TPU's Space Sims Appreciation Thread

[Kursah]

Well it's been a while since I've posted here... I've had a hellacious last week or two with one more go to, and then this semester is in the books!

With that said, Elite Dangerous has hit Gamma 2.0, and last I checked was already up to 2.05, and has a new launch app similar to Star Citizen's. I honestly don't care for it...but if they add server information and more useful bits I'll grow to like it.

Star Citizen is up to 0.9.2.2, which made the Gladiator hangar ready, added some festive touches, a drunk effect to the liquor cabinet, some AI bug fixes, and a few other things that can be read about here.

I personally haven't tried the most recent Star Citizen or Elite Dangerous Gamma 2.0. But Gamma 1.05 (iirc) was pretty good overall with the time I was able to allocate to gaming.

My CH Fighterstick showed up, and I did get to use that a little bit as well...and I'm lovin it! Amazing piece of gear I picked up for about the same cost as the Thrustmaster T16000M. The CH is a beast, very lightweight but feels bulletproof. All the buttons and switches within my thumb's reach is amazing and super useful. My basic summarized setup is like this:

Trigger = Weapons Group 1
Button 2 (top) = Weapons Group 2
Button 3 (right of trigger) = Hardpoints In/Out
Button 4 (pinkie) = Flight Assist Toggle

Thumb HAT = R - Landing Gear, L - Cargo Scoop, F - Boost, B - Reverse Throttle Toggle
LH HAT = Lateral Thrusters + Menus
Lower RH HAT = Power Management + Menus
POV HAT (top right) = 8-ways of targeting friendlies, foes and module/hardpoints.

With that said, I'm using mostly default controls on the keyboard for my left hand...no way a $120+ throttle is gonna happen any time soon. But I'm OK with that.

I am still using 1-5 as predefined throttle position keys, which has proven extremely useful. I set F1-F4 for the menu screens that 1-4 normally called, works better IMHO...but that's also how Evochron and other games do it, so using the F-keys for menus feels more natural to me.

I use W and S for fine tuning throttle when needed. I use the WASD keys for faster menu navigation. I did assign the V key to landing gear for those times when I brain fart and open my cargo scoop instead of landing gear (haven't needed it...but how I also use it on laptop). Beyond that I have the J key set for SuperCruise and K set for HyperSpace.

Has been an amazing experience. The CH Fighterstick is so much more precise than the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro, I feel much more capable flying with this new part. The Logitech is temporarily retired until the kids show more interest. It's been too good to just let go, so it's gonna stay boxed away for now.

I plan on posting images of my final control schemes eventually for anyone that wants to use/share it. I also plan to do the same for how I had my Logitech assigned...it was helpful to me in the earlier ED days and hopefully will be to some of you.

And before I go...here's the new Elite Dangerous release trailer..now you can't really fly like that in the game (turning around with FA off that fast...) but it's an awesome trailer and makes me wanna go get into some crazy dogfighting action! It's a fun trailer to watch...the boys request it at least once a day.

 

[INSTG8R]

Hellfire bought me ED for Xmas. I enjoyed tutorials well enough. Can't wait for next week to get out into real space.

Here is more honest take on the launch trailer

 

[Kursah]

Alpha, Beta and Gamma have been a blast. I have really enjoyed the concept of Elite.

I'm hoping for a solid launch day and a ton of additions. Really hoping they can pull off seamless planetary landings (EvoMerc does this) and that they keep it all moving forward and improving. Just going from beta to gamma brought out noticeable improvements in my experience.

I haven't tried the tutorials in a while...but just wait until you're out in open space...its a blast! Both literally and figuratively!

 

[erocker]

If Elite had a caste system I'd be some unlucky lower-class bastard. Granted.. my ship is pretty sweet, but I miss my Eagle. I had 600K put into that ship and I had no problems going up against anything smaller than a Type-9. I'm now in a Viper and it's okay but I seem to be racking up fines for who knows what.

 

[Ahhzz]

Between the lack of offline play (I've already been subject to server outages twice in the last two weeks), and this trailer, I'm really annoyed at Braben. That crap he pulled about making people pull the old version of elite off websites, arguing with Ian, just a whole lot of he-sad/he-said crap (http://www.iancgbell.clara.net/elite/archive/b9101100.htm), really kind of soured me against him years ago, but I understood the "two sides to every story". These days, I'm more inclined to believe the Dick-David side of things....

