Exploration without 3rd Party

[D-Rail]

Something I have noticed since Mercenary is that there really isn't much in game that describes how one is expected to find things that are hidden in the game. No real tutorial on it, there's really only a science officer, and now in legacy, NPCs might give you information.

The question is, how were we expected to actually find things? A new explorer might think, just pick a direction and go. Though really, the likely hood of you ever finding anything that way is pretty slim. Exploration is a feature where it's good to have some things shrouded in mystery, but perhaps not to this level. Both Combat and Trading have tutorials, Combat being the one that is more in depth, Exploration though really has nothing. Also, it's a bit impractical to start off as an Explorer when you consider the amount of fuel you will be using.

So before SeeJay's tools and others "hints", how were things found? How did you even figure out how to locate things that perhaps the Science Officer wouldn't tell you about? Did you really just pick up and head off into whatever direction hoping you'd find something someday? Are Science Officers actually better than I give them credit for?

I ask, because I'd rather not use outside tools, I think everything you need to find everything in the game, should be in the game. Imagine if there were no way to share information with each other or create tools to make it less tedious, how would it be done? Is it even worth looking at as a way to earn credits or is it simply for the small chance you see something no one else has?

[MiaZ]

"A new explorer might think, just pick a direction and go. Though really, the likely hood of you ever finding anything that way is pretty slim."
Well, maybe yes but not always.
I have found star systems just be using auto pilot to fly from one system to another without using the gates.

For finding star systems I have a little hint.
The lighting in this game is really good, so consider where the light comes from.

[DreadMetis]

One word anwser for my "ingame method" : stars !

[Edited on 27-1-2016 by DreadMetis]

[Sinbad]

In EM the AI also gave hints about uncharted locations. I guess it's the same in EL. Those hints were always the easiest method for me to explore and discover hidden stuff.

[Marvin]

Player-created mods have always been part of any game I've played. But exploring in Legacy really doesn't require any mods (though the Navigator's Assistant comes in handy). There are a lot more uncharted star systems in Legacy than there are in Mercenary ... you can't swing a deploy constructor without hitting one (almost). So, build up your bank account, buy a slightly bigger ship, reconfigure it for exploration, pick a direction ... and go. Keep your Navigation console open and zoomed out. Assuming you're looking to find a new star system. If you're looking to find abandoned objects, the science officer is your best bet ... along with that deploy constructor I mentioned earlier.

[Zarrakis]

I also want to be a good Explorer and would benefit from some simple direction on the do's and don'ts of exploration

[Marvin]

So ... maybe a tutorial on:

• Ship configuration.
• Map Reading.
• Fuel Conservation.
• Required Equipment.
• Use of Mods.

Like combat, hints and tips in exploration are usually the option of veteran players who have spent a lot of time performing said task. Some of which are already included in the default quests. A good place to start, I think. Then, if you believe additional information should be made available, it could be created, either in the form of another tutorial ... or another quest. Dave is pretty good with tutorials. As for another quest ... not so easy.

[D-Rail]

"A new explorer might think, just pick a direction and go. Though really, the likely hood of you ever finding anything that way is pretty slim."
Well, maybe yes but not always.
I have found star systems just be using auto pilot to fly from one system to another without using the gates.

For finding star systems I have a little hint.
The lighting in this game is really good, so consider where the light comes from.

How do you determine if the light is coming from somewhere new or from somewhere you've already been?

[D-Rail]

So ... maybe a tutorial on:

• Ship configuration.
• Map Reading.
• Fuel Conservation.
• Required Equipment.
• Use of Mods.

Like combat, hints and tips in exploration are usually the option of veteran players who have spent a lot of time performing said task. Some of which are already included in the default quests. A good place to start, I think. Then, if you believe additional information should be made available, it could be created, either in the form of another tutorial ... or another quest. Dave is pretty good with tutorials. As for another quest ... not so easy.

I think something like that would be nice. Especially considering there is now a starting Explorer Pilot configuration in EL. It would seem that this decision means that Vice intends for you to be able to do some right away. The problem being, someone completely new will only know to start flying in whatever random direction, probably running out of fuel in the process of looking for a needle in the haystack that is Evochron.

[Marvin]

A guidebook is in construction. The quest thread in this forum is also a part of the quidebook. Navigation and exploration will be added. When it's completed, it will be available at SeeJay's website.

[PaulB]

"A new explorer might think, just pick a direction and go. Though really, the likely hood of you ever finding anything that way is pretty slim."
Well, maybe yes but not always.
I have found star systems just be using auto pilot to fly from one system to another without using the gates.

For finding star systems I have a little hint.
The lighting in this game is really good, so consider where the light comes from.

How do you determine if the light is coming from somewhere new or from somewhere you've already been?

When your ships traverses from the ligt of one Star to another Star you will all of a sudden see a change n the direction the light is comng from.
It's not likely that a new start's light wikll come from the direction of the prior star.

The easiest way to observe the effect is just by using the jump gate to go to a new system and watch the light change.
When you are exploring the same thing happen and you have to just follow the light of the new star by setting your heading so the light is coming from in front of you based on what you see onthe Cockpit (the Instrument panel will be very dark where as if the start is behind you the Instrument panel will be bright) - just as an example.
Use the Pan to look around in your cockpit or use External view to look at your ship and see what is illuminated, top, bottom, one side or the other or fromt or back of the ship.
Then change your head so the light is coming from the front and start jumping and watching the light on your ship.
You will proably have to make som course corrections until you finally reach the Star.
And keep check the Nav Console with it zoomed all the way out so you will see any Planets or the Star have making the jumps.

One thing I have seen though which might be misleading is when you cross a Sector boundary the lighting of the system's Star on your cockpit may change intensity - at least for a whle.
I observed that while just flyinf across a sector boundary in a system I was working in (in EM).