#Unlockable AI Escorts.

11 messages · Page 1 of 1 (latest)

slender lagoon
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💡What is motivating this suggestion?

I was in the Mine the other day playing solo (per usual) and I came across our old friend, the unarmed Miner. I kind of just stuck around him as he wandered the mine and he proved to be an incredible decoy for me. I felt bad that I used him as bait and thought how cool it would be if I could arm an AI buddy or 2 and bring them in with me.

💡 What is your proposal?

Have unlockable AI escorts in some shape or form accompany you into a raid.

It's been thrown around to have AI crew in your ship which I think is also a great idea, so why not bring them into raid with you too? Some people fly straight into the POI so a ship crew wouldn't do much for them.

Possible Counter-Arguments

  1. Playing Solo is already an advantage because you don't have to worry about friendly fire or communication. Creating more visual noise around a solo player in the form of AI would make a solo player with bots op.
    **Answer: **Unless you are a top 200 player, most solo players get wrecked by a good squad or duo. As the game progresses, player squads are only going to get more coordinated and lethal. AI escorts could help level the playing field

  2. AI bot companions would be OP because they can auto-aim and won't friendly fire.
    Answer: I propose using only weak bots like security guards with pistols or even freed prisoners with machetes or something.

💡 Exactly and specifically, what should be changed and how?

You could unlock AI as you progress through Zero to Hero.

Once unlocked, you can "hire" them from the traders for a certain amount of money, up to 3 at a time for a solo or to fill a squad up to 4 total. Or maybe there is a competency score where better bots are limited in number. For example, you can bring 3 melee bots or 2 security guards or 1 commando.

Another idea would be to "find" AI companions in a POI. Unlock a certain prison door with a lockpick and the prisoner inside will follow you around. Kill 15 SAS in the Navy Ship and a commando comes out of hiding to help you. etc.

Other possible ideas bouncing around in my brain would be ways you could customize your escort, from their uniform to maybe they can carry a few items as pack mules. Think Lydia from Skyrim.
Also, it only makes sense that the Pirate King would have some henchmen following him around in a raid. I'd honestly be ok with this being another late game unlock as a reward for grinding zero to hero. Or, unlocking more bot slots could be a prestige reward.

CONCLUSION

In the end, we need more things to buy or unlock in the game. Devs can add more and more guns, armor, and ships which are awesome, but having another form of "loot" in the form of hireable/unlockable/findable allied bots would take this game to the next level. I still remember how badass I felt when I unlocked an AI escort in the Dynasty Warriors games. They weren't op, but having a crew follow me around made me feel like a boss.

I'm curious what all of you think or how you would improve on this idea!

edgy dagger
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No, absolutely not. Never. No thank you.

slender lagoon
edgy dagger
slender lagoon
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Ah ok, we can respectively disagree then. I think AI plays a big part in this game, from bosses like the Red Baron, to security crews and ships. For me, it only makes sense to expand their role even further.

edgy dagger
slender lagoon
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What about just a single AI companion?

edgy dagger
# slender lagoon What about just a single AI companion?

No. I wouldn't want to see any AI companions at all.

This is a PVPVE game that's centered around team play with other players, not solo play with AI companions. I think adding AI companions could completely ruin that dynamic and some players who might step out of their comfort zone and find they enjoy teaming up with other players may not do so if they're offered an "AI companions" as an option.

slender lagoon
# edgy dagger No. I wouldn't want to see any AI companions at all. This is a PVPVE game that...

Solid point, but again, the companions would suck, kind of like how most AI suck in this game. In my post I argued that a player squad that gets good will always have an advantage.

As for Solo players, I don't think forcing them to play with other players will ever work. For example, I mostly play solo because I work from home and have random calls and meetings throughout the day. I squeeze in raids at odd times and then have to hop off quickly. I'll play with friends at night sometimes and that's fun but again, on my own terms.

The AI companions would mainly be accessories/meat shields, not a full replacement to another kitted player.

edgy dagger