Starting asteroid belt is very frustrating

[jamesedwardsmith]

Why is the asteroid belt around the starting area so labyrinth and impossible to get through? There are so many dead ends and so few ways to actually get in or out of the thing. To make the matter worse, the map data you get regarding it from nav stations is useless for navigating through it quickly or safely.

If you don't spend a bunch of time exploring it in great detail as the first thing you do in the game (a very boring persuit with no material reward or feeling of progress), the chances of you not finding a way back in after your first excursion are very high leading to player death and frustration with the game.

[ggodeye]

I agree that it was almost overwhelming for the first 15 min that I played Jameson. Never noticed again after those first 15 min though. I would stick to using the eastern pass in Alpha 3 and then never come back to the origin. It's essentially useless. Haven't touched Alpha 4 yet, so not sure what's the best way out.

[Vaconcovat]

Well, alpha 4 has a really thick asteroid belt. I think the only way out i've found so far is off to the east. But, if you head north-west there a docking station not too far away, I suggest using that when you are the alpha-charlie levels.

I do suggest making the asteroid belt a little less strong in map generation.

[Farbs]

Yeah, I think you may be right. I'll try reducing it in 0.5.

[10tativ]

Yeah, the starting belt is a complete nightmare. When I tried to get
to the nearest stations to the north west, I got so annoyed with all the dead ends I just stuck with the first route out I found - going south west, then going north. It took ages, and I had to go back a lot of times, but once I found the OXY station I was fine.