Mission board feedback

[Lombra]

Some brief (or not) to the point feedback.

Mission board is bad.

• First of all, there is an incredible waste of space all around. The contact/faction info panel should really not take up half of the screen. The portrait is ridiculously large. That whole panel should be able to be halved or more in size.
• The visual cue indicating the selected contact person is bad. It looks like a scroll bar thumb. Highlight the background or something instead. The scroll bar should also be on the right side in all panels.
• Don't repeat the word "Destination" for all mission items. Just put it as a fixed header above the list. That should make room for actual distances for those sightseeing passenger missions, and/or possibly station name for all missions.
• Have an indicator in the mission list indicating that the mission includes potentially illegal actions.
• I don't know what the horizons icon on a mission is supposed to mean, but it's apparently neither an indication of the target being on a planet nor the mission requiring an SRV?
• Cargo/passenger space and usage should be displayed on the mission board.
• VIP passenger missions should indicate the number of passengers in the mission list.
• Since you insist on having a limit on amount of accepted missions, that limit needs to be displayed somewhere in addition to being displayed nowhere at all. (??) Perhaps on the mission board.
• This one is important... DO NOT HIDE missions that you can't hand in due to lack of cargo (etc) space. More than once I've departed a station only to realise I had more missions to hand in. List them as normal and then display an error when trying to hand them in. (and possibly allow us to hand in without accepting the cargo rewards)
• Don't show the reputation bar for each mission for which I lack the reputation. It is already displayed in the contact list.
• ...allowing target system to be displayed for all missions that cannot be accepted.
• And on that note, print my actual reputation standing (friendly, allied, etc) next to the bars in the contact list. Just a bar with no reference or description is useless. It doesn't even say that it's referring to reputation.
• This one I'm undecided, but mission rewards ideally should not be a single string. Separate it on different lines. (credits, cargo, rep, etc) This will make the mission items fairly big, though. The font rendering (or just the font?) used makes the text look pretty bad especially at smaller sizes, but the mission items could really do with being more compact.
• Add a label to the mission filter dropdown. Currently there is no label and the default option is "All", which doesn't really provide any hint whatsoever regarding what the menu is for until you open it.
• Allow filtering of passenger missions. At least legality filtering. Possibly filtering on sightseeing, super long distance ones, ones where ships may be sent after you, etc.

The missions detail screen is also bad.

• There is a bullet list of relevant information, but it doesn't really make sense. It's mixed critical information, "hints", and small talk. Combine it all into a single paragraph, if the idea is that the contact is telling you these things. However, then also make the critical information more clear. Have a designated place for things like where the mission takes place and where it's handed in. (not as "floating" text) The "Destination" section is decent, but it's placed way too far down. The rewards section should be further down instead.
• Why do missions state that you may require an SRV? Is there actually a way to complete them without one? It should clearly say that you will require an SRV.
• You should be able to plot a route to the system/station directly from the mission detail screen.
• Closing the galaxy map after opening it from the mission detail screen should send you back to the same mission detail screen instead of the mission list.

Bonus section for the "Transactions" (is it just me or is that label confusing?) panel which, coincidentally, also is bad.

• Show number of active and total possible missions here, too.
• Show target system for each mission item. Ideally this should be expanded to an actually useful "Objectives" list. Show the target system if the mission is in progress (if different from hand in system), target body for search missions (if discovered, of course), kill order target, kill/loot progress, etc.
• I should not have to manually remove all failed missions from this list. A message telling me that missions failed should be enough.

That is all for now.

 

[juddadredd]

You forgot Searching, Sorting and Grouping options for both Mission destinations (*mission board) and also in the Navigation/Transaction screens.
I know I keep saying itm but if you can't group your missions then what the hall happened in the furutre as I can do that today with ease !

 

[Lombra]

Sure. The default sorting seems very random. Should at least be sorted by mission type or target system. Also a simple filter for mission types.

 

[MBaldelli]

On the whole I +1 a majority of this... with the following additions, corrections, comments. Most of these seems to be new-player issues not familiar with the interface. No worries. I've had similar issues (and frustration).

Some brief (or not) to the point feedback.

Mission board is bad.

[*]Don't repeat the word "Destination" for all mission items. Just put it as a fixed header above the list. That should make room for actual distances for those sightseeing passenger missions, and/or possibly station name for all missions.

This I definitely like. It would allow us to filter in the future so we can also select other missions that are going in that direction.

[*]Have an indicator in the mission list indicating that the mission includes potentially illegal actions.

As it stands when you get used to the wording, you can spot which missions are illegal. However, these can be filtered out already and seems redundant to the filter already in place. This seems to simply indicate laziness on your part for not utilizing that tool.

[*]I don't know what the horizons icon on a mission is supposed to mean, but it's apparently neither an indication of the target being on a planet nor the mission requiring an SRV?

Correct. This is a mission on the surface of the planet.

[*]Cargo/passenger space and usage should be displayed on the mission board.

It sort of is, although you might not recognize it as such. If you have the space, it'll show as available. If you don't have the space is shows as Requirements not met. When you accept, the if you still have space, see before...

