Community Event / Creation Buckyball Run A*: What do you do when a mountain is there? Move it.

[Stern Winter]

Back at Galileo, doing pre-flight checks on The Nomad.

Heading back to Sadge very soon.

Best of luck, CMDR.

 

[Raiko]

Best of luck, CMDR.

Thanks

I made it to Sadge earlier this morning, I got a nice time - less than 10hrs, but a few minutes slower than Kligg's time.

I'll work out the correct time and post pictures / PM ElectricZ later today, I was too tired when I got there (another all-nighter run).

Now there's just the small matter of the trip back the bubble for BB-8!

@CMDR Henry Passionfruit, if The Spanish Inquisition is still around, I bought you a present!

-------------------- EDIT --------------------

Total Time: 9h 36m 58s - Just over an hour faster than my previous run.

 

[ElectricZ]

Let's see... can I bump this successfully to get the top spot? Gonna give it the ol' college try...

 

[ElectricZ]

Diamondbacks and Orcas and Dropships oh my...

Got quite a cluster of finishers this week, including a couple of returning Buckyball vets. CMDR The Coat's Asp G-SINK made a return to finish 10th, and CMDR Henry Passionfruit after a long and winding road brought his Orca The Spanish Inquisition to Sagittarius A* after a record-setting run of 36 Days, 17 minutes. Welcome back to Sadge, Henry!

Special congratulations also to CMDR Edelgard von Rhein for bringing the first Federal Dropship to the Buckyball A* party. The Hippogriff now completes the roster of available ships competing in the Buckyball. Congratulations on making history, Edelgard!

Congrats also to CMDRs Barracuda, Nilmerg, Jon Luc, RandomGun, Niyone, Sodanar, and Rowan North for making the trip to the middle, earning your star pips and the coveted Buckyball Run A* bumpersticker! And a final tip of the hat to CMDR Raiko for cutting an hour off his time and bringing the Nomad into 5th place, third in time for the Asps, and only an hour behind the reigning Buckyball Champion Alot.

Can anyone beat him? There's only two weeks left to find out.

Woah, I can hear the collective gasp of shock from the studio audience. Your eyes do not deceive you. Buckyball A* is rolling to a stop in two weeks. Due to a series of unfortunate misunderstandings, the staff and friends of the Buckyball Run are going to be taking another hiatus, this one a little longer than the last one. That is to say, indefinitely. I'm also sorry to have to deliver the news that Buckyball Run 8 is also on indefinite hold. I wanted to get the word out so that those of you planning on making wakes back to civilized space can hold back on the throttle.

So, two weeks left to go, with 35 bumper stickers left in stock. Maybe we can move them all before closing time. Also, if anybody's looking to unseat Alot, the clock is ticking down. Though that 8:43 time is gonna be hard to crack.

While this is not the official end of the Buckyball Run in Elite Dangerous, I can't honestly say when it's going to come back. But what I would like to say is that it's been my honor and privilege as the organizer (if you can call someone who is organizationally challenged like me an organizer to meet the fine pilots throughout all the races.... From old timers like FoxTwo and Jackie Silver to the new breed the likes of Alot, Anuranium, Raiko, well shoot pretty much the whole lot of you. Each of these events somehow, some way, seemed to bring out not only the finest pilots but the finest people in the galaxy. We were never an official community, but damn if it didn't seem like one. I learned more from the likes of you than anything else, and had more good times and laughs at the same time.

CMDRs like Alec Turner, who went off and made the first Buckyball Run t-shirt, delivered to my door last week. I've never had my very own T-shirt before. If I had the funds, I'd print them up and send them to everybody.

There is one glaring oversight on the shirt, though. It lists all of the winners of the previous Buckyballs on the back, it seems to be missing one CMDR ElectricZ, winner of the vitally important Buckyball Run 7 Solo Sidewinder category! Oh well, I could never keep the Big Board in order, I guess I can't hold anybody else to a higher standard. Thanks Alec and anybody else responsible for this gift. It really made my day!

