Bring back the Docking computer.

[Mikey2305]

Which is part of its charm. Love the way it throws you at the pad and shuffles around when it misses. And when it stops on outposts while it figures out what to do next is priceless

 

[Olrik]

The docking computer is utterly useless.

Not at all.
Its the perfect time to relax, go to the bathroom-or make a sandwich, and come back revigorated and refreshed.
And it never failed me yet.

It took exactly ten minutes before I saw "WTH this docking computer is trying to kill me!

Nah...video or it didn't happen.

.the DC has been 100% reliable. in a sidey, a hauler, a cobra, a T6 and an asp. in starports and platforms. As in never let me down. Ever.. I just wish people would not post misinformation as though it were fact.

This.

 

[Sarah Jane Avory]

I'm sorry to report that the next release, version 1.1, will feature some fixes to AI orientation control that I've added, plus we've added some specific docking fixes. So there's a good chance AI docking and the docking computer is gonna soon be very boring... and just work properly. So sorry...

 

[Tettric]

I'm sorry to report that the next release, version 1.1, will feature some fixes to AI orientation control that I've added, plus we've added some specific docking fixes. So there's a good chance AI docking and the docking computer is gonna soon be very boring... and just work properly. So sorry...

Well where's the danger in that?!

This game has a misleading title! I demand a refund!

 

[Vingtetun]

I'm lucky - had a year or more to test playing this game, including landing at speed and from the beginning it has been a "no computer allowed" kind of procedure. What nailed it for me was all the practice in alpha when the station auto-rotate stopped working and had to land on to a rotating interior of a station without smashing myself to bits.

Now - can do it drunk, backwards, nose first and even with a cracked windshield and venting atmosphere.

Currently working on the handbrake turn into the station entrance - skimming around the side of the station FAOFF then boosting past the toast rack, clicking FA back on and the screaming my way into the letterbox and toward my pad before settling it gently on the pad with nary more than a sigh. If only I could put on the docking music whilst doing it manually.

 

[The Sovereign]

Critical thinking skills. Get them.

 

[NapalmJunkie]

Interesting point above about the control method. Whilst I much prefer playing with a HOTAS stick (X52), my landing was considerably better and smoother during my briefly enforced keyboard/mouse phase.

 

[Oddity]

... So there's a good chance AI docking and the docking computer is gonna soon be very boring... and just work properly. So sorry...

Don't overdo it... I find it amazing to watch the AI squeeze a T9 into the mail slot sideways.

Edit: any news on the advocated intermediate version being able to undock? And the reverse parking advanced one?

 

[Darth Krayt]

I like the docking computer. The only time I've ever seen it do anything foolish is when engaging it when too close to an outpost and it tried to land the ship on it's side.

 

[micky1up]

One of the biggest annoyances of the original Elite was docking. It wasn't hard as such, it was just a PITA finding the entrance on a cubic station, orientating yourself with the entrance and finally moving forward and keeping it lined up so you didn't crash. However, once inside with this version, now we also have to deal with finding the right pad since it's not the only one lit up, micro managing systems to get there and line up perfectly, only to get a fine for loitering near another pad that wasn't even noticed because it wasn't flashing on the way in.

It might cost us a couple of thousand extra credits but a docking computer would be far better. When in range, hit the comms for a docking request and the docking computer does the rest if you turn it on. It's harder to dock than it was before with Elite, Frontier and First Encounter but even back then, we had a computer that could do it for us for a few credits extra. For god's sake, we now have self driving cars, how hard would it be to have a computer dock your ship for you so far in the future? We've already proved we can do it manually god knows how many times before we earn the credits to buy a docking computer, why drag out the game by making us do it EVERY time?

You're already inside a no-fire zone and the computer would do everything you would normally do so there is no reason not to automate it. It doesn't help someone who is under attack, in fact it would move more slowly than a player so the chances are, you'll be dead before you get inside so it won't break PVP as I can see some players declaring. It will probably make the player even more vulnerable since it will take the safe option and wait until it is clear before entering the station, unlike a player who will zoom in behind another ship and barely avoid a collision inside the airlock.

Docking really is a major annoyance in this game now and will probably be the main reason some people will play it less. It is the one thing that has been boring the hell out of me so far and I have only done 10 trade runs to get some credits so far. I played for a couple of hours then logged because I really couldn't face manual docking yet again on my next run.

