Agent Smithing in Star Citizen - Remote Controlled NPCs
Being able to control your friend's hired Non Player Character (NPC) is something that has been talked about in Star Citizen. The game does not allow fast travel - the ability for players to instantly travel across the game near instantly. To allow players to meet up during short play sessions, Chris Roberts has mentioned that it could be possible to take over another player controlled NPC for the duration of the gaming session. The original player's character would remain unaffected while the agent-smithed NPC will progress during the time it is under control.
Minute 10:00 of this video interview with MyRadar it is mentioned that players will be able to assume the role of the NPC character so they can play with friends who may otherwise be far across the galaxy.
In Reverse The Verse - A Wild Vulture Appears! it was again confirmed that being able drop in and out of your friend's NPCs is something that is planned for after the main features of the game are in.
Agent Smithing in Star Citizen - Remote Controlled NPCs
Minute 10:00 of this video interview with MyRadar it is mentioned that players will be able to assume the role of the NPC character so they can play with friends who may otherwise be far across the galaxy.
In Reverse The Verse - A Wild Vulture Appears! it was again confirmed that being able drop in and out of your friend's NPCs is something that is planned for after the main features of the game are in.
Aims of the "Agent Smithing" system
- Allows players to play together quickly in a universe where fast travel is not possible
- Player characters are not affected while the player has dropped into a friend's NPC crew member
- While in control of the NPC the player does not have access to his original characters inventory or funds
- Any progress, items or money made with the NPC will stay with the NPC
- The drop in drop out (aka "Agent Smithing") system will be scheduled after the main gameplay features are in and is not coming soon
Agent Smithing Questions and Answers
We have compiled some common questions people may have about the "Agent Smith" or NPC drop in - drop out system. These questions and answers are created by SCFocus Organization to 1) Keep track for our own strategic reasons (there's a lot of Star Citizen information to remember all of it) and 2) for readers who may want to find a comprehensive overview of this feature.
Why Does Star Citizen Need Players to "Agent Smith" NCPs?
Star Citizen takes place inside the Milky Way galaxy and possibly beyond. It will not be possible for players to change locations quickly by teleporting or other "fast travel" systems. The goal is for players to have to travel the universe and have the location matter.
This means that players who want to meet up with their friends will have to travel in the universe and meet at the locations to play together. Since players could be located hours or perhaps days of travel between each other, the drop in drop out (also known as Agent Smithing) system has been suggested. This would allow players who are located far from each other to still play together quickly.
When will Agent Smithing be released?
Agent Smithing overrides many of the gameplay features that have not been created yet. This means that it should make it into the testable game at some point significantly after NPCs are able to crew with players.