First thoughts

Hiya, long time lurker here, comin out for the grand release of Epic(err.. Torn Stars). Gotta say, amazing job all around. Congrats to you guys.

Compliments out of the way, i have a few suggestions/bugs i've noticed.

1. Customs. This is a cool idea, but it's implemented badly.
1a. I've told the outlaw's in Bumpy's Star to piss off 100 times now while going from one side of the L-point to the other, and nothin. They are still neutral.

1b. This is kind of a cheat/exploit.. In systems where you have to pay customs when exiting, you can completely bypass them very easily, simply by making your ships stop anywhere in system(away from the gate obviously), letting customs scan you and say you have nothing, and then telling them to form up and proceeding through the gate. No customs payments, and no bad feelings.

2. Autopilot, or lack thereof. I understand there was a bug with the autopilot and wingmen, which can happen. The problem here is both the ingame map, and the UniGUI location finder are clunky to use, when you have to pick a new location ever single step of the way on your trade route. Left left up down right right up left left left up left up right trigger.. i've done that particular combination ten billion times now i believe. Suggestion here: Modify the UniGUI so your favorites in that system are right above the close/exit button, and make a single click activate the waypoint.

3. Ships.

3a.The tug has only one turret.. is this correct? iirc from EOC it had 1 turret slot and 2 pylon mounts. If so, no biggy, i can get wingmen.

3b. the storm petrel has no capsule drive, which kind of makes it pointless to buy, not to mention is far to expensive at 200k... 100-150k would be more appropriate given it's capabilites.

4. Is there any way to prevent my wingmen from getting attacked if they happen to ram another ship? this has happened several times now, when bad AI pilots rammed each other, and then the escorts go after my frieghter. Which means i either take a faction hit, or load a save.


Oh well, just some food for thought for a patch/release of Unstable space or whatever. Thanks again for the great mod. I'm off to Kronholm to pick up some more reactor parts:D

Hi CutterJohn,

Thanks for the feedback. Simple responses first:

1. Your right about the exploit. The solution I am now favoring will stop player wingmen at the lpoint if they have not been passed by customs/pirates. The Outlaws staying neutral is a bug. I will look for it (thanks on that).

3. The player ships are reduced in fire power to be closer to the NPC ships. The lack of capsule drive on the Storm is a bug.

4. Wingmen collisions. I hate this effect. And nothing I can do. PS must have put it in to account for player ramming tactics. It can only be removed when we rewrite the traffic scripts (which will happen in the Traffic release).

2. The autopilot. The Nav screen is next on my ToDo list, so I am glad you have brought it up. There are many complaints. My current solution idea is a little different, so let me know what you think (anyone else feel free to chime in).

Favorites will be changed to dropping a permanant waypoint (that is remembered through the save). You can have as many dropped as you like.

Then you don't even need to open the Nav screen to complete a route. You just slide down to the bottom of the contact list, select your next destination, and fly there.

It also removes the annoying "lpoint moves itself to another system" behavior that some are seeing.

The nav screen will also show the location of fences you have seen to make returning loot easier.

Easier? Harder? I like it because once you set up the favorites, you never need to leave the HUD (or drop the joystick and reach for the mouse).

Hi CutterJohn,

I just want to say welcome to our forum! It looks like GrandpaTrout answered most of your questions. Also, if there are anymore lurkers out there please join in on the discussions. We would welcome any and all constructive comments. We are a friendly bunch, and we don't bite, so no worries.

Cool, thanks for the answers. If i find anything else I'll let you know[8D].

Originally posted by GrandpaTrout


2. The autopilot. The Nav screen is next on my ToDo list, so I am glad you have brought it up. There are many complaints. My current solution idea is a little different, so let me know what you think (anyone else feel free to chime in).

Favorites will be changed to dropping a permanant waypoint (that is remembered through the save). You can have as many dropped as you like.

Then you don't even need to open the Nav screen to complete a route. You just slide down to the bottom of the contact list, select your next destination, and fly there.

It also removes the annoying "lpoint moves itself to another system" behavior that some are seeing.

The nav screen will also show the location of fences you have seen to make returning loot easier.

Easier? Harder? I like it because once you set up the favorites, you never need to leave the HUD (or drop the joystick and reach for the mouse).

One question about that system.. Will only the favorites for that system show up? If so, it would be a HUGE improvement:D. If ALL favorites are down there, it might get a bit crowded to use. Although not that bad i guess since the O/SYS waypoints would be very last.. Oh well, either way would be an improvement.

Although could you remove the "Empty Waypoint" text from the beginning? Sometimes you have to wait for the names to start scrolling before you can really see what it is.

Good ideas. I will add those.