So... Two weeks to go, 35 bumper stickers up for grab. Good luck, CMDRs!

 

[sam445]

I think with the name of the ship I have, the only appropriate phrase would be:

Error 404: Soul Not Found

 

[kccummings3]

Thanks

I made it to Sadge earlier this morning, I got a nice time - less than 10hrs, but a few minutes slower than Kligg's time.

I'll work out the correct time and post pictures / PM ElectricZ later today, I was too tired when I got there (another all-nighter run).

Now there's just the small matter of the trip back the bubble for BB-8!

@CMDR Henry Passionfruit, if The Spanish Inquisition is still around, I bought you a present!

Total Time: 9h 36m 58s - Just over an hour faster than my previous run.

Congratulations, CMDR!

I've been hopping around in the neutron fields on the western edge of the central bar. Was planning to drop in and say hi to Sadge again on the way back but a run-in with a binary carbon star system has me wondering if I'll even make it back...



KC

 

[robinjb]

While this is not the official end of the Buckyball Run in Elite Dangerous, I can't honestly say when it's going to come back. But what I would like to say is that it's been my honor and privilege as the organizer

I've been waiting for Ez's update and glad its here, but sad news about the future of the race... maybe some other plucky types can rehouse bucky, pay the shotgun shines loans off and take the reins..
there's no way we can replace EZ's witty race commentary though.
maybe we can still do bb8 as a farewell run... and someone else can corral the times and do the bits you used to do... you've obviously got your reasons Ez , you've livened up ED for a lot of commanders, kudos.
some sort of huddle and a whip round may be needed.. guys...?
nice tee from alec, fingers crossed you may get some other bb merch soon.
and well played on beating my time in an asp, rusty and drakhyr, ive retired kligg and am now kliggson. so your times are safe... id have to be stark raving aucocks to run it again.

 

[Alec Turner]

CMDRs like Alec Turner, who went off and made the first Buckyball Run t-shirt, delivered to my door last week. I've never had my very own T-shirt before. If I had the funds, I'd print them up and send them to everybody.

http://i.imgur.com/rFYU9hY.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/oBnCShz.jpg

There is one glaring oversight on the shirt, though. It lists all of the winners of the previous Buckyballs on the back, it seems to be missing one CMDR ElectricZ, winner of the vitally important Buckyball Run 7 Solo Sidewinder category!

You mean you didn't get the matching boxers and sport socks combination which listed the winners of all the specialist class races? Darn it, where the hell have those got to then? Might be worth checking Bucky's litter tray for the next few days!

So... Two weeks to go, 35 bumper stickers up for grab. Good luck, CMDRs!

Woah, I can hear the collective gasp of shock from the studio audience. Your eyes do not deceive you. Buckyball A* is rolling to a stop in two weeks. Due to a series of unfortunate misunderstandings, the staff and friends of the Buckyball Run are going to be taking another hiatus, this one a little longer than the last one. That is to say, indefinitely. I'm also sorry to have to deliver the news that Buckyball Run 8 is also on indefinite hold.

As for this, I ... I don't have the words. [I've written the next sentence about a dozen times and now I need to run for a train ... to be continued]

 

[Hanekura Shizuka]

Observation: Just as it will rain on any day I wash my car, the servers will have issues on any day I make a Bucky run. Will see if I can still break 13 hours. Was hoping to break 12.5 when the servers started acting up.

 

[Anuranium]

I'm also sorry to have to deliver the news that Buckyball Run 8 is also on indefinite hold. I wanted to get the word out so that those of you planning on making wakes back to civilized space can hold back on the throttle.

I've been waiting for Ez's update and glad its here, but sad news about the future of the race...

Sad news indeed. But... this isn't the end, right? I mean, for Sag A* it is, but Buckeyball 8 is only on hold, right? There is still a glimmer of hope? Please say it is.

