I disagree.
It would be a poor space sim (whatever the definition) if there was no docking in the game. The current implementation is the minimum mechanic that should be in the game.
What do you propose? Skip it and have instant docking by clicking a button? That would make for a very poor experience I think.
To me it seems extraordinarily weird not to want docking in a game like this.
Cargo scooping is entirely optional. If you do not want to do it then avoid it. Personally I like it. I think it is an essential mechanic.
But I would not mind if FD added some sort of cargo drone system to make it more interesting and convenient.
They already have a functional drone system.
It's not the subject of this thread, but I don't suggest removing the docking nor cargo scooping. I do get why it's necessary, I do agree it's better than some sort of video / loading screen. At the same time station approach and docking take more time than jumping back and forth between several systems. I had even planned a trade route for myself especially so I can land only at outposts and cut down the docking time. Sadly, that became obsolete with the moment I started flying Anaconda.
Anyway, I don't propose anything, they've done it this way and it's unlikely to change. The current system could be improved by for example: having the mailslot marked in a clear manner (quite frankly, I don't even see which side is green and which is red until I'm pretty close, and thus I'm not bothered anymore), having the landing pads arranged according to one pilot federation standard as opposed to be differently arranged at every station (there seem to be several variations of landing pads layout and numbering), having the designated landing pad change its colour (yes, to be absolutely and totally obvious without checking the number) and also instead of having the radar with everything what's happening around the station (which I don't care about when I'm docking), have a radar showing my position in relation to the landing pad and other ships inside the station. Since I can't exactly see if I'm already above the landing pad, unless I lower the ship significantly. If you're flying a big ship with poor visibility, you have to guess if you're in the right spot already, which is a poor design. Take off is fine as it is.
Personally I'd rather land on the outside of the star ports and got transported inside on the occasions when I really need it (e.g. outfitting & shipyard, maybe black market) and just use onboard computer to access other things (missions, market, universal cartographic). Quick landing, quick take-off and be about my business. Also, getting ships inside without any sort of screening before is a safety hazard. Contamination is one possibility, but what if someone decideds to fill their ship with explosives or radioactive materials and blow that up inside the station? And yes, I know such possibility is not in the game and is highly unlikely to ever be introduced. Which, again, is a shame.
As for the cargo scooping, they have introduced the limpets, so that's fine. Again, as for basic cargo scooping, without the limpets, they have designed it in a certain way and it's unlikely to change. Shame they didn't solve it using a tractor beam of some sort. I don't usually scoop any cargo, even if some NPC spills it after being blown up, it takes more time than it's worth, but perhaps I'd be more interested if it was more fun to do so.
For the record: I'm perfectly fine with the current mechanics as it is and it's playable. I just wish they were a bit more imaginative, ambitious and creative when it comes to such basic activities. Things the players are supposed to do over and over again dozens or hundreds of times a day should be quick as to not stand in the way of the gameplay. Current design philosophy seems to be more along the lines: "how do we make this bit into another minigame" as opposed to what I think would be better for Elite: "how do we make it cool".
Once again, this is not a subject of this thread, so my apologies for off topic. I just answered a question I've been asked.
But the bouncy castle station is more a sign of how we all feel about shields as of now. I don't want to get rid of it as much as I want my ship to feel more like a huge metal structure with physical exposure to other objects with a deeper sense of surroundings and dangers.
