MOD NOTE: Thread has been closed, please continue discussions at https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=162998 - thanks!
22/06/15
Given the time that has now passed here is a rundown of the UA mystery and how it unfolded.
David Braben makes an offhand comment about there being non celestial things to discover in game that have been there since 1.2
This prompts me to start this thread asking if anyone has info. After a few posts the Unknown Artefact is put forward then something unusual happens…
Elite’s Executive Producer Michael Brookes randomly jumps into the thread a few hours later with…… “Have you listened to them?”
It turns out no one has ever seen this new item despite in having been in game since 1.2, it also transpires later that this item is featured in the actual “Wings” trailer.
And so began the hunt for the UA, accompanied in the end by a rather large player funded reward of 17 Million credits.
At first many doubted it existed at all, (until someone went into the game files and put the skin of the UA over a toxic waste canister). Despite a few hoaxes (and plenty of nay sayers) the UA was located and recorded for “study”.
Despite huge effort by the community no sense was made of the audio……..and to compound the confusion the audio seems to have been changed at the release of 1.3 for reasons unknown.
The Good…
The UA hunt itself was one of the most engaging gaming experiences I and many other have ever enjoyed. Even many not involved followed the progress with great interest…..It even made PC Gamer News
The UA is the only known alien or human/alien technology item in game to this point (that we know about). And theres no denying it’s an intriguing object and the sounds MAY be alien.
The Bad…….
We are now stuck with more questions than answers, and perhaps with FD at full stretch in other areas no more clues, and no clue as to what to do next.
It is possible that it was just “have you listened to the alien noises” and that there is no more. Although comments from DB that this story is not over seem to contradict this.
The Ugly……..
Anyone who doesn't understand the value of “The Good” even if “The Bad” is that there is no more……
Over the last few days comments have been made from FD and those close to FD leading us to believe that the UA mystery is solvable, and there has been suggestion that attempts have been "over thinking" the problem. With this in mind old theories are being re examined and with luck we will find something......soon.
If you have a theory please try to test it or get confirmation from another CMDR involved in this that they will/have tried it. The biggest problem we face is tracking all of the ideas and exactly what has been tried out.
I will attempt to collate some form of list of attempted solutions but it will be extremely difficult and make take some time to complete.
##############################################################################################################
This mention of non celestial things to discover in deep space that are "already out there" and "have been since 1.2" has preoccupied me a bit. Any community knowledge would be helpful as I would love (even though I probably have no chance whatsoever) to try and figure this out.
I have searched around for info on Alien Artifacts, all I found was a Galnet post a few months back and a brief sale of Soontill Relics as rares at one station. Although I have seen a pic of them being in game somewhere.
My interest was also raised by some speculation that the Regor Permit Sector (conveniently positioned approx 1000ly "east" of populated space!) would be a perfect location for the Thargoids eventual area.
I started last night by flying out there and searching the peripheral stars looking for any sign of anything, I even dropped out of SC into belts clusters (as they are worthless for discovery - perfect place to hide stuff lol) and searched for anything out of the ordinary.
The whole sector is cordoned off for sure is about the only thing I can confirm.....in other words I drew a blank.
Anyone else got any scrap of info or seen any Alien Artifacts in markets or as salvage anywhere?
Anyone else also trying to figure this out?
I can't believe for one second the comment that started all this speculation was just a wind up, and why put something in unless they expect someone to stubble on it before the Thargoids are blowing up stations.....what are we missing here?
Any slightest shred of info gratefully received.
29/05/15 Update: After being asked a few times here is an update on the current situation....
Our main common interest is kind of on hold awaiting release of 1.3.....Things will regain a bit of focus again shortly, please bear with us.
All attempts to de-code or gain meaning from the UA have so far proved fruitless. Having said that people should not be put off from going over ground that has already been covered in case something was missed.
There is also work going on behind the scenes to bring the "UA community" more in-game but further details of this will be released later and this will be post 1.3.
Regarding use of my CMDR name in Galnet......Please consult with Stevelaw, Huros or me before hand. Although there may be some level of role play via Galnet....THIS IS NOT A ROLE PLAYING THREAD, please do not post in the thread in character.
LATEST SITUATION SUMMARY: Big thank you to CMDR Moortz......
DREW QUOTES AND CLUES....Big thank you to MAIN SEQUENCE for providing the list which can be found here....
https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=141038&page=412&p=2231067&viewfull=1#post2231067
WE GOT IT!
