Explorers rarely get Community Goals, which is a real shame. I think there have been maybe 4 in my years playing Elite. Part of the problem is that it's really hard to make an effective exploration community goal over just one week. The other problem is that it's really hard to make an exploration CG that's hosted in the Bubble. Most players just end up Road to Riches-ing it, which is pretty much the opposite of exploration.
To solve these issues, I'd like to propose the ultimate exploration community goal.
1. The CG should be hosted far from the bubble. Not TOO far, but ideally somewhat centrally located in the galaxy, allowing players anywhere in the galaxy to get to it in a reasonable time frame.
2. The CG should last for a significant amount of time; at least a month. This gives players plenty of time to go on a REAL exploration voyage and see what real exploration has to offer.
3. The CG should offer rewards pertinent to exploration.
4. The CG should be for something fairly interesting to find. Ammonia Worlds were a decent choice, but we've already done that, as well as Earthlike worlds.
5. The CG should have a very nice 100% reward, just to encourage players to get out there in the first place!
6. The CG should have actual hidden stuff to find!
With these ideals in mind, here's an idea for a community goal!
GALNET - Aegis Initiates Guardian Search of the Galactic Core!
Aegis, in collaboration with Engineer Ram Tah, has initiated a new exploration initiative, searching the Galactic Core for Guardian remnants. Aegis Spokesman Aurelia Borealis had this to say:
"Ram Tah is constantly analyzing new data brought to him by enterprising commanders. In a recently acquired data trove, he found mention of a Guardian attempt to colonize the Galactic Core, much like our own Colonia!"
She continued, "This remote enclave of Guardian society apparently remained largely separate from the rest of the Guardian race, largely avoiding their clash with the Thargoids and ensuing infighting that led to their destruction. While it seems unlikely they survived, there may be far better-preserved Guardian relics and artifacts at these distant sites, untouched by plundering hands, and hidden away in the sheer density of stars in the core. It is vital we discover this trove of priceless artifacts; as such, Aegis has relocated one of our Megaships into orbit of Sagittarius A*, where all exploration data can be turned in."
Ram Tah added, "I was surprised to see the Guardians able to inhabit the more intense environment of the galactic core. Artifacts could be located anywhere; as such, I am offering a 1-month contract on Gas Giants and their moons. I am paying a flat 1 million credits for every moon of a gas giant, as well as a 100x multiplier on the values of gas giants, and a 3x multiplier on all biological data found on the moons of gas giants."
"All participants will receive a special SRV, which I have modified with Guardian Technology. It has enhanced ENG recharge and capacity, as well as +100% hull integrity and fuel capacity. Explorers should find it very helpful for navigating rough terrain and surviving crashes and other unfortunate accidents."
Ms. Borealis added, "The top 75% of participants will receive a bronze exploration decal, the top 50% a silver decal, and the top 25% a gold decal. The top 10% will also receive a unique skin for the SRV."
To solve these issues, I'd like to propose the ultimate exploration community goal.
1. The CG should be hosted far from the bubble. Not TOO far, but ideally somewhat centrally located in the galaxy, allowing players anywhere in the galaxy to get to it in a reasonable time frame.
2. The CG should last for a significant amount of time; at least a month. This gives players plenty of time to go on a REAL exploration voyage and see what real exploration has to offer.
3. The CG should offer rewards pertinent to exploration.
4. The CG should be for something fairly interesting to find. Ammonia Worlds were a decent choice, but we've already done that, as well as Earthlike worlds.
5. The CG should have a very nice 100% reward, just to encourage players to get out there in the first place!
6. The CG should have actual hidden stuff to find!
With these ideals in mind, here's an idea for a community goal!
GALNET - Aegis Initiates Guardian Search of the Galactic Core!
Aegis, in collaboration with Engineer Ram Tah, has initiated a new exploration initiative, searching the Galactic Core for Guardian remnants. Aegis Spokesman Aurelia Borealis had this to say:
"Ram Tah is constantly analyzing new data brought to him by enterprising commanders. In a recently acquired data trove, he found mention of a Guardian attempt to colonize the Galactic Core, much like our own Colonia!"
She continued, "This remote enclave of Guardian society apparently remained largely separate from the rest of the Guardian race, largely avoiding their clash with the Thargoids and ensuing infighting that led to their destruction. While it seems unlikely they survived, there may be far better-preserved Guardian relics and artifacts at these distant sites, untouched by plundering hands, and hidden away in the sheer density of stars in the core. It is vital we discover this trove of priceless artifacts; as such, Aegis has relocated one of our Megaships into orbit of Sagittarius A*, where all exploration data can be turned in."
Ram Tah added, "I was surprised to see the Guardians able to inhabit the more intense environment of the galactic core. Artifacts could be located anywhere; as such, I am offering a 1-month contract on Gas Giants and their moons. I am paying a flat 1 million credits for every moon of a gas giant, as well as a 100x multiplier on the values of gas giants, and a 3x multiplier on all biological data found on the moons of gas giants."
"All participants will receive a special SRV, which I have modified with Guardian Technology. It has enhanced ENG recharge and capacity, as well as +100% hull integrity and fuel capacity. Explorers should find it very helpful for navigating rough terrain and surviving crashes and other unfortunate accidents."
Ms. Borealis added, "The top 75% of participants will receive a bronze exploration decal, the top 50% a silver decal, and the top 25% a gold decal. The top 10% will also receive a unique skin for the SRV."