The map will cover procedurally generated galaxy, our own “Milky Way” hosting over 100 billion stars (including our own, and by extension, the planet Earth), each solar system with anything up to one hundred bodies in them (moons, planets and more).
The galactic map is a standard module in all cockpits of jump-capable ships.
Map is presented as a 3D hologram in the cockpit.
Player can zoom differing levels of view (whole galaxy or system map).
Presets
Whole galaxy
Shows key landmark systems and celestial objects
Zones
Human, Federation, Imperial, Alliance space
Geographic space (e.g. Orion spur, Hyades, Pleiades)
Player selected area of interest
Systems
Type of map states
Galaxy View: View key landmark systems and celestial objects, as well as factional space and other points of interest.
System View: View your available data on a system.
Player map function
Map Search facility.
Player types
Name of objects
Search returns list
Selecting item on list selects that location
Player own favourites and bookmarks.
Player can have a list of selected locations
Locations can be added and removed from the list
When selecting location on the list - selects that location
Map filters
Systems
Toggles can be used to control which systems are displayed in galaxy view, with configurable fade-offs.
All
Bright and dark systems
Economy type (agricultural/industrial)
Government type (security level above pre-defined level)
Population
Stellar classification
In range systems
Missions
Allegiance
Has station and shipyard
Explored and not explored
Contacts
Events
Distance
Toggles can be displayed to indicate other items too.
Landmark objects (nebula, pulsars etc...)
Routes between systems
Zones of allegiance
Busy routes
Aides
Various aids to using the map can be toggled on and off.
Galactic plane: Absolute
True galactic plane
Systems shown with stalks to indicate separation from plane
Becomes less useful when further away from plane
Galactic plane: Relative
Artificial plane created based on the height of the selected system from the real galactic plane
Systems shown with stalks to indicate separation from plane
Sector box
Bounding box for sectors
Sector grid
Distance faded sector grid
Compass/View Gizmo
Shows direction to galactic centre
Allows shortcuts to specific camera views
Data
Toggles can be used to control what additional data can be displayed.
None
Trading (Value, quantity, profit, loss, trade routes and production)
Piracy
Bounties collected
Traffic
War zones
Wealth
Standard of Living
Development level
Security
Commander deaths
Factions
Player history (Trading, travel, combat, exploration and beacons)
Friends/Groups (Current locations)
Buy and sell map upgrades
Players can buy map data from authorities to expand their ships computers library of maps.
New map data will allow the player to travel to new locations without needing to explore.
Map data that is bought from authorities is not to the highest level of detail and can be improved with player gathered data.
Map data includes hyperspace routes to systems and major points of interest in that system.
The pilots federation will always pay players for the first successful jump they make using the exploration method (If the player bought the map data for the jump they cannot sell the data), even if the player is not the first person ever to make the jump (the pilots federation use the data to improve their telemetry and keep maps up to date)
Players can sell map information they have gathered to other players as well as authorities.
This is done through a trade interface similar to the trade goods trading interface.
Players can sell hyperspace routes from their location to any single system they have explored to.
The purchasing player then offers a price (this can be 0 if it is a gift), and if both players are satisfied they agree to the trade.
Players can also trade in map system data including locations of points of interest using the same method.
Heatmaps
Probes will give the player heat-map style data to help guide the player to the correct coordinates for a jump.
Heatmap data might be ambiguous, creating skill based gameplay where the player learns to interpret the readings they receive.
Different equipment can determine the quality of heatmap data.
What to do in the map view
Plotting a hyperspace jump
Automatic course
Origin already selected (current system)
Player selects destination system
Select plot course: Sat Navigation style options for configuring route is for Quickest or safest route
If there is a viable route then this is displayed, the destination is locked into the hyperspace computer so if jump initiated this is the target
Manual course
Origin already selected (current system)
Player selects destination: If within jump range and has enough fuel then add as hyperspace target
Repeat above, but add new points to the jump chain
Player confirms last jump and jump is locked
How do I find the system/planet/station that I have named?
Open the search box
Type in target name
Select from returned list
I have a cargo of beans. Where can I sell it?
Activate filter to show trading data
Activate filter to show non-agricultural systems
Select system with low trading traffic and attempt to plot course
I am a bounty hunter and looking for new targets
Activate piracy filter
Activate security level filter
Systems with high piracy and low security should be good hunting grounds
I am an explorer and want to find somewhere new
Activate not explored filter
Select system within range not explored
References
PC Games (09 January 2013), David Braben
Forum, Elite: Dangerous – Galaxy Map (06 June 2013), Mike Evans
Forum, Elite: Dangerous – DDA (28 June 2013), Dan Davies / Tom Kewell
