[Suggestion] Auto-Pilot

[Kodyh]

Greetings,
​
​I have a suggestion to make.
​Sometimes I need to make long jorneys to reach a system that have what I need, but it's really annoying to jump system to system over and over for more than an hour.
​So my suggestion is a "Auto-Pilot Plot Route".
​How it will work?
​ You will select the target system, plot a route and make the auto-pilot take you there in the midle time that the "manual jump" would take you there.
​
​Example: You want to make a journey from point A to point B that is +500 Ly away. You look the auto-pilot route and the time necessary to get there via auto-pilot is 1 hour.
​You 'accept', the Auto-pilot begins to work, jumping "system to system" for you. in the mean time, you can log-out and do whatever you want to do and return 1 hour later when the Auto-Pilot reachead his destiny.
​
​But this will take all the work of the "traders" and "Explorers"? You ask. No, it won't.
​Because the cons listed above:
​ - The Auto-Pilot wont will scan the systems for exploration data;
​ - The journey time will be 10-20% more on the Auto-Journey than the Manual-Journey;
​
Iit's more to the user that: "Oh , I need to meet my wing friend to do that thing, but he is +500 ly away. Oh crap! Here we go... jump system, jump system, fuel scoop... boring... etc"
​
​Functionalities to the "Auto-Pilot" suggested:
​- The Auto-Pilot will make your journey from system A to system B in a +10-20% more time than the normal journey;
​- The Auto-Pilot will auto fuel scoop, if the module is instaled, so you cannot run out of fuel during the route;
​- The Auto-Pilot wont will scan the stelar system data that he past;
​- The user will can log-out while the Auto pilot is on his "journey duty", and the Auto-Pilot will still be working.
​
​Well, I hope you adopt my suggestion for the next updates.
​
​Sorry for the bad english, it is not my native language.
​

 

[Robert Maynard]

If you can log out of the game and the ship is still expected to travel (risk free) then it's not really an auto-pilot, it's more of an auto-travel system - and elapsed time being 10%-20% more is pretty much irrelevant if one is not logged in....

 

[CMDR Cosmic Spacehead]

Autopilots are a bit hit and miss on the forums...
Half would like some kind of autopilot, the other half don't. Lol

I sit somewhere in the middle. Just to be awkward. Lol
Sometimes a long trip can be very dull, and being able to fully release the controls to the autopilot would allow you to do other things, and not just watch Netflix, you could read galnet, mess with the HoloMe, study the map. Or simply eat your lunch. Lol

A hyperspace autopilot could work, with strict limitations. Like no fuel scooping, can't handle Interdictions, and rather clumsy when it comes to avoiding things, and require a class 1 module slot.

But it goes round in circles. A system like that could be used to set courses with marcos, and auto-honk your way around the galaxy.

But then we have a docking computer... Which is also a form of autopilot.

Hmm...

With all that said, I also sometimes enjoy flying long distances. It all depends on my mood. Lol

CMDR Cosmic Spacehead

 

[ChiefRedCloud]

We have more "autopilot" aka computer assist than you may realize. Sit back and imagine having to hand calculate each and every jump. Even with a calculator that is distracting. And in these forums alone the opposition by some of just the docking computer is kind of over whelming. No I doubt, though one never knows, that we will see such in game. Perhaps a better, not to derail your post, avenue would be to ask for better scanners, aka better details, than "auto pilots". From reading the forums, something I do each day several times, our scanning computers are pretty much lacking of what you would expect in correlation with universal space flight. Even in the Star TRek Enterprise (the beginning) they could analyze planets better than we do now. Enough of this though.

I guess the main problem with an "auto pilot" is the probability of failure that would have to be applied. A computer is only good to a certain point. After that the human element comes into play. Besides, if your not participating, where's the adventure? Why not just get your reward and not go? When I use to move to a new area of the world while I was in the military (20 years) I would go exploring to see just WHAT was there. IT, was an adventure of a sorts and good to know.

