[Feedback] Once again, docking computer should not be module.

[Sandmann]

S'funny... let's have a look at this...

All modules takes internal slot, and tend to give ship an advantage. Discovery scanners, limpet controllers, surface scanner, fuel scoop, planetary vehicle hangar, AFMU, fuel tank and so on. All those modules give a clear usage and advantage.

Translated: Useful modules should be in slots because their usefulness requires a balancing penalty.

Docking computer have no more functionality than external lights, wing beacon or orbit lines. Any player that played game for more than one day will be able to finish docking faster manually. And docking computer itself is just for a lazy gameplay, where you arrived to station, and engaged docking computer, while finishing your dinner or something

Translated: Docking computers are not useful. Neither are ship lights or wing beacons. Only lazy people use docking computers.

So, remove docking computer from modules list, and put it as optional function in system menu. That is, make all ship having docking computers, without spending internal slot on it, and let players decide whenever they want to use it or not.

Translated: Docking computers are so useless that I want them included on every ship for free without penalty.

Opinion: I agree with one point in the OP's rant... docking computers are for the lazy or inept. Unlike the original games where it was challenging, docking in ED is mind-numbingly simple in every ship. I however would prefer to see the docking computer REMOVED, or at least have greater penalties. Why? Coz I would prefer to see a challenging game which requires skill development than one that facilitates brain-dead gameplay.

 

[GG7]

Docking computer shouldn't even be a thing.

Right...As if in the year 3302 massive ships the size of Aircraft Carriers were docked manually by a single human pilot from a cockpit that lacked the ability to see 80% of the ship from that location. Oh yeah! That's believable. That would work well in a crowded star port. [rolleyes]

Be glad that FD didn't make the game realistic and have all the ships controlled by a docking computer that would handle both landings AND take-offs.

As for the OP's suggestion... I agree. Things like the DC should be standard equipment in ships of this size and should not waste a module slot for them, just like you don't have a module slot for landing gear or ship lights.

 

[GG7]

Opinion: I agree with one point in the OP's rant... docking computers are for the lazy or inept. Unlike the original games where it was challenging, docking in ED is mind-numbingly simple in every ship. I however would prefer to see the docking computer REMOVED, or at least have greater penalties. Why? Coz I would prefer to see a challenging game which requires skill development than one that facilitates brain-dead gameplay.

Oh please! Not this tired line again!

Using the DC has nothing to do with pilot skill, laziness or whatever other insult you care to toss out there. It has everything to do with the economy of time and maximizing turn around times for trade runs etc. You need to stop commenting on systems that are used by people who play the game differently than you do. Just makes you look like an arrogant know-it-all who thinks everyone should play this game exactly the way you play it or they have no place within the community.

No thank you!

I will play this game the way "I" want to play it, and I don't need you or anyone else to validate or approve of those choices. This is that very same arrogant attitude we always see in those OPEN vs SOLO or Private Groups threads.

Worry about your own game save, and stop lecturing other players on what YOU consider viable in-game tech they should or should not be using.

 

[vernonator]

Right...As if in the year 3302 massive ships the size of Aircraft Carriers were docked manually by a single human pilot from a cockpit that lacked the ability to see 80% of the ship from that location. Oh yeah! That's believable. That would work well in a crowded star port. [rolleyes]

Be glad that FD didn't make the game realistic and have all the ships controlled by a docking computer that would handle both landings AND take-offs.

As for the OP's suggestion... I agree. Things like the DC should be standard equipment in ships of this size and should not waste a module slot for them, just like you don't have a module slot for landing gear or ship lights.

I would not MIND if DC was required based on station. Large stations with a slot would REQUIRE that the pilot reliquish control and let a port-pilot bring her in. You know like they do today 1000yrs in ED's past.

I also like the idea that your computer has its own "slot" just like your screens or drive, and based on the size/quality you can run x number of programs - a DC being one of them.

 

[Hessfire]

S'funny... let's have a look at this...



Translated: Useful modules should be in slots because their usefulness requires a balancing penalty.



