Indigo here, brings to light a two-part special. We formed a new sub-committee, the Elite: PGA, or Planet Golf Association. Planet Golf, for those unfamiliar with the term, is the nickname for planetary mapping, given by the Frontier folks during the Exploration update reveal. We liked the term and found it terribly appropriate, and have been having our bit of fun with it.
If you've not yet delved into the new Exploration mechanics, tagging and mapping planets might seem a bit daunting at first, but this little video should help. We plan, at some point, to organize some full-scale PGA competition, once we've had time to really get a feel for planet mapping and can come up with some viable "courses" that offer appropriate challenges.
As you may or may not know, there is a bit of skill involved in planet mapping - namely to distribute probes in such a manner as to reach 90% (or higher) with as few probes as possible. Each planet has its own Efficiency Target, or what we in the PGA call "par". Hit this number, or lower, and you score yourself an Efficiency Bonus (extra credits awarded when you sell your exploration data). Our PGA play is, much like in actual golf, based on the same scoring principles - the lower your final score, the better. A score that is "par", that is, just meets the Efficiency Target, is worth 0 points. A "bogey" is 1 over par. A double-bogey is 3 over par. A Birdie is 1 under par (-1 point), and so on.
This video, which I hope both entertains and enlightens, shows a very well shot Eagle (2 under par).
[video=youtube_share;nlzeX5w5QEs]https://youtu.be/nlzeX5w5QEs[/video]
So get out there, map some planets, and stay tuned - we'll be ramping up for some competitive planet golf in the near future. For now, keep practicing!
If you've not yet delved into the new Exploration mechanics, tagging and mapping planets might seem a bit daunting at first, but this little video should help. We plan, at some point, to organize some full-scale PGA competition, once we've had time to really get a feel for planet mapping and can come up with some viable "courses" that offer appropriate challenges.
As you may or may not know, there is a bit of skill involved in planet mapping - namely to distribute probes in such a manner as to reach 90% (or higher) with as few probes as possible. Each planet has its own Efficiency Target, or what we in the PGA call "par". Hit this number, or lower, and you score yourself an Efficiency Bonus (extra credits awarded when you sell your exploration data). Our PGA play is, much like in actual golf, based on the same scoring principles - the lower your final score, the better. A score that is "par", that is, just meets the Efficiency Target, is worth 0 points. A "bogey" is 1 over par. A double-bogey is 3 over par. A Birdie is 1 under par (-1 point), and so on.
This video, which I hope both entertains and enlightens, shows a very well shot Eagle (2 under par).
[video=youtube_share;nlzeX5w5QEs]https://youtu.be/nlzeX5w5QEs[/video]
So get out there, map some planets, and stay tuned - we'll be ramping up for some competitive planet golf in the near future. For now, keep practicing!