Firstly I want to say a huge thank you to all those who have contributed to this venture. The stars of this search are too numerous to mention without fear of leaving someone out so feel free to trawl the posts and see how this came about.
Cmdr RedWizzard made the break through following a confirmed sighting by Cmdr Wishblend. Anyway enough talk here are screen shots, videos and audio. Well that was fun, and now they are popping up all over.....not to worry anyone at all.
Here are some more audio files courtesy of Digital Scream : http://digitalscream.org.uk/audio/
CURRENT REWARD FOR HANDING OVER THE ITEM FOR "TESTING": 17 Million (in cargo drop YOU WILL NEED A SHIP WITH 100t OR SO CARGO SPACE?......And at this rate some spare time)
ANYONE WISHING TO DONATE TO PRIZE MONEY PM ME. I will add these in stages now not every 5 mins so don't think I have missed messages.)
Myself - 1 Mill
The Mercs of Mikunn - 2 Mill
Masopa - 1 Mill
Rich Bramwell - 5 Mill
ANON (ID Will only be revealed to winner) - 1 Mill
Patau82 - 1 Mill
Galvinar - 1 Mill
Redwizzard - 1 Mill
Vasious - 1 Mill
MarcosTheBlack - 1 Mill
Zieman - 1 Mill
Wenkman - 1 Mill
Rules (unitl I think of more)
1. Player would be free to make and release video of the UA (after all it's answers we are after) handing it over is simply for proof.
2. Player must have decent size hold in ship to avoid prize tranfers taking hours.
3. First player that in boxes me with screen shot of item in hold wins, prize would be given after transfer.
4. I am not up for paying failed rewards, all offers are simply on the word of the given player.
5. Will try to ask Dev Team for some other form of transfer as a one off by the Devs but we will have to see about that.
6. If I find it first all bets are off and I will claim nothing.
7. If someone hacks the game files and ruins it this fund may be withdrawn before the item is located in game.
01/05/15 UDPATE #2: Turns out the Unkown Artefact is mentioned bang at the start of the 1.2 Wings trailer........Coincidence? Probably? Or Possibly not? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23GEX4pYL9w Credit for this spot goes to Cmdr Knarlfin!
01/05/15 UPDATE: Leaked on Reddit first so don't throw stones! (With that in mind THANKS to Dominathan for brining this to light!) We now have visuals on the item we are all looking for. Although it's a shame to see it this way...It's real and it's out there......somewhere.
**Also credit GlyphGryph to for spotting the Reddit post first.
**Just to clarify this Youtube clip contains the audio for a Toxic Waste Canister, the audio from the actual object is what we are after.
View attachment 32895
30/04/15 UPDATE: Ok so we have people searching all over the place for this item.....goes without saying if anyone finds one and isn't taking part in this goose chase I will happily pay 1 million in palladium for one if you see one....so please don't just sell it!
Current search info with many thanks to Huros for collating the details....
Peregrina - Permit required- Intensely searched, reducing possibility - Permit from HIP 18609
LHS412 - no permit - Intensely searched, reducing possibility
Old worlds Lave Zaonce etc.- no permit, no reports; but Galnet article of various rare goods in convoys
Isinor - Permit required - search in progress - permit from Anotchadiae*, Reshas and LTT 5053 with Chapter of Isinor faction
Polaris - historical and potential home of Thargoids - Permit required, not obtainable -Unknown Artefacts speculated to be possible permit
Circa or in Timocani UA reportedly found and sold. Potentially one per week. Recommend continued search.
Lft 509 and Witch's Reach Permits required from unknown faction. Need to research more for permit. UA possible Permit for these systems.
UA may take a week to spawn in one or more of these systems.
Remember to bring Cargo scanners and limpets.
WORTH CHECKING THIS OUT LINE FROM THE PATCH NOTES OF 1.2 Adding valuable salvage convoys to three permitted systems: LFT 509, Isinor, Witch's Reach
GOOD INFO IN THE HUNT FOR UNKOWN ARTEFACTS
Originally Posted by Fenric
Wouldn't surprise me at all if they can be found in NPC cargo holds. People have reported seeing Hafnium and Painite in them already, and those were released at the same time as these Unknown Artefacts.
https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=124297
*Update*
Well never thought this would get somewhere but it MAY have.
What have we learned....
It MAY be all about "Unknown Artefacts", They MAY be obtainable in Peregrina (Permit available at HIP 18600) and these in game objects MAY be trying to talk to us or be bleeping Morse code of their point of origin.
