Massive mining operations idea

[loudent]

So, much of the space seems a bit lifeless. Mostly because mobs (pirates) seem to outnumber the NPCs by a huge margin. One idea I was thinking of is a mining operation

Near a bunch of asteroids there would be a mining base (not a real base in the sense that you can land) and a bunch of miner ships going from the asteroids to the mining station with loads of ore. You could have defense ships patrolling the area. Then you could script up some freighters to go from the mining station (which refines the ore) to a "manufacturing" station somewhere else (perhaps same system, perhaps another one). the freighters would be loaded with ore and there can be escorts. Then yet another set of scripted freighters going form the manufacturing plants to the actual stations. again, with possible escorts.

Suddenly you have a pretty vibrant set of systems. You could decide to pirate them or, perhaps they even would have hauling missions (like the mining/trade missions we get now

[johnmschneider]

Interesting idea!

[Lurler]

Ha, that's actually an awesome idea. And easy to do!
It's in our todo list now

[kyokei]

I am very pro this idea, it would make the worlds so much more dynamic and alive.
You could also think of scripted attacks on capitols with Pirates VS Faction.

If scripting such events is easy then you could also think of adding a bit more dynamic to the Merchant ships.
Let them fly with an escort and then at random script in an event that a squad of 2-3 Pirates goes and attacks them.

Another one is having small squads of Pirates fly around the zones. At this moment when you check your map you see all these idle red dots, and then once in a while one will come to focus on your specifically.

Such things would make the universe so much alive