[*]This one is important... DO NOT HIDE missions that you can't hand in due to lack of cargo (etc) space. More than once I've departed a station only to realise I had more missions to hand in. List them as normal and then display an error when trying to hand them in. (and possibly allow us to hand in without accepting the cargo rewards)

It actually does, but you might not be seeing it. It's usually an indicator of a circle with an exclamation mark in it. When in doubt, peruse each of the factions until you get used to it. That's what I did. Eventually I knew who I was running missions for and which ones I completed.

[*]There is a bullet list of relevant information, but it doesn't really make sense. It's mixed critical information, "hints", and small talk. Combine it all into a single paragraph, if the idea is that the contact is telling you these things. However, then also make the critical information more clear. Have a designated place for things like where the mission takes place and where it's handed in. (not as "floating" text) The "Destination" section is decent, but it's placed way too far down. The rewards section should be further down instead.

I like the sentiment, however I've dealt with pointy-haired managers. Because of this I can digest this information easily based on what's relevant, what's important and what's small talk. Paragraphs -- especially long ones in a game -- tend to be glazed over and clicked through without a second thought because of short attention spans and the want to play and not read. So YMMV how this gets worked in, if it gets worked. in.

[*]I should not have to manually remove all failed missions from this list. A message telling me that missions failed should be enough.

You apparently haven't experienced the frustration of a server being completely desynched and all missions requested from it are instafailed. This is a boon when that happens.

 

[Lombra]

Hi and thanks for your feedback feedback! Relatively speaking I am definitely a new player, indeed. In general though, I strongly believe that I shouldn't have to "get used" to the interface. It should be intuitive! That being said, some replies:

As it stands when you get used to the wording, you can spot which missions are illegal. However, these can be filtered out already and seems redundant to the filter already in place. This seems to simply indicate laziness on your part for not utilizing that tool.

I had no idea you could filter out illegal missions. How do I do that? I've noticed this on passenger missions especially. Some VIPs "may be wanted in some systems". As far as I remember there is no hint of that in the mission title.

Correct. This is a mission on the surface of the planet.

Again noticed on passenger missions. I'm fairly sure I double checked already, and I'm almost certain that some missions had the horizon icon when the destination was in space. I suppose it's really more of a bug and might not belong on my list.

It sort of is, although you might not recognize it as such. If you have the space, it'll show as available. If you don't have the space is shows as Requirements not met. When you accept, the if you still have space, see before...

Indeed, however I would like to have absolute values so I can better optimise my transporting. For example if I have 100 cargo slots free, I would like to know so that I may choose to pick the two 50 cargo missions instead of the one 60, wasting 40 cargo slots.

It actually does, but you might not be seeing it. It's usually an indicator of a circle with an exclamation mark in it. When in doubt, peruse each of the factions until you get used to it. That's what I did. Eventually I knew who I was running missions for and which ones I completed.

I have seen that icon, but only when I have missions that I can hand in. If I can't hand the mission in, the icon is definitely not there.

I like the sentiment, however I've dealt with pointy-haired managers. Because of this I can digest this information easily based on what's relevant, what's important and what's small talk. Paragraphs -- especially long ones in a game -- tend to be glazed over and clicked through without a second thought because of short attention spans and the want to play and not read. So YMMV how this gets worked in, if it gets worked. in.

You're right, but what I meant was that in addition to the "dialog", the objectives would also be clearly on display somewhere else. The bullet point "Go to system x and do y" is good, but I don't know why "Good luck, commander" is a bullet point in that same list.

You apparently haven't experienced the frustration of a server being completely desynched and all missions requested from it are instafailed. This is a boon when that happens.

I don't think I have, no, but I don't really understand what you're saying here. Why is this a boon in these cases? Are you saying you can still do those missions when it happens? If so, fair enough, but that seems like a separate issue that should be fixed.

 

[Lombra]

Ok, I found the mission filter. Not the most obvious, but I'll take it. Could do with a label. I'll add that to the list. However it is not available for passenger missions, apparently.

Confirmed that horizon icon sometimes appears for space station destinations. (possibly limited to passenger missions) But yeah, probably just a bug.

 

[MBaldelli]

Hi and thanks for your feedback feedback! Relatively speaking I am definitely a new player, indeed. In general though, I strongly believe that I shouldn't have to "get used" to the interface. It should be intuitive! That being said, some replies:

It is intuitive... Sort of... While at the same time it's trying to keep the nostalgia of the original games. But the problem is that the game has a steep learning curve. Comparatively speaking steeper than Warframe's Mod and Damage 2.0 System. So because of it, you're simply overwhelmed with the amount of information that's being thrown at you.

I had no idea you could filter out illegal missions. How do I do that? I've noticed this on passenger missions especially. Some VIPs "may be wanted in some systems". As far as I remember there is no hint of that in the mission title.

Upper left corner of the mission board when you go into a faction's mission area on the upper left hand side you should see the word "ALL" with an arrows. the Options should be ALL, LEGAL, ILLEGAL. Not sure of the order, just remember the options.

