as the subject shows, I have an idea to implement tracking devices that could be plantable in cars, giving the owner a possibility to track it, if stolen, using a reciever. I realise there already was a similar suggestion, but if you read on, you'll realise this is different.
here's how I see it:
a tracking device would be buyable for, lets say, 10k caps. or/and craftable with a character with 100% science and 100% repair. using, for example: a super tool kit, 6 high quality alloys, 15 electronic parts, 8 good metal parts and 5 junk. by crafting or buying it, you would get 2 parts: a transmitter and a reciever
to fit the fallout universe standards, the transmitter should be rather big, so it can only be hidden in cars, not in items like weapons and armor ( or planted on someone using steal skill, but I doubt anyone would do this )
the transmitter and reciever would have a unique frequency that is not detectable by other recievers. transmitter would be hidden in a car's trunk ( you would also need some skill for that, for example a tool, 8 PER, 80% repair and 80% science ) the device would then be invisible to anyone who has less than 8 PER, 80% repair and science. but removing it should require more skill. lets say 100% of both and a super tool kit.
to remove the divice you would use scince on the trunk, and if you meet the requirements and get a succesful luck roll, you will see the device in the trunk so you can take it out and to whatever you want with it ( for example dissamble which should give some useful parts )
after the device is planted you would use the reciever and type a command ( like: /locate ) and you would get a message with information as follows:
- if the car is on the move, you don't get any information other than: "the device is in motion, the signal is unclear"
- if the car is parked somewhre in the wasteland, you get the location on your map and a radio message with the zone coordinates
- same thing iif it's parked in a town ( which is very unlikely )
now the interesting part:
- if the car was parked in a tent or a base, you also recieve the coordinates and location on map and you can go there (brining some friends along would be wise)
- if the car was sold to T-Ray in New Reno you recieve a message that the signal is weak but it seems like it's coming from New Reno
if you decide to go there and talk to T-Ray, you begin a quest:
you enter T-Rays office in the garage and catch him tinkering with your tracking device, if you have enough charisma (5?) you can convince him to tell you how he got it and what happened to the car. he would say that someone came here and sold this car to him, but he already gave it away to some mobsters he owed money to. then he would tell you their location (not far from Reno) for a price ( the price should be high enough so the loot from gangsters is not more valuable than the device and the money given to T-Ray, to avoid abusing) and you would be able to go there, kill them, and get your car back.
there should be about 10-15 gangsters, and they shouldn't be too easy to kill. so you need a friend or two to kill them.
congtratulations if you menaged to read the whole thing before starting a flame war. and yes, I realise this would need a lot of work and probably would be difficult to implement. also, I do think that there are different things to be done that are more important ( like removing the level cap or at least making it at a higher lvl )
anyway, what do you think?