shortest distance vs fewest jumps

[jamida]

What's up with shortest distance calculation for a route being different from fewest jumps? Is it something like some destinations are in different "timezones"?

I definitely like the flavor of that, but I'm trying to figure out if there's any logic to it.

Thanks in advance.

Mike

[another_commander]

It's a game design decision, aiming to get players to use an element of strategy in planning their trips. The magic that happens is:

TravelTimeInHours = DistanceInLY * DistanceInLY

So, making it in time for a contract or a passenger run is not just a matter of taking the least jumps route to the destination. For example, it will be much faster making two short jumps to get to some place rather than a direct long one. Of course, making more jumps in order to get to the destination faster will potentially expose you to more dangers during the trip. So, will you take the risk and make it in time or are you going to risk not making the contract but arriving in one piece?

Just one of the little things that makes gameplay a tad more interesting.

[Diziet Sma]

I definitely like the flavor of that

If I recall correctly, it worked that way in the original Elite as well.. but there was no real reason to pay any attention to the clock in the original, so nobody really noticed.

Incidentally, it's not actually a case of "shortest distance calculation" as it is about the shortest time to travel. Multiple short hops actually involve a little more distance.. it's just that you can get to the end destination faster, because the individual jumps take less time.