VR Galaxy Map navigation hotfix proposals

rootsrat

Volunteer Moderator
rootsrat
Hi all!

As we all know, navigating the Galaxy Map is one of the biggest problems in VR. There are multiple workarounds, like using a gamepad, tilting the map, hit&miss with the cursor, typing system name, then selecting system map and plotting the route to a specific object etc.

I personally use the "type the system name, then select system map" most of the times - hence my proposal: what if Frontier introduced a simple change, so that when you type in the system name and cursor focuses on that star, the actions menu is automatically opened, so that you can easily select "Plot course"?

Alternatively - can you thing of any other fix that could be introduced to make our lives easier?
 

-VR- Max Factor

-VR- Max Factor
rootsrat said:
Hi all!

As we all know, navigating the Galaxy Map is one of the biggest problems in VR. There are multiple workarounds, like using a gamepad, tilting the map, hit&miss with the cursor, typing system name, then selecting system map and plotting the route to a specific object etc.

I personally use the "type the system name, then select system map" most of the times - hence my proposal: what if Frontier introduced a simple change, so that when you type in the system name and cursor focuses on that star, the actions menu is automatically opened, so that you can easily select "Plot course"?

Alternatively - can you thing of any other fix that could be introduced to make our lives easier?
Click to expand...

To be honest, I really don't understand the issue. I use my Hotas and find it very easy. If you are trying to use a mouse with the GM in VR, don't. It is virtually impossible.
 

Khaldur

K
IMHO the Galaxy Map is very easy to use with a HOTAS. The problem seems to be more that many players don't know how and still try to do it by mouse (judging by the many threads that pop up here every other week). Many don't even seem to get how to use the circular maker instead of the mouse cursor.
So an integrated tutorial would probably help a lot.

But of course there are still those that don't have a HOTAS and play with gamepad or even keyboard and mouse.
 

natte hond

natte hond
I agree.
navigating in VR is much harder.
think that the loss of time could even get you killed or turn you away from VR altogether.
have to add I been away for a long time ,it could be I change my mind on this after getting the hang of it.
but its a steep learning curve.
 

rootsrat

Volunteer Moderator
rootsrat
natte hond said:
I agree.
navigating in VR is much harder.
think that the loss of time could even get you killed or turn you away from VR altogether.
have to add I been away for a long time ,it could be I change my mind on this after getting the hang of it.
but its a steep learning curve.
Click to expand...

Agree. I'm new to VR, only played Elite a few times in my Vive, but the galaxy map navigation problems have put me off it and I wasn't really using it for Elite. Hopefully with the above tips things will change now!
 

-VR- Max Factor

-VR- Max Factor
CylonSurfer said:
No issues with the Gal Map either. Only improvement I can suggest is an on screen keyboard so I can type the system names more easily.
Click to expand...

I asked a dev in a private message about that, and they replied saying no it won't be happening for specific reasons, so I have been practicing touch typing since.

This is the reply in full:

A virtual keyboard is not something we at Frontier would be interested in making for a number of reasons.

1) It's a rather large undertaking. The simplicity of it looking just like that dumb bit of plastic you've been using for years masks an underlying complexity in implementation.

2) We (and I also believe users) would prefer to rely on OS support for providing a virtual keyboard (like XB1/PS4/OSX/Windows) - though in this case, the 'OS' is the HMD vendor.

You didn't say which HMD you're using to play Elite - but I believe Vive already has support for this via SteamVR. I've not tried it - but i hear you can also 'peek' at your keyboard using the front-facing camera (though I also hear the quality's not great).

If you're using Oculus - You might be out of luck for now. I can't find any mention of support for a virtual keyboard - but I'd be very surprised if it's not already in the works.
 
Last edited:

Darkfyre99

Darkfyre99
I don't see the problem. I've been using a HOTAS setup since the galaxy map was introduced, and if anything, VR makes this setup easier than ever, since your galaxy map is now 3D, as opposed to 2D.
 

Wolfox

Wolfox
The galaxay name search starts from the first 4 letters, if there are systems that are having the same initials (First 4 letters it will navigate through them.
If the name is unique you don't have to put all the system name.

I'm OK with the Galaxy Map from the very beginning, always used my sticks configurations, and for typing now that the debug screen is always available, i just lift up the VISOR
 
Last edited:

shadragon

shadragon
rootsrat said:
Alternatively - can you thing of any other fix that could be introduced to make our lives easier?
Click to expand...
Typing without flipping up the HMD is the biggest obstacle to full immersion. I spell type with a custom Voice Attack script, but I have to say each letter phonetically.

