{"id":980,"date":"2018-09-18T22:26:41","date_gmt":"2018-09-19T03:26:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.empireinflames.com\/?p=980"},"modified":"2018-09-18T23:03:23","modified_gmt":"2018-09-19T04:03:23","slug":"gcw-q-a-with-the-devs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.empireinflames.net\/?p=980","title":{"rendered":"GCW: Q & A with the Devs!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Question<\/b>: What was the inspiration for the GCW? Why did you decide to take this massive undertaking of making a completely new system? (I love it btw )
\n<\/span>Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>: Empire in Flames is built as \u201cthe SWG we want to play\u201d – and a critical element of that is an active Galactic Civil War. From well before we launched, we knew we wanted a GCW system that encouraged all players to participate rather than just the hardcore PvPers.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\n

Senate<\/b><\/span><\/h1>\n

Question<\/b>: How often will the elections for senator\/traitor be? And will there be a limit to terms?
\n<\/span>Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>: Elections will happen on a 28-day cycle. There are no term limits. If you want to buy a Senator or Councilor, you\u2019d better start stockpiling credits.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Question<\/b>: Are there any benefits other than voting for being on the senate or Council?<\/span>Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>: Senators and Councilors get a unique title and access to their faction\u2019s war room, where voting takes place.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Question<\/b>: Will there be any plans to expand the system later on?
\n<\/span>Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>: We\u2019ve already planned an expansion for the GCW revolving around \u201cplanetary loyalty\u201d, which is separate from factional control. A planet could be occupied by the New Republic but loyal to the Empire, for example. Loyalty levels open up different missions and quests for players to swing a planet\u2019s population in their favor, which in turn affects the difficulty of invasions.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Question<\/b>: Does senator require a specific faction rank?
\n<\/span>Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>: No. It does require certain skill boxes in politician, however – New Republic Senators must be Statesmen, while Imperial Councilors must be Warmasters.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Question<\/b>: Will Senators and Council get a special title or badge?<\/span>
\n<\/span>Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>: <\/i>\u00a0Titles will be Senator for NR and Councilor for Imperials<\/span><\/em><\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Question<\/b>: Can there be more than just picking the target planet to invade, like picking a target planet to defend?<\/span>
\n<\/span>Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>: <\/i> Defensive positioning will also be a role for Senate \/Council when we have JTL.<\/span><\/em><\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Question<\/b>: What is required to become a Senator?<\/span>
\n<\/span>Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>: <\/i>1.)Be a citizen in a city of the planet you wish to run on. 2.) Be NR faction 3.) have Politician xx4x 4.) register to run for Senator and win the most votes for Senator on the planet you registered.<\/span><\/em><\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Question<\/b>: What is required to become a Councilor?<\/span>
\n<\/span>Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>: <\/i> 1.)Be a citizen in a city of the planet you wish to run on. 2.) Be Imperial faction 3.) have Politician x4xx 4.) register to run for Councilor and win the most votes for Councilor on the planet you registered.<\/span><\/em><\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Question<\/b>: What is the term for Senator or Councilor?<\/span>
\n<\/span>Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>: <\/i>28 days<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Question<\/b>: Can you have more than one Senator or Councilor per account?<\/span>
\n<\/span>Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>: <\/i> Yes , as long as you qualify and are voted in legally. In the event of suspicious activity, elections can be audited as all information is logged.<\/span><\/em><\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Question<\/b>: How do I get politician skill?<\/span>
\n<\/span>Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>: <\/i>Train novice politician. Run for mayor of an existing player city , or create your own. For each vote you have you get 300xp at election (awarded when mayor is elected 3 week cycles).<\/span><\/em><\/span>
\n<\/span>Each week as Mayor when city maintenance is due, and when\/if you win election you will received an extra\/automatic 750xp. Even if you do not win the mayor election , you still will get xp for each vote you received.<\/span><\/span><\/em>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Question<\/b>: What will decide which planet to invade?<\/span>
\n<\/span>Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>: <\/i>Senators and Councilors will have independent votes. The planet that has the most votes for each group will be the planet to be invaded in the upcoming GCW for that faction. Access to the planet is determined by hyperlanes, so planets can only be attacked if a connecting planet is also controlled.<\/span><\/em><\/span>
\n<\/span><\/em>
\n<\/span>Question<\/b>: How many Councilors and Senators will there be?<\/span>
\n<\/span>Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>: <\/i> There will be 1 Councilor and 1 Senator per inhabited planet.<\/span><\/em><\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Question<\/b>: What if no one lives on x Planet?<\/span>
\n<\/span>Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>: <\/i> If no one runs, the seat will remain vacant for that planet.<\/span><\/em><\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Question<\/strong>: Do you have to be mayor of a player city to run for Senator or Councilor?<\/span>
\n<\/span>Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>: <\/i> No<\/span><\/em><\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Question<\/b>: How \/ where will I register to run for Senator or Councilor?<\/span>
\n<\/span>Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>: <\/i>A voting center will be placed by a city\u2019s mayor – the city must be at least rank 2. In the city you are a citizen of you can register to run if you meet perquisites at these tests.<\/span><\/em><\/span>
\n<\/span>(details to be clarified)<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\n

