To those that do not understand what Powerplay adds to the game.

[HeimdallofHavn]

Powerplay has been controversial since release, and many are wondering what the point of it all is.


I will suggest an answer.

Most people have a tribal instinct. They like to belong to a group and work together with others.

That's why people are follow sports teams etc.


Powerplay has already drastically changed Elite Dangerous along two dimensions:

1. Create an internal group with camaraderie, common aims and communication.


Just look at this thread for Lavigny-Duval players:

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=155492&page=15


People are working together, communicating and having fun.

You have this reddit group also for Lavigny-Duval.

You can see the same thing there and more:

https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteLavigny/


In addition to this you have player groups like Aisling's Angels, Lavigny's Legion, Emperor's grace, East India Company and many many others doing there part for different powers organising Wings in teamspeak etc etc.

It makes people congregate together, communicate and have fun. Lot of players have gone into open with their friends and new friends they have made for the first time because of powerplay.


2. Rivalry, diplomacy, hostility, alliances and betrayal between different powers.

Hudson players are right now trying to make an alliance with Aisling.


Here is their proposal:

"The Federation comes to you with an opportunity

Hi there,
We're a bit concerned because of your cease-fire agreement with senator Lavignly. By doing this you're risking that Senator Lavignly becomes the new emperor (from what I remember Aisling always warned from that to happen and insists that her father should become the emperor). This will mean that slavery will go on in your empire, narcotics will continue to be used to keep workers docile and there will be another federal-imperial war (which will lead to the loss of billions of lives).
This doesn't need to happen. If you decide to take on the warmongers and slavers in your empire, you will have the support of most of the federation. You can either sacrifice your ideals and let someone like Arissa become emperor or you can do a different approach and fight slavery, fight corruption, fight poverty and fight narcotics. We have the military power you're lacking to undermine them and we could have quite a synergy in undermining the other imperial powers (we'll shoot the vessels down and you'll take the intel).
The federation sees you as the one, who could(if in power) lead to a warmer relation between our superpowers and the possibility to end that cold war, which is currently between our factions and close to escalating. It would also lead to billions of your citizens getting some basic freedom, some basic human rights will be established and narcotics will be made illegal. After all, (unlike the imperial propaganda tells you), the goal of the federation is to protect people and their freedom. You're not federal, you have different views on many things, and we're fine with that, because billions of people getting basic human rights would be worth it. We're not seeking expansion or war. We're seeking freedom.
I can see that you're not trusting us. We've been at war for generations and it's understandable that you are trusting more your own people, who have a completely different agenda than you rather than your archenemies, who have quite a similar agenda on some points.
But I want to change that. I want to show you that we're not the evil guys like your propaganda always tells you. I am proposing a diplomatic talk. This first talk should be more of a "get to know each other better". Let's discuss our views on the different topics regarding our galaxy and most important: Let's try to figure out that the other side isn't that bad after all, that nobody of us is the monster everyone believes the others are. If you're interested, join the "Embassy" channel on the Hudson mumble (info how to connect can be found over at /r/EliteHudson ) at Saturday, 13th of June 15:00 CEST. I would REALLY hope to see some of you there."

https://www.reddit.com/r/AislingDuv..._federation_comes_to_you_with_an_opportunity/

But, as he says... There is currently a Non Aggression pact being negotiated between Aisling supporters and Lavigny-Duval supporters:

"The Mods of /r/AislingDuval and leadership of Aisling Angel's have convened to discuss potential terms for a ceasefire. Both parties find the idea to be agreeable, so we have prepared to present the following terms to Lavigny's Legion:
The Ceasefire requires both parties to refrain from attacking any imperial factions. Both parties are allowed to defend controlled territory. Both parties will be permitted to defend another faction should their assistance be requested. Both parties are to withdraw hostilities from any Imperial faction at once.
Should a zone of mutual conflict arise (in example; Cartoi), it is to be treated as an isolated incident. Fighting is to remain in said system alone, and any which is to flow out is to be treated as an act of piracy, or if organized, a violation of the Ceasefire
During this Ceasefire, the supporters of Arissa-Lavigny Duval recognize the system of Cartoi as part of Aisling Duval's holdings During this Ceasefire, Aisling Duval and the Aisling Angels are expected to withdraw from Lavigny Space, and any further territories possesed by Patreus of Torval. During this Ceasefire, Arissa Duval and the Lavigny Legion are expected to withdraw from Aisling space, and any further territories posses by Patreus or Torval.
Should either party violate this ceasefire, the contract is deemed void, and the status quo shall be restored.
Signed, Cmdr Everett Mills"

http://www.reddit.com/r/AislingDuva...lingduval_and_aisling_angels_ceasefire_terms/


This seems a bit like the game of thrones that Michael Brookes was hoping for.


