My idea for the future of the GCW and smugglers, what do you think?

chocoborider

Boy, lots of speculation about what will happen next with SWG…but regardless of what happens with the game, I think everyone can agree that NGE or pre-CU, two aspects of the game that need a revamp are smuggling, and the GCW. I’ve had a thought about what I’d do, if I were running things, and wanted to see what the community thinks:

The very definition of ‘Smuggling’ implies moving goods or services in and out of ‘restricted’ areas. So, to me, the biggest barrier to ‘Smuggling’ in SWG is the open travel system. So here’s my proposal: Control of a given planet, is assigned to a particular faction, based on GCW battle results, either like the old system of # of bases on a planet, or by a daily ‘battle event’ or something to that effect. Only characters with no factional alignment or with a factional standing that is positive with of the current controlling faction may travel freely to and from the planet via the shuttle system, or the public space port. In addition, the space immediately surrounding a controlled planet is patrolled by faction aligned space craft that will attack those with negative faction alignment on sight. Instantly, you have a REASON to support your side in the GCW and at the same time, create a need for Smugglers! Under this system, you could create a couple of special abilities for Smugglers:

1) Secondary space ports i.e. planetary landings that can only be accessed by smugglers, which they may have to fight/fly past hostile patrols to land in (or get out of).

2) The ability to craft and sell ‘fake id’s’ that would enable characters to access restricted planets via the normal channels.

Suddenly, you have an active, relevant GCW that puts factions in competition for access to resources, and possibly even the ability to get in and out of their own home. You also have a relevant demand for smugglers and a way for non-combatant professions to get involved in some of the action. “I’ve heard you’ve got a fast ship. I need to get to Corellia and I’d prefer to avoid Imperial involvement, if you know what I mean.” How much more Star Warsy, and Iconic does it get?

*edited for syntax*

Reachwind

The next time someone tries to make a SW MMO I bet they completely bypass trying to make a smuggling system and instead build the game around playing as a jedi or bounty hunter, ONLY.

NGE SWG seems to be headed in that very direction itself.

Kylrathin

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Originally posted by Reachwind

The next time someone tries to make a SW MMO I bet they completely bypass trying to make a smuggling system and instead build the game around playing as a jedi or bounty hunter, ONLY.
NGE SWG seems to be headed in that very direction itself.

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Which would be the perfect reason to NOT do it that way.  A few changes to pre-CU, and the GCW would have been in full swing.  Instead, they focused on Jedi and BH PvP (even back then), and you have the mess we have now.

At any rate, nice ideas, choco.  Hope they find a way to get implemented.  If the Duck ever takes flight, you may have the opportunity to implement them yourself!  I know if it does, I'll be doing something exactly like it on my project.