Can't go any further, I'm afraid

[Jay Fox]

I've been feeling a bit of loneliness lately which was aggravated by the fact that despite me happening upon an apparently very well traveled part of the Milky Way, I still did not meet anybody. Well, one galaxy is too big I guess. In any case, to ease the 'agony' (so to speak) I decided to try the new multi-crew feature.
Well, it has been a pleasure. I met very nice people on the Milky Way sightseeing tours. Took a lovely screenshot of a Type-9 Heavy far above the Galactic plane. Chatted with them, discussed each others travels. And one of them talked me intoconvinced me to post this picture here.

Spoiler

(I've cut away a bit of excess from the image.)

So I've been traveling through the fourth quadrant. Did my usually thing, looked at colourful planets, flew through some winding canyons. And while I haven't actually planned to do so, I ended up on the far side of the Galaxy. Given that I was here already, I decided to do a little mini-game and have a look how far away I can get from Merlin (i.e. Ross 154).
Now, I am under no illusion that this is something rarely attempted -- the sudden over-abundance of 'First discovered' labels immediately dispels such notion. And that would be even without me knowing fully well that something like this will be done by dozens of players around one week after a game's release. Neither do I believe to have reached an extraordinary distance. My jump range is rather on the low side and I have spotted a few systems which I'd go for otherwise. But for me, this is the best I could do. And somebody thought it rare enough to get me to show it here.
I don't usually do forums -- quite perplexed that I already had an account and still don't know why -- but I'll follow here for a while for any feedback.

 

[Pirin]

I've been feeling a bit of loneliness lately which was aggravated by the fact that despite me happening upon an apparently very well traveled part of the Milky Way, I still did not meet anybody. Well, one galaxy is too big I guess. In any case, to ease the 'agony' (so to speak) I decided to try the new multi-crew feature.
Well, it has been a pleasure. I met very nice people on the Milky Way sightseeing tours. Took a lovely screenshot of a Type-9 Heavy far above the Galactic plane. Chatted with them, discussed each others travels. And one of them talked me intoconvinced me to post this picture here.

Spoiler

http://i.imgur.com/o4OAtni.png
(I've cut away a bit of excess from the image.)

So I've been traveling through the fourth quadrant. Did my usually thing, looked at colourful planets, flew through some winding canyons. And while I haven't actually planned to do so, I ended up on the far side of the Galaxy. Given that I was here already, I decided to do a little mini-game and have a look how far away I can get from Merlin (i.e. Ross 154).
Now, I am under no illusion that this is something rarely attempted -- the sudden over-abundance of 'First discovered' labels immediately dispels such notion. And that would be even without me knowing fully well that something like this will be done by dozens of players around one week after a game's release. Neither do I believe to have reached an extraordinary distance. My jump range is rather on the low side and I have spotted a few systems which I'd go for otherwise. But for me, this is the best I could do. And somebody thought it rare enough to get me to show it here.
I don't usually do forums -- quite perplexed that I already had an account and still don't know why -- but I'll follow here for a while for any feedback.

This is nice picture and a very nice achievement. Well deserved +1 rep

But there is another reason i enjoyed reading your post. My story: started exploring 2+ years ago with the mission to find some specific objects in the Galaxy. I had no idea some of these are very, very rare. So it was a rather epic quest. Few days ago found the last of these "unicorns". Now heading to Colonia hoping to sell the data before someone "steals" that thing
And if i succeed... it feels very much like i am at the end of my road. Suffering from exploration burnout and a bit disappointed by the direction this game is going i felt like very is no more reason for me to go out to the Black.
It was inspiring to see there are still things to see and views to enjoy out there

...And one more thing. Your arrived at the right place. Exploration subforum is one the best things this game can offer

Cheers.

 

[Yanick]

CMDR Jay Fox. Are you a veteran of Frontier Elite 2? Since your profile pic is from that version of the game

To get that far from the Bubble is an achievement. Most players in the game never get that far! In these exploration forums, there are plenty of people who are like minded explorers. People that are friendly, and will offer encouragement and advice. It's easy to become lonely during exploration, and knowing people here helps. Also have you thought about joining up with an expedition? These are great group experiences, where ususaly all sorts of explorers gather together and have fun. Newbies are just as welcome as the old grizzled hands.

I've been playing Elite (FE2, FFE, and ED) since 1993, and exploration is definately the friendliest place to be in the game.

Right on Commander!

Yanick

 

[Jay Fox]

CMDR Jay Fox. Are you a veteran of Frontier Elite 2? Since your profile pic is from that version of the game

Not quite right I'm afraid. I have indeed played Frontier and First Encounters extensively until around the year 3300 (give or take), when I 'switched over' to Elite: Dangerous. However, the picture is from First Encounters – and it hasn't actually been taken by me. Even if I'd manage to start First Encounters again, all I would find would be a Boa as far as I remember and those don't really offer exciting visuals.
My pilot is from Merlin though. I don't try to wonder about age too much.

I've been playing Elite (FE2, FFE, and ED) since 1993, and exploration is definately the friendliest place to be in the game.

I actually find it quite interesting that going from First Encounters to Elite: Dangerous, it is exploration which has changed the most – even more so than combat I would argue. They certainly involve very, very different game-play mechanics, but I enjoy(ed) both.

Spoiler

But there is another reason i enjoyed reading your post. My story: started exploring 2+ years ago with the mission to find some specific objects in the Galaxy. I had no idea some of these are very, very rare. So it was a rather epic quest. Few days ago found the last of these "unicorns". Now heading to Colonia hoping to sell the data before someone "steals" that thing
And if i succeed... it feels very much like i am at the end of my road. Suffering from exploration burnout and a bit disappointed by the direction this game is going i felt like very is no more reason for me to go out to the Black.
It was inspiring to see there are still things to see and views to enjoy out there

I've been playing Elite in its various incarnations bar the first one for many years without ever stopping and for me that was possible because I enjoy most aspects of this game and never stay with any single activity for too long. How long? As long as it is fun, I would guess. (Exploration always demanded some sort of commitment of course, but one can always just turn back.) Aside from that, I never had any goals. Whenever I fancy flying a spaceship between Alioth and Lave (and beyond) I just do it. Unimportant whether that happens once per month or twice per week.
Currently that involves a lot of driving around planets and careful travel planning. Exploration itself offers variety, too.

 

[Jay Fox]

I guess that since I have started it, I might just as well add to it.

I crossed from the Sagittarius to the Scutum Arm, using the following route:

Spoiler

Close-up:

Spoiler

I like navigating my Eagle through sparse areas now and then. Neither the hardest nor the easiest crossing I have done. I did use rather many FSD injections, so there is that. I also gained around 200 lightyears of free progress from an unexpected field of brown dwarfs in the middle of nowhere. In the end I spent roughly half my time collecting materials, another third planning my next few jumps, and the rather pitiful remainder doing the actual travelling.
That means that this was a quite common sight:

Spoiler

Was fun, will as always do it again. Just not right away.