Community Event / Creation Buckyball Run A*: What do you do when a mountain is there? Move it.

[Alec Turner]

Thanks. That's actually a really good question, because of a couple of things. When Rankaze mentioned during his run that people were suiciding back to civilization, I had this odd mental picture of all these self-destructed ships littered around a supermassive black hole. Reminded me of the problem with Mt. Everest: there's no garbage disposal or even body disposal up there, so the oxygen bottles and bodies and various other detritus piles up.

With Shadow Lurk, I've already had damage to the ship, to the point that I've already had one equipment malfunction. I'm not sure the ship could survive the trip back. So my thought as I was getting closer to Sag A* was that I would suicide back. Problem is, what I found once I made it was that, if a ship is good enough to get you to Sag A*, it should be given the opportunity to get you back. So I'm going to at least try.

Good, I like that. Best of luck with getting back, people say it's harder. I don't know about that but it's certainly a different challenge. The difference between how far you can travel in 15hrs of focused racing compared to how far you can go in a typical period of leisurely exploring is astonishing. It's been nearly 2 weeks now and I'm still about 20000ly from Sol! My advice is to pick daily targets (black holes, nebula, netutron star fields, etc) and focus on those. Stop to smell the roses basically! Plus it gives everyone else plenty of time to iron out all the PowerPlay bugs

 

[Rankaze]

Thanks. That's actually a really good question, because of a couple of things. When Rankaze mentioned during his run that people were suiciding back to civilization, I had this odd mental picture of all these self-destructed ships littered around a supermassive black hole. Reminded me of the problem with Mt. Everest: there's no garbage disposal or even body disposal up there, so the oxygen bottles and bodies and various other detritus piles up.

With Shadow Lurk, I've already had damage to the ship, to the point that I've already had one equipment malfunction. I'm not sure the ship could survive the trip back. So my thought as I was getting closer to Sag A* was that I would suicide back. Problem is, what I found once I made it was that, if a ship is good enough to get you to Sag A*, it should be given the opportunity to get you back. So I'm going to at least try.

You, too, huh?

I couldn't blow mine up after she'd served me so faithfully on the journey there. So now she's a hangar queen in Galileo until the next time her services are needed.

On another note, for the first time today I am glad our thread was moved. Dangerous Discussion has turned into a toxic waste dump .

 

[Syko Esquire]

Going to have to scratch my run. The universe is still too unstable, even after today's patch. I got +/- 4,000Lys out, had a few server drops. The last drop took me all the way back to SOL. Not bad time, but will have to make an attempt at a later date when stability improves. Just as a travel advisory to all explorers, you may not make your intended travel destinations due to this issue, but on a lighter note they let me keep all the wear and tear on my ship, score!. o7

 

[Ekol Tieja]

Hey isn't getting to the start position now immensly more dangerous, if you happen to have pledged to someone nonfederal? Both Sol and Wolf 359 are exploited by the murderous Zachary..

 

[Rankaze]

Hey isn't getting to the start position now immensly more dangerous, if you happen to have pledged to someone nonfederal? Both Sol and Wolf 359 are exploited by the murderous Zachary..

Yup. But what's a Buckyball without being chased by the Feds?

 

[Raiko]

Hey isn't getting to the start position now immensly more dangerous, if you happen to have pledged to someone nonfederal? Both Sol and Wolf 359 are exploited by the murderous Zachary..

This is actually my problem with Powerplay in general.

I'm wondering what effect it will have on Buckyballs, although not necessarily for this race as ElectricZ could probably find a different alternate system than Wolf 359 if necessary.

I'm curious of the impact on future checkpoint-race Buckyballs, for example BB-6 would have been interesting if run now, racing between three independent systems next door to the three Major Faction capitals... presumably all now exploited systems.

I'm not planning to commit to a faction for the moment, although I might have done if there really had been an exploration based one.

 

[Hanekura Shizuka]

This is actually my problem with Powerplay in general.

I'm wondering what effect it will have on Buckyballs, although not necessarily for this race as ElectricZ could probably find a different alternate system than Wolf 359 if necessary.

I'm curious of the impact on future checkpoint-race Buckyballs, for example BB-6 would have been interesting if run now, racing between three independent systems next door to the three Major Faction capitals... presumably all now exploited systems.

I'm not planning to commit to a faction for the moment, although I might have done if there really had been an exploration based one.

