Proposal Discussion Finding Warzones - make it easier?

[robdood]

So the last few times I've played I've been keen to join in on some of the civil war stuff that's going on. Now, as I am stubborn, I refused to look up help online and sought to figure it out myself. Flew around Eranin, visiting planets but had no luck.

So eventually this morning I decided to Google it, and found a reddit thread where someone seemed to be having the same problems.

Imagine my surprise when every single reply was essentially just "oh fly to Eranin <N>, there is a distress signal or high intensity battle marker you can find"!

This is exactly what I'd been trying! Hmmm.

So anyway. I just thought I'd put out the feelers to see what people think about making the Warzones more.. I dunno, easy to find? I presume they come up on the contacts/system tab of the navigation computer when you're close enough. For me that was a problem as I obviously never quite got close enough for that to happen.

They wouldn't have to be visible from anywhere within the system (though thinking on it, that would be great!) but even just having them show up 100% of the time once you drop out of supercruise near a planet.

What say you, fellow pilots?

 

[CATPAIN KIRK]

I presume they come up on the contacts/system tab of the navigation computer when you're close enough. For me that was a problem as I obviously never quite got close enough for that to happen.

That's odd - can't remember at which distance they appeared on the navigation tab as it's been a while since I visited one, but they did - from a reasonable distance - for me at least.

Not saying your proposition sounds unreasonable, but I wouldn't like FD to make it easier because I think it makes the universe appear smaller and diminishes the value of exploration within a system.

 

[Theaghan Black]

Nope.

Read the Galnet news (or the bulletins in the next B2).:smilie:

 

[Zephyriel]

They do show up every time when you're close enough to the planet, but you've got to be like 1.5Ls away which is really close... easy to miss if you don't know it's there. I agree that such important spots should be more visible.

On the other hand, the news system is coming for beta 2. Maybe it will feature news telling players about the location of conflict zones ? This would be nice.

 

[>WP< Troublepilot]

Voted no.

For sure it should not be a pain in the ass to find places like warzones, however I personally enjoy to have to get some informations out of the game (forums, wikis, google as you mentioned)

There may be some ways to get addiotional information implemented in-game like having to talk to NPCs (or players), ... from my point of view. But I would not like a huge blinking arrow that points the way of each mission.

Update: @Joe Spivey: lol

 

[Joe Spivey]

Voted no.

For sure it should not be a pain in the ass to find places like warzones, however I personally enjoy to have to get some informations out of the game (forums, wikis, google as you mentioned)

There may be some ways to get addiotional information implemented in-game like having to talk to NPCs (or players), ... from my point of view. But I would not like a huge blinking arrow that points the way of each mission.

I voted no too and pretty much for the reasons quoted. In fact.... exactly for those reasons Get out of my head! *runs of while wrapping tinfoil around head*

 

[jabokai]

A war zone, by it's very definition, is a major event and, if it's being reported, it should automatically be added to your navigation computer. You should be able to stumble upon skirmishes and random encounters of course, but big, news making battles - of course they should be easy to find, they're in the news after all!

 

[Trafalgar Law]

When you are close enough to Eranin 2 or 3 you should definitely be able to see the federation distress signal and conflict zones. It should also appear in your navigation tab as well when you are close enough to the relevant planet.

 

[Philip Coutts]

Hopefully the news feed will sort out this sort of issue. You wouldn't want to stumble on a war by accident if you are the peace loving sort would you?

 

[jabokai]

Hopefully the news feed will sort out this sort of issue. You wouldn't want to stumble on a war by accident if you are the peace loving sort would you?

Exactly, a lot of stuff that comes in the news feed should be fed into your navigation computer - sort of like traffic warnings with GPS systems. However, that shouldn't mean you NEVER encounter something big, randomly... if it hasn't been reported then that should still be possible. Basically - variety. The way it is now is a little silly - you shouldn't have to hunt the needle for a widely reported conflict.

 

[robdood]

That's odd - can't remember at which distance they appeared on the navigation tab as it's been a while since I visited one, but they did - from a reasonable distance - for me at least.

Not saying your proposition sounds unreasonable, but I wouldn't like FD to make it easier because I think it makes the universe appear smaller and diminishes the value of exploration within a system.

Aye, fair enough. I do wonder why I'm having so much trouble finding them tbh!

Perhaps an upgrade slot option could be a good middle ground; something like an extended range signal scanner or something?

 

[robdood]

Nope.

Read the Galnet news (or the bulletins in the next B2).:smilie:

What a strange reply. I have already been reading the Galnet news emails, which is why I wanted to join in! . Can you point to a place within the news broadcast that specifically states the location of a battle? Cos I can't see it.

I am hoping the news bulletins within the game will have lockable targets, could go some way toward making things like this a bit easier to participate in.

 

[robdood]

Voted no.

For sure it should not be a pain in the ass to find places like warzones, however I personally enjoy to have to get some informations out of the game (forums, wikis, google as you mentioned)

There may be some ways to get addiotional information implemented in-game like having to talk to NPCs (or players), ... from my point of view. But I would not like a huge blinking arrow that points the way of each mission.

Fair enough. And normally I do enjoy looking for information outside of the game (usually while at work, lol) but since I'm playing Elite on the Oculus Rift it's a bit more awkward than usual for me to quickly look something up!

 

[Theaghan Black]

What a strange reply. I have already been reading the Galnet news emails, which is why I wanted to join in! . Can you point to a place within the news broadcast that specifically states the location of a battle? Cos I can't see it.

I am hoping the news bulletins within the game will have lockable targets, could go some way toward making things like this a bit easier to participate in.

Yep, my fault.

I mean I'm 100% sure that the future bulletins are going to describe the probable position of the events and people will need to read them.

Putting lockable targets on the system map is going to render the gameplay much boring and less immersive. I prefer having tips and then search for the locations.

That's my opinion about that.

 

[Ian]

Actually misread the title, I thought it said 'Funding Warzones' - Oh, then I thought... that would be an interesting option, players funding the factions they're fighting for. More money = more ships, balance of power, Et cetera.

Anyway, I digress... I voted 'No' because space is really big and everything should be hard to find

...except a good trade route

 

[itarrow]

I'd like to have warzone information available but presented in a "realistic" way.

For example, instead of calling them "warzones", I would like to see them presented as "no fly zones" because of potential conflict.

There shouldn't be a conflict for sure, but loitering in a zone like that would be a danger (spawning enemies or... a conflict).

This is information that can be realistically available (commercial pilots have it today) and at the same time make it possible for who's looking for trouble to... find it.

 

[deMangler]

I haven't voted. I always avoid polls where there is not a catch-all non-of-the-above option. Even if I would choose an option. They are never representative.
I do hope that as the BBS and mission system gets fleshed out then we will find things, clues etc, through that.
Federal Distress in Eranin I found via Google. I do not want to need to find details of these things out of game, and I did not find that information in-game but maybe I missed it.