I mentioned this in the Base Attack feedback, but it better belongs here as a suggestion. I had plenty of time to think this weekend and play through the EXP game. For the Base Attack feature, this occurred to me... Make the range configurable: 4m 8m (default) 16m 32m Make the hacking time configurable: 30 seconds 1 minute (default) 2 minutes 5 minutes And I think that might satisfy both folks who want the AI to have to get close to a Core before hacking it, and those who would like the AI to be able to hack a Core from a long distance. It also lets a player express how much time they have to stop a hacking attempt. Then, instead of having players destroy enemy cores, implement a hacking option (perhaps on the PDA screen) as two buttons: Locate Core Hack Core The Locate Core button searches for a Core within 1/2 the distance allow via the configurable range above. The distance is smaller because the Zirax use better technology. (It makes the player work harder.) It should take a few seconds to locate a Core. The Hack Core button is only active when a Core has been located. After the configurable hack time passes, the Core is converted to the hacker's faction. You should be unable to move/fight while hacking, or the hacking attempt is aborted if you do move/shoot. This would provide an explanation for what the Zirax are doing. Also, I hate having to carry around a Core when cracking POIs.
As a note, the player experience for attacking POIs is really changed should a long range be chosen. Players could conceivably hack a POI from the outside. (Just like the Zirax could.) Perhaps the player PDA only ever works at a max range of 2m. At that distance you can destroy a POI's Core with a placed charge regardless of how armored its shell is.
Alternately, have a core-hacking suit booster, with the number of boosters installed decreasing the time required and increasing the maximum distance.
I would LOVE to have a player tool for Hacking NPC cores, even other Player Cores, but to a different end result. Hacking NPC or Player cores should award either Tech Points or unlock a technology the hacked player has, or random technology for NPC cores. Alternatively, or after a considerable length of time spent core-hacking, the core could be turned off, rendering defenses inoperative, etc. While this wouldn't allow for access to locked doors and such, it would make it a bit safer to move about. There should be either a "cooldown" time, or the core could be re-enabled manually by NPC's or Players. Just my thoughts on this.
Unless it's an Admin Core, in which case, unless pre-damaged, it is invulnerable. There are plenty enough reasons to want to leave a core intact but disabled.