Why has it gotten this bad?

[Momoka Azuka]

I know this is probably going to draw a lot of negative comments but I don't care, it needs to be said.

The level of negative comments in the forums has gone on long enough and needs to be address. There's noting but arguing and trolling going on now in nearly every thread. No one can say a single thing about not only Elite: Dangerous but about the community surrounding the forums without there being some ridicules comment, sly insult, or spawn up thread insulting people who have an opinion on something. Why? We just want to discuss issues with the game and help it grow into something wonderful.

We should be voicing our opinions on issues in the game, the bugs, the pros and cons of certain mechanics as they stand now, how to make things better. Instead it's "Hey the Bounty Hunter mechanics seem to have a fundamental flaw. Think it needs a look at by the devs." followed immediately by "Bounty Hunters are cry babies and can't deal." Or my personal fav "It's just beta/or gamma at this point." which turns into a 200 page argument that doesn't actually have anything to do with the OP.

Earlier today a person posted a heartfelt request for the people who were upset about offline should reconsider backing out and staying with ED. It was the first post I had seen in the forums since that whole mess began. And it would have been fine but it just turned into another argument with insults talking down to each other. Who would willingly come back to that? That person who started that thread was trying to do a good thing and got met with pure anger and trolling.

I'm going to try to do the same thing. I feel we need to stop with this negative look at every single thing that is said here and actually focus on the game and what would help make it better and stop slinging insults at people so that the frontier forums can be a fun and useful place to be again because now, it's just an argument waiting to happen and it's not inviting anymore.

We all came here first for one thing. To see Elite: Dangerous and the space simulator game succeed.

 

[Andovar]

...it's the internet. Sadly, it will always be like this.

 

[Beatz0121]

I think there are a lot of new player base including myself, that aren't as die hard fans as the community might have been during the early beta/ backer days.

I am one of the positive newbies though!

I think A pole of simply like or dislike would clear this question up!

 

[Steve50]

...it's the internet. Sadly, it will always be like this.

This is true ^^. Sadly next month at the main release its going to get infinitely worse, mark my words. The mods will be overworked then.

I think a big issue is the difference between gamers in the 80's and gamers today. Most of us oldies like games that are challenging and unrestricted and open in a way that we can define our own legacy. Where as most (not all) of todays gamers are used to being force fed games that spoon feed them content and lead them by the nose every step of the way (with fake pats on the back every step via achievements). Its not the gamers faults, its the companies that put out these unchallenging, boring games. But when something like Elite comes around, they have nothing to compare it to and it seems, for want of a better word, alien to them.

Well that's my theory for what its worth.

 

[NeoRacer]

Yep considering only using the forums when I need specific info, otherwise the trolling is just too annoying right now.

 

[McBadger]

Wholeheartedly agree OP.

People should think before they act or get that greasy 6th finger typing action going. Because none of it is doing anyone any good.
I'm worried how many new players recently may have been put off from joining us due to it all..

 

[Andovar]

This is true ^^. Sadly next month at the main release its going to get infinitely worse, mark my words. The mods will be overworked then.

...I won't be around here to see the debacle. I'll be busy in game, trying to track my course to VY Canis Majoris.

 

[Brett C]

Hi all, if you find posts that are not on-topic, trolling, flaming, or otherwise violate the forums rules, please click on the " View attachment 2649 Report This Post ", found at the bottom left of each users post. On the new page, just fill in what's wrong with the post and we'll take a look into it. Thanks.

 

[Pille]

Why has is gotten this bad? Because Frontier doesn't communicate properly with the community. Offline-Gate, no word on gameplay mechanics as described in the Design Discussion Archives, no word on multiplayer functions, and their servers can't even handle the shop and Gamma downloads, ... etc.

The truth is: no one can tell what the vision for this game is NOW. And Frontier doesn't tell us.
Is it going to turn into a nightmare? Nothing from the DDAs fulfilled. In-game ads everywhere. Pay to Win credit shop. Servers can't handle players.
Or is it going to turn into our dream? Most of the DDA features fulfilled. No or very little in-game ads, that DO NOT BREAK immersion. No pay to win mechanics whatsoever.
We don't know and they don't communicate on these issues at all. It's basically: buy the game and find out. Also, blind hope for future updates plz.

