Full idea:
I propose: The BDS, IDS and ADS, all have Detail drop off points. Example:
BDS @ 1000 Ls,
IDS @ 6000 Ls
And ADS @ 60,000 Ls.
After this distance detail is dramatically reduced. Up to twice the rated range, planet colours are visible. At three times the range, they are dark.
At longer distances, only stars or other massive objects can be discerned. Perhaps a graph of some kind could indicate the rough amount of objects surrounding the companion star in the system map until they are scanned within range.
The point of this is to give a quick scan opportunity for players. And the graph analysis indicates whether to bother or not. There should be a bonus for objects more distant to the arrival star.
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Regarding detail within the drop off range, planets have a surface map.
This is then successively blurred towards the drop off point. A re-honk nearby will be necessary to clarify the local surface maps. By using a very simple blurring technique, players still have the ability to see if something is interesting or not.
I find this might strike a balance with those who complained about having to time consumingly DDS scan each Planet for a surface map, - those who wanted full surface map coverage of the entire system - and those who wanted everything blacked out.
It should be easy to implement, and as long as covering the extra distance is rewarded financially, it should add gameplay to the very basic idea of the honk itself.
(Side note: As the system works at the moment, with a ADS we can see all the planets surface maps from long range. This is very simplistic and somewhat defeats the purpose of scanning with the DDS. If this idea is kept it would, be nice at minimum to have them be accurate, as often they are not. But we don't want that do we? We are here for bigger fish!)
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Once a full system scan is complete, the player should then be rewarded for that. In real life...halfway doesn't mean too much. The intrinsic value of scanning a complete system should take precedence here. We are looking for a somewhat realistic simulation of life here...life in the future. Think of... the Weyland-Yutani corporation from Aliens. (was that the name?) Anyhow: What possible value is scanning a single rock in a system going to do for them? They require - if they should choose to colonize it, every last detail of every last rock in the system, so they can plan accordingly with such a massive and dangerous venture.
Normally, one would obviously say systems next to the bubble would have extreme value. However, you could pass that off as already having been done secretively by the big corporations amongst themselves. However... by the likes of Colonia? Big money indeed. And big incentive...
The aim here is to industrialize exploration, slow down somewhat the exploration of the Galaxy (Which should be in FDEVs favour so they have time to fiddle and create more content) - and produce professional explorers.
And you are all probably going to hate me for saying this! What use is it to sell exploration data to a lonely, disadvantaged outpost in the middle of nowhere? Im talking about the long rangers here. The guys who spend months out in the black. No outpost in its right mind would want to buy details of stellar systems from the other side of the Galaxy. This data... realistically should be only able to be sold with the core systems. The longer the range, the greater the bonus. When explorers sell this data to lonely stations, their bonuses should be forfeited, unless it is a government base way out in the black.
You could even perhaps add a 20% reduction to any craft purchased by that player within a timeframe by that goverment. Give them some fame!
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I have so much more to say, but for this evening, ill leave it alone. Im tired. I hope I contributed! All the best,
Gyp.