https://robertsspaceindustries.com/comm-link/transmission/13159-15-Million Oh the 15million unlocks are: 42-page Upgrade Handbook to current backers Escort Carrier ship class I am looking forward to the handbook from the unlock. I am a bit worried that the game is getting more and more large ships. I get that people like them but these will require large groups to properly run. I know they are nice for RSI to raise funds but think more variation of smaller ships would go over well. I would be more likely to get 3-$100 ships than 1-$300 ship.
With the Constellation, Caterpillar, Retaliator, and Idris being the main big ships so far (with crews of 4, 5, 6, and 10 respectively) we still have 4 double-seat variants and 7 single-seat ship variants (although varying iterations of those frames make 13 total current small ship types). That being said, I have to agree that after the battlecruiser I would like to see more types of single- or double-seated ships on the market - and have them be different-but-equal so there isn't significant power creep in ship releases. I want my RSI Aurora to be a useful and versatile single-seater that (if configured properly) can still compete with other single-seat ships - not be outmaneuvered and blown away in two shots because it is considered a "noob" ship.
There will be many, many types of ships. This is confirmed by one of the developer. So I won't be worried that the milestones are just having massive ships being playable. In fact it is actually good that these ships are actually usable by players rather than be a ship that is controlled by NPC. With time, expect more ships with less than a handful of crew to be added. I think they are now just releasing ships that cover all the basis upon launch and having different variants of them to save time.
Even though they are releasing the ships, there has been mention on wingman's hanger that the Idris will be the largest ship available to buy before the full release of the game. These extra ship releases are early views of what we can expect in the game.
There is talk at RSI forums, claiming CR's interview also, that a bigger ship than the idris is the largest playable ship. Do check it though...larger than the Idris....oh my
The largest playable ship will be the largest ship in game, the Bengal Carrier. Only you will not be able to purchase it. The last I heard, someone from CIG, maybe CR, said that for each faction in the game there will be 3 Bengal Carriers, or factional equivalent, that can be found and salvaged/rebuilt. It will take a large fleet to get one fully up and running, as it will cost a lot to repair a burnt out hulk, and also stay online to protect it, as it cannot be put in your hangar for the night. Think of it like a Mothership/Titan in Eve.
Remember a lot of these ships are having to be built for the Squadron 42 part of the game anyway. So in summary about big ships: Flyable but not necessarily buyable Require large crews Were going to be ingame anyway due to Sq42 Not insurable. Not very replaceable/large amount of resources required, essentially guild ships. Also I expect us to knock out another 2-3 stretch goals this month with the next 2 brochure/variant sales.
I fully agree that the variants will drum up a ton of money. I would upgrade my freelancer if they have a full exploration one. I am also toying with the idea of getting a connie or a hornet but want to see if they come up with variants first.
