What would you like FD to do regarding offline mode?

[carazvan]

I voted for eventually getting an offline mode which is really tied in to the servers and how long they run them for (aka before the servers get taken down at the end of the game's lifecycle an offline mode should appear).

The biggest problem I see with online requirement is the EA SimCity debacle of the launch day. I've already had one day where the servers just wouldn't let me in to play regardless of what I tried and I think if that happens on the 22nd of November and then on the 16th of December they'll poison a lot of the community that just figured to give this game a shot.

 

[CaptainKremmen]

My preference isn't there in the poll. It would be:


For now, FD should focus all their efforts on the online galaxy. While I am only interested in playing "online mode", FD should eventually deliver "offline mode", in some form or another.

 

[Adept]

This poll is spoiled by the "servers get shut down" paranoia. Pretty bizarre fear when the game hasn't even launched yet. All you guys are doing with this hissy fit is actually endangering it's future.

 

[Blue_Skunk]

Do we really need yet another poll to show that the 'no-offline-is-the-end-of-the-world' people are in the minority?

 

[Jason S]

I already gave a request for a refund.

Without offline mode the spirit of Elite and the longevity of this version is lost for me to the extent that I lose the interest in it and will seek out anouther game.

Edit: They have said there is no future offline mode so some of the poll options are redundant unless they do a u-turn.

 

[Zephyriel]

Cpt Kremmen > Doesn't this point of view pretty much correspond to the second option ? It was my intention anyway ; by saying you want them to make one eventually before servers shut down, means right now you agree they should focus on online and releasing a solid game.

Adept > I see how it might seem early and pessimistic to speak about this, but all online games eventually die. Maybe you think no one will want to play in 10 or 20 years, but thing is many still play 1984 Elite 30 years later even though it's completely outdated. I'm not trying to be alarmist by saying ED won't live long, actually I hope it's a big success and gets supported for many years with new content. I just hope that when the plug is eventually pulled, the game can continue to exist and not just be a memory like other MMOs.

Blue_Skunk > Well looking at the results so far, the majority of players seem to want an offline mode at some point (either asap or later depending on the options).

Jason S > The whole purpose of this thread is to try and convince Frontier that there is a big demand for them to make a U-turn

 

[Lister_of_Smeg]

its becoming evident people dont understand how SOLO mode works and also that pretty much every game produced at the moment requires an internet connection in some form or another for fixing bugs etc.
Those who sit there crying that there wont be a dedicated OFFLINE mode need to take a reality check if they really think they are due a refund seeing as the whole of Alpha and Beta have been online. Get a life

 

[Toumal]

I like this poll. Certainly beats the "will you ask for a refund" one, and hopefully it's something FD will look at, especially considering the current agitation.

 

[Aekat]

They way I see it we all just went from owning a game to renting a game for an undetermined amount of time. Are they offering refunds on this????

While I tend towards the pro-offline camp, I'm not sure this argument actually holds. Nobody technically owns a game. That's not what we pay for. We licence the right to play the game - the actual data and, in days gone by, the media on which we receive that data, isn't what we're paying for. The licence that we pay for gives us a limited right to use the game under the publishers' terms. That's why games have those EULAs that none of us ever read: the publishers can put whatever terms they want in that licence and we agree to be bound by it. (The actual legality of EULAs I've never been sure of, nor to what extent we are actually bound to them, but I don't imagine too many gamers are keen to test them in court against the likes of EA and their legion of lawyers.) Most EULAs allow for the company to change the terms at will, or cancel the licence if they wish.

That this is a Kickstarter makes things extra cloudy.

Do you have any Steam games? You don't own any of them, and if you upset Valve they can remove your access to those games at any time. It's in the Steam Agreement.

Still, this is how it works, and how it's worked for a long time. Game publishers have pushed this system since the 8-bit days, and as gamers we've accepted it implicitly by continuing to comply. It's now the standard model for games publishing and it's unlikely to change.

So we never 'owned' E|D. We've paid for access to it on FD's terms. And FD aren't evil for doing it like this, by the way: I doubt any of us - especially the younger ones - have ever actually 'bought a computer game'.

