What would the developers think of adding a spectator mode for previously visited star systems?

Branithar

Branithar
I've traveled 10s of thousands of light years, and found some really cool star systems. But it would take me months to ever see all the cool places I've bookmarked.

What would the developers think of adding a spectator, free-look mode, where you won't be seen by other commanders and won't be able to scan anything you may have missed, but would let you look around (but only systems you've already visited in free-look mode)?

It could work, by adding a "spectator/previously visited star system" option in the home screen.
 

Stealthie

Stealthie
Not keen on "spectator" modes in multiplayer games as a rule.

It's inevitable that any such mechanic will be used as a "coaching" tool by some people.

Even if the game, itself, prohibits communications by a person in "spectator" mode, they can just use skype, teamspeak or whatever.
 

Cobra1984

C
This feature request falls into the 'time vs reward' category.

The time spent getting to the reward in this case (the cool systems) is not in itself rewarding, challenging, difficult or fun - only time consuming.
 

Branithar

Branithar
Maybe they can block all appearance of commanders, NPC or human. Or maybe only let someone "spectate" a system with no space stations. If onlookers tell me they want to see Betelgeuse, my response is "get back to me in six months". If someone wants to coach another player, if the only thing they have to say is "it's a binary system, watch out", who cares?Of course I could use Space Engine, but Elite Dangerous is more engaging and feels more like you're there.
 

JosiahD

JosiahD
Branithar said:
I've traveled 10s of thousands of light years, and found some really cool star systems. But it would take me months to ever see all the cool places I've bookmarked.

What would the developers think of adding a spectator, free-look mode, where you won't be seen by other commanders and won't be able to scan anything you may have missed, but would let you look around (but only systems you've already visited in free-look mode)?

It could work, by adding a "spectator/previously visited star system" option in the home screen.
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Could be interesting if done as an extension of the system map - you've already visited the system so there's no reason why the system map couldn't then include the ability to model the system in 3D, at least for the objects you've detected and/or scanned.
 

Stealthie

Stealthie
Tell you what might make a simple little "gimmick" of this sort...

We already have "telepresence" and, imminently, multicrew so FD obviously can punt players around the galaxy when it suits them.

Perhaps they could give navigation beacons and tourist beacons (in particular) some of the same properties as a ship so that once a player has scanned a beacon (be it a nav' beacon or a tourist beacon) they could telepresence themselves to it and get a multicrew-style view of wherever that beacon is?

Be cool for showing people all the tourist spots that you've seen and looking at any other ships that happen to be in the vicinity while you're watching.
 

kaivalagi

kaivalagi
Would making the system map 3D with all the same controls as the galaxy map do the job, assuming the graphics quality is that of the main gameplay?
 
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Dbrn47

Dbrn47
No, because new players would exploit it to get into an Anaconda in a week.

Just kidding. I'm probably just going to say no to this for now. Doesn't add anything for me. If I think a system is cool, I check it out, not bookmark it to play around in later.
 

Tarman

Tarman
Loskene said:
So basically the Orrery system map?
Yeah, only been asking for this since uhhh...
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"Spectator mode for star systems" is a good translation of "orrery" into Gamer from Astronomer. It pays to know multiple dialects.

And yes this would be cool.
 

Dbrn47

Dbrn47
Tarman said:
"Spectator mode for star systems" is a good translation of "orrery" into Gamer from Astronomer. It pays to know multiple dialects.

And yes this would be cool.
Click to expand...

Oh, well, I'll change my answer to maybe then. I didn't make that connection.
 

Sapyx

Sapyx
The orrery system map - which does indeed seem to be pretty much what the OP is asking for - has been long-promised and long-awaited. The two previous versions of Elite had options for orrery-view system maps. We're all still assuming that it's still on FD's "to do list".
 

krylite

krylite
That would be nice like they had in FFE. Maybe even allow camera mode to switch to a POI location. And allow view of the system playback and allow fast forwarding to simulate what they had in timeslip state in FFE. And keep this a completely separate mode from regular gameplay like the galaxy map.
 
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Branithar

Branithar
I'm guessing "orrery" is a 3D view of the solar system in the system map? That would be cool, and could help plot a route for scanning stuff. And the people who are worried that it would lead to players exploiting the game, I don't see how it would lead to cheating.
 

Tarman

Tarman
Branithar said:
I'm guessing "orrery" is a 3D view of the solar system in the system map? That would be cool, and could help plot a route for scanning stuff. And the people who are worried that it would lead to players exploiting the game, I don't see how it would lead to cheating.
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It was an early-discussion feature that hasn't made an appearance, but pretty much a 3d look at a system, so you could check out not only the bodies but their orbits and movement, plus a bunch of system data. The only way it'd be cheaty is if it were like an advanced pan-galactic scanner that showed live trackable player activity. Otherwise it's just an advanced display of system data you could gather yourself except it'd take effort (or at least an INARA account) and wouldn't be as cool as an interactive 3d model of the working system. This feature is super long overdue.
 
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