We did learn a lot from our experiences with Majesty, and the decision to give players the tools to create their own scenarios was born from those experiences. There will be two levels of play to suit different types of gamers, and a universe of options that run the gamut between the two. You can keep a surface or global level of colony management, but you also have the option to get in there and tweak many specific functions. This will include virtually infinite customizable resource allocations and directives that enhance or focus on specific aspects of the colony s development and management. Drones can be led around by beacons.
Different beacons have different functions.
The Borg don t value things in an aesthetic way. They consider things in terms of their usefulness to the survival and growth of the colony as a whole. The beacons allow the player a limited level of indirect control over the drones, so it comes down to what the colony needs at that time. For example, if the colony is getting pummeled by an alien force, beacons can help direct your defensive forces to protect more critical parts of the colony. There is certainly some similarity here to the Majesty reward flags, and I think that s what you re picking up on.