Chief

 

[UFO Reality]

I suggested an auto-pilot system in the Steam forum when I first started playing this game a little while back.
I still think this would be a good idea as this game will be a grind.
The main problem and complaint is the boring and quite repetitive transit time.
I would like to see 'some' ships to have the auto-pilot feature within the star system so as it steers the ship to the outpost or station and will slow to a halt when it reaches there.
Also an alarm system to alert the pilot when ship is under attack during auto-pilot mode and also for when it reaches destination.
This would not make trading over-simplified as the time the auto-pilot uses will be comparable to manual, although it will allow for a player to do other things such as web browsing etc. while in transit.
As for the amount of time and effort it takes to do hyperspace jumps.
I would like to see a huge increase in neutron star jumps or engineered FSD jump ranges upped by 100ly but at the cost of materials or ship integrity.
Also some more variety in the graphical effects of the FSD loader screens.
Anyway, my two bits.

 

[Lestat]

Auto pilot just give the person more reason to leave the game. With how some people are with Macros and Bots. They can take a basic Auto pilot. Have it travel 1,000 LY and do the basic Scan of a system while fuel scooping.

 

[Maximillian Forrest]

I’m of the opinion you need to be in control of your ship between any points you plotted throughout your trip. The game is suppose to be a hands on experience and taking this away from a player is detrimental to the flow of gameplay.

 

[UFO Reality]

I’m of the opinion you need to be in control of your ship between any points you plotted throughout your trip. The game is suppose to be a hands on experience and taking this away from a player is detrimental to the flow of gameplay.

Yes it is nice to pilot the ship too but auto pilot should still be an option. I don't want auto-pilot as a game killer but as you play the game for a while it seems monotonous, repetitive, and ludicrous that if an airbus in 2017 has the tech for auto pilot then why not "some" interstellar ships in 3303. Every now and then I just want to watch the screen without having to input while doing other things while still being in-game. It is supposed to be for entertainment. The simulation part is called manual, if you can still call this game somewhat of a spaceship simulator. Honestly, the game mechanic of getting to stations with the silly countdown timer that is pathetic kills the enjoyment. It just leaves a player thinking that the game dev or coder took a short cut in making the game more interesting and compromised it for some crappy dynamic of overshoots because the throttle is touchy at a certain point when approaching destination. I think something is not quite right with that and simply lacking somewhat. I like the game but some things makes me roll my eyes.

 

[CMDR Cosmic Spacehead]

I don't think an autopilot for star to station in supercruise is needed at all, just to clarify.

Mainly because supercruise is either too short to need anything like that.
Or it's too long, so you have plenty of time to just point your ship, and read galnet(or whatever).
Having the game do that bit for you is actually taking away some of the flying experience.

But repeating hyperspace over and over is not really a flying experience, but more of a perfection through repetition experience. Lol


If, big if, we had a Hyperspace Autopilot, it'd only handle as many jumps as your fuel tank would let you, then stop. So it wouldn't break the game on long trips, but it would allow you to step away from the controls for a few minutes, rather than require you to input the same 3 controls (pitch, roll, charge FSD) for 5 seconds, then nothing for 30~ seconds again.
Which is actually just enough to stop you even getting up to pee, or make a coffee. Lol

A user would be responsible for making sure their Autopilot doesn't stop as a non scoopable star, and it'd be their responsibility if they left the controls and got interdicted and killed.

Again, I'd probably not use one myself, especially if it required a module slot, but I can see the appeal for one.

 

[Liet Atreides]

Auto-Pilot
​

No.

 

[aries1470]

okay, here is my 2¢.

We have pilots, right?
Ships that can accommodate additional pilots/ commanders / co-pilot, anyway, have 2 seats and above, you should be able to hire a pilot, depending on his level, he should be able to do the following:

Basic requirement for all levels:

You enter your destination point from the galaxy map.

Lvl1:
Once cleared from the station, and gravity, and all, you “engage” him, but then you will still need to enable the drive to start, and then he takes over, similar to docking computer where you have to slow your speed for it to take over. He just takes you to your destination, but does NOT DROP OUT. Just stops when you get the “blue”.

Lvl2:
Is able to take you out of the station, once you have hovered over your landing pad and retracted your gear and zeroed your speed, then aims your ship to the 1st jump system, while waiting for your “cue” to initiate the jump. Drops out of hyperspace. You still need to communicate with the station to land etc.

