The Mining discussion thread.

[Dalmat]

We could do all kinds of missions like this that would be interactive by other players, it would make some of the missions unpredictable and no mission would end the same.
Total chaos could break out over a mining op

 

[Ghost1]

Mining confirmed in SB1?

Anyone know yet? i definitely want to go jump into the deepest parts of space an begin my operation.

 

[SAB380]

Count me in for some mining !

I've asked this a few times and we've never received any word.
I assume if it was in SB1, it would have been mentioned, but maybe it'll be a surprise.

Just seems odd that it isn't in there for players yet considering NPCs have been doing it since Alpha 1.

 

[blacky75]

Count me in for some mining !

I've asked this a few times and we've never received any word.
I assume if it was in SB1, it would have been mentioned, but maybe it'll be a surprise.

Just seems odd that it isn't in there for players yet considering NPCs have been doing it since Alpha 1.

I knew NPCs were advantaged, compared to us players What did they pay for? Nothing! They are just there, nagging at us, free of doing all they want, where they want, limitless. We need a strong syndicate against NPCs!

 

[Rhaedas]

Count me in for some mining !

I've asked this a few times and we've never received any word.
I assume if it was in SB1, it would have been mentioned, but maybe it'll be a surprise.

Just seems odd that it isn't in there for players yet considering NPCs have been doing it since Alpha 1.

What NPCs have been doing is nothing like the DDF describes mining to be. They're probably old EvE NPCs hired to stand in.

 

[forger]

Count me in for some mining !

I've asked this a few times and we've never received any word.
I assume if it was in SB1, it would have been mentioned, but maybe it'll be a surprise.

Just seems odd that it isn't in there for players yet considering NPCs have been doing it since Alpha 1.

Devs told us that NPC do NOT mine, they have placeholders and just pretend to mine now so there is no system in place

also one of devs answered couple weeks ago about mining and from that i understand that mining is not yet finished so i would say mining will be in SB2 and not SB1.

 

[Ghost1]

i want some info =(. i hope it is

 

[Diamond Dog]

I'd agree. I've been waiting for mining for every single beta phase so far. But as long as they add it I'm happy. I know there's a post on mining let's see if I can find it...

Hello you lovely backers!

It's time for another (slightly belated) DDF topic. Mining! This will hopefully be a very interesting one; although seemingly innocuous, there are potentially many cans of worms waiting to be opened up here in terms of keeping the experience interesting, as well as the longer term issues of where we take this mechanic.

Mining Process

We’re initially looking at three types of resources that can be mined:

• Mineral bodies
• Frozen liquid bodies
• Gaseous/dust clouds

Mining is split into three distinct stages:

• Detection – there are two stages to detection:
  • Initial find – commanders must utilise scanning systems to locate a resource point such as an asteroid field, dust or gas cloud within a system
    • This initial detection can involve the use of “far scanning”: micro drones or extended sensor scans that can over time allow initial detection in neighbouring systems
  • Once a find has been successfully located the commander can attempt to use further scans to determine the most efficient extraction points
    • Commanders can skip this step and attempt to extract resources in effect “blind”
    • Commanders can obtain data elements for their galactic map at a system level which contain resource information as if they had scanned it themselves
    • Information from detailed scans can reveal precise resource types as well as provide feedback to improve the moment to moment harvesting
  • Resources can range in size from tiny to huge:
    • In the case of mineral and frozen bodies this is based on a percentage chance of each body harbouring resources
    • In the case of gas/dust clouds it is described by the size and density of the cloud
  • Some resources are visually identifiable, others are not (they could potentially be extracted without detection but it would be pot luck)
• Extraction – the method of extraction depends upon the resource type but importantly, all methods of extraction require moment to moment gameplay that rewards skilful and attentive players
  • Mineral and frozen liquid bodies can be attacked with mining lasers which “break off” flecks of resource
    • Depending on the accuracy of these attacks (based on data acquired through scanning) the flecks will:
      • Take longer to break off
      • Be more or less valuable
      • Poor accuracy can reduce the overall amount of resource obtained
    • Different resources can require specialised mining laser types to improve yield/allow extraction
      • Incorrect laser types can trigger potentially dangerous reactions as well as decrease yield
    • Flecks can be collected, at which point they become canisters of the appropriate resource
  • Gas/dust clouds must be flown through with an appropriate scoop
    • Depending on the accuracy of the flight path the yield may be greater or less
    • The cloud is dispersed over time as the commander flies through it
    • Some gas/dust clouds require specific types and grades of scoop
    • Some gas/dust clouds may suffer reactions based on vessel temperature and speed of travel
      • Incorrect management of speed and temperature can cause potentially dangerous reactions as well as decrease yield
    • For every X amount of a resource scooped an appropriate canister is created in the hold
  • In all cases, there are other potential effects from harvesting:
    • Contamination - this can occur during the extraction process, by collecting and storing the resource or simply by being within the vicinity
      • Specialised scanners and ship monitoring systems can alert the commander to contamination
    • Void creatures - space contains a number of base intelligence critters that can be disturbed whilst detecting and extracting resources
      • Most are hostile, a few can become valuable resources themselves
  • Drones - commanders may equip and employ drones to collect solid resources in the same way that they can collect floating canisters (this is an alternative method of collection for vessels without an operational cargo scoop
  • Auto miners - potentially not for release one: these are large deployed devices that can mine a location over time, allowing the player to collect them at a later date
    • They cannot be found by other human commanders unless the commander is also present at the location, though on return commanders may find that they have suffered malfunctions or been contaminated
      • More expensive auto miners are more resilient to adverse effects and can offer greater yields