Invasions<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Question<\/b>: \u00a0How are GCW battles different than traditional PVP?
\n<\/span>Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>: GCW battles are designed with tangible goals, strict timelines, and PvP rewards – it\u2019s designed to be a focused, fast-paced experience that rewards planning and teamwork. Oh, and combat walkers that players pilot into battle! Walkers allow those who normally don\u2019t enjoy PvP to get involved. \u00a0Use \/takeCommand and \/fireCanons to use a walker. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Question<\/b>: Can we practice piloting the big AT-AT walkers? Please?
\n<\/span>Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>: This has been a common request, actually – piloting the various combat walkers, from the New Republic\u2019s little AT-PT to the Empire\u2019s overpowering AT-AT is ridiculously fun. We\u2019re looking at an event our storytellers can kick off to allow players some walker vs walker combat for live events. It\u2019s not ready yet, but it\u2019s been tinkered with and will become available sometime soon.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Question<\/b>: Will my gear decay from all the extra fighting?
\n<\/span>Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>: Use decay still happens – so as you take and do damage, your armor and weapons will decay. However, you won\u2019t suffer decay for death and cloning.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Question<\/b>: What is War Fame, how do we get it and what will it be used for?
\n<\/span>Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>: War fame is the \u201ccurrency\u201d you acquire while you participate in invasions. All players participating get a \u201ctick\u201d regularly while they\u2019re in the invasion zone; accomplishing objectives will give you much larger windfalls. Successful defense of a planet will give the defenders a giant bonus, too.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Question<\/b>: What will war fame be used for?
\n<\/span>Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>: <\/span><\/i>War Fame will be used to purchase GCW specific rewards, like the battle damaged versions of armor and more.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Question<\/b>: Is there a listing of costs?
\n<\/span>Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>: <\/span><\/i>Yep. Not anywhere you can find it though.*nod* (Yet.)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Question<\/b>: How is war fame earned?
\n<\/span>Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>: <\/span><\/i>For now, War Fame is earned through active participation in Invasions, but once the Planetary Loyalty missions are rolled out, players will be able to earn War Fame that way as well, but with a much smaller return than actually fighting in the war.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Question<\/b>: Will war fame remain or get lost if you change factions?
\n<\/span>Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>: If you choose to defect, your war fame will follow you.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Question<\/b>: What can you tell us about the new armor and weapons?
\n<\/span>Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>: We\u2019re using GCW to bring in armor and weapons that have been requested practically since we launched the server. The big obvious star is the New Republic\u2019s A280 – the iconic BlasTech blaster is going to be available for Riflemen, Carbineers, and Pistoleers! But we\u2019re adding more than just the A280.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

We\u2019re also bringing in the war-scuffed versions of the six factional armors at minimum…and a few surprises.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

Question<\/b>: Can all of the new items be traded?
\n<\/span>Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>: <\/span><\/i>All of the Factional items and War Fame rewards will be crafting schematics, so you will *need* to trade them to your friendly local crafter.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Question<\/b>: Are there any restrictions to equipping some of the new weapons or armor?<\/span>Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>: The armor will generally be factionally-restricted for now – a character must be Imperial to wear stormtrooper armor, for example.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Question<\/b>: Can non-combat characters help their faction?
\n<\/span>Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>: At launch, non-combat characters are useful both in providing equipment – rocket launchers, for example, are critical – and healing during invasions as combat and death begins to accumulate wounds and battle fatigue.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

We have further plans to allow non-combat characters (and characters who can\u2019t participate in invasions directly) to both help their faction and acquire war fame, but that system isn\u2019t ready at GCW launch.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

Non-Combat can also contribute with the walkers as explained above.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

Question<\/b>: Will non-PvPers be able to contribute in any way?
\n<\/span>Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>: At launch, only indirectly. The planetary loyalty expansion will change that – we\u2019re ensuring that even crafters and entertainers can participate.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Question<\/b>: when will the invasions happen?
\n<\/span>Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>: The current system schedules battles for 9:30 PM EST. This can be adjusted as necessary, depending on attendance and other variables. Because the system runs on a 6-day schedule, the day-of-week always changes.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Question<\/b>: are there going to be any EU-friendly battles, or are there plans to include some if the European population grows large enough?
\n<\/span>Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>: If the European population on EiF grows to the point where EU-friendly invasions are more plausible, the system is flexible enough for us to schedule them.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Question<\/b>: Will there be ranks higher than Colonel added?
\n<\/span>Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>: <\/span><\/i>Yes, but high ranks also come with drawbacks like being permanently Special Forces<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Planets<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Question<\/b>: Which planets will be involved?
\n<\/span>Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>: Most of the planets currently on the server will be used. More than half of our planned additions will also be part of the GCW when they\u2019re ready.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Question<\/b>: Which will not, and why?
\n<\/span>Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>: The \u201cno\u201d planets currently on the server are Tatooine and Lok. Both have very much an underworld\/edge of the galaxy vibe, and in time of open war they don\u2019t provide much to either the New Republic or the Empire. <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Hoth will also be left out, for two reasons. From a technical perspective, Echo Base doesn\u2019t work very well on pre-CU and has issues that Takhomasak has not been able to solve in spite of over a year of work. Story-wise, Hoth is of no further interest to the GCW warring factions after the Rebel Alliance evacuated.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

