Thanks for all the feedback folks.
@ SandJ - as WildeBlood said resale gets you back 60% of the value. The 10 credit nominal fee is a workaround and follows the resale model used by McLane in SellEquipment.oxp for the mainstream and OXP equipment that was available at the time he released it. I should probably have mentioned that in the read-me for folks who don't have SellEquipment installed and so aren't used to seeing all their equipment saleable for '10 credits' a piece.
I wouldn't get too hung up on the database/communication method - will it work in Anarchies or after a Galactic Jump etc. Anarchies do have Galcop presence - just not much, and what there is generally hiding out in the station. We have to do all sorts of Handwavium about lots of things in Oolite - a little bit more does not hurt. I don't think this equipment merits an ongoing fee - although perhaps a greater initial outlay??
Uber-pirates (well OXP added uber-pirates anyway) may well have a (core game) cloaking device which would beat this equipment.
Occasional clean 'Pirates' are a great idea. Ee have offender traders via OXP and as many a commander knows the best Pirates do their Pirating away from the police and stay clean. Would need an OXP though.
The target memory array is a core piece of game equipment - I have it on my ship - I never use it because I can't remember the keys to press!
I don't actually think this OXP sets the balance of combat that much more in the player's favour, but then again my Ooniverse with it's Pirate Coves, Deep Space Pirates, Rogue Frigates from Galactic Navy and with me often trying to keep an Escort Contracts NPC Anaconda alive in an Anarchy combat can still be quite tough at times (maybe that's because I fly by mouse?). If and when I ever buy myself one of the more uber ships I'll be sure to install NPC shields and Tough Guys to even things out a bit.
If anything damages game balance it's something that's been in the game since day 1 - the military laser. I'd rather it had the same power as a beam, just a longer range. Still I've got 4 of the buggers on my Cobra.
The OXP's I've made are ones that I want to see in my Ooniverse and which I hope others will also enjoy. Illegal Goods Tweak was made specifically to make the game harder for me because I was taking far to much advantage of the core games treatment of contraband. I still smuggle occasionally with it installed, try and bribe, but cheerfully take the legal penalty hits and subsequent attention along with the profit. And I release slaves given any opportunity (I quite often buy them at Constores to release).
This OXP just seems like a no brainer to me. If we've got STE and Bounty Scanner then this is just an alternative way to basically do the same thing. You've just got the info that little bit more quickly without having to turn and target. It comes into it's own when you hit multiple groups of pirates or jump drive into the middle of an ongoing furball with pirates and traders all mixed up already.
@CommonSenseOTB.
I can see the attraction of the slight delay. If anyone wants to edit their copy to introduce a delay, it's pretty easy.
Line 39 of the script reads
Code: Select all
this.psu_updatescannerTimer = new Timer(this, this.psu_updatescanner, 0, 0.25);
The first 0 is the initial delay in seconds before the lollipops are updated on going to either yellow or red alert. The 0.25 is the delay in seconds between subsequent updates.
So change it to something like
Code: Select all
this.psu_updatescannerTimer = new Timer(this, this.psu_updatescanner, 1, 1);
to add a bit of delay.
Re your idea of reporting the pirates name I think that more in the realms of an updated Bounty Scanner - also I don't think the name is generated until you actually scoop a pod, but don't know that for sure. Plus legal status is officially attached to the ship, not the pilot (hence using your escape pod clears your legal record). Having said that Random Hits adds some personality (and danger + fun) into Bounty Hunting.
Blimey that was a long post.....anyway's as I said earlier all OXP's are take it or leave it, but I'm sure there is a market for this one. All comments are very much appreciated.
