0. Make spawn mechanics more consistent.
1. Put limits on ship sizes or think of better ship weaponization paradigm.
2. Think through the combat mechanics on all levels.
3. Decide what the desired player experience should be.
In general, noobstomping is not happening because it happens, there's always a reason. Often it is because somebody spawned within a claimed sector of another empire.
Making enourmous ships is entertaining for sure, but after you've made it you start looking for its application. Theres' not much of application for a ship. And a big ship is most often just a big gun. What uses you can find for a gun?
I think this goes without saying that current combat mechanics are owerwhelmingly in favor of a developed empire. The higher quality resources you have, the better is your weapons, armor is essentially useless, and overall it is "who have laser rifles, wins".
As a summary of the abovementioned points, and in reference to "displeasure with being stomped out of existence", a game developer should make a decision, if they want a "hello kitty online" or a playable game of competition. If somebody is so displeased from being introduced into gameplay mechanics, there's always a neutral zone.
1. Put limits on ship sizes or think of better ship weaponization paradigm.
2. Think through the combat mechanics on all levels.
3. Decide what the desired player experience should be.
In general, noobstomping is not happening because it happens, there's always a reason. Often it is because somebody spawned within a claimed sector of another empire.
Making enourmous ships is entertaining for sure, but after you've made it you start looking for its application. Theres' not much of application for a ship. And a big ship is most often just a big gun. What uses you can find for a gun?
I think this goes without saying that current combat mechanics are owerwhelmingly in favor of a developed empire. The higher quality resources you have, the better is your weapons, armor is essentially useless, and overall it is "who have laser rifles, wins".
As a summary of the abovementioned points, and in reference to "displeasure with being stomped out of existence", a game developer should make a decision, if they want a "hello kitty online" or a playable game of competition. If somebody is so displeased from being introduced into gameplay mechanics, there's always a neutral zone.