Calling on the community to play in Open Play

[Corwyn]

But you are also doing extreme exaggeration and massive denial of what others are seeing / saying / experiencing.
In the past 48 hours, 4 new threads come up with people talking about having thrusters blown out FOR NO REASON and left to self destruct (no cargo taken, none asked for), yet you keep saying open is perfectly safe and others experiences don't matter, because you say it is safe so it must be safe.

A few of you also seem to ignore that even if there was a mass exodus from solo or private to open, you're not going to see more people as lots will move away - and even though I love how big the game is, in some respects, it is in fact too big. So those who were in solo / private will just spend an hour jumping about until the land somewhere with no traffic - then what? moan to reduce the size of the galaxy? - As you'd still have little to no interaction and end up back at square one.

It was also pointed out, seeing another human is supposed to be rare and a big deal, that has been pointed out and quoted in this thread (and others like it), yet people want to ignore that.

Elite (from what I gather - not old enough for it myself) was about the one player versus the galaxy... that galaxy didn't include other humans, and ED is founded on that. Multiplay is currently a half done tacked on feature and not the premise for the game. And you PvPers need to learn that.

For me personally, I paid for my game - no one else, and I paid to play with my friends not random strangers (and after reading these forums, you don't get much stranger than you lot on here ) so that is how I will play. Screaming, crying, insulting me, telling lies over how "safe it is" or anything else is not going to encourage me to try open. I will promote the Mobius Group in every one of these threads to help build a PvE community (even though I'm not in it)

If I want PvP with random people, I will go play a MOBA - something designed around open and fair PvP. And a lot of those in private groups and solo feel the same, these threads just reinforce it even more.

Unless PvPers want to start a fund where they pay hourly wages I'm never going to touch open (btw, my going rate is £25p/h to be dynamic entertainment for someone else, terms and conditions apply).




While social tools are lacking, you can play in a team. I've teamed up with friends to do kill missions, done trade runs with friends (waiting at set points and chatting over what cargo to carry etc.) and even gone pirating with friends.
You just need to learn how to drop in on a friends Low Energy Wake when they drop (or are pulled) from SC.
And for kill missions, who ever has the mission needs the last shot, so stop about 10% and let them finish the target.
Multiplay can be done really easily if you want to do it

Very well said, and you're 120% correct.

 

[Corwyn]

I doubt they are going to use funds from other games to bankroll Elite; and while its clear DB has a strong vision he wont deviate from, he's already had substantial investment to cover Elite, with VC backers (I think), and these are going to want a return.

To think money is not a factor is very naive, they have all those servers to operate and pay for after all, support to pay wages for, developers to pay (they have about 15 new positions opening up) that's a lot of money.

Anyone who has accomplished what he has will know they have a game that could set the company for years if they operate in a way that keeps both their solo/offline customers happy, and satisfies those wanting a social, more dynamic element, whether that is fighting, or just enjoying a world where you form participate as part of a complex community) remember the community doesn't just consist of those wanting a single player/group play game, though it may if they decide this is the vast majority of customers, and those are the ones they are going to focus on. EDIT: Excuse the lack of full stops

And as David Braben has stated on numerous occasions, they have other revenue streams they are using to support ED. Frontier Development has other projects and products, not just ED. They used the KS money's to get the project started, and support the development, It was always the plan to fund the continuing efforts through funds obtained from the store, which are, minimal at best considering single final sales and no subscriptions, and funds from their other projects and products.

Go back and reread, and watch the speeches and interviews of David Braben. Don't believe me, believe the man at the top of the heap. And if you don't believe in their plan, then maybe you should abandon ship now, since you appear to have no faith in humankind, and good planning.

Don't come here and spread FUD that you have no facts on, since you haven't been keeping track of the process.

 

[kurush]

Go back and reread, and watch the speeches and interviews of David Braben. Don't believe me, believe the man at the top of the heap. And if you don't believe in their plan, then maybe you should abandon ship now, since you appear to have no faith in humankind, and good planning.

