Released - the Cobra Mark III-XT

[CaptSolo]

Ever since I began playing Oolite I wanted to do a mod of the trusty ole Cobby. You can read about it by following the link below:

http://wiki.alioth.net/index.php/Cobra_Mark_III-XT

Any problems, inconsistencies or whatever please report them here so I can fix them.

[Cody]

Another cool ship Solo... nicely done, they fight hard.

[CommonSenseOTB]

CaptSolo, Thankyou so very very much!. I love cobras.

(so many cobras, so little time....)

[DaddyHoggy]

Another ship that's managed to get bigger, more powerful and faster than original with seemingly no negatives...

So I have to ask why?

(Oh and it's a very nice looking ship by-the-way!)

[Ganelon]

Considering the ship is physically a bit larger (which may make docking a bit harder), it costs twice as much as a standard Cobra MKIII, and the improvements are fairly modest, it doesn't seem unreasonable.

One more energy bank could be allowed by either assuming technology allows such things to be made smaller "now" than they were back in 3100 or chalking it up to the larger hull. The added missiles also could be why the hull was enlarged. Engines have been replaced with ones that are smaller and more powerful.

[Mauiby de Fug]

Ooh, very nice! I'm actually tempted to try it out at some point (which says a lot, considering how attached I am to my Caddy)! It's upped the stats, without being unreasonable about it, and should be a viable ship for those who something capable of taking on the "uber" ships without being in much of an "uber" ship themselves.

I don't see why it's a bad thing that ships can get improved from the original without too man negatives, as long as it's done with moderation, as to me, this one has! The way I see it in my own Ooniverse, the old ships from Elite are just that: old! They still get made, as they're relatively cheap compared to some of the others, and they've proven themselves, but it doesn't surprise me that there have been advances in technology since they were first designed, and that these technological advances have been implemented in a revised version.

The one thing I'm a bit wary of is having the Cloaking Device possibly available when you buy it, even though it's got a low probability. It seems wrong to me - that should only be gained by doing the "mission". (Okay, the Naval Energy Unit breaks this reasoning, but I think, though I may be wrong, that you can buy core ships with it. Either that or it's such a widespread practice in oxps that I've got used to seeing it.)

[DaddyHoggy]

Considering the ship is physically a bit larger (which may make docking a bit harder), it costs twice as much as a standard Cobra MKIII, and the improvements are fairly modest, it doesn't seem unreasonable.

One more energy bank could be allowed by either assuming technology allows such things to be made smaller "now" than they were back in 3100 or chalking it up to the larger hull. The added missiles also could be why the hull was enlarged. Engines have been replaced with ones that are smaller and more powerful.

All true, but brings us back to the question - why do any of the core ships still exist? When "technology moves on" and it "costs more" are used as reasons to produce ships that significantly outclass the core ships.

(Cost is only a delaying tactic - once you're rich, you're rich, cost is almost irrelevant at that point)

[CaptSolo]

The one thing I'm a bit wary of is having the Cloaking Device possibly available when you buy it...

Only NPC's may come equipped with the Cloaking Device.

Another ship that's managed to get bigger, more powerful and faster than original with seemingly no negatives...

So I have to ask why?

Progress. Of course I assume anyone who wishes to fly one will do so by honest means. It took me a long time to put together that many credits and still afford to kit it out. I like to think of it as an alternative. Not the least likely by far considering the competition.

the ship is physically a bit larger (which may make docking a bit harder...

Shouldn't be. Only the length was increased by some nine meters.

Thanks for all the comments.

[Mauiby de Fug]

The one thing I'm a bit wary of is having the Cloaking Device possibly available when you buy it...

Only NPC's may come equipped with the Cloaking Device.

Duh... Should read the wiki page more clearly when I'm in the process of waking up! In that case, a great ship!

[Ganelon]

All true, but brings us back to the question - why do any of the core ships still exist? When "technology moves on" and it "costs more" are used as reasons to produce ships that significantly outclass the core ships.

Logically, I'd agree that the core ships probably wouldn't exist, at least not unchanged. Some equivalent to "better gas mileage" and "more legroom" and some variation in the basic lines, such as one sees with cars and planes would be normal, I'd think. Sure there might be some vintage ships tooling around, but like the newest ships they'd be in a minority compared to whatever came out in recent years.

I think that probably the main reason would be that people want new ships and other people like making new ships. Since changing things in the core game (even things far more minor than the ships) would likely meet with a lot of resistance, people do it via OXPs.

Cost is only a delaying tactic - once you're rich, you're rich, cost is almost irrelevant at that point

If we're going with that logic, then why have money in the game at all?

[DaddyHoggy]

Cost is only a delaying tactic - once you're rich, you're rich, cost is almost irrelevant at that point

If we're going with that logic, then why have money in the game at all?

Because it's a method of keeping "score".

[CaptSolo]

Got the normal map plugin for GIMP and it works! I am kindly asking for play testers who have shader supported computers. El Viego, you are off the hook. I know you are busy with other projects. Once I have everything configured I'll post a download link here.

[Cody]

El Viego, you are off the hook.

Phew!!

[DaddyHoggy]

El Viego, you are off the hook.

Phew!!

He's not talking about you - I don't know who this imposter "El Viego" is...

[Killer Wolf]

a relation of El Viagra, who's a hardened criminal.