Translated: Docking computers are not useful. Neither are ship lights or wing beacons. Only lazy people use docking computers.



Translated: Docking computers are so useless that I want them included on every ship for free without penalty.

Opinion: I agree with one point in the OP's rant... docking computers are for the lazy or inept. Unlike the original games where it was challenging, docking in ED is mind-numbingly simple in every ship. I however would prefer to see the docking computer REMOVED, or at least have greater penalties. Why? Coz I would prefer to see a challenging game which requires skill development than one that facilitates brain-dead gameplay.

As you just stated, the above is an opinion. Here is the FACT - Every minute of Every Day I am living with intense pain. Not the "Ow, I just stubbed my toe" kind of pain. More along the lines of "I wish the Predator would come and rip out my spinal column as it would hurt less that what I feel now" kind of pain. Pain so extreme that I have to fight back thoughts of suicide on a regular basis as it is the ONLY way I will ever be free of pain. And before you ask, I have a pump that delivers straight Morphine into my CSF every minute of every day - just to make things tolerable. That is why I take great offense when someone tries to "broad brush" me as Lazy or Inept.

Truth be told I probably am showing more stamina, endurance, and fortitude than you are just by enduring the tremors and pain to take the time to reply to you.

Please be more considerate with your word-choices in the future. Broad brush scapegoating is not conducive to a constructive dialogue.

 

[dubsdj]

I don't mind it being a module but I think it would be nice to have an auto depart feature included.

 

[Windscreen Smudge]

Awfully self-centered of you, don't you think?

I have stated several times that I personally always have and will continue to use a DC in any ship I fly. It has nothing to do with "git gud" as you so flippantly suggest. Moreover it is a matter of necessity as the fine motor control needed for docking is not now - and never will be - physically possible for me. Additionally, the few minutes transitioning into a station and docking are the only moments where I can be even remotely pain-free, if only for a short while. I play because this is one of the few enjoyable and engaging pursuits that I can have from the solitude of my home. Some days it even helps me escape this prison of flesh that I am trapped in and allows me to experience some freedom of movement.

Hope this clears it up for you a bit.

No, it's not, and no that's not what I was suggesting. It's a matter of practicality.

Why do most people use the docking computer? Two reasons: Laziness or to do something else. Laziness is a matter of motivation. If you aren't motivated to play the game, why are you playing it? If you're doing something else because you believe docking to be a waste of your time and your time is better spent doing activity B, then the rest of ED, being functionally and literally the same thing as docking your ship, is also a waste of your time.

If playing the game is physically painful for you, you need a new interface device setup. Frontier just held a 24 hour livestream raising money to donate to a non-profit organization that specializes in customizing exactly that, so I'm sure you know they exist or some similar non-profit exists in your region. Give them a call, please, because your problem isn't whether the docking computer is practical or a necessary, useful part of the game, your problem is that you are in pain and that is an entirely separate issue that has an entirely different answer.

Best of luck.

 

[Hessfire]

No, it's not, and no that's not what I was suggesting. It's a matter of practicality.

Why do most people use the docking computer? Two reasons: Laziness or to do something else. Laziness is a matter of motivation. If you aren't motivated to play the game, why are you playing it? If you're doing something else because you believe docking to be a waste of your time and your time is better spent doing activity B, then the rest of ED, being functionally and literally the same thing as docking your ship, is also a waste of your time.

If playing the game is physically painful for you, you need a new interface device setup. Frontier just held a 24 hour livestream raising money to donate to a non-profit organization that specializes in customizing exactly that, so I'm sure you know they exist or some similar non-profit exists in your region. Give them a call, please, because your problem isn't whether the docking computer is practical or a necessary, useful part of the game, your problem is that you are in pain and that is an entirely separate issue that has an entirely different answer.

Best of luck.

@Windscreen

My apologies if I came off to harsh at you - I accept that at times I can be a bit harsh. I accept the disclaimer that there is a population that fits the circumstances you outline - I just happen to not be a part of it. Please look through the suggestions forum as NW3, Lucian667, and I have one to transform the Ships Computer into a blade host such that the DC is just an upgrade to the Computer (as well as other functions). Have a look at it - maybe you have some ideas to make it better (aside from the ever requested AutoPilot Fly My Ship Module).