Question<\/b>: Will there be new planets added in the future that will be included?
\n<\/span>Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>: <\/span><\/i>Absolutely<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Question<\/b>: What are some of the incentives for controlling a planet?
\n<\/span>Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>: That\u2019s the trick, isn\u2019t it?<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

For launch, we\u2019ve designed a series of skill bonuses that apply to all members of the controlling factions. These launch bonuses include things like weapon accuracy and crafting assembly bonuses. Those bonuses also scale based on a character\u2019s rank in the faction.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

Question<\/b>: What are some of the penalties for losing a planet?
\n<\/span>Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>: Losing bonuses! We opted not to directly penalize players losing a planet – hurt pride is generally reason enough for players to come out again. Not gaining the control bonus is penalty enough<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

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Neutral Players<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Question<\/b>: What are some reasons that neutral players may want to participate?
\n<\/span>Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>: Neutral players miss out on the rewards that participants receive. The rewards range from armor, weapons, decorations, and vehicles, to skill bonuses for factional characters.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Question<\/b>: Can neutral characters participate?
\n<\/span>Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>: Not directly.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Question<\/b>: If not, can you temporarily join a faction and then go back to being neutral later?
\n<\/span>Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>: Only through standard game mechanics – e.g. having enough faction points to reach 200, and sign up with a faction via a recruiter. At this time, we\u2019re not looking at adding mercenary functionality.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Question<\/b>: Will a neutral character be aware that a planet is under factional control? <\/span>Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>: Planet control determines a number of troop spawns on a planet, most noticeably in starports but around cities as well. If a player is paying attention, they\u2019ll definitely notice.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Question<\/b>: I mean will there be effects of planetary control which apply to non-aligned chars? (I would like to see some. even if they are detrimental).
\n<\/span>Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>: Neutral characters suffer from having neither bonuses nor drawbacks.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\n

EIF Community!<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Question<\/b>: What is the EIF pvp community like?
\n<\/span>Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>: Surprisingly chill. While there are always some emotions that run high, during the Week of War testing phase players on the losing side generally came away both with some satisfaction for having fun and with determination to win the next battle.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Question<\/b>: Is there lots of trash talk and spitting on corpses?
\n<\/span>Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>: I\u2019ve seen a little, and I don\u2019t think it\u2019s possible to get completely away from it. On the other hand, it\u2019s a fraction of the toxicity you\u2019ll find on servers with a self-proclaimed PvP focus.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Question<\/b>: Will a novice feel intimidated or unwelcome?
\n<\/span>Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>: I don\u2019t think it\u2019s possible to <\/span><\/span><\/i>not<\/span> be intimidated. On the other hand, both factions\u2019 leadership tends to really take new players in under their wings to equip and train them to get ready to fight.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

Question<\/b>: I’ve heard there is lots of RP on that server, how does that affect GCW battles?
\n<\/span>Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>: Oddly, it leads to better turnout. It\u2019s a trend the EiF staff has noted going back to the live Starsider server, when the largest turnout for space PvP events consisted of RPers who were interested in advancing the story and fighting for their faction. If PvP isn\u2019t constant – and with EiF\u2019s system, we\u2019re on a six-day cycle – RPers tend to come out and enjoy it.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\n

General<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Question<\/b>: Are there any plans for when Jump to Lightspeed goes live?
\n<\/span>Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>: Very much so. And yes, we will be integrating JtL into our GCW system. Planetary blockades, anyone?<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Question<\/b>: Will Boris and Natasha ever catch that pesky moose and squirrel?
\n<\/span>Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>:<\/span><\/i> \u201cMilitary intelligence. That phrase mean anything to you?\u201d \u00a0\u201cIt sounds like a contradiction of terms.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Question<\/b>: What will the impact of Jedi be on the GCW and vice versa?
\n<\/span>Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>: Indirect. When Jedi goes live, they will be able to participate in the GCW, but they will not have a special role per se. However, the Jedi system relies on a substantial part of the code we\u2019ve written for GCW. Jedi development in earnest will be starting not long after the GCW launch.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Question<\/b>: An important aspect of factional conflict, especially in Star Wars, is looking the role. \u00a0What steps are being taken to make sure that from the lowliest grunt in the Imperial Army, to a sergeant in the Stormtrooper Corps, to a Grand Admiral in the Imperial Navy, have access to appropriate gear?
\n<\/span>Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>: A large part of this is simply the combat and crafting redesign Empire in Flames underwent before launching. The distance between \u201ctop tier\u201d and \u201centry level\u201d isn\u2019t nearly as large as it is on, say, Basilisk.<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Question<\/b>: “Is @Sandi the best CM?”<\/span><\/p>\n

Dev Answer<\/i><\/b>:\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n