Actually, it did bring up an idea. Is there a place where a Buckyball Run can be suggested? The idea is this: Sign up for a faction; any faction is acceptable, but faction allegiance is necessary. Start at one of 10 stations, each located in a different faction's territory. Go to each of those stations, then back to your starting location. Record your fastest possible time. There's actually some pretty complicated math behind the problem (look up "Traveling Salesman Problem" for an idea) as well as piloting skill in avoiding interdiction.

 

[Esvandiary]

Actually, it did bring up an idea. Is there a place where a Buckyball Run can be suggested? The idea is this: Sign up for a faction; any faction is acceptable, but faction allegiance is necessary. Start at one of 10 stations, each located in a different faction's territory. Go to each of those stations, then back to your starting location. Record your fastest possible time. There's actually some pretty complicated math behind the problem (look up "Traveling Salesman Problem" for an idea) as well as piloting skill in avoiding interdiction.

Hah, nice idea...

Meanwhile... It might be time to brace yourselves; something is in the works...
Seriously though don't stay up waiting for it, I can't finish it until EZ returns from sipping drinks on a beach with Bucky and does the Big Board update

 

[Takaru Minari]

So at the moment, the servers are instable, if you're non-federally aligned you start in hostile territory and GalMap has become even worse? Sounds like conditions could hardly be worse.

So naturally, I'm already 1000 light years from Sol heading straight for Sadge in my Diamondback Scout.
The fuel scooping takes forever, I've already lost connection twice and Lady Luck has abandonded me as I've already had to replot twice for unscoopables in this short time.

I think the universe is going to have to try a little harder if it wants to stop a Buckyballer.

 

[Rankaze]

Actually, it did bring up an idea. Is there a place where a Buckyball Run can be suggested? The idea is this: Sign up for a faction; any faction is acceptable, but faction allegiance is necessary. Start at one of 10 stations, each located in a different faction's territory. Go to each of those stations, then back to your starting location. Record your fastest possible time. There's actually some pretty complicated math behind the problem (look up "Traveling Salesman Problem" for an idea) as well as piloting skill in avoiding interdiction.

Well, BBR7 was a scramble race, where you had to stop at seven out of ten possible stations and then come back to the start point. But it was a short-distance race, designed to let the small ships compete for once. So... it was working on the same idea of finding the best route, but it was more about SC times than hop counts.

 

[FoxTwo]

I'm wondering what effect it will have on Buckyballs, although not necessarily for this race as ElectricZ could probably find a different alternate system than Wolf 359 if necessary.

I'm curious of the impact on future checkpoint-race Buckyballs, for example BB-6 would have been interesting if run now, racing between three independent systems next door to the three Major Faction capitals... presumably all now exploited systems.

I'm not planning to commit to a faction for the moment, although I might have done if there really had been an exploration based one.

Buckyball Runs have always thumbed its nose at politics, and have taken place (as far as possible) away from any political activities. I'm sure future Buckyballs will be held in similar locations.

With Powerplay, some players may be very far along in their allegience and thus be hostile to whatever other factions controlling that space.. but that is still the player's choice. You can't hold Bucky responsible for that because most OTHER people would not find that place hostile, just you.

Just like the current one before powerplay - if you were an Empire supporter and had progressed so far along Empire ranks to make Fed space all hostile, it's just you. Not everyone is hostile to Feds. So yeah it's on you to make it to the starting point at Sol or Wolf 359.

At least that is how I see it.

Actually, it did bring up an idea. Is there a place where a Buckyball Run can be suggested? The idea is this: Sign up for a faction; any faction is acceptable, but faction allegiance is necessary. Start at one of 10 stations, each located in a different faction's territory. Go to each of those stations, then back to your starting location. Record your fastest possible time. There's actually some pretty complicated math behind the problem (look up "Traveling Salesman Problem" for an idea) as well as piloting skill in avoiding interdiction.

You can suggest direct to EZ at his website - www.electricz.net. But whatever you have written above has already been done, but I bet EZ will remove that requirement about signing up for a faction. As mentioned above, Buckyball Runs are kinda like "lowest common denominator" runs... people without allegiance and without a "good" ship can join.... hence Sidewinder class (default free ship).

