Ever since CIG published Multiple Package Clarification -->>> https://robertsspaceindustries.com/comm-link/transmission/13288-Multiple-Package-Clarification and since Calling All Devs and RTV this week - the concept of Agent Smithing (taking control of someone else's NPC) has been controversial. BENEFITS to Agent Smithing It allows you to play with your friend even if that friend is far off from the location of your main character. It allows you to more easily crew a larger capital ship with human players PROBLEMS with Vanilla Agent Smithing (with no refinement to the mechanic) It destroys the Reputation System - There is no consequence to the player controlling the NPC for loosing or gaining Reputation & as a Result people may abuse that NPC (and you could even kill your friend and steal his ship without any Reputation Consequence = could promote bad game play and create Drama among gamers). Drama = No Fun :disappointed: It offers no Reward for Time / Effort Played to the Player controlling the NPC - Many people like to play a game to see in-game progression of their character or wealth that they have created in-game. Since there is nothing to be gained by Vanilla Agent Smithing - people may prefer not to play with their friends with the time they have vested in the game (and rather pursue other missions for personal gain or development --- I don't personally worry about this but I know a lot of people that would). There are many other issues on the " And agent smithing is dead" thread by others - on -->>https://robertsspaceindustries.com/spectrum/community/SC/forum/3/thread/and-agent-smithing-is-dead The term Agent Smithing is a reference to the Matrix and as such has caused increased confusion about what CIG's intends for the mechanic - See RTV below ======================================================================================================================================== SOLUTION to Vanilla Agent Smithing is to turn it into Controlled Contracted NPCs Controlled Contracted NPCs (or CC-NPC) - is the same thing as the Agent Smithing mechanic as described by CR in video's below but it uses the in-game Contract System to solve the problems with Vanilla Agent Smithing ++ it uses a descriptive name that doesn't cause confusion :slightly_smiling_face: It maintains the Reputation System - If your main character enters into a contract with your friend's NPC then you can justify that the NPC is just following orders (you) as stipulated by the contract or new boss (you). The NPC will have its individual reputation tarnished if you do something stupid with the NPC - but because you contracted with the NPC your reputation is also affected by the NPC's action since they are operating under your direction. Similar to how CIG has explained that a Player can tarnish his / her Org's Reputation by doing something stupid. In both cases though the reputation gained / loss as a result of the NPCs action is diminished in comparison (but because it is there it is still influential) It offers Reward for Time / Effort Played to the Player controlling the NPC (in addition to the NPC) - the reward is derived through the contract terms Emergency Contracts - CIG could set up Emergency or Basic Contracts that doesn't require much in the way of initial preperation to play with your friend fast and easy (contract terms can be basic or resolved after the mission). Of course Defined Contracts can also be used before swapping into the NPC (and this allows a reputation check for your friend before you take over their NPC). --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Do you think Controlled Contracted NPCs is a fix for the problems with Agent Smithing (including replacing the confusing title of the mechanic)? If you have other ideas that add to this or a completely different idea on the game mechanic then post it on this thread - Thanks :slightly_smiling_face: ++++++++++++++ See beginning of RTV posted here + other videos / links in next post for reference..... +++++ See RTV 6/22/18 12:12m - CIG does expect that Contracts will set Expectations of how people will play within a group / party (enforced through the contract by the reputation system) :slightly_smiling_face: 18:35m - CIG also states that Contracts will set up individual rewards for a group / party..... but also will have an "Umbrella of Rules" that can be set up for most situations :slightly_smiling_face: 51:55m - CIG also states that there is no Distance Limits to setting up a group / party :slightly_smiling_face: :slightly_smiling_face: Actually CIG just resolved this per RTV today at 12:12m and 18:35m and 51:55m - they didn't specifically call out Agent Smithing but we now know per this RTV that Groups / Party system has no limit and neither does Contracts (nor a distance limit) -------- so YES --------- A contract within your Party / Group === CAN affect EVERYONE - so it would affect your Friend - their NPC - and your Main Character (as long as you classify them as a Party / Group - then the Contract applies to all). You can choose to opt. out of a Group / Party / Contract or kick someone out - but the mechanic does exist and it is governable - or using CIG's works like under an ""Umbrella"" ) :slightly_smiling_face: :slightly_smiling_face: This essentially puts an END to the debate since CIG is already heading in the directions of Groups / Party / Contracts governing the entire game (with NO carve outs = it is unlimited) :slightly_smiling_face: ++++++++ 10FTC Episode 83 and this statment back in 2016 backs up exactly what Calix (CIG) said in RTV on 6/22/18 Quote from CR below..... ......the reputation system will be a combination of your personal reputation with various groups that you come into contact will be influenced by groups you're a member of that you publicly admit to be a member of and we track it as you do things and go from there. So Distance / Agent Smithing / etc..... do not affect Reputation being Transferred by Group and per RTV 51:55m it is independent of distance as well (again just like the real world)