Sorry to say this but mining missions are long and boring. I'm not suggesting to change it, but maybe include something else for the player to do while the mining beam is suckling at an asteroid's teat.

It would be nice to have an in-ship news feeder whereby pilots can see trade commodities prices across entire sectors and plan their trade routes. Escape Velocity had something like this.

Allowing unrestricted trade across sectors might give rise to exploits, since traders could perhaps circumvent pirates more easily than they can already.

I agree that mining missions should be rendered more entertaining, but I think that the missions, or perhaps the activity of mining, should change, to make it more interactive. There have been threads on this subject, but I'm too lazy to search for them.

There are many things one can do while mining to help pass the time...

Balance your check book, make dinner, throw a half full coffee mug at your editor, check out ebay, debate VO Vs. EVE, write a research paper, cure cancer... etc... etc...

Mining is quite boring, but what about mining should not be boring? But, if you really want more adventure in mining... try letting CLM, CHRN or SYN know where your mining. Or try mining in a Levi ring, a HS or BS sector or B-8.

Hmm. Personally, I cant see this as much more as a troll post.

Assuming it ISN'T, yes. Mining is BORING. Get over it. Go see a movie. Go read a book..

Look it, I'm placing a suggestion here. This is a game and I simply feel every aspect of it should be entertaining.

What did I do while I was mining? I advanced my woodworking project since my workshop is in the room next to my computer. But I really shouldn't have to do that.

If I were the creator of this game I would try to make every part of it fun. Especially, if you're paying for the privillege of playing.

And not everyone enjoys combat. Personally, I hate it. I'm not a twitch player, never have been and never will be. What I like about this game is that there is a little for everyone.

Nor did I suggest having the ability to trade across sectors. All I was suggesting was to be able to see commodity prices. You know, like watching a stock ticker on CNN. That way when you pick up the 35% Carbonic ore your mission doesn't require instead of jettisoning it you can say "Hey, it goes for 6x the cost at that station in such sector".

This is a game and I simply feel every aspect of it should be entertaining.

Some people love mining just the way it is. Thanks ever so much for your opinion, though; we really, truly treasure it.

bandolin: Don't mind some of our mildly angst-ridden veterans. Your thought is useful and your suggestion worthwhile. I've planned a news ticker for ages, and there have been other discussions of commodity-price-listings elsewhere. A lot could be done to make the universe a more lively and dynamic place, with news updates to accompany, for those who want them.

I'm not sure how quickly we'll be able to do all of that, with our current priority list, but the suggestion is well-received in any case.

Mining may become a bit more "interesting" after the universe-redux, when the really-high-value ores tend to be in areas of contention (special ores and minerals that don't exist yet, and will be rarer than any currently). Not to make miners fight, but rather, to make stealth, careful monitoring of the surroundings, and even hiring of fighter escorts into a more common case for high-risk mining operations. Again, this would only be for the really-high-value stuff, I'm not going to do away with the "relaxing mining without much risk", as I know a lot of people like that.

@ incarnate

I don't sweat the negative comments. I've been a forum moderator for years. I'm also a high school teacher so there isn't anything your members can launch at me that I haven't already experienced by far more talented criticisers.

I also know it takes desire and maturity to accept criticism (constructive criticism: you will notice I offered suggestions and not just complaints) gracefully and I give you a nod for that.

I've played dozens of sci fi games over the years and I'm simply offering the best ideas of what I've seen from other non-corporate endeavours and there have been a lot of them as you well know.

I'm also a high school teacher so there isn't anything your members can launch at me that I haven't already experienced by far more talented criticisers.

A sentiment about which I have just one thing to say: Dr. Nelson.



On a related note, about this: And not everyone enjoys combat. Personally, I hate it. I'm not a twitch player, never have been and never will be.

You may be in for a surprise with respect to VO. Just a gentle, flare-less pointer.

Weren't there suggestions of a space critter that comes out when the asteroid is heated up too much, kills (or badly damages) the ship and scurries off to the next big rock to hide in?

But I think once VO has a larger player base, asteroids will be self-policing. The ones in nice, quiet locations will be overheated constantly, making mining a non-issue in safe locations, so people will have to actually go out there and mine among the bots, the evil ones, too, because the newbs will have grazed off all the easy ones using guppies. That'll make mining more interesting, and perhaps even more group oriented. I am aware that there is group mining today, by the way. I tried it myself. Um. A few years ago? Anyway, my point still stands. >_>