Er, what?

Umm... Mines are pretty big in real life (seriously, look them up on google), and in Sins they are as well. I'm not exactly sure what your complaint is anyway. Sometimes you have to sacrifice realism for gameplay. If the mines were smaller, you'd have trouble seeing them. But in any case, the current size is good. Not sure why you're complaining so, to quote:

Er, what?

Edit:

If you're talking about the new defensive mines, please say so. Otherwise, everyone thinks you're talking about the resource mines.

I'm an idiot, wasn't thinking there, yes defensive mines. And I think you should have to zoom ALL the way in to see them. Even better if some were invisible it would bring unexpected tension to the battle. The video I have seen on Gamespy has a capital ship flying right passed the mine and it was a least as tall as the ship was.

I'm withholding judgement until i've seen the final product. Getting mines right is tricky in a space sim with any semblance of scale (which sins most definently has). Until we know more, its really hard to say if mines need changed based on a few vids taken from betas, especially since its likely that given the digital distribution plan, Ironclad and Stardock can continue refining the game considerably longer than they could if they had to get everything ready for physical distribution.

Wouldn't the real purpose of the mine field be to slow an advancing fleet?  As such they are not really there to do damage to ships, but to slow them down by forcing them to move around these obstacles and to prevent enemy ships from moving in close to defensive structures.  A good amount of fighter protection and mine belts around defensive positions could be very useful.  Kind of like Agincourt in space.  Also to deny siegecraft easy access to bombard planets as they have to get in close as well.  Blocking exits into or out of gravity wells allowing players to set traps.  Parking your lrms or carriers behind a mine field also comes to mind.

Ought to be a lot of fun.

It's the size of them, I'm troubled with....they are the size of cities. How can a mine be the same size a most of the frigates?

Hehe...the one we zoomed in on?

If everyone thinks trade ship sized mines are correct, then its me.

Maybe he is overreacting but he has a point. Mines could use a graphical overhaul. Like industial style for TEC, beautiful cupolas with lots of lights inside for Avent and someting hive like for Vasari a small suggestion. The mines are pretty functional but they are no eyecatchers to be honest.

That's the idea there mines!

I haven't played the Beta, but judging from what you guys are discussing I would have to agree if the mines are big as cruisers or capital ships I would have to say thats too big. A mine is a nothing but a pure explosive. If a Mine is the size of a capital or a cruiser, it would completly destroy whatever it hits I would think, unless they loaded it with salt -peter heheh. Second if they were that big it wouldn't be as believable that it requires scouts to see them. Example:

Capital ship has a large number of crew, unless they are blind, somebody is bound to see a huge floating explosive in space.

"Look captain a huge Mine!!!" (Points out window at large capital ship sized object)

*Capital Ship ship captain* "Don't worry I'm sure its nothing, just watch out for enemy ships"

"But captain is says 'Danger! Mine!' on the side!"

*Capital Ship Captain* "Like I said nothing to worry about, Just ram through it"

"But -" KABOOOOOOM!!!!!!

If they are smaller like trade frigate sized or less i could see how they would be missed in the heat of battle, and scouts would have the designated task of finding mines. Sort of like how carriers have the designated task of carrying fighters, and support frigates have the job of repairing or supporting freindlies. But these are just my opinions.

If however they are actually smaller than a trade frigate, as it was said they were zoomed in, then I believe they are the right size.

I dunno how anyone could think about something else than mines.

Extractors are Extractors, mines are mines. Wth.

Anyway, it would be better if mines were small and in "clouds", not few big balls. Instead of making one ovesized mine, I would suggest putting in a little cluster of five (or so) much smaller mines. Those small clusters would blow together with exactly the same effect, would be considered one object but would give it a more realistic feel to minefields, which would look like huge deadly clouds. Something like fighters - they are not one frigate-sized fighter per carrier flying around, but an undividable group. Yes, fighters have separate HP counts, but we don't really need that for mines.
Also, it would make more sense that a cap ship crew can not see the minefield if it consists of 100 tiny objects instead of 20 big red balls with warning signs on them.

The TEC are the only race with Large mines