Sat Mar 29, 2003 3:58 am
documentation for empathy.ini, and my changes
Entries in DATA/MISSIONS/empathy.ini look like this:
[RepChangeEffects
group = li_n_grp
event = object_destruction, -0.030000
event = random_mission_success, 0.085900
event = random_mission_failure, -0.045000
event = random_mission_abortion, -0.067500
empathy_rate = li_lsf_grp, 0.400000
empathy_rate = li_p_grp, 0.350000
...
empathy_rate = fc_ou_grp, -0.400000
...
Faction Name Lists (scroll down to strangeduck's post)
There is one entry for each faction. This is an unmodified, partial copy of the Liberty Navy's entry.
This entry details how your reputation will change by interacting with the "group" li_n_grp (Liberty Navy). The "events" determine how much your reputation with the Liberty Navy will be affected if you destroy one of their ships (object_destruction), complete a mission (random_mission_success), fail a mission (random_mission_failure), or abort a mission (random_mission_abortion).
The "empathy_rate" lines show how much an action involving the faction willl change your reputations with the allies and enemies of that faction. Positive numbers mean that the faction is friends with the group and will sympathize with their reputation changes, negative numbers signify enemies who will respect you for disrespecting the faction. For example, if you annoy the Navy by by blowing up one of their ships (object_destruction = -.03), the LSF will be slightly annoyed (-.03 * .4 = -.012), and the Liberty Police will be even slightly less annoyed (-.03 * .35 = -.0105). However, the Outcasts will be slightly pleased (-.03 * -.4 = .012).
EDIT: not exactly sure if the math used is this simple, but you get the idea.
---8<---
I think it's a little unrealistic that you have to blow up somewhere in the neighbourhood of 40 Navy ships before they will stop loving you and actually begin to despise you. If you're really in good ranks with a lawful organization, maybe they'd look the other way while you dispatched a couple of their brethren, but slaughtering even one cop gets you on the Most Wanted lists around here! I multiplied the "object_destruction" variable by 20 for each faction, and now they react a little more realistically: the Navy will turn their cheek if you "accidently" shoot up one of their cocky rookies, but you'll have lost your good graces with them. Starting a career in pirating doesn't exactly go unnoticed either.
Another aspect of the game that I found unrealistic was that it was possible to "neutralize" factions relatively easily. Kill cops until they *almost* hate you, and the Rogues will stop attacking you. This makes it possible to run around solar systems without getting attacked by anyone at all... BORING! In my experience, it's much harder to make friends than enemies. I divided all the negative "empathy_rate"s by 5, which achieves exactly that. Factions still stick together, but making friends by blowing up your enemy's enemies doesn't work so well. You have to kill 5 times as many cops to get the Rogues to stop firing at you, but in the meantime, both sides will be showering you in laser fire. It should be entirely possible to have every faction in the game hate your guts!
Edited by - Thundercleese on 29-03-2003 04:02:15
[RepChangeEffects
group = li_n_grp
event = object_destruction, -0.030000
event = random_mission_success, 0.085900
event = random_mission_failure, -0.045000
event = random_mission_abortion, -0.067500
empathy_rate = li_lsf_grp, 0.400000
empathy_rate = li_p_grp, 0.350000
...
empathy_rate = fc_ou_grp, -0.400000
...
Faction Name Lists (scroll down to strangeduck's post)
There is one entry for each faction. This is an unmodified, partial copy of the Liberty Navy's entry.
This entry details how your reputation will change by interacting with the "group" li_n_grp (Liberty Navy). The "events" determine how much your reputation with the Liberty Navy will be affected if you destroy one of their ships (object_destruction), complete a mission (random_mission_success), fail a mission (random_mission_failure), or abort a mission (random_mission_abortion).
The "empathy_rate" lines show how much an action involving the faction willl change your reputations with the allies and enemies of that faction. Positive numbers mean that the faction is friends with the group and will sympathize with their reputation changes, negative numbers signify enemies who will respect you for disrespecting the faction. For example, if you annoy the Navy by by blowing up one of their ships (object_destruction = -.03), the LSF will be slightly annoyed (-.03 * .4 = -.012), and the Liberty Police will be even slightly less annoyed (-.03 * .35 = -.0105). However, the Outcasts will be slightly pleased (-.03 * -.4 = .012).
EDIT: not exactly sure if the math used is this simple, but you get the idea.
---8<---
I think it's a little unrealistic that you have to blow up somewhere in the neighbourhood of 40 Navy ships before they will stop loving you and actually begin to despise you. If you're really in good ranks with a lawful organization, maybe they'd look the other way while you dispatched a couple of their brethren, but slaughtering even one cop gets you on the Most Wanted lists around here! I multiplied the "object_destruction" variable by 20 for each faction, and now they react a little more realistically: the Navy will turn their cheek if you "accidently" shoot up one of their cocky rookies, but you'll have lost your good graces with them. Starting a career in pirating doesn't exactly go unnoticed either.
Another aspect of the game that I found unrealistic was that it was possible to "neutralize" factions relatively easily. Kill cops until they *almost* hate you, and the Rogues will stop attacking you. This makes it possible to run around solar systems without getting attacked by anyone at all... BORING! In my experience, it's much harder to make friends than enemies. I divided all the negative "empathy_rate"s by 5, which achieves exactly that. Factions still stick together, but making friends by blowing up your enemy's enemies doesn't work so well. You have to kill 5 times as many cops to get the Rogues to stop firing at you, but in the meantime, both sides will be showering you in laser fire. It should be entirely possible to have every faction in the game hate your guts!
Edited by - Thundercleese on 29-03-2003 04:02:15