Basically, read the same guy who said we will have an offline option? Yeah, we should definitely reread the messages if only to discover how fast did they change with time I am also curious where the support fund for badly needed enhancements and thinking they would fund support for something that doesn't' bring them cash is naive at best.

 

[Turnips]

Boohoo, NPC pirates do that too.

Somehow they seem more like pirates to me, attacking big fishes in hope of small dropping to make their living. The player "pirates" are the ones who really don't care about your 4 containers of computer parts but want the safe pirate experience.

I really have nothing against real pirate RPG'ing if this game just was made for it. It would be cool to run escort of a freighter or attack such convoys with small, nimble pirate fighters with fair chances both ways and both having something to win. The player pirates in ED are the ones who would never stop for what little their victims have if they really had to weigh the loot against getting a death warrant and who switch suddenly into the role of a psychopatic murderer when not getting the said few containers

 

[Speedbrake]

I find the psychology of open play and people's perceptions, experiences and their decision making very interesting. The Decision making process obviously varies from person to person but on the whole ones experience is a larger dictator than perception.

IRL there are those that take no risks and neither enjoy doing so. At the other extreme there are those that get a huge buzz out of taking risks and will do so regularly. Therein defines the solo vs open player to some extent. Those in the middle are the ones that like to experience what's on offer but will usually shift one way or the other based on their experience. The ones who base their decisions solely on perception (reading the experiences of others on the forums) tend to be the non-risk takers in the first place.

Personally, I treat it as a game and therefore I want to enjoy my gaming time. I play open play because I know that my experience will vary each time I play and I enjoy that random element (NPCs are far to predictable and easy atm). I am however prepared to lose my ship and cargo to pay for this experience whilst also getting the buzz out of defending myself successfully against another player. I will cope with the griefers in much the same way as I do in RL.

Each to their own, I say. However, I will say this. Stepping out of ones comfort zone to experience something new can be quite liberating and exhilarating. It's a game and the consequences should have no impact on your RL so go on, give it a try! (When you're ready of course).

 

[Eagle Eye]

Hahahahaha... I don't have endless-uninterrupted free time like some you guys, and on the few, precious (constantly interrupted) hour I can play, I will not want it to be full of endless interdictions. It's bad enough that a random glitch can (and have) ruined a day of progress. If it has completely offline mode, I'd play that, but I settle for the closest possible experience and that's solo play.

Many said, so why play Elite? Just play X3! To that I said, who says I sometimes don't also play X3? If I am feeling like it I also play Star Citizen, and Starpoint Gemini 2!

 

[Cmdr Effie Trinket]

It seems that offering a balance, a counter, a contrary experience, to this laughably ridiculous discussion, is t be called an exaggerating liar?

So be it.

I do promise though, that I will come back and report to you, as soon as I encounter my first interdiction from a Human player. Whether that be tomorrow, next month, or next year.

To those who's minds are already made up, I care not. All of my comments on this subject, are not to attempt a change of mind, that would be a foolishly naive thing to try to do. I comment on this subject, in the hope that new players may be offered an opinion, that just may suggest that they try Open for themselves, because, it may not be as horrendous as some people clearly like to make out.

I don't know what motivates some users to demonise Open so vehemently? Unless it's a case of needing t declare oneself to be superior, by suggesting others are less honourable? Probably not, but I find the whole thing quite disturbing really.

So many people declaring their rights to play as they wish, which none dispute, whilst they covertly promote all to play their way instead. Clearly I have been reading too much into it all. LOL

My final comment on the subject, is to apologise to anyone who may have been offended, if, either in this thread, or another similar, I may have used the word Carebear.

Peace and happy times to all players. Roll the bones.

 

[OillyRag]

I comment on this subject, in the hope that new players may be offered an opinion, that just may suggest that they try Open for themselves, because, it may not be as horrendous as some people clearly like to make out.

Ive pulled this quote from the previous post because its an important point to make.

For myself i've never been griefed or even interdicted by a human player in open once.
I think its quite disturbing to see the most vehement oppsition to open is coming from people who've never actually tried it.

