Just to say something, i think the basic idea is pretty neat, it doesn't seem to fit right, not in my head anyways... I find some points in common with some of the ideas that i have, but... i don't know, the basic idea IS there, but, how do we get there? :S

There's no dogfighting in EVE. Freelancer is both moddable, and more dogfighting-ish (if you call repeated bypasses of your opponent "dogfighting"...). In other words, EVE is more of a long, drawn out drama, whereas Freelancer is a short action flick. Both have their merits and flaws.

@Topic: I don't get how one would steal hardware. Onlink/Uplink's background doesn't play like that; in Uplink, the "gateway" is a machine you remotely control from home. The gateway itself could be in Hong Kong, inside an Uplink server building, whereas the hacker might be in Los Angeles; stealing hardware doesn't work with a setup like that.

As for software, theft is the new destruction (to misquote Todd Howard); the idea of stealing/pirating software in this game, to me, is more appealing than purchasing it from the company you work for (i.e., Uplink).

So say Uplink hires you to be a freelance hacker (or rather, the other way around; really, you pay them a monthly fee, and they avail you the services of a space in one of their server buildings to house a gateway, and they also give you a listing of jobs and the latest news in the world of hacking);
*They also provide you with basic hardware, but to acquire new hardware, you place an order with Uplink, which then acquires the hardware and installs it for you for a single fee (just like how it is currently).
*Same thing for software: Uplink gives you the basics (say, copy/delete and passhack). The rest, you must acquire by either piracy/theft, or by finding a server that sells the software to you (and, if you are so inclined, you can attempt to steal the software instead of pay).

As for the whole "trust with a company" thing, I don't understand how a company would lose trust with you. If all they know you by is your screen name/nickname/handle, and you're smart enough and thurough enough to leave no traces, how will a company lose trust in you specifically, if they've got no evidence on you at all? I can see how a company might gain trust in you (or prefer you over other hackers), if you did a lot of jobs for them, but I don't get how they'd trust you less if they have no reason to suspect you.

I mean, even if you're the "best of the best", there are probably at least four other hackers (e.g., the four guys/gals below you) that can do a difficult job; really, the only signature a hacker has is how they proceeds about doing a job (do you delete everything, file by file, or do you just use the console and wipe from there?); even then, there's the possibility of another hacker having the same method of operation. There's no real reason for a company to distrust you, specifically. They might distrust all hackers if they're repeatedly hacked, and might even close down all relations with the hacking community, but there's no good explanation for why they'd hate you, and you alone, just because you're the one damaging them, if you leave no trace nor trail nor signature.

-- Griffinhart

uhm... question! Since when is giving your oppinion while replying to multiple posts flaming? Did i miss that memo?
Also you don't OWN this thread. Your just the OP that started the discussion. We aren't here to pick on you or anything, just to give our oppinions. Please don't take it so personally. Just because i don't agree with you doesn't mean i have anything against you.

PS: Example of flame: Your just a f*cking Wing commander fanboy dude. Freelancer FTW!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now that's a flame. Notice the lack of arguements and use of bad language? Now i'm pretty sure in my last post i didn't call you any names and had plent of arguements to backup my oppinion. Please tell me why you see that as a flame.

Stealing hardware: Not impossible, if you hack the manufacturer/distributor/warehouse directly and pass a hacked order or if you hack the delivery company and redirect a actual order.

Trust of a hacker: Sure it's _real_ identity is unknown, but it's easy to say that it's the same hacker with the help of a signing system, like asymmetric cryptography (like PGP).


Offtopic: Freelancer

Freelancer is a space trading/fighting game like Privateer.

Wing Commanders (at least the old ones) are space fighting only.

Hm, hadn't thought of that. Still, you'd have to forewarn the guys at the server building about an incoming delivery, or something of the sort. Dunno how that'd work (programming-wise).

Offtopic: Y'know, there's a free rebuild of Privateer out on the 'Net. Works on XP, to my elation. I forgot the site, though...

-- Griffinhart

factory line hacks could be ideal to steel hardware, not just Computer HW but also weapons & other stuff.
increase the caffien in cola then have some delivered to you.
^__^

sorry Holland, i get a tad on edge when i drink high potancy caffien type drinks, i just get fed up when people are pointing out flaws i try to rectify them with in the set idea i gave and still get a block from whoever.

you should actuly think less about pointing out my errors and more about fixing them.

