Well done Frontier, this is a whole other level of brilliance

[Eukanuba23]

I'm having my first proper go at the new patch today and it's just marvellous! The exploration mechanics make the game feel alive and full of things to discover. I was in a Pleiades system and I got a sense of dread when I saw how many Thargoid signal sources there were, and especially because a lot were clustered near a space station.

I no longer feel like I'm just rolling a dice to see what random selection of planets the computer has invented, instead I feel like I'm actually exploring a real star system.

I'm something of a noob at this game, I'm only 220 hours or so in, but for the first time I don't feel like I'm just playing it as nostalgia fuel, I'm playing it because it's giving me a sense of wonder and excitement.

The developers get a lot of abuse from people who don't appreciate the work and passion that goes into a project like this, and I hope that Frontier see this message and realise just how appreciated they are for having the audacity to make a game on this scale, and actually pulling it off. Ladies and gentlemen of Frontier, you have all my bravos.

 

[Iskariot]

I'm having my first proper go at the new patch today and it's just marvellous! The exploration mechanics make the game feel alive and full of things to discover. I was in a Pleiades system and I got a sense of dread when I saw how many Thargoid signal sources there were, and especially because a lot were clustered near a space station.

I no longer feel like I'm just rolling a dice to see what random selection of planets the computer has invented, instead I feel like I'm actually exploring a real star system.

I'm something of a noob at this game, I'm only 220 hours or so in, but for the first time I don't feel like I'm just playing it as nostalgia fuel, I'm playing it because it's giving me a sense of wonder and excitement.

The developers get a lot of abuse from people who don't appreciate the work and passion that goes into a project like this, and I hope that Frontier see this message and realise just how appreciated they are for having the audacity to make a game on this scale, and actually pulling it off. Ladies and gentlemen of Frontier, you have all my bravos.

I have to agree.
The new exploration mechanics make me feel like a real space explorer now. Love it.

 

[Andovar]

It's interesting how the new mechanics are either love it or hate it.
Thankfully I'm in the 'love it' camp.

 

[GODofDUTY83]

There is always backlash against change.
I remember when NPCs stopped doing the death roll, folks complained they got too hard to deal with. And before anyone says it, no I wont provide proof, you can go waste your own time scrolling through long dead threads to find it.

 

[Moe Melek]

Agreed. And I love how the sounds of planets and moons are actual "sounds" (radio signals) from planets and moons.

 

[pnellesen]

It's interesting how the new mechanics are either love it or hate it.
Thankfully I'm in the 'love it' camp.

I do like it, but as much as I hate to say this I think it may be almost TOO easy now to find surface POIs (this from someone who's main complaint about the old system was how difficult it was, lol).

That said, I have no desire to go back to the old system. At all.

 

[CAPT. Ho Chi Minge]

The real deal with this patch is now (other than beta players) WE ARE ALL NOOBS. So many new mechanics to learn again and i quite like that fact, cheers FD.

My only issue was coming from pc (HOTAS) to try a new commander on ps4 , flying with a control pad was entertaining to say the least. I only hope santa is delivering this old fart a ps4 HOTAS.

 

[Burke]

I no longer feel like I'm just rolling a dice to see what random selection of planets the computer has invented, instead I feel like I'm actually exploring a real star system.

Im sorry, im sorry i know im a real downer. You are still rolling the dice, you are just looking at the results thru a pin hole.

 

[Stealthie]

It's interesting how the new mechanics are either love it or hate it.

Nah,

I think it's just a case of the extreme opinions being the loudest.

Personally, I don't especially like the way the new stuff looks or works but I do like the job it does.

 

[Eukanuba23]

Im sorry, im sorry i know im a real downer. You are still rolling the dice, you are just looking at the results thru a pin hole.

Hey, that's cool. I know I'm suspending my disbelief, it's just easier and more enjoyable now.

I can't speak for anybody else, but I think that a large part of why I've found the new system enjoyable and relatively easy to get to grips with because I'm using an Xbox controller (on PC). I'd recommend it over keyboard and mouse any day.

 

[Jack Schitt]

Im sorry, im sorry i know im a real downer. You are still rolling the dice, you are just looking at the results thru a pin hole.

