Hey S.B.
My experience exploring as of today:
1) Enter a system and wait for close things to appear. SysMap shows stars, asteroid belts, maybe a few close planets, 1-2 is average whether system is discovered or not.
2) Try to honk (Does not work in this mode - select FSS)
3) Enter Scan mode
4) Scan with FSS. 38 bodies detected.
5) Exit FSS
6) Enter SysMap - Still exactly as it was.
7) Dial in the planet. Then orient yourself to face that way.
8) Zoom in and discover the body. Ice world...
Total time 90 seconds.
What I used to do:
1) Enter system, honk.
2) Open SysMap and see at a glance what is there while scooping.
3) Decide to stay and scan things of interest, or carry onto next system.
Total time 15-20 seconds.
They have introduced a mini-game to solve a problem that never existed. They have turned what was a relaxing experience into a grindy mess. My exploration account has been unused (except for today to compile the above) since the beta and will remain unused. It's too much work. Same with mining. Exploration / mining were my go to activities when I just wanted to relax. Not any more.
I've not played Elite, on any account, since day three of the beta. Nor do I feel the need to. I've been racking up time on X4 and Just Cause. Press fire, things blow up. Dirt simple.
The Frontier programmers should be looking at elegant solutions that make our lives easier. Not adding more keys and grind. I see where the OP is coming from. It just isn't fun anymore.
So here is my problem with that: you rely on hyperbole and, I have to say, plain nonsense to make your point, which kinda reduces my sympathy. Your 'try to honk, doesn't work' is nonsense, an explorer is permanently in Analysis mode and you can honk from outside the FSS. The analysis mode also isn't the FSS anyway. It doesn't take 90 seconds to scan one ice body. In 90 seconds you scan a
pile of bodies (the average system takes less than that), and you get all data, surface maps, orrery info and everything you need to make an informed decision miles beyond what you previously could. And yes, in a complex system you'll spend a few minutes building a very detailed picture of an entire star system.
That is true. Building a comprehensive picture of a complex star system takes a few minutes. Is that
really such an incredibly unreasonable proposition?
Yes, I am sure there are some people who do want info beyond the signature bar to make a decision, dont need the advanced info the FSS describes and cant be bothered to invest more than a few seconds into gathering the required info. Noted. But these nonsense accounts combined with willfully ignoring all the advantages of the system plus refusing to spend even a modicum of time with it to gain some skill and understanding really arent helping you make a case. Which means that rather than try and come up with constructive ideas, people look at posts like these and think:
Problem is it's something new to learn and certain people just can't be bothered. So instead they just knock it and cry on the forum that the new system is bad.
And that is shame, but totally understandable.