Okay, so we're actually finishing page 30 tonight, with a couple of lines on Computer Programming (no pun intended). The ship's computer controls everything (except the people), and is useful for improving the weapons fire accuracy, defensive systems, maneuvering and jumping, and pretty much everything else on board. But since the computer is limited in how many programs it can run at once, it can't do it all at the same time.
So, how it works is simple enough: Each level of computer has a maximum storage and maximum processing capability. Level 1 is limited to 4 programs in storage and 2 running at once (hence why laser return fire isn't going to be happening too often with one of those ships). Level 7 can hold 50 and run 20 at a time. Since there are only 17 different programs available, Level-7 systems can actually run everything at once. Of course, they also cost 60 million Credits, so don't expect to see too many of them floating around.
Now, a ship can be carrying more than its maximum storage; a Level-1 might have six or seven programs, but it can only store four at a time, and run two at a time, cycling the other two in as needed. It turns out that the Level-1 can handle laser return fire, since it only needs targeting and return fire programs. It just isn't going to be moving around much.
The computer reprogramming phase is when programs can be switched in and out of storage. So, that Level-1 computer isn't going to be very flexible in combat; there just isn't enough storage to handle surprises like that on the fly. It takes the entire turn to change computer storage files, but there doesn't seem to be a limit as to how many can be changed at once.
And now, we get to learn about the computer programs. They are divided up into defensive, offensive, and routine programs. First up, the defensive programs. These are Maneuver/Evade, Auto/Evade, and ECM.
Maneuver/Evade has six versions, depending on the maneuvering drive. No, wait...the computer's level determines the program's version. So, you could have a maneuvering drive rated for 3, but the computer can't handle one that powerful, so it's got a 1 instead. I think. Or, it could be related to the program's size in storage; none of them go higher than 4. This is confusing. I'll have to read it more carefully.
Hmm...going back for a quick read of page 13, there's no indication that the computer's level limits the ship's programming capability, other than the storage limit itself. So, if you've got a Maneuver/Evade 4 in a Level-1 computer, it can't handle any other programs because M/E 4 takes up 4 units, leaving no room for the computer to do anything else. Okay, that's clear enough.
Getting back to it, M/E adds a DM based on the pilot's expertise. It's a fraction of the pilot's skill, basically. It's useful, depending on how good the pilot is. Auto/Evade is similar, but it's a straight-up -2 DM. ECM is quite handy when someone is shooting missiles at you; during the laser return fire phase, if there are any missiles in contact with the ship (and about to explode), ECM can destroy them first on a 7 or better. Well, that's useful.
But of course, the best defense is a good offense. Target, Predict, and Gunner Interact are mentioned on this page; there will be more on the next page, I'm sure. Target is straightforward; it runs all the turrets, and is required for shooting everything except anti-missile fire and boat launches.
Predict is basically a tracking program that anticipates where the opponent ship is going to be. Basically, you get to lead your target. With laser fire. Which is a beam of light, and thus travels at a speed of 186 game inches per second. Or, since a turn is ten minutes, 111,600 inches in a turn. It's unlikely that ships are going to be moving at speeds where this is a factor, or even remotely close to that far apart; 186 inches is 15 feet. Unless you're running combat at relativistic on a grid the size of a small state; 111,600 games inches is more than a mile and a half.
Just what kind of games were the guys at GDW running, anyway? I wish I'd been there.
Alright, Gunner Interact and we're done for today. This basically just adds the gunner's skill level as a positive DM to hit with lasers. While leading them with the Predict program. Do you really need both? Unless you're insanely far away from them (186 inches, perhaps?), I doubt it.
And that wraps this page up. Tomorrow, more computer programs.
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