Supercruise Assist, Netflix & Chill

VR CMDR Novindus

VR CMDR Novindus
I'm all for the new modules, but it just made me wonder whether the motivation of the developers in the case of the Supercruise Assist function was to make it more convenient for those players who like to have Netflix or some other diversion running while they wait out their travel times.

That's not a bad thing, as the need for a diversion is a function of the supercruise mechanic itself, and not the new automation module. So as long as supercruise continues to function as it does, the module is at least a mitigating factor that eases multitasking.

I do hope that it's an interim plan though, as going forward I'd much rather some meaningful in-ship activities that can be accomplished en route, or an alternate supercruise travel mode that balances increased risk, difficulty, and costs, for a reasonable reduction in travel time, which I've talked about more on the Suggestions forum.
 
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VR CMDR Novindus

VR CMDR Novindus
CoyoteXStarrk said:
I have a feeling the Supercruise Assist is just the first step in a long journey towards space legs. That way you can leave the pilot chair and go about other tasks on your ship and know that your ship isn't going impact a moon at the speed of light.


Or at least that's what I am hoping.
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Exactly. I've been saying for some time that a hands-off travel mode will become important if EVA is implemented. I made a suggestion called Slipstream, which is an alternate form of inter-system travel. It's automated, but considerably slower than hyperspace travel, but you could select a system further away than your single jump range. I originally wanted to base the range on the FSD integrity, but it occurs to me now that the total range your ship could travel in hyperspace on your current fuel would be a better limiter. So, some ships could travel on the slipstream for say 250ly without stopping.

A DBX built for the single purpose of longest jump range could travel over 1000ly without stopping, but that's without even a fuel scoop.
 

space voyager

space voyager
I wish it also steered the ship - at least I'd be able to take a shower while travelling to that far planet I want to scan. As is the module won't be of much use to experienced players as it is bound to be far sub-optimal as far as time goes. Which is most likely exactly as planned...
 

VR CMDR Novindus

VR CMDR Novindus
space voyager said:
I wish it also steered the ship - at least I'd be able to take a shower while travelling to that far planet I want to scan. As is the module won't be of much use to experienced players as it is bound to be far sub-optimal as far as time goes. Which is most likely exactly as planned...
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From what I understood, once you point it at a target, it'll slow down in time and leave you in a safe state when it's done (unless you're interdicted). Also, if you wanted to make a cup of tea or use the WC, the extra bit of time (assuming it does end up being sub-optimal) should not be too much of a worry, unless you're travelling over 200kls.
 

Backelaer

Backelaer
Ok, so this gives me the opportunity to ask what I always wanted to: how the hell can prople play this game while watching netflix or youtube?
You still gotta adjust your ships course, unload, or whatever.
I just don't get it. If I watch a show, I really watch it. If I play a game, I play it. I really don't see how people can mix this. That's just me though.
 

Cmdr. Numa

Cmdr. Numa
CoyoteXStarrk said:
I have a feeling the Supercruise Assist is just the first step in a long journey towards space legs. That way you can leave the pilot chair and go about other tasks on your ship and know that your ship isn't going impact a moon at the speed of light.


Or at least that's what I am hoping.
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I'm hoping for that too, but I have one nagging question in my head: How the heck to handle interdictions while auto-cruising and rummaging around somewhere in the ship, far from the cockpit ?
 

777Driver

777Driver
Backelaer said:
Ok, so this gives me the opportunity to ask what I always wanted to: how the hell can prople play this game while watching netflix or youtube?
You still gotta adjust your ships course, unload, or whatever.
I just don't get it. If I watch a show, I really watch it. If I play a game, I play it. I really don't see how people can mix this. That's just me though.
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Example on a current long (in system) trade run -

Jump to SC, align with destination, max throttle to 100% - Open inara or the forums etc in Oculus dash, check the codex onboard the ship, keep making minor course adjustments and monitor distance so I don't overshoot or massively drift off course over the next 10-20 mins, slow to 75% throttle at 6s or spiral in at zero throttle gravity braking, disengage at the correct distance.

Never been on a SC trip long enough to watch a show on netflix, that is hutton orbital territory.

With SC Assist - Jump to SC, align with the target, engage SC assist - The ship will maintain course and adjust speed, it will also drop out at the disengage range.

Basically, a speed and course hold function during the cruise phase.
 
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Firebeard

Firebeard
My only concern with these updates is that FD seem to be making the game much much less what their adverts stated back in 2014.

I have never liked "tutorial zones" - Its the slippery slope for me to the game becoming "easy mode".

I don't overly mind the new modules as they take up space in your ship. What I would like to know is what SC assists response to an interdiction is. Personally I hope it auto submits and stops so those trying to "afk trade" can't.

Similarly the autodock, to be fair I don't have the really big ships so don't know how hard getting out is - but again as it takes module space I'm happy to "not use it unless I need to".

As folk are intimating - I hope this is the start of getting EVA activities, mini games to play as modules struggle in SC. To repair you need to leave the helm so either engage autopilot or throttle down.
 

Factabulous

Factabulous
I'm curious about whether it will steer (after an initial alignment). Some of the locations I go to regularly are 'to the side' of planetary rings, so on approach to planets it is important to work out 'which side' of the ring you need to be on.

I imagine that even if it can do the approach steering it will be heading through those rings - find out soon I guess ;)
 

777Driver

777Driver
Factabulous said:
I'm curious about whether it will steer (after an initial alignment).
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From my understanding from SJA, it does steer. Still, the word 'Assist' is the key. Like with any form of automation, it should be monitored. An aircraft will happily fly you into the side of a mountain whilst in heading hold. The next step up in ED would be a full guidance system, I doubt we will see that for a long time.

In the situation you describe, you'll likely get dropped into normal space, could be wrong though, it wouldn't be hard to have the system detect rings.
 

space voyager

space voyager
777Driver said:
It does. What it won't do is perform the initial align to a target. Think of it as a course hold function.
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Ha, that would actually be useful. I wonder though... The description does leave some room for error but considering auto-steering function already exists (thinking jump sequence), it might just be true!

Actually, I might watch a movie while playing this way!
 

gooddoc

gooddoc
For me the new SC module will just give me a free slot to put a module in - as it's something I don't need & won't use.

I'm under the assumption that all ships get an extra type 1 module slot to 'compensate' for the these extra modules (two on small ships).
That's good, 'cos I'm using a type 4 slot on my 'Conda for a type 1 module, so that'll free up that type 4 slot.

Even a 'Conda doesn't have all the slots you need to carry everything you want.

Though the reaction from some players puts this new module in the same catagory as the old ADS - where players would purchase one, then still moan that it showed up everything with one button press. IT DOESN'T COST A SLOT IF YOU DON'T BUY ONE!!!!

As for Netflix, never watched it while playing, though I would watch telly (sports) a lot under the old scanning system. Now a miss a lot more with the new FSS method as I'm looking at the screen while scanning each body instead of travelling for 10 mins to that distant object.
 

Cmdr. Numa

Cmdr. Numa
I will actually stick....no idea what on my trading ships. I just can't decide if it's the advanced docking computer or supercruise assist. It's cruel that large and medium ships only get one more slot. I will not waste any slot bigger than 1 for the assistance modules. Size 1 is 2t less cargo, size 2 is already 4t.
 
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