The key word is "feel". Nobody will argue with the objective reality of how the PG galaxy works (although technically it's closer to finding the nth digit of pi for a predetermined n than rolling a die). But for many players the FSS subjectively feels like a closer analogue to extracting and interpreting signals from the cosmos than the old "show me everything" button. It can be frustrating at times, but then you'd expect "real" exploration to throw a curved ball once in a while too.

It's not quite the exploration discussed in the DDF; personally I'd love to be able to send long-range probes to some bodies while I'm manually scanning others, rather than having to fly to each and bombard them from orbit. But for me it's much closer than the ADS ever was.

It's a shame it doesn't gel with everyone, but trying to convince us we're wrong because it's objectively slower or more cumbersome is to miss the point. In terms of material reward over time it arguably is worse on a system-by-system basis for a great many play styles. But subjectively... I've gone from a guy pressing "show my location" on Google Maps to a guy manning the science scope on the USS Enterprise. Can't quantify it, but there it is.

The only downside that I can see is that if I ever do get bored of it, there's no going back to the old system. I can see how that might be awkward. But right now it feels (that word again) as though that's a long way off, if it's even on the horizon at all. My first full-length exploration trip to pastures new will be the ultimate test I guess.

 

[Cervantes01]

I too am very pleased with the direction that Frontier are taking with ED, I've had some great fun tonight, simply awesome.

 

[Kaocraft]

The signal sources thing is a huge huge deal. More than any of the big advertised features, it is going to be one of the most lasting positive changes made to the game.

 

[Burke]

I've gone from a guy pressing "show my location" on Google Maps to a guy manning the science scope on the USS Enterprise. Can't quantify it, but there it is.

You like startrek discovery dont you? hehe

I too am very pleased with the direction that Frontier are taking with ED, I've had some great fun tonight, simply awesome.

awesome is becoming one of those words isnt it? Like engaging. Reminds me of some of the more excitable influencers that stream on youtube.

 

[Trollymctrollerson]

New exploration is a win in my book. I can actually explore and find things. It boggles my mind that in the old system people would spend days scouring barren rocks looking for things. I'm glad I did other things during that era but now I'm looking forward to using the new tools for discovery.

 

[Burke]

I wonder how much money fdev would want for a custom designed ship (reasonable design) with the old style honk built in. Or even a normal ship... "Asp explorer GT" only from the frontier store.

Comn then fdev how much you want?

Yes its a bit obscene isnt it? Spending money like that to play game. Look what they did to me

 

[Cageman]

I just LOVE how the changes to Exploration ties into Mining and Signalsources. It makes the games different features feel so more connected. I am also very happy that the Discovery Scanner is now an integrated part of every ship.

Docking Computer should be too... with the option to turn it off, of course.

EDIT: The reason for me saying that is quite pragmatic: How many threads have you seen where CMDRs in big ships manage to die, because they can not dock properly?

The Docking Computer is one of the best teachers in how to land any ship in a safe manner (mostly). When I first got a Beluga, I had serious problems getting into the mailslot. I got a Docking Computer and by watching how it did it, I learned how to do it. But way faster.

 

[Faybs]

The key word is "feel". Nobody will argue with the objective reality of how the PG galaxy works (although technically it's closer to finding the nth digit of pi for a predetermined n than rolling a die). But for many players the FSS subjectively feels like a closer analogue to extracting and interpreting signals from the cosmos than the old "show me everything" button. It can be frustrating at times, but then you'd expect "real" exploration to throw a curved ball once in a while too.

It's all still RNG under the covers, but the old way made it painfully clear that was the case - throttle down and wait, and POIs would magically appear out of nowhere. The new way is much better at hiding the wizard behind the curtains.

 

[Cageman]

It's all still RNG under the covers, but the old way made it painfully clear that was the case - throttle down and wait, and POIs would magically appear out of nowhere. The new way is much better at hiding the wizard behind the curtains.

Randomness is still a key part... it is just that you can "sort it" much quicker.

 

[Eukanuba23]

I wonder how much money fdev would want for a custom designed ship (reasonable design) with the old style honk built in. Or even a normal ship... "Asp explorer GT" only from the frontier store.

Comn then fdev how much you want?

Yes its a bit obscene isnt it? Spending money like that to play game. Look what they did to me

But you can use the honk exactly the same. Just make sure it's bound to a fire button and as long as you're in analysis mode, you can still jump-scoop-honk.

(also: Alien Breed avatar. I remember )