I'm still enjoying the game, but when you take a 500k freebie and patch it out after many people took advantage of it, and then decide not to wipe player progress, that's kind of annoying. 500k is a LOT of credits early in the game.

Say what you will about the differences between E: D and SC, E: D getting the game released so quickly, and full operational, SC maybe biting off more than they can easily chew with their stretch goals, etc, one thing I've always been proud of (because I had SO much to do with it ), is that every single trailer you see out there for SC is in-game rendered, and completely re-createable. The fact that E: D wasted time and energy putting out a trailer completely unlike the game-play really irks me. I'll still play, and I'm not screaming for a refund, because I do think once I get past the aggravation and annoyance at them, it's a fun game. But I'll not be funding anything else from him, and I'm REALLY glad I didn't give them nearly as much as SC, and I've got no problem with not buying merch from them.

To the patch, I seem to be having an issue that every time I've gone to jump for a new system out of the dock, there's a planet in the way. I have to find another in-system jump point, and then re-aim to the System I want to get to. I agree about the new launcher: it's doing weird video things for me, and I really kind of liked the old one. The new one kind of reminds me of the trailer..... The new galaxy map/system selection is pretty nice. I like that it's a little more compact, but I gotta wonder why they keep making so many interface changes. Was the old one really that bad?

Oh well. Like I said, still enjoying it, and getting more from it right now than SC, no doubt, even without a Joystick or Hotas (my wallet is so far fucked right now heheh). But I'll be glad to see SC further along. I'll probably still have fanboi angst about E for a while heheh.

 

[Kursah]

Your points are definitely understandable and some of your annoyances I totally agree with. Thanks for taking the time to post your concerns, I feel everyone should see the good and the bad of any title mentioned here. I have a far more good than bad experience with ED overall though, even with some of the current disappointments and setbacks that are ruining it for others...I keep coming back to it! And that's because what is there is a generally a good experience imho, that could be for a limited time if they don't provide what they've promised and promoted...as it stands there's big enough pissed off group that is still gaining mass..hopefully FD is paying serious attention.

I also hope you're right about SC and I believe its current stage is a very small placeholder to what we'll see once true alpha/beta(/gamma??) stages hit...I really don't like the CoD in space with ships on small maps approach now though and really hope once the their (I'm sure beautifully crafted) universe is released there will no longer feel this way...I like the action, but I for one feel there needs to be more space in... ermm... space. That's a pretty big problem to have...and it keeps me from having much interest in the title at it's current playable state beyond a couple of rounds. Meh.

But with it being so early in development and them trying to make it all play nice using Cryengine 3 along with making new promises every million $$$ brought in...theres A TON to look forward to and hope they can pull off! Needless to say I am excited at the thought of what could be.

On the ED jump issues...I have separate binds for super cruise and hyperspace (J for SC and K for HS, instead of one key for both like was standard throughout beta..)...so if I need to SC around a planet...no problem I am, press J, charge and take off. I like to fly well above and below the orbital planes anyways. Yeah it's an annoyance, and I still haven't gotten to really play Gamma 2.0 so maybe it'll be more common for me like you...we shall see!

I also experienced some server outages as well...but can't say that any online oriented game I've ever played has been 100% up...let alone as stable as this title has been during pre-release phases...and maybe I missed out being so busy with school.

On the Offline/SP situation, I feel it'll end up just like what happened to UberEnt and Planetary Annihilation...a post release patch because of the continual community uproar during late beta, all of gamma and after release for the offline mode they the were promised. It happened, and they had to dedicate resources to making it work right. I honestly think something similar will happen here ultimately.

What I fear though is that FD may push offline mode into being an expansion and thus becomes a "pay to play" release or "paid feature" rather than a patch. If they add enough to justify it I would have little issue with it....buuuut if its just a scripted switch to add an offline launch mode option they will surely face massive backlash, and I'd be pretty annoyed with it, I won't be jumping for any more purchases in this title or SC...I pre-ordered ED to play Beta and am an original backer for SC and paid enough to play alpha/beta/pre-alpha or whatever stage we're in!

