The Docking Computer thread.

ToniB

T
Sarah Jane Avory said:
BTW all my fixes and updates need a full test and thus are going into v1.3, so you won't have them just yet. Next version (v1.3) will be so much better. :)
Okay, I'd better get back to devising more ways to kill players... ;)
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looking forward to it Sarah, because until now you havent killed me once ;)
 

Genar-Hofoen

Genar-Hofoen
Sarah Jane Avory said:
BTW all my fixes and updates need a full test and thus are going into v1.3, so you won't have them just yet. Next version (v1.3) will be so much better. :)
Okay, I'd better get back to devising more ways to kill players... ;)
Click to expand...

Damnit Sarah, I'm in the galactic core with a shed-load of exploration data - your AI better not be destroying me when I'm running the 500LY "gauntlet" back to the nearest available base! :-/

;)
 
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DrakeAurum

DrakeAurum
Incidentally, is there any chance that the v1.3 docking computer will play nice with the debug camera? My couple of attempts to switch to external view while docking were... not entirely positive.
 

Adept

Adept
Sarah Jane Avory said:
BTW all my fixes and updates need a full test and thus are going into v1.3, so you won't have them just yet. Next version (v1.3) will be so much better. :)
Okay, I'd better get back to devising more ways to kill players... ;)
Click to expand...

Don't hold back Sarah :)

High lvl NPCs should exploit the shield cells to the hilt (until everybody realises the game is better without them). Military pilots should recognise high threat ships (esp. players) and use wolf-pack tactics, or run away when outmatched.

Etc etc. Make us work for it ;)
 

bliss

bliss
Adept said:
Don't hold back Sarah :)

High lvl NPCs should exploit the shield cells to the hilt (until everybody realises the game is better without them). Military pilots should recognise high threat ships (esp. players) and use wolf-pack tactics, or run away when outmatched.

Etc etc. Make us work for it ;)
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. . . . and chaff. Npc's with chaff should use the entire 10 ammo limit if the player has gimbals.

I also feel chaff should be quite common on AI ships.
 

Dave Angel

Dave Angel
Oh.. These young ones...

Amadeus said:
Whilst their at it could someone explain why one is necessary?
Docking is far from difficult unless there's been a big change.
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Mostly for nostalgia.

docking was far harder when all you had was rubbery zx spectrum keys (or BBC micro ones for the purists), and the docking computer was an option on the original elite. The blue Danube was a reference from a docking scene in 2001 space oddity, that was in turn referenced in some elite versions.

i suspect though the docking computer does have a use though for the larger ships, think docking a t9 might take patience.
 

sirius42

sirius42
Dave Angel said:
Mostly for nostalgia.

docking was far harder when all you had was rubbery zx spectrum keys (or BBC micro ones for the purists), and the docking computer was an option on the original elite. The blue Danube was a reference from a docking scene in 2001 space oddity, that was in turn referenced in some elite versions.

i suspect though the docking computer does have a use though for the larger ships, think docking a t9 might take patience.
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Some nostalgia for you :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JwmZygqa_0

And true i wont miss him if you plan to grind endless of hours in one of larger the ships.
 

mahoon

mahoon
Dave Angel said:
Oh.. These young ones...



Mostly for nostalgia.

docking was far harder when all you had was rubbery zx spectrum keys (or BBC micro ones for the purists), and the docking computer was an option on the original elite. The blue Danube was a reference from a docking scene in 2001 space oddity, that was in turn referenced in some elite versions.

i suspect though the docking computer does have a use though for the larger ships, think docking a t9 might take patience.
Click to expand...


Docking a T9 is not a big problem - like everything, all it takes is a little experience, best gained at a slow and careful pace - just remember most of the ship is above your cockpit, so stay low and in the middle - otherwise it's just like docking a sluggish, heavy, interia-prone sidey. The scariest thing with docking a T9 is the first station exit you make with 400+ tons of cargo, loads of blips on screen that may or may not be trying to come through the letterbox - either in front of you or behind you. We needs a launching computer I tells ya! I use the docking comp all the time, even though I'm comfortable manually docking, simply because it seems to nicely round off the trip.
 

Xenoit

X
It is not perfect. It has routinely managed to completely miss the Mail Slot on numerous occasions, it still gets stuck trying to land on outposts. IT IS STILL THAT THIS TAKES UP AN INTERNAL SLOT. WE HAVE NAVIGATION COMPUTERS, MAKE COMPUTER AND SENSOR UPGRADES A SEPARATE PART OF THE OUTFITTING AREA, NOT INTERNAL AND UTILITY. FDev have never actually even read anything about actually building weapons platforms. Hire an ex-navy systems platform designer to fix these broken stupid ships.
 

wstephenson

wstephenson
Xenoit said:
IT IS STILL THAT THIS TAKES UP AN INTERNAL SLOT. WE HAVE NAVIGATION COMPUTERS, MAKE COMPUTER AND SENSOR UPGRADES A SEPARATE PART OF THE OUTFITTING AREA, NOT INTERNAL AND UTILITY.
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Leaving aside your shortcomings in rhetoric, I'd actually go the other way and make the docking/launch computer a 'training wheels' resource that all newbie pilots have, but that consumes a module slot. This would make the game more accessible to the mass market.

Here's how I'd do it, especially for the console ports:

  • A 'New Graduates' Navicomp' module provides both docking, launch and SuperCruise autopilot functionality. The maximum speed of the routines is limited to 70% of what SJA's code is capable of.
  • The Navicomp on the outfitting screen appears as a large box labelled with a capital L on a square frame
  • The Navicomp is loaned by the Pilots' Federation to new Commanders in return for a 1000Cr bond (paid before the player Loads New Commander :))
  • The Navicomp prints what it is doing: (Fly in front of docking port, match rotation, speed 50%, lower undercarriage, etc) onto the HUD much like the tutorial missions
  • The Navicomp plays The Blue Danube, but in a nursery arrangement with a glockenspiel. Much like Rockabye Baby!'s lullaby covers of the Smiths etc.
  • Once the player is comfortable flying without the Navicomp, it can be returned to the Pilots' Federation and the player gets the 1000Cr bond back and a free module slot
  • Professional nav computers are also available to buy but as they are luxury comfort upgrades cost a lot, eg 150000Cr. They dock at "full SJA" speeds.
 

uncle bulgaria

uncle bulgaria
Dave Angel said:
Oh.. These young ones...



Mostly for nostalgia.

docking was far harder when all you had was rubbery zx spectrum keys (or BBC micro ones for the purists), and the docking computer was an option on the original elite. The blue Danube was a reference from a docking scene in 2001 space oddity, that was in turn referenced in some elite versions.

i suspect though the docking computer does have a use though for the larger ships, think docking a t9 might take patience.
Click to expand...

Docking was far harder in the original due to how much less control we had, we only had pitch and roll in those days whereas now we have yaw plus the vertical and lateral thrusters which makes it much much easier.

Docking in ED is an absolute doddle compared to the original. I've never even considered a docking computer here (due to the loss of an internal slot) where in the original they were one of the priorities once you started earning good cash.

I do miss Blue Danube from Frontier Elite 2, can we have an option to turn in on with manual docking once we get approval Please? Please? Pretty please? :)
 

Firebeard

Firebeard
Docking Computer

Great work on the docking computer Sarah Jane, have you deliberately made it brown trousers time at outposts? :)
 
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