Clan systems and clan bases

I think that Systems that have been Rented by a Clan, but the Clan has Not Paid rent (time to be Determined)

should Default their Ownership of the System.

Now if There is a Base or Bases in Said System the Clan or Whomsoever wishes to Rent it then the

State of Construction of the Base's should be Taken into Consideration in the Cost of Rental for that System .

If you Don't Pay

We Take it Away !!

It Goes Up for RENT on the Open Market

SPECIAL OFFER !!!

1 System + 1 Fully Constructed Base !!!

Can be Yours for Only

(Who Knows?)

Harsh I Know but That's Life !!

I'd say if a clan fails to pay rent, open the system, remove the signs and clan rules message at the entrances, and set the system as available for rent.

lock the clan base but leave it otherwise intact, so the next tenant can decide what to do with the base, keep it, or delete it and build a new one in another location. I'm not sure if an existing clan base should affect rent prices.

Also, maybe this is off topic or was discussed before, but have you thought about adding optional microtransactions? Every big game does it nowadays.

I don't particularly like loot boxes with random loot, that would be gambling, but how about selling certain in-game items, like alien guns, custom lights for ships, cloaking devices, or battleship upgrades? The server can already add MK2 guns to cargo for completing the daily Tour.

Should be completely optional of course, so no clan equipment.

I know <C> hasn't been around for enough time for it's voice to matter much. I am also aware of the events that led to <C> becoming progressively inactive. But here I am, back and trying to build it up again.

Re-listing a clan system and it's base for people to grab is unfair for the original owner(s). All the effort initially invested in building the base would basically be available for somebody else to benefit, even if it's short term. Inactivity can happen to any clan, as we are all well aware, especially when RL happens on key members of the clan (eg: in <C>'s case, 2 founders had their kids born, births that happened 5 months apart) .

Renting systems for clans and clan bases provide a unique purpose in playing this game - to my knowledge, no other mod offers this. And even if it did, the balance in this mod's ships and gear as well as the CF's dynamic economy are unmatched.

In my opinion, bringing new players aboard is simply a matter of publicity/visibility: streams, funny youtube vids, adverts on other sites, etc... , because this mod's got what it needs to be in the top. Getting stuff away from the players was in no case a good thing (except you're EA) .

So, my proposal is:

• Keep the model with clans owning systems and bases.
• If a clan fails to pay the rent, then:
  • Message the leader and/or other key clan members 1 week before expiration
  • Provide a time buffer of 1 month after expiration date, for the clan leader(s) to pay the rent.
  • If within the 1 month time period there is no payment received from clan leader(s) or a honest and justified intention to pay but after the buffer , then:
    • Delete billboards, welcoming messages and list the system for rent.
    • Delete the base from the system but keep it "stashed" on the server, so that when the clan returns, they could rent another system and use the base in the new system -- not sure if this is possible form a technical POV, but in my opinion it would be the most fair thing to do.

As for the micro transactions - I agree that this might be a good thing, as long as it offers aesthetic perks and/or non-clan items. For example:

• purchase a color set for ship's lights from a pre-defined list of color sets.
• purchase an engine trail color fro ma pre-defined list of options.
• purchase a honk - the honk sound would be selectable from a predefined list of sounds.
  • an invisible hard point can be used for this, I believe, and the honk would be mounted on it - but it would require all ships to be remodelld with it.
• purchase all available non-clan items.
• purchase all available non-clan ships.

I have more ideas, but I will eventually open a new thread for it, as this is in regards to clan systems and bases.

how about this i don't want to be in a clan but i would like to build a small base so how about a new system like new york a safe zone where people can do that for a small fee

that would keep me here for sure and would give a player more content has well i have got to the stage where i don't have much to do

Someone has to pay the bills, and the idea was to cross-finance that with clan system rent. The other part would be that we for example sell clan base stuff to single users (with reduced options to build up or whatever). So if you want to "buy" this you support the server and could use online clan base stuff features (with reduced content)...

Just my personal view: clan's rent (amount to be decided) should cover maintenance of the clan base (rented system). With rent not paid for two? months there will be removed some modules and station is destructed after some time (next 4? 6? months). Following month can be clan presence cleared from system and someone else can enter. It can be seen as hard, or unfair, but because I myself was paying full rent or later its part, and that for quite long time, I think that absolutely fair are the same conditions for everyone. No one need to know who pays money for a clan rent, but should be public that clan have covered its part of renting system bargain.

The problem which I see here is, that this process should be automatic, including chosen way how to warn clan members (clan leader). Maybe can be also publicly announced that there happened "destruction" of some clan base modules ... with possibility that someone may decide to save this particular clan and be active.

For rent amount ... for me personally was 20 € / month too much and in clan which I helped build was rent covered by more clan members, this in time when I was active on server. Thing is, that with lower rent there may be much higher interest to try go for clan base and maintain them.

