On this page, you will find my design notes on why I designed the Networker
fleet the way that I did. I do not believe in chance, so there is a reason
for everything. This page will also include any responses to freqeuntly asked
questions concerning the design of Networker ships.
Concept: The networker flees was designed with simplicity in mind, but
the other race designers, Nikita In specific
wouldn't accept the minimalist approach. The other races I saw had such detailed
artwork that I gave in. These are not the best ships in V.4.0, however, they're
all mine. I even modified the structural concepts behind the designs.
You should find these to be some of the most expensive ships in the Echo
Cluster, especially for a race which cannot be directly taxed, and I did not
intend the Network to have the basic hulls normally given to every race. You
will see that I replace the neutronic refinery and 2 freighters. I offset the
cost by giving almost every hull some special add in.
Another design specification is that these ships be fortresses to hold the
ground that the Networkers capture. They cannot be robbed since I intend to
give them such small fuel capacities. These ships would be too powerful in
the hands of stronger races. Other races should have to break the blocades
of these powerhouses in order to hit Networker worlds. Networkers should not
have free reign of the Echo Cluster.
I consider the basis of fleet design to be that every ship has some reason to
be built, yet, no two ships should overlap their designs enough for there to
be a decision. If your ships are too similar, then you have more ships than
you should. This must be offset by the fact that a race, having only one
identity, will have some unifying elements to its design. Network ships are
all grown, thus they have an organic reliance on basic geometry.
My Network does not use the devices which have been racial specialties in the
past because I aim for the Network to have its own identity. This is the reason
Network ships do not use Web Mines, Chunnels or robbing hardware. I even took
some basic things which the Network could use away. A parasitic race should
have a freighter with the Reticulan Light Beam, but I put it on the carrier.
Also, the Network is reliant on partical weapons rather than energy weapons,
however, they have no ordinance making ships. They'll have a hard time playing
against the other races without an ally. In the early game, I think they'll be
as weak as the Cyborg. And, I didn't give them a ship with Hacker Droids to
create the plans for any cheaper designs.
I hope this balance works out in the end.
(C)2005 Control Group Alliance -- All rights reserved.