I have over 4,000 hours logged in ED. While I've tried and enjoy most other activities, Exploration is where I find awe and wonder. It is where Elite really shines; at least as far as possibilities go. Unfortunately, there seems to be a lack of vision when it comes to Exploration content and development. I would like to invite other Explorers with passion and imagination to join me in describing their vision of what Exploration could be for them in Elite. My vision looks something like this:
I have a vessel specifically designed for exploration. It has a long jump range, has the utility of a swiss-army knife, and is completely self-sufficient. A ship interior that is both functional and cozy. It is a home and a laboratory. It is equipped with probes, satellites, ground vehicles, atmospheric vehicles, all the comforts of an apartment, and a lab that can be used to process and refine sample data - making it more valuable to corporations, militaries, and governments. The passion is to see strange, new, wonderous sights - the reality is to make profit on what you find.
I jump into a system and scan it down with the FSS. It helps me find a body with a tenuous atmosphere and signs of biological and geological activity. I mark it for further study as I scan, and return to it once finished. I approach the newly discovered planet and launch probes. I see a general hotspot map indicating the anomalous signals. I then begin constructing a network of launched satellites in orbit which map the entire surface. This high resolution map will be available from ship, SLF, SRV, or on foot.
I bring the ship towards the area of greatest interest and land in a fairly central location. I deploy my Mobile Lab SRV and begin scanning for signals. As I approach an area of biological activity, I launch a series of drones. They fly off to collect samples and photos of the life in question, collecting from a significant portion of the area. Once full, they return to the SRV and deposit the samples into the lab. I get out of my chair and walk to the interior lab of the SRV to begin processing the data. It takes a few minutes to process, but that can be sped up by actively participating in an engaging mini-game of genomes and DNA.
After collecting and processing samples, I return to the ship to further refine the samples on the larger and better equipped laboratory on the ship. While the computer analyses the samples and makes them even more valuable, I launch and head towards the next region to repeat this process.
Eventually, I return to the Bubble to sell these highly refined samples and their data to the highest bidder. Alternatively, I may dock with my Fleet Carrier to remotely sell the data and store the samples for my inevitable return to the Bubble.
This is how I imagine the exploration gameloop could play out with more development on already existing systems. The most ambitious being ship interiors to include ground vehicle interiors, and functionally relevant rooms such as the lab, astrometrics, or even just observatories. Also a better mapping system for planets to make it clearer to find bio and geo activity. Less time consuming methods to collect samples in larger areas. The choice to spend passive and/or active time on increasing the value of the samples and data to sell.
These are just a few of my ideas for engaging and interesting exploration mechanics. I would love to hear more ideas from fellow explorers, and we just might inspire a Dev or two.
I have a vessel specifically designed for exploration. It has a long jump range, has the utility of a swiss-army knife, and is completely self-sufficient. A ship interior that is both functional and cozy. It is a home and a laboratory. It is equipped with probes, satellites, ground vehicles, atmospheric vehicles, all the comforts of an apartment, and a lab that can be used to process and refine sample data - making it more valuable to corporations, militaries, and governments. The passion is to see strange, new, wonderous sights - the reality is to make profit on what you find.
I jump into a system and scan it down with the FSS. It helps me find a body with a tenuous atmosphere and signs of biological and geological activity. I mark it for further study as I scan, and return to it once finished. I approach the newly discovered planet and launch probes. I see a general hotspot map indicating the anomalous signals. I then begin constructing a network of launched satellites in orbit which map the entire surface. This high resolution map will be available from ship, SLF, SRV, or on foot.
I bring the ship towards the area of greatest interest and land in a fairly central location. I deploy my Mobile Lab SRV and begin scanning for signals. As I approach an area of biological activity, I launch a series of drones. They fly off to collect samples and photos of the life in question, collecting from a significant portion of the area. Once full, they return to the SRV and deposit the samples into the lab. I get out of my chair and walk to the interior lab of the SRV to begin processing the data. It takes a few minutes to process, but that can be sped up by actively participating in an engaging mini-game of genomes and DNA.
After collecting and processing samples, I return to the ship to further refine the samples on the larger and better equipped laboratory on the ship. While the computer analyses the samples and makes them even more valuable, I launch and head towards the next region to repeat this process.
Eventually, I return to the Bubble to sell these highly refined samples and their data to the highest bidder. Alternatively, I may dock with my Fleet Carrier to remotely sell the data and store the samples for my inevitable return to the Bubble.
This is how I imagine the exploration gameloop could play out with more development on already existing systems. The most ambitious being ship interiors to include ground vehicle interiors, and functionally relevant rooms such as the lab, astrometrics, or even just observatories. Also a better mapping system for planets to make it clearer to find bio and geo activity. Less time consuming methods to collect samples in larger areas. The choice to spend passive and/or active time on increasing the value of the samples and data to sell.
These are just a few of my ideas for engaging and interesting exploration mechanics. I would love to hear more ideas from fellow explorers, and we just might inspire a Dev or two.
