*SPOILERS* Campaign "Planet Progress" info from beta files *SPOILERS*

[HonorKnight]

First, a non-spoiler map of the Rimward Periphery:

Now for the spoilers which reveal extra information about this map, based on the beta files:

Spoiler

The beta files show that the "PrologueStartingSystem" is Coromodir, which is the capital of the Aurigan Coalition

However that does not appear to be where our mercenary campaign starts, just the prologue. The DefaultStartingSystem is Detroit (circled in green below), and the "StartingCoreSystems" are Alloway, Detroit, UrCruinne, and Bellerophon (circled in yellow below)

Next we examine the enigmatic "planet_progress" tags on every star system. I've seen people interpret this as being how "developed" a planet on that system may be, but when you map them out, it paints a very different picture.

• Exactly 4 planets are planet_progress_1, and they just so happen to be the same systems as the StartingCoreSystems (circled in yellow below).
• The planet_progress_2 systems happen to form a near-rectangular cutout of the middle section of the overall map (circled in red below) which happens to include every system which is relevant to the main campaign story due to being held by either the Restoration or the Directorate.
• The remaining systems are all planet_progress_3

So what does this mean, exactly? Well, I suspect it means that you start out in Detroit (that little green region), then in the early game (read: when you have no Argo and are just picking up local missions on a Leopard Dropship) you operate in the small yellow region [[EDIT: This part has been confirmed by streamers]]. Once you get the Argo, I bet the red region opens up to you, along with the entire story campaign and just a taste of the broader community with a few systems each from 1 great house and 2 other minor factions. Lastly, the systems beyond the red circle, I believe, constitute the "expanded mercenary campaign" which includes access to 2 other great houses (and may not unlock until the late game, perhaps even until the Aurigan campaign is resolved).

 

[Chaon]

And it is information and thinking like this that has made the community so good.

At a glance it sounds pretty good and logical. We will find out how close you are soon.

 

[Cyttorak001]

This explanation makes sense to me. There were many planets in the list that didn't seem to agree with their planet progress number in terms of technological advancement.

 

[Prussian Havoc]

Nicely done @HonorKnight, I do believe you've broken the code. :bow: : )

 

[HonorKnight]

Also of note: the planet progress 1 systems all have only the magistracy of canopus or pirates listed as potential employers in their system files, so you’ll likely have those two options to align with initially

 

[Prussian Havoc]

Front-loading Pirate Contracts?

I did not see that coming... Sweet!

 

[Cyttorak001]

Also of note: the planet progress 1 systems all have only the magistracy of canopus or pirates listed as potential employers in their system files, so you’ll likely have those two options to align with initially

Since we're betrayed by Majesty Metals (presumably) in our first mission, it looks like a bunch of people may be dealing with pirates after all!
Yarrrrrgggg!

 

[Q_res]

We're hired to attack Majesty Metals, and then betrayed by the hicks who hired us. Majesty doesn't betray us.

 

[Exemplar Voss]

I can never quite figure out what the hicks' plans are. Forcibly take battle mechs and... Repair, maintain and pilot them, how? They aren't exactly simple machines that you hit with a spanner.

Some people are just made for stomping.

 

[stjobe]

I can never quite figure out what the hicks' plans are. Forcibly take battle mechs and... Repair, maintain and pilot them, how? They aren't exactly simple machines that you hit with a spanner.

Some people are just made for stomping.

If I recall the demo video correctly, they want them to defend themselves against Majesty Metals and others like them in the future. I guess their plan is "if we got 'Mechs nobody will mess with us ever again". Yes, that's the entire plan

But of course they picked the wrong mercenary company to appropriate 'Mechs from, so their "plan" backfires and at the end of the day they not only have zero 'Mechs, they're down a few turrets and tanks as well. Probably not the most well-conceived or carried out plan, when you think about it.

It does serve a great narrative purpose in the game though, to establish the fact that the Periphery is more-or-less shady and you should probably look a gift horse in the mouth, old sayings notwithstanding

 

[Stuckenschmidt]

Can one skip this intro mission?

 

[Tnarien]

Obligatory "nothing in the beta files beyond what had been activated for the combat module is any way reliable, and even then all of it is subject to change" reminder.

 

[Cyttorak001]

We're hired to attack Majesty Metals, and then betrayed by the hicks who hired us. Majesty doesn't betray us.

Majesty Metals attacked them first. They aren't the good guys here.

 

[Packrat]

Majesty Metals attacked them first. They aren't the good guys here.

I'm sure they're telling the truth about that, just like when they promised to pay us for- oh wait.

 

[Chaon]

Can one skip this intro mission?

Probably not. I think it will be part of the campaign.

 

[Cyttorak001]

I'm sure they're telling the truth about that, just like when they promised to pay us for- oh wait.

Sure, and Lady Arano is probably the aggressor in the single player campaign. The Directorate wouldn't lie to us, just like Majesty Metals (an arm of the Canopian state) wouldn't.

 

[Catapult]

Probably not. I think it will be part of the campaign.

Me neither. It would be a cheat to skip repair cost.

 

[Q_res]

Majesty Metals attacked them first. They aren't the good guys here.

Never said they were, they still didn't betray our Merc Company.

 

[PiratexCore]

I was wondering how they were going to handle the beginning when we only have the Leopard. Limiting us to a few close systems initially until we get the Argo makes a lot of sense.
Ughhhh, I can't wait to play the campaign. March, go by faster!

 

[SeijinDinger]

it is odd seeing a map of the IS that isnt centered on Terra