It's already in Retro 1.3.X5 with a few other experimental features -- the intent is to let the community play with it and see if they like it. I've been doing Retro testing with small groups (really, whoever happens to be on mumble...), so if you're around, I can get you an early copy. Otherwise, I should have a stable review/feedback version of D1 out in a day or so.
Personally, as a pilot . . . I'm kind of on the fence about quiet plasma.
On the plus side, I've played several games with it, and it
is at a nice volume level. Still loud enough to cover other noises, but the homing missile lock is now at least
possible to hear over it.
On the other hand, if plasma has always made it hard to hear that alarm . . . maybe that's how it should be, and falls under the rule "don't change anything". I don't mind changing things to resolve pain points we all have, but if it's down to just a few players and preference . . . maybe it isn't such a good idea. As DKH pointed out to me, once we start going down that road, it will be really, really hard to get us all to agree on anything. Probably the only thing we CAN all agree on is "don't change anything". Now, Lotharbot pointed out to me that perhaps plasma wasn't historically this bad, as I'm now hearing it through MUCH better headphones, so . . . . maybe. But I am still mostly suspicious. I see the benefit, but I'm just not sure it's worth the precedent.
So I guess my read as a pilot is that the current quiet plasma is, "Nice, harmless, but possibly not worth it." The only reason I'm on the fence about it is that I *do* really want (and want my opponents) to be able to hear the homing lock. That seems fair. I think the piloting community is getting better at the game, and that makes UI decisions that cause you to make stupid mistakes more painful. A single stray homer hit
matters more than it used to, and I'd like to give pilots every chance to make sure it happens for a good reason. (That's my story with the vulcan/energy/shield warnings, too . . .
)
As the Retro developer, I'm just kind of in wait-and-see mode with it. It's out there, we can try it, but the vibe I've gotten back from community playtesting so far is the same as my personal take -- seems harmless, but don't like the idea in principle.