Long-Standing Quality of Life Improvements

[nanite2000]

Merry 2020 everyone!

Since the January update should be arriving sometime soon with it's focus on bug-fixes, I felt this would be a good time to also remind ourselves of some of the quality-of-life (QoL) improvements that have been requested over the years that we would still like to see implemented in-game at some point:

• A universal limpet controller so that players can create true multi-purpose ships (e.g. Rescue ships with fuel and hull repair limpets, pirate ships with collector, hatch breaker, and recon limpets, etc...).
• Show bookmark names on galaxy map so that you can see why a bookmark exists in a given region of space.
• Galaxy map bookmark folders and/or custom colours so that you can organise large numbers of bookmarks.
• The ability to combine 2 or more galaxy map filters so that you can refine your galaxy map view and plotting routes (e.g. Independent systems in a state of famine, or non-visited systems with scoopable stars).
• Show the FSS scan results in the cockpit in analysis mode so that you can immediately identify signals of interest without having to stop.
• Add a ‘scanned’ flag to surface POI’s once scanned so you can keep track of those you've scanned.
  • BONUS: Mark all matching POI’s with identical signatures on a body when 1 is scanned so you don't waste time visiting the same POI type dozens of times.
• Support for surface bookmarks.
• A keybind to switch between relative mouse mode so that keyboard and mouse players can also enjoy playing with flight assist off.
• Multi crew support for SRV so that ground assault missions become true multi-player activities.
• Visible crew/pilot on bridge so that you have someone to keep you company.
  • BONUS: Allow players to customise the SLF pilot's clothing.
• Ability to ignore missiles as ‘highest threat’ target so that 'target highest threat' actually targets enemy ships in busy combat zones.
• Imperial clipper and Type-7 to be reconfigured as medium pad ships so that they become real contenders to the Python and Krait. They are wasted as Large pad ships.
• Make CQC queable and playable from stations so that you can play against other players in popular systems during Interstellar Initiatives.
• Add bots to CQC so that players are not required to play against human opponents.
• Offer material rewards for CQC victories.

These improvements don't feel like they should require a high-level of effort to implement since the relevant code/feature has either already been implemented elsewhere in some form, or else requires building on existing features.

Will we ever see any of these long-requested features implemented?

What are your own top QoL improvements you'd like to see implemented? Would you like a release that focused solely on QoL improvements the same way FDev did a release that focused solely on bug-fixes?

 

[varonica]

• Show bookmark names on galaxy map so that you can see why a bookmark exists in a given region of space.

You can already do that in a manner of speaking. If you target the bookmark in the galaxy map it will set an icon next to the bookmark in the bookmark menu so you can see what it is for.

 

[Atol]

A universal limpet controller so that players can create true multi-purpose ships (e.g. Rescue ships with fuel and hull repair limpets, pirate ships with collector, hatch breaker, and recon limpets, etc...).

Can't you do this already. I am also looking at Frontier point on ship Limitations due to ship size and module spaces and adds an weakness to a ship while your idea would make some ship too OP. Also Larger ships would be OP if One controller is being used instead of multiple type controllers.

Imperial clipper and Type-7 to be reconfigured as medium pad ships so that they become real contenders to the Python and Krait. They are wasted as Large pad ships.

I feel they are fine due to the lower cost of the type 7.

Now the other ideas sound pertty good.

 

[JonathanBurnage]

How about this to balance the universal controller - they come in classes 1-8, and have a number of controller spaces equal to their class. Eg a class 3 controller has 3 spaces, which you can configure as fuel/repair/etc. The bigger the ship slot you use, the more limpet controller types you can fit into it.

 

[Alyssa]

There are many good ideas. Especially visible crew in the cockpit, and I'd love if they would be able to drive SRV.

 

[Atol]

How about this to balance the universal controller - they come in classes 1-8, and have a number of controller spaces equal to their class. Eg a class 3 controller has 3 spaces, which you can configure as fuel/repair/etc. The bigger the ship slot you use, the more limpet controller types you can fit into it.

Show me a Ship build that would require a universal controller.

 

[JonathanBurnage]

Show me a Ship build that would require a universal controller.

