My Demo Experience

[pilgrimboy]

Okay, I downloaded the demo and tried the game out.

I did the whole tutorial, but I am apparently still lost.

After playing the demo for fifty minutes, I am baffled.

I tried mining, but had no idea how to do it and can't find any directions online.

I then tried to do the quest. I landed on New Hope and got the mission. Does landing always take fifteen minutes. Is there some way to speed this process up? I can't find anywhere how to do that. Was that in the tutorial and I just forgot how to do it.

Well, I received the mission and flew off into space to the waypoint. But I can't find the transport anywhere. What am I to do?

Anyway, I am not trying to troll. I spent the time to register an account to actually hear what I need to do to enjoy this game.

I am very tempted by it as I loved Elite and Privateer but haven't enjoyed a space game since them.

[Vice]

I tried mining, but had no idea how to do it and can't find any directions online.

The directions are included with the game. In short, you need a mining beam and then fly close enough to the asteroid with the beam on to see it cutting into the rock (Alt-B will keep the beam on).

I then tried to do the quest. I landed on New Hope and got the mission. Does landing always take fifteen minutes. Is there some way to speed this process up? I can't find anywhere how to do that. Was that in the tutorial and I just forgot how to do it.

There are a variety of ways to speed up planetary descents. Boosting shields and using the afterburner are a start. A carefully plotted jump point and direct descent also speeds things up. You should, on average, descend to the planet's surface in about 3-5 minutes, depending on the size of the planet. But it will take a little time to descend due to the size of the planets and their atmospheres.

Well, I received the mission and flew off into space to the waypoint. But I can't find the transport anywhere. What am I to do?

Fly to the waypoint.

I am very tempted by it as I loved Elite and Privateer but haven't enjoyed a space game since them.

I'd suggest these steps:

1 - Best to start with the instructions that come with the game (Main Menu > Training > Close game and view instructions).

2 - Once you've read through the basics, apply them in the training mode and carefully complete all of the steps.

3 - Review the online tutorial videos that provide further instruction and cover more of the options: http://www.starwraith.com/evochronmerce ... iverse.htm

4 - You should then be prepared for most of the basic functions and options in the game. Then if you decide to get the full game, get online early and have other players help train and teach you further for the more advanced tactics, trade routes, ship configurations, and gameplay options.

[Dingo]

Okay, I downloaded the demo and tried the game out.

I did the whole tutorial, but I am apparently still lost.

After playing the demo for fifty minutes, I am baffled.

I tried mining, but had no idea how to do it and can't find any directions online.

I then tried to do the quest. I landed on New Hope and got the mission. Does landing always take fifteen minutes. Is there some way to speed this process up? I can't find anywhere how to do that. Was that in the tutorial and I just forgot how to do it.

Well, I received the mission and flew off into space to the waypoint. But I can't find the transport anywhere. What am I to do?

Anyway, I am not trying to troll. I spent the time to register an account to actually hear what I need to do to enjoy this game.

I am very tempted by it as I loved Elite and Privateer but haven't enjoyed a space game since them.

If you liked elite, then I suggest sticking to it and getting through the learning curve. Once the basics are down, a whole new world opens up. A fun world.

[zonaiko]

Vice hit all the points that helped me when I first started.

I was in your place when I first started the demo, and I decided not to buy it. Months later, after watching some Battlestar Galactica, I got the itch to try it again and just bought then license immediately. Then I was committed to learning.

Once you get the basics down, the game does get a lot better. One thing to keep in mind, though, is the focus on realism in this game. I've never played those games you mentioned, but this game definitely takes a little more time to get things done if you're not used to simulation games.

Also, by "fly to the waypoint," it should be mentioned that after accepting a quest/contract, a nav marker will appear on your nav map. You can hit F2 to instantly jump to it if it's in range of your fulcrum drive. (Don't do this while in the atmosphere. It will explode your face.)

Get used to setting nav points and jumping close to things without actually jumping into it. It helps a lot on speeding things up, as Vice mentioned. (The nav map can be a little quirky. And always remember that there's 3 dimensions, so use the rear view to see the "up and down" of where you're jumping to.)

After you get used to the basics, you'll probably have more questions about other stuff. And people are always helpful on here. I ask tons of questions all the time.

[Dave S]

This game has a pretty steep learning curve at the outset, but once you catch your groove the game really takes off. I suggest going into MP and talking with other players online. Everyone remembers what the learning curve was like and we all really enjoy getting new players through that phase and helping get them hooked.

Most of the players out there (myself included) will stop everything we are doing to help a new player out. It is what makes this community so awesome. I hope to see you out there sometime.

[Angitherias]

You can hit F2 to instantly jump to it if it's in range of your fulcrum drive. (Don't do this while in the atmosphere. It will explode your face.)

Good times finding stuff out the hard way is fun. If you look at the navmap, beside a planet there is a little squiggle (green I think) on it someplace, that's the city, so its easier to plot your jumpcourse instead of flying down and taking a while to reach it overland.

Also training missions are unlimited, I kept redoing the combat one till I got a feel for the game, then decided i'd buy it without "launching" into the demo proper.

[Edited on 11-16-2011 by Angitherias]

[DaveK]

I am very tempted by it as I loved Elite and Privateer but haven't enjoyed a space game since them.

Hi pilgrimboy

Like you, I loved Elite (the original one in the early 80's on a BBC B). EM is like Elite in your wildest dreams - virtually total freedom, lots of goodies to try out and awesome eye candy.

Stick with it - you won't regret it.

Other people have covered the basics of getting info. Learn how to jump (rather than just start the engines and fly) and how to mine. This will give you some cash - you can then learn how the shipyard and station markets work and try trading. Cash will let you upgrade your ship until your ready to do some of the contracts and to fight.

Hint: don't fly to the waypoint on engines - jump to it. Sometimes transports don't hang around and flying there is (relatively) slow.

It is a steep learning curve, but steep paths lead to high places very quickly! Once you have got the basic basics sorted the game opens up amazingly

I'd also emphasise that getting onto one of the (free) multiplayer servers will speed your progress greatly. It is a very friendly community and someone will be able to help you with any issues you want help with.

[Maarschalk]

Hi Pilgrimboy, welcome to the forum and hopefully the game....Hope to see you out there some time when you do decide to get the game.....

[49rTbird]

Hello pilgrimboy, Welcome to the forum and hopefully the Sim. Have fun and hope to see you in "Multi-Player" sometime.

[pilgrimboy]

Thanks everyone for your replies.

I will give it another try because I do want to like it, and it sounds like that is completely doable.