This is a repost from the old forums. I proposed a system to handle this:
We don't need complex math for this. A relatively simple "activity monitor" would do the trick. Think of it like an accolade system that resets at the end of each STF run.
Points would be awarded to track certain player actions (note, values are simply for example) :
Caused 10,000 Hull Damage
1 Point
Caused 10,000 Shield Damage
1 Point
Healed 10,000 Hull Points (to ally)
1 Point
Healed 2,000 Shield Points (to ally)
1 Point
Received 10,000 Hull Damage
1 Point
Received 10,000 Shield Damage
1 Point
Tractored an enemy
1 Point
Received a Plasma Fire
1 Point
Received a Borg Shield Drain Debuff
1 Point
Debuffed enemy ship with <insert skill name>
1 Point
Buffed allied ship with <insert skill name>
1 Point
Destroyed by Borg ship
1 Point
Single-handedly destroyed Borg ship or object
2 Points
and for ground:
Resurrected a player
2 Points
Interacted with an object or switch
1 Point
Caused 2000 Health Damage
1 Point
Caused 2000 Shield Damage
1 Point
Healed 1000 Health Damage (to ally)
1 Point
Healed 1000 Shield Damage (to ally)
1 Point
Received 500 Health Damage
1 Point
Received 500 Shield Damage
1 Point
Rooted an enemy
1 Point
Received a debuff
1 Point
Debuffed an enemy with <insert skill name>
1 Point
Buffed an ally with <insert skill name>
1 Point
Fell in combat
1 Point
Single-handedly killed/destroyed an enemy
1 Point
The key to this system would be to keep the values, points, and participation thresholds a secret -- so it would be harder for leechers to game the system.
For example, the target to indicate you "participated" could be different for different types of ships. There could be other hidden mechanics such as if you have a certain key skill like Torpedo Spread or Heavy Graviton Beam equipped but never use it you receive negative points. There could also be negative points for extended time out of combat relative to the rest of the team (as in, you only get penalized if you are out of combat while anyone else is).
Other conditionals could include player rank, STFs run, and values of STF-related Accolades. Whether these would increase or decrease the participation success threshold would be up to Cryptic and dependent on testing.
A system like this could all but eliminate leeching.
"MMOs would be so much better without the players!"
Or is it..
"I'm so awesome! Anybody not as awesome as I am shouldn't be allowed to play!"
I'm getting both those vibes...
That combo sounds about right, yeah.
People just get way too uppity about a game. Games are not supposed to be serious. They are supposed to be fun. Different people have different views of fun.
As for the aforementioned shuttle thing, unless you are running an Elite match, then it doesn't really matter too terribly much what kind of ship your bring in. Personally, I tend to get a smile on my face when I see a shuttle pop in to an STF. The same goes for the Tier 1 ships. Instead of seeing it as a hindrance to me, I tend to think of it as challenge. I like to take on the Big Brother role and see how long I can keep the little guy alive: running interference for him, healing, and the like. I think that it adds a touch of variety to an otherwise repetitive grindfest.
But that seems rather complicated.... isn't my idea just a simpler version?
I like your idea too -- I just posted mine a while back and reposted.
The problem I see with yours, though, is that it's a little too simple.
What if I'm a science vessel with a bunch of escorts. DPS is so high that I never get aggro, and the rest of the team burns down enemies so fast that they don't need healing. So here I am with my sci abilities that aren't needed. Sure I'm attacking, but I'll never be able to keep up with the scores the escorts are ticking up.
And if I'm wanting to leech, I could just get in and heal a few other ships that don't really need it and get the reward.
So in principle, I think it's a good system, but it needs to be a little more broad to handle edge cases. No one wants to get in and be marked as a leecher because the tech misclassifies them.
That is true... but science ships aren't really popular anyway, outside of carriers. It would need balancing for sure, but there has to be some system that would work.
Comments
We don't need complex math for this. A relatively simple "activity monitor" would do the trick. Think of it like an accolade system that resets at the end of each STF run.
