Modes The Solo vs Open vs Groups Thread - Part the Second [Now With Added Platforms].

[NeilF]

For clarity, and because you keep referring to Open play as online - all three modes are online. Of course you can expect a welcoming committee - that's what Open players seem to want to do.

We are not expected to be able to crossplay with consoles (unless something fairly miraculous happens) - so their whole populations, regardless of the play modes that they are in, will not be able to be directly affected by players in PC/Mac-Open. We then get into considering disparate groups fighting / opposing goals. It is unlikely that all players (or even most players) in Solo / Private Groups will support the same goal - the same as XBone players, the same as PS4 players.

I know! For some reason I have a brain spaz and keep calling Open, Online

Anyway, the fact Console players will be invisible to PC/Mac players is a very different matter to the one I'm concerned about. So I'm afraid I'll repeat myself once again to clarify. I'm worried many elements/goals in Powerplay will be most productively played in Solo (not Open). My previous example is a trading goal and that it will almost certainly be easier (& more productive) for CMDRs to do it in Solo, away from other (more challenging) CMDRs who will get in their way.

The issue being brought up that some players will always be invisible to others, most obviously console players to PC players, is a different matter. In Open mode you are vulnerable to other CMDRs spoiling your productivity. In Solo you are not. Obviously a XBone player will not be attacked by PC players, but if they play in Open they are vulnerable to other CMDRs (on XBones) at least.

So to sumarise, my fear is simply I suspect Powerplay will result in many players simply ducking into Solo to *grind* away as "effectively" as possible for a goal. And although I have no issue with people playing in Solo, it seems a mechanic gone slightly wrong when people are possibly choosing Solo to play safetly away from the community for goals affecting the community.

If Frontier had wanted CGs and Power Play to be in Open only, they would have implemented them that way - they haven't (nor did I expect them to). I understand that there are players who thrive on competition and direct interaction with their chosen opponents - I also understand that the game design of E: D means that this player type will only ever meet players who choose to meet them - that is a consequence of the choices that Frontier have made available to all players. We are not all corralled in the same area for less combative players to provide content for the more combative players - long may it continue.

I think Frontier are in a tricky place. They're trying to offer the community the option to play in what ever guise they wish, amongst other players, or tucked away by themselves. This of course is fine. But where I see the problem is these two two modes of play do not sit comfortably togethor when we get competing community goals. If people benefit from being in Solo it just seems contrary to the desired goal.



Anyway, PP will be out in the coming few weeks and I think we'll soon see if my concerns are valid or not. It could be the goals are such that they negate my concerns. However, the moment I see a goal and realise, if I play in Solo I can be noticably safer/more productive, I'll be a touch alarmed personally...

 

[Jockey79]

...
I think Frontier are in a tricky place. They're trying to offer the community the option to play in what ever guise they wish, amongst other players, or tucked away by themselves. This of course is fine. But where I see the problem is these two two modes of play do not sit comfortably togethor when we get competing community goals. If people benefit from being in Solo it just seems contrary to the desired goal.
...

Frontier are trying something new, something outside of the standard gaming setup.

DB did that in '84 with Elite, it was new, it did not conform to industry standards. Now, he is doing it again, he is shaking up the gaming world.
People said free to play games would never work and they are doing great, plus the old subscription based games (WoW, EVE and such) are still going - so there is room for both in the market.
I hope this experiment works, then there will be more choice for consumers over what game types to play, standard PvE/PvP server models or mixed modes model.

Someone in the old thread said there was another mixed modes model game coming out, but I've forgotten what it was

 

[Robert Maynard]

Someone in the old thread said there was another mixed modes model game coming out, but I've forgotten what it was

It's Shroud of the Avatar - another flexi-player game.

 

[fademist]

It's Shroud of the Avatar - another flexi-player game.

i smell many of mixed modes games will start to come out ;p

 

[Roland2]

I know! For some reason I have a brain spaz and keep calling Open, Online

Anyway, the fact Console players will be invisible to PC/Mac players is a very different matter to the one I'm concerned about. So I'm afraid I'll repeat myself once again to clarify. I'm worried many elements/goals in Powerplay will be most productively played in Solo (not Open). My previous example is a trading goal and that it will almost certainly be easier (& more productive) for CMDRs to do it in Solo, away from other (more challenging) CMDRs who will get in their way.

