Elite Dangerous | Powerplay 2.0 Update

[IstvaanDCIV]

Does the facilty exist? I'd suspect the server maintenance message is hard-coded and non-plyable on the fly. So any other means of group messaging may not exist.

There's an in-game messaging system. It seems to me like it would be a rather obvious missed opportunity if the developers did not implement a means of using that system to send a custom message direct to every single player's inbox.

 

[galahad2069]

What about the other suggestions? Or do you just want to be angry at one you don't like.

I like the "higher risk - higher reward" bit.
Otherwise all the other suggestions just seem to have the effect of forcefully slowing down a process that's already slow as hell to begin with.

As for missions, I'm not a big friend of them. I would either need to jump around a lot to find a mission I like, or I would just automatically be given a random 'haul some junk', 'do some on-foot crap' like mission I would never even touch with a 10-foot pole otherwise.

 

[Gabriel H]

There's an in-game messaging system. It seems to me like it would be a rather obvious missed opportunity if the developers did not implement a means of using that system to send a custom message direct to every single player's inbox.

Having an in-game system, and having the ability to send a message to everyone through that system are not the same. And we are talking about a Dev team whose latest update caused major bugs in existing game systems (outside of powerplay) and 3 weeks later have failed to communicate one word on it - that's who you are relying on to have implemented something correctly.

PS FDev. Yeah that last sentance was pretty mean of me. Prove me wrong.

 

[IstvaanDCIV]

Having an in-game system, and having the ability to send a message to everyone through that system are not the same. And we are talking about a Dev team whose latest update caused major bugs in existing game systems (outside of powerplay) and 3 weeks later have failed to communicate one word on it - that's who you are relying on to have implemented something correctly.

PS FDev. Yeah that last sentance was pretty mean of me. Prove me wrong.

There is at least the ability to create custom messages that did not exist before, we've all been sent those ones about the Titans which didn't exist before the Thargoid war. Even if for whatever reason they can't create messages on the fly that contain specific details about any changes being made, they could still create a generic message for situations like these which says, more or less, "we're making server-side adjustments to the game which could impact your chosen activities. Please check out our forums and/or social media channels for the details".

 

[Bastian SE]

You released powerplay 2.0 and every time you block something, it's getting boring -.-

 

[Gabriel H]

Even if for whatever reason they can't create messages on the fly that contain specific details about any changes being made, they could still create a generic message for situations like these which says, more or less, "we're making server-side adjustments to the game which could impact your chosen activities. Please check out our forums and/or social media channels for the details".

You'd think so, but evidence is to the contrary.

 

[DarkStarSword]

You can transfer to carrier, then move carrier to target system and unload in bulk.

All it really does is lower the short tasks, you still need the commodity to reset (10 m) I chained 3 systems to do this, spent the week loading and an hour unloading getting a bit over 20k merits.
Where without carrier my loop was making around 3k merits per 30-35 minutes.

Without a carrier I was getting over 4600 merits every 10 minutes. A carrier might be slightly better if you are gathering multiple types of rares, but anything that isn't a Soontil Relic in boom state (or whatever state it is that gives an allocation of 80) wasn't really worth the time.

tbh though a large factor in why I wasn't using a carrier was because I fully expected Frontier to nerf it at some stage and I didn't want to be stuck with 25000 worthless relics. I already lost 2 billion when Frontier nerfed LTDs, not making that mistake again.

 

[zimms]

[...]
Who was asked to test Powerplay 2.0 in advance?
Content creators were primarily invited, as they have the largest reach to attract returning and potential new players, primarily serving as promotional tools.
[...]

Content creators weren't asked to test PP. They got a press preview so they could prepare their articles/videos in time for the update's release. But yes, it was about promoting Ascendancy, not beta testing.

 

[Angus McSix]

Well FDev, to quote Chancellor Suttler from V for Vendetta:

"You have had 24 hours; you better have results."