AT BEST, we may need to pick up a carton or 2 of illegal items (In BBR4 here) during the run and to cross the finish line with that in the cargo hold and avoid scans. That's about it. No other requirement that you must be a Federation Lackey or an Empire Stooge or an Aisling Admirer etc required. Point being, no lasting consequences. Once you pay off the fine you're clean and clear. Having to pledge allegiance just to race in a Buckyball is too much - the player will have a harder time getting out of that faction (7-day cooling period, BH coming after you etc) once the race is over.

So the main point is that Buckyballs will always be accessible to everybody, and will not require any special allegiance or ships to take part in.

 

[Rankaze]

Buckyball Runs have always thumbed its nose at politics, and have taken place (as far as possible) away from any political activities. I'm sure future Buckyballs will be held in similar locations.

With Powerplay, some players may be very far along in their allegience and thus be hostile to whatever other factions controlling that space.. but that is still the player's choice. You can't hold Bucky responsible for that because most OTHER people would not find that place hostile, just you.

Just like the current one before powerplay - if you were an Empire supporter and had progressed so far along Empire ranks to make Fed space all hostile, it's just you. Not everyone is hostile to Feds. So yeah it's on you to make it to the starting point at Sol or Wolf 359.

At least that is how I see it.

PowerPlay is sort of interesting in that any given corner of space, if it is under the sway of any particular faction, is hostile to anyone in any Power that is not aligned to your Major Faction. So Sol, for example, is Hostile to members of 8 of 10 Powers.

It could be argued that any system controlled or exploited by a Power is hostile territory for a majority of players.

Not that I care. I'm pledged to Arissa, but that won't stop me from flying to Sol if I have a reason to make another run! Like I said, what's a Buckyball without being chased by the Feds? And it won't keep me from wherever the next one is held, either. Unfortunately, the ridiculous interdiction rates that come with being pledged to a Power may remove any hope of winning, but I won't let it stop me from running.

Not like I've ever been a contender anyway!

 

[FoxTwo]

PowerPlay is sort of interesting in that any given corner of space, if it is under the sway of any particular faction, is hostile to anyone in any Power that is not aligned to your Major Faction. So Sol, for example, is Hostile to members of 8 of 10 Powers.

It could be argued that any system controlled or exploited by a Power is hostile territory for a majority of players.

You are assuming "the majority of players" here to mean "players who have pledged to a faction", not truly "majority of the players".

EDIT:
I am of the opinion that there will be MORE players un-aligned to any faction than there will be for any of the factions Simply from the observation that Powerplay seems to interest those who are MMO-centric/PvP-centric in their interests. The rest of us (explorers mostly, some mercs and traders) probably have no interests whatsoever.

I am not pledged to any faction, have no plans to pledge to any of them, and none of the space is hostile to me I go where the money is, and my loyalty is valid until the end of the current contract

 

[drakhyr]

The fact that pledging to a power means most others are hostile to you is exact
exactly why I do not intend to pledge to a power. Especially since I am not likely to want to do the grind to get a high rank with a power, the benefits from pledging don't outweigh this significant downside. I want to be free to race anywhere

 

[FoxTwo]

The fact that pledging to a power means most others are hostile to you is exact
exactly why I do not intend to pledge to a power. Especially since I am not likely to want to do the grind to get a high rank with a power, the benefits from pledging don't outweigh this significant downside. I want to be free to race anywhere

Hahah actually I plan to pledge myself to a faction to test this out. It appears that the behaviour in LIVE is different from Beta (ie most other factions NOT hostile was my experience in Beta). Of course after my tests I will leave the faction but I will not need to worry as I will be a few thousand LYs "out there" before I click "LEAVE FACTION" and I'll be out for a few weeks exploring

 

[Raiko]

Hahah actually I plan to pledge myself to a faction to test this out. It appears that the behaviour in LIVE is different from Beta (ie most other factions NOT hostile was my experience in Beta). Of course after my tests I will leave the faction but I will not need to worry as I will be a few thousand LYs "out there" before I click "LEAVE FACTION" and I'll be out for a few weeks exploring

Ha, yes I'm actually considering doing the same thing since I'm primarily an explorer/tourist. I have noticed that leaving a power and waiting out the cooldown time doesn't seem to be as bad as defecting directly to another power.

I also didn't realise that high major faction ranks made 'the enemy' hostile, I'm friendly/allied to the three major factions and only have the lowest naval rank with the Feds and the Empire. The highest I can ever imagine progressing at the moment would be to Baron in order to access the Clipper, but I've only recently progressed to the stage where such a ship is affordable to me.