Points would be awarded to track certain player actions (note, values are simply for example) :
Caused 10,000 Hull Damage
1 Point
Caused 10,000 Shield Damage
1 Point
Healed 10,000 Hull Points (to ally)
1 Point
Healed 2,000 Shield Points (to ally)
1 Point
Received 10,000 Hull Damage
1 Point
Received 10,000 Shield Damage
1 Point
Tractored an enemy
1 Point
Received a Plasma Fire
1 Point
Received a Borg Shield Drain Debuff
1 Point
Debuffed enemy ship with <insert skill name>
1 Point
Buffed allied ship with <insert skill name>
1 Point
Destroyed by Borg ship
1 Point
Single-handedly destroyed Borg ship or object
2 Points
and for ground:
Resurrected a player
2 Points
Interacted with an object or switch
1 Point
Caused 2000 Health Damage
1 Point
Caused 2000 Shield Damage
1 Point
Healed 1000 Health Damage (to ally)
1 Point
Healed 1000 Shield Damage (to ally)
1 Point
Received 500 Health Damage
1 Point
Received 500 Shield Damage
1 Point
Rooted an enemy
1 Point
Received a debuff
1 Point
Debuffed an enemy with <insert skill name>
1 Point
Buffed an ally with <insert skill name>
1 Point
Fell in combat
1 Point
Single-handedly killed/destroyed an enemy
1 Point
The key to this system would be to keep the values, points, and participation thresholds a secret -- so it would be harder for leechers to game the system.
For example, the target to indicate you "participated" could be different for different types of ships. There could be other hidden mechanics such as if you have a certain key skill like Torpedo Spread or Heavy Graviton Beam equipped but never use it you receive negative points. There could also be negative points for extended time out of combat relative to the rest of the team (as in, you only get penalized if you are out of combat while anyone else is).
Other conditionals could include player rank, STFs run, and values of STF-related Accolades. Whether these would increase or decrease the participation success threshold would be up to Cryptic and dependent on testing.
A system like this could all but eliminate leeching.
-Forjo
My oldest post (that I can find)
Location: Houston, TX
Former Cryptic User #11424
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Stop the easily abused and unfair auto-silence "feature"!
But that seems rather complicated.... isn't my idea just a simpler version?
In other words..
"MMOs would be so much better without the players!"
Or is it..
"I'm so awesome! Anybody not as awesome as I am shouldn't be allowed to play!"
I'm getting both those vibes...
"Back on topic. Destinii is correct."
(Formerly Destinii until the 'Great PWE Forum Shakeup of 2012')
<Snicker> ......
That combo sounds about right, yeah.
People just get way too uppity about a game. Games are not supposed to be serious. They are supposed to be fun. Different people have different views of fun.
As for the aforementioned shuttle thing, unless you are running an Elite match, then it doesn't really matter too terribly much what kind of ship your bring in. Personally, I tend to get a smile on my face when I see a shuttle pop in to an STF. The same goes for the Tier 1 ships. Instead of seeing it as a hindrance to me, I tend to think of it as challenge. I like to take on the Big Brother role and see how long I can keep the little guy alive: running interference for him, healing, and the like. I think that it adds a touch of variety to an otherwise repetitive grindfest.
I like your idea too -- I just posted mine a while back and reposted.
The problem I see with yours, though, is that it's a little too simple.
What if I'm a science vessel with a bunch of escorts. DPS is so high that I never get aggro, and the rest of the team burns down enemies so fast that they don't need healing. So here I am with my sci abilities that aren't needed. Sure I'm attacking, but I'll never be able to keep up with the scores the escorts are ticking up.
And if I'm wanting to leech, I could just get in and heal a few other ships that don't really need it and get the reward.
So in principle, I think it's a good system, but it needs to be a little more broad to handle edge cases. No one wants to get in and be marked as a leecher because the tech misclassifies them.
-Forjo
My oldest post (that I can find)
Location: Houston, TX
Former Cryptic User #11424
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Stop the easily abused and unfair auto-silence "feature"!
That is true... but science ships aren't really popular anyway, outside of carriers. It would need balancing for sure, but there has to be some system that would work.