The issue being brought up that some players will always be invisible to others, most obviously console players to PC players, is a different matter. In Open mode you are vulnerable to other CMDRs spoiling your productivity. In Solo you are not. Obviously a XBone player will not be attacked by PC players, but if they play in Open they are vulnerable to other CMDRs (on XBones) at least.

So to sumarise, my fear is simply I suspect Powerplay will result in many players simply ducking into Solo to *grind* away as "effectively" as possible for a goal. And although I have no issue with people playing in Solo, it seems a mechanic gone slightly wrong when people are possibly choosing Solo to play safetly away from the community for goals affecting the community.




I think Frontier are in a tricky place. They're trying to offer the community the option to play in what ever guise they wish, amongst other players, or tucked away by themselves. This of course is fine. But where I see the problem is these two two modes of play do not sit comfortably togethor when we get competing community goals. If people benefit from being in Solo it just seems contrary to the desired goal.



Anyway, PP will be out in the coming few weeks and I think we'll soon see if my concerns are valid or not. It could be the goals are such that they negate my concerns. However, the moment I see a goal and realise, if I play in Solo I can be noticably safer/more productive, I'll be a touch alarmed personally...

Which goal is "the desired goal"? I would think Frontier's desired goal is as many people playing (buying) Elite: Dangerous. We don't know what percentage of the community play in open or group or solo, so any speculation that the CG is affected more by one mode or another is just that, speculation.

Why would you be "a touch alarmed" just because YOU may decide "Solo can be noticeably safer/more productive"? If Frontier decides one mode has an undo advantage, tells us it does (which is the only way we would know) and states they aren't going to do anything about it, being "a touch alarmed" may make sense.

 

[Bomba Luigi]

If people benefit from being in Solo it just seems contrary to the desired goal.

I could be wrong of course, but as I see it the desired goal for Mr. Braben and his Team is to make the Game they wanted to make for many many years, and for it to being good of course. When they are happy with the product they make the goal is reached. And I think they are pretty happy so far.

Should I be wrong someone from FD can correct me of course (since they won't because they don't read it I am just not wrong, muahahaha )

 

[Dave1235]

You actually play?? I thought you spent all you time in this thread....

Hi Buddy, how are you? I was getting a bit worried I hadn't seen much of you recently.

I won't repeat any of my previous questions, obviously they were a bit too hard to answer, I tried to word them as simply as I could so that's clearly a failing by me.

Now that we are friends I am looking for some advice, it looks like fun joining a game not knowing anything about it, then telling everyone who does why its not working properly.

Obviously I know too much about ED now to do it here, can you recommend me a few other games where I can try for myself, you do it so well so I guess you have done it many times before.

PS I will be playing in Mobius this weekend, apparently they are having so much fun they can't be bothered to come to the forum, if you see me on line do add me to your friends list like you promised.

Thanks pal, fly safe.

 

[Lestenio]

So to sumarise, my fear is simply I suspect Powerplay will result in many players simply ducking into Solo to *grind* away as "effectively" as possible for a goal. And although I have no issue with people playing in Solo, it seems a mechanic gone slightly wrong when people are possibly choosing Solo to play safetly away from the community for goals affecting the community.

I disagree. I think those people that crave player contact will continue to play open, those that don't crave it wont.
Personally, I play the game to have fun. Fun for me is not competing with other cmdrs at a res. Its not about safely, I just have zero interest in competing.

 

[SteveLaw]

So to sumarise, my fear is simply I suspect Powerplay will result in many players simply ducking into Solo to *grind* away as "effectively" as possible for a goal. And although I have no issue with people playing in Solo, it seems a mechanic gone slightly wrong when people are possibly choosing Solo to play safetly away from the community for goals affecting the community.

Can I just reiterate previous comments that Solo players, and Group players, are still part of the community. We just don't always want to play with random people who we don't know. Or we may have technical limitations playing Open, or any number of other reasons. Please respect that choice and don't exclude us from the ED community, community events or Power Play because of that personal choice. We're beginning to think you don't like us.