Lvl3:
Adds the auto flight to space stations. Communicates with the destination for landing approval. Does NOT AUTO DOCK.

Lvl4:
Initiates Auto docks and planetary landings. Also adds a 20% - 50% chance to avoid interdiction

Lvl5:
Enables auto-scoop. Also adds a 51% - 95% chance to avoid interdiction.

You may have noticed that I omitted system scans. While your co-pilot is piloting your ship, doing their thing, you can do the system scan, check other data, maps, messages from your passengers or for your cargo updates etc.

You can NOT log out of the game else, it will be treated the same as losing your connection. You need to be “in-session”. So if you want to jump 500LY or 1000LY, you still need to have the game playing, else it can be thought of as “cheating”. Transferring your goods is different, that is like a courier doing it for you, but this is YOUR SHIP, hence you must be around ;-)

Hopefully I have covered most aspects ;-)

What do you guys think for this? Or does this need a new seperate post?

Edit: For clarification. Interdiction from NPC Ships only, not online human players, in that case, the player must take over within say 10 -30 seconds.

 

[Galactic Fork]

okay, here is my 2¢.

We have pilots, right?
Ships that can accommodate additional pilots/ commanders / co-pilot, anyway, have 2 seats and above, you should be able to hire a pilot, depending on his level, he should be able to do the following:

Basic requirement for all levels:

You enter your destination point from the galaxy map.

Lvl1:
Once cleared from the station, and gravity, and all, you “engage” him, but then you will still need to enable the drive to start, and then he takes over, similar to docking computer where you have to slow your speed for it to take over. He just takes you to your destination, but does NOT DROP OUT. Just stops when you get the “blue”.

Lvl2:
Is able to take you out of the station, once you have hovered over your landing pad and retracted your gear and zeroed your speed, then aims your ship to the 1st jump system, while waiting for your “cue” to initiate the jump. Drops out of hyperspace. You still need to communicate with the station to land etc.

Lvl3:
Adds the auto flight to space stations. Communicates with the destination for landing approval. Does NOT AUTO DOCK.

Lvl4:
Initiates Auto docks and planetary landings. Also adds a 20% - 50% chance to avoid interdiction

Lvl5:
Enables auto-scoop. Also adds a 51% - 95% chance to avoid interdiction.

You may have noticed that I omitted system scans. While your co-pilot is piloting your ship, doing their thing, you can do the system scan, check other data, maps, messages from your passengers or for your cargo updates etc.

You can NOT log out of the game else, it will be treated the same as losing your connection. You need to be “in-session”. So if you want to jump 500LY or 1000LY, you still need to have the game playing, else it can be thought of as “cheating”. Transferring your goods is different, that is like a courier doing it for you, but this is YOUR SHIP, hence you must be around ;-)

Hopefully I have covered most aspects ;-)

What do you guys think for this? Or does this need a new seperate post?

Edit: For clarification. Interdiction from NPC Ships only, not online human players, in that case, the player must take over within say 10 -30 seconds.

Only if there's a possibility you hired a criminal who will lock you out of the system and eject you from the ship.

 

[UFO Reality]

I like the idea of being able to hire a NPC crew to do the pilot work. It makes sense. It also makes crewed ships more sought after. Although the Keelback will be quite a popular ship if this was implemented. After playing this game for over 500+ hours the piloting part is definitely not a novelty anymore. It is done. I get it. I know how to do it. The fun wears thin. I would like to have a co-pilot do the piloting from point A to point B. That leaves me time to actually get of my fat and exercise in front of the computer and make playing ED a healthy activity. Multitasking is a must if you wanna play ED and still function in life. I don't understand these cave dwellers that actually enjoy wasting hours enjoying manual Frameshift jumps over and over again. idiots. These fools probably enjoy musak.

 

[concentric]

I don't understand these cave dwellers that actually enjoy wasting hours enjoying manual Frameshift jumps over and over again. idiots. These fools probably enjoy musak.

I see no reason to insult people for their preferred playing style here. Nor for their musical taste but your muzak assumption is a little far-fetched anyway...

