It seems like Quantum is a simulation on the backend that feeds Key Performance Indicators back into the game (similarly in Industrial engineering systems). In that regard, do you plan on using distribution curves (like NORM or GAMMA distributions) generated by the processing times for certain player and npc actions (like the virtual entities mining, trading etc.), to then integrate these curves into the game systems? Or would you start off by using fixed processing time values when Quantum is first implemented to make sure it functions smoothly across a star system (e.g. Crusader), or has this already been tested internally already?asked by Kalrati
TL;DRQuantum can run in real time or fast-forward to test future scenarios, and its detailed per-entity data can yield distributions like NORM or GAMMA, though the challenge is choosing which information to extract.
This is a very interesting question. First, we can use Quantum to balance the actual economy, by running it at real-time speed and feeding its data to the game, but also to test and validate future scenarios in advance by fast forwarding them in time to have an idea of their effects on the economy. Regarding the distribution curves, we can use directly the real-time price discovery data from the various entities (OHLC-Volume candles type for each product on the Bid and Ask side) from the Quantum simulation running in real-time. Another useful thing about Quantum is that it is a truly full simulation that is running, meaning that we can get data from each quanta individually if we wanted to. We can of course make NORM or GAMMA distributions out of that data, but we can tap into much greater detail if we want to. Each quanta live its own story in the simulation! Since there is so much happening in the simulation, the challenge is in finding the best way to get the relevant information from it. Aggregate type of information like distributions are interesting to get an overview, but another potentially even more interesting type of information is in investigating the behaviors of the Quanta. These behaviors can then help to feed the world with even greater details, like not only generating missions, but a whole backstory for the NPC that is fully synchronized with the economy.