Thank you all for the input.....especially Michael Brookes haha!
*New Update*
We seem to have ruled out the Regor Sector and Soontill Relics (Thanks to the speedy work of the illustrious Erimus) and .....which oddly just leaves us with David Braben. *scratches head*
Soooo what we need is one of these and to listen to it apparently.....
Please do bear in mind folks this item seems to be what we are after.....how to find one is not clear just yet I dont think.
*Update 29/04/15 AS MENTIONED ABOVE YESTERDAY NOT SOONTILL RELICS SOME MAJOR WIND UPS GOING ON AROUND THIS!......Unless of-course the whole things a wind up which is equally still possible.
ALSO "Ancient Artefact" is an item that's been in game for ages, fairly common and is NOT the item below.......I think.
View attachment 32394
*Credit to Tinman for the link.
22/06/15
Given the time that has now passed here is a rundown of the UA mystery and how it unfolded.
David Braben makes an offhand comment about there being non celestial things to discover in game that have been there since 1.2
This prompts me to start this thread asking if anyone has info. After a few posts the Unknown Artefact is put forward then something unusual happens…
Elite’s Executive Producer Michael Brookes randomly jumps into the thread a few hours later with…… “Have you listened to them?”
It turns out no one has ever seen this new item despite in having been in game since 1.2, it also transpires later that this item is featured in the actual “Wings” trailer.
And so began the hunt for the UA, accompanied in the end by a rather large player funded reward of 17 Million credits.
At first many doubted it existed at all, (until someone went into the game files and put the skin of the UA over a toxic waste canister). Despite a few hoaxes (and plenty of nay sayers) the UA was located and recorded for “study”.
Despite huge effort by the community no sense was made of the audio……..and to compound the confusion the audio seems to have been changed at the release of 1.3 for reasons unknown.
The Good…
The UA hunt itself was one of the most engaging gaming experiences I and many other have ever enjoyed. Even many not involved followed the progress with great interest…..It even made PC Gamer News
The UA is the only known alien or human/alien technology item in game to this point (that we know about). And theres no denying it’s an intriguing object and the sounds MAY be alien.
The Bad…….
We are now stuck with more questions than answers, and perhaps with FD at full stretch in other areas no more clues, and no clue as to what to do next.
It is possible that it was just “have you listened to the alien noises” and that there is no more. Although comments from DB that this story is not over seem to contradict this.
The Ugly……..
Anyone who doesn't understand the value of “The Good” even if “The Bad” is that there is no more……
Over the last few days comments have been made from FD and those close to FD leading us to believe that the UA mystery is solvable, and there has been suggestion that attempts have been "over thinking" the problem. With this in mind old theories are being re examined and with luck we will find something......soon.
If you have a theory please try to test it or get confirmation from another CMDR involved in this that they will/have tried it. The biggest problem we face is tracking all of the ideas and exactly what has been tried out.
I will attempt to collate some form of list of attempted solutions but it will be extremely difficult and make take some time to complete.
##############################################################################################################
This mention of non celestial things to discover in deep space that are "already out there" and "have been since 1.2" has preoccupied me a bit. Any community knowledge would be helpful as I would love (even though I probably have no chance whatsoever) to try and figure this out.
I have searched around for info on Alien Artifacts, all I found was a Galnet post a few months back and a brief sale of Soontill Relics as rares at one station. Although I have seen a pic of them being in game somewhere.
My interest was also raised by some speculation that the Regor Permit Sector (conveniently positioned approx 1000ly "east" of populated space!) would be a perfect location for the Thargoids eventual area.
I started last night by flying out there and searching the peripheral stars looking for any sign of anything, I even dropped out of SC into belts clusters (as they are worthless for discovery - perfect place to hide stuff lol) and searched for anything out of the ordinary.
The whole sector is cordoned off for sure is about the only thing I can confirm.....in other words I drew a blank.
Anyone else got any scrap of info or seen any Alien Artifacts in markets or as salvage anywhere?
Anyone else also trying to figure this out?
I can't believe for one second the comment that started all this speculation was just a wind up, and why put something in unless they expect someone to stubble on it before the Thargoids are blowing up stations
.....what are we missing here?Any slightest shred of info gratefully received.
29/05/15 Update: After being asked a few times here is an update on the current situation....
Our main common interest is kind of on hold awaiting release of 1.3.....Things will regain a bit of focus again shortly, please bear with us.