Still, this little race to the center of the galaxy has been quite the journey. I mean, who would believe that almost 100 people would participate in this (mad) race? Also it has given me hours upon hours of fun, not to mention the social interaction, though usually involving some kind of space madness

As for CMDR Alot's time... I believe it's quite safe

 

[Alec Turner]

As for this, I ... I don't have the words. [I've written the next sentence about a dozen times and now I need to run for a train ... to be continued]

... continued ...

I'm on a train, cutting through the rain swept English countryside from Hertfordshire into London with The Doors' L.A. Woman on my iPod. You know how sometimes a song gets cast in stone as the soundtrack to something, a moment in your life that was special, and every time you hear that song it takes you back? Well right now I'm not really on a train, I'm in the cockpit of the Wedding Anniversary, lifting up and away from a Galileo Station landing bay, my 5A frame shift drive charging for the first of some 750+ hyperspace jumps that will take me far far from home and into the maw of the Sagittarius A* black hole. I'm surrounded by food, drink and great music and I'm buzzing with excitement for the journey ahead. And if it weren't for EZ and the Buckyball Run ... I'd be on a train ... going to work.

Neither words nor T-shirts can express my gratitude for that.

I could never replace EZ's flair for an exciting score board update, for a catchy bumper sticker tag line, or even for his solo Sidewinder piloting skills (my best Buckyball placing is currently 27th and slipping fast). But ... if others are OK with it, and if EZ is willing to pass over his extensive dossier of carefully researched and beautifully drafted plans for the race, then I am certainly willing to have a crack at taking over the organisation of BB8 ... just until EZ's return of course!

P.S. alas I don't think my wife would appreciate a large marsupial coming to live with us so I'm afraid I'm unable to offer Bucky a place to stay at this point in time.

[hits "Submit Reply" in the vague hope that he's been ninja'd]

 

[Esvandiary]

Woah, I can hear the collective gasp of shock from the studio audience. Your eyes do not deceive you. Buckyball A* is rolling to a stop in two weeks. Due to a series of unfortunate misunderstandings, the staff and friends of the Buckyball Run are going to be taking another hiatus, this one a little longer than the last one. That is to say, indefinitely. I'm also sorry to have to deliver the news that Buckyball Run 8 is also on indefinite hold. I wanted to get the word out so that those of you planning on making wakes back to civilized space can hold back on the throttle.

Woah! Very sorry indeed to hear that. Whatever's going on, all the best and I hope it can be sorted out. Take your time - we'll still be here.

So, two weeks left to go, with 35 bumper stickers left in stock. Maybe we can move them all before closing time. Also, if anybody's looking to unseat Alot, the clock is ticking down. Though that 8:43 time is gonna be hard to crack.

I wish I currently had enough credits to donate to drakhyr or Rusticolus to get them an Anaconda - pretty sure they could nip me any day of the week! Perhaps they still will...

While this is not the official end of the Buckyball Run in Elite Dangerous, I can't honestly say when it's going to come back. But what I would like to say is that it's been my honor and privilege as the organizer (if you can call someone who is organizationally challenged like me an organizer to meet the fine pilots throughout all the races.... From old timers like FoxTwo and Jackie Silver to the new breed the likes of Alot, Anuranium, Raiko, well shoot pretty much the whole lot of you. Each of these events somehow, some way, seemed to bring out not only the finest pilots but the finest people in the galaxy. We were never an official community, but damn if it didn't seem like one. I learned more from the likes of you than anything else, and had more good times and laughs at the same time.

I think I speak for a whole lot of us when I say that for me, the Buckyball Runs have been by far the most enjoyable time I've spent out in the galaxy. I completely agree that it seems to attract some of the best people; I'm hesitant to name any names because I'd just end up reeling off most of the leaderboards!
But none of it would have happened without you. You made this, and you kept it running the way it should be. As Alec Turner said - you've given a lot of people a whole lot of fun, and we're in your debt for that.

