I am an alpha backer from US who spent 200 GBR on the game. Mr. Braben previously stated that XBOX ONE and PC players cannot play together because patches on XBOX ONE take longer to upload (because Microsoft needs to approve them) than on PC and MAC, where you can have patches on day 1.
etc. etc. etc.
I am critical as well, but this is too much.
I don't even care about CQC at all. It adds nothing I want from this game and as far as I am concerned it has nothing to do with what Elite is about. It is useless to me personally, but I gather many will like it. Fine by me.
Nevertheless I understand that for a developer it is important to have a large public. The whole Xbox thing is important for us PC gamers too, because it will generate revenue with which this huge space sim project can be funded.
In the end my only concern is that this incredible dream project gets 'finished'. It is truly unique and it would be a crime against space simming in particular and gaming in general if it did not get finished.
The only thing we can do is hope the devs have the right instinct and do what has to be done.
But... I do wish we would get some more immersive content like more diverse stations, imperial station designs, larger complexes, more life around stations: more structures like large ship yards, military defenses, container areas, fuel storages, npc-only ships like maintenance and repair ships, tugs etc etc. True prison complexes, scientific stations with large radar dishes, telescopes, mining complexes etc. More diverse npc military fleets with destroyers, battle cruises, frigates, corvettes etc..
The ED universe needs immersive content.
FD need to add stuff that really enhances the 'everyday' Elite experience for everyone! I think this is crucial. The stuff I mentioned will do so dramatically. PowerPlay adds to it too, because it paints the political canvas that is in the background of the Elite universe.