News Chapter Four - Exploration Reveal

[Enderby]

For systems with a nav beacon, the ADS should pull in the system information on the honk. I think that would satisfy everyone worried about bubble travel.

That's a good idea.

 

[Mephane]

We believe that players should receive greater credit rewards for the same amount of time and effort.

In that time and effort estimate, do you include the time to drive* around to refill the materials to synthesize the DSS drones?

*A rather dull activity at that. I fear that we may just trade one form of tedium for another if the synthesis is too expensive per drone or the drone capacity is too low.

 

[babelfisch]

Sounds pretty good, all of it. I might even consider to become a full time explorer!

That said, regarding probes:

You will be able to synthesise micro-probes for the detailed surface scanner, but the better aim you are, the less probes you will need to get complete coverage.

How are you going to handle this? Will there be a limit of available probes? Do they use cargo space similar to limpets? Trying not to sound offensive, but lots of your game mechanics 'force' players into actions they aren't interested in, like in this case driving around planets to gather materials in order to synthesise probes. Could you please consider other ways to get / regain probes? As a suggestion, how about a mechanic that let's you either scoop your used probes (don't know how this would work since you would need to create a USS for them in order to scoop them in normal space) or make them return after a given time. You would still benefit from synthesising probes because you have more available and don't need to wait for them to return, but could also avoid synthesis completely by spending more time in the system.

 

[Autoculto]

Sounds like we will need a degree from NASA to be able understand all this.

 

[Strangepork]

Hello Commanders!

We're going to be shaking the format up slightly for the final main topic of discussion surrounding some of the major features of Chapter Four of Beyond. We're soon going to be revealing more details about the next update, so for this post, we'd like you to share all of your questions and comments in reply to this thread, and we'll try to respond to as many as we can!

In this post we’ll be presenting just some of the improvements coming to exploration in the next update. There's a number of benefits that we are aiming to bring in with this exploration overhaul which we've listed out below, with more detailed explanation underneath.

Benefits of Exploration Improvements

• Make exploration more involved: By introducing a process we aim to make exploration feel more meaningful, making the results more satisfying and rewarding.
• Replace flying time with gameplay: We want to reduce the amount of time you have to spend flying to a planet just to discover it. The only time we want you to fly to a planet is because you want to visit it as there’s something there you want to see or do. Ultimately that will make exploring planetary bodies and getting first discoveries in a system quicker and more engaging at the same time.
• Remove Random USS Spawning: You will now be able to use your skill to locate signal sources rather than rely on luck. you will have the ability to identify a USS from anywhere in the system and then explore and discover these locations.
• Reduce the time to find planet surface locations: You will now be able to employ game play to make searching out interesting surface locations/POIs quicker and more interesting rather than flying across the planet in low orbit.
• Improve multiplayer exploration: With both of the module upgrades we are making sure that wings and multi-crew are supported.
• Holistic System:The improvements to exploration mechanics tie together not just new discoveries, but mining, missions and signal source location in one package.
• All new "First mapped": You'll be able to add a first mapped across any planet within the galaxy, including within the bubble. Giving all players that have joined the game since it's launch even more opportunity to make their mark on the galaxy.

Check out the full details below.

The Discovery Scanner

Because explorers ply their trade far from civilized space, we’ve decided to not add new module requirements. Instead, we’re improving the discovery scanner and detailed surface scanner so Commanders can jump right in as soon as the update is released, without having to spend time traveling back to a port to purchase new gear.

When you activate the discovery scanner you will now be taken to an all-new scanning interface and view. In this augmented camera view you are able to interrogate the system using new functionality of the scanner.


The process still starts with the “honk” (system scan), though its usage is now the start of a more engaging process (if all you did before was scan for some credits, don't worry, the scan still awards credits.)

The system scan now returns an aggregated display of how energetic the electromagnetic emissions are in the system. Signals are sorted on a low to high scale by their apparent energy. For example, emissions from rocky clusters will appear at the lower end of the scale, hot gas giants at the upper range. This information requires some interpretation as signals can overlap.

You are able to tune the focus of your sensors to a particular point on the scale, making emissions from objects at this range much clearer, at the cost of filtering out signals returned from bodies not emitting at this range.

As you move the view around, you are aiming your discovery scanner sensors. To aid you, the discovery scanner view also features a repeating sweep of gravitational disturbance detected in the system. You can use this sweep to narrow your search for stellar bodies, as well as start your search around the star's orbital plane, which is revealed by the initial system scan.