Having said that, I also like the idea of my npc crew being able to pilot my ship in hyperspace. If she's able to pilot my vette in combat, why shouldn't she be able to do some simple hyper-jumping and fuel scooping?
I've been out exploring for some time now and I know, when I come back to sell my exploration data, my fighter pilot will take her share of 16% (yes, I know, I could've trained a novice crew member) without even being on the trip with me.
If she was able to help me a little while exploring, she would at least earn it. The Asp has a spare seat already and although there wouldn't be actual conversation, the feeling of having some company out in the void wouldn't harm, either...
On the other hand, traders wouldn't have to do much themselves anymore except for buying, plotting a route and selling. There would have to be serious drawbacks. For instance the crew member would really suck at interdictions, so if you're interdicted you most likely get pulled before being able to take back control of your ship. As for exploration, I do think the npc pilot should be able to fuel scoop. Maybe she's really careful not to damage the ship and therefore it takes her longer than it would take yourself. I agree that she should not scan anything on her own, you'd still have to do that yourself (although that'd be hard to explain again...). All in all I think it would be difficult to find a coherent solution that doesn't allow exploitation. I think it would be easier if the npc crew took only a base share if not active (like 5% for being on standby) and a bigger share if active (bigger than it is now), thus if you're too lazy to pilot the ship yourself you'll earn less and risk more...

 

[Lestat]

But ask your self this. Are you playing the game if you have the NPC playing the game for you? Or are you in another room, out to eat, or out doing other things While the NPC plays the game plays for you. Or Auto pilot plays for you. Then ask your self this. Why bother play the game if you want this Auto Pilot in place while you are doing other things besides playing the game?

 

[concentric]

You're right. I'd personally see the only application for this to make some distance out in the void if you don't feel like discovering things in between. I guess I'd probably barely use it myself because I scan almost every star I arrive at while scooping and checking the system map for interesting stuff...

 

[aries1470]

Okay, here goes:

Only if there's a possibility you hired a criminal who will lock you out of the system and eject you from the ship.

• Interesting concept? Hmm… only if you hire a human? ;-) But there must be a way of being able to get it back though, some kind of tracking, i.e. in the utility slot have a “tracking device”? Would that work for you, and he ejects you in your space suit, and a ship comes and rescues you, and you pay for the privilege to be dropped off at the closest station? Would that do?

I like the idea of being able to hire a NPC crew to do the pilot work. It makes sense. It also makes crewed ships more sought after. Although the Keelback will be quite a popular ship if this was implemented. After playing this game for over 500+ hours the piloting part is definitely not a novelty anymore. It is done. I get it. I know how to do it. The fun wears thin. I would like to have a co-pilot do the piloting from point A to point B. That leaves me time to actually get of my fat and exercise in front of the computer and make playing ED a healthy activity. Multitasking is a must if you wanna play ED and still function in life. I don't understand these cave dwellers that actually enjoy wasting hours enjoying manual Frameshift jumps over and over again. idiots. These fools probably enjoy musak.

Personally, I will still be playing, since my own personal way of playing it is this:

• 1. Have the scanner ready.
• 2. As soon as I come out of a jump, you MUST avoid a star, so you have to manoeuvre, while manoeuvring, I am also pressing the trigger for the scanner, while aligning for my next jump
• 3. Shift drive has cooled down and can now jump.
• 4. I will not get drawn in to the last part, as each person has his own playing style, although I can hear your frustration (see it would be more precise, but anyway).

Having said that, I also like the idea of my npc crew being able to pilot my ship in hyperspace. If she's able to pilot my vette in combat, why shouldn't she be able to do some simple hyper-jumping and fuel scooping?

• Totally agree with this statement

I've been out exploring for some time now and I know, when I come back to sell my exploration data, my fighter pilot will take her share of 16% (yes, I know, I could've trained a novice crew member) without even being on the trip with me.

• Exactly, make them earn their income. J I am more of an explorer/ trader, rather than a trigger happy, but I still do my kills, but with an ASP Explorer.

If she was able to help me a little while exploring, she would at least earn it. The Asp has a spare seat already and although there wouldn't be actual conversation, the feeling of having some company out in the void wouldn't harm, either...