And I also want to say that process of clan base building was really great. Eventhough I was not the one with high participation on it, I enjoyed time spent with gathering resources because I knew that there is some real purpose behind it.

well ok going to say this from a pov view i have played all missions and there is nothing to do accept fly and fly don't get me wrong you have done a great job

but nothing of interest on mp once you have millons in the bank sorry but i will be moving on nothing to do it's become slow it need s some new goals more to do than the moderators coming on put the same missions on all the time snooze

in my opinion time to let this game rest to the grave

So far, the majority of proposals circle around keeping the model with clan systems and bases. One proposal was to enable non-clan players to build their own "small" personal base (details at the end of the post).

Assuming that any of the proposed actions would happen after the clan leader(s) / representative(s) are informed that the rent is due, the following is a summary of the proposed actions when a clan fails to honor their end of the bargain:

Option #1:

• Remove clan billboards and messages from clan's system.
• If exists, keep the base intact and lock it.
• Set the system as available for rent.
  • the new rent price may be influenced by the base and i'ts completion status.

Option #2:

• Remove clan billboards and messages from clan's system.
• List the system as available for rent.
• If exists, lock and stash the clan base ( = archive it internally, but delete it from the system), so that if and when the clan representatives return, they have the option to:
  • Re-rent the system if is available.
  • Rent another system.
  • Redeploy their previous base in the newly rented system (previous or new one).
• This option requires additional coding in order to enable base stashing and eventual redeployment.

Option #3:

• If clan base doesn't exist:
  • Announce via forum and/or other public method (in-game system messages, carrier pigeons, etc) that the system will be available for rent in <insert amount of time here> if current owner will not pay the rent within that time.

• If clan base exists:
  • Public announcement that the system rent was not honored.
  • The following actions will gradually happen to the clan's base and system:
    1. Deconstruct a base module / or multiple base modules after every <insert_amount_of_time> pass.
    2. When there are no more modules to deconstruct, deconstruct (=delete) the base.
  • This process would be publicly posted so that everyone to know what to expect when a public announcement like this is made.

• This is a very good incentive for other people (eg: clan's allies, friends, videochat sponsors, etc) to jump in and help by paying the rent in order to maintain the current ownership.
• This option may be rather hard to implement in order to have the process automated.

Enable each player to build their own base

• This could actually enforce the roleplay (eg: allied clans building multiple bases in close proximity systems, thus fortifying their position).
• This could also render clan bases useless, as every player (clan and non clan alike) could build their own base - depends on how players see this.
• Clan systems will eventually end-up hosting multiple individual bases - one for each clan member.
• Defining which systems are available to build bases in - to be discussed.
• Payment method for such bases is yet to be decided: monthly VS one-time payment.
• If monthly payment, then such bases will be subject to deconstruction on a yet to be decided model:
  1. Instant deletion when monthly payment is not honored (aka Option #1 above)
  2. Stash the base, hide the base, redeploy the base when player decided to pay again (aka Option #2 above)
  3. Public announcement and gradual deconstruction of the base (aka Option #3 above)
  4. <Insert other option here>

I believe that a poll would be useful here, but till we open one, let's see if there are any other ideas/suggestions.

I do firmly believe Clan Leaders should pay their system rent, and repercussions should be put in place.

Maybe making a backup of the latest updated base and removing it from the system after a week or two after the initial month that they haven't paid. After the second month has passed, I'd place the system back up on rent, after those two months, the ownership of that system should be null and void.

And i do feel like, players should also get a chance to build up in certain places, perhaps like storage outposts in certain systems, a lot less privileges that clan bases have, but it's still a safe space for them, maybe pay a little less then what a clan leader does, but make it not as cheaper as it should be, which gives Clan's another advantage, a lot more privileges for their bases, with clan specific equipment, for slightly more then what a player would pay for a player base

ok might have been a bit harsh about letting game die sorry about that but some good comments about bases so will watch with interest

but has of now not being drawn back to game

but i might if some of the above might happens see what the future holds

The issue I see with leaving clan bases in systems that will be put up for rent is getting access to the base. Password is needed also the clan leader had the main admin password. Without those passwords or a way around them the base would be useless.

(two weeks later)

We got three proposals for dealing with clan systems and bases AND a suggestion for individual players to be able to construct a less complex base.

I think that the vote should be focused on dealing with clan systems and bases while considering the individual base construction option - therefore, I am not listing it in this poll.

Regardless of the option we end-up with, we still have to refine some details - eg: new rent price of the system in case of Option #1; the amount of time a clan has to pay the rent before any option happens; deconstruction system in case of Option #3; etc...

Option #1 - Relist system and base some time after the rent hasn't been paid

• Remove clan billboards and messages from clan's system.
• If exists, keep the base intact and lock it.
• Set the system as available for rent.
  • The new rent price may be influenced by the base and i'ts completion status.

Option #2 - Stash the base, remove it from system and list the system for rent 1 month after the rent hasn't been paid

• Remove clan billboards and messages from clan's system.
• List the system as available for rent.
• If exists, lock and stash the clan base ( = archive it internally, but delete it from the system), so that if and when the clan representatives return, they have the option to:
  • Re-rent the system if is available.
  • Rent another system.
  • Redeploy their previous base in the newly rented system (previous or new one).
• This option requires additional coding in order to enable base stashing and eventual redeployment.

