I would love a NPC Helmsman

Well it can be if done correctly. Pushing a button and going afk is how many seem to think autopilots work, couldn't be further from the truth.

Even a basic guidance computer would be more engaging and challenging than hand flying and activating a jump every few minutes.

Any idea's how this can be done?? I see a lot of why pressing "J" is bad but click, point and wait until you get to said destination isn't bad??

I doubt this will change really. It's kinda they way it is. There's nothing wrong with talking about it but it is what it is.
 
Any idea's how this can be done?? I see a lot of why pressing "J" is bad but click, point and wait until you get to said destination isn't bad??

I doubt this will change really. It's kinda they way it is. There's nothing wrong with talking about it but it is what it is.

Hey mate, I actually wrote a detailed post explaining how even a simple guidance computer could make the whole man\machine interface more engaging in supercruise on long trips, simply by borrowing ideas from current flight management guidance computers. Am away from home atm using a cheap amazon fire tablet, not quite sure how to dredge up an old post.

In basic terms a more powerful tool to control how we navigate through space, taking advantage of gravity wells for deceleration, or in many cases avoiding gravity wells for the most efficient route, the ability to plot paths in 3D space. More anomalies and navigational hazards, delegate or use automation so we can be ahead of the machine planning our next move whilst observing the bigger picture.

Pretty much give me the feeling of commanding a 2000+ tonne ship traversing the stars, rather then someone who is hand flying a spitfire vfr
 
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Hey mate, I actually wrote a detailed post explaining how even a simple guidance computer could make the whole man\machine interface more engaging in supercruise on long trips, simply by borrowing ideas from current flight management guidance computers. Am away from home atm using a cheap amazon fire tablet, not quite sure how to dredge up an old post.

In basic terms a more powerful tool to control how we navigate through space, taking advantage of gravity wells for deceleration, or in many cases avoiding gravity wells for the most efficient route, the ability to plot paths in 3D space. More anomalies and navigational hazards, delegate or use automation so we can be ahead of the machine planning our next move whilst observing the bigger picture.

Pretty much give me the feeling of commanding a 2000+ tonne ship traversing the stars, rather then someone who is hand flying a spitfire vfr

And?? I get you want more out of SC or flying in general. But this is another "my idea is better" post. Ideas are good but dismissing anything that goes against that is worse. Do you actually think that FDev are going to change the fundamental way we fly our ships in SC or even HS?? Because they probably wont. More stuff to do on the fly, yea why not. But people asking them to re-write the whole flying mechanics, when there's a hell of a lot more important things to be done, why waste the time, especially as this is the model they have used since day one. Plus lets not forget this is a game and has to work for everyone. Some people want more realism, some want less. This game isn't made for one person, its made for many.

It also sounds like you're describing a different game :p
 
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Sounds like you are asking for a "Netflix mode". That's great for Netflix, but not so great for a game that's suppose to be about flying a spaceship.

My alternative suggestions:
1. Pick a ship with a longer jump range (for long journeys). You can then request your slow ship is delivered to you (after you arrive). That's what I do.
or
2. Don't go on such long journeys. Find things to do that don't require such long distances. (There are lots.)

That's funny. People say NOW that they like jumping and SC BECAUSE they watch Netflix while doing it.

Says a lot about how compelling it is, as actual game play.

Personally, I like Supercruise. I just wish we had more stuff to DO while in the mode.
 
That's funny. People say NOW that they like jumping and SC BECAUSE they watch Netflix while doing it.

Says a lot about how compelling it is, as actual game play.

Personally, I like Supercruise. I just wish we had more stuff to DO while in the mode.

I like SC too, star jumping not so much!
 
And?? I get you want more out of SC or flying in general. But this is another "my idea is better" post. Ideas are good but dismissing anything that goes against that is worse. Do you actually think that FDev are going to change the fundamental way we fly our ships in SC or even HS?? Because they probably wont. More stuff to do on the fly, yea why not. But people asking them to re-write the whole flying mechanics, when there's a hell of a lot more important things to be done, why waste the time, especially as this is the model they have used since day one. Plus lets not forget this is a game and has to work for everyone. Some people want more realism, some want less. This game isn't made for one person, its made for many.

It also sounds like you're describing a different game :p

Hmm, you asked for an explanation, I gave you one. What part of my post suggested rewriting the flying mechanics or hyperspace mechanics? Everything I mentioned is already in game with the exception of anomalies , that is something the Devs said they are planning to add.

If you read my post carefully you will see I am talking about adding automation to give depth to existing game mechanics..

Unless you have no ides what mass shadow braking is, or completely unaware that a straight line path is not always optimal when in SC? I did try to stick to the basics here.

Edit - OK in very basic terms I am suggesting a flight director that can be coupled to automation (if we choose)

If you are unsure how a flight director works, perhaps try google before dismissing it?
nothing magical or complicated.

Cheers
 
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Sure.

Make it an optional internal like the docking computer.

Make various grades.

Basic ones point you at the next waypoint accelerate and jump, if something is in the way, MAYBE it will slow you down in time to avoid the rebuy screen.

