∞ probes?

[Stigbob]

Still not applicable to me. I have Horizons, I explore in a Battleconda with full defenses and two SRVs, and make regular landings to collect mats and generally drive around and have fun and take VR selfies. I’m sticking up for those who don’t.

I like exploration ships with a good cockpit view and reasonably nippy SC handling. But on paper I agree completely the anacondas where its at.

 

[Bryan K]

Without a drive to improve, whats the point of having more than one probe per planet then? Without the risk probe spam becomes another time wasting gimmick rather than meaning something. Just as learning what a planet sounds like, you should learn to launch probes efficiently as it then rewards you later with less refills. If you take the slightly less gamey 'plasma slug' fuel approach you satisfy both aspects.

It will already reward you with an efficiency bonus.

 

[kofeyh]

Why is it you feel the need (not just you) to talk down to people who want something a little more hands on and plausible.?

It's a game, mate. Sometimes things are pointless contrivances and despite belief, do not add realism. I reckon probes, are really low on the realism totem pole. Frontier have learned from the SRV Fuel debacle. And I would be extremely sad to see pointless game loops added to this, purely because people can't get enough of endless micromanagement in a game already chock full of it.

People are going to fire of potentially thousands of these things over a relatively short period; these are one-shot and more like ammunition. Can we maybe focus on the things that will truly matter from the update? They've added Orrey Maps and a ton of other stuff asked for.

As an absolute realist and cynic I am actually moderately impressed with what they have done. I look forward to Beta.

 

[PiLhEaD]

...Without the risk probe spam becomes another time wasting gimmick rather than meaning something.....

Whilst there is seemingly no risk, there is a reward for limited probe use. So probe spam becomes/remains undesirable, it's just that in this case FDev have deployed a carrot and not a stick.

 

[Bryan K]

I like exploration ships with a good cockpit view and reasonably nippy SC handling. But on paper I agree completely the anacondas where its at.

Mine’s pretty impractical for the job (I mainly use her for PvE), but it’s very cozy to have so much real estate when I decide to head out there on a whim. Plus, the SLFs make great scouts.

 

[Muetdhiver]

Thank god they are infinite.

So we really need an other SRV fuel style faffy gameloop ?

There is already plenty to retock with FSD boosts and repairs and .... and ....

I like how on all the cool stuff FD shows, some pointdexters find a way to nitpick at the little thing they can hope to make
inconvenient for "immershun" sake.

Anyhow : The exploration changes look good. They'll make my life harder w.r.t to finding fast orbiting gas giant moons out the ring plan, but...
I'll trade conveniance for the improved gameplay anyday. Can't wait to do a small group exploration trip with SRV and SLF races.

 

[M00ka]

I am trying to work out which group is larger: those that are against unlimited probes or those that were against replenishing probes when we were first told about them, think the groups are about even.

Poor FD, whatever they do there is always a group not liking it.

 

[Stigbob]

Mine’s pretty impractical for the job (I mainly use her for PvE), but it’s very cozy to have so much real estate when I decide to head out there on a whim. Plus, the SLFs make great scouts.

Yep, I've done both and the anaconda certainly got all the mod cons. A bit of canyon racing is always fun. I just prefer flying the smaller ships.

 

[[VR] Mad Mike]

That would restrict player choice as to what an exploration ship is though, the anaconda with its lots of slots and jump range would just become the go to exploration ship.

I came at it from the other way... Actual exploration ships (which the conda isn't) would have inherent advantages for exploration over multipurpose ships. The conda is already the "best" exploration ship imo
I do see your point tho

 

[Stigbob]

I am trying to work out which group is larger: those that are against unlimited probes or those that were against replenishing probes when we were first told about them, think the groups are about even.

Poor FD, whatever they do there is always a group not liking it.

You'll more likely just find out which group is louder.

 

[kofeyh]

Without a drive to improve, whats the point of having more than one probe per planet then? Without the risk probe spam becomes another time wasting gimmick rather than meaning something.

Meaning what? They are a means to an end; not an ends to a means. They are like bullets. No intrinsic value; their purpose is simple. Provide data. People will be doing this thousands of times. Once people learn and are competent, there is no further goal; efficiency will then hit a median point.

So what? You might say. Simple; it will turn probe use into an exception and will not encourage their use due to the drag-effect of materials consumption. This is not like repairing a ship. It's firing a one-shot widget into space. Something that will be done thousands of times.

Frontier is 100% on the right track here. Making probes a low count limited resource will not encourage anything other than frustration.

 

[[VR] Mad Mike]

I am trying to work out which group is larger: those that are against unlimited probes or those that were against replenishing probes when we were first told about them, think the groups are about even.

Poor FD, whatever they do there is always a group not liking it.

Such is the way of it. It doesn't mean we shouldn't give our opinions tho. The People who play ED are diverse ranging from those who would like a pure science full neutomian only space SIM through to those who want a full on arcade game with pure sandbox features where everything is available to all from the off.

Personally I am in the middle with a slight sci-fi bias over fantasy. I get why some thought 200 was too low but I think infinite is baby out with bathwater stuff. All space sci-fi shows at some point have episodes where they need to stock up on supplies

 

[Rubbernuke]

It will already reward you with an efficiency bonus.

What is that in game terms- more money?

 

[Archvillain]

maybe you should re-read this topic Infinite Probes. Note you also posted on that topic.

You were (and apparently still are) trying to gatekeep what is and isn't proper exploring. YSK the person "doing it wrong" is the person trying to gatekeep.

 

[M00ka]

You'll more likely just find out which group is louder.

Oh I think they would be on par with each other

 

[Tharrn]

I'll 3D-print mine with space dust my fuel scoop collects on the side.

As in: Please keep them unlimited. I really don't want to micromanage this...

 

[kofeyh]

Whilst there is seemingly no risk, there is a reward for limited probe use.

What reward? What is the reward for not using a mechanic Frontier has created? I don't understand this statement. Particularly given there is no factual experience to back this assertion up. What's the basis of this statement? It sounds a lot like assumption..

--

Folks are speaking authoritatively on mechanics they have 100% not experienced. I call bull* on that. Nobody has actual experience for how this will work in practice, yet.

 

[Stigbob]

I came at it from the other way... Actual exploration ships (which the conda isn't) would have inherent advantages for exploration over multipurpose ships. The conda is already the "best" exploration ship imo
I do see your point tho

I can see why people would object, I'm not bothered myself as video game magic is fine for me. But given how we've already maxed out stuff we need in exploration it would be a lot of back alteration in term of internals for a fairly minor issue, and those alterations would need to be balanced so they didn't upset ship progression.

This just seems easier for players and FDEV.

 

[[VR] Deggial]

I support the idea of unlimited basic probes and enhanced probes that need to be synthesized (with common materials).

In order to achieve a reasonable difference, the “surveillance radius” of basic probes could be a little bit reduced (by 5%?) while the enhanced probes cover more space?
This would also interact nicely with the efficiency bonus gameplay.

Edit: Additionally, the enhanced probes could possibly fly a litle bit faster.

 

[Bryan K]

I'll 3D-print mine with space dust my fuel scoop collects on the side.

As in: Please keep them unlimited. I really don't want to micromanage this...

Plus, there must be tons of dust out there, considering that it eats our paint jobs. You should’ve seen my poor Orca after a single Smeaton run back when that was a thing.