 

[Poonjabby]

So PP 2.0 is unplayable right now. All the good will FDev built in the last year is rapidly deteriorating because the company steadfastly refuses to listen to feedback. All of these problems could have been avoided had they released Ascendancy on a test server and let players play the game. The time for feedback is before you release the game not after. It doesn't work for gaming companies, aircraft manufactors, car companies or pharmaceutical companies. What I really don't understand is you have a community who would bend over backwards to help you succede Fdev and yet you ignore your most valuable asset. I'll say it again PP 2.0 is unplayable right now.

 

[Rebel Yell]

Content creators weren't asked to test PP. They got a press preview so they could prepare their articles/videos in time for the update's release. But yes, it was about promoting Ascendancy, not beta testing.

...not considering that final delivery happened 2+ months beyond initial schedule (which was August this year).

 

[Poonjabby]

Dear ladies and gentlemen of Frontier Development,
the release of Powerplay 2.0 has sparked significant discussion among the community regarding its balance and implementation.


What was promised?
An almost complete rework of Powerplay 1.0. Everyone should feel included, regardless of their favourite pastime. No matter whether you are a trader, explorer, exobiologist, fighter or on-foot player.


Who was asked to test Powerplay 2.0 in advance?
Content creators were primarily invited, as they have the largest reach to attract returning and potential new players, primarily serving as promotional tools.


What happened?
The powerplay communities were looking for the most efficient ways (not to increase in rank) but rather to occupy, undermine and strengthen systems.
Because that's the whole point of powerplay, to get more systems for their power and to reinforce existing ones to get benefits.

• Exploration data and exobiology data brought in tonnes of merits, these are coupled 1:1 with the control score / undermining score and could thus be used massively.
  • Frontier's reaction: Suspend and massively nerf. (Note: I don't know how many credits are needed now to get a merit, before it was around 33.500 Cr.)

• Trading with Profit also brought in large amounts of Merits and could be used efficiently to strengthen systems.
  • Frontier's reaction: Suspend and massively nerf. (Again, I don't know the current value)

After that, the powerplay community shifted to the following activities, which also generated sufficient merits:

• Rare goods,quite tedious when you consider that you have to wait 10 minutes and you have to hand in the goods beforehand or, if available, store them temporarily on a fleet carrier before receiving the same quantity again. Storing goods on carriers also takes many hours.
  • Frontier's reaction: Suspend and possibly a massive nerf.

• Escape pods,without relog quite tedious, as they do not always spawn and you get around 4-7 occupied or damaged escape pods. Players have already done a lot of this with the relog in the high grade emissions, so this ‘mechanic’ is no surprise.
  • Frontier's reaction: Suspend and again probably nerf massively.

• Now to the on foot exploit. This was already known in the first week and an issue was opened.
  • Frontier's reaction: inactivity.
• In the second week, after the exploit became more widely known and was used more and more.
  • Frontier's late reaction: Suspending the on foot data port data and presumably nerfing it heavy.

Here are my opinion on the exploit:

The use of an exploit is controversial, but it is important to remember that exploits are caused by developer mistakes, not by players. But this exploit also had the potential to disrupt the game balance. Therefore, I don't understand the long inactivity of Frontier, but I don't blame the players who used the exploit after the issue was opened (which was really quick already voteable).

• The ship-launched-fighter ‘exploit’, which lets SLFs fight in stronghold carriers without exposing themselves to risk and is more of an AFK variant. Also used to generate merits and undermine stronghold systems. Whether the way is reprehensible is a good question, all AFK builds would be reprehensible.
  • Frontiers reaction: Nerf of SLF combat output from 73 merits to 14 merits. (Numbers may vary)

What is left?

