vessels. Imagine getting a distress call from a remote system, tasking you with towing a damaged freighter back to safety. These kinds of missions would add variety to the game and give players a reason to invest in towing technology. Furthermore, it could create interesting scenarios for player interactions, with pirates trying to intercept salvage operations or rival factions competing for valuable wrecks. The possibilities are endless!
Alternative Approaches
Now, let's think outside the box for a second. Another approach could be a dedicated capital-class ship with the ability to act as a mobile outfitter. This ship would essentially be a flying shipyard, capable of repairing and refitting ships on the go. While this sounds pretty epic, it might be a bit too OP (overpowered) compared to a simple towing mechanism. Imagine being able to completely refit a captured alien ship in the middle of nowhere – it could take away some of the challenge and strategic planning involved in fleet management.
However, a mobile outfitter could still be a cool concept if implemented carefully. Maybe it could have limited capabilities, only able to perform basic repairs or install essential systems like jump drives. This would allow players to get stranded ships moving again without completely negating the need for a dedicated outfitting base. It could also add a significant cost or resource requirement, making it a strategic investment rather than a one-size-fits-all solution. For example, the mobile outfitter could require rare materials or a large crew, making it a valuable but not easily accessible asset.
Another idea could be to combine elements of both approaches. Perhaps a towing ship could have a limited outfitting capability, allowing it to install a basic jump drive on captured ships. This would provide a good balance between convenience and challenge, allowing players to recover ships without making the process too easy. It could also create interesting choices for players, who would have to decide whether to fully refit a ship at a proper outfitter or just get it jump-capable enough to reach safety.
Additional Context
No response
So, what do you guys think? A dedicated towing ship seems like a fantastic addition to Endless Sky, adding a new layer of strategy and making those captured alien ships a lot easier to manage. It would definitely make the late-game experience smoother and more enjoyable. Let's get this feature request some love!