Here’s an example expedition build for an Asp Explorer: https://s.orbis.zone/5kcc
I might want to Fuel Rat and Hull Seal, but there’s only one spare slot. With a universal controller I could be both.

 

[Atol]

Here’s an example expedition build for an Asp Explorer: https://s.orbis.zone/5kcc
I might want to Fuel Rat and Hull Seal, but there’s only one spare slot. With a universal controller I could be both.

Let blow up your Exploration build. Exploration is about Exploration not going to Point A to B super fast or crash into every star or planet it about Exploration. So take out Guardian FSD Booster and Auto Field Maintain unit and your problem is solved. You also have an option of buying a larger ship. See remember part of Elite is Sacrifice if your ship dose not meet the demand of your wishes.

Let also look at the Fuel Rat or Hull Seals. When you meet someone for Fuel Rat or hull seals don't you meet up with another Fuel Rat or Hull Seals for safety before helping the trouble soul? Note when I was with DW2. I had Both Fuel and hull repair unit. Thing was I never needed them. They just taken extra room.

 

[JonathanBurnage]

Maybe I'd like to travel quickly to an area far away and then explore.
Maybe I'd like to reach remote stars and need a big jump range.
Maybe I'd like to use neutron boosting and need an AFMU. An AFMU is in any case a wise precaution for a long voyage.
Maybe I can't afford a larger ship. Maybe I like flying the Asp Explorer for whatever reason.
Maybe I would just like to be able to participate in two types of rescue. I had both fuel and repair limpets on DW2 - I got to make use of both.

Maybe I'm a pirate and I'd like to combine hatchbreakers and collectors so I can use the spare internal slot for armour, or something else combat related.

Maybe I'm a miner and I'd like to combine prospectors and collectors so I can have more cargo space.

The list of possibilities goes on. The number of limpet controllers has gotten out of hand. Often only a low class controller is required, but one ends up using a bigger slot because it is the only one available. Having a universal controller (with some balance as I described above) would improve the utility of almost all ships in various roles.

 

[nanite2000]

Let blow up your Exploration build. Exploration is about Exploration not going to Point A to B super fast or crash into every star or planet it about Exploration. So take out Guardian FSD Booster and Auto Field Maintain unit and your problem is solved. You also have an option of buying a larger ship. See remember part of Elite is Sacrifice if your ship dose not meet the demand of your wishes.

Let also look at the Fuel Rat or Hull Seals. When you meet someone for Fuel Rat or hull seals don't you meet up with another Fuel Rat or Hull Seals for safety before helping the trouble soul? Note when I was with DW2. I had Both Fuel and hull repair unit. Thing was I never needed them. They just taken extra room.

This is an open game with a 'play your way' policy.

You're advocating restricting people's way of playing.

Everyone else is suggesting ways of making the game more open to playing in whichever style the player wants.

It's not fair for you to impose your narrow view on to others.

 

[nanite2000]

You can already do that in a manner of speaking. If you target the bookmark in the galaxy map it will set an icon next to the bookmark in the bookmark menu so you can see what it is for.

I believe it only works for stars which the route planner can successfully plot a route to. It also requires you to lose any existing route plan currently laid in.

It's a simple QoL request - probably the simplest one here. We shouldn't need jerky workarounds for this.

 

[Rat Catcher]

I could appreciate most of the QoL suggestions here, the ones I'm not interested in wouldn't have me suggesting they are a waste of Dev time either...

 

[varonica]

I believe it only works for stars which the route planner can successfully plot a route to. It also requires you to lose any existing route plan currently laid in.

It's a simple QoL request - probably the simplest one here. We shouldn't need jerky workarounds for this.

No it doesn't, you can target any star at any distance without it needing to plot a route because you are only targeting the star, not route plotting to it, 65kly is fine, I have targted Sol from Beagle Point. You reset your original route simply by entering the galaxy map without losing your pre-established route endpoint, I do it all the time when I want to do a quick side jaunt to a nearby star. Target the star, fly there, enter galaxy map and your original route is back, albeit it may have a a few different stars in between you and the endpoint but that doesn't matter becasue you can't choose mid points in a route anyway. It doesn't matter what's in the way because you are not plotting a route, you are just targeting the star.

