Part of my job is to keep David (and other key members of the company) up to date with what's going on here in the forums and other parts of the community. I understand it is frustrating for you guys to just keep hearing me say "Sorry, I can't tell you anything.", but unfortunately that is the case. As David says we have been working on Elite 4 and have been at various times certainly in the ten years (nearly) that I've been here. As is the case with all of our projects, when we're in a position to go public with more information, we will.
Michael
I for one understand Michael and I am also very thankful Frontier has this forum and that representatives such as he take the time to come and talk to the fans, not only that but it is part of his *job*.
Yes the Gametek fiasco as TJ mentioned in an previous post would be deeply engraved in David Braben's mind. I am sure the fans would agree that Elite IV needs to be the same standard as we are used to the previous versions in the way they would be
- revolutionary
- incredibly well thought out and designed
- have new concepts we have more than likely not seen before
- engaging
- unlike anything else.. (this is such a tall order!! think about it!)
David and Frontier can deliver this. I believe most of us would agree on this point.
I would rather not hear a thing and be totally blown away by an announcement that no, it is not in development but it will be launching soon! THAT is what I am hoping for.
If you put yourself in David and Frontier's shoes think how hard it is to come up with a "make a sequel that will be revolutionary and have all brand new things people have not seen before and not just improve the graphics and give you a bigger map" that is a pretty tall order there is so much to do.
I would much rather wait and let them get it RIGHT to the degree THEY want it to be as there is a LOT riding on this. Frontier already has a fantastic reputation they know full WELL the importance of Elite and how it has to be PERFECT it would certainly bolster the interest people have in Frontier, certianly it's image, we ALL KNOW it would be on the BBC news !! David is high profile.....but it has to be totally perfect. Yes chasing perfection is an impossible task but we have to TRUST the creative GENIUS that gave us this series. Do we want something revolutionary that will stop the world or just s sequel, I for one want the revolutionary version and if I may be so bold I would say so does David and Frontier, THIS is why there is the huge delays this is why they cannot tell you anything, you never know who else might be working on something similar or about to release something similar so if they listed their revolutionary things someone might put out a cheap thing similar then others would go "oh it is like that crap one was it ahh stuff it".......<GONG>.....no keep it under wraps I say ! Sorry but it makes sense commercially to me at least and this is what they are doing.
Imagine if you have a space trading game you think is "new" and you are thinking of the launch time and you hear the biggest name EVER is working on it, you would sure want your one out there first. Because no one knows what Frontier is doing bar themselves it is all a gamble. The X series did well but I keep coming back to Elite, sure there is the child nostalgia aspect of it which cannot be competed with.
To you Michael I again say thankyou for being here and listening, I believe the message is clear.
To Frontier I thank you for this forum and I think this BIGGEST plus for me is that Michael has come here and told us he reports to the man himself about the goings on here. Sure that might just be normal administration but I believe it to be more than that I think David REALLY....I mean REALLY REALLY REALLY cares for the fans and he would be thinking "just WAIT till you see this !!!"
What gave me that impression ? Well sure David is a business man but his work as a foundation member of Raspberry pi really said quite a lot to me. He like so many of us saw the massive "gap" in education regarding programming, it is just not taught anymore, it is left to Universities (at least here in Australia and certainly in the UK where I have heard David talk about), and look at how revolutionary Raspberry pi is, you can see the passion in David's eyes where he said he wants schools to have it to nuture children and inspire. Remember it is the same inspiration withy David's Acorn Atom that GAVE us Elite !! along with Ian Bell. These are not just the words of a man in a business suit that ALL he cares about is money there is more to it than that, there is a passion there is a desire.......sure it needs to be commercially viable.... of course it does otherwise it would be commercially irresponsible and put reputation, shareholders and livelihood of employees in jeopardy.
I think David cares and I for one am far less skeptical now.
Sure you could say I was just taken in by a few words and that we have no new information, sure you can tell me I am seeing 2 and 2 and making 7 but for me I would say I am getting 1+1 and making 10 !!
but for me just a few posts from Michael and what I have heard recently David talk about has meant a great deal in my attitude toward Elite IV, Frontier and David, and the catalyst was Michael coming in here and making his post.
I think when we get Elite IV it will be AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