Many thanks.

 

[atak2]

Cool, I hope you stay but if not please pop back to tell us how much fun your new game is, I might take a look if you post a link, I am a bit too busy enjoying ED to look right now.

If you do leave please ensure you post a new "I quit thread" and make sure you use capitals, I would hate to miss it, I like to say goodbye and thank people for their donations, its only fair after they added to the funds to make the game better for the rest of us.

I will model it after one of your "I don't want to play with you!" posts.

 

[Dave1235]

I will model it after one of your "I don't want to play with you!" posts.

Deleted, misread.

ETA, I did mean the I hope you stay part.

 

[Jockey79]

It's Shroud of the Avatar - another flexi-player game.

Ahh, that was it - thank you.

Also, when I post from my phone - my sig file does not show :S

 

[Jorlin]

Ahh, that was it - thank you.

Also, when I post from my phone - my sig file does not show :S

if you posted this from your phone, it's showing up fine for me.

 

[Cody]

Morning all - how are we today? Have I missed anything? Is it safe to leave the cupboard under the stairs yet?

 

[SteveLaw]

Morning all - how are we today? Have I missed anything? Is it safe to leave the cupboard under the stairs yet?

It's been quiet today, I don't know where all the griefers are. I'd stay if I were you.

 

[Jorlin]

Morning all - how are we today? Have I missed anything? Is it safe to leave the cupboard under the stairs yet?

nope.
but leaving your cupboard to get some coffeee is still considered cheating

 

[Roybe]

I know! For some reason I have a brain spaz and keep calling Open, Online

Anyway, the fact Console players will be invisible to PC/Mac players is a very different matter to the one I'm concerned about. So I'm afraid I'll repeat myself once again to clarify. I'm worried many elements/goals in Powerplay will be most productively played in Solo (not Open). My previous example is a trading goal and that it will almost certainly be easier (& more productive) for CMDRs to do it in Solo, away from other (more challenging) CMDRs who will get in their way.

The issue being brought up that some players will always be invisible to others, most obviously console players to PC players, is a different matter. In Open mode you are vulnerable to other CMDRs spoiling your productivity. In Solo you are not. Obviously a XBone player will not be attacked by PC players, but if they play in Open they are vulnerable to other CMDRs (on XBones) at least.

So to sumarise, my fear is simply I suspect Powerplay will result in many players simply ducking into Solo to *grind* away as "effectively" as possible for a goal. And although I have no issue with people playing in Solo, it seems a mechanic gone slightly wrong when people are possibly choosing Solo to play safetly away from the community for goals affecting the community.




I think Frontier are in a tricky place. They're trying to offer the community the option to play in what ever guise they wish, amongst other players, or tucked away by themselves. This of course is fine. But where I see the problem is these two two modes of play do not sit comfortably togethor when we get competing community goals. If people benefit from being in Solo it just seems contrary to the desired goal.



Anyway, PP will be out in the coming few weeks and I think we'll soon see if my concerns are valid or not. It could be the goals are such that they negate my concerns. However, the moment I see a goal and realise, if I play in Solo I can be noticably safer/more productive, I'll be a touch alarmed personally...

It's going to take a while for it to occur, but a large group will figure out that the way to grief players in Open is to destroy their efforts of factional influence in systems from Private, the real fun will begin!

 

[SteveLaw]

It's going to take a while for it to occur, but a large group will figure out that the way to grief players in Open is to destroy their efforts of factional influence in systems from Private, the real fun will begin!

Open players scared of griefers from Private now? Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together, mass hysteria...

 

[ianw]

It's going to take a while for it to occur, but a large group will figure out that the way to grief players in Open is to destroy their efforts of factional influence in systems from Private, the real fun will begin!

A new type of large group warfare - such a group would have to marshall and co-ordinate the efforts of their Open, Group and Solo divisions to make the biggest impact they can!

 

[Roybe]

A new type of large group warfare - such a group would have to marshall and co-ordinate the efforts of their Open, Group and Solo divisions to make the biggest impact they can!

Absolutely. There is no need to risk anything in face to face pew pew in game. Just send a private mode group out to attack a 'power to be' and undo all that they have done.