Granted it's a workaround but I am hoping for a complete bookmark rework eventually that will fix a lot of issues rather than just doing one little thing at a time, until then I can manage.

 

[Atol]

Maybe I'd like to travel quickly to an area far away and then explore.
Maybe I'd like to reach remote stars and need a big jump range.
Maybe I'd like to use neutron boosting and need an AFMU. An AFMU is in any case a wise precaution for a long voyage.
Maybe I can't afford a larger ship. Maybe I like flying the Asp Explorer for whatever reason.
Maybe I would just like to be able to participate in two types of rescue. I had both fuel and repair limpets on DW2 - I got to make use of both.

This is where you have to make a choice due to size limitations What benefit you the best. This idea making all the ships being able to do it all is Stupid. Sacrifice is part of game play.

Maybe I'm a pirate and I'd like to combine hatchbreakers and collectors so I can use the spare internal slot for armour, or something else combat related.

So what you saying giving you a advantage while the Trade ship loses an advantage. Can we say that was a fail.

Maybe I'm a miner and I'd like to combine prospectors and collectors so I can have more cargo space.

Thing is this is when you have to make a choice in your config.

The list of possibilities goes on. The number of limpet controllers has gotten out of hand. Often only a low class controller is required, but one ends up using a bigger slot because it is the only one available. Having a universal controller (with some balance as I described above) would improve the utility of almost all ships in various roles.

No what gone out of hand is players expecting their ships to do it all even if they know their has limitations. It like asking the Dealer when you buy Mini cooper Hay can it hold a Cord of wood. When you can look at that Mini Cooper and the obvious answer is um no.

 

[nanite2000]

This is where you have to make a choice due to size limitations What benefit you the best. This idea making all the ships being able to do it all is Stupid. Sacrifice is part of game play.

So what you saying giving you a advantage while the Trade ship loses an advantage. Can we say that was a fail.

Thing is this is when you have to make a choice in your config.

No what gone out of hand is players expecting their ships to do it all even if they know their has limitations. It like asking the Dealer when you buy Mini cooper Hay can it hold a Cord of wood. When you can look at that Mini Cooper and the obvious answer is um no.

Thanks for sharing your opinion, but Frontier have already expressed interest in creating some kind of universal limpet controller, so your opinion is somewhat invalid here.

 

[Atol]

Thanks for sharing your opinion, but Frontier have already expressed interest in creating some kind of universal limpet controller, so your opinion is somewhat invalid here.

We can look at the Topic about making Power Play Open only which I believe was talk about After Frontier expressed ideas of universal limpets. I believe what they found was critical Thinking is needed in a game. Note they already address some of the Limpet issues with Core mining and an Extra Module for New players.

 

[nanite2000]

I believe what they found was critical Thinking is needed in a game.

Please provide evidence for this statement.

Universal limpet controllers have been a much requested feature for longer than you have been around these forums, have received tacit approval from Frontier, and are favoured by just about everyone but you.

 

[MK Regular]

Note they already address some of the Limpet issues with Core mining and an Extra Module for New players.

Eh, not really. Core mining might need fewer collector limpets, but you still need to have 2 separate limpet controllers (prospector and collector) to do it somewhat efficiently.

As for the extra module slot, that does not have any impact when core mining in larger ships when you consider the need to have a DSS....

Please provide evidence for this statement.

Universal limpet controllers have been a much requested feature for longer than you have been around these forums, have received tacit approval from Frontier, and are favoured by just about everyone but you.

He's been a member for nearly 6 years, but only been active in the last 6 months.

 

[Atol]

He's been a member for nearly 6 years, but only been active in the last 6 months.

Let me explain that. I have paid for the game when I have seen it online. It was on sale or something expecting to upgrade my computer in a month or so around the same time, and my dad was diagnosed with cancer. The Bills was overkill under Obamacare. But to make a long story short. The money I had for a Gaming Rig went to help my dad. He passed away. I could barely play the game on my old rig — 5 to 15 fps.

Now the question would be. Do you want someone to partake on the Forum posts when they are not even playing the game?

 

[CMDR Yates]

Agree with all of these. Also, give us terraformable status in the FSS info screen for Pete's sake!