I know this is not for everyone, but perhaps it made it more clear what Powerplay adds to Elite Dangerous.

Thanks to those who read this far :

Cheers,

Heim

 

[Vincent Starson]

I just want RES sites to be fun again, to be honest. I was blazing my trail, and then the trail was removed.

 

[HeimdallofHavn]

I just want RES sites to be fun again, to be honest. I was blazing my trail, and then the trail was removed.

Try regular RES's at medium or below security levels for now. I was/am a RES farmer myself (which is partly why I joined Lavigny-Duval. Sweet 30 percent bonus to bounties ) and I have had good success in them since 1.3. Mostly Pythons, clippers and dropships. Anacondas have been scarse unfortunatly. Not sure that has been fixed or changed.

Did you read the post btw?

 

[FuzzySpider]

I know this is not for everyone, but perhaps it made it more clear what Powerplay adds to Elite Dangerous.

Interesting, but ultimately futile.

Even if such a ceasefire or pact is agreed on reddit that won't stop the legions of merit farmers within both of these factions from carrying on regardless. Unless FDev step in and take systems contested by both of these factions off their work list it won't work. And why would they do that? Because a few people had said so on reddit?

What is needed is a diplomacy screen so that people can not only decide which territories to expand into but also form treaties and even alliances with other powers. The ability to vote to give up a system, agree not to fight there, in exchange for another system etc.

I don't think this'll be forthcoming any time soon though.

 

[Trafalgar Law]

Try regular RES's at medium or below security levels for now. I was/am a RES farmer myself (which is partly why I joined Lavigny-Duval. Sweet 30 percent bonus to bounties ) and I have had good success in them since 1.3. Mostly Pythons, clippers and dropships. Anacondas have been scarse unfortunatly. Not sure that has been fixed or changed.

Did you read the post btw?

Have you not been paying attention? We're at 40% bonus now. It'll be 50% when we knock Hudson off his perch.

 

[HeimdallofHavn]

Interesting, but ultimately futile.

Even if such a ceasefire or pact is agreed on reddit that won't stop the legions of merit farmers within both of these factions from carrying on regardless. Unless FDev step in and take systems contested by both of these factions off their work list it won't work. And why would they do that? Because a few people had said so on reddit?

What is needed is a diplomacy screen so that people can not only decide which territories to expand into but also form treaties and even alliances with other powers. The ability to vote to give up a system, agree not to fight there, in exchange for another system etc.

I don't think this'll be forthcoming any time soon though.

Fantastic ideas as always Fuzzy

Frontier, pay attention to FuzzySpider once more



But, yeah.

The system has a lot of flaws, still a problematic reward system, and way too many bugs...

But, it already adds these dimensions that I have mentioned. I am sure it can be tweaked and developed further.

Reading this Michael Brookes?

 

[Vincent Starson]

Try regular RES's at medium or below security levels for now. I was/am a RES farmer myself (which is partly why I joined Lavigny-Duval. Sweet 30 percent bonus to bounties ) and I have had good success in them since 1.3. Mostly Pythons, clippers and dropships. Anacondas have been scarse unfortunatly. Not sure that has been fixed or changed.

Did you read the post btw?

I read most of it, and I agree with you. It's nice to have some story in the game and drive the community to work together. Mind sharing a good spot with the rest of the class? Do you have to be aligned for the bonus?

 

[HeimdallofHavn]

Have you not been paying attention? We're at 40% bonus now. It'll be 50% when we knock Hudson off his perch.

I am tipsy and a Lavigny-Duval noobie. I just pledged today

- - - Updated - - -

I read most of it, and I agree with you. It's nice to have some story in the game and drive the community to work together. Mind sharing a good spot with the rest of the class? Do you have to be aligned for the bonus?

