Elite Dangerous | Halloween Event 2023

[CMDR Timber McWolf]

I had left the system already but I just had a question: I got a paint job for scanning the logs before the CZs appeared. Is there possibly another reward for the CZs? What would the requirement be? And are there missions for the combat zones I should have been picking up, cuz I was just going in them and killing Grey Swans until the battle was won a few times before going back to doing what I was doing before the event.

The CZs are the main part of a CG that runs until wednesday.
Rewards are, as far as I am aware, varying amounts of money and a Sand Wraith suit customization set for the top 10.

 

[metatheurgist]

It's funny how on one hand there are people complaining that the swans in the CZs don't act like they should for the narrative, not filled with murderous rage nor firing on any ships indiscriminately and then there's also people complaining about the lack of ground CZs, where presumably the insane swans would quite calmly load themselves into dropships to be deposited onto the battlefield where they would then run around defending control points. Truly the behaviour of psychotic minds.

Eh, it's not surprising. They only have limited number of mechanisms to model this event. Were more credible BGS and more NPC behavior something that was asked for? You betcha ass. At least we have PMFs, squads, powerplay, carriers and CQC instead.

 

[matttj2]

I was thinking the same thing.

Something else I'm finding funny is the number of people desperately searching for something that isn't there. There's nothing more to the messages, nothing more to the audio of any of the 10 transmissions, and the combat CG IS the continuation and conclusion everyone was asking for and now refusing to accept for what it is.

It’s fun, that’s all there is to it. And you never know, what if we DID find something else? Then you’d feel like a bit of a silly-billy, wouldn’t you?

 

[Zulu Romeo]

It's funny how on one hand there are people complaining that the swans in the CZs don't act like they should for the narrative, not filled with murderous rage nor firing on any ships indiscriminately and then there's also people complaining about the lack of ground CZs, where presumably the insane swans would quite calmly load themselves into dropships to be deposited onto the battlefield where they would then run around defending control points. Truly the behaviour of psychotic minds.

Plot twist - Grey Swan Pilots are the innocent party here, and the real monsters are ourselves.

 

[Shadowsnog]

Plot twist - Grey Swan Pilots are the innocent party here, and the real monsters are ourselves.

kill them for me

 

[MVBanks]

Plot twist - Grey Swan Pilots are the innocent party here, and the real monsters are ourselves.

That's a good conclusion, I assumed that too so I went the opposite direction and am now allied with the Gray Swan Pilots, doing some non-combat missions.

But if this story wants to tell us that we are actually the ones who are monsters, it is irrelevant because we know it well and we do not need any special signals to become robbers and murderers. Almost the entire on-foot content pushes us in that direction, except exobiology. To be clear, I have nothing against being a monster, but I will be when I want to be, not when some shady organizations like the San Tu State Network and the Pilot Federation want to manipulate me.

But all in all, this is disappointing - because the Halloween event started off really well, with mystery and inexplicable behavior, and instead of continuing in that direction, in the direction of finding and solving the cause, we continue to solve the consequences, with one thin CG, where at first it was not even possible to find enemies. This lukewarm sequel destroyed the good atmosphere of mystery and uncertainty that was created in the beginning.

If FDev can't install that type of behavior into the game, like wild illogical attacks everywhere in Shamash, then they shouldn't have gone that route. This leaves the impression that CG was included hastily, without serious consideration, just to pass the time.

 

[CMDR Timber McWolf]

Plot twist - Grey Swan Pilots are the innocent party here, and the real monsters are ourselves.

I'm not. I left after the initial scannings.
I had such an odd feeling that something was off, but as I couldn't put my finger on any hint besides my gut feeling, I opted to investigate the situation from the sidelines, alas to no avail.

 

[Kira Goto]

I haven’t quite left the area yet, but that’s more because I want to be nearby in case of any more interesting developments than shooting the problem away, with no further investigation into the signal.

… yeah, okay, the lives matter, but this whole ‘Go shoot at the Grey Swans and stop asking questions’ act feels like a distraction. I wonder if those who don’t participate in the CG will get some kind of message about it, counterintuitive as that might sound. Because there are too many unanswered questions about this one to just let it slip(last year’s Halloween event also had some go by unanswered, yes, but not that many).

(I don’t expect further developments until proven otherwise, but if there are, my expectation would be for the hint to come from Frontier. Of course, if anyone does find anything else in the logs, I’ll take that as well.)

 

[CMDR Timber McWolf]

That's a good conclusion, I assumed that too so I went the opposite direction and am now allied with the Gray Swan Pilots, doing some non-combat missions.

But if this story wants to tell us that we are actually the ones who are monsters, it is irrelevant because we know it well and we do not need any special signals to become robbers and murderers. Almost the entire on-foot content pushes us in that direction, except exobiology. To be clear, I have nothing against being a monster, but I will be when I want to be, not when some shady organizations like the San Tu State Network and the Pilot Federation want to manipulate me.

But all in all, this is disappointing - because the Halloween event started off really well, with mystery and inexplicable behavior, and instead of continuing in that direction, in the direction of finding and solving the cause, we continue to solve the consequences, with one thin CG, where at first it was not even possible to find enemies. This lukewarm sequel destroyed the good atmosphere of mystery and uncertainty that was created in the beginning.

If FDev can't install that type of behavior into the game, like wild illogical attacks everywhere in Shamash, then they shouldn't have gone that route. This leaves the impression that CG was included hastily, without serious consideration, just to pass the time.

Interesting approach. So it wasn't just me that felt like something was off.

Regarding the rest of your post, as much as I would like to counter your arguments, there are no sensible counter arguments to do so.
In fact, I think I have to agree with you, this event has left a lot of potential lying on, around and under the table.

I would love to see FDev to improve upon this and create some new AI routines like I outlined in this post, only that it shouldn't be limited to the CZs, but could happen all over the system (interdictions, dropping onto unsuspecting commanders in normal space, settlements firing on approaching vessels; on foot commanders around settlements being attacked in crazy, erratic ways...).

 

[Mef45]

For some reason, I'm pretty sure that 10 creepy logs and a CG for the genocide of a faction created for the event is all that was intended from the very beginning. There were no plans for any sequels, no resolutions to the source of all these signals.

Just spooky logs and a fun genocide in pursuit of a free skin.

 

[metatheurgist]

For some reason, I'm pretty sure that 10 creepy logs and a CG for the genocide of a faction created for the event is all that was intended from the very beginning. There were no plans for any sequels, no resolutions to the source of all these signals.

Just spooky logs and a fun genocide in pursuit of a free skin.

Just like last time and the time before that? Say it ain't so!

 

[DanaLey]

did anyone figure out if the Halloween event was hinting at something deeper, like lore or a future game update? I remember the eerie audio and strange signals, felt like there was more to it. Curious if any new theories popped up or if people just let it drop.

 

[DanaLey]

p.s. I went with white halloween contact lenses to match my CMDR's spooky look during the event, and they actually turned out way cooler than I thought in low lighting. Made the whole Thargoid encounter way more immersive. If you're leaning into the theme for streams or just for fun, they're a fun touch that adds to the vibe.

 

[Yuri John]

Its to early for Halloween. Nice Necro.

 

[Markov Chaney]

Well, if you're gonna necro anything, it should be a Halloween thread, no?