Again noticed on passenger missions. I'm fairly sure I double checked already, and I'm almost certain that some missions had the horizon icon when the destination was in space. I suppose it's really more of a bug and might not belong on my list.

I admit I haven't done passenger missions since my debacle at Gorbachev Station, Sol where I ended up taking a passenger only to discover she was a criminal only after I took off. It was my fault, but no use crying over spilled milk.

But if I were to hazard a guess based on my experience with standard retrieval and skimmer missions, I would assume that for the passengers, there might be an element of a low pass on a planet near to a base there. Or a landing for a POI. Definitely a Horizons missions based on those requirements.

Indeed, however I would like to have absolute values so I can better optimise my transporting. For example if I have 100 cargo slots free, I would like to know so that I may choose to pick the two 50 cargo missions instead of the one 60, wasting 40 cargo slots.

There have been requests for this.. Several in fact... Not sure where they are in the queue or if they are. When you're not so inundated with info, you'll find yourself mentally doing the maths on this based on I have this much used and this much left and then start picking out accordingly. Surprisingly most of the numbers I've seen aren't completely difficult to try to keep track of as even the partials usually end up coming to 0s and 5s.

I have seen that icon, but only when I have missions that I can hand in. If I can't hand the mission in, the icon is definitely not there.

Not sure which missions are left to hand in. Unless you might be talking about Bounties and/or Combat Bonds. There's definitely no hand in announcement for those other then seeing them on the Transactions sub-menu from your Navigation Panel. Can't miss those, they're marked as credits or a credit chit icon. Fortunately they don't expire and can be turned in when you want the credits.

Or you're seeing a Dormant Bounty... And that's something you have for x number of days (usually 7, but sometimes shorter). That's something against you in a system that's marked on the Transaction sub-menu. Hauler Commanders get those a bit without realizing they broke the law somewhere -- usually running illegal haulage in systems they cut through. Just avoid the system marked on the Dormant Bounty and it'll drop off.

You're right, but what I meant was that in addition to the "dialog", the objectives would also be clearly on display somewhere else. The bullet point "Go to system x and do y" is good, but I don't know why "Good luck, commander" is a bullet point in that same list.

Copy Pasta that "Good Luck, Commander" You'll learn to filter it out without a second thought.

I don't think I have, no, but I don't really understand what you're saying here. Why is this a boon in these cases? Are you saying you can still do those missions when it happens? If so, fair enough, but that seems like a separate issue that should be fixed.

Servers in the game occasionally desynch. Sometimes for days depending on where you are and which server it is. You'll see a buttload of missions that you want to do somewhere and sometimes you'll go through accepting them. Then within 5 second (usually near instantaneous, sometimes longer) you'll hear "Mission failed". Looking at your transaction screen you see the entire first page marked as Failed Missions. You won't get fined for them, they were simply ghosts on the mission board that didn't clear out during the refresh.

A mass clear was suggested... It's in the queue somewhere... I think...

Feel free to bring this private if you feel you have other questions. It'll clear the new-user feel and allow for more suggestions to be piled in here regarding the theme.

 

[Lombra]

Not sure which missions are left to hand in. Unless you might be talking about Bounties and/or Combat Bonds.

No no, I'm talking about regular missions. I did lots of passenger missions (and some data delivery) over the last few days, and I did not have a cargo hold, instead maxing out on passenger cabins. Missions that would award me with cargo would then not show up on the mission board in the destination station. I had to check either the transactions panel or the system map to see if I had more missions to hand in at the current station. (and then proceed to swap one of my modules for a cargo hold temporarily, which was annoying but mostly a separate issue) Not being able to hand them in is acceptable (but would like to see an option to discard the rewards), but they should at least be listed on the mission board.

 

[MBaldelli]

No no, I'm talking about regular missions. I did lots of passenger missions (and some data delivery) over the last few days, and I did not have a cargo hold, instead maxing out on passenger cabins. Missions that would award me with cargo would then not show up on the mission board in the destination station. I had to check either the transactions panel or the system map to see if I had more missions to hand in at the current station. (and then proceed to swap one of my modules for a cargo hold temporarily, which was annoying but mostly a separate issue) Not being able to hand them in is acceptable (but would like to see an option to discard the rewards), but they should at least be listed on the mission board.

That has been complained about and added to the suggestions forums. Between being unable to accept the mission because it's asking for cargo space that you don't have or cargo disappearing because your current cargo's maxed out and it's "dumped to the ether".. People have made noise in both directions wanting this fixed.

I'm in agreement with most of it. When I do a mission for the money, I don't want to have to deal with the materials that are also handed over to put it in my cargo holds. And those missions that I can't accept because they have a cargo material rewards seems entirely too draconian for my taste. Can't wait to see if this is going to be addressed or ignored like the big pink elephant in the room.

 

[Falco]

I agree to those suggested changes.
A more in depth mission filter would be nice, filtering by type, destination distance, planetary, payout, material rewards, legality, etc