All attempts to de-code or gain meaning from the UA have so far proved fruitless. Having said that people should not be put off from going over ground that has already been covered in case something was missed.
There is also work going on behind the scenes to bring the "UA community" more in-game but further details of this will be released later and this will be post 1.3.
Regarding use of my CMDR name in Galnet......Please consult with Stevelaw, Huros or me before hand. Although there may be some level of role play via Galnet....THIS IS NOT A ROLE PLAYING THREAD, please do not post in the thread in character.
LATEST SITUATION SUMMARY: Big thank you to CMDR Moortz......
Just to summarise where we are... more for my peace of mind than anything else
The 1.2 update brought us 'Wings'. Alongside wings, there were some changes to USS (Unidentified signal sources) and three new salvageable items - Unknown Artefacts, Painite and Hafnium 178. Painite was identified as a new mineable mineral, but no one could find it.
The new Signal Source types were -
Weak (WSS) contains salvage items. usually Black Box/Military Plan type cargo, the usual stuff you are required to find in Retrieval missions from the Bulletin Boards.
Unidentified (USS) - small ships, single large ships - traders, pirates, System Authority vessels - the usual stuff we had come across in pre-1.2 release.
Strong (SSS) - these contained many small ships, or a few Larger ships - sometimes multiple traders, sometimes Pirates and Bounty Hunters fighting, sometimes Pirate traps (multiple Anacondas, and high value salvage as 'bait' - Gold, sometimes AI relics) also known as the 'I can't believe they fell for that' - also, some high value cargo ships flanked by military vessels, (usually Vultures) - the cargo could be Hafnium 178, or occasionally Unknown Artefacts. There are also incidents of large salvage drops, usually with 20+ low value items (Leather, Fish etc) and a single canister of Painite. There are also reports of Painite carried in Trader holds.
The Unknown Artefact (UA) is an alien looking object, unlike any other canister type, that emits a strange sound or several strange sounds. There has been no definitive breakthrough in decoding the sound this item makes. It also degrades the hold, as per Toxic Waste. Many things have been tried with this UA, and all things tried have been unsuccessful (if not imaginative!
Drew (the author of Elite:Reclamation) has given us a clue, in code, that suggests we should watch Galnet and wait for 1.3 for further information regarding the UA's.
Drews' main character in his book, Senator Loren, has been reported (by Galnet) to be updating an Imperial Courier (due to be released in 1.3) with an upgraded FSD, fuel scoop and a fancy scanner. She is known to have been interested in exploring beyond the Formadine Rift, which has been linked (via E:R) to Thargoids - a source for possible alien incursions is said to be 'beyond' the rift, which has been identified (and somewhat verified) as in the area between the Perseus Arm and the Outer Arm, out in the direction of the Heart and Soul Nebulae. Exploration of this area has found several Permit only systems or Regions that may be unreachable with current FSD limits, however Drew has intimated there may be FSD drives that are of unknown origin that may enable travel further than current limitations.
The current thought is to wait and see what 1.3 brings us, and keep an eye on Galnet for further clues.
(Right On, Commanders!)
DREW QUOTES AND CLUES....Big thank you to MAIN SEQUENCE for providing the list which can be found here....
https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=141038&page=412&p=2231067&viewfull=1#post2231067
WE GOT IT!
Firstly I want to say a huge thank you to all those who have contributed to this venture. The stars of this search are too numerous to mention without fear of leaving someone out so feel free to trawl the posts and see how this came about.
Cmdr RedWizzard made the break through following a confirmed sighting by Cmdr Wishblend. Anyway enough talk here are screen shots, videos and audio. Well that was fun, and now they are popping up all over.....not to worry anyone at all.
View attachment 33587View attachment 33588
A couple of pics capturing the moment
They are multiplying so everyone can have one
Here are some more audio files courtesy of Digital Scream : http://digitalscream.org.uk/audio/
Just to make life easier for all the audio engineers...here's an mp3 extracted from my video:
http://www.digitalscream.org.uk/audio/unknown_artifact_audio.mp3
Knock yourselves out, gents
CURRENT REWARD FOR HANDING OVER THE ITEM FOR "TESTING": 17 Million (in cargo drop YOU WILL NEED A SHIP WITH 100t OR SO CARGO SPACE?......And at this rate some spare time
)ANYONE WISHING TO DONATE TO PRIZE MONEY PM ME. I will add these in stages now not every 5 mins so don't think I have missed messages.)