More advanced ones can scoop and move around obstacles.

Make them expensive as blazes. As in they cost nearly what the ship does.
 
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Hmm, you asked for an explanation, I gave you one. What part of my post suggested rewriting the flying mechanics or hyperspace mechanics? Everything I mentioned is already in game with the exception of anomalies , that is something the Devs said they are planning to add.

If you read my post carefully you will see I am talking about adding automation to give depth to existing game mechanics..

Unless you have no ides what mass shadow braking is, or completely unaware that a straight line path is not always optimal when in SC? I did try to stick to the basics here.

I agree with the anomalies etc. The learning curve is hard enough for some and for all of us at one point. Making things more difficult isn't going to work. No I have no idea about what mass shadow braking is, I'm not ashamed of admitting that. I want the game to be MORE accessible, not less.

Please, minor insults aren't needed. You did stick to basics and so am I. I'm happy to debate but insulting intelligence is not good.
 
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Not sure we're talking about the same thing here. Is the topic really about long travel times in SC? I don't think so. And btw, why would SC actually need an autopilot, it is more or less an automated process already that has some interesting aspects as you just mentioned (or a simple autopilot if flying in a straight line, you just need to manually stop at one point). I thought the OP is all about hyperjumps but then I seem to have missed the point where this topic has been derailed.

Or to quote the OP in one of his last posts:

I'm getting confused now :p What was we debating again :D
 
So, can I get a refresh as to why the OP wants the game to play itself instead of just making travelling and exploration more engaging?
 
I agree with the anomalies etc. The learning curve is hard enough for some and for all of us at one point. Making things more difficult isn't going to work. No I have no idea about what mass shadow braking is, I'm not ashamed of admitting that. I want the game to be MORE accessible, not less.

Please, minor insults aren't needed. You did stick to basics and so am I. I'm happy to debate but insulting intelligence is not good.

Honestly wasn't trying to insult you mate, you seemed to state that I wanted massive changes, really not the case, just add s bit more visibility to things that are already ingame and giving us more options in how we control our ships when traveling from A to B.

@picommander - fair enough mate, I personally enjoy the final approach in SC, don't enjoy the straight line bit or having to activate a jump every time.

I fly a lot of cargo runs, often just straight line it, not efficient at all, was simply suggesting automation could make it a little more engaging for a cmdr, either manually following a flight director, or the ship follows the flight director.
 
I've had a few similar ideas that I've been meaning to forward to the design team for consideration, but I'm not a design or dev so maybe there's an oversight here that I'm not considering. Feedback will, of course, be noted and passed on as always.
+1. Elite needs Automatic Camel. But in space.
 
I've had a few similar ideas that I've been meaning to forward to the design team for consideration, but I'm not a design or dev so maybe there's an oversight here that I'm not considering. Feedback will, of course, be noted and passed on as always.

My head-canon is that Dale finally presented this idea to the design team, and this is why he no longer works at Frontier anymore . . .
 
Honestly wasn't trying to insult you mate, you seemed to state that I wanted massive changes, really not the case, just add s bit more visibility to things that are already ingame and giving us more options in how we control our ships when traveling from A to B.

@picommander - fair enough mate, I personally enjoy the final approach in SC, don't enjoy the straight line bit or having to activate a jump every time.

I fly a lot of cargo runs, often just straight line it, not efficient at all, was simply suggesting automation could make it a little more engaging for a cmdr, either manually following a flight director, or the ship follows the flight director.

I got slightly confused as the main point everyone was debating was jumping to other systems and just pressing "J". But then SC came into it :D and now I'm lost.

I agree that more gameplay for these things can't hurt but automating things is surely not the way. Neither is making it too difficult and putting people off.
 
Sure.

Make it an optional internal like the docking computer.

Make various grades.

Basic ones point you at the next waypoint accelerate and jump, if something is in the way, MAYBE it will slow you down in time to avoid the rebuy screen.

More advanced ones can scoop and move around obstacles.

Make them expensive as blazes. As in they cost nearly what the ship does.


Great observation, that way not everyone are forced to use auto-navigation and if you want auto-nav for long ranges then is more expensive, maybe some grades with limits in distance travelled, the jump range is about your ship specs.


Obviously if you want to travel a long distance with Auto-NAV (like around 1 month without attending the navigation), nothing can perturb this traveling so some penalty for "avoid encounters" is a good idea.


This can be translate to slowdown the ship in travel modifing the path, or some adjust in the user end, like avoid or use Neutron Stars, avoid or travel through danger pirates zones, scoop fuel more or less faster to adjust the time in the jump etc..all this influence the distance and the time to complete, modifiyng the path, the distance and add some degradation in the ship.
 
I second that Idea, i think turning it into a mini game would be fairly fun and as for having it be dangerous, wel technically it is. If anyone reads any of the lore it specifically points to witch space being very unsafe and only the most skilled use it
 
I second that Idea, i think turning it into a mini game would be fairly fun and as for having it be dangerous, wel technically it is. If anyone reads any of the lore it specifically points to witch space being very unsafe and only the most skilled use it

Now we're getting somewhere, good work, I like where this is going.
 
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