Nuanced game? I can't even find myself!

[ICERAY2000]

Help out an old retired Privateer vetran get into what looks like a great game.
Half a dozen times I've set out to do a mission by taking a contract and leaving the station and hitting autopilot or launching.
It launches, I go somewhere, and then nothing! No arrays to scrub, no objects to find, no ships marked in ANY way as my contract object.
I'm playing a DX11, nVidia 560 w/2GB on an Athlon PhenomII X4 w 4GB RAM, ETC ETC., so it's not a system issue. Where is anything? If I just hang out, I eventually see a video of a ship exploding, and it's mine! I'm innocent! And stupid! And ignorant! And stuck!
I watched the videos - sure do this and that and this and you're good. What?
Are procedures found anywhere in a non-pictorial form? 1a., 1b, 2a, 2b, 2c, etc. Push L key click the purply thing, hit F2, etc.
Had similar issues with another game you may know, X3? Never could get into that one either.
Thanks for any help in advance.
---message sent via sub-space from a hyperbaric-stasis chamber somewhere out there...

[49rTbird]

Try this, after you accept a mission, hit the f2 key only. The waypoint for all missions is automatically set for you by the game. Don't hit ALT+f2, JUST f2 and you should jump close the your destination.

[DaveK]

Before you jump point your ship at the NavMarker (you can find where it is on the radar) - then jump and when you arrive you should be facing and travelling towards the target container.

If you have a combat mission it doesn't seem to matter what direction you set off in - you should be heading for the hostiles!

[ICERAY2000]

Thanks; I think. Here's what happened: accepted a cargo delivery to a ship; closed the F1, hit F2. Came out with a big yellow waypoint off to the right, and a huge command ship labeled "command". Checked the Map and it showed nothing special. Flew around for a while, but nothing marked PUT CARGO HERE, or no one calling out "It's us, over here" - what is a delivery, a state secret here? - then I noticed an outlined green cube-like shape under the ship - why are these not mentioned anywhere???? - it took forever to maneuver into the box and I remembered "J" jettisoned cargo, so out it went. I selected the station I came from as my destination, hit F2, and to make a long story short, just kept bumping into the space station - I could not land. I cannot believe that the simplest of tasks, and the most repetitive are so needlessly complicated. They can invent Beam weapons but not a PC that can navigate you automatically, not just to your destination, but have dinner waiting for you when you arrive?
Is everything like this? I mean docking at a space station! This is the first time in gaming history I've bumped up against the station like a moth to a lightbulb just trying to land.
It's very frustrating, because while I like the levels of detail, nothing so far seems intuitive, and simple seems impossible. I've reviewed the tutorials, and can confirm that they still seem too-much-information and not enough REALLY basic stuff! It may just be me, I played Traveller on paper and in DOS, Privateer, Spaceflight, Xwing, and loads of others, but lately I just don't seem to get it - never used a console control, so maybe there's a cultural/experiential thing I've missed with games designed for non-PC play.
I just want want to be able to move!
Thanks.

[49rTbird]

On a delivery you should see a greenish box outline underneath the nearest large ship. You need to fly into the box outline and drop the cargo(check your cargo slots) when you are inside the box. If you miss it will tell you and you can turn around and try again. To land in a station one way is to set your nose to zero degrees on the elevation ladder and jump with f2. You will be aimed at the station and level with the docking bay when you come out of the jump.

[Edited on 4-27-2012 by thetiebers]

[MiaZ]

For quick station docking.

Right mouse click
on the station icon from navmap will lock a navpoint to the station,
then set pitch to 0 deg, You will be set up for a quick entry into station dock . Then F2 jump straight in.

For trade stations your heading doesn't matter but
other stations have docking at 0, 90, 180 and 270 deg,
Carriers at 180
gates 0 , or 180.




[Edited on 4-27-2012 by MiaZ]

[Busch]

Hey IR2K! Welcome aboard! If you're using solely mouse and keyboard controls for Evo-Mercs, that's great! There's a lot of us who also fly with a joy-stick, gamepad, or combinations thereof. This one's also suited for a range of control options, that are already loaded into the interface. There is a definite learning curve here, in-game. SP or MP-space, not withstanding. It's conflict resolution starts with RTFM, my favorite. Read The Furnished Materials. Not all of the instructions on, or regarding game-play, are contained within the game software itself. This forum, DaveK's excellent offering of the hints/tips/tricks/mythos edificio; SeeJay's multi-site offerings, are just a few of those available sources. (HINT) Let your conscience be your guide, as there exists info 'twould be considered a bend-yer-dogtag, take-away-yer-birthday; spank-you-very-much social faux pas here. Beware! :P:P:P:P

[sundalo]

Good to see a privateer veteran here, welcome to the game Iceray, hope to see you in multiplayer bro !:)

[Nigel_Strange]

Iceray, Miaz gave some good advice. For landings and dockings, you'll want your pitch to be zero (on the ecliptic plane) and you'll want to have your yaw at 0 or 180 for most things.

