For the Explorers

[Tyrannisfiremord]

I have an Idea. I think other explorers would enjoy this idea.

A utility module that is a deployable, planetary reconnaissance, flying drone.
Much like the current free cam, but with an actual, long range drone which a physical model. It would basically be a flying camera either limited sensors and the ability to lay a GPS marker. You fly it out. Find the thing of interest, mark it. Then set it to auto return. Of course it would have a limited life span, as it would require fuel of some sort. Even if it is just battery power. Thus if it can't return to you in time. It dies and you have to get another.

But in the 34th century, there should be more effective ways of exploring planets rather then doing the wave across the surface.

Posted by a new player who agrees. This is the last game he will ever play.

~Tyrannis Firemord.
Streamer, Explorer, Idiot.

 

[Sylveria]

+1 for the OP idea. I'm also all for anything that benefits Explorers in this game (definitely needs more love, with all the military everything these days)

The "advanced technology" 1000+ years from now poses a dilemma, however, because realistically we probably wouldn't even be in ships- everything would be remotely done from safe locations (it's a video game, after all)

I have wondered why they haven't added more "drone" features to this game, though. Even IRL now we are utilizing drones for things instead of sending people out constantly.

 

[MBaldelli]

But in the 34th century, there should be more effective ways of exploring planets rather then doing the wave across the surface.

It's a good idea... Although I do have a problem with this. It is what we hope (and more) that would be going on with 34th century technology. Given the lackluster way NPCs are handled in this game -- like Beluga NPC Commanders -- there will be problems with this if we allow any of this NPC AI to be an agency in it's control.

 

[[Diplomacy] Carnegie]

I don't see the gameplay in sitting around waiting for a drone to return. May as well just fly there yourself.

 

[MBaldelli]

I don't see the gameplay in sitting around waiting for a drone to return. May as well just fly there yourself.

Amusingly we do sit around a lot in this game -- especially explorers -- as we're going from the star system at the entry point to the next star in the system. Sometimes up to 90 minutes as we do from Alpha to Proxima Centauri to visit Hutton Orbital.

 

[[Diplomacy] Carnegie]

Amusingly we do sit around a lot in this game -- especially explorers -- as we're going from the star system at the entry point to the next star in the system. Sometimes up to 90 minutes as we do from Alpha to Proxima Centauri to visit Hutton Orbital.

Sure, but imagine sending a probe to Hutton.
You wait 3 hours for it to get there and back amd then you STILL have to spend 90 minutes flying there to investigate what it found.

At least when I'M flying around I feel like I'm doing something.

 

[Tyrannisfiremord]

I don't see the gameplay in sitting around waiting for a drone to return. May as well just fly there yourself.

Sure, but imagine sending a probe to Hutton.
You wait 3 hours for it to get there and back amd then you STILL have to spend 90 minutes flying there to investigate what it found.

At least when I'M flying around I feel like I'm doing something.

Good points. But first. The drone wouldn't actually fly to you in the actual game. You would transmit it's data to the ship, (you are in control of this after all), then set the drone on auto return. It would then kick you out of it's camera and control and "auto return" in which it would despawn and the game would calculate if it could make it back or not. If not, it simply vanishes. If it can, it simply "appears" back in it's module after about 5 minutes. (Or so)

It's not meant to be an AI thing. It is meant to be an aid to exploring. A scouting "vessel" I also said it should have a limited range and would work only on planets.

 

[[Diplomacy] Carnegie]

A scouting "vessel" I also said it should have a limited range and would work only on planets.

Sorry, missed that part I've seen a lot of 'drone/probe' posts and made some assumptions.

However, I have some other (more relevant) comments.

Whilst a drone is better than the current eyeballing method, it's still 'idle-time' for the player while they wait for the drone to do it's thing. I'd say a more advanced DSS module is a better way to go.

If a drone can be lost then explorers need to load up with them before setting out - which affects jump range. If you can synthesize them then you need to land and find the materials, which again is time-consuming and less effective than an approved DSS.

Maybe I just don't like drones