The latest DDF proposal about fuel makes for interesting reading. DDF forum members voiced an opinion that they didn't like the original idea that whole units of fuel would be consumed for hyperjumps, just for reasons of development convenience; especially considering ships now have a deciated fuel tank, rather than just drawing on fuel in cargo. The developers came back with a modified proposal that meant fuel usage was more analog.
An interesting addition was that the relationship between fuel consumed and distance jumped is not linear; it follows a curve. How steep the curve will be is not decided, but the result will be that longer jumps will be less efficent than multiple, smaller jumps. This could have some interesting side effects:
- Depending on the steepness of the curve and the price of fuel, some trade routes could be noticeably less profitable if they are attempted in a single jump.
- Grades of fuel and other ship equipment which affect hyperdrive efficency will have their benefits amplified.
- Making players use more jumps increases the chance of them having interesting experiences (piracy!)
- An increased number of jumps will come with an increased chance of a misjump over the same amount of time (unless the chance of a misjump is adjusted).
- Instead of instantly reducing the quality of you fuel to that of what has been scooped efficiency can now be proportional to the volumes of different quality fuels in the tank.
Can you think of any other potential side effects?