On-screen keyboard would make life soooooo much easier.
 

natte hond

natte hond
Darkfyre99 said:
I don't see the problem. I've been using a HOTAS setup since the galaxy map was introduced, and if anything, VR makes this setup easier than ever, since your galaxy map is now 3D, as opposed to 2D.
Click to expand...

I suspect you have been growing into it.
as you been in Elite for quite awhile.
(if I'm not mistaking you for someone else).
I have been testing as from the Alpha but been away for a long time.
(this to re freshen my experience and not to over do it before the game has more depth.)
so I'm not new to elite D. but rusty as I am now and new in Vr it just isn't that intuitive as wile not in vr.
I think the Op. feel the same.
 

Darkfyre99

Darkfyre99
natte hond said:
I suspect you have been growing into it.
as you been in Elite for quite awhile.
(if I'm not mistaking you for someone else).
I have been testing as from the Alpha but been away for a long time.
(this to re freshen my experience and not to over do it before the game has more depth.)
so I'm not new to elite D. but rusty as I am now and new in Vr it just isn't that intuitive as wile not in vr.
I think the Op. feel the same.
Click to expand...

That could very well be. It also may help that I learned how to touch type more than 30 years ago, so I didn't have that obstacle to overcome either. But as with many aspects of this game, navigating using a HOTAS setup is a skill one can learn. It is also, IMO, a skill that is easier to do in VR than staring at a monitor.

Having the galaxy map spread around you in glorious 3D, the systems you're focused on right in front of you, and being able to turn your head to look at the rest, makes the map easier to use IMO. The problem that non-HOTAS map users are encountering is that a 2D mouse simply isn't suited to manipulate a 3D environment.

(The system map, OTOH...)

It is my hope that Frontier may add support for touch controllers in the future, especially once hand tracking technology matures. I can think of no better way of controlling our aspects of our ships than being able to manipulate the screens with our hands in the game. Or control the galaxy and system maps with a swipe of your hand, and touch a star to select it.

I just hope it works like this:

[video=youtube;6ECVHsUVuJg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECVHsUVuJg[/video]

instead of this:

[video=youtube;SeiJ2jHyy7U]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeiJ2jHyy7U[/video]
 

rootsrat

Volunteer Moderator
rootsrat
After checking this out last night again I found out where my problem was! I've had the grid switched off and therefore couldn't see the circle marker.

Thanks very much to all for your suggestions, that's actually solved the problem and indeed no fix is required. All you need to do is map your hotas to navigate around the map to your liking and turn on the Grid in the last tab (settings) of Galaxy Map.

Fly safe Commanders and happy VR-ing to all :)
 

[HJ]-RedRaven

[HJ]-RedRaven
Even in the Rift I navigate the Galaxy and system maps with the mouse, for gross get-in-the-ballpark movements.

Then to pick the star system or planet I use the HOTAS for forwards/back/left/right etc.

It is a little different, but the change was less than I had imagined, and got easier with time too.
 

CMDR MAIN SEQUENCE

CMDR MAIN SEQUENCE
Max Factor said:
I asked a dev in a private message about that, and they replied saying no it won't be happening for specific reasons, so I have been practicing touch typing since.

This is the reply in full:

A virtual keyboard is not something we at Frontier would be interested in making for a number of reasons.

1) It's a rather large undertaking. The simplicity of it looking just like that dumb bit of plastic you've been using for years masks an underlying complexity in implementation.

2) We (and I also believe users) would prefer to rely on OS support for providing a virtual keyboard (like XB1/PS4/OSX/Windows) - though in this case, the 'OS' is the HMD vendor.

You didn't say which HMD you're using to play Elite - but I believe Vive already has support for this via SteamVR. I've not tried it - but i hear you can also 'peek' at your keyboard using the front-facing camera (though I also hear the quality's not great).

If you're using Oculus - You might be out of luck for now. I can't find any mention of support for a virtual keyboard - but I'd be very surprised if it's not already in the works.
Click to expand...

That's really disappointing to hear that from FD, especially when they'd previously said that improvements to the galaxy map (for VR users specifically I think) are coming. I guess we just have to be even more patient and wait for Oculus or one of the developers to produce something.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom