Could I start anywhere?

[lazerus]

This isn't a gripe (and I know all posts that start with that really are), but a concern. I've been going on about Elite to friends and strangers alike for the last 6 months to varying interest. A few bought it and one friend has pre-ordered the Mercenary pack ready for the 16th. We've waxed lyrical about sailing the stars, each others wing man.

After the Gamma release we all started in a random location which is great and I'm very happy with my starting station. Could our starting place be anywhere in the Galaxy or is it in the Beta volume or some other designated volume? Because, and I did know this while flying solo, but now hoping to meet up with a friend out there I've realised how really very Douglas Adams sized the Galaxy is and, if the starting location could be anywhere, the chances of meeting anyone I know is very very slim.

Is it just a case of finding out where we are and making a bee line for each other?

 

[adoredtv]

You always seem to be relatively nearby the core systems. I've restarted loads and I'm rarely further than 75LY from Sol.

I'm not sure it's that "random" either - more like a core of potential start systems. LHS 1914 and Chemaku keep turning up for me over and over. Seen maybe another 3 or so apart from those.

 

[euclydian]

It just seems to be a designated area in the vicinity of Sol right now. It's still a bit of a trek from one end to the other but it's not too bad. I don't imagine it will change to be the whole galaxy or anything crazy like that.

 

[johnjdignan]

I've realised how really very Douglas Adams sized the Galaxy is and, if the starting location could be anywhere, the chances of meeting anyone I know is very very slim.?

You've hit upon a fundamental flaw in the game at the moment- ie navigation on a galactic scale. right now we each seem to exist in a 50ly diameter bubble that the 'golden line' will reach to (approx 25 ly in any direction). the galaxy map needs a simple 3D grid reference system like any other map would have - Ive been trying to get back to styx ( a mere 69 ly from my starting point) but have been unable to make any headway due to two basic problems - I'm unable to tell which way my 'nav bubble' is heading and second - I've come across a whole heap of systems without station meaning I'm unable to refuel or can't jump from.

I'm sure FD must realize this and will be coming up with a simple navigation system to get us from one end of the galaxy to the other

 

[skipp]

You've hit upon a fundamental flaw in the game at the moment- ie navigation on a galactic scale. right now we each seem to exist in a 50ly diameter bubble that the 'golden line' will reach to (approx 25 ly in any direction). the galaxy map needs a simple 3D grid reference system like any other map would have - Ive been trying to get back to styx ( a mere 69 ly from my starting point) but have been unable to make any headway due to two basic problems - I'm unable to tell which way my 'nav bubble' is heading and second - I've come across a whole heap of systems without station meaning I'm unable to refuel or can't jump from.

I'm sure FD must realize this and will be coming up with a simple navigation system to get us from one end of the galaxy to the other

I got a fuel scoop. Ditched my shields and lasers and went searching for s better fsd now have 15+ ly range and have bought shields and weapons back.