Don't 'fix' the docking computer

[QBiG1970]

It'll be a lot faster in 1.3. Navigation runs at full thrust and full ENG pips on approach. It won't get stuck hovering at outposts (okay, so the new dive to pad might be a bit scary at first... ), plus a load of other tweaks... All the outpost problems will soon be a distant memory...

I hope so, Sarah, for it is a nightmare on outposts...
And sometimes inside stations it's like the DC is drunk!!!
Hope you can make the DC sober up!!!!
Goodluck! And keep up the good work!

 

[Ritchie]

DC works fine since 1.2, AI dev said she is making additional tweaks for 1.3. am sure this whole 'DC is broken' things come from people that actually haven't tried it since Early release

Not once has it crashed any of my ships, and Anaconda roof scraping is a thing of the past.

Wouldn't say it's perfect in 1.2 - works fine for my Asp on outposts (although often 'sleeps' for a minute or so at zero speed before descending to land) but in stations about 1 in 5 times it approaches touchdown and then wanders slowly right and gets stuck in the yellow crane-like things off to the right of the pad. Needs rapid intervention to prevent bad things happening - definitely can't leave it to land unattended while I make a cuppa.

 

[Pangaron]

Sure, leave it broken and give me an option to sue its manufactures for millions and millions of ship and emotional damage.

A new meta-game! Find a faulty part to sue a corporation for a murder of your relative.

 

[Sippe]

Someone uses docking computer?

 

[yyy]

Why on earth would anyone waste an inventory slot on something that merely docks your ship a lot slower?

If the docking computer were to be a viable option, it would have to speed the process up, not slow it massively like is the case now.

Because after a couple of hours of intense battling at RES sites I like to lean back and let the computer dock my ship at a station.

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I think the docking computer should have a personality, depressed but in a funny way, happy etc. So when you engage it the computer gives audio clues to it's current state of mind. Watch out for that going to crash in a fit of depression moment

A bit like Marvin the paranoid android.

 

[Thoemse]

Never tried it and never will. I find the docking procedure in ED a pleasing one.
I constantly try optimizing my aproaches.
That being said i went splat on a coriolis station 2 days ago with my brand new clipper filled to brim with Tobacco.
New ships always make me adjust my docking and i allways find the optimum from topspeed down instead of starting to get quicker everytime.

I think it is pleasing to boost into a station with 350+ speed - more so in a clipper that hardly fits. Sometimes there are tears but it is all part of the game.

 

[Elooder]

What I don't get is why doesn't the DC fit into an utility slot instead of an internal slot? It is, after all, supposed to basically be a small computer module or even a piece of software. Especially in the year 3200, let alone the fact it should be built-in into the ship in the first place, really... I mean, I get it that it's a "historical" thing that it should be an additional module (because it was so in the previous games) but then why don't we have some other "historical" things "like in the previous games"? A full-on autopilot for supercruise? Fuel and modules taking up cargo space instead of being limited to a fuel tank size and arbitrary equipment slots? And that's just to name a few...

 

[Eagle Eye]

Someone uses docking computer?

After 1.2? Of course, my big trade ships now sport 1.

 

[Seonid]

Someone uses docking computer?

I've been using them since they were put in the game. And?

 

[Mikey2305]

I like it and its random character. like it has a personality all of its own. like now its stuck at an outpost wondering what to do... always works for me but i dont leave it alone...

 

[Harbinger]

@Sarah Jane Avory: In one of your previous postings regarding the docking computer you stated there would be a "holding pattern" in use. Can you elaborate on that?

Will there be a specific queuing system in use at outposts and will that carry across to people attempting to dock manually?

 

[mric]

As a new pilot, it is interesting because it is faster than manual landing.
As you get more experienced and more confident you can land as fast though.

 

[Deleted member 38366]

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[Seonid]

I'm not using it due to the general collision hazard and the inability of other Players to recognize an auto-docking Player ship and act accordingly.

It now sets 4 pips to SYS, let the blind pilots bounce off.

 

[TheMarshall]

As a new pilot, it is interesting because it is faster than manual landing.
As you get more experienced and more confident you can land as fast though.

Thats a good point! New pilots probably do take more time over landing than the DC. Not for long though. Especially if you are doing the Buckyball run 7, you soon earn your docking wings in that competition.

 

[Steve50]

As a new pilot, it is interesting because it is faster than manual landing.
As you get more experienced and more confident you can land as fast though.

as fast? Last time I checked I could land way waaaay faster than the DC.

Tbh though I guess I'm only surprised they haven't dumbed it down to that of the Speccy version, press the button and instantly you're docked but I guess that'll come with the Xbox version.

 

[Ancipital]

as fast? Last time I checked I could land way waaaay faster than the DC.

Tbh though I guess I'm only surprised they haven't dumbed it down to that of the Speccy version, press the button and instantly you're docked but I guess that'll come with the Xbox version.

I always loved the DC in Frontier... a lot of the time, you'd turn it on, and hit accelerated time, and it'd stuff the ship into the back wall of the station. I always used to hit save before using it.

 

[Deleted member 38366]

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[Joey2o15]

I've always used the docking computer, it's perfect for the trading grind. Gives you a few minutes break to nip to the toilet, grab a drink, and of course check the forums My only gripe is it's poor performance at outposts, a lot of the time it hovers for ages before deciding to lower the ship. If i get fed up waiting i just disable it and manually lower the ship, only requires minor adjustments as you approach the landing pad. So for whatever reason it can quickly roughly line you up with the pad but takes an age to carry out the fine adjustments before it lowers you straight down onto the pad.

 

[Commander Debic]

The best reason for using the docking computer is the wonderful rendition of the Blue Danube. Once you can happily land and take off Condas and L9's, it is a wonderful audio/visual glimpse back to the original game and 2001 Space Odysey rotating space station and a damn good reason for using it.
Now if Sarah could just add a launch capability too so we can add to our movie making scenes with launches and Blue Danube I will be as happy as a pig in the brown stuff.