As for the physical pain I experience while playing the game, unfortunately it is not due to controller setup - it is just a fact of living for me. Comes with the territory of having had both shoulders and a good portion of my spine combined with metal implants or replacements. As George Burns used to say "I get up every morning and read the obituaries, if I don't see my name I have breakfast" At least the pain reminds me I am still alive.

 

[othr]

Right and "landing" a ship a million times translates into skill.

For me this translates into: 'you lazy , how about some interesting things to do other than these repetitive, boring, stupid things', ersatz content. If I wanted to have an extra job I'd make sure it at least paid well.

 

[Ralph Vargr]

Right...As if in the year 3302 massive ships the size of Aircraft Carriers were docked manually by a single human pilot from a cockpit that lacked the ability to see 80% of the ship from that location. Oh yeah! That's believable. That would work well in a crowded star port. [rolleyes]

Be glad that FD didn't make the game realistic and have all the ships controlled by a docking computer that would handle both landings AND take-offs.

As for the OP's suggestion... I agree. Things like the DC should be standard equipment in ships of this size and should not waste a module slot for them, just like you don't have a module slot for landing gear or ship lights.

There would be talkers on the bow, stern, and both beams of the ship....

There was an RN officer who participated on the forums a while ago. He could tell you *lots* about docking large vessels.

I used to have to take full stall/spin training. Now, there are parachutes for the (general aviation) aircraft *itself*. The insurance companies love them.

Hand-flying is dying out. I watch vids of pilots using tablets for approaches, while I had to carry around suitcases of charts.

GPS makes IFR/IMC navigation, and approaches a snap, compared to my stone-knives-and-bearskins days. LORAN-C was only accurate to about of a 1/4 of a mile, and INS needs periodic fixes/calibrations. Good enough for nukes, not so good for finding runways in the UK when the weather has packed up. Especially after flying direct from Nevada, with no bathroom breaks.

The docking computer should be standard. They are only making you take up a slot and mass for hazing purposes (see: initiation rituals), just like working young doctors dozens of hours without sleep. Fatigue= death.

It's more important to punish the young doc's, than it is to save lives. Just out of spite for what the old-timers had to go through.

Yes, I would insist on stall/spin training in the live airplane, personally. But, the insurance rates go down with the parachutes. Good thing I'm old, and need to hit the bathroom too often, to fly in a sky of kid whippersnappers...

 

[NW3]

In case you missed the link earlier, here's the suggestion Hessfire made reference to, above.

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showt...ase-add-a-core-module-for-the-ship-s-computer

The idea is to get rid of the Docking Computer which wastes a slot and add a core Ship Computer module, to add new expansion and gameplay capabilities.

I'm not "lazy". I find the docking process to be tedious and boring. It's challenging and fun for a while, but once you have moved beyond a Sidewinder, there's no skill (or reason) to have to manually dock. It's just mindless repetition. A docking computer gives no "advantage" in the game; it takes longer than it would to do it yourself. It's only a QoL improvement.

 

[Sandmann]

In case you missed the link earlier, here's the suggestion Hessfire made reference to, above.

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showt...ase-add-a-core-module-for-the-ship-s-computer

The idea is to get rid of the Docking Computer which wastes a slot and add a core Ship Computer module, to add new expansion and gameplay capabilities.

I'm not "lazy". I find the docking process to be tedious and boring. It's challenging and fun for a while, but once you have moved beyond a Sidewinder, there's no skill (or reason) to have to manually dock. It's just mindless repetition. A docking computer gives no "advantage" in the game; it takes longer than it would to do it yourself. It's only a QoL improvement.

I feel the opposite for the same reason... landing's not hard and.the computer is slow so why not do it yourself... HOWEVER I've got no problem with people using it if they want/need. I'd like it to remain optional with a (small) advantage to doing without it.