Emissions that come close enough to your view’s focus are represented by signature patterns around a central reticule. If you are tuned to the correct point on the energy scale the signal will show as a symmetrical pattern clearly showing the direction towards the origin of the signal, allowing you to locate it. The further away your energy tuning, the more distorted and asymmetrical the pattern becomes, hiding the precise direction and location.

Once you have a candidate origin, you can use the scanner to reconstruct a massively zoomed in view. If you aimed precisely enough, you will discover the stellar body. If there are a number of stellar bodies in relative close proximity to your focus, you may need to repeat the process to isolate individual signals.


As you locate and identify stellar bodies their emissions are filtered out, instead becoming markers on the energy range, making it easier to find the remaining bodies. It's at this point in that you will gain the “first discovered” tag, rather than having to physically visit the planet (you still need to sell the data at a port to gain the tag). All current first discovered tags will remain.

Importantly, when you uncover a planet using the discovery scanner, as well as being informed of the resources available on it, the presence of unusual locations, such as Guardian sites, will also be revealed. However, their precise location won’t be shown until you have mapped the planet with the detailed surface scanner.


Unidentified Signal Sources

Along with the Exploration update, we are improving the way that USSs work. USSs will now spawn throughout the entire system when you first enter it. This enables you to use the new exploration tools to find USSs throughout the system, not just in the area around you. You can still interrogate nav beacons to find the locations.

Whilst USSs do still have a decay time, the timers have been increased to allow you time to find and fly to the ones you are interested in. The decay time is also now displayed when targeted. Signal sources still obey rules determining where they can appear within a system, and mission critical signal sources will still be highlighted to differentiate themselves once located.


The Detailed Surface Scanner

Again, this module will not be replaced. Instead, the detailed surface scanner gains the ability to launch micro sensor probes in supercruise. You will use these probes to “map” a planet’s surface and locate resource hotspots in its rings.

These flight-assisted probes are launched via a new aiming interface when activating the detailed surface scanner. The probes will arc towards a planet’s surface and when close enough will “display” sensor coverage over a large area. Once enough of the surface has coverage, the probes will collate and report their findings. To map rings around a planet you need to hit each ring with a single probe.

To allow for skilled play you can aim probes away from the planet, allowing them to arc around it, potentially letting you hit the surface on far side of the planet. If you aim too far away, the probe will fly right past and miss, but by using mass and size information displayed on the HUD you will be able to lob probes and get full coverage without having to fly around the planet.

You will be able to synthesise micro-probes for the detailed surface scanner, but the better aim you are, the less probes you will need to get complete coverage.

When you do achieve this, any unusual locations will be revealed to your ship’s navigation systems. So no more eyeballing an entire planet to find those brain trees!


First Mapped By

We are also adding a new opportunity to get your Commander's name immortalised in the game with the new 'First Mapped By' tag. The first person to successfully map a planet to 100% and sell the resulting data at a port, will be awarded this tag. This also applies for planets that have already got a 'First Discovered' tag as well.


Multi-Crew

As part of the exploration update, we are making sure that multi-crew members can use the discovery scanner and detailed surface scanner at the same time and all discoveries are shared among crew or wing.

This allows wings and multi-crew to engage in exploration together, each earning credits and exploration rank and making the process more efficient.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------​

We'll be revealing more details about Beyond - Chapter Four in the coming weeks and we can't wait to show you, but in the meantime, please post your feedback regarding Exploration in this thread and we'll try to respond to as many queries as we can.

This particular thread is not an area for debate between community members – it’s fine to read what others have put, but try to ensure your posts are directed at us rather than your fellow posters.

PLEASE consider adding a class one slot to every ship or allow us to combine the scanners in a class 2/3 slot.

I think this will prove to be a huge bone of contention about this update.

Ships are so carefully, and finely tuned to roles already there is literally NO room at all for a DS Scanner for use in the bubble.

This will either lock people out of the gameplay, or force people to ruin load outs they have potentially spent hundreds of hours perfecting.

thanks fellas

 

[Iron Body]

Hello Commanders!

The process still starts with the “honk” (system scan), though its usage is now the start of a more engaging process (if all you did before was scan for some credits, don't worry, the scan still awards credits.)

The system scan now returns an aggregated display of how energetic the electromagnetic emissions are in the system. Signals are sorted on a low to high scale by their apparent energy. For example, emissions from rocky clusters will appear at the lower end of the scale, hot gas giants at the upper range. This information requires some interpretation as signals can overlap.

