Anyway I can see the other side of the argument, I'm just saying, all the other top shelf extremely powerful fuck you forever tech is kind of difficult to use.
Can you really trust random joe baka sectech wiz with the knowledge that you have a highly illegal piece of tech? What if he just rats you out to the WJF? etc etc.
Perhaps operating the tool can work in a way that with no skill it's inaccurate a third of the time so if your target is moving you're basically screwed (on the fly tool) and if they're not you're going to be operating it like the fool you are and spending a bit of time homing on in whoever it is that you're trying to locate.
With the relevant skill that could make the above irrelevant and prove true in results from the start depending on skill/stats as far as pinging the exact location every time. That would offset the cost of such a pricey tool being completely useless to those without the relevant skill but still provides more roleplay and opportunities for those with the invested skill the tool is dependant on for accurate results.
Roycethe59: agreed. I like the idea of these characters having to expand their networks with some technical experts to do Crimes better. I personally think the price is still fine for what it does. It's not a huge hurdle and the utility should be well worth it still.
Introducing more situations especially in high risk scenarios where you -need- someone who can do a specific thing would help put the spotlight on other archetypes, especially in the Mix where they tend to be undervalued.
I'm 100% with Vera here. Without derailing the thread entirely, I think it goes without saying that most non-combat archetypes are undervalued to say the least, especially some of the tech-oriented ones, which is funny considering the theme of the game, and this seems like a prime way to tweak that a little. This doesn't seem like something you should be able to do without some skill, I don't care how simple the interface on the tool seems to be ICly or how expensive it is. The Grid / grid hacking 'interface' isn't complex but it has basically 3 skills involved, so. Making IRL comparisons is silly, we're talking game balance here.
The built-in drawback of SIC tracking is that, unless you're a corporate entity with access to such equipment like the WJF, you invest [insert extremely high amount of chyen] into a piece of equipment that you can then easily lose or have stolen. That's already a gigantic investment up front. Making it harder to use is just tacking more cost onto ownership when it's already expensive to begin with.
Secondly, to echo Villa, the whole point of it is that it's a tool that doesn't require any skill to use. Does a SatNav require skill? Isn't it doing the same thing? When I buy a SIC tracker, I don't want you to give me graph paper and a protractor and tell me good luck, I want a piece of technology that does something I can't. There's zero complication in how it works: it takes an input, it gives you output.
As far as using skilsofts go, one could work around that a little by requiring a combination of skills to use something like this?
For example:
Step 1: A cracking or secure tech check to get this illicit triangulator onto the network without it being detected and the authorities alerted of it's location.
Step 2: An electro tech or systems check to enter the needed data into the triangulator.
Step 3: A forensics or programming check to interpret the data and isolate the SIC signal from the 70 million other SIC signals.
Sure, a socket has three slots (which I personally feel is too many) but this would increase the investment one would have to make if they want to avoid bringing another player into their RP.
To be honest, I'd rather see a cheaper triangulator (which PCs might be more willing to expose to other players) that requires high skill levels and then put the high price of operating it one one's own (without the needed skills) int the skillsofts. Then one has a choice when they buy the new, shiny triangulator - do I invest 300K to buy the needed skillsofts or hire a techi for much less to operate it for me?
Just my first thoughts on the matter! They may very well be quite flawed.
All powerful items are cool but if they just stay behind locked doors and rarely change hands - they're better served as a high end skill for people who pick up an archetype outside of combat monkey and I really think deckers need the love.
Some people will probably bypass this with skillsofts, but we don't have 10 players online max anymore and we all know a handful of tech-focused newbie characters who dropped off the game because they didn't have much to do. Live a little and hire a dude.
All powerful items are cool but if they just stay behind locked doors and rarely change hands - they're better served as a high end skill for people who pick up an archetype outside of combat monkey and I really think deckers need the love.
This.