When you get more advanced, you can play around with the delivery coordinates a little. What I do is set the Y coordinate about 500 clicks below where the computer sets it when you accept a delivery mission. That way, you're lined up with the green box (more or less) instead of the middle of the ship. It's useful when there are enemies trying to prevent your delivery (which are strangely not attacked by the capital ship).

For combat missions (especially ones involving enemy capital ships) you will want to set the coordinates a little way out from where they dump you by default (which is right in the middle of the battle). That way, you have time to line up your shots before you become a target.

I wish diving out of the sun would help, but it has no effect

Good luck out there.

[Nigel_Strange]

Oh, for planetary descents: there are two ways to do it. The easy way is to just keep your speed below 1475 or so (in a Starmaster, this speed works for me). The other way is to go in fast, but turn the nose up so that your forward velocity is below that same number. You could be traveling at 5K, but if your nose is perpendicular to your vector, you will not burn up. You slow down real fast, though, when you hit atmo. Useful for getting to a surface around hostiles.

[ICERAY2000]

WOW - great responses, but I detect an underlying theme here, that I may just be TFS to get this game; I'll try the pitch/yaw thing, whatever they are, I mean even Gemini had computers to do that stuff for them. I guess the level of detail or minutia is what keeps people playing this game, right?

"Multiplayer"? No way, dudes! The last time I tried multiplayer--ok the last TWO times I tried I got fried - stop reading here, long story - used to play COD2 on the FBI Clan board - a drunken Admin misidentified me as a "swearer" (I was actually trying to get another guy to stop swearing) and in the ensuing confusion, he permanently booted me. Years later I tried that stupid WOW World of Warcraft fantasy thing, and got led down into a cave by a very helpful Dwarf, who them proceeded to rob, beat and kill me. Multi-player scares the hell out of me - at least playing by myself I KNOW I'm my own worst enemy!
If this is all about acquiring personal wealth, how does the multi-player thing add anything? Are you all like on mikes and are you all clanned up, and factionized? Single player is hard enough - I wouldn't last a minute in multi-player!
And Nigel, what's this about speed? Below 1400? I can only go like 600, so where is all that extra speed coming from? I'm not used to feeling this stupid! Interesting experience for me.
Sundalo - I used to fire up Privateer just to park on a certain planet - forget the name now - but it was great music, raining gently, nice graphic, it was almost like a screensaver - and the feel of the game was comfortable, felt in control, unlike Elite, where I was always on the verge of death. Never did get Privateer2 to work on my system. I hope I can get this game to "fly" for me.
Thanks for all comments.

[SeeJay]

Hi ICERAY2000 and welcome.

You have IDS multiplier 1-5 times your speed. Default NumPad 7 and 9 to cycle setting.
Also, if you travel in inertia mode (IDS off) you can just keep accelerating and drift away at high speeds.

Regarding MP!
I hear ya and I normally play in SP in most games myself.
But this community/MP players are great and very helpful.
Joining MP will increase your learning curve a lot. Most pilots will drop what they're doing and help out
if you need it. An "unwritten rule" is that we don't attack new players unless they ask for some PvP to learn the ropes.
I joined right away and I never looked back. Much more fun. All the servers are provided by players as well,
so you will not get booted unless you really deserve it and I doubt that you do.

Hope to see ya out there.

[Erethrian]

WOW - great responses, but I detect an underlying theme here, that I may just be TFS to get this game; I'll try the pitch/yaw thing, whatever they are, I mean even Gemini had computers to do that stuff for them. I guess the level of detail or minutia is what keeps people playing this game, right?

I'm also new to EM, and I have to say I love the level of detail in the game. I played a lot of sci-fi near Simulation games, EvE is an example. But after playing some EM, I can't go back to those games without thinking "meh... everything seems so easy... so authomatic...". I'm just talking about flying, not economy, etc. Even if I think they're also very well done in here.

"Multiplayer"? No way, dudes! The last time I tried multiplayer--ok the last TWO times I tried I got fried - stop reading here, long story - used to play COD2 on the FBI Clan board - a drunken Admin misidentified me as a "swearer" (I was actually trying to get another guy to stop swearing) and in the ensuing confusion, he permanently booted me. Years later I tried that stupid WOW World of Warcraft fantasy thing, and got led down into a cave by a very helpful Dwarf, who them proceeded to rob, beat and kill me. Multi-player scares the hell out of me - at least playing by myself I KNOW I'm my own worst enemy!