 

[nbrado]

...it's the internet. Sadly, it will always be like this.

^^^ this

 

[ThatFuzzyTiger]

I'll be blunt, you may not like what I'm about to say, but there we go. What sparked this off was Frontier Developments themselves basically hamfisting stuff from Newsletter 49 onwards. First with the crappy job they made of announcing the removal of offline mode (I won't be drawn into the discussion about that decision, but their communication of that decision was abysmal), then of their continuing train wreck that is the approach to dealing with the people who feel dissatisfied with their dealings with the consumer base afterwards. They've basically left the forums to fracture themselves into a tribal, balkanised mess with trolling and sniping the default action where once there was a very constructive and unified community because frankly it seems they're more concerned with their damned IPO or whatever is filling their eyes with dollar signs.

They've not got ahead of the message since that point, the media is merrily writing the story for them, and even if the game reviews well, as I expect it will, because let's face it, it's a bloody good game, it's going to be marred by the fact Frontier Developments can't communicate for tuppence. They can't get their policies on managing dissatisfied customers right, rather they play the PR game in a vain hope they can stall the damage just long enough to get to release (but instead all it's doing is making the situation more corrosive as time goes on), and their overall treatment of people on the forums is borderline disdainful. Michael has been solid gold, and has actually addressed the questions put to him from us, whereas on David's "Ask me anything" it was more "Ask me anything as long it's not all those important topics that are causing a massive inferno.", same reason why the twitch stream didn't get tons of media press, too stage managed, and not enough genuine work from the company involved. The games media is no longer interested in carefully curated press events where they get all sizzle and no meat, they want something they can actually put to their readers, and what was shown in the livestream was really singing to the choir.

So. My blunt answer? FDEV needs to get their communications sorted out, both internally AND externally, and start communicating once more to their player base, and not just with carefully handpicked messages of marketing, but actually y'know, talk. Like people to people. Get the community back involved in the positive stuff. Because as it stands the sounds of silence are not doing anyone any favours.

 

[adoredtv]

In my honest opinion it's not that bad. For every negative thread I feel there are more positive still, but if you are very positive about the game then you might "see" more negative ones.

The game has a very steep learning curve and it's gonna put people off because of that. I knew it would be worth sticking with but I had my doubts too for the first few days. I think most new players go through this phase of feeling hopeless but soon enough they get that "eureka" moment then suddenly it all makes sense. I keep having those tbh, which is why I'm spending a crazy amount of time on the game after those initial doubts.

A lot of noobs just want to hear that the game *is* great and they'll soon see it for themselves. They want confirmation that it's been worth the hassle.

 

[DYSEQTA]

I'll be blunt ... because frankly it seems they're more concerned with their damned IPO or whatever is filling their eyes with dollar signs.

Or perhaps just maybe they are in super-crunch mode trying to get everything ready for release in less than month and don't have time to be dealing with the pettiness in these forums lately?

 

[wizzpig]

Although I don't necessarily disagree with your comment OP, the bigger issue, for me at least, seems to be certain folks attitudes. Here's an example (somewhat embellished)...

A tail of 2 posts -

Post the first.
"this game sucks and I cant find the thing I am looking for and I want it now why should I have to look and supercruise is awful they should get rid of it because it sucks and also docking is sucks and I realy hate grinding frotnier should get rid of this features because its ruin games make no mistake this game WILL FAIL if frontier don't does this I have played thousands of games and this by far sucks the suckiest wow are frontier mad they not listening to me. also where can I find a fsd I want now??"

Post the second.
"Hello, I am having trouble finding a FSD for my Sidewinder. I have looked in about 8 stations and can't seem to find one anywhere. I was wondering if anyone in the community would be able to give me some pointers or advice? It would be really appreciated. Thanks you. ps. I also have some suggestions I have been thinking about regarding game play and possible suggestions I would like to run by the community if possible? Thank you all in advance. CMDR New"

Now one of these posts is going to stimulate the better (predominant) side of our community in the form of well considered, helpful and polite replies. And the other is not.

