Ad-Astra 0.3 beta: sound bug and plotting feedback

[ChasingSol]

My system:
OS: Windows 10 21H2 x64
PC: Intel i7-10700K, 32GB RAM, RTX 3080Ti
VR: HP Reverb G2

Overall the new Expedition functionality is great, and is already proving to be hugely helpful. It made traveling from Colonia back to the Bubble an enjoyable and immersive 2 hour affair rather than having to repeatedly take the VR headset off to copy and paste from a star system list.

A couple of items of note:

1. Loud high-pitched noise during destination plotting.

When the galaxy map is open and Ad-Astra is typing the system name in to the search field there is a high-pitched noise. It sounds a bit like it's making a 5,000 Hz beeping noise each time it types a letter. Very loud and piercing. Once typing is completed it goes away. This does not occur when normally typing in to the search field and is a new occurrence not previously experienced anywhere in game. I have confirmed this occurs both in VR using the HMD's built-in Realtek audio and also on headphones through an Asus Xonar Essence STX audio card.

2. Issue with way-point generators that account for fuel usage.

I created a new Expedition for Ad-Astra through the HCS Customizer with a list of way-points generated from the Spansh Galaxy Plotter [link]. As you likely know, that site accounts for the increased jump range when using fuel between star systems. For example, it knows you can jump further with only 8 tons of fuel compared to 32 tons. Elite only plots routes based on a full fuel tank, it does not account for reduced fuel weight.

Ad-Astra plots the correct course when the ship fuel tank is full. However, when Ad-Astra plots the next way-point that requires a lower weight in fuel to reach, it selects the correct destination star but Elite plots 2 jumps, one very long one that would be the maximum range with a full fuel tank and then an additional short jump for the remainder to the actually defined star system. Right now I’m having to reopen the Galaxy Map, remove the route and target the correct destination and then jump.

It would be ideal if there were functionality for Ad-Astra to use either method of plotting the next jump, either plotting the course using Elite’s method through however many star systems it would require or simply targeting the destination system. That way either method could be used and there would be compatibility with route plotters that account for fuel usage.

Please let me know if there's any further information I can provide.

[Gangrel]

1) This is the same sound that is has been used for the normal "HCS bookmark" route plotting (ie using the ones that you assign in the HCS Customiser) if you have a system name listed.

Try using the "fast route plotting" option in the Bookmarks option to avoid this.

2) This cannot be done. It uses the ingame options for route plotting, so it is up to you to correct for this.

Just to clarify: Are you asking for when we plot to the next destination, that without user prompting it would "search and plot" for some destinations or "search and target" for others?

This is me just spitballing a theoretical solution:

1) There is an option in the Expeditions where for each stop / way point, you can tick a box which is "search and target". This is assigned at the *per way point* level. Similar to how at the moment, you can assign sound playback for each stop as they are reached (if you want that stuff)

2) this option would mean that instead of *search and plot* (as it does now) it would just "search and target" the system. And nothing else.

If so, then whilst it is theoretically doable (especially in that limited range), it would require you to actually assign this *ahead of time*. Is it more work for you to do in terms of preparing your route, yes it is. We are not psychic. We cannot know when it happens if the *route that is plotted by the game is what you wanted or not*

The Current solution is just to have the "full route plotting" disabled so that when the search is done, it is up to you to select to plot, or select to target instead.

[ChasingSol]

Thank you the response, I appreciate it.

1. Understood. I haven't used the HCS bookmark feature in the past so hadn't experienced it, I will try using the Faster Route Typing option.

2. Regarding the clarification, yes, ideally without user prompting. No expectation for it to know which one I want, just if it could be defined in some way.

From an interface standpoint, maybe a method of predefining that you want that particular Expedition to use "search and plot" for all way-points or "search and target" for all way-points. I don't think having it so granular to have to choose between either method for each way-point is necessary since the way-points for a single Expedition would, I imagine, usually be intended to be all one way or the other in whole. If you created the way-points using a site that accounts for fuel usage, then they would all need to be "search and target". A global setting that results in it always using one method or the other for everything also would work, although not ideal.

Another thought would be to perhaps have a different voice trigger for each type, such as the current "Plot a course to the next way-point" for "search and plot" or "Target the next way-point" so that it does "search and target" instead.

Regarding the current "full route plotting" option you reference, I thought I had that unset but I will check again, thank you for the suggestion.

[Gangrel]

In terms of the adding a voice trigger / additional settings, I have forwarded it onto the dev's for you. There is no ETA of this being implemented, or if it will be implemented

[ChasingSol]

Thank you for your consideration of the suggestions.

Just as a comment, I've now plotted a new route using Spansh Galaxy Plotter, and I have confirmed that having "Full Route Plotting" turned off within "Route Plotting/Bookmarks" had no effect when using the Expedition functionality, it always does "search and plot". Changing the setting for "Faster Route Typing" did work as you advised, thank you.