Collective Connections; literally

posted on January 11th, 2010, 4:16 pm

For Voyager watchers, ever notice how Borg structures appear to be connected? E.g by a series of conduits?

Heres the Unicomplex: File:Unicomplex2.jpg - Memory Alpha, the Star Trek Wiki


Well here is my proposal. In order to fit in with the more traditional position of Borg stations, why not have them all joined together within some manner? Obviously this would require some thinking, but I would like to see it as an implemented feature 

For structures such as remote mining stations (e.g those separate from the main Unicomplex), they would be separate from the main hub, though if more than one structure is built within a certain range of the Station, e.g a turret, a physical connection would be connected between them.

Anyway, be sat on this idea for a few months, thought that now seeing the new updates out, time to think of future ones. 

posted on January 11th, 2010, 4:19 pm

I, and many people had that idea a while back, but one problem is if one is a "mother" station, then killing that would destroy all structures.

posted on January 11th, 2010, 4:23 pm

Well, that's what I thought too.

But, we could have it that structures have to be built a sufficient distance from each other, and they only receive a certain amount of damage if a 'mother' station is destroyed, Besides, with the new passive abilities, surely some could be implemented? 

posted on January 11th, 2010, 9:12 pm

Hard to accomplish I think, especially on smaller maps. All else has been said before 

posted on January 11th, 2010, 9:20 pm

maybe only have the main starbase (assim matrix) link up to the research centres (transmission and conduction i think), just for cosmetics. most people build their base in one spot. the links would have no real effect. or if people want, they can give a small bonus upon some research.

posted on January 11th, 2010, 9:29 pm

Ya, I was thinking simply aesthetics as well. So, I was sitting here wondering how we could do it so that destroying one station wouldn't destroy everything else as well, and I thought of this:

The FO team has already made it so that  stations have shuttle traffic, right? I'm pretty sure that as you expand your base, the shuttle traffic increases too, right? If not, forgive me, I haven't played in about a half a year, and I seem to remember seeing a shuttle go from one station. Could we not do similar with the Borg? Couldn't we make it so that once you build a station near enough to another station, that a connection is there as well? Making it similar to the animation that is currently there, but instead, just have them as non-moving physical beams?

posted on January 11th, 2010, 9:50 pm

In Earth 2160 the Eurasian Dynasty was able to build such complexes and each building was individually destroyable (a greater Complex did not lead to a unified hitpoint counter). Nice feature nevertheless

posted on January 11th, 2010, 9:51 pm

the main issue i could see is how much of the joining arm is destroyed with either building, or does the connection disappear instantly when either end dies. maybe combine the stations defense, meaning they are essentially one station. have it so that the combined defense is less than the sum of the separate defenses. meaning there's less overall defense but it will be longer before an enemy destroys anything.

posted on January 11th, 2010, 10:06 pm

It is possible to have a modular base like that with every station being connected, though there are several potential problems.

1) If the host base is destroyed, all others go with it (though I have a feeling this can be fixed in the odf.)
2) Unless each base has a 'pod' classlabel the AI will never construct modular style bases. I'm sure FO will find a workaround for that too... though I have a feeling it's very low priority for them right now.
3) Because of the size of Borg bases it would likely not fit well on certain maps because of the way they are designed.

posted on January 11th, 2010, 10:08 pm

yep we are working on a way to mimic the uni matrix looks for borg bases, but gameplay wise, we will keep seperated stations

posted on January 12th, 2010, 10:35 am

i was working on such connections for the borg stations as a proof of concept about one year back. it should be possible to connect those stations similar like in the show. just didn't have the time yet to continue working on that idea

posted on January 12th, 2010, 7:10 pm

You /could/ have a combined shield and hitpoints, that each structure contributes to ... but maybe only a limited number of these hard connects can be made from a nexus, though that nexus could upgrade (with significant cost ) more connection hardpoints.

posted on January 12th, 2010, 7:15 pm

You could make it so that borg stations must be built within a certain proximity of eachother and therefore interlock like the power grid requirements that limited the distance that you could build structures away from each other in the command and conquer games. However, this may be more annoying than anything... Considering there is no real need to have the stations interconnected except for cosmetic purposes.

posted on January 12th, 2010, 8:33 pm

You could make it so that borg stations must be built within a certain proximity of eachother and therefore interlock like the power grid requirements that limited the distance that you could build structures away from each other in the command and conquer games. However, this may be more annoying than anything... Considering there is no real need to have the stations interconnected except for cosmetic purposes.

eeeww.. dont remember me of the time when you would have to spam powerplants pointlessly just to build somewhere.. 
while i like the idea because i dont hink borg would use shuttles, i think taht the gameplay would be harmed..

posted on January 12th, 2010, 8:37 pm

eeeww.. dont remember me of the time when you would have to spam powerplants pointlessly just to build somewhere.. 
while i like the idea because i dont hink borg would use shuttles, i think taht the gameplay would be harmed..

Oh I totally agree... and I am not advocating this addition to the gameplay mechanic  I was merely making an observation. I am glad someone see's how terrible this 'could' be if done poorly and for the wrong reasons...

And you are correct, the borg probably wouldnt use shuttles as they can move large numbers of drones via transporter, rendering shuttles useless.