So this is a case for changing the fundamental ethos of the automated docking system. As it stands now, the Automated Docking Computer makes no sense and is immersion breaking, specifically since Horizons. Here's why:
My ship's computer has an advanced computer system already integrated. It is capable of, among other things:
I think you'll agree, it's a pretty sophisticated and capable computer system, yes?
Now, there's one thing that this amazing computer suspiciously cannot do without an entire ship module slot being taken up by a huge piece of extra hardware (that -today- we could fit on a thumbdrive, and only needs to be that large so it wouldn't get lost too easily):
Suspicious, no? It gets worse.
On a Sidewinder, an auto-docking system takes a size 1 slot, which could otherwise hold:
On my Python, it takes a size 2 system, so now, mysteriously, it takes up -four- tons of space.
On a Type 7, it takes a size 3 system, so now, magically, it's an 8-ton equivalent system.
And so forth.
Now... here are acouple of proposed solutions, accounting for the fact that the primary goals of having a separate purchasable auto-docking system are as follows:
1. New players need to learn how to dock on their own, to get the full experience of the game, and to become fully capable pilots.
2. Advanced players need a sense of sacrificing something to gain the quality of life improvement of the auto-docking system (I don't personally agree with this one, but it's clearly desired by FDev).
What do others think?
This is seriously aggravating to me, not because I'm too lazy or not good enough to dock on my own, but because it makes no sense! When I fly a big cargo ship, I'm picturing this giant cavernous room the size of a small house, otherwise capable of holding 8 tons of cargo, with this pedestal upon which is sat a single thumb-drive-sized bit of kit that lets my ship's computer slave its control systems to the station's mainframe. Honestly it's downright silly.
My ship's computer has an advanced computer system already integrated. It is capable of, among other things:
- Managing all systems in a large, complex starship.
- Plotting and carrying out jumps through extradimensional space.
- Analyzing and rendering celestial body orbits for large n-body gravitational systems.
- Lifting off from the surface of a planet, flying to orbit, and avoiding all threats, interdictions, collisions, and other hazards on its own while I drive my SRV.
- De-orbiting accurately to a location on the surface (anyone who's played KSP can tell you this is non-trivial even on an atmosphereless body).
- Analyzing terrain features to select a nearby location for safe landing, piloting there, and landing the ship.
I think you'll agree, it's a pretty sophisticated and capable computer system, yes?
Now, there's one thing that this amazing computer suspiciously cannot do without an entire ship module slot being taken up by a huge piece of extra hardware (that -today- we could fit on a thumbdrive, and only needs to be that large so it wouldn't get lost too easily):
- Slave itself to a station's auto-docking mainframe to allow me to perform hands-off docking.
Suspicious, no? It gets worse.
On a Sidewinder, an auto-docking system takes a size 1 slot, which could otherwise hold:
- Two -tons- of cargo.
- An advanced scanning system capable of analyzing every body in an entire system in terms of size, position, and orbit, in ten seconds flat.
- An advanced scanning system capable of analyzing every square meter of a planet's surface features, its geological makeup, age, atmospheric and terrestrial composition and more, in ten seconds flat.
- Any number of other complex and capable systems.
On my Python, it takes a size 2 system, so now, mysteriously, it takes up -four- tons of space.
On a Type 7, it takes a size 3 system, so now, magically, it's an 8-ton equivalent system.
And so forth.
Now... here are acouple of proposed solutions, accounting for the fact that the primary goals of having a separate purchasable auto-docking system are as follows:
1. New players need to learn how to dock on their own, to get the full experience of the game, and to become fully capable pilots.
2. Advanced players need a sense of sacrificing something to gain the quality of life improvement of the auto-docking system (I don't personally agree with this one, but it's clearly desired by FDev).
Solution 1: Include an auto-docking computer as standard equipment in an extra, dedicated size 1 slot similar to the Planetary Approach Suite, on ships above a certain level of advancement, or of certain types. This way low-end ships won't have it, and new players will have to learn to dock on their own.
Solution 2: Eliminate the auto-docking computer module altogether and instead have the capability built in to every ship. Then have stations charge a carefully calibrated fee for to engage its auto-docking systems. This could be built into the dialog box in the station's Contact tab. "Lock Navigation | Request Docking | Request Auto-Dock (*Station fee will be applied)"
My suggestion for this would be 10,000 CR. As someone piloting a quarter-billion credit ship, I'd happily pay that when I feel like being lazy. 10k? No big deal. But for a new player, that's a lot of money and worth seriously thinking about. This is my preferred solution, as it makes it a decision each and every time. "Do I really want to be lazy enough to pay 10k to auto-dock? Or will I just do it myself?"
My suggestion for this would be 10,000 CR. As someone piloting a quarter-billion credit ship, I'd happily pay that when I feel like being lazy. 10k? No big deal. But for a new player, that's a lot of money and worth seriously thinking about. This is my preferred solution, as it makes it a decision each and every time. "Do I really want to be lazy enough to pay 10k to auto-dock? Or will I just do it myself?"
What do others think?
This is seriously aggravating to me, not because I'm too lazy or not good enough to dock on my own, but because it makes no sense! When I fly a big cargo ship, I'm picturing this giant cavernous room the size of a small house, otherwise capable of holding 8 tons of cargo, with this pedestal upon which is sat a single thumb-drive-sized bit of kit that lets my ship's computer slave its control systems to the station's mainframe. Honestly it's downright silly.
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