Hi all,

I've been a long-time player of the EV/EVO/EVN series. I've decided to make a missions plugin for EV Nova. Please read my proposal and let me know what you think about it (good idea/bad idea, feasible/infeasible, etc.)

Rationale: I've always been disappointed with the quality of the missions in EV Nova. The vast majority simply involve shuttling around the galaxy like an intergalactic taxi service, with all the action located in pages and pages of text that you have to read. Even when you do get the occasional combat mission, it is way too easy. I feel that there was so much potential to the Nova game, and yet it was wasted by shoddy mission design.

My Proposal: to make a plugin that modifies the existing Nova missions, making them more challenging and combat intensive.

Example 1: In the bounty hunter string, for several bounty missions all you have to do is travel to a planet, and the actual "bounty taking" takes place on the text you read. Boring. I intend rewrite such a mission so that you actually have to disable and board a hostile pirate ship to capture your bounty.

Example 2: In the GLi-tech string, in missions where you test new weapons you only have to fight one opponent, which is too easy. I have rewritten such missions so that your opponents are more numerous and more challenging.

Compatibility: Because of the nature of my proposal, my plugin should be fully compatible with many existing add-on plugins, for example Arpia. Furthermore, since I do not plan to change any bit strings (only existing misns and descs found in stock Nova), my plugin should be fully compatible with people's existing stock nova/arpia pilot files.

What has already been done: I've already rewritten the GLi-tech string-- I've made the missions more challenging and modified the briefings descs accordingly.

Developmental Plan: I plan to continue rewriting various minor strings, then move on to the Wild-geese/bounty hunter strings, and finally to the major strings. I may decide to release an initial version once the minor strings alone have been rewritten.

I would like to have your input/suggestions/beta-testing offers/etc. Thank you very much.

Awesome idea!

My first suggestion is go with your gut. Release once you finish the minor strings. In fact, I'd say don't even try to overhaul the major strings. That's just asking for vaporware. Instead, once you release the first version, maybe start working on a new minor string that's purely combat-centric. Perhaps it could extend Temmin Shard or be trying to stop the illegal trade in Knup-knups or some such.

And maybe, if you're feeling adventurous, make another minor string only available after completing a major string, that just involves smashing fleets to pieces. Maybe some of the Polaris didn't want to rejoin humanity so badly. Maybe some of the Vell-os didn't ascend through the veil and are going around being evil. Maybe you get the idea.

But definitely release once Gli-tech and Bounty Hunter are done (and I suppose Wild Geese too if you want us all to wait in suspense while you work) and Escort Rock Band too if you want.

Hmm, interesting suggestions. However, talk about making new mission strings is a bit premature at this point; I'm taking this plug a bit at a time so that it won't turn into vaporware.

Anyway, with regards to my progress I've rewritten a total of 10 mission so far, from the Gli-tech, Temmin Shard, Sigma Shipyards, and United Shipping strings. All missions have been modified to be significantly more combat intensive, but doable at a relatively early stage of the game, without greatly disturbing the plot.

My next step is to work on the Wild Geese and Bounty Hunter missions. After I finish testing all my modifications I hope to release the plugin as an initial version. If response is positive I still plan on tackling a main storyline, one at a time.

This post has been edited by rozinante : 22 March 2008 - 09:59 PM

@rozinante, on Mar 23 2008, 02:57 AM, said in New Plugin: EVN Combat Missions:

Hmm, interesting suggestions. However, talk about making new mission strings is a bit premature at this point; I'm taking this plug a bit at a time so that it won't turn into vaporware.

Anyway, with regards to my progress I've rewritten a total of 10 mission so far, from the Gli-tech, Temmin Shard, Sigma Shipyards, and United Shipping strings. All missions have been modified to be significantly more combat intensive, but doable at a relatively early stage of the game, without greatly disturbing the plot.

My next step is to work on the Wild Geese and Bounty Hunter missions. After I finish testing all my modifications I hope to release the plugin as an initial version. If response is positive I still plan on tackling a main storyline, one at a time.

Certainly sounds interesting, and I like a good challenge, especially since I always build new pilots with my own imported Banshee Cruiser to start. so I can jump right into combat to steal money from pirates when I start (couple Disabling Mirv's and my new pilot is 500K richer, hehe)