Myself - 1 Mill
The Mercs of Mikunn - 2 Mill
Masopa - 1 Mill
Rich Bramwell - 5 Mill
ANON (ID Will only be revealed to winner) - 1 Mill
Patau82 - 1 Mill
Galvinar - 1 Mill
Redwizzard - 1 Mill
Vasious - 1 Mill
MarcosTheBlack - 1 Mill
Zieman - 1 Mill
Wenkman - 1 Mill
Rules (unitl I think of more)
1. Player would be free to make and release video of the UA (after all it's answers we are after) handing it over is simply for proof.
2. Player must have decent size hold in ship to avoid prize tranfers taking hours.
3. First player that in boxes me with screen shot of item in hold wins, prize would be given after transfer.
4. I am not up for paying failed rewards, all offers are simply on the word of the given player.
5. Will try to ask Dev Team for some other form of transfer as a one off by the Devs but we will have to see about that.
6. If I find it first all bets are off and I will claim nothing.
7. If someone hacks the game files and ruins it this fund may be withdrawn before the item is located in game.
01/05/15 UDPATE #2: Turns out the Unkown Artefact is mentioned bang at the start of the 1.2 Wings trailer........Coincidence? Probably? Or Possibly not? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23GEX4pYL9w Credit for this spot goes to Cmdr Knarlfin!
01/05/15 UPDATE: Leaked on Reddit first so don't throw stones! (With that in mind THANKS to Dominathan for brining this to light!) We now have visuals on the item we are all looking for. Although it's a shame to see it this way...It's real and it's out there......somewhere.
**Also credit GlyphGryph to for spotting the Reddit post first.
**Just to clarify this Youtube clip contains the audio for a Toxic Waste Canister, the audio from the actual object is what we are after.
View attachment 32895
30/04/15 UPDATE: Ok so we have people searching all over the place for this item.....goes without saying if anyone finds one and isn't taking part in this goose chase I will happily pay 1 million in palladium for one if you see one....so please don't just sell it!
Current search info with many thanks to Huros for collating the details....
Peregrina - Permit required- Intensely searched, reducing possibility - Permit from HIP 18609
LHS412 - no permit - Intensely searched, reducing possibility
Old worlds Lave Zaonce etc.- no permit, no reports; but Galnet article of various rare goods in convoys
Isinor - Permit required - search in progress - permit from Anotchadiae*, Reshas and LTT 5053 with Chapter of Isinor faction
Polaris - historical and potential home of Thargoids - Permit required, not obtainable -Unknown Artefacts speculated to be possible permit
Circa or in Timocani UA reportedly found and sold. Potentially one per week. Recommend continued search.
Lft 509 and Witch's Reach Permits required from unknown faction. Need to research more for permit. UA possible Permit for these systems.
UA may take a week to spawn in one or more of these systems.
Remember to bring Cargo scanners and limpets.
WORTH CHECKING THIS OUT LINE FROM THE PATCH NOTES OF 1.2 Adding valuable salvage convoys to three permitted systems: LFT 509, Isinor, Witch's Reach
GOOD INFO IN THE HUNT FOR UNKOWN ARTEFACTS
Wouldn't surprise me at all if they can be found in NPC cargo holds. People have reported seeing Hafnium and Painite in them already, and those were released at the same time as these Unknown Artefacts.https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=124297
*Update*
Well never thought this would get somewhere but it MAY have.
What have we learned....
It MAY be all about "Unknown Artefacts", They MAY be obtainable in Peregrina (Permit available at HIP 18600) and these in game objects MAY be trying to talk to us or be bleeping Morse code of their point of origin.
Thank you all for the input.....especially Michael Brookes haha!
*New Update*
We seem to have ruled out the Regor Sector and Soontill Relics (Thanks to the speedy work of the illustrious Erimus) and .....which oddly just leaves us with David Braben. *scratches head*
Soooo what we need is one of these and to listen to it apparently.....
Please do bear in mind folks this item seems to be what we are after.....how to find one is not clear just yet I dont think.
*Update 29/04/15 AS MENTIONED ABOVE YESTERDAY NOT SOONTILL RELICS SOME MAJOR WIND UPS GOING ON AROUND THIS!
......Unless of-course the whole things a wind up which is equally still possible.ALSO "Ancient Artefact" is an item that's been in game for ages, fairly common and is NOT the item below.......I think.
View attachment 32394
*Credit to Tinman for the link.
Last edited by a moderator:
