Forums » Suggestions
This is just an idle thought, but perhaps it would be nice if when you first create a character and pull up your nav map you only see your nations systems and the systems that directly connect to them. You would then have to explore the universe
Sectors within a system would show up as grey (you would still see the positions of suns/planets, but asteroid shoals would be hidden) until you have either visited them or purchased a map of the system. This way the first time you enter a new system the only sector that has detailed art on it in your nav map is the one with the wormhole. Now if you are on a mission and have been told that there is a station in sector K-11 then you would know to go there.
Your other alternative would be to navigate around the system checking out each sector.
Once you locate a wormhole sector, a new system would appear on your universe map.
At stations another item you would be able to buy is a map. there could be different maps availible, everything from a "galactic map"which would include everything in the universe, all the way down to a "local map" which might only show the contents of the 8 sectors around a station.
A "bot map" would also be an option, covering the same range of sizes but showing what kind of bots were found and where. sectors with bots would then get a small "bot" icon on the navmap.
Another option i would like to see would be "notes". Another button on the nav map that you could select when you have either a system or a sector highlighted and add a comment of your own. Any area that has a "note" would get a little flag on/in/next to it. wort of like the little station indicatior icon. Perhaps there could be a few different colors of flags that you could chose to set. (you'd have to decide what you wanted each color to mean)
Sectors within a system would show up as grey (you would still see the positions of suns/planets, but asteroid shoals would be hidden) until you have either visited them or purchased a map of the system. This way the first time you enter a new system the only sector that has detailed art on it in your nav map is the one with the wormhole. Now if you are on a mission and have been told that there is a station in sector K-11 then you would know to go there.
Your other alternative would be to navigate around the system checking out each sector.
Once you locate a wormhole sector, a new system would appear on your universe map.
At stations another item you would be able to buy is a map. there could be different maps availible, everything from a "galactic map"which would include everything in the universe, all the way down to a "local map" which might only show the contents of the 8 sectors around a station.
A "bot map" would also be an option, covering the same range of sizes but showing what kind of bots were found and where. sectors with bots would then get a small "bot" icon on the navmap.
Another option i would like to see would be "notes". Another button on the nav map that you could select when you have either a system or a sector highlighted and add a comment of your own. Any area that has a "note" would get a little flag on/in/next to it. wort of like the little station indicatior icon. Perhaps there could be a few different colors of flags that you could chose to set. (you'd have to decide what you wanted each color to mean)
this would be cool. Combined with a more dynamic universe where bots/factions change, this can be used to add "freshness". Fex, if you run with a month old map, bot counts and locations might not be correct, and sometimes even asteroidfields are in motion...
Also, This would hook in well with the tutorial mission (give noob the charge to "map" a part, show how that works, then also sell them a "nearest space" map for their first botting mission)
Also, This would hook in well with the tutorial mission (give noob the charge to "map" a part, show how that works, then also sell them a "nearest space" map for their first botting mission)
Did you read the IGN interview? Mapping is a post-release addon. Probably in the same expansion pack as Cap Ships.
Oh, yes, add more fun to the random storms in bot sectors.
no, actually rogue, exploration of new areas and expansion of the current universe is a post release add-on, having maps of the current area of the universe is a possibility that could probably be added now without a whole lot of trouble, and would give new players a taste of exploration now. Adding maps of the bots and implimenting some form of notations on the maps could be a useful addition tot he game as well.
yeah this would be great ... when I started, before I knew where everything was, even the 18 sector universe felt a lot bigger than the current one.
thumbus uppus =b
thumbus uppus =b
If implemented, it will make missions harder to accomplish for new players. One would think that each nation would provide at least basic navigational charts to their piolt's NAVCOM.
I am currently mapping various systems. Although being able to buy the map, in sections or, for a much larger sum, complete may be a good idea...making everyone go to a sector for that sector to appear on their nav is a bummer. I like flying around and noting things. I like it a lot...but it gets tedious real fast.
<<<If implemented, it will make missions harder to accomplish for new players.>>>
Based on the IGN interview it sounds as though commerce missions will be broken up into short range and long range. By taking short range missions you could get trips to systems on the edge of your map and know what sector a station is at in that system. You could then buy a map there of the new system.
<<<One would think that each nation would provide at least basic navigational charts to their piolt's NAVCOM.>>>
thats why each new player would have a complete map of thier nations systems and the systems directly connected to them.