About this I'd say is just bad luck. About your COD experience, there're always misunderstandings everywhere, RL or not, and there''re also good and evil people.

About the WoW experience... Well, why were you with a member of the enemy faction? Were you Rping with him? If not, just don't trust the enemy faction, haha. It's much more brutal in games like EvE, where no one really has a faction. EM is closer to EvE than WoW, but you also should have in mind that it's not the same community. Here servers are up to 35 players and the community's great. If youhave some misunderstandings you should be able to clarify things without problem.

If this is all about acquiring personal wealth, how does the multi-player thing add anything? Are you all like on mikes and are you all clanned up, and factionized? Single player is hard enough - I wouldn't last a minute in multi-player!
And Nigel, what's this about speed? Below 1400? I can only go like 600, so where is all that extra speed coming from? I'm not used to feeling this stupid! Interesting experience for me.

EM is not just about pvp as you can see. ^^ You could just team up with other players to explore the vast systems, run some mining operations or whatever you like. I've been reading a lot before posting in the forums for the first time and I've been playing for four days now, to me EM is a great sandbox that adds a lot playing also in MP. You could just join a clan in one of the 24/7 servers and do everything you want except fighting, I'm sure no one will force you to do so. But it's just my opinion.

Sundalo - I used to fire up Privateer just to park on a certain planet - forget the name now - but it was great music, raining gently, nice graphic, it was almost like a screensaver - and the feel of the game was comfortable, felt in control, unlike Elite, where I was always on the verge of death. Never did get Privateer2 to work on my system. I hope I can get this game to "fly" for me.
Thanks for all comments.

Well, there's a learning curve, but it's not too hard to get used to the commands. Anyway, in EM it seems you're always learning, reading tips and guides from these forums helps a lot too. I recommend you to read some guides here, they're not so long and are very helpful. ^^




Fly safe!




Erethrian


[Edited on 27-4-2012 by Erethrian]

[sundalo]

IIRC, I think the planet in mention you described to me is New Detroit from the rain hint LOL, I myself enjoy the pleasure planets for the obvious reasons lmao, I surrender to the bartenders beauty everytime LOL. Hit me up anytime on multiplayer, I'd be more than happy to rank you up for better ships, trade routes, pvp, from one wing commander and privateer veteran to another.

[Maarschalk]

Hi ICERAY2000, Welcome to the game and forum!.....Hope to see you out there some time!.....

[ICERAY2000]

@sundalo = WOW! NEW DETROIT! Full marks on that one, yes!

OK, so it looks like it's read, read, read, play, read more, maybe peek in at a multi-player game when I can do something really sophisticated, like go where I'm supposed to! Player-based servers? Small populations? I'm liking that already.
So I just have to accept a steep learning curve, firm in the knowledge that there is a blindingly bright light at the end of the learning curve that will make me a Legend! I'll settle for no scuff marks on the port nacelles.

Thanks for your comments.

[Maarschalk]

@sundalo = WOW! NEW DETROIT! Full marks on that one, yes!

OK, so it looks like it's read, read, read, play, read more, maybe peek in at a multi-player game when I can do something really sophisticated, like go where I'm supposed to! Player-based servers? Small populations? I'm liking that already.
So I just have to accept a steep learning curve, firm in the knowledge that there is a blindingly bright light at the end of the learning curve that will make me a Legend! I'll settle for no scuff marks on the port nacelles.

Thanks for your comments.

The learning curve is small relatively speaking compared to other real life simulators like Orbiter, Falcon Alied Force,.....etc...etc...:P

[ICERAY2000]

SO - I went back and tried to clean a solar array after some research, as I could not find a "clean solar array" command. I tried the ALT B thing, but the array kept twisting away, and finally destroyed my ship when I brushed up against it.
Why is the array not a target? Why can't I match my speed to it, like a ship? Why is the array not identified in the F1 display? Nothing is labeled ARRAY - now how hard would that be?
The first time I tried it, I came out of jump and there was the yellow waypoint and a gray square behind it, which I eventually ran into and destroyed myself. The last time, I could see/identify the space station, ships, some really bright light had coordinates, but the array also only had coordinates, no ID.
Do not get me wrong, I'm committed to learning this game, but it seems exceedingly stupid not to have your MISSION OBJECTIVE obvious to me - red outline, big capital letters with a name, a glowing circle, SOmething! I guess it just seems illogical to be so poorly informed in a warpdrive technology!
So so far I haven't done ANYTHING right, but I'm getting very good at dying.

[SeeJay]

Hi ICE!

That grey square you see after the jump is the solar panels that needs to be cleaned.
It is not moving, so fly up and park in front of it. Engage beam with Alt B and work all the squares
until they are clean. If you don't get "mission accomplished", you have missed a spot! Look close and
you'll see that one or several squares are not completely cleaned.