I still think there will be an offline mode yet...but I'm not too concerned ATM...when ED gets sketchy I switch over to EvoMerc and have a blast. I don't care when the next Evochron is announced, I WILL be pre-ordering it without hesitation or worry. Vice could show these bigger companies a thing or two! StarWraith FTW!

I'm hopeful both SC and ED live up to the greatness hype machines they have created...and I ultimately hope we as gamers and backers reap the benefits of their constant and hopefully continued efforts.

At this point if i had to summarize my take on just the games, ED is a blast when I have time to play it and it looks damn and plays good while not devastating resources or needing the best hardware to run maxed out, SC is alright and gets old fast but looks absolutely amazing and even if your system can play Crysis 3, it still might not be able to play this..., and EvoMerc is an awesome and challenging space combat sim that could use a face-lift but plays on anything smoothly since 2004.

 

[Scrizz]

I had actually bought Elite hoping to be able to play Offline on my laptop......
I only bought the game a year or so ago and did not intend to pay more for alpha.

I felt the same way about the new launcher. It's ugly/more generic, it has less character imo, and is more limited in the options available.

I'm still going to keep the game, but I guess I'll have to look at Limit Theory to scratch my offline itch.
Yes, I know Star Citizen will be offline capable, but it will be a lot more resource intensive than both Limit Theory and Elite.

Right now, I'm waiting till the 16th to try out Elite and waiting for Limit Theory to come out so I can buy it. lol

@Kursah I'm going to have to look into some used CH products then lol. the price sounds good.
I have a Thrustmaster T-flight HOTAS X. it works great, but I'm sure the higher up ones are better. I'll get a Thrustmaster warthog one of these days lol

 

[erocker]

So around what systems are you guys in ED? I'd like to team up with another pilot or two!

 

[Ahhzz]

Since it has been mentioned, here, Space Engineers is on sale 50% off at Steam.

 

[Kursah]

So around what systems are you guys in ED? I'd like to team up with another pilot or two!

My home system is Cosi. That's where all my ships are hiding at ATM.

We could all get involved with the revolution in Lugh too. Or start our own TPU revolution.

 

[erocker]

Cosi is where I started too! Currently though, I'm deep in Empire space, trying to get the hell out!

 

[Kursah]

I did some traveling, failed at finding any good trading routes and made a little cash, came back...bought a hauler, traveled out some more in a different direction, same luck with trading...tried mining, was so-so with that...came back...and ran out of time to play.

Good luck getting outta Empire space man!

 

[Scrizz]

My home system is Cosi. That's where all my ships are hiding at ATM.

We could all get involved with the revolution in Lugh too. Or start our own TPU revolution.

I guess when I get access I'll join you there

 

[Kursah]

I guess when I get access I'll join you there

See you out on the frontier commander!

I won't get to play launch day or evening...have a test to study for that's first thing Wednesday and I work until tomorrow evening...oh well, it'll be worth the wait!

In SC news, I found a user over there has created a joystick configuration tool that might come in very handy for many of us out there...I'm gonna give it a go and see where I end up...that is after I get some Elite Dangerous 1.0 action!!! Anyways the config tool that let's you do what they haven't seemed to resolve... be able to configure your controls successfully!

The tool is called JoyConfig4SC.

Link: https://forums.robertsspaceindustri...ystick-configuration-tool-for-arena-commander

If anyone tries it before me, please report back and share your findings and results.

 

[Scrizz]

Add me on Elite... in game handle is "Scrizz" lol

 

[Kursah]

Will do, my is Kursah.

Keep a keen eye out for "The Batman" (AKA @erocker ). I hope we can all line up a time to go kick some ass as a team. (if not we should all line up in EvoMerc for some Vonarri ass kicking!!!)

I have the urge to stop studying sooooo bad....I wanna play! lol. Feel like a damn kid throwing a fit.

One...more.........te...tes.....test......uhhhhg.

Anyone into commodity tools for ED? There's a couple of popular ones..one that tracks prices and one that just tracks the rating of export/import (low/med/hi). I may do this instead of pen + paper...not sure yet.

