[[[Playtest Focus]]] Bandwidth

[MongooseMatt]

Hi guys,

I have been watching some discussion in other threads, and I have been wondering - do we have the Bandwidth of the various software packages right? There was one discussion in particular where people were making some very hard choices as to the software they wanted to run - which is a Good Thing. But have we been too severe with the Bandwidth of some packages? Are they simply too much of a luxury?

It would be greatly appreciated if you could turn your attention to the Ship's Computer chapter and let me know if you see any issues...

 

[Condottiere]

Compression algorithm?

 

[Nerhesi]

The ratios look really fine Matt - the only one that stands out is EW - definitely not worth the massive cost. I would make it 10/15/20 like launch solution as it is, at best, just as good. (at best).

But otherwise, you can still run full evade, full advanced fire control AND still have 30 rating left over for various options is a good balance. We dont want ships even with 100/core simply running 5-6 software packages at top performance.

 

[phavoc]

My take on bandwidth is that the standard apps (maneuver, astrogation, targeting and such) should easily run on any and all computer sizes.

When you get into specialized things like EW, I think what you are paying for is more than just software. You are buying a comprehensive set of sensors and emitters that goes with the EW software. Plus you are getting specialized work stations to go with it.

Programs like targetting and point defense also could have a physical component as well. They are in the grey area because if you think about it, a 200,000 merchant ship would need to run the same basic software a 200,000 Battleship would - with the exception of OFF/DEF systems that merchies don't care about. But they still need all the background programs and such. I could see the military running more robust security and other things, but with the computing power available to systems it shouldn't make a substantial difference.

Programs like evasion... probably would fall within the first category. Systems should be able to handle them from a pure compute perspective. And it wouldn't need special gear, so that one is really just software. Since there is no limit on memory, maybe we need to re-look at computers overall and assume their processing power is pretty high to start and make the add-ons more physical in nature, with the exceptions of things like evasion, which would go into the simple software bucket.

 

[arcador]

I like this suggestion. Since it is a bold change, and it might not happen, I would house-rule it in my sessions.

For example, another analogy of what you're saying is from the implants chapter. I take it that an implant for Dex boost is not simple brain chip, but a set of very fine, yet durable, sensors across the whole spine of the traveller which interacts with the major joints, which in effect increases his eye-body-coordination and reduces reaction time. However this is only "narrative" patch. For the computer suggestion it will have a gameplay impact.

 

[AnotherDilbert]

A warship absolutely needs:

AutoEvade       25
AdvFireControl  40
LaunchContr     20
PointDef        15
               ===
Total          100

Basically nothing else will be used.

I think it is to tight.

 

[Chas]

A warship absolutely needs:

AutoEvade       25
AdvFireControl  40
LaunchContr     20
PointDef        15
               ===
Total          100

Basically nothing else will be used.

I think it is to tight.

The optimize screens/shields will have to be run as well.

 

[AnotherDilbert]

The optimize screens/shields will have to be run as well.

I think the gunners can operate screens without software support. The software just replaces the Gunners?

 

[Nerhesi]

The optimize screens/shields will have to be run as well.

I think the gunners can operate screens without software support. The software just replaces the Gunners?

Thats how I read it. It states it automatically does blah blah - so basically its like each screen barely produces the 2D minimum defensive value.