Does this mean that a quick "honk and scan" will be slowed down by the new display ?
Currently it is possible to scoop and ADS scan whilst the FSD cools down, then take a quick look at the system map, while charging up the FSD, to see if anything looks interesting (eg an ELW) , and move on quickly if not.

It sounds like this quick scan method will be slowed significantly by this new display. True ?

 

[Noogillim]

For systems with a nav beacon, the ADS should pull in the system information on the honk. I think that would satisfy everyone worried about bubble travel.

Not just bubble travel but any system that has had its cartographic data downloaded into the system, you can buy system data on the gal map so all these pilots having to nav to a system can check it out on there first, if you are expected to go to planet such and such then it's already known about.

 

[Baroness Galaxy]

I like the proposal and since the post is mostly about the mechanics, allow my first reaction to underline the importance of ..

Involving Danger

Since you covered the mystery aspect with the new scanner mechanism but no matter new mechanics of a discovery process, they will become constantly awesome or constantly grinding depending on... at how much risk you had to put yourself to get rich discoveries !

Differently said, if you jump into a system that takes half an hour to map, you will keep doing it if you know upfront there is a potential gain that scales with risk. But you won't if eg a class L star is just the same discovery / risk as another class L star.

So .. now imagine multi-crew exploration, one person looks at the map. He uses energy distribution to find and mark targets of interest.

"Signals are sorted on a low to high scale by their apparent energy. For example, emissions from rocky clusters will appear at the lower end of the scale, hot gas giants at the upper range. This information requires some interpretation as signals can overlap."

Use the interpretation to put the explorers at risk ?

For example, module -and hull damage based on a drop into a hot-spot in one of the rings that actually.. turned out to be an anomaly. Or it is a resource mining location, but one within a super-heated area causing module damage over time.

Use a similar principle with reading sensory input as you did with prospecting, where knowing the difference between a metallic meteorite and mesosiderite only becomes clear with practice. Actually, make it a bit harder, because that's still to easy ;-) And try always providing enough room for human error, eg by tricking explorers into thinking they are safe while they are not.

Do the same for planetary locations that are reveiled, for example, gas geysers should do SRV module heat damage, minerals mined from brain trees should be different then from asteroids and releases toxic caustic gas hitting your modules obviously.


Anyway, I think it's great news and a great post, I highlighted a topic I'm missing, danger should not be mining-specific but exploration-specific. You did it once, with neutron star jumping. Keep doing more of that and you got us on our golden explorodeo.

o7 FD

 

[Adam Bourke-Waite]

Will you overhaul the engineer blueprints for the scanners? Such as more efficient probes, better accuracy, stuff like that?

We will be maintaining an Engineering option on the DSS, the new upgrade will provide it with a larger probe capacity.

 

[sedilbur]

Benefits of Exploration Improvements

• Make exploration more involved: By introducing a process we aim to make exploration feel more meaningful, making the results more satisfying and rewarding.
• Replace flying time with gameplay: We want to reduce the amount of time you have to spend flying to a planet just to discover it. The only time we want you to fly to a planet is because you want to visit it as there’s something there you want to see or do. Ultimately that will make exploring planetary bodies and getting first discoveries in a system quicker and more engaging at the same time.
• Remove Random USS Spawning: You will now be able to use your skill to locate signal sources rather than rely on luck. you will have the ability to identify a USS from anywhere in the system and then explore and discover these locations.
• Reduce the time to find planet surface locations: You will now be able to employ game play to make searching out interesting surface locations/POIs quicker and more interesting rather than flying across the planet in low orbit.
• Improve multiplayer exploration: With both of the module upgrades we are making sure that wings and multi-crew are supported.
• Holistic System:The improvements to exploration mechanics tie together not just new discoveries, but mining, missions and signal source location in one package.
• All new "First mapped": You'll be able to add a first mapped across any planet within the galaxy, including within the bubble. Giving all players that have joined the game since it's launch even more opportunity to make their mark on the galaxy

Looks great.

The USS spawning especially but for a non explorer man ... your system looks pretty cool.

The surface scanner will be able to detect material resource location or this is too much "deep" asking ? (for example, meteorite, meteorite metallic)

 

[BDelacroix]

If that's the case, then 200 probes are plenty. I see a few people complaining about that, but if I understand correctly, we don't need to DSS every planet, just the ones we think are interesting enough to land on, and the Discovery Scanner will tell us if they're worthy of closer inspection.