I think you get a 20 percent bonus even unaligned. Ask Trafalgar, he knows all

Though it might be a good idea to be unaligned or imperial. Otherwise you will show up as "hostile"....

 

[Trafalgar Law]

I read most of it, and I agree with you. It's nice to have some story in the game and drive the community to work together. Mind sharing a good spot with the rest of the class? Do you have to be aligned for the bonus?

You get +20% on Bounties within any Lavigny-Duval exploited system. Just don't commit any crimes in her control systems as the fines and bounties on you are doubled!

 

[FuzzySpider]

Can someone clarify something for me.

Are Imperial factions actually at war with each other? If someone joins Lavigny-Duval are they then enemies with Torval for example, and can they kill Torval members within Lavigny-Duval territory without consequences?

If not there is an implied "non-hostility" pact there at least.

 

[Vincent Starson]

You get +20% on Bounties within any Lavigny-Duval exploited system. Just don't commit any crimes in her control systems as the fines and bounties on you are doubled!

Thanks! If say you were pledged to the merciful Aisling Duval, Queen of Dragons, would I be considered hostile or not since we are both empire factions?

 

[Comrade Napoleon]

snip

I'am sorry Heim, this is all fine and good if the "powers" were players like in EVE, such a stunt could be done there, but not here, as players cant control "powers" maybee influence , but only influence.
And what about obstructing solo players ? What about solo fifth column ? ect, ect...
It does not cut it for me, its not beliveable in any way, the persons are shallow characters that does not carry any appeal, any idea or message, they are dead pixels on a computer.
When I played LoTRO the was an immense backdrop of a story to help with the storyline and immersion, at least in the first years of the game..
In this qame the only persistent NPC's are these "powers" and you cant interact with them.. tsk,tsk,......
All of them act of the same motive : Power and greed, how many movements in the world have ever carried based on this ? None. Zilch.
The religioans had their time ( has ratherso ) , the workers movement in early 20 cent. , Rise and fall of communism ect..
Today politics in RL is actually like any other profit making company , this game does not need to be just as shallow.
These ingame "powers" are just milling their own cake, not thinking of the major they belong to.
I as a head of state in either mpire or Federation, i would not have tolerated this in any circumstance, and would have executed the lot immeadiately on treason charges.
Even the official lore suggests this as a possibility.

So no PP is not for me

Cheers Cmdr's

 

[HeimdallofHavn]

Thanks! If say you were pledged to the merciful Aisling Duval, Queen of Dragons, would I be considered hostile or not since we are both empire factions?

You will not be hostile.

But, please don't join the goons. Or if you do, please help make Aisling's Angels lose influence if you can.

The reason I only pledged today, is that I was considering the blue haired space princess myself...

In the end, seeing all the goon involvement as well as the nice camaraderie among Lavigny-Duval supporters made me go with with space instead

And if you pledge to Arrisa you will get a 40 percent bonus. And I think even the bonuses stack.



Come join us you know you want to

 

[Trafalgar Law]

Thanks! If say you were pledged to the merciful Aisling Duval, Queen of Dragons, would I be considered hostile or not since we are both empire factions?

You're fine as you're considered an ally (how you can live with yourself is another matter )

 

[Vincent Starson]

You will not be hostile.

But, please don't join the goons. Or if you do, please help make Aisling's Angels lose influence if you can.
...snip...
Come join us you know you want to

You're fine as you're considered an ally (how you can live with yourself is another matter )

To be honest, I joined for the prismatic shield. I will likely defect on the third week once I've earned my reward. Sounds like I found the power to defect to! Thanks, cya in 2 weeks!

 

[HeimdallofHavn]

I'am sorry Heim, this is all fine and good if the "powers" were players like in EVE, such a stunt could be done there, but not here, as players cant control "powers" maybee influence , but only influence.
And what about obstructing solo players ? What about solo fifth column ? ect, ect...
It does not cut it for me, its not beliveable in any way, the persons are shallow characters that does not carry any appeal, any idea or message, they are dead pixels on a computer.
When I played LoTRO the was an immense backdrop of a story to help with the storyline and immersion, at least in the first years of the game..
In this qame the only persistent NPC's are these "powers" and you cant interact with them.. tsk,tsk,......
All of them act of the same motive : Power and greed, how many movements in the world have ever carried based on this ? None. Zilch.
The religioans had their time ( has ratherso ) , the workers movement in early 20 cent. , Rise and fall of communism ect..
Today politics in RL is actually like any other profit making company , this game does not need to be just as shallow.
These ingame "powers" are just milling their own cake, not thinking of the major they belong to.
I as a head of state in either mpire or Federation, i would not have tolerated this in any circumstance, and would have executed the lot immeadiately on treason charges.
Even the official lore suggests this as a possibility.