• Yep, just seeing someone sit there…

On the other hand, traders wouldn't have to do much themselves anymore except for buying, plotting a route and selling. There would have to be serious drawbacks. For instance the crew member would really suck at interdictions, so if you're interdicted you most likely get pulled before being able to take back control of your ship.

• Already addressed in one of my points in original post, although, I have addressed it with percentages depending on how good they are

As for exploration, I do think the npc pilot should be able to fuel scoop. Maybe she's really careful not to damage the ship and therefore it takes her longer than it would take yourself.

• My thoughts too. That is where the time penalty from original poster would come in(?)

I agree that she should not scan anything on her own, you'd still have to do that yourself (although that'd be hard to explain again...).

• Already addressed, as previously mentioned, your NPC pilots, you handle the rest, i.e. scanning. Maybe give you some extra time if you want to cancel the NPS to scan a star or some other “heavenly bodies”, or even a NAV.

All in all I think it would be difficult to find a coherent solution that doesn't allow exploitation. I think it would be easier if the npc crew took only a base share if not active (like 5% for being on standby) and a bigger share if active (bigger than it is now), thus if you're too lazy to pilot the ship yourself you'll earn less and risk more...

• Great concept, I don’t mind taking a small penalty for taking the “mundane” part out, but that is why I put those restrictions in the 1^st place, as to minimise the effect it will have.
  I still use the docking computer, but also manually dock if I want to be quick and avoid a possible scan… you know, when you are carrying some “certain items”…

But ask your self this. Are you playing the game if you have the NPC playing the game for you? Or are you in another room, out to eat, or out doing other things While the NPC plays the game plays for you. Or Auto pilot plays for you. Then ask your self this. Why bother play the game if you want this Auto Pilot in place while you are doing other things besides playing the game?

• No, you are still playing the game, unless you are travelling in places you have previously flown through, have scanned, don’t mind being interdicted and attacked…
  I put my items up, to “automate” a “mundane” feature. It becomes very repetitive. Repetitiveness is what kills off most players and has a very bad attrition rate for ANY game! That is one aspect that gets many people out of games, especially if it is a core component, as it is in this game. People, many people, would actually enjoy this game even more, and stay longer if there were options like this available to them. Second most, is keyboard controls, thankfully, I have also purchased the XBOX version and play that I can say exclusively due to the controller, and yes, I know I can hook-it-up to the pc…
• So, I ask you this, how many more hours would you be on your gaming rig (be that pc, xbox or soon to be Play Station) if you had the option of training up a pilot that can actually be your co-pilot and take some load off while you scan systems as soon as you arrive, plan your next mischief while the FSD is charging etc? Or even taking control back at any time you wish? You can de-activate the pilot at any time during the journey, just like while carrying passengers, you receive a message, and you have to change course.

• It isn’t all black OR white, there are many shades in-between too.

You're right. I'd personally see the only application for this to make some distance out in the void if you don't feel like discovering things in between. I guess I'd probably barely use it myself because I scan almost every star I arrive at while scooping and checking the system map for interesting stuff...

• As per original post:
  “You may have noticed that I omitted system scans. While your co-pilot is piloting your ship, doing their thing, you can do the system scan, check other data, maps, messages from your passengers or for your cargo updates etc.”. I thought I covered that
  Me too, as soon as I arrive, my finger automatically presses the trigger to scan the system…

 

[UFO Reality]

I see no reason to insult people for their preferred playing style here. Nor for their musical taste but your muzak assumption is a little far-fetched anyway...