I mean, you wouldn't join a club, then march into the first meeting and start hurling abuse and insults around, at people you've literally just met, and expect them to warm to you in any meaningful way. Let alone help and advise you.
Manners should matter on a public forum, just as much as they should in real life.

Anyway, that's my take.

 

[MarcusReed]

I know this is probably going to draw a lot of negative comments but I don't care, it needs to be said.

The level of negative comments in the forums has gone on long enough and needs to be address. There's noting but arguing and trolling going on now in nearly every thread. No one can say a single thing about not only Elite: Dangerous but about the community surrounding the forums without there being some ridicules comment, sly insult, or spawn up thread insulting people who have an opinion on something. Why? We just want to discuss issues with the game and help it grow into something wonderful.

We should be voicing our opinions on issues in the game, the bugs, the pros and cons of certain mechanics as they stand now, how to make things better. Instead it's "Hey the Bounty Hunter mechanics seem to have a fundamental flaw. Think it needs a look at by the devs." followed immediately by "Bounty Hunters are cry babies and can't deal." Or my personal fav "It's just beta/or gamma at this point." which turns into a 200 page argument that doesn't actually have anything to do with the OP.

Earlier today a person posted a heartfelt request for the people who were upset about offline should reconsider backing out and staying with ED. It was the first post I had seen in the forums since that whole mess began. And it would have been fine but it just turned into another argument with insults talking down to each other. Who would willingly come back to that? That person who started that thread was trying to do a good thing and got met with pure anger and trolling.

I'm going to try to do the same thing. I feel we need to stop with this negative look at every single thing that is said here and actually focus on the game and what would help make it better and stop slinging insults at people so that the frontier forums can be a fun and useful place to be again because now, it's just an argument waiting to happen and it's not inviting anymore.

We all came here first for one thing. To see Elite: Dangerous and the space simulator game succeed.

Great post Momoka. have some rep

 

[vonFelty]

You know. FDev does have community managers.

I have yet to seen one of them make a post that I can recall.

 

[Aramike]

I think a lot of it has to do with people drawing massive conclusions from small "seed" problems. "This game isn't for me or what I expected" turns into "this game is terrible". "This feature isn't available" turns into "this game isn't complete".

"I don't like how this works" turns into "this game is stupidly designed".

And so on.

I like to think of it as "procedurally generated discontent".

 

[Starender]

Much more players + far less FSD's = a lot of unhappiness in the universe.

 

[The Brigadier]

I understand all the comments made and agree, the forum is a turgid place right now. I think the bottom line is that some people are bored with the game and are probably burnt out. I'm waiting until the 16th �� so no such problems from me. Somehow, alot of people got the idea that the game is going to be 100% complete on release. They then refer to the design decision forum as to what they expect on the 16th. The ddf only shows intent, its not a list of things that are definitely included already.

The other concern I hear is on the development side. It is concluded - that because those features aren't present yet - they never will be. I have no concerns at all. Its going to be a hard slog getting a game such as this to gel together, because there are so many facets to it.

This mammoth task is going to take time and I'm sure there will be a few surprises along the way.

I for one, can't wait for the 16th of December and all the great stuff planned there after. That's if we haven't all ripped each other to shreds by then ☺

 

[Tarman]

I understand all the comments made and agree, the forum is a turgid place right now. I think the bottom line is that some people are bored with the game and are probably burnt out. I'm waiting until the 16th �� so no such problems from me. Somehow, alot of people got the idea that the game is going to be 100% complete on release. They then refer to the design decision forum as to what they expect on the 16th. The ddf only shows intent, its not a list of things that are definitely included already.

The other concern I hear is on the development side. It is concluded - that because those features aren't present yet - they never will be. I have no concerns at all. Its going to be a hard slog getting a game such as this to gel together, because there are so many facets to it.

This mammoth task is going to take time and I'm sure there will be a few surprises along the way.

I for one, can't wait for the 16th of December and all the great stuff planned there after. That's if we haven't all ripped each other to shreds by then ☺

For a Dalek you have a surprisingly calm and rational approach to the whole thing.