You know there will be someone who wants to do exactly that.

Remainder not directed to Yates:

I can see the issues with the local systems (but new to the player) trying to deliver goods. One good thing about that is you only have to do that once.
I think these features will be good to see in action.

 

[Chaparral]

This truly looks awesome!

 

[Adam Bourke-Waite]

Will scanning the nav beacon reveal the system?

Yes.

 

[Enderby]

We will be maintaining an Engineering option on the DSS, the new upgrade will provide it with a larger probe capacity.

A bit of a shame that explorers will have to return to populated space in order to benefit from that.

 

[PintsizedKirk]

I like the sound of everything. Will similar modules be fitted in the same module slot if room? Both scanners in a size 2slot?
Also I hope reduced flight time is only by choice and equipment upgrades and not some kind of fast travel, I like the fact that a certain amount of real time travel is involved (40mins for Hutton etc)

 

[Strangepork]

Hello Commanders!

We're going to be shaking the format up slightly for the final main topic of discussion surrounding some of the major features of Chapter Four of Beyond. We're soon going to be revealing more details about the next update, so for this post, we'd like you to share all of your questions and comments in reply to this thread, and we'll try to respond to as many as we can!

In this post we’ll be presenting just some of the improvements coming to exploration in the next update. There's a number of benefits that we are aiming to bring in with this exploration overhaul which we've listed out below, with more detailed explanation underneath.

Benefits of Exploration Improvements

• Make exploration more involved: By introducing a process we aim to make exploration feel more meaningful, making the results more satisfying and rewarding.
• Replace flying time with gameplay: We want to reduce the amount of time you have to spend flying to a planet just to discover it. The only time we want you to fly to a planet is because you want to visit it as there’s something there you want to see or do. Ultimately that will make exploring planetary bodies and getting first discoveries in a system quicker and more engaging at the same time.
• Remove Random USS Spawning: You will now be able to use your skill to locate signal sources rather than rely on luck. you will have the ability to identify a USS from anywhere in the system and then explore and discover these locations.
• Reduce the time to find planet surface locations: You will now be able to employ game play to make searching out interesting surface locations/POIs quicker and more interesting rather than flying across the planet in low orbit.
• Improve multiplayer exploration: With both of the module upgrades we are making sure that wings and multi-crew are supported.
• Holistic System:The improvements to exploration mechanics tie together not just new discoveries, but mining, missions and signal source location in one package.
• All new "First mapped": You'll be able to add a first mapped across any planet within the galaxy, including within the bubble. Giving all players that have joined the game since it's launch even more opportunity to make their mark on the galaxy.

Check out the full details below.

The Discovery Scanner

Because explorers ply their trade far from civilized space, we’ve decided to not add new module requirements. Instead, we’re improving the discovery scanner and detailed surface scanner so Commanders can jump right in as soon as the update is released, without having to spend time traveling back to a port to purchase new gear.

When you activate the discovery scanner you will now be taken to an all-new scanning interface and view. In this augmented camera view you are able to interrogate the system using new functionality of the scanner.


The process still starts with the “honk” (system scan), though its usage is now the start of a more engaging process (if all you did before was scan for some credits, don't worry, the scan still awards credits.)

The system scan now returns an aggregated display of how energetic the electromagnetic emissions are in the system. Signals are sorted on a low to high scale by their apparent energy. For example, emissions from rocky clusters will appear at the lower end of the scale, hot gas giants at the upper range. This information requires some interpretation as signals can overlap.

You are able to tune the focus of your sensors to a particular point on the scale, making emissions from objects at this range much clearer, at the cost of filtering out signals returned from bodies not emitting at this range.

As you move the view around, you are aiming your discovery scanner sensors. To aid you, the discovery scanner view also features a repeating sweep of gravitational disturbance detected in the system. You can use this sweep to narrow your search for stellar bodies, as well as start your search around the star's orbital plane, which is revealed by the initial system scan.

Emissions that come close enough to your view’s focus are represented by signature patterns around a central reticule. If you are tuned to the correct point on the energy scale the signal will show as a symmetrical pattern clearly showing the direction towards the origin of the signal, allowing you to locate it. The further away your energy tuning, the more distorted and asymmetrical the pattern becomes, hiding the precise direction and location.

Once you have a candidate origin, you can use the scanner to reconstruct a massively zoomed in view. If you aimed precisely enough, you will discover the stellar body. If there are a number of stellar bodies in relative close proximity to your focus, you may need to repeat the process to isolate individual signals.


