Time for Mars

HazMatt · Post by **HazMatt** » Mon Jun 25, 2012 4:35 am

Here in Kansas City we have a kid-centered science education attraction called Science City. They are tentatively planning a watch party for the new NASA Mars rover landing on August 5. I will volunteer to bring my flight simulator to the event and let kids take turns flying a spaceship around Mars. I would like to use Evochron Mercenary for the software.

First thing I need to do is get my ship to Mars (it's currently in Talison). After that, I need to configure my game so it's simple for a kid to start flying with minimal instruction. Each kid is going to be at the controls for about 5 minutes before the next one gets a turn, so I want to keep it simple.

Anybody have any thoughts on this?

Also, is there a way to save a backup copy of my current game configuration? I don't want the event to cause me to lose my progress in the game so far.

Thanks!

HazMatt · Post by **HazMatt** » Mon Jun 25, 2012 4:46 am

BTW, this is a pic of the flight sim rig we will use, except it will have an Evochron keyboard on it

[file]606[/file]

sundalo · Post by **sundalo** » Mon Jun 25, 2012 5:04 am

Outstanding! Looks like there is a a full CH products HOTAS setup there! I use the same thing myself with the throttle and pedals, if I may ask, is the joystick a CH fighterstick or combatstick? I use the latter, plus what kind of pedals is he using?:)

[Edited on 6-25-2012 by sundalo]

HazMatt · Post by **HazMatt** » Mon Jun 25, 2012 5:52 am

It's a CH Combatstick and CH Throttle, but I'm using Saitek rudder pedals because they sit farther apart and work better with the center-mounted joystick.

SeeJay · Post by **SeeJay** » Mon Jun 25, 2012 6:06 am

Great stuff. The kids will love it.

Just backup your complete evochron folder that contains all your profiles and other config files.
Then just copy it back after the event!

Letoras · Post by **Letoras** » Mon Jun 25, 2012 7:14 am

This is a fantastic idea!!!!!!!!! Will you let them pilot in sp or mp? it would be nice to have some company around.

HazMatt · Post by **HazMatt** » Mon Jun 25, 2012 11:25 am

From post: 139210, Topic: tid=9467, author=SeeJay wrote: Just backup your complete evochron folder that contains all your profiles and other config files.
Then just copy it back after the event!

Perfect! Thanks!

HazMatt · Post by **HazMatt** » Mon Jun 25, 2012 11:29 am

From post: 139216, Topic: tid=9467, author=Letoras wrote:This is a fantastic idea!!!!!!!!! Will you let them pilot in sp or mp? it would be nice to have some company around.

I don't know, I haven't thought of that. I will ask them what I would need to do to plug into their network and get online.

SeeJay · Post by **SeeJay** » Mon Jun 25, 2012 11:32 am

You know the quickest way to Sol system?

If you need a hint, I'll send you a u2u!

HazMatt · Post by **HazMatt** » Mon Jun 25, 2012 4:45 pm

From post: 139222, Topic: tid=9467, author=SeeJay wrote:You know the quickest way to Sol system?

If you need a hint, I'll send you a u2u!

Please do, I don't know any other method other than standard jumps.

Thanks

Letoras · Post by **Letoras** » Mon Jun 25, 2012 4:52 pm

one day i will try to go there by foot (jumps).

SeeJay · Post by **SeeJay** » Mon Jun 25, 2012 4:55 pm

u2u send mate. Get a Mantis Drive if you haven't already!;)

Cargo · Post by **Cargo** » Mon Jun 25, 2012 8:03 pm

From post: 139202, Topic: tid=9467, author=HazMatt wrote: After that, I need to configure my game so it's simple for a kid to start flying with minimal instruction. Each kid is going to be at the controls for about 5 minutes before the next one gets a turn, so I want to keep it simple.

Anybody have any thoughts on this?

Jumping, fighting and Inertia Mode should probably be avoided. Sell your weapons at a station, save the profile in Mars orbit, with IDS on, multiplier set to 2. This way flying is all about steering and throttle, and with IDS multi set to 2 they should be able to go from space to atmosphere and back without having to switch anything or worry about burning up.

Janus · Post by **Janus** » Mon Jun 25, 2012 10:44 pm

That looks like a great gaming rig. Although all the buttons might intimidate them, but then, maybe not, knowing how kids are.

Janus

HazMatt · Post by **HazMatt** » Tue Jun 26, 2012 3:59 am

From post: 139273, Topic: tid=9467, author=Automatic Jack wrote: Jumping, fighting and Inertia Mode should probably be avoided. Sell your weapons at a station, save the profile in Mars orbit, with IDS on, multiplier set to 2. This way flying is all about steering and throttle, and with IDS multi set to 2 they should be able to go from space to atmosphere and back without having to switch anything or worry about burning up.

Yes, great ideas. I intend to keep it simple.

HazMatt · Post by **HazMatt** » Tue Jun 26, 2012 4:03 am

From post: 139286, Topic: tid=9467, author=Janus wrote:That looks like a great gaming rig. Although all the buttons might intimidate them, but then, maybe not, knowing how kids are.
Janus

Hey isn't the Starport 6 server in Topeka? You need to come down for a Maker Faire sometime. That's where this picture was taken. We had a line of kids all weekend long to fly this thing (and some adults).

And there were a few kids that just kept coming back 3 or 4 times in a day. We called them "frequent flyers"

Janus · Post by **Janus** » Tue Jun 26, 2012 1:28 pm

Yep, that's where the Starport 6 host machine is located. Hadn't heard of a a Maker Faire in Topeka. If it's in KC, while I would love to, I'm so busy right now, I just don't have time to drive there. Thanks anyway, though.

Janus

Maarschalk · Post by **Maarschalk** » Fri Jun 29, 2012 2:24 pm

Cool Idea and good luck!.....

HazMatt · Post by **HazMatt** » Fri Jun 29, 2012 11:30 pm

I'm at Mars now!

Post by **DaveK** » Sat Jun 30, 2012 6:44 am

An excellent idea HazMatt!

Anything that turns kids on to the excitement and importance of science in their lives is good. Anything that can do that by letting kids have real fun is even better.

From what I remember, Sol is a safe system - unless you attempt an Earth landing! NASA might not appreciate an astronaut recruitment drive that involves potential astronauts reduced to space dust

The rig looks very impressive (and professional!)

LeeJenn · Post by **LeeJenn** » Sun Jul 01, 2012 2:41 pm

That is awesome. I'm in KC a lot but mainly for work (out of Springfield) or I would be one of the adults waiting in line.

HazMatt · Post by **HazMatt** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 4:55 pm

From post: 139543, Topic: tid=9467, author=LeeJenn wrote:That is awesome. I'm in KC a lot but mainly for work (out of Springfield) or I would be one of the adults waiting in line.

Cool!
When I emailed Science City, it seemed as if they were still sort of gauging the interest level for the watch party. I hope they go forward with their plans and do it.

HazMatt · Post by **HazMatt** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 1:45 am

The Mars Lander watch party is on, the Flight Simulator loaded with Evochron will be there. Vice wishes us well.

Next stop: MARS!
http://www.rogerdodger.net/archive/mars ... _2012.html

EN4CER · Post by **EN4CER** » Thu Aug 02, 2012 2:56 pm

Too cool man!