This is a word that's used more and more frequently on this forum, particularly by those relatively new to the game/forum. And I just don't understand it!
To me, "grinding" implies repetition, monotony, boredom - the sort of things that are polar opposites to what I want to derive from a game, which is FUN/ENJOYMENT. I don't play games to amass massive amounts of digital wealth or assets with no real world monetary value. I play games to have FUN!
I suppose I could dismiss posters who purport to "grinding" by simple saying (as I have done in the past): "Don't do the same thing over-and-over. Branch out - seek variety in gameplay. Focus not on attaining that next big ship or earning more credits. Instead, live in the moment; slow down and smell the roses; enjoy the open world as it was intended." The probem, of course, this doesn't resonate with many of the self-professed "grinders".
Why? Because they will argue that the problem lies with the game's core design; it's base mechanics: missions are too straightforward and repetitive: Fly to A and destroy B. Pick up product at C and return back here. Deliver this message to D. Traders will argue the same - flying back and forth between starports feels too repetitive. Same can be said for mining, exploring etc. "It's all too repetitive", the grinders shout in unison.
The trouble that I have with this line of thinking is that the same can really be said for ANY game, once you drill down into the base mechanics:
* Call of Duty - run around and shoot a gun. It's a grindy mechanic. Dull.
* Far Cry - run around shoot a gun, drive a handful of vehicles. The map's pretty, but the basic actions are the same. Yawn.
* Grand Theft Auto - beautiful, but the map's small and all you do is run around and steal vehicles, rob people and shoot stuff. Very repetitive.
* Forza - drive a car in circles. Boring!
* Any MMO (WoW, GW2, ESO, SWTOR) - level up a character by completing repetitive quests and kill monsters. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.
* Chess - move pieces on chess board. The board doesn't even change, and I can't customize my pieces. Grindy!
* Poker - sit around a table, deal some cards and place some bets. Over and over again! Talk about monotonous!
So, my suggestion would be as follows: for anyone who finds the game dull, repetitive, monotonous -try to first address the issue by doingsomething DIFFERENT in-game (as suggested previously). Yes, that's right. Stop doing the same thing over and over. What's that saying... "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting a different result each time." If you've truly tried everything there is to do in Elite (by the way - I've been playing for over a year and STILL learning!), then perhaps it's time to take a break.
I did this recently. I spent a couple of months with Heroes & Generals and GTA V, only to come back to ED. It's that good. I've played this game longer than any other - ever. It's been over a year now. And believe it or not, I only learned how to trade properly 2 days ago, based on using one of the guides posted on here. The key is not to use the 3rd party trading tools, but to go out on your own and hunt down/find a lucrative trade route. It's not easy, and will require a bit of patience and problem-solving, but it's oh-so-rewarding!
Anyway, I suppose that in a nutshell I would simply advise those who feel they are grinding to: STOP. Stop doing it, and stop talking about it. Please. Pretty please with sugar on top.
To me, "grinding" implies repetition, monotony, boredom - the sort of things that are polar opposites to what I want to derive from a game, which is FUN/ENJOYMENT. I don't play games to amass massive amounts of digital wealth or assets with no real world monetary value. I play games to have FUN!
I suppose I could dismiss posters who purport to "grinding" by simple saying (as I have done in the past): "Don't do the same thing over-and-over. Branch out - seek variety in gameplay. Focus not on attaining that next big ship or earning more credits. Instead, live in the moment; slow down and smell the roses; enjoy the open world as it was intended." The probem, of course, this doesn't resonate with many of the self-professed "grinders".
Why? Because they will argue that the problem lies with the game's core design; it's base mechanics: missions are too straightforward and repetitive: Fly to A and destroy B. Pick up product at C and return back here. Deliver this message to D. Traders will argue the same - flying back and forth between starports feels too repetitive. Same can be said for mining, exploring etc. "It's all too repetitive", the grinders shout in unison.
The trouble that I have with this line of thinking is that the same can really be said for ANY game, once you drill down into the base mechanics:
* Call of Duty - run around and shoot a gun. It's a grindy mechanic. Dull.
* Far Cry - run around shoot a gun, drive a handful of vehicles. The map's pretty, but the basic actions are the same. Yawn.
* Grand Theft Auto - beautiful, but the map's small and all you do is run around and steal vehicles, rob people and shoot stuff. Very repetitive.
* Forza - drive a car in circles. Boring!
* Any MMO (WoW, GW2, ESO, SWTOR) - level up a character by completing repetitive quests and kill monsters. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.
* Chess - move pieces on chess board. The board doesn't even change, and I can't customize my pieces. Grindy!
* Poker - sit around a table, deal some cards and place some bets. Over and over again! Talk about monotonous!
So, my suggestion would be as follows: for anyone who finds the game dull, repetitive, monotonous -try to first address the issue by doingsomething DIFFERENT in-game (as suggested previously). Yes, that's right. Stop doing the same thing over and over. What's that saying... "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting a different result each time." If you've truly tried everything there is to do in Elite (by the way - I've been playing for over a year and STILL learning!), then perhaps it's time to take a break.
I did this recently. I spent a couple of months with Heroes & Generals and GTA V, only to come back to ED. It's that good. I've played this game longer than any other - ever. It's been over a year now. And believe it or not, I only learned how to trade properly 2 days ago, based on using one of the guides posted on here. The key is not to use the 3rd party trading tools, but to go out on your own and hunt down/find a lucrative trade route. It's not easy, and will require a bit of patience and problem-solving, but it's oh-so-rewarding!
Anyway, I suppose that in a nutshell I would simply advise those who feel they are grinding to: STOP. Stop doing it, and stop talking about it. Please. Pretty please with sugar on top.