Not very much,

Powerplay combat zones, but these only appear from a certain system progress and, as far as I know, only in systems to be acquired. (combat)

Bounty hunting, but you only get merits in systems of your power and it's only efficient in extraction sites. (combat)

Scanning megaships, is there a more boring activity? Scanning normal ships and wakes. (scanning)

Holoscreen hacking, but that carries the risk of being penalised in the system of his power. In systems to be occupied or enemy systems, I find it justifiable. (scanning)

Commit crimes to undermine. But this style of play is not everyone's style of play. (combat)

Trade with low-value goods, used to undermine. (no profitable trade)

And last but not least, the good old powerplay goods delivery, with the restriction that you really only get goods every 30 minutes and more goods only with higher rank without the option to buy a fast lane. (no)

Conclusion
After an initially seemingly exciting start, the euphoria burst like SpaceX's first Starship.
The delayed reaction to the exploits paired with hasty measures created consequences, it has excluded an entire playerbase.

Explorers and exobiologists increasingly feel sidelined.
Traders increasingly feel sidelined.
And some power players are already feel sidelined.

Part-time players, who may only be able to play 1-3 hours a day, are not interested in spending a year just to reach Rank 100 or barely managing to occupy a handful of systems within a week through massive coordination and effort.

Proposed Solution

Adjust activities to match the same ratio as Powerplay 1.0.
If a power previously had around 80 systems to manage (control systems) and now has to manage 1,400 systems, the merit output needs to be increased by a factor of 10.
In the old Powerplay, a dedicated Powerplay player could earn an average of 1,500 to 2,000 merits per hour. Frontier's goal for balancing should be that every activity yields roughly the same result per hour: 15k to 20k merits per hour. Involving experienced players from the powerplay community ensures that mechanics are tested in a real-world gameplay context, focusing on strategic depth rather than surface-level appeal.

And there must be better benefits again if a system is under control of a power, who needs a better increase in reputation? Influence is important not reputation.

At community: While I may not be able to engage extensively in follow-up discussions, I look forward to constructive feedback from the community and hope this fosters meaningful dialogue.

Great post man!

 

[Ozric]

So PP 2.0 is unplayable right now.

There is absolutely no need to insult other people, especially when some of those Content Creators have been playing since Alpha. So let's keep things constructive please.

 

[aRJay]

Nah bro.

After you unlock your first module, you'll unlock a new one every 5 ranks. It's more practical to just stick with your chosen power and keep gaining ranks to unlock the rest of the modules permanently.

I suppose we can find out the order various modules are available from each power so those without modules can choose the best option for them.

 

[Doctor Dread]

This waiting for nerfs is utter crap.
I don't know what to play, what to do, where to put my efforts being sure it will stay that way.

Bad move, ED.

 

[Poonjabby]

There is absolutely no need to insult other people, especially when some of those Content Creators have been playing since Alpha. So let's keep things constructive please.

That wasn't an insult and it's not just content creators who've been around since Alpha

 

[Factabulous]

Pretty sure all this 'PP unplayable now' is just people trying to pretend there are no Merit fountains from fdev.

And if they're watching - there totally aren't any Merit fountains any more ... nothing to see here officer!

 

[DarkmoonFury]

Everything would have to be done in open, so that it can be countered.

I disagree for a few reasons.

Counter doesn’t necessarily have to mean blowing up another players ship.

Also, if PP goes open only, then everyone will play in open just long enough to unlock the modules they are interested in, then abandon PP and go back to playing in solo or private groups.

Some people do not like or at least are not interested in PVP. To each their own. Forcing them into it is not only bad for PP, it is bad for the game.

I say, let people play how they want.

 

[Ian Doncaster]

I suppose we can find out the order various modules are available from each power so those without modules can choose the best option for them.

Roughly:
- signature module first, of course
- modules from the same superpower (if any, "independent" doesn't count) next
- the rest in a fairly arbitrary order though Fed and Imp powers tend to get each others' modules last or nearly so, and the Cytoscrambler is always in the second half (and often last) for everyone else

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...joRUgECLIyMw/edit?gid=868561511#gid=868561511 has the full orders in the various tabs.

 

[Ozric]

That wasn't an insult and it's not just content creators who've been around since Alpha

You said, among other things, they weren't "real players". Which shows how little you know about the people on that program and how little you know about why they were given early access.

It's very easy to say you think there should have been test servers, without needing to make any disparaging remarks about other people regardless of who they are and what they do.