Bases sometimes "jump" around in space along a single axis

[evertvorster]

Hi there !
This bug was discussed a little in #91
However, I am still seeing slight bounces in position in game engine versions 0.8.x and 0.9.x as of 2024-06-15
This bug is not related to SPEC, because I have seen it happen with SPEC on and off.

The last few times I saw this, I had just launched from Serenity and the base would instantaneously be transposed along a single axis while all the ships in the vicinity are all stationary. After a second or two, this behaviour would settle down, and the base would be stationary. Sometimes right next to me, where it should be, other times a few kilometers away.

Previously this was much more pronounced, and it seems a lot better now, but it is still happening from time to time.

I have also seen it happen when newly arriving in an area, just as SPEC is winding down. I don't think it is related to SPEC, it is more like the base's position in space is not well known and somehow the precision of its position settles down over a second or so. Unfortunately, I have already crashed into a base if it suddenly jumps closer to me than it should be.

I'll record some of my game play, and see if I can capture it on video.

[evertvorster]

OK, got some video.
Here is the link: https://youtu.be/RqJP46Cmej0

The video shows three instances of the base position not being quite stable.
The first two times I am approaching the base, and at 3500 meters out, the base jumps a little bit, almost as if some boundary has been crossed.

The last and third time is also something I have been seeing a few times. The base seems to zoom off into the distance, only to re-appear right behind the ship.

[evertvorster]

Have to add, if your SPEC is active, if the position of the thing you are going radically shifts, your SPEC will do strange things as well, because the gravity of the object that is limiting its speed has changed drastically, if only for a second.

So, this bug affects SPEC, but is not caused by it, as in each of the examples I was not flying with SPEC.
Having SPEC on only makes this bug much worse.