Increase NPC's when server population is low

[Sparkydog]

There are times of the day when the population is low and its hard to find a player to fight- would it be possible to increase NPC traffic at these times to give us something to fight against? Maybe even mix up NPC ship classes more than usual?  If I log in the last few hours before server reset- sometimes I can't find any NPC's or players-- and I either log off or fall asleep.  To have things to do during slow periods might aid in player retention or encourage players to log in at off times for a different experience.  I am not sure if this would be difficult to program or not.  

[Macjimm]

I think that there are always NPCs to fight somewhere on the map.  Perhaps you need to establish an outpost close to a high density NPC area, stock the warehouse with repairs, dock a few extra ships,  and then you can look foward to lots of battles close to the port.  The following is an example of what I saw tonight.  This list does not include friendly NPCs.  In eleven minutes I saw 9 ships (not including fleet ships).

09:42hr log on  (15 minutes before server maintenance)

09:43hr report, as I hailed passing friendly ship, of Enemy Le Requin and 4th Rate close

09:46 sighted Enemy lynx

09:46 sighted NPC Pavel

09:47 sighted NPC Pavel

09:48 sighted NPC Frigate w 2 Fleet

09:48 sighted NPC Trader Brig

09:49 sighted NPC Wapen w 1 Fleet

09:50 sighted NPC T Snow

09:50 sighted NPC Trincomalee w 12 fleet

09:51 sighted NPC St Pavel w 2 Fleet

09:53 hurried back to port 

09:56 sighted NPC Essex w 10 fleet just outside of the port.

I could have sailed other locations and saw no ships.  Not even a friendly ship, or an allied player.  But this diversity is what makes the open world of NA facinating and colourful.  A map that is varied is colourful.  If the whole map was filled with NPCs everywhere the game would be uninteresting.   If the whole of this virtual world is the same everywhere it would be bland and boring.  Variety is the spice that adds flavor.  Everything is not the same.  Some areas are thick with NPCs.  Other spots are empty.

Edited October 19, 2019 by Macjimm

[contact]

My limited experience has found it good to have one or two outposts in areas on the borders with other nations.

Seem to find more NPC’s there.

I feel do have stray into enemy waters for best results.

[contact]

My limited experience has found it good to have one or two outposts in areas on the borders with other nations.

Seem to find more NPC’s there.

I feel do have stray into enemy waters for best results.

There are of course kill missions available at all the ports.

[Sparkydog]

Of course you can find some NPC's somewhere on the map at all times- my point was that you increase NPC's when population is at 200 and decrease NPC levels when population is at 700.  Not sure if its easy to do or not.