Player Features and Ideas Discussion

My primary issue with the second idea is that you are trying to create a path through 3 dimensional space with a 2 dimensional interface. It also runs into the problem of a ship trying to match a curved path with straight line acceleration. I have no issue with the idea in and of itself, but I don't see how you could implement it without putting too much load on either server or client. Primarily because the movement system uses straight line vector acceleration, it doesn't handle going to a destination very well. It accelerates you in the direction of the desired object until the given speed is achieved (Usually max speed), and from observations (oracle train w00t w00t), once it reaches a certain distance it matches the target's speed. Even the closest thing to a curved path, orbiting, is done by accelerating along a line tangent to the wanted orbit distance, and recalculation every server tick.

When trying to follow a specific path, it has to calculate how far you will travel per tick, and how fast you will be going at that time, and how you will need to accelerate on the next second to continue matching the course. This changes the number of calculation from one, taking your old (x,y,z), applying the velocity for that second, and generating a new (x,y,z) coordinate. You idea would add on top of that, how to get from that new coordinate, to the next point on the route. And then if we were to add in avoiding objects, it checks if that WILL be in the collision sphere of any other object, and if it is, it has to choose a new path that doesn't intersect that sphere. It might work for something like two frigs in an asteroid belt, but in a 200 man fleet where everyone is trying to orbit that same person at the same distance, and they are all trying not to collide with each other, I believe you can see my issue.

How about adding a prominent collision alert to the "effects" bar that's proposed to be implemented in the upcoming expansion? You'll be able to set the warning distance to your heart's content - while collididing with the bubble when you're at 0m.

On the latter point, why isn't it implemented this way - most prominent example is on jump gates, where there's another good 500m after the 0m marker before the bump, while on other collidables the bump distance is set at -50m, if you will.

To the OP in regards to Frigate dogfighting amidst asteroids - surely the current bump mechanics bring more risk (and thus reward) to the table as you can snare the pursuer on the 'roids? The aforementioned proposal would improve that mechanic even more, while your illustrated proposal would carry no tactical benefits (as LOS isn't implemented) to someone diving into an asteroid field (ie, approach your target and Jeeves the Guiding System does the work, but without the Armageddon-esque awesomeness as the asteroids aren't packed tightly enough to assure failure at som point).

Finally, your illustrated turning mechanic - how will one set at what distance the turn begins? If it's instant, one can already execute a curve manoeuvre by any ship (not the insta-turn pod) by an off-centre click at the appropriate moment.

The avoidance path-finding suggested in the OP should not be difficult to solve.

But what happens when you actually *want* to get close to an asteroid or structure for some reason? For example, exploration sites have boxes which you have to get close to and activate. You don't want to veer off a the last minute and fly past the object you are trying to get close to.

Currently, clicking a direction has a very well-defined meaning: Your ship moves in that direction. This new mechanic, if not done carefully, could lead to some frustrating behaviour, particularly if you are sitting next to a structure and find that your ship goes in a completely different direction than the one you chose.

For the people worried about the frigates going through asteroid belts, that's not really a concern of mine, I understand it will have no advantage.

As for the distance at which you will set the trajectory of the ship; I feel that there are many solutions to this, many of which I have not thought of. Someone else created this image as a possible one, something like Homeworld.

Example

For the person concerned about wanting to approach an object instead of flying around it. One could Right Click > Approach just as usual.

As for going on a path which you do not intend. A system could show an arrow on which direction your ship would go on, such as in my 2nd example.

For people wondering if this would interfere with the current system, this can all be added on top of the current system. It could just be a feature your turn on, or even so easy as:

Ctrl > Click Drag

That would make a path for the ship.

I am just saying potential examples. I believe CCP would have a better solution than myself. The reason for this thread is not to say how the system SHOULD be, I just want people to recognize that the current system is a problem and should be looked into.

I agree Ager Agemo, if someone does "hack" the path a ship would take, it would still bump off of things. In this sense, the client can create the path for the ships to take, send them to the server (just a few number values) and that should be it.

Even if others don't like the 'auto path/ object avoidance' idea, the 'custom path' idea, along with intended ship path, is still a viable idea.

Or make the collision meshes of objects smaller, like asteroids having a collision mesh 2x bigger than what their model shows.
My Tengu got stuck in between 2 asteroids when I was ratting the other day, almost lost it to flashy reds.

Actually i would like to see one of two things happen. change collision mechanics to apply to weaponry allowing set pieces to be used as cover.

turn off collisions except ship to ship collisions. if a large colidable object cant block weapons fire than why the **** can you get stuck on it.? AND DONT SAY MISSILE GUIDANCE LETS IT ZIG ZAG THROUGH HOLES IN THE STATION RUINS