As you locate and identify stellar bodies their emissions are filtered out, instead becoming markers on the energy range, making it easier to find the remaining bodies. It's at this point in that you will gain the “first discovered” tag, rather than having to physically visit the planet (you still need to sell the data at a port to gain the tag). All current first discovered tags will remain.

Importantly, when you uncover a planet using the discovery scanner, as well as being informed of the resources available on it, the presence of unusual locations, such as Guardian sites, will also be revealed. However, their precise location won’t be shown until you have mapped the planet with the detailed surface scanner.


Unidentified Signal Sources

Along with the Exploration update, we are improving the way that USSs work. USSs will now spawn throughout the entire system when you first enter it. This enables you to use the new exploration tools to find USSs throughout the system, not just in the area around you. You can still interrogate nav beacons to find the locations.

Whilst USSs do still have a decay time, the timers have been increased to allow you time to find and fly to the ones you are interested in. The decay time is also now displayed when targeted. Signal sources still obey rules determining where they can appear within a system, and mission critical signal sources will still be highlighted to differentiate themselves once located.


The Detailed Surface Scanner

Again, this module will not be replaced. Instead, the detailed surface scanner gains the ability to launch micro sensor probes in supercruise. You will use these probes to “map” a planet’s surface and locate resource hotspots in its rings.

These flight-assisted probes are launched via a new aiming interface when activating the detailed surface scanner. The probes will arc towards a planet’s surface and when close enough will “display” sensor coverage over a large area. Once enough of the surface has coverage, the probes will collate and report their findings. To map rings around a planet you need to hit each ring with a single probe.

To allow for skilled play you can aim probes away from the planet, allowing them to arc around it, potentially letting you hit the surface on far side of the planet. If you aim too far away, the probe will fly right past and miss, but by using mass and size information displayed on the HUD you will be able to lob probes and get full coverage without having to fly around the planet.

You will be able to synthesise micro-probes for the detailed surface scanner, but the better aim you are, the less probes you will need to get complete coverage.

When you do achieve this, any unusual locations will be revealed to your ship’s navigation systems. So no more eyeballing an entire planet to find those brain trees!


First Mapped By

We are also adding a new opportunity to get your Commander's name immortalised in the game with the new 'First Mapped By' tag. The first person to successfully map a planet to 100% and sell the resulting data at a port, will be awarded this tag. This also applies for planets that have already got a 'First Discovered' tag as well.


Multi-Crew

As part of the exploration update, we are making sure that multi-crew members can use the discovery scanner and detailed surface scanner at the same time and all discoveries are shared among crew or wing.

This allows wings and multi-crew to engage in exploration together, each earning credits and exploration rank and making the process more efficient.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------​

We'll be revealing more details about Beyond - Chapter Four in the coming weeks and we can't wait to show you, but in the meantime, please post your feedback regarding Exploration in this thread and we'll try to respond to as many queries as we can.

This particular thread is not an area for debate between community members – it’s fine to read what others have put, but try to ensure your posts are directed at us rather than your fellow posters.

Would it be possible to make seeing the new screen a choice, often I scan knowing im just moving straight on.

Thanks again this looks like great work.

 

[Rubbernuke]

Would a simple solution be that for missions you are supplied with the drop point / station automatically? Letters have addresses, why not missions?

 

[Ryan P Bodfirst]

Great work - These are all very welcome additions. Adding more skill based gameplay is exactly what the game needs in my opinion. I'm hoping that the these mechanics have the right difficulty so persistence and gaining skill over time in lobbing probes around is rewarded - so basic stuff is easy but there are lots of benefits from a "skill" shot. I think a good way to stop these mechanics from becoming repetitive is to make sure there's plenty of skill tiers in them that we can progress towards.

Really like all of it and looking forward to trying in the beta!

 

[Sneake Llama]

This sounds amazing, but my only concern is time.

It sounds like "honking" will no longer reveal bodies within the system? If this is true... i am very worried that the increase in gameplay activity will lead into an increase in time of certain activities.

For example, if I get a mission to a planetary base to a system I have no information on, and honking doesn't reveal it's location, I can see this new game play becoming very tedious to do over and over again just to locate a station to complete a delivery mission. Though, I don't know the frequency of how often these type of missions would be.

But all-in-all, absolutely a step in the right direction.

 

[Codger]

We believe that players should receive greater credit rewards for the same amount of time and effort.

That's an odd thing to say. Greater rewards for the same time and effort? Is that what you meant to say?