Niantic: Fix the Kinetic Capsules!
This is standalone stuff about existing issues with the existing Kinetic Capsule process.
1) We need empty kcap sorting, based on number of programs left.
If I have an abundance of kinetic capsule, I might want to use one that already has 2 uses, so it'll disappear when done. If I'm saving up for a plan or op, I might avoid kcaps with only one use now, so I'll have the maximum later.
It should be my choice, but Niantic chooses randomly.
2) Sort the programs. When I open a kinetic capsule, I should see all the mod programs together, and weapon programs grouped. ESPECIALLY as more programs are added.
3) EVERY kinetic capsule should show which program it's running, not just kcaps in progress. IOW: Add the ability to know what's in a completed kcap without opening it.
You can tell what's in it when it's still cooking. But when it matures, you can't tell. You might want to wait until you need it, to collect it, increasing your inventory. And you might have several completed, unclaimed capsules with different items.
4) Allow more kinetic capsules running at a time.
Suggestion: start with 8, Ingress's favorite number. Then +1 for each recursion.
5) Some kinetic capsule formula are too expensive.
- 3 rare mods PLUS 3 resos is too expensive for one VR. It should just cost 2 rare.
- 40 L4 resos is too expensive for 8 L8s. It should cost 20 L4s.
6) More formulas for kinetic capsules. See https://community.ingress.com/en/discussion/20933/new-kinetic-capsule-program-suggestions#latest
7) Put kcaps in the store. (I wouldn't buy them, but some people want to. Because Niantic limits on how many can run at once, purchasing doesn't bother me.)
8) Add a kcap badge.
Maybe give the kcap badge the same numbers as Trekker - Bronze: 10, Silver: 100, Gold: 300, Platinum: 1000, Onyx: 2500 (but 2000 would be better IMO). Multiples kcaps can run at once, and it's not always 8k to complete.
9) Allow us to drop kinetic capsules to each other. From @Shogun79@Shogun79
10) Allow us to rename capsules while they're in process. From @MontyBishop@MontyBishop
Everyone: What can be done to improve the kinetic capsule experience?
Comments
Nr.7 was announced in the post about qcaps retiring...
2000 CMU I believe they will cost
Nr.3.: Set a Kcap name while a program is running. A good name might remind you what the program is and how many uses are left. Besides that, the named pieces won't mix with the unused ones.
8 is something I really want.
8) is WAY too low.
probably more Bronze: 10, Silver: 100, Gold: 1000, Platinum: 2500, Onyx: 5000 .
platinum and onyx shouldn't be too easy
Oh, thanks for the quotation, but Kcap renaming is not a mere suggestion, it's already available and makes things easier 😀
Some players are always going to have high values before a badge comes out. That doesn't mean it's too low. When Trekker came out, I had Onyx immediately, because I already had the distance. Badges should always be based on the time a "new player" takes to complete it. Not an existing player wanting more because they're already at Platinum.
yes but quantum are pretty new, with rKC 2k is pretty easy
Back when Recon came out, and we questioned the numbers, I was told "Onyx should take a focused player around a year".
You can complete 5 capsule cycles a day, 7 capsules per cycle, for 35 completions a day. (Ignoring current bug, and not including special events)
For the "perfect player" that's : 365 * 35 = 12,775.
However, no-one is walking 40kms a day, and very few would be doing 20kms a day every single day. 5000 is not a bad number for a year's worth of effort for someone who is regularly starting off multiple capsules. We don't need more impossible badges or rewards that divert from main gameplay. So (after doing the calcs) the numbers you mentioned above seem reasonable for the playerbase.
When starting a new program, I want to be able to select whether I want one with 1, 2, or 3 uses left.
Renaming unused capsules will unstack them, even if you name them all "1 use", "2 use", or '3 use". Twenty empty kcaps will go from 1 item to scroll past, to 20 items you have to scroll past - to get to your regular capsules (or Qcaps). This is bad.
Here are 4 ways Niantic might code this.
1) Continue to make us label them all manually, but collapse (stack) empty capsules with the same name. (Please make renaming take fewer taps.)
2) Instead of stacking ALL together, have a stack for kaps with 1 use left, another stack for 2 uses left, and another stack for 3. This will be 3 things to scroll past when looking for a regular capsule, but that's better than 20+.
3) Stack all unused kcaps. When the user clicks manage, show number of uses on each kcap on the next page, and let them select one. (We'd need an "Open" feature where there is currently only "Recycle")
4) Stack all unused kcaps. When the user clicks manage, have an intermediate page that shows kcaps with uses left, where the user can select the one they want. OR they can press "Continue" to go to the Recycle screen.
I like option 2!
Remember, when every Qcap creates a Kcap - we'll be swamped with empty kcaps.
1) No we don't need this. Nice to have but not needed.
2) Don't need this either.
3) Pretty essential to see what is cooking.
4) Current limit is best.
5) The vast majority of items being cooked are way too cheap. In fact, IMO, there should be ZERO Very Items craftable with Rare KCs
7) Already going to happen.
8) A KC badge could be useful
9) Dropping Kinetic Capsules would continue to break the game economy, which is already pretty broken
What we do need is to be able to know when a KC is complete, what was cooked inside.