 

[Zulu Romeo]

At all times, FD should focus on the game they need to make according to what is demanded, what is available, and what works. These three variables will change with time.

Personally, I would not mind an offline version but it is not a critical deal breaker for me right now. I have no real feelings one way or the other. However, if there was a very real threat to the existence of FD's future imminently, an offline version would need to be on the cards. Not yet, but if all goes well then in the far future, and maybe at a time when the offline version is advanced enough to simulate the full online experience satisfactorily.

In that regard, eventually the second option in the excellent poll would be my choice, but right now I'm indifferent and just want an excellent game.

 

[CaptainKremmen]

Cpt Kremmen > Doesn't this point of view pretty much correspond to the second option ? It was my intention anyway ; by saying you want them to make one eventually before servers shut down, means right now you agree they should focus on online and releasing a solid game.

Not really, no. Option 2 said, "...so I can play after the servers shut down".

The second option would imply I'm actually interested in "Offline" mode as a play mode I'd use. And it has stuff in it about servers being shut down, which is honestly not high on my list of concerns in life.


After all the time playing and living in the planned online galaxy, I doubt I'd start again, in a static galaxy, with nobody else to share it with.


So no, I've got no interest in playing an offline mode. I simply think it needs to be provided in some form, at some point...

...for the simple reason that, when you do something you committed to doing, the universe smiles upon you.

 

[Zallibik]

What would you like FD to do regarding offline mode?

Nothing at the moment. Just concentrate on the game.


What would you like the people moaning about the #FirstWorldProblem of there being no offline mode?


I wish they would shut up and let FD carry on with the development of the game.

Agreed they have stated there is not going to be an offline mode, they simply CANNOT support it, so just move on and live with it, if you are truly that upset by it then ask for a refund on the store page.

 

[TimYersidies]

I am glad a sensible poll has been put up as I don't want to add any more fuel to the bonfire but equally want to put over my point of view in a thread not steeped in passion.

I have no interest or concern in an offline mode or the people who will play it because, by definition, they have no impact or influence over my enjoyment of the online game. I do however fully respect their right to be annoyed at the way it was announced and demand / receive a refund and apology.

From a purely selfish standpoint I would prefer FDev not to be distracted by a offline version of the game when delivering the DDF, a Mac version and console ports would provide more game play, players and therefore income securing the future of the franchise ... sorry.

 

[Sav112]

Bring on Elite D and its updates and patches. The original Space sim, the daddy of the genre is back and going by what I’ve read and watched it looks amazing to that of the old BBC version I loved so much. Back in the 80’s all we wanted was to play human players so I expect this to be epic.

I’m right thinking this playable universe it connected and that if something happens in my game its in everyone’s game too with regard to events, exploration.

Played way to many hours on the original to ever want to play off line again it has to be said.


I have never tried any of the newer versions after the BBC so I don’t know if any had an online element. So for me I’ve waited thirty odd years for this So I’m going to embrace it in all of its online glory when I finally get my new rig early next year.

 

[OuterSpaceApe]

While I tend towards the pro-offline camp, I'm not sure this argument actually holds. Nobody technically owns a game. That's not what we pay for. We licence the right to play the game - the actual data and, in days gone by, the media on which we receive that data, isn't what we're paying for. The licence that we pay for gives us a limited right to use the game under the publishers' terms. That's why games have those EULAs that none of us ever read: the publishers can put whatever terms they want in that licence and we agree to be bound by it. (The actual legality of EULAs I've never been sure of, nor to what extent we are actually bound to them, but I don't imagine too many gamers are keen to test them in court against the likes of EA and their legion of lawyers.) Most EULAs allow for the company to change the terms at will, or cancel the licence if they wish.

That this is a Kickstarter makes things extra cloudy.

Do you have any Steam games? You don't own any of them, and if you upset Valve they can remove your access to those games at any time. It's in the Steam Agreement.

Still, this is how it works, and how it's worked for a long time. Game publishers have pushed this system since the 8-bit days, and as gamers we've accepted it implicitly by continuing to comply. It's now the standard model for games publishing and it's unlikely to change.

So we never 'owned' E|D. We've paid for access to it on FD's terms. And FD aren't evil for doing it like this, by the way: I doubt any of us - especially the younger ones - have ever actually 'bought a computer game'.