 

[bazzaman]

I've played in open mode since launch but seriously considering to play private group or solo. Getting more player interdictions recently that just waste time with the last one where a clean wannabe anaconda pirate attacked me after getting up close (my fault really, far too trusting). After I realised this commander was not here to chat, my shields were gone and there was a missile heading up my asp. All pips to engine, boost away with 73% hull, and hyperspaced. Only to get interdicted by him again. This time I just boosted away. Wasted time for a trader and 50k repair bill.

 

[Maiakaat]

Thanks everyone for the discussion, I don't think there is much else to be said, I've done my best to summarise, and attribute contributions. I've also added how to identify a human player from an NPC on the radar at the top. I've tried to offer a blanced view in this summary, even though my inclination is towards open play in the thread

Hopefully this thread will be a balanced representation of the issues of open play, and a more balanced representation of the varied experiences of the different players, and newcomers can make a decision as to how they want to be able to play the game

On the dispute over what the game is or isn't, only Frontier will dictate that. But the original backers are not the only investors, they had secondary investment in the millions I seem to recall, hopefully they will continue to invest in both experiences so we can all enjoy the game the way we want to play it.

 

[All-a-Mort]

Many said, so why play Elite? Just play X3! To that I said, who says I sometimes don't also play X3?

About the only thing Elite is currently offering (other than the PVP half of us don't want) that the last X3 version doesn't is a bigger universe and the chance to explore. In it's current form there is neither enough variety in ships or weapons in Elite to make combat anything more than a snooze fest after a while. You can't even be a proper pirate and commandeer a victim's ship.

 

[mitth'raw'nuruodo]

I will NEVER join open play. I want 31st century space pilots in my game, not 20th century... "gentlemen". Frankly speaking, even Frontier's badly designed half-baked bots are better at providing an immersive far-future experience than those human... "gentlemen".

 

[Beetlebum]

I will NEVER join open play. I want 31st century space pilots in my game, not 20th century... "gentlemen". Frankly speaking, even Frontier's badly designed half-baked bots are better at providing an immersive far-future experience than those human... "gentlemen".

You mean, in the "cut-throat" future there will only be kind gentlemen around?

 

[Corwyn]

Basically, read the same guy who said we will have an offline option? Yeah, we should definitely reread the messages if only to discover how fast did they change with time I am also curious where the support fund for badly needed enhancements and thinking they would fund support for something that doesn't' bring them cash is naive at best.

I'm not going to be drawn into the offline debate. They didn't lie to us.

If you don't trust them, then why are you still here?

 

[Underhook]

Well done to the OP very interesting and well presented.
I purchased the Merc Package and started playing on 16th of December.
Here are my fears about "open play"
1. I have only played solo but intend to "go open" once I have enough cash to replace the countless ships I expect to lose trying to get my combat skills up to beating other human players.
2. Since a lot of players have been playing since beta. I assume that almost everybody will be much better at combat than me. I have visions of my ship being defeated in almost every encounter.
3. Also I have a very old joystick. The stick does not twist and it has no sensitivity adjustment so its a bit like using keyboard controls and I have to use an on/off approach so I dont overshoot. This makes it impossible to use fixed weapons. I do plan to get another Joystick and maybe use the old one for vertical/horizontal thrusters. So any decent human player will defeat me in seconds.

Here is what I think the biggest issue is regarding open play and why more are not doing it. The following is my perception, maybe I'm wrong .... but..... maybe a lot of people think as I do.

THE SINGLE BIGGEST ISSUE
Other than the fun of combat what exactly are the rewards for "open play"? I don't see any.
If you are a miner, trader, explorer then why would you play open. When you take a risk (playing open) you should get a reward. But people playing this way dont get a reward. they get a penalty
Penalties I hear about = time wasting interdictions, loss of cargo, damage to ship, loss of ship, financial ruin (some to keep spare cash) etc.

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:
1. All activities earn double in open play: commodities = double, mined ore = double, exploration = double, bounties = double, black market = double etc.
Now all those people are being rewarded for the risk. This way we can still choose to play solo but now we have a real incentive to play open.

2. FREE ship insurance 90%, FREE insurance against damage 100% and FREE cargo insurance 80% in open play

So 2 ideas there. One is a reward and the other is a protection. One or both could be implemented.

