Walter wrote:xaero5150 wrote:Ok, let's look at this from a reasoned perspective.
A reasoned perspective is only valid if the data on which it is based are sound. There are a number of errors/misconceptions in your argument.
Well from what I have been told(from a particular dev at frontier) is that system influence works on a complicated equation that derives system influence by faction from a numerical per faction number. Each mission adds a specific number of "influence" points to a running total and a specific number of "reputation" points to a commander. The tallies for influence are then worked out as a relative percentage of the total. For example if all of the factions start at 0 and each influence + mission added 1 point, and each influence ++ mission added 3 points, if one faction reaches 100 points and the next faction reaches 50 points and the total is 200 points at the end of the cycle, the first faction would be at 50% (having half of the available points). So if someone were to complete the same number of inf+ missions for all factions, the total points would go up the exact (or close to) same number leaving influence exactly where it was when the player entered the system. The exception to this would be massacre missions because in massacre missions you generate negative influence by destroying the enemy faction's ships while simultaneously generating positive influence for the faction that gave the mission. It is also theoretically possible that specific missions are weighted in such a way as to offer greater influence than would be naturally perceived, but since 99% of all players take the same delivery missions for all factions this is offset. On the other hand when you avoid reputation with a faction(and thus also deprive that faction of the influence points that come with those missions) you are essentially working to increase standing for the other factions. Where this is an issue is in the missions that people actually want to do, namely the unnamed passenger missions. If I am not mistaken, there are 6 factions, and if you do not raise the reputation with one of the factions your percentage of specific unnamed missions going to that one port (180,000ls from the star) are decreased by 1/6th. This means additional board hopping and likely having to leave without filling your ship with passengers, due to the frequency that those missions pop up. That could be the RNGesus just hates me, but typically I fill the last slot with about 50 minutes to go before I start failing missions. Each of the unnamed missions has a low effect on reputation and influence, but even if it did not, by taking missions from all the factions you are at a zero sum game since you are adding the same numbers to each faction. They are essentially asking us to work FOR them to give them additional influence. I have been at this game for a really long time and have a pretty good relationship with many of the DEVs so I am pretty sure they did not lie to me. If I were in the "teabaggers" shoes, I would probably make the same request since I could get a reinforcement to my position without having to work as hard, but that does not change the facts that it does cut you relative income down by about 1/6th since it takes more hops per contract leading to additional time per run up to the point you HAVE to leave or risk failing contracts. I would personally request their assistance in some similar venture for mobius related business in exchange for mobius assistance in their undertaking, since it would only be fair given the loss of income associated with not working for a faction that offers 24 million credit runs on a regular basis.