I could never replace EZ's flair for an exciting score board update, for a catchy bumper sticker tag line, or even for his solo Sidewinder piloting skills (my best Buckyball placing is currently 27th and slipping fast). But ... if others are OK with it, and if EZ is willing to pass over his extensive dossier of carefully researched and beautifully drafted plans for the race, then I am certainly willing to have a crack at taking over the organisation of BB8 ... just until EZ's return of course!

I actually saw this post a couple of hours ago, but if I'd replied it would have been on a phone, and I didn't think I could do it justice (not to mention relying on autocorrect!). I might have ninja'd you if I had.
I'd also be willing to take up the mantle temporarily if needed (I probably have the time to do it). However, I'd personally say that the races could go under a different name in the meantime. That way, if and when EZ's ready to return, BBR8 can happen just as planned. Not to mention, it's not a Buckyball without Bucky...

I can already see the opening story now...
"Due to an unfortunate series of incidents involving parking tickets, Buckyball race organiser CMDR ElectricZ is currently indisposed. Not only that, the Shotgun Shine is currently parked in Senator Denton Patreus's impound. Some have suggested that this could merely be a ploy, and the impound is in fact the finish line of the next race, but our sources say otherwise; as such, a new series of races will run until arrangements can be made to retrieve ElectricZ and the Shine. Word was also sent to Bucky that he could help with these races too if he wanted. However, apparently marsupials haven't heard of the phrase "don't shoot the messenger"; said messenger is currently recuperating from a swift jab to the nose in a local hospital. Loyalty is a hell of a thing."

 

[Orange Sheets]

So... Two weeks to go, 35 bumper stickers up for grab. Good luck, CMDRs!

Wow, what a timing for once.. Going to depart on Friday this week. Aiming for the top spot in T6 category. Updates to follow.

 

[Hanekura Shizuka]

Finished another A* run - likely my last with Bucky, if the post is to be believed. And before you ask, I PM'ed EZ with this information, as well as the requisite screenshots.

CMDR Hanekura Shizuka
Ship type: Diamondback Explorer
Ship name: Heliotrope
Time: 12 hours, 54 minutes, 19 seconds.
Quote: Mare Tranquillitatis

This one was more pleasant than the first - found the 'magic number' fairly quickly, had music going for most of the run, and learned how to take care of things such as cooking in those few seconds between lining up the jump and landing in the next system. Also, this time, while fatigue certainly set in, it didn't reach the complete and utter zombification level it did during my 17.5 hour Adder run. That said, as strange as it sounds, what comes to mind for me with music is the random shuffle of the music putting on ABBA's "Dancing Queen" at 2:30 in the morning. That just worked, for some strange reason. (The hilarious bit? Was getting work done in all of this; was running and monitoring simulations for work on another computer.)

Anyway, as you could probably tell from the rambling, I'm just a little loopy, and need sleep. Good Night (or morning), everyone.

 

[Jack Tripper]

Your eyes do not deceive you. Buckyball A* is rolling to a stop in two weeks.

I was definitely not the first, and will certainly not be the last, but I am here now. As beautiful a sight as any I've seen in this galaxy, Sadge has opened up new possibilities for us all. I'll be submitting my results with pride... it is an honour to be counted among you now. Buckyball A* will live on, and our ranks will not diminish.

Good luck to everyone undertaking this epic journey in the next few weeks and beyond!

 

[Alec Turner]

I'd also be willing to take up the mantle temporarily if needed (I probably have the time to do it). However, I'd personally say that the races could go under a different name in the meantime. That way, if and when EZ's ready to return, BBR8 can happen just as planned. Not to mention, it's not a Buckyball without Bucky...

I can already see the opening story now...
"Due to an unfortunate series of incidents involving parking tickets, CMDR ElectricZ is currently indisposed. Not only that, the Shotgun Shine is currently parked in Senator Denton Patreus's impound. Some have suggested that this could merely be a ploy, and that is in fact the finish line of the next race, but our sources tell us that isn't the case; as such, a new series of races will run until arrangements can be made to retrieve ElectricZ and the Shine. Word was also sent to Bucky that he could help with these races too if he wanted. However, apparently marsupials haven't heard of the phrase "don't shoot the messenger"; said messenger is currently recuperating from a swift jab to the nose in a local hospital. Loyalty is a hell of a thing."