I may have misunderstood the meaning behind "no offline mode". If in 25 years when I'm in my 50's all I need is an internet connection to play this game, that's perfect! I originally assumed "no offline mode" meant that in 10'ish years when the game is no longer "alive" that they would just shut down the servers entirely and you would never again be able to play Elite Dangerous. If that is not the case I have no gripes.
I don't even want to begin commenting on what you wrote because wow I am stunned. I'm sure when it comes down to it game companies do that as a way to save their own ass in certain circumstances as opposed to having it in place to screw over their customer base. But it's still pretty shocking to learn that Steam could revoke the rights to ALL my games on there. Thank you, now I'll never again be able to buy a game in confidence ;D

 

[Maxeren]

I hope they do nothing and continue with the plan. They won't push development resources towards it when they've clearly stated that it can't be done.

 

[Zephyriel]

I may have misunderstood the meaning behind "no offline mode". If in 25 years when I'm in my 50's all I need is an internet connection to play this game, that's perfect! I originally assumed "no offline mode" meant that in 10'ish years when the game is no longer "alive" that they would just shut down the servers entirely and you would never again be able to play Elite Dangerous.

You haven't misunderstood though. No offline mode does mean that when the servers are no longer up, you won't ever be able to play the game again. That's one of the main reasons why many people here including myself are trying to push FD towards considering a way to make offline work.

 

[WeirdWizard]

Doesn't this point of view pretty much correspond to the second option ? It was my intention anyway ; by saying you want them to make one eventually before servers shut down, means right now you agree they should focus on online and releasing a solid game.

Now that's not what I assumed you meant. Or rather I took option 2 to mean that they absolutely should work on and release an offline mode but its okay if it takes some time (IE months, maybe a year... Not 10 years or whatever). The trouble with saying "before the servers are shut down" is basically you are kicking it into the long grass and when if it looks like the servers are going to be shut down the chances realistically of Frontier spending resources on it are minimal. If it doesn't happen within the next year the chances drop substantially.

 

[OuterSpaceApe]

You haven't misunderstood though. No offline mode does mean that when the servers are no longer up, you won't ever be able to play the game again. That's one of the main reasons why many people here including myself are trying to push FD towards considering a way to make offline work.

In that case, I want my money back again. Realistically I don't expect to receive it. I really enjoy this game; I think it is fantastic besides the absolutely, MASSIVE, game-experience-destroying let down of next to nothing in terms of player to player contact. No I don't want my money back because of that. I accept that as a chance choice I made on an expected experience that simply didn't end up the way I hoped. The only reason I would want my money back is because I feel like this is horribly BAD BUSINESS and I would never support something that IMO is doing things in such a manner.
This baffles me for another reason. Is this the last thing David Braeben(sorry for poor spelling) will ever do in the gaming industry? I say that because it seems like at least half of the people here were around to purchase his original games. Some of those people still play those 30 year old games and it has built reputation with them! Is he not trying to continue that trend with this game and all of the people experiencing his works for the first time? Is this game not going to be worthy of personal nostalgia in 20+ years?

 

[foxpur]

In that case, I want my money back again. Realistically I don't expect to receive it. I really enjoy this game; I think it is fantastic besides the absolutely, MASSIVE, game-experience-destroying let down of next to nothing in terms of player to player contact. No I don't want my money back because of that. I accept that as a chance choice I made on an expected experience that simply didn't end up the way I hoped. The only reason I would want my money back is because I feel like this is horribly BAD BUSINESS and I would never support something that IMO is doing things in such a manner.
This baffles me for another reason. Is this the last thing David Braeben(sorry for poor spelling) will ever do in the gaming industry? I say that because it seems like at least half of the people here were around to purchase his original games. Some of those people still play those 30 year old games and it has built reputation with them! Is he not trying to continue that trend with this game and all of the people experiencing his works for the first time? Is this game not going to be worthy of personal nostalgia in 20+ years?

For what the game is now it easily surpasses the original games and stands on it's own. I think that is a matter of perspective... I am getting exactly what I wanted. I'm a very happy Fox.