Spaceship computer ratings & software

[guodskrap]

I have a question for you MGT experts about computer ratings, software, and spaceships.

On page 91 of the core rulebook, it says this:

"The power of a computer is given by its rating..., which measures the complexity of the programs it can run... Programs are rated by the computer rating they require. A system can run a number of programs up to its rating – for example, a Computer/2 could run two programs requiring Program/1 at a time, or one Program/2, or a Program/2 and any number of Program/0s."

Now, the complexity ratings of these computers carry over to those on starships according to page 108, so it logically takes a ship computer of rating 15 to run a program of rating 15.

My question is on the Serpent Police Cutter on page 131. It lists it's computer as a Model 1, rating 5, but the ship's software lists Evade/2, which is a rating 15 program.

Is this an error, or am I missing something?

 

[DFW]

My question is on the Serpent Police Cutter on page 131. It lists it's computer as a Model 1, rating 5, but the ship's software lists Evade/2, which is a rating 15 program.

Is this an error, or am I missing something?

If that is what the design says (pg. 131) then, it would be a huge error.

 

[AndrewW]

My question is on the Serpent Police Cutter on page 131. It lists it's computer as a Model 1, rating 5, but the ship's software lists Evade/2, which is a rating 15 program.

Is this an error, or am I missing something?

Yes it is a problem. A model 1 computer is not capable of running a program that requires a rating 15 computer.

 

[guodskrap]

Thanks for clearing it up. I thought I was missing some subtlety of the rules.

 

[rinku]

There are a few errors in the ship designs. Either downgrade the software or upgrade the computer. Both options only affect price, not tonnage.

Although... technically things like that aren't errors, just inefficiencies. It's conceivable the software is part of a package deal that is there to encourage the buyer to get a hardware upgrade...

 

[locarno24]

I thought I was missing some subtlety of the rules.

As written, no, it's just fail.

That said, it is technically possible to run a piece of software above your theoretical rating - the ship design rules incorporate (bis) upgrades for jump control, and the computer rules include more general rules for 'specialised' computers.

Niether applies in this case, though.