BrutalistMcDonalds fucked around with this message at 01:34 on Oct 10, 2015

D_Smart fucked around with this message at 02:07 on Oct 10, 2015

• What ship combinations (besides two Cutlasses) can fit in the Landing Bay and successfully be launched and maintained?
  
  Like the Javelin's hangar, the number of ships allowed depends on the size of those ships, specifically. The Landing Bay is currently spec'd to be 30m wide, 65m deep running underneath the main spine of the Endeavor, and 10m tall. The included facilities and systems can accommodate possibly to 4 craft as space allows. Remember, that the general rule in Star Citizen is that 'if it fits, it sits' (with a max limit of four with regards to munitions/stores/etc.); so you can calculate the space any individual ship using those measurements.
  
  
• Is the 500 SCU listing for cargo in the explorer cab only? Can the fuel pod be used for cargo, and if so, for how much each?
  
  The Cargo space is inside the Explorer cab as it will be the section breaking off and landing for deliveries. The Fuel-Pods would not be able to double-up as cargo, but they could store other in-flight consumables like battery packs or ammunition in certain configurations.
  
  
• Can the hangar bay be used to store cargo? If so, how much?
  
  Dimensions of the Hangar. It would be possible to install optional Cargo-locking plates to the Landing Bay and use some of the space for hauling. Overall, you'd be able to add roughly 4500 additional SCU of cargo to the ship if you used half of the available space in the Landing Bay (with the remaining space being used to enable a Cutlass to land/take-off with that cargo.)
  
  
• Can I own only the Explorer cab?
  
  We considered this as an option, but decided against it; without the ability to equip a jump drive, players starting with an Explorer cab would be trapped in one star system… not so much fun for exploring!
  
  
• Do the modules have to be used in pairs, equal parts on each side? We want asymmetry!
  
  At the moment, all modules are 'twofers' that give you both the left and right slot, which maintains symmetry. Remember that asymmetry makes balancing thrusters significantly more difficult, so the ship has been intentionally designed to 'pair' modules in this fashion. (It's possible in the future that disparate 1×1 modules might be made available, but this is likely something we would wait until the game launches to create so that players can see them in action with the impact they'll have on the ship before choosing to buy them.)
  
  
• The landing bay is 2×1. Can I equip 3 landing bays?
  
  No, as noted in the SKU the landing bays are limited to one per ship. This is because the additional bays would block one another when slung under the ship!
  
  
• If you add additional pods later in development, will they be included in the Master Set?
  
  No, the Master Set includes only what is listed. In general, we try not to avoid packages that might someday limit discovery in the persistent universe! Buying a 'module subscription' today just wouldn't be as much fun in the long run…
  
  
• Why doesn't the Explorer Cab come with a jump drive, when smaller ships already in the game have that capability? Can a jump drive be added aftermarket?
  
  There is no slot for an aftermarket jump drive. From a game design perspective, this is important because every ship should not be able to do every job (else, why operate a dedicated explorer ship?); in the game world, the intention is that the Explorer cab uses all its space for armor and shielding, and does not have the power plant to also support a jump drive.
  
  
• Are the module spots pre-determined? Can I install the modules in any spot they'll fit, either fore or aft?
  
  Module spots are not pre-determined. Modules can fit anywhere on the 3×2 grid not blocked by another module. For an example of this: the Olympic mounts two sets of biodome pairs; the domes are pretty large and the reason you can't mount three is that the space that a third would need is crowded out by the other two. You could mount a different 2×1 between the Bio-Dome modules as long as it's one that has a small footprint.
  
  
• Can any of these pods be equipped on other MISC ships like the Hull Series, and can cargo pods from the Hull be used for the Endeavor?
  
  Cargo pods from the Hull are standardized and can be stored aboard the Endeavor. We have not determined whether or not you can 'plug them in' to the sides. The scientific pods cannot be attached to the Hull series.
  
  
• Can you equip multiple versions of the same module i.e. three General Research Pods? If so, what advantages would it give me to do so?
  