Having said that, I also like the idea of my npc crew being able to pilot my ship in hyperspace. If she's able to pilot my vette in combat, why shouldn't she be able to do some simple hyper-jumping and fuel scooping?
I've been out exploring for some time now and I know, when I come back to sell my exploration data, my fighter pilot will take her share of 16% (yes, I know, I could've trained a novice crew member) without even being on the trip with me.
If she was able to help me a little while exploring, she would at least earn it. The Asp has a spare seat already and although there wouldn't be actual conversation, the feeling of having some company out in the void wouldn't harm, either...
On the other hand, traders wouldn't have to do much themselves anymore except for buying, plotting a route and selling. There would have to be serious drawbacks. For instance the crew member would really suck at interdictions, so if you're interdicted you most likely get pulled before being able to take back control of your ship. As for exploration, I do think the npc pilot should be able to fuel scoop. Maybe she's really careful not to damage the ship and therefore it takes her longer than it would take yourself. I agree that she should not scan anything on her own, you'd still have to do that yourself (although that'd be hard to explain again...). All in all I think it would be difficult to find a coherent solution that doesn't allow exploitation. I think it would be easier if the npc crew took only a base share if not active (like 5% for being on standby) and a bigger share if active (bigger than it is now), thus if you're too lazy to pilot the ship yourself you'll earn less and risk more...

Ok the musak assumption was going a bit too far.
But I still think that the game would benefit with an auto-pilot dynamic.
Either by co-pilot NPC or module.
The trader's game being ruined by an auto-pilot system can be mitigated if it were a NPC crew.
This can be done by an RNG for the co-pilot to take a cut of up to 45% of the profits from any trade where the ship used the NPC auto-pilot to move any trade goods.
The RNG can take form as a mini-game of dice or cards that you play with the NPC crew whom you hired as trade run pilot.
Furthermore the pilots you choose from can also have a RNG bias as a cheaper pilot or a cheaper combat wing.
This mini-game RNG dynamic would be a better option and more fun for the player compared to the current dynamic in place.
This would also make the game more interesting as it has a gambling hook.
ED is a good game but if you read the negative feedback, you will find the word "boring" popping up quite often.
The auto-pilot system could make the game better.
Constant frameshift jumps and supercruise to stations isn't the main part of the game and is not what you would advertise as the games strongest selling point.
The Devs seem to fail to grasp the concept of mini-games within a game which helps to make any game more interesting.
Anyway, the auto-pilot dynamic should be part of the game as it gives the player another option of how they would play the game.
If you don't like the idea of auto-pilot for the game then don't use it.
The ED universe is so massive that it is just ridiculous doing so many jumps manually and looking at a loading screen repetitively is getting to be borderline pathetic.
I like this game but I do want to see it become a better game.

 

[Lestat]

I going to call Auto pilot lazy pilot or Lazy NPC right now. It will ruin the game because it for people who are NOT playing the game. Because there nothing for the person to do other then watch the game play it self, You can alt tab, Text, Talk on the phone Search the web. Doing other things besides play the game. You can use sound to go oh I being attack Alt Tab back into the game and play the game.

Now if they add Space legs when you can walk around your ship and do ship repairs, Talk to the Passengers. Auto pilot or NPC pilot would be cool. But you are PLAYING THE GAME. Not letting the game play it self while you are doing other things.

 

[Jaiotu]

I going to call Auto pilot lazy pilot or Lazy NPC right now. It will ruin the game because it for people who are NOT playing the game. Because there nothing for the person to do other then watch the game play it self, You can alt tab, Text, Talk on the phone Search the web. Doing other things besides play the game. You can use sound to go oh I being attack Alt Tab back into the game and play the game.

Now if they add Space legs when you can walk around your ship and do ship repairs, Talk to the Passengers. Auto pilot or NPC pilot would be cool. But you are PLAYING THE GAME. Not letting the game play it self while you are doing other things.

I already spend a lot of my time in Elite: Dangerous NOT playing the game. I do mostly exploration in Elite. When I'm jumping between systems I've actually been known to fall asleep immediately after executing the FSD jump, sleep through the entire fuel scooping exercise (I don't know how but I've managed to figure out how to avoid splashing into the star 99% of the time with my eyes closed) and waking up just long enough to quickly check the system map for interesting targets before executing the next jump.

When I do find an interesting target worthy of scanning (Water World, Ammonia or Earth-like) It's often many light-seconds away. I point my ship at it and then proceed to find something else to do while I close the distance.

When I'm not sleep-exploring I tend to find a movie or binge-watch a series on Netflix. Elite: Dangerous has allowed me to rewatch every single television episode of every Star Trek series, Battlestar Galactica (original and reboot), Babylon 5, and much, much more.