So did those people advocating finite probes actually watch the live stream? Par for a single gas giant is around 25 probes.
Yep, watched it, and that was what the devs said.
However, would it not be beneficial to both parties,
to have an area scanned of the size a probe showed in the livestream
just using the DSS scan "manually" at close range, without a probe,
so infinite scanning, just no probe launch.
Leaving a space to install ammo based probes, as alternate firing mode,
that also are "craftable" which in return will yield way better scan results and are reusable,
like limpets should have been in the first place?
Also this adds the option to add in on gameplay,
namely the new USS detection, to find left probes
and bring them back to operational levels using an AFMU,
or chopping them for spare parts, for reduced material cost
on synthesizing a probe.
We have the option to provide decontamination, repair of hull
and refuel via limpets. Why not have the ability to transfer probes, too?
Why does everything in this game need to be single use,
instead of becoming an efficiently usable addition that rewards,
planned and skillful use?
Of course that would require some more coding on the probe stuff,
changing them from crashing little pings into probes that orbit, scan and return.
They already are FSD capable.
Also MC is left out on a deeper level from the gameplay perspective.