The "all other powers hostile" thing is my biggest problem with PP, it seems an unrealistically chaotic political landscape - even Game of Thrones has a sea of shifting alliances, but this just seems to be about pvp.

In the absence of an exploration power I'll probably pledge for one of the Imperial Princesses at some stage, as I enjoyed the stories of the Imperial CGs so far and don't like Senator Petraeus.

(The Sirius Corp power is unusable by explorers as you'd need to constantly complete trade missions to gain/maintain the Rank 5 requirement of the Exploration Data bonus - plus I don't like the 'corporate domination' politics).

I do agree with Rankaze that having some powers hostile to you would add to the excitement of a Buckyball, and we normally dock the same way that smugglers do anyway. I just really think they need an alliance mechanic within Powerplay.

I shall be at Buckyball-8 regardless of what I eventually decide to do about Powerplay.

 

[mw_aurora]

I have been testing magic numbers this morning and the most glaring thing is that the map is far from idle when you are just sat looking at it...

Sat doing nothing in the cockpit - 9% processor usage (core 1), 60 fps

Spoiler

Sat doing nothing in the map, nothing selected - 82% processor usage (core 1), 15 fps

Spoiler

When planning a route, it basically pushes core 1 to 100% and sits there till complete (as I would expect).

I didn't expect ED to be hammering the single processor it seems to use, just displaying the map.


I currently have left ED sat in the map to see if it settles down or not...I'll update later (UPDATE - 1hr 45 mins and still at 80% - I think that is default state...)


EDIT: added some details to make it a bit clearer (I hope!)
2nd EDIT: gave up after 1h 45 mins - clearly the map is doing something important...wish I knew what

 

[Alec Turner]

I have been testing magic numbers this morning and the most glaring thing is that the map is far from idle when you are just sat looking at it...

Sat doing nothing in the cockpit

Spoiler

View attachment 43008

Sat doing nothing in the map, nothing selected.

Spoiler

View attachment 43007

Route planning basically pushes the first core to 100%

I currently have left ED sat in the map to see if it settles down or not...I'll update later.

I'm not sure if this is what you're talking about but there was a significant change with 1.3 in that exiting the map no longer cancels route plotting. For example, if you elect to plot a route where the magic number is slightly off and it gets stuck doing the 98% plot thing, previously you could come out of the galactic map to cancel that plot and try somewhere else. Now, it continues it's futile attempt to complete the plot even back in cockpit view, crushing the framerate and thus making it very difficult to cancel that plot and try a different one (basically all you can do is go back to the galaxy map and select a different route plot, e.g. to a neighbouring system, in order to cancel the first one). This has been reported and FD have said they're working to address this problem.

 

[mw_aurora]

I'm not sure if this is what you're talking about but there was a significant change with 1.3 in that exiting the map no longer cancels route plotting. For example, if you elect to plot a route where the magic number is slightly off and it gets stuck doing the 98% plot thing, previously you could come out of the galactic map to cancel that plot and try somewhere else. Now, it continues it's futile attempt to complete the plot even back in cockpit view, crushing the framerate and thus making it very difficult to cancel that plot and try a different one (basically all you can do is go back to the galaxy map and select a different route plot, e.g. to a neighbouring system, in order to cancel the first one). This has been reported and FD have said they're working to address this problem.

Yeah, I am aware of that - this is using 80% processor core just sat there doing nothing...literally on just opening the map, and it still is 30 mins later...

EDIT: I have updated my original post to be a little more explicit

 

[kccummings3]

Thanks. That's actually a really good question, because of a couple of things. When Rankaze mentioned during his run that people were suiciding back to civilization, I had this odd mental picture of all these self-destructed ships littered around a supermassive black hole. Reminded me of the problem with Mt. Everest: there's no garbage disposal or even body disposal up there, so the oxygen bottles and bodies and various other detritus piles up.

With Shadow Lurk, I've already had damage to the ship, to the point that I've already had one equipment malfunction. I'm not sure the ship could survive the trip back. So my thought as I was getting closer to Sag A* was that I would suicide back. Problem is, what I found once I made it was that, if a ship is good enough to get you to Sag A*, it should be given the opportunity to get you back. So I'm going to at least try.

Same here. All that time alone with the ship and one gets, um, attached...

Ironically, the trip back has harmed my Asp more than the trip out. Landed in a binary system between two stars (HOT!) and emerged too close to a black hole. Thank goodness for AFMU!

Cheers,
KC