So no PP is not for me

Cheers Cmdr's

I agree with you to some extents, and in that whole guild thing I think they should have allowed and worked with player groups to be powers.

I was also in Eve after the big wars when you had a static situation in lowsec and I didn't like it one bit. I gave away tons of Plexes to happy noobs. I hope they have fun, just wasnt for me. I even gave them away in a ISK trippling scheme, which was easy and everyone who participated got that and more

Many people turned away a lot of money that night because credit doubler scam artists and bonus rooms had made people wary.

Anyhow, I am rambling. Blame the alcohol.

Yeah, powerplay is a bit technical and still void of sould AND lore.

There is not even a character bio in the powerplay UI.

To me that would have been an obvious and zero effort thing to add. What do you think Drew?

When Kahina becomes a power and I defect, I want a biography and it needs to include who she boosts inside Federation station, the legend of legends that she is

To sum it up.

Either give the players more power to really control the stories, or gamemaster everything more with persistent NPC's

Cheers.

 

[Krait_79]

Powerplay has been controversial since release, and many are wondering what the point of it all is.


I will suggest an answer.

Most people have a tribal instinct. They like to belong to a group and work together with others.

That's why people are follow sports teams etc.


Powerplay has already drastically changed Elite Dangerous along two dimensions:

1. Create an internal group with camaraderie, common aims and communication.


Just look at this thread for Lavigny-Duval players:

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=155492&page=15


People are working together, communicating and having fun.

You have this reddit group also for Lavigny-Duval.

You can see the same thing there and more:

https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteLavigny/


In addition to this you have player groups like Aisling's Angels, Lavigny's Legion, Emperor's grace, East India Company and many many others doing there part for different powers organising Wings in teamspeak etc etc.

It makes people congregate together, communicate and have fun. Lot of players have gone into open with their friends and new friends they have made for the first time because of powerplay.


2. Rivalry, diplomacy, hostility, alliances and betrayal between different powers.

Hudson players are right now trying to make an alliance with Aisling.


Here is their proposal:

"The Federation comes to you with an opportunity

Hi there,
We're a bit concerned because of your cease-fire agreement with senator Lavignly. By doing this you're risking that Senator Lavignly becomes the new emperor (from what I remember Aisling always warned from that to happen and insists that her father should become the emperor). This will mean that slavery will go on in your empire, narcotics will continue to be used to keep workers docile and there will be another federal-imperial war (which will lead to the loss of billions of lives).
This doesn't need to happen. If you decide to take on the warmongers and slavers in your empire, you will have the support of most of the federation. You can either sacrifice your ideals and let someone like Arissa become emperor or you can do a different approach and fight slavery, fight corruption, fight poverty and fight narcotics. We have the military power you're lacking to undermine them and we could have quite a synergy in undermining the other imperial powers (we'll shoot the vessels down and you'll take the intel).
The federation sees you as the one, who could(if in power) lead to a warmer relation between our superpowers and the possibility to end that cold war, which is currently between our factions and close to escalating. It would also lead to billions of your citizens getting some basic freedom, some basic human rights will be established and narcotics will be made illegal. After all, (unlike the imperial propaganda tells you), the goal of the federation is to protect people and their freedom. You're not federal, you have different views on many things, and we're fine with that, because billions of people getting basic human rights would be worth it. We're not seeking expansion or war. We're seeking freedom.
I can see that you're not trusting us. We've been at war for generations and it's understandable that you are trusting more your own people, who have a completely different agenda than you rather than your archenemies, who have quite a similar agenda on some points.
But I want to change that. I want to show you that we're not the evil guys like your propaganda always tells you. I am proposing a diplomatic talk. This first talk should be more of a "get to know each other better". Let's discuss our views on the different topics regarding our galaxy and most important: Let's try to figure out that the other side isn't that bad after all, that nobody of us is the monster everyone believes the others are. If you're interested, join the "Embassy" channel on the Hudson mumble (info how to connect can be found over at /r/EliteHudson ) at Saturday, 13th of June 15:00 CEST. I would REALLY hope to see some of you there."