God luck mate!

[Busch]

In support of SeeJay:

Ice, the solar panel cleaning location is marked with a big yellow way-point marker, most always dead-center of the array itself. Point your ship at that way-point marker, from the station where you accepted the contract. Launch (F2), and when you leave warp, look for the grey square object that looks like a multi-paned window as you get closer. Should be dead-ahead of you from where you exited warp. Once you are closer (real soon), throttle down IDS and line up with the center of the panel as you can. Try to halt your forward momentum (dead stop) to within 100-150 mtrs away from the array. (Don't advance your throttle to do this, use the TAB key for short thrust bursts) You'll know this by watching the distance counter spool down on the way-point marker for the array. Engage your mine/tractor beam, toggle kybd "B", or Alt-B for continuous beam deployment. Use your maneuvering thrusters (kybd A - left, D - right, Z - down, X - up) to maneuver ship and beam to clean/clear all of the individual panels in the array. Once you've completed the thorough cleaning operation, you'll get a mission complete audio and a type-chat message on the board, and credits in your burse. This method also works well enough for asteroid mining. Although, I've found I like to be within 50 mtrs of a 'roid for mining operations. Just have to watch your approach speed (throttle control) and target-distance so as not to face-plant the 'roid. Or, using this same technique, you could also take the miner's trade route -'roid clearing contracts, mine some 'roids, then blow them up and sell the contents of your cargo bays for a handy profit! Hope this helps.

[ICERAY2000]

Thanks again -will apply all your expertise after a lunch and try to get my feet wet without blowing them up!
I had parked in front of the array thing, but I was accelerating to control my position, not using the maneuvering thrusters, which must be why I exploded all over it, which I'm sure cancels the cleaning contract...
I don't even want to think about combat maneuvers yet, flying backwards, shooting sideways, negative velocity? My head hurts already!
Will update after I refuel my own internal combustion systems.
Thanks again, shipmates.

[49rTbird]

This Sim might be compared to skiing. A large learning curve but after you learn to avoid the trees, it's all down hill! :D:P

[ICERAY2000]

Major Moron reporting in: I rewatched several videos - the voice in the navigation one clearly states if you right click on a station and then auto pilot to it, it will land you on the station. Tried several times, and that is just wrong; you end up bumping the station and are forced to maneuver into it, not be landed, and I don't understand why the flight path is always red; that's just wrong, and how can it go THROUGH a solid object, like a space station? If there is no path, there shouldn't be a flight path indicator now, should there?
I watched the mission video twice before I saw the green box! I was so busy trying to listen, see, comprehend and store the information, that I was always lagging behind. The navigation tutorial doesn't even touch navigation for the first three minutes, and then lightly skips over things like landing; just click and it works he tells ya.
So I cleaned my first array, dropped off my first cargo, but I can't land on a station, and I cannot for the life of me get the "purple blip" to be anything when I try to approach (OK, never found anything either), or in trying to get it to the top of the radar, as the instructional video suggests, after a while it just disappeared! And I still couldn't land on a station!
So the only thing I'm good at so far is starting the game; it's all downhill very quickly from there, right into that big Sonny Bono Memorial Pine Tree.

[49rTbird]

Do NOT use AUTO PILOT to land. To land in a station using the jump function you should level your ships nose to the ZERO degree mark on the pitch ladder (up and down indicator) as the Sim will head you level with the docking ring during the jump. If you want to do it manually then move your ship your self until it is level with the docking ring and green. These are best done with the IDS in the ON position to give better control. To get in the green delivery box I at times (with IDS on) use a set speed thats a little faster than my targets speed and approach it from the rear as this gives you more time in the box to drop the cargo.

[Edited on 4-27-2012 by thetiebers]

[ICERAY2000]

Thank you, thetibers, I confirm that 'A' doesn't work very well for stations - however, it is obvious that I still struggle with the extreme basics of the game. When you say things like "level your ships nose to the ZERO degree mark on the pitch ladder (up and down indicator) as the Sim will head you level with the docking ring", that is just gibberish to me, sorry. I have to parse that word for word and still end up scratching my head. I know myself, games that I get very good at, the simplest things come so naturally that I am not aware of them.
So I am having real difficulty controlling my ship, obviously. I use a keyboard and mouse; I can't use a console device - no way - so would adding a joystick help? Simple one or a flight stick?
I also admit that landing/cleaning arrays is of little interest to me, and being new to the game I am surprised how complicated something like land, or identify the target on the radar can be. I know it all comes easily to you now, and I hope I can get there. I keep trying, but after a day of failures, it is getting daunting! But I am determined to at least land on my own once.