I like the game, considering I have yet to move outside the system I started in. I've now learned how to drop out of cruise almost perfectly with the station I want right in front of me and almost within hands reach as I drop out. However, it's taking me almost as long to land my ship on the pad as it did to fly a light year across space in cruise and what makes it worse is that I know I have to do it EVERY time I want to dock.

docking in theoriginal game was a breeze put station on left side of crosshairs planet on th eright side fly untill the planet fills th eright view screen you should be alingned to the port simples this game is even easier

 

[ScottGust]

Cmon man.READ. Docking computers are dirt cheap and readily available...plus docking manually is simple...practice.

 

[Shads]

You really are better of learning to cope without one. Sooner or later you will realise that the every module slot on your ship is needed for more important stuff than a 1 tonne computer........Who the hell makes a 1 tonne computer anyway.......well since Charles Babbage

 

[ScottGust]

You really are better of learning to cope without one. Sooner or later you will realise that the every module slot on your ship is needed for more important stuff than a 1 tonne computer........Who the hell makes a 1 tonne computer anyway.......well since Charles Babbage

LOL, omg..u just totally reminded me of an old computer gaming store called Babbages....almost completely forgot bout'em..ha!
(random)

 

[Belsameth]

I'd say if it takes two minutes and can't even approach the station on its own, it's useless. If you have to approach the entrance, might as well finish the job yourself.

Spoiler

[video=youtube;a5fF_hbl3Yc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5fF_hbl3Yc[/video]

+rep for that awesome landing. Personally I'm of the "Any landing you can walk away from is a good one" school of docking, even after having done so hundreds of times
(I once made such a perfect landing in an Eagle tho. Only to have forgotten the landing gear... *doh* )

 

[Zaclobsterboy]

I love docking, still cringe every time I scrape into the airlock…and that's with a compact Sidewinder! Love the decent to the docking pad and the announcers voice echoing warnings around the space station. I long for a ship with a glass canopy underneath (a hauler by chance?) so I can see the pad as it swings below my landing craft.

 

[Dissentient]

I love docking, still cringe every time I scrape into the airlock…and that's with a compact Sidewinder! Love the decent to the docking pad and the announcers voice echoing warnings around the space station. I long for a ship with a glass canopy underneath (a hauler by chance?) so I can see the pad as it swings below my landing craft.

Type 6 and ASP are what you looking for.

 

[CommandImperative]

This thread needs to be read in conjunction with this one!

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=101569

 

[Hell Razor5543]

I know it is possible that I may get the mickey taken out of me for admitting it, but I have, use, and monitor the docking computer. I have yet to see it fail to dock successfully first time (other than the few occasions when it 'thinks' that my landing gear has been rotated around my ship by 90 degrees, that is!). It gives me a few moments to recover from a hairy flight, or, when I see one, to say 'Hiya' to another commander (and I HAVE seen them) in the same area (or friends who are in game at that time). Yes, it is slower than if I dock manually, but having a few moments to recover is useful.

 

[Daveson]

The 1 tonne dredging gear control computer on the last ship I worked on in the Merchant Navy. Ship built in 1984. Computer broke the following year and hadn't been used since. Looked like something out of a 60's sci-fi...It stood about 6ft off the deck and about 1 1/2 ft wide and deep. Absolute beast of a thing.

 

[Kars Vandor]

I would really like to get out and walk around, speak to the engineer to see what stuff he can supply for my ship (Privateer), chat to the guy at the shipyard to see what he's got for sale (Privateer), Check the mission board (Terminus), go for a beer at the bar and listen to some gossip (Terminus) and so on. I understand that, for an online game that's a big order since Eve has yet to really implement WIS properly but it would be nice to have other things to do while you're in a station.

Star Trek online has all of that, walkable planets, walk around inside your own ship or a friend's, and more. Can't wait till they get stuff like that here.

Also, I used to play the old game with keyboard, so docking was a necessary skill.

for this version i did the docking tutorial exactly 12 times. Greatly benefited, never crashed afterward. Really it;'s a fun, and immersive mini-game. I wish there was more guidance from docking control tower / patter from the tower.