The thread you linked above is an idea I could really get behind... a basic ship's computer with upgradeable modules for standard services which could be improved at a cost (financial and power cost), a bunch of extra purchasable modules for things like the docking computer, detailed surface scan analysis, advanced navigation, battle computer, etc and a very limited number of "expansion slots", requiring you to balance your choices.

 

[TenakaFurey]

No, it's not, and no that's not what I was suggesting. It's a matter of practicality.

Why do most people use the docking computer? Two reasons: Laziness or to do something else.

I think the matter is bit more complex than that. Truth is, the Docking Computer automate a task that is easy. There isn't much challenge in docking. What docking is...is tedious, ESPECIALLY with the nerfed Yaw mechanic that means it takes an age to rotate the ship to the correct heading.

Adding a Docking Computer as standard won't really affect gameplay much. But it might remove a tedious task that drive players away from the game.

So - my suggestion would be....small craft such as the Sidewinder don't get a Docking Computer. The pilot must dock manually. The goal is to simply ensure the pilot can do it.
Larger vessels come with a built in computer - perhaps another module page which defines what electronics can be added. Or maybe just have the system built in. BUT - the Docking Computer can be destroyed so the gameplay aspect is still around. It just occurs less often. And as it would occur less often, it could be something to loom forward to, a change of the routine. Heck...maybe you can even have different grades of Docking Computer, where more advanced versions can dock or launch quicker and is better able to avoid other vessels.

But as others have said, one problem with Elite is that it mistakes a tedious task that simply takes time for engaging gameplay.

 

[Xaevryn]

The docking computer takes up a module slot for a good reason. Slapping one on your ship is basically saying "I suck and cannot fly my own ship properly." And so you are being punished for it by losing a module slot. all there is to it.

 

[NW3]

The docking computer takes up a module slot for a good reason. Slapping one on your ship is basically saying "I suck and cannot fly my own ship properly." And so you are being punished for it by losing a module slot. all there is to it.

Did you even bother to read the preceding posts? That's a lousy reason. I can fly my ship just fine, but am bored with the tedious repetition of a mindless task. Why insist on punishment, when we could have additional gameplay options that actually make sense?

 

[dunnst]

I see no reason why people have to learn how to dock. I installed docking computer the second I realised it's not there as I hated to dock manualy, my biggest pain was to locate the slot on the ball-like stations. I'm all for integrated docking computer, the ship has to have some computer anyway. I see the current docking computer module as a relict from FFE, well, at least it no longer weights an entire ton as it used to in FFE

 

[Vasea Azure]

The docking computer takes up a module slot for a good reason. Slapping one on your ship is basically saying "I suck and cannot fly my own ship properly." And so you are being punished for it by losing a module slot. all there is to it.

The reason is exact opposite for many of us - I can land my Conda with eyes closed but after doing so 1000 of times I just dont want to land myself every single time.

 

[MarkAusten]

The docking computer takes up a module slot for a good reason. Slapping one on your ship is basically saying "I suck and cannot fly my own ship properly." And so you are being punished for it by losing a module slot. all there is to it.

And I can land every ship in the game and have done many, many times but I detest it. I really, really dislike it. So every ship I fly has a docking computer fitted if one is available. Nowt to do with my flying ability or whether or not I can fly my ships.

However, I will ask you not to be insulting if only by implication.

 

[Pete]

Are docking computers actually usable? I tried one a long time ago, and never dared try one since...

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showt...lly-use-them?p=1250885&viewfull=1#post1250885

-- Pete.

 

[Hasaf]

Another docking computer user.

I would also like to see Starbases that require its use. Think for a minute. Some of these bases are planetary size investments. The idea that Bubba can just bump around inside is ridiculous. All traffic should be under tower control. There should be a potential of a fine for uncontrolled movement through the slot.

If I get stuck in a queue I, like many others go through the slot on manual; but can you imagine the upset that would happen of a pilot of a, current era, air-plane said "no, I don't want to fly another loop, I am landing now; deal with it!" The pilot should expect a scan and probable fines for such a stunt.

I can understand some of the smaller platforms not providing tower control; but not a space station. Entry and exit through the slot should always be under full tower control.