  Yes you can, except where a specific limit is noted in the announcement post (for example, only one telescope array can be mounted despite the fact that it's a 2×1 module.) The impact of multiple modules of the same type would depend very much on the function of those modules, but in terms of the base modules it usually means you can conduct more research or analyze more data with the separate modules working in tandem. (Of course, installing extra fuel modules would have a more immediate impact: doubling or tripling your extra fuel supply!)
  
  
• Are there any specific advantages to equipping specific pods that only exist in combination i.e. the particle accelerator and telescope together lets you Death Star Superlaser? Are there any combinations that are incompatible outside of size restrictions?
  
  Yes, although at the moment there is nothing so exciting as creating a superlaser! The most advantageous pod pairing will be adding analysis to pods that generate data; so having more computer equipment to study the data your telescope array generates would be a benefit. (The most obvious connection is pairing the medical center with the landing bay, which connects the two directly and allows you to import patients.)
  
  
• Can you go into detail about what separates the Endeavor from the Carrack as far as exploration is concerned? Why would I use an one instead of the other, and vice versa?
  
  The Carrack is a dedicated explorer, built as a single, self-sustaining ship that can make long-duration voyages through the roughest areas of space. It's designed specifically for transiting jump points, dealing with terrible conditions in space and getting back home to tell the tale. The Endeavor's Explorer cab is more of an addon, something that can be separated and used should the need for exploration arise… but it lacks the range, the powerplant and room for addon equipment, the defensive systems and other elements that make the Carrack a tough, stand-alone ship.
  
  
• Are there interiors in the drive section of the ship? Is there anything more to it than big engines?
  
  There is an interior to the drive section, which will allow crews to access the engine room during flight. It's not as exciting as science, but from the beginning we've wanted larger ships to have that 'Star Trek' feel, where an engineer (NPC or otherwise) can have some impact on damage control.
  
  
• If I want to play solo is this ship for me?
  
  Like nearly all of Star Citizen's ships, the Endeavor is designed to be flyable by a single human player… but like most of the larger ships, there are distinct disadvantages to deciding to 'go it alone.' We envision a single-person Endeavor would have to 'stop and start' when conducting scientific endeavors (hah) whereas one with a crew could be scanning the skies, treating patients or overclocking weapons while a second player mans the helm!
  
  
• Can you go into further detail about the Defense Module? What is it? Can it be installed with the medical modules as well?
  
  The Defense Module is still in the early planning stages, but we intend for it to be similar to the 'plug in a turret' modules on the Hull series ships; essentially taking up one a pair of slots to add turrets, e-warfare defensive weapons or similar weapons to your Endeavor's complement (at a cost of overall reduced science.)
  
  
• Since the ship cannot dock in our hangars, does it persist in the universe when we log out?
  
  No, we do not intend for ships to be always 'at risk' just because they don't fit in your Hangar. Standard landing areas will keep the workshop and drive sections safe while you land the Explorer in your hangar. (Of course, if you leave it in orbit of some unexplored planet the story is quite different!)
  
  
• Do the pods that come with the Discovery and Hope packages include LTI?
  
  Yes, all Endeavor and Hope equipment available during this sale includes LTI. It will not include LTI when offered again.
  
  
• Is the Endeavor's supercollider the only way to have equipment overclocked?
  
  No! Chris outlined his plans for a robust overclocking system early in the game, in the hopes that players will eventually make careers out of being 'overclocking' experts capable of providing the best tuned weapons and other components. While we see the Endeavor's supercollider (name change pending, re: science!) as the ultimate tool for this task, the climb to that level will start with the already-offered workbench.
  
  
• Does the Explorer Cab have two landing bays as detailed it previously released concept art? If so, what ships can land there?
  
  No, these were intended to be drone bays a la 2001, but we removed them in favor of the secondary engines when we decided to allow the Explorer cab to separate from the rest of the ship. They (and drones in general) may be added back in a future module, but for now the only bay available is the single, larger bay seen on the Hope-class.
  

Maldoror fucked around with this message at 02:45 on Oct 10, 2015