Slopey's BPC Market Tool - Grabs market data, you enter prices and other info/notes.
Cmdr's Log 1.3x - Enter in data for systems, no prices.

Also, for anyone interested in the aging Evochron Mercenary, here's Vice's Youtube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/user/SFSW

I recommend checking out the new Shader video.

 

[erocker]

So, I made it to Lugh in ED where they're trying to basically get a civil war going by helping one faction gain power. Well, I went and started helping out.. Now I have friends! (they're green on the HUD now)


I ran into a really cool.. Um.. DUDE!


It's no Battlestar.. Admiral Adama has downsized lol.

 

[Kursah]

Sweetness! Thanks for the screenies! How is 1.0?

I'll meet you there...might make the run tomorrow before the kid's x-mas concert (after my last exam in the am).

I'm debating if I should make the trip in my slightly-above-stock hauler or semi-decked-out eagle....oooorr do I do it in my decked out sidewinder??? hmmm.

 

[erocker]

If it's upgraded, the Eagle all the way.

 

[Ahhzz]

Will do, my is Kursah.

Keep a keen eye out for "The Batman" (AKA @erocker ). I hope we can all line up a time to go kick some ass as a team. (if not we should all line up in EvoMerc for some Vonarri ass kicking!!!)

Anyone into commodity tools for ED? There's a couple of popular ones..one that tracks prices and one that just tracks the rating of export/import (low/med/hi). I may do this instead of pen + paper...not sure yet.

Slopey's BPC Market Tool - Grabs market data, you enter prices and other info/notes.
Cmdr's Log 1.3x - Enter in data for systems, no prices.

As in most things, I'm Ahhzz.

I've been using an Excel spreadsheet since I started a few weeks ago (beats the index cards I used for the original Elite heheh.... think I've still got some in the game box ). Looks like a crowd-funded spreadsheet...not bad, but that's going to tweak the hell outta the trade market....definitely make it harder to keep a good line quiet...

 

[Scrizz]

I haven't been able to play b/c of some unexpected things IRL.
The bit I did get to play was a bit of a let down. lol

As soon as I got out of my starting outpost, some DBag with a ship that is obviously not a starter pulled me out of supercruise? and started trying to kill me. I have the starter Sidewinder with the crappy pulse lasers. I managed to hold my own and the some Federation ships came and attacked the DBag. I loled.

 

[Kursah]

Ya it's not an easy game out of the chute...there's a learning curve and it's like wild west in space..you will get caught up in some fighting that you can't get away from. Just keep on honing your piloting skills, do some cargo runs, build up some $$ and get some gimballed pulse lasers and an upgraded power distributor...those two items will make the Sidey a little easier to work with in combat. The frontier isn't for the lighthearted...yaarrrrr!

Interdiction is when you get pulled out of supercruise. It's what pirates and security tend to do...to see what you're hauling, if you're wanted (bounty), or to give you a bad time. I enjoy it...sometimes its fun to fight it and get out of it (just follow the exit path and fill up the blue bar, pretty easy to do), or do what I do...turn sideways and get interdicted...guns blazing. I usually boost just as soon as I can, to get some space to assess the situation. Sometimes I just need to hold my own until my FSD recharges so I can go back into SC and get to a station to repair.

Odds are the guy that interdicted you was an AI, you can tell AI from human players on your map because human ships are hollow squares, all AI are solid. At least that's how it was in beta/gamma.

Hopefully we can all line up at some point. I'm still floating around Cosi. Looking for some trade runs nearby to build up my funds so I can deck out my eagle. Using those tools I linked before...I spent some time in the Cmdr's log, which I like....the other one is a community fed deal...and it seems the area I'm at isn't updated often so I am sticking to my own data. I've spent more time than I care to admit just exploring and gathering station data.

I had a blast last night just running around trying not to get blown up...all I have is a mining laser and shields on my Hauler lol!

 

[bubbleawsome]

I'm in star citizen. bubbleawsome in-game I think.
I have no idea what I'm doing.

 

[Kursah]

Sweet! I haven't tried 1.0 yet, but plan to this evening if all goes right!

 

[bubbleawsome]

Good luck getting in, there are some major server issues. I'm redownloading for the second time today. Another 4 hours. D:

Great fun even in a ES though. Killed a few vandul.