- Joined
- Mar 18, 2014
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Meanderer I is an experimental unmanned exploration probe launched at approximately 06:45 UTC 21 November 2014 on the dev test server. This thread provides a place to publicly record any player encounters along its journey.
Behavior
The craft is self-propelled using a logic-driven push engine, enabling it to travel forward in a straight line at a modest speed. In the event of a forward collision, the engine will shut off for a period of time. If the speed was sufficient then the craft will likely be reoriented, resulting in a random course change when the engine restarts. Otherwise interaction by a player may be necessary to move the probe or the obstruction. These behaviors are designed to facilitate player interception and interaction.
A player may also temporarily disable the engine using an exposed activator module near the upper rear of the craft. A commission placard (display module) near the front indicates the probe name, its launch date, and the URL of this forum thread. A storage module also contains a logbook which may be updated by players. [Note that the placard date reflects the launch in my local time zone.]
Observations
I had believed that due to automatic unloading of sectors, the probe would probably travel a couple of sectors and then "freeze" until a player passed through the area. However, upon launch I targeted the probe ("F" key) and observed the distance indicator increase to 10km. At that point I released the targeting in case this was actually causing the server to continue to track and propel the craft. Several hours after launch, I do not know the whereabouts of Meanderer I (as intended); it may have already crossed several systems if the server has kept it active. Eventually, barring destruction by a star or other mishap, it could journey to a neighboring galaxy.
Progress
Meanderer II was launched on 22 November 2014.
Behavior
The craft is self-propelled using a logic-driven push engine, enabling it to travel forward in a straight line at a modest speed. In the event of a forward collision, the engine will shut off for a period of time. If the speed was sufficient then the craft will likely be reoriented, resulting in a random course change when the engine restarts. Otherwise interaction by a player may be necessary to move the probe or the obstruction. These behaviors are designed to facilitate player interception and interaction.
A player may also temporarily disable the engine using an exposed activator module near the upper rear of the craft. A commission placard (display module) near the front indicates the probe name, its launch date, and the URL of this forum thread. A storage module also contains a logbook which may be updated by players. [Note that the placard date reflects the launch in my local time zone.]
Observations
I had believed that due to automatic unloading of sectors, the probe would probably travel a couple of sectors and then "freeze" until a player passed through the area. However, upon launch I targeted the probe ("F" key) and observed the distance indicator increase to 10km. At that point I released the targeting in case this was actually causing the server to continue to track and propel the craft. Several hours after launch, I do not know the whereabouts of Meanderer I (as intended); it may have already crossed several systems if the server has kept it active. Eventually, barring destruction by a star or other mishap, it could journey to a neighboring galaxy.
Progress
Meanderer II was launched on 22 November 2014.
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