They would be extremely far away.
They would be extremely far away.
Are you sure? Is there a restriction or zone that prevents entry into certain areas, which you encounter when exiting the region? Or are you suggesting it's feasible but I’ll need to refuel frequently? I’m just curious about flying off a planet and leaving the system without jump points, purely for the thrill of exploring the vast emptiness. Can you actually reach empty space and see it as a distant star? If so, instead of stopping at a jump point, would you choose a straight path out of the system? If this is possible, I’d like to try it and ask my friends for assistance when I run low on fuel in the middle of nowhere.
I think it might be achievable, though few will attempt it. If you're considering this path, begin organizing your plans for the funeral since you won't be returning. Actually, smaller-scale versions are already feasible. A person traveled from Port Olisar to the furthest Comm Array at cruise speed, but the connection broke after a long time and the character and ship became unstable.
It’s common to expect this situation. He likely ran out of fuel. If possible, I’d fill the entire ship and then use a highly efficient engine for hyperdrive. That might get us halfway between two systems, at least. But I don’t like jump points either. I recall in Free Lancer it took me a full day to reach the nearest system, and yes, there were jump points, but I didn’t take them because real travel times are so long. Space is huge, so it should feel vast. I think ED captures that idea, though another issue is that if things are too realistic, you’ll rarely meet other players.
there might be limits we can't fully understand about traveling between systems without intermediate points. The closest system is about four light-years away, and the fastest travel in space is 0.2c, which would take roughly twenty years. If they achieve tenfold compression, you'd still have two years of continuous flight time with no stops or breaks. This depends on your accuracy—being off by a bit at that distance could cause you to miss your goal significantly. Regarding jump points, they aren't simple jumps but rather wormholes or tunnels linking distant areas in space. They won't be instant; you'll need to navigate them carefully. If they're well-mapped, it won't be too difficult, but if you're trying to map them, it will be a major challenge.
There are stable and unstable types, varying sizes that let different vessels pass through any distance, just into darkness. A decoupled mode helps you catch up and change direction, but on smaller ships do they need fuel to make electricity or release coolant for replacement? What environmental risks exist? Could a ship last two years without any upkeep?
I also discovered some valuable details. It seems about 70% of space remains unexplored, and everything you uncover will be yours alone. Of course, you can share it with others or keep it private—like when you discover a region rich in asteroids. Another concern is the possibility of being targeted while exploring by aliens, pirates, or whatever exists out there. It would be exciting to experience this on land as well—imagine finding a planet and landing there, only to face local wildlife. If this were added to the game, it could become the most thrilling adventure ever.