Some resources may be subject to an NPC claim:

• Such claims are normally broadcast via beacons placed at the resource location
  • The beacons transmit details of the claim
    • Some beacons can detect extraction and transmit alerts to the claim’s owner
    • Some beacons are mobile
    • Sometimes this functionality is carried out by a vessel (which may or may not be a mining vessel)
• Claims create additional gameplay potential by weaving events and missions into the mining process

Issues

So, a bit to chew over. And here’s a few other things to add to the mix:

• You can see that our mining process is fairly involved - but do you think it’s interesting enough? What are your suggestions for making it better?
• Are we missing some obvious/totally awesome methods of mining?
• Could claims be used by players? We almost certainly want this long term, but how might it work?
• Refining and crafting? We actually have a rudimentary system for this in the game, but we suspect it is a massive can of worms on several levels? We’d like to get your opinions on this one!

And now, over to you guys! Dig in!

I don't know about you guys but that all looks juicy

Here's a link to the forums on the topic, enjoy
https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7007

 

[Dinbar]

I dont think mining will be in beta 1 but it looks good when it is implemented.

 

[Crystles]

I knew NPCs were advantaged, compared to us players What did they pay for? Nothing! They are just there, nagging at us, free of doing all they want, where they want, limitless. We need a strong syndicate against NPCs!

Hey man! Listen. Dont tell no one, but I found out their secret. All you gata do is aimlessly shoot some beam lasers at a rock all day, and you can be one of them!

This is some seriously classified stuff though. DONT TELL NO ONE WHERE YOU GOT IT!

 

[Ghost1]

I'd agree. I've been waiting for mining for every single beta phase so far. But as long as they add it I'm happy. I know there's a post on mining let's see if I can find it...



I don't know about you guys but that all looks juicy

Here's a link to the forums on the topic, enjoy
https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7007

i saw this info, i plan on doing a corporation kinda group thing, then gather up the funds an travel to deep space an hunt aliens

 

[cmdr awesome]

The resource extraction sites are already the most fun places to hang out - cool scenery, a steady flow of NPCs to kill, and cargo to scoop.

Once mining is brought in then it's where I'll spend most of my time.

 

[Cmdr Eagleboy]

As far as we know there's no mining confirmed in SB1, and several devs expressed doubts about it, as they still have lot of stuff to do to start to offer mining. So it's for Beta 2.

 

[Dante80]

I don't really understand this thing about mining coming on to beta1. There is no way this was coming now, as mining is joined in the hip with the exploration scanning mechanics to find valuable resources in asteroids etc. There has been no indication from FDEV about those parts of the feature set coming to beta1, and if you concentrate on their respective DDA threads I think you will understand why they will be almost the last to be added to the standard beta process.

http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7007
http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6418

 

[TheDoctor]

The NPC miners have just been shooting at the rocks with pulse lasers.

This makes for a nice exploit, if you go inbetween a miner and the rock and get shot by them, they will have a bounty put on them and then you can blast them.

Hopefully we shall see mining coming in soon but I suppose that it isn't a complicated job and so won't need much testing so will be a lower priority.

It looks like the NPC's just need mining lasers attaching and they need testing on player ships as well.

 

[Cmdr Eagleboy]

I don't really understand this thing about mining coming on to beta1. There is no way this was coming now, as mining is joined in the hip with the exploration scanning mechanics to find valuable resources in asteroids etc. There has been no indication from FDEV about those parts of the feature set coming to beta1, and if you concentrate on their respective DDA threads I think you will understand why they will be almost the last to be added to the standard beta process.

http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7007
http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6418

I think people just want to have easy way to grind creds, as trading is harder than some expected Agree, also mining is conceptually easier than other things coming (like testing missions and even generation, etc.) and it is tied with exploration so yeah, it makes sense to come as final piece of puzzle.

 

[Steve50]

I've been waiting for mining since Alpha 2.0.

Great idea Frontier.. Make us wait for mining and keep forcing us to either trade 4 tons at a time or do combat to earn a crust

I guess they have more important things to add to the game than mining though, like paint-jobs and the in game ££££ shop.

 

[Razorwire]

The NPC miners have just been shooting at the rocks with pulse lasers.
...
It looks like the NPC's just need mining lasers attaching ...

Not entirely true... If you flip through a mining NPC's subsystems you'll see mining lasers, and they shoot blue beams at the asteroids.

The behaviour, the equipment and the mechanics are all absent or placeholder, and you can't buy mining lasers, but they are definately not firing pulse lasers.

 

[SAB380]

I knew NPCs were advantaged, compared to us players What did they pay for? Nothing! They are just there, nagging at us, free of doing all they want, where they want, limitless. We need a strong syndicate against NPCs!

The worst are the NPC griefers.
Sometimes I'm flying and then one of them attacks me - FOR NO REASON!!

 

[SAB380]

What NPCs have been doing is nothing like the DDF describes mining to be. They're probably old EvE NPCs hired to stand in.

Legit lol at 'old Eve NPCs'. Hahaha