https://www.reddit.com/r/AislingDuv..._federation_comes_to_you_with_an_opportunity/

But, as he says... There is currently a Non Aggression pact being negotiated between Aisling supporters and Lavigny-Duval supporters:

"The Mods of /r/AislingDuval and leadership of Aisling Angel's have convened to discuss potential terms for a ceasefire. Both parties find the idea to be agreeable, so we have prepared to present the following terms to Lavigny's Legion:
The Ceasefire requires both parties to refrain from attacking any imperial factions. Both parties are allowed to defend controlled territory. Both parties will be permitted to defend another faction should their assistance be requested. Both parties are to withdraw hostilities from any Imperial faction at once.
Should a zone of mutual conflict arise (in example; Cartoi), it is to be treated as an isolated incident. Fighting is to remain in said system alone, and any which is to flow out is to be treated as an act of piracy, or if organized, a violation of the Ceasefire
During this Ceasefire, the supporters of Arissa-Lavigny Duval recognize the system of Cartoi as part of Aisling Duval's holdings During this Ceasefire, Aisling Duval and the Aisling Angels are expected to withdraw from Lavigny Space, and any further territories possesed by Patreus of Torval. During this Ceasefire, Arissa Duval and the Lavigny Legion are expected to withdraw from Aisling space, and any further territories posses by Patreus or Torval.
Should either party violate this ceasefire, the contract is deemed void, and the status quo shall be restored.
Signed, Cmdr Everett Mills"

http://www.reddit.com/r/AislingDuva...lingduval_and_aisling_angels_ceasefire_terms/


This seems a bit like the game of thrones that Michael Brookes was hoping for.


I know this is not for everyone, but perhaps it made it more clear what Powerplay adds to Elite Dangerous.

Thanks to those who read this far :

Cheers,

Heim

That's great but this news and offers need to be available on Galnet or in game rather than having to search other sites. Then power play will have a sense of purpose and meaning for me.

 

[HeimdallofHavn]

That's great but this news and offers need to be available on Galnet or in game rather than having to search other sites. Then power play will have a sense of purpose and meaning for me.

Some of this will make galnet I think, but why not join a player group in the faction of your choice and get involved.

Watching this unfold I will try to join Lavigny's Legion.

Everything I have seen from their members have impressed me.

Powerplay is very very much a work in progress and Frontier would be the first to admit so.

I just wanted to point out what it already brings to the table...

There are are a lot of adjustments, improvements etc that need to be made...

 

[clavain]

To the OP, Powerplay was not needed to do any of the things you highlight. Just look at what the appearance of Unknown Artifacts did:

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=141038

A lot more engagement there me thinks than there will ever be with Powerplay in its current state.

What was, and still is, missing was engaging background and mission narrative and story that could create such emergent gameplay. Powerplay in its current state is lame MMO grind mechanics (poorly implemented and buggy) that cater to the "we want guilds in ED" crowd. Maybe what we have now is only placeholder content for some future, vastly improved Powerplay, but sorry, I have heard that line too many times already.

While I understand that some like that, for me it diverts development and content effort away from what Elite was supposed to be (DDA features) to something that was never mentioned to any backer at any level, let alone discussed with them. It also makes little sense without story or lore to set each Power in context - why did they not use the existing lore and rebooted lore to do this? Instead they have dropped a bunch of largely nameless and faceless (until very recently) Powers on us that no one knows anything about beyond a pull quote and a cool weapon you might get if you grind long and hard enough. Sorry, if that is the future of ED, it will not be for me, and it will take a lot of changes and additions of engaging and emergent story and mission content - not grind mechanics - to sell me on any future version of Powerplay or paid expansions.

Edit: Oh, and what happened to that Unknown Artifacts thing you ask? Well of course, it has all been put on hold in favour of Powerplay development and bug fixes.

 

[ermtony]

And meanwhile I'm away in the black, doing my own thing and enjoying myself.

That's the great thing about E: D - we can all do what we want to do and the universe carries on,