Lavecon recap & mining focused feedback. If the implementation of mining is 'as advertised' it'll be a big improvement.
The new mining mechanics look interesting, but I'm very concerned there's seemingly no mention of the much needed mechanics to allow a CMDR to explore, find a rare rich mining location, and mine it down until it's gone forever.
A "Hot Spot," not an entire ring. ie: While exploring/scanning a ring you discover a Hot Spot of materials. You exit there (just like a RES) and the amount of valuable stuff to mine is higher. BUT, as you do mine it, its value is reduced, and once it hits zero, the "Hot Spot" is gone, forever.You won't be able to mine something until it is gone b/c there is no ships that can strip mine a ring so there is no point implementing it really imho. They are however investigating resource persistence so if you find something you might be able to bookmark it & I guess in that case you could mine that resource to nothing. As for finding stuff, exploration focused feedback hasn't arrived but doesn't the MRAS solve the in ring part of the problem?
A simple mechanics, easily procedurally generated. Requiring only a tiny about of data. And importantly, giving exploration and mining an important valuable/rewarding mechanic, as well as opening up the door to some more interesting and even emergent gameplay.
Note: The same mechanic could be applied to planetary surfaces if/when we can mine there.
Consider the amount of data that can already be stored for each system that's been explored in any fashion by CMDRs... The information on each body in that system etc.Would be nice, certainly, but the reason Squadron sizes are 250 is because of server data capacity. If FDev funded ED partially through a subscription I suspect it wouldn't be an issue but tbh I can't see resources being persistent unless it is a very small number per commander & other commanders will need to be in the same wing to see them.
A scanner you use to fine the new types of mineable resources.What's the MRAS?
Is there a link to a summary of the proposed mining improvements?
Consider the amount of data that can already be stored for each system that's been explored in any fashion by CMDRs... The information on each body in that system etc..
Not strictly Elite related, but just a note for anybody interested that VoiceAttack is £4.49 on Steam at the moment https://store.steampowered.com/app/583010/VoiceAttack/
I'd add to that, Voice Attack is invaluable for Elite in my experience.
Particularly if you want to VR
So I've not played this since before Engineers, and even then only managed to get up to a Cobra. Is it worth jumping in again? Are there tutorials in game for new/returning players?
'only' the Cobra! Sacrilege!!
But, having said that I think it's worth jumping back in. If you've got a Cobra then you've probably got over the steep learning curve and can now just explore the game.
Engineers can buff up stuff, but they are not essential. I've been exploring the Engineers but they've not added much.
And there's some good deals out there on the Oculus Rift - VR adds massively to the game.