Although my offer absolutely still stands, as someone who's been here a lot longer than I (and who's a bit of a BB legend), if Esvandiary wants to take this (and I wholeheartedly agree with his statement in bold above) then I will gladly step aside (with a standing offer to help out in any way I can).

 

[drakhyr]

I'll say more this evening when on a proper computer, but for now:

ElectricZ, sorry to hear that and hope to see the Buckyball return. None of us can match your commentary!

Buckyball Run A* need not be over - I will keep the unofficial board going indefinitely.

I will also gladly help organise a new Buckyball-style series of races to keep us going until the true Buckyball returns. I have some ideas already .

 

[Esvandiary]

Although my offer absolutely still stands, as someone who's been here a lot longer than I (and who's a bit of a BB legend), if Esvandiary wants to take this (and I wholeheartedly agree with his statement in bold above) then I will gladly step aside (with a standing offer to help out in any way I can).

I haven't been here much longer than you! (BBR6 was my first race)
I'm just quite talkative.

I've started thinking through a couple of potential alternative routes/themes for a race, I think I might have a workable theme at least
If it's alright, I'll probably have more of an idea this evening (UK time); I'm at work at the moment, so somewhat limited in the research and effort I can do... (Without getting in trouble, anyway )

EDIT: Ninja'd by drakhyr Once we have an idea of who's interested in organisation/running, perhaps we should have a real-time chat... I'm sure we can all work together! After all, we have some big shoes to fill...

 

[Cheetah]

Well Z, I've come to say thank you for my bumper sticker. I've sent a photo to all my friends to make them jealous. It worked, he's well jealous!

And now I've seen the news of your (temporary?) retirement. I've gotta say thanks for all you did for us. You got me into the Beta. I'd paid for the Mercenary Edition but was watching video's of the game as I recovered from an operation. I might have died without... hang on that's not where I am going. Watching the fun in the early Buckyball's caused me to crack and buy into the Beta and I've had no regrets. So by my reckoning Frontier owe you some money! The races have been some of my highlights in this game.

I wish you and Bucky well.

 

[Raiko]

Damnit ElectricZ this is what happens when you go messing with people like Senator Patraeus!

Seriously though, I hope whatever real-life things are taking you away from here are happy things, and I really hope that you and Bucky do come back, even if you only manage to return for a final blowout at Buckyball-8!

As others have said, the Buckyball Runs have been my favourite part of my favourite game and that's all thanks to you. A lot of players complain on these forums that the galaxy seems dead or empty, but it never does to me due to the camaraderie of all the Buckyball runners.

This last race has been awesome, and I know that I never would have gotten around to visiting Sadge without it.

I will also gladly help organise a new Buckyball-style series of races to keep us going until the true Buckyball returns. I have some ideas already .

EDIT: Ninja'd by drakhyr Once we have an idea of who's interested in organisation/running, perhaps we should have a real-time chat... I'm sure we can all work together! After all, we have some big shoes to fill...

I'm up for any Buckyball style race that anyone would like to organise, and I'd also be more than willing to help out in any way.

I had planned to run my own 'rares-trading' open-mode only race in between this race and Buckyball-8, but I ended up getting addicted flying to Sadge and back!

My race would have been a Smokey and the Bandit themed tribute to the Buckyball. I'm still planning to run it if and when I get back to the bubble and stay there for more than a week.

At the moment I'm not sure exactly what to do, I'm sat at Sadge with an 8+2t fuel tank in The Nomad. I've got an ADS, but no DSS scanner, and I've got a single ton of cargo to hopefully deliver to Henry Passionfruit!

My plan had been to honk and jump all the way there and back in time for BB-8. Now though I'm not sure, I would go for a '65KLY from Sol' attempt, but I'm not sure - I had a few worrying moments with the two-jump build on the way to Sadge...