Well i gave my thoughts in this part of one of my earlier posts:
"Rather have these "black ops" missions for companies be more and more rewarding the farther along you get.(Like a storyline) Everytime you complete a mission for a company, the next mission will be sent to you after the requirements are met.(Like level of the player, time past, neuromancer level of the player, etc.) Rewards for missions can range from 1000cr or an 8Gq memorystick till a gateway that won't be available for another 6 months or a server with admin access just for you."

If this wasn't clear enough, i'll try to elaborate some more. What i'm thinking is this:
1) You receive an email from a company that has noticed your work and wants to use your services.(This will happen a little into the game, so not from the start)
2) The missions will be of all sorts and will be increasingly more difficult.
3) The first few missions from the company will give you your standard cash reward, but later missions will give you more interesting things such as software and hardware or even your own server or extreme gateway.
4) Since each mission requires a custom email from the company, there will be a limited amount of missions available. Once you've completed the last mission the company will simply not contact you again.(No "your services are no longer required" thing as they don't know that.)
5) After completion of a mission it might take a while before you receive another email from the company as it's connected to certain requirements. The requirements can be anything from time past and missions completed successfully till player level and uplink hacker ranking.

I think that explains my idea well enough. If i missed anything please post.

problem with uplink is you gain ranks but they do nothing.

i would like to see locked items, such as gateways & hardware.
this will gate you, and force you to attempt harder hacks to get lvls.

i mean its not uplink, as Uplink is a Hacker simulation, not a full on game aimed at the entertainment value.

however i would like to see a mix, I'm not looking for entertainment value to the true meaning of the phrase, but i was something to keep ,y attention.

New mission types in Onlink are a start, but you can only repeat missions so much before getting board.

I don't like cash rewards for elite missions, it's like saying "here's some money for your birthday" no thought or value in it.
maybe have tokens for buying elite items in uplink shop.

50 elite tokens for a 500gq processor. for instance.
things like that would keep me playing.

it's hard to keep playing when things get repetitive.

Time-based unlocks for some software/hardware/gateways/etc would be interesting. (I think i saw that idea mentioned somewhere in this thread.) It reflects that software is being actively developed in the Onlink universe. Perhaps dynamically generate company names from a list, and add in servers in game every month or so as well, maybe add a whole new company every year =]. Kind of getting off the original point of the thread, though. Sorry.


OT: hehe. Freelancer. Just picked that up a couple months ago, interestingly. Mods for that game make it so much better (I use Evolutions 129.17 right now =]) If anyone's on Hal's Evolutions server, I show up on there occasionally. =]

I'm sticking with Tuggray in here, I have to admit, I like his idea, I always found it kinda weird that Uplink Internal services sold all the hardware, and software even software that could do massive damage, like software that is capable of hacking a bank.

I like the idea of working for/with a company and by trust unlocking special or rare soft/hardw. not only would it be more interesting, it would give some great replay value.
Buying different gateways, getting stronger software, or even some special features.

Like the aux. gateway, I mean we need to rent that from a company and relating to how strong your relationship is with the involved company the more discount or stronger hardware is involved.
It would also be sound to have something like a black market, where there is insanely cool software available or security for your gateway but at insanely high prices.

Whilst still sticking to the Onlink formula.
Onlink is (AFAIK) about expanding Uplink, and frankly this is a great way to expand Uplink.

The ideas in Slave Hack could be applied here too (believe we've talked about this a little in another thread too), for example hacking a particularly difficult LAN (are multi level LANs implemented yet? ) can get you a version of software higher than any you can normally buy.

Another interesting idea would be to make the game start in... let's say... the early 90s... with very little software and crappy connection... perhaps a little plot... and then jump 5 years to the future... little more soft, nothing THAT great... another plot... another jump... and so on. that would make the game longer and would be great if we could make it a little more rpgstic.
Of course, it would be like making the code all over again, i suppose...

Oh wow, could be a good idea to have all tech Time progressive.
works in Sim type games.

I can remember a time where I actually was the story writer for this mod, I wonder if it's still in demand to have a story in this mod to follow.