There's been talk for some time now of combining sector space into one large instance so that space feels more open and less restrictive, and that the game has fewer load screens. However, this hasn't happened yet for a few reasons, which are understandable.
- Lack of Time/Low Development Priority - Given the recent transfer of ownership to Perfect World Entertainment, this one is simply an unavoidable business problem that can't be resolved.
- Hardware Limitations - Each sector space instance requires a certain amount of server capacity/processing power, etc. The larger you make the instance, the more processing power is required. If you combine the entire sector space map, that's a much larger chunk of game space that has to be rendered all at once. Combine this with the increased number of players being rendered, and all of a sudden you have a nightmare. You would have fewer, larger maps, but more instances of said maps to accommodate all the players.
- Gaps in Sector Space - In the map below, notice the gaps between existing sectors. The gaps are there because that portion of sector space/those systems haven't been added yet. Until those systems and sectors are added to the game, it's impossible to have a one instance sector space map.
I can't fix problem number one, but I do have a proposed solution that will solve some of the aforementioned problems.
The Territory Solution
I propose that Cryptic combine sectors that make up each faction's holdings. As shown below in the red outlined sections, this would reduce the overall number of loading screens, increase the distance you can travel in sector space without transwarping, but avoid some of the above problems.
- There would be less concern over instancing. Each Territory would require less processing power to maintain, and allow for a larger number of players on the map at once, preventing 'empty galaxy syndrome' that you might have with one large map.
- Missing sectors? No problem. You just attach them to the appropriate faction territory when added. You'll still be loading between different factions territories anyway, so the gap between Sirius sector block and Bet Ursae isn't an issue.
- If you add in the sectors between Sirius and Cardassian space (which will happen eventually, since Betazed falls into that area of the galaxy), they become seamless with Federation Territories. NOTE: You'll still have a loading screen between Federation Territory and Cardassian Territory. This won't change, ever. This will go a long way towards improving performance server side.
- With respect to sectors that don't belong to a major faction, they would be their own instance. For example, Orellius isn't part of the Federation, so they would be their own instance with a loading screen, etc. The same would apply for Gamma Orionis as long as the borg control it, any future Ferengi holdings, Tholian holdings, etc. If it doesn't fall into one of the major factions, it would be a separate instance entirely. I simply haven't marked it on the map to make my point regarding major political boundaries.
Below I have a few pictures with my dumpy outlining job showing what I have in mind, with captions providing short descriptions.
The easiest solution in the short time, maintaining the very square sector blocks and not stepping on any sectors toes It would be a quick and clean solution in the short term. |
And lastly, the logical conclusion of explored space with respect to major faction territories. |