<<making everyone go to a sector for that sector to appear on their nav is a bummer. >>
I'm figuring a local system map would be purchasable at all stations for about the cost of a heavy engine. To buy a map of hte whole universe would be much more expensive, but you could fill it in 1 system at a time for a fraction of the cost just by traveling to each individual system to buy your maps.
Based on the IGN interview it sounds as though commerce missions will be broken up into short range and long range. By taking short range missions you could get trips to systems on the edge of your map and know what sector a station is at in that system. You could then buy a map there of the new system.
<<<One would think that each nation would provide at least basic navigational charts to their piolt's NAVCOM.>>>
thats why each new player would have a complete map of thier nations systems and the systems directly connected to them.
<<making everyone go to a sector for that sector to appear on their nav is a bummer. >>
I'm figuring a local system map would be purchasable at all stations for about the cost of a heavy engine. To buy a map of hte whole universe would be much more expensive, but you could fill it in 1 system at a time for a fraction of the cost just by traveling to each individual system to buy your maps.
How about the civilized portion of the universe is included as this would be common knowledge. The unaligned sectors would need to be explored.
Thats a possibility, But I was thinking that the avereage Serco Pilot might not have an intimate knowledge if the inside of itani space, and vice versa. Also having to explore the universe adds another element of mystery for the newer players, giving them something else to do besides trade and fight.
I feel that having a total map of the universe right off could potentially be overwhelming to a newer player, and it certaintly takes some of the mystique out of a space game. Having to find out what is out there in space as you go would IMO give a feeling of vastness to the universe that is somewhat lacking at the present time.
I feel that having a total map of the universe right off could potentially be overwhelming to a newer player, and it certaintly takes some of the mystique out of a space game. Having to find out what is out there in space as you go would IMO give a feeling of vastness to the universe that is somewhat lacking at the present time.
Any chance this could be implimented in the new client at some point in time? I really, really like this suggestion and I think it would go a long way toward universe immersion. yay, exploration!
Indeed. Like Escape Velocity: Nova, which I went back to playing last night.
Gotta explore the universe. Of course, then I would expect that we'd have something else to explore besides 90% empty sectors.
Gotta explore the universe. Of course, then I would expect that we'd have something else to explore besides 90% empty sectors.
nice thread to resurect, and if we ever get to exploration, this feature is realy a must have.
Let's just implement it now; an exploration expansion seems more or less like neverland at this point. But this would help a lot with newb retention. And yeah, EVN is currently kicking the crap out of VO for playability. Rock on, Polaris uber-manta!
Meh, I prefer Zephyrs. Somehow I ended up with the necessary bit unlocked on my Auroran file, which was kinda cool.
Yes.
look, its a bunch of thread necromancers...
oh, wait, thats kinda cool, it was my thread originally...
umm, actually re-reading it, I still like this idea, Incarnate, if you have a moment and have an answer without doing a lot of research... How hard would this be to add?
oh, wait, thats kinda cool, it was my thread originally...
umm, actually re-reading it, I still like this idea, Incarnate, if you have a moment and have an answer without doing a lot of research... How hard would this be to add?
This idea I like.
No!
Every space game I have ever played, the first, and typically only, hack I apply is the reveal map. What's with the idea that in the future, maps are somehow scarce? Even now, through the marvel of technology, maps are at your fingertips. Is one to assume that in the future that there are no equivelent to Google maps?
What I will support is a "generic" map. One that shows you *all known* locations, such as capitols, asteroid belts, planets, etc. But, there would be space for players to find the uncharted belts, backwoods space stations, pirate outposts, etc. Maybe even secret wormholes, and the like.
I will make one caveat to the above statement though: Gray space could be largely uncharted. Stations in Edras, Helios, and Ukari would be well known, but little in between. And all maps should reveal major celestial bodies though, as this information isn't difficult to extrapolate. ex. "Where's the sun?" "It's that big bright ball over there, genius!"
Every space game I have ever played, the first, and typically only, hack I apply is the reveal map. What's with the idea that in the future, maps are somehow scarce? Even now, through the marvel of technology, maps are at your fingertips. Is one to assume that in the future that there are no equivelent to Google maps?
What I will support is a "generic" map. One that shows you *all known* locations, such as capitols, asteroid belts, planets, etc. But, there would be space for players to find the uncharted belts, backwoods space stations, pirate outposts, etc. Maybe even secret wormholes, and the like.
I will make one caveat to the above statement though: Gray space could be largely uncharted. Stations in Edras, Helios, and Ukari would be well known, but little in between. And all maps should reveal major celestial bodies though, as this information isn't difficult to extrapolate. ex. "Where's the sun?" "It's that big bright ball over there, genius!"