Do you care about the about the Background Simulation

[Soda Popinski]

For those who don't know, there are currently some issues (bugs / weird mechanics) going on with the Background Simulation. FD fixed the Economics aspect of this a few patches ago, making the supply / demand work better. Other aspects, specifically the Minor Factions (any faction that isn't Alliance, Fed or Empire) has issues with Influence, Mission Effects, and faction states (eg. Boom, Civil War, etc).


Those of use crazy enough to be playing the game for this aspect / testing the background simulation know all of this quite well (see my signature link). I suspect most players don't know or don't care. In light of another thread on the subject, I wanted to get a feel for what the Forum community thinks.

FD is well aware of the issues, as Michael Brookes has responded to them on the forums. So no need to rage against the devs in this thread please.

 

[Tar Stone]

The 'background simulation' should be wrenched out of the game like a bad tooth and rebuilt from scratch. It's an overly complicated and contrived load of browser style mmo rubbish.

Falcon 4.0 could generate dynamic missions and fly them in real time with AI, FSX can handle thousands of realtime AI aircraft, Stronghold Crusader can generate a beautiful, living, complex, reactive environment, ED is like flying around inside a dodgy, flaky database built by a farmyard simpleton.

 

[gingermegs]

Just voted and so far on show poll results its 60%+ in favour that it is very important. With about 30 votes already in.

 

[CATPAIN KIRK]

Extremely important for me. Can't say anything about the alliance or feds, but all the aspects you mentioned about independent factions are broken for the empire too.

A working background simulation makes or breaks the longevity of the game for me.

 

[Soda Popinski]

Extremely important for me. Can't say anything about the alliance or feds, but all the aspects you mentioned about independent factions are broken for the empire too.

A working background simulation makes or breaks the longevity of the game for me.

I should clarify, "Minor Faction" are the subfactions under the major factions. The major factions are Alliance, Fed & Empire. Each station / system is controlled by a minor faction, which is either independent or part of a major faction.


Anyways, I'm pleasantly surprised at the majority that care about the background simulation. Makes me want to make another poll asking asking if the background simulation affects their gameplay. In other words, do they care because it affects their gameplay, or they just think it's important to have going on in the background, even if it doesn't directly affect them. Hell, that's too complicated...

 

[Stocker]

I'm out in a small system that is independent controlled with 56% influence and 30% influence is federation. With 3 stations, 2 orbital 1 outpost. 1 orbital is federation but is not at the terraformed planet. While the other 2 are independent controlled. I did heaps of missions and got independent station to boom and my status to friendly but the influence in power never changed. It is at 56% now for the past 3 weeks.

 

[Sergio Smegolia]

Of course it's important. I don't have to feel the need to take part in it but I still have to feel the universe is working around me.

I'm not against GM involvement but a living, breathing galaxy is totally required IMHO.

 

[Nomadski]

The background simulation equates to the logic of the universe we inhabit. When its broken, as it is now, the universe does not react to our actions in the correct manner, and it pulls you out of the game. Getting this right is vitally important, even if you don't partake in BB missions, as it governs everything and everyone placed in the galaxy.

From how authorities treat you to consequences of every action you take, the world needs to be logical for it to be truly engaging and enjoyable.

 

[InMemoriamSirocco]

FD fixed the Economics aspect of this a few patches ago, making the supply / demand work better.

You mean they broke trading? I can't say that ruining the chance for many traders to make decent profits is something I would call a "fix" or "making something better".

I would, however, very much welcome a fix for the currently broken and extremely erratic supply/demand mechanic.

So yes.... the background simulation (and FD breaking it) has had a huge impact on my fun in the game, and it is very important to me that they get it right. Preferrably next time they update it. But I would also settle for "eventually".

 

[ShadowGar]

I honestly feel that after the 1.2 wings update and then various hotfixes, FD should focus their efforts on fixing and expanding the background sim, making sure that missions,influence and system flipping works without a hiccup. They need to really do a major fix on the sim and not little piddly patches. While the devs consistently have been working on it and answering questions when we ask, it seriously needs more work. There is only so much a group can do to keep together. After you shot everything you wanted and traded enough, without the background sim and flipping systems, its gonna get boring.

 

[Trueno33]

Thank you for bringing this issue to the light with this poll. There have been some recent interesting posts addressing this problem and I really think that this should be clarified and solved. If the doesn´t work there´s no way to play WITH the world

 

[Stocker]

Reading the DDA about the simulation. Things that will change a system.

BOOM. Will increase consumer tech. Also increase population.

CIVIL WAR. Increase demand for weapons, food and decrease population.

I have never seen population change.

 

[ICO_hr]

Currently no because i just cant see it, doesnt affect me, i dont gain or loose anything. Have no real impact on the gameplay as far as i can tell. In one word gimmick.

 

[MarcusReed]

Very important to me. Elite has a rich history that I want to dive in. Being new to the Elite series, I am having a ball learning all I can about its universe

 

[Ruskodisco]

i would have to disagree that this would make or break a game. for me(personal opinion) i really care about ship interiors, planetary landings, station interiors. all those stuff i care more about atm then "background simulation" probably when all that stuff comes out then i would care more but as of now if they added background simulation it wouldnt change the fact that there is only 15 ships, a few variations to the stations. far as im concerned i dont really care until more features are added to the game that i could really immerse myself with.
again all personal opinions.

 

[Artophwar]

It is very important to me. It is one of the reasons I bought the game. I want to know that the galaxy is changing. I want to see factions expand and shrink. The colonization of the outer systems seems like one of the coolest thing to me. I want to see in a few years a larger inhabited space.

 

[Yokai]

I think a clear understanding of the ways that players can influence the background simulation is ESSENTIAL to long term enjoymemt and player imvolvememt. BOX. TOO. BLACK.

 

[AtheosisX]

Yes it's very important. Unfortunately, what's presently in place is so wretchedly bad that it actually needs to be totally rebuilt from the ground up, and we all know that isn't going to happen.

 

[gingermegs]

Reading the DDA about the simulation. Things that will change a system.

BOOM. Will increase consumer tech. Also increase population.

CIVIL WAR. Increase demand for weapons, food and decrease population.

I have never seen population change.

Boom increases wealth and development - and only increases demand for luxury items

SO obviously things went awry or got half finished

 

[Ruskodisco]

Yes it's very important. Unfortunately, what's presently in place is so wretchedly bad that it actually needs to be totally rebuilt from the ground up, and we all know that isn't going to happen.

dude unless you know how game development works, then dont be commenting things like "it needs to be re built form the ground up"
i mean it just sounds like youre hating just to hate.
i'm very sure they will flesh out and tone down the background simulation over time. but to rebuild it from the ground up is like punching a hole in the wall because it has a stain.