Bridge - Scanning & Navigation

Bridge - Scanning & Navigation is a Training Module available to players. The aim of the module is to teach the player about using the Sensors Station and Helm to navigate the Milky Way. The module primarily takes place primarily in the Bridge on A Deck. They are guided

Synopsis

The player begins the tutorial in the Conference Room of a fully-functional Magellan class ship. AVA communicates with them and guides them to the Bridge using waypoints. After being introduced to the bridge, the player is guided to the Sensors Station.

At the sensors station, the player is introduced to the GPS system. They can then use the coordinates system to set a focal point and switch between it and the ship. AVA guides the player to select the Long Range Sensors mode. They are instructed to select Alpha Centauri, align the sensors to it and perform a long range survey. After completing it, AVA explains the data gathered and the functions of the long-range scans. The player is then instructed to select a planet in the Star System and send it to the navigation system by pressing the "Send to Helm" button.

The player is guided to the Helm, where they are given an overview of the three panels. They are introduced to the three different screens: navigation, flight control and autopilot. AVA guides them to press "Use SNSR Target" on the navigation panel, then 'Engage Autopilot' on the autopilot screen, then activate FTL Drive to travel to the chosen target. As she guides the ship to the chosen target, AVA explain the mechanics of the Magellan's FTL systems and its main mission: to explore new worlds, to seek out new life in all of its diversity, and establish peaceful relations with an civilisations discovered.

After arriving at the planet, the player is guided back to the Sensors station. They are guided to select the Medium Range sensors and use them to initiate another survey. Ava explains the data gathered and how it can be used to gather information about the planet.

After its completion, AVA asks the player to select the short range sensors and use them to run a short range survey of the planet they are orbiting. Once completed, she explains the data recovered and its use in searching for life in the galaxy. Finally, AVA asks the player to use the Surface Map function to display the planet's surface on the Bridge's Holoprojector and explains the various toggle options for the surface map. This concludes the Training Module and

From this point, the player can stay in the Module to continue exploring the ship or continue using the sensors to explore the Milky Way.

Development

Tech Demo 2

In original version of the module, the player would first be instructed by AVA to use the medium range sensors to navigate to a planet in the Sol System. Afterward, they were instructed to use the long range sensors to navigate to Alpha Centauri, where the tutorial ended. Due to the lack of scanning functionality, the tutorial did not cover scanning planets or star systems for data.

In 0.223 versions, AVA was voiced by a text-to-speech application. However, in 0.224 versions, AVA's voice lines were re-recorded by Dan Govier, with his voice modulated for the character.

Tech Demo 3

In the upcoming 0.225.0.0, the module was expanded to include using the sensors to gather information on planets and star systems, including running surveys with the long, medium and short range sensors. The module was updated to work with the new sensors interface due to changes made to it during the update. Travelling to a planet in the Sol system was also removed.