Ship's Computers

[kevinknight]

I'm not getting a good feeling about the way the ship's computer chapter seems to work. It seems kind of arbitrary. For example, at TL 9 you can install a Computer/10 for 160000cr or a Core/40 for MCr45... There's nothing in between these 2 extremes? I would like to see a system whereby you build a computer system like you do the hull, with each bandwidth point taking up power and even space along with credits. Have the rate go down as TL increase with a certain cap based on TL...

 

[Nerhesi]

So we've come a long way since the archaic implementation of Computer-take-garage space.

As for granular rating system on computers, I think this falls under a design approach that is similar across many areas and not just computer rating. It is the preference for established instances, rather than sliding scales. While there are some exceptions (armour, and you could argue power generation, speed, etc) - the vast majority of design principles are basically you get X for $, Y for $$, Z for $$$. The formula system of cost $ is 2X or x^2 or whatever doesn't appear that much compared to say GURPS or T5 for example

 

[phavoc]

Might be easier to say you need X tons of this class of computer per 100 tons of ship. That would give you a sliding scale and still keep the various computer types separate.

 

[ShawnDriscoll]

I'm not getting a good feeling about the way the ship's computer chapter seems to work. It seems kind of arbitrary. For example, at TL 9 you can install a Computer/10 for 160000cr or a Core/40 for MCr45... There's nothing in between these 2 extremes? I would like to see a system whereby you build a computer system like you do the hull, with each bandwidth point taking up power and even space along with credits. Have the rate go down as TL increase with a certain cap based on TL...

There's not really anything in between ship types either. An empire that basically has only 6 types of ships.

 

[PsiTraveller]

Shawn: What would you say are the 6 types of ships?


As for the computer issue I see the rules of trying to prevent people using the higher tech is more bandwidth and therefore a TL 15 ship will always have more bandwidth to run better software and end up with a tech advantage. Prices listed are per bandwidth to cost.

Does a higher tech have to be more expensive all the time, or can a higher tech level make lower tech level cheaper like it allowed for in 1st edition High Guard. If you go down that route you could end up with a TL 15 shipyard making TL 12 ships cheaper than TL 12 shipyards make ships. In a battle of attrition the cheaper ships end up winning because you can make more of them for the same cost.

The ends up in the game balance debate and trying to have a ruleset in place that allows for fun and ease of play and does not end up with spreadsheets calculating the Sector Domestic Product and tonngae produced per shipyard day.