Option #3 - Base gradual deconstruction over time, and total deconstruction & system relisted for rent

• If clan base doesn't exist:
  • Announce via forum and/or other public method (in-game system messages, carrier pigeons, etc) that the system will be available for rent in <insert amount of time here> if current owner will not pay the rent within that time.
• If clan base exists:
  • Public announcement that the rent for system <system_name> was not honored.
  • The following actions will gradually happen to the clan's base and system:
    • Deconstruct a base module / or multiple base modules after every <insert_amount_of_time> pass.
    • When there are no more modules to deconstruct, delete base.
    • This process would be publicly posted so that everyone to know what to expect when a public announcement like this is made.

• This is a very good incentive for other people (eg: clan's allies, friends, videochat sponsors, etc) to jump in and help by paying the rent in order to maintain the current ownership.

• Apparently there are hidden clan base features which enable automatic base module deconstruction over time based on the presence of specific commodities and specific amounts. This feature can be activated for all clan bases, or just for those whose owners stopped paying the rent - to be decided.

Quote from SWAT_OP-R8R

Maybe... (dunno if this actually is a good idea) we should create a management system which displays public info about the status of the clan system

e.g. "Clan name", "Clan Tag" (required to identify the ownership of the system), "System Name", "Station name", "Station ID", followed by information which months of the year have been paid.

Clans would refer to their station ID when paying for the system and since this list is public people would see if there are still payments missing. It would not matter if the clan leader pays... or somebody else from the clan since all that matters is that the payment went to the Station ID (which in the end allows me and/or huor to deal with the management easier.

... and here is what I was thinking ---> Is possible make dropdown donation menu where can be chosen "clan rent" payment and next to it identificator for concrete clan system/station? This way doesn't matter who does payment, it however needs certain liability from person giving donation.

If the system here on the portal which lists the donations could be accessed or there is a possibility to extract that information to be processed by an external tool, then this could be a first step to connect payments with an evaluation system... just an idea...

Or does woltlab has a shopping system or a similar system?

I think PayPal SDK is what u need - PayPal REST SDKs - PayPal Developer. You'd define the layout on the portal and use the sdk to send the payment (amount + duration + predefined message + recurrence)

All I have to add is Great Brainstorming Guys

We will work all of this out

ideas & theories are the way forward

Sorry for being a necromancer, but, I've already asked if it was OK to throw in my two cents anyway.

So the future of clan bases is on the line, then what's the facts? Facts are... Population is low, and running a server ain't free. It is clear that clan bases doesn't cut it anymore as there aren't enough people make clan bases a sustainable source of income, yet they don't actually cause any problems still being there that I'm aware of. There's probably somewhere close to a 150 systems to pick from where 10 of them is occupied or "held" supposedly in case of any veterans returning. To me, it's very noble of OP to keep a few pieces of history intact, even if nobody can access those bases. It gives me a peak into the past of how big this mod was, which is incredible.

I don't see a reason to change how clan bases work or how much they're paid for... Maybe, considering the population it'd be a welcoming change to lower the amount of resources it takes to build a base but that would probably be more work than it's worth. If you think about it though, back then there were probably 10 people shipping goods compared to today where one is lucky if there's 3 people shipping goods to construct the various modules.

What about a different source of income?

I think personal bases is the future. The foundation is already there with the clan bases, now just make 'em, smaller, cheaper, not as powerful... I haven't done any deep-dives into the other mods such as Discovery but I've tried it, and I remember they had personal bases in there - I just don't know to what extent they serve, but they've got the idea anyway. And I think the "admin station" sort of work they way I'm trying to picture here but I don't think I ever tried to launch one during my time as a GR.

A funny coincidence too, there's another game I usually return to on a regular basis, one that I have referenced almost as much as I've played it, Planetside-2.

While its main gameplay-loop is to shoot some noobs and take over continents by converting pieces of the interactive world-map, there is an entire gameplay-loop dedicated for those who doesn't enjoy the chaotic battlefields... Base building. You can spend hours just building a base and collect materials to construct new parts of the base, very much like how our Clan Bases work, except they're designed to be run by 1-2 people and they aren't permanent. The personal bases in Planetside-2 is modular too, which means you can help expand another players base to fortify its defenses, create more spawn points, construct vehicles or long-range weapons like orbital strikes. Some of the craziest bases I've ever seen in that game were run by an entire platoon (aprox 40 players) who kept expanding upon one players base.

Problem with this idea is of course that people could view this as pay-2-win depending on how the payment is laid out. But, I would personally be happy to contribute and pay to deploy a mobile spawnpoint knowing the money goes into even more development and server upkeep fees.
But why on earth would someone pay for bases in Crossfire when there's other mods which lets you build bases for free? Well that's where Crossfire's bases need to be different, and worth a few bucks.

And also, somewhat related to this... I would like to suggest OP to add an international payment service such as Payop, I know other private servers for games like WoW and Aion uses it and/or similar services, which makes paying a lot easier than having to deal with IBAN numbers. This payment service also have quiet a fitting name, doesn't it? PayOP