Can I ignore the Exploration controls changes?

[Scoob]

Hey all,

As per topic title really, though I'll explain my reasoning...

I've been away from the game for a while, and 3.3 has landed in that time with the exploration changes. I allowed the game to update the other day, but was greeted with instructions about re-defining my controls.

Now, I have ZERO interest in the new exploration mechanics at this time, it just seems like needless busy work to me & not worth my time. I think it's great for people who like that stuff, I really don't. However, I was wondering if I can simply ignore the control changes prompts without issue.

What I like doing in-game are general haulage and passenger missions, some free-trading a bit of bounty hunting and the like. I'd quite like to have a go at the new Mining, assuming it's lucrative enough to be worth my time.

So, do I have to review my controls just to play how I want to play? I understand mining and the new exploration mechanic are linked, so will I have to set up controls for everything?

I'm using an X52 HOTAS and have the control set up to my liking. I don't want to be forced to compromise my control setup to add functionality I don't want to use.

Note: I've had issues in the past where updates have broken my control scheme, changing some controls, deleting others while some remain unchanged. Taking off from a landing pad in your expensive ship only to have most controls broken isn't fun, and I don't want a repeat of this.

Any advice welcome.

Scoob.

 

[Vedmo]

You can still use the honk function with the same binding. One additional binding would be needed to enter the new mode, then a whole array of new bindings would be needed, but on applicable to that mode.

To answer your question, yes you can ignore it, and you will be doing the equivalent of the old basic discovery scanner with a honk.

The only way mining is linked is if you are looking for hotspots in a ring, in which new bindings for the detailed surface scanner would be needed, but once again, those are mode specific bindings other than using the trigger to enter that mode when the DSS is on a fire group while in analysis mode.

 

[Kaocraft]

Weeeeellllll, you could possibly get by without mapping the new controls, but long term it's probably something you'll want to do.

But in general you can mimic most of the old functionality with just the honk and then when you fly near the "unidentified" bodies it will populate your system map with names and planet info.

You may want to try the new FSS anyway, though, because it can help you pinpoint mission-specific signal sources. The signal sources will still appear if you manage to fly near them, but mission givers no longer give you a precise location to look for them.

For mining you'll need the discovery probes to find hotspots. But I guess you don't really *need* to use hotspots for mining, so I guess you're good?

 

[Andovar]

Nope, you're not forced to use the new FSS/DSS scanners is you don't want to.
If you do all your gameplay within the bubble, you'll likely not even notice, as the honk will bring up the system map for any previously discovered system by any cmdr (so essentially all the bubble and then some)
Though at a minimum, you'll have to map a key for the UI mode switch, because you need to be in analysis mode to use the honk.

 

[Scoob]

Ah thanks. So, it's all triggered via a "Mode change" so no need to overwrite any of my current controls, that's good. I appreciate the information.

I will have a play at some point, certainly. However, as I've been away from the game for a while I'm glad I don't have to start defining controls for stuff I know nothing about.

Scoob.

 

[Zieman]

But in general you can mimic most of the old functionality with just the honk and then when you fly near the "unidentified" bodies it will populate your system map with names and planet info.

Those "unexplored" bodies just won't appear in your nav panel or system map unless someone else has scanned them. Of course you can supercruise near "unexplored" bodies and find them that way everywhere, but that is usually quite time consuming process and/or you need to get lucky.

 

[Kaocraft]

Those "unexplored" bodies just won't appear in your nav panel or system map unless someone else has scanned them. Of course you can supercruise near "unexplored" bodies and find them that way everywhere, but that is usually quite time consuming process and/or you need to get lucky.

True but if he's in the bubble this will never be an issue.

edit: And I'm halfway to Colonia and still hardly ever encountering untouched systems.

 

[Andovar]

Ah thanks. So, it's all triggered via a "Mode change" so no need to overwrite any of my current controls, that's good. I appreciate the information.

I will have a play at some point, certainly. However, as I've been away from the game for a while I'm glad I don't have to start defining controls for stuff I know nothing about.

Scoob.

Just to be clear, there's a new hud display called 'analysis mode'. This is separate from the new scanners. To use the old-fashioned honk, you need to be in this mode. (the change is obvious because part of the hud turns blue). So you likely will have to map a key for that function. But that doesn't mean 'overwriting controls'.

 

[sidereal6]

I don't want to be forced to compromise my control setup to add functionality I don't want to use.

Hypothetically, if you did bind controls on your X52, those bindings would only be active while in the FSS. In other words, the bindings would not force you to remove any of your existing X52 bindings.

BTW, do you have the shift key (I think it's official called "clutch") working? It's the pinky switch on the stick. If not, I can tell you the trick to get it working. Took me forever to figure it out.

What I've done for the new exploration stuff is to bind one new button to switch HUD modes, and one new button to enter FSS mode. All the other buttons you need to do the scanner stuff, those binds are only active when you're in FSS mode.

 

[Scoob]

Yeah, I really don't care for exploring. The furthest I've been is out to Sothis and around that area - I started in Shinrarta. The whole jump, jump scoop thing I find a major chore, so I'm not doing it by choice if I can help it! Oh, I did pop to some Guardian sites a while back, can't recall how far away they were.

Scoob.

 

[Scoob]

Hypothetically, if you did bind controls on your X52, those bindings would only be active while in the FSS. In other words, the bindings would not force you to remove any of your existing X52 bindings.

BTW, do you have the shift key (I think it's official called "clutch") working? It's the pinky switch on the stick. If not, I can tell you the trick to get it working. Took me forever to figure it out.

What I've done for the new exploration stuff is to bind one new button to switch HUD modes, and one new button to enter FSS mode. All the other buttons you need to do the scanner stuff, those binds are only active when you're in FSS mode.

Yeah, clutch works fine thanks...I dimly recall having to do "something" to get it working initially, and again when an update broke my controls profile, but that was a while ago. I think I had to install the X52 software that first time to get it working, but I don't any more.

Btw: I'm a slow typer this eve...so more replies pop up every time I post lol.

Scoob.