 

[Caboose187]

Well done to the OP very interesting and well presented.
I purchased the Merc Package and started playing on 16th of December.
Here are my fears about "open play"
1. I have only played solo but intend to "go open" once I have enough cash to replace the countless ships I expect to lose trying to get my combat skills up to beating other human players.
2. Since a lot of players have been playing since beta. I assume that almost everybody will be much better at combat than me. I have visions of my ship being defeated in almost every encounter.
3. Also I have a very old joystick. The stick does not twist and it has no sensitivity adjustment so its a bit like using keyboard controls and I have to use an on/off approach so I dont overshoot. This makes it impossible to use fixed weapons. I do plan to get another Joystick and maybe use the old one for vertical/horizontal thrusters. So any decent human player will defeat me in seconds.

Here is what I think the biggest issue is regarding open play and why more are not doing it. The following is my perception, maybe I'm wrong .... but..... maybe a lot of people think as I do.

THE SINGLE BIGGEST ISSUE
Other than the fun of combat what exactly are the rewards for "open play"? I don't see any.
If you are a miner, trader, explorer then why would you play open. When you take a risk (playing open) you should get a reward. But people playing this way dont get a reward. they get a penalty
Penalties I hear about = time wasting interdictions, loss of cargo, damage to ship, loss of ship, financial ruin (some to keep spare cash) etc.

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:
1. All activities earn double in open play: commodities = double, mined ore = double, exploration = double, bounties = double, black market = double etc.
Now all those people are being rewarded for the risk. This way we can still choose to play solo but now we have a real incentive to play open.

2. FREE ship insurance 90%, FREE insurance against damage 100% and FREE cargo insurance 80% in open play

So 2 ideas there. One is a reward and the other is a protection. One or both could be implemented.

No No and NO. There is no give me more because I play in open play. Get a grip on yourself. The whole point to open play is the risk and tension that it gives not because it holds your hand and throws credits at you. FD is goin to die a slow and painful death because it doesn't have an online community to support it. Single player games do not get a lot of updates compared to online games because the online communities is what helps them grow. Solo/single players will not help this game grow and seeing any more future updates and content will slowly dwindle and eventually ED won't be able to afford it's only craptacular server.

 

[Endziel]

1. I have only played solo but intend to "go open" once I have enough cash to replace the countless ships I expect to lose trying to get my combat skills up to beating other human players.
You probably won't lose any ships, or atleast not countless. Whole "omg if u go to open u die instantly to griefers" argument is ridiculous, and false. It simply doesn't happen.
2. Since a lot of players have been playing since beta. I assume that almost everybody will be much better at combat than me. I have visions of my ship being defeated in almost every encounter.
Most people don't know pvp. 99% of the time everyone is fighting npcees, there are no pvp zones to hone your skills against other players. Your visions aren't based on reality.

Here is what I think the biggest issue is regarding open play and why more are not doing it. The following is my perception, maybe I'm wrong .... but..... maybe a lot of people think as I do.

THE SINGLE BIGGEST ISSUE
Other than the fun of combat what exactly are the rewards for "open play"? I don't see any.
If you are a miner, trader, explorer then why would you play open. When you take a risk (playing open) you should get a reward. But people playing this way dont get a reward. they get a penalty
Penalties I hear about = time wasting interdictions, loss of cargo, damage to ship, loss of ship, financial ruin (some to keep spare cash) etc.
Yes, there are no rewards for open play other than the fact that you might sometimes interact with another player, chances are you won't though. I still prefer Open to Solo, atleast there's some danger in the encounters.

Answers in orange.

 

[Dabba]

Single player games do not get a lot of updates compared to online games because the online communities is what helps them grow

http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/?

The derp is strong with this one.

 

[CMDR Bansidhe]

It would seem that for some they may as well play in Open as it is no less dangerous in Solo.

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=94841

 

[kurush]

http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/?

The derp is strong with this one.

Precisely. By going always-online Elite also deprived itself of a strong modding community that would undobtedly appear otherwise.