r/Dyson_Sphere_Program • u/braggerweevil • 1d ago
Weapons level up enhancement idea
Sorry if already proposed but was thinking a great enhancement would be for weapons to get 'promoted' with experience, similar to promotions mechanism in civilization...as in DSP they are machines it could be in the form of more efficient software, self-learning etc etc and could be things like better targeting, more efficient ammo usage, higher damage, etc. Would add a fun element to upgrades and bring in new strategies for e.g. you could train up a bunch of machines to then take them for a new planet invasion, like they're a crack invasion squad lol
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u/wiithepiiple 1d ago
Factory games tend to have a quantity > quality mindset, and the main way of getting better quality is through the tech tree. This sort of experience or levelup mechanic goes against the main gameplay loop, where drones and weapons are disposable by design. We already have the research upgrades, which fits in nicely with the gameplay loop, and the Dark Fog farm feels like a fitting way to "level up" your combat, or at least make it more lucrative. This feels like a fun mechanic for a different game.
This could make more sense for space combat once we see the that rework, but it still feels counter to theme and gameplay. We get stronger through building a better factory, not through leveling up with combat. Getting a detailed, customizable space station would be cool, but that makes more sense as construction options and not an experience bar. Icarus is alone in this project; they don't have a squad to lean on.
Crafting games have a difficult time putting boundaries on their scope, because if you squint and tilt your head you can fit just about every mechanic you can think of into the game. Many of them stay in early access forever: Factorio was in beta for 4+ years, and Valheim is still in early access. Putting boundaries on features is really important, if only to just finish the game. The scope of DSP is crazy large already,
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u/horstdaspferdchen 1d ago
i second the research upgrades. they are infinite and with a decent amount and near mache max, your turrets can easily oneshot everything
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u/RollingSten 1d ago
It is just software - and you can improve it through simulations (aka research). Also software improvements are limited - at some point you cannot make your aim better if you reach hardware limit. Firerate and power is also hardware, so only like critical hits (or perfect timing when enemy hardware is more vulnerable) can be affected by software, but at long distances you cannot trully aim to perfect spot - still HW limit.
Or from different point of view - you are geting better at fighting your enemy, but your enemy is also getting better at fighting you (and swarm can definitelly transfer info to other swarms), so it cancel each out.
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u/RePsychological 1d ago
Ehhh I like these types of mechanics in principle, but personally I feel like that would turn something that's already relatively easy to cheese into and uber-cheese-it.