The Planetary landing and planetside missions discussion Thread
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Sitting at an open air starport on Merlin watching the ringed gas giant dipping below the horizon is sufficient reason as to why planetary landings need to be there for me. The lack of a Stardreamer is a pity though (but that is a sacrifice required for multiplayer).
As for moving around ships/space stations: I was pretty cynical about this but a combination of reading the books and some of the mooted features (boarding parties, infestations, etc) convinces me otherwise. What would be cool if you could EVA to a derelict ship and explore that.
Sell All? Try loading up a Panther clipper with 500 tons of robots and selling them in Sol
And so do I. This has the potential to add a whole new layer of the game, both in terms of immersion as well as gameplay. At the lowest level, there's the simple fact that someone might not be in their pilot's seat when you come upon their ship. All the way to a rather pie-in-the-sky fantastical idea of the possibility of being interdicted by a police ship, them docking and coming aboard and demanding to look for illegal cargo, which you've cleverly hidden in a smuggling compartment. Landing on a planet and getting out provides whole possible new areas of gameplay. So does EVA. Whether they're implemented well is to be seen, but to reject the idea out of hand and say it has no potential seems like hyperbole.
I'm detecting shades of the controversy over Eve's ambulation, and how that came to nothing. The difference here is that planetary landings and walking around ships/stations/planets has been a part of the planned design from the start - there's been no ambiguity about it. David Braben himself said in a dev video that his favorite future feature is landing on planets.
One of the things I always disliked about Eve was that, during gameplay, you were your ship, not the pilot. It lacked a sense of visceral immediacy. Elite has already exceeded that by putting you inside a 3D cockpit that you can look around and interact with and fly from, rather than double-clicking in space. Being able to walk around can only add to that, for me.
Some find it hard to imagine what walking around would add value. Others find it hard to imagine how it couldn't.
It seems that the real argument being made there is: "I don't want the devs to 'waste time' on things I'm not interested in." Fair enough. So I'm adding my voice to those who are looking forward to this immensely.
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I don't think this. The expansions, ok, beta test them on the PC, I am ok with that, but then release the content on all platforms at the same time, no more of this "Platform gets this before that other platform" stuff ... that only serves to divide the community, and we should be one community.
... which for something that has always been positioned as a paid expansion, and is being built by a different team, seems very curious indeed. Don't like it: ignore it completely. No (or very little indeed) skin off your nose. That is quite different so, say CQC where someone who does not want it has to put up with the resources that could have been building something he did want, not doing so.
- - - Updated - - -
I still think the CQC thing was a one-off (though I expect another one off when the PS4 version comes along) due to how that market works. I think that there was a benefit to us (through cash for FD) for that exclusivity. Given the release approach on the consoles, I expect everything (apart from the anticipated PS4 exclusive) in the future to appear first on PC/Mac/Linux (if ever), and on the consoles very soon after.
Planetary landings, FPS, Passengers and other anticipated updates...
Elite has the potential to be a huge game, and this was one of the things that attracted me to the game. Well that, and the fact that I played previous Elite games, and remembered feeling even then how vast the game world was. We know that Frontier has essentially chosen a modular release for this game, and whilst the debate is open at the moment as to how well they have delivered with content so far, the thing is - there is a heck of a lot of content on the way. And for the most part, I full expect that Frontier will deliver on this stuff. Here are a few of the things that stand out the most for me.
Passenger Missions: These have the potential to be a complete game changer. Not only was the idea for us to move NPC's from A to B, but it's also possible that the passengers themselves would generate missions for us, through triggering events - maybe the guy you are transporting is a known fugitive for example. (There's also the interesting rumour that the Orca, Beluga and Dolphin are all capable of underwater travel.
Orrery Maps: In a recent Q&A David Braben said these maps are still on the cards. However what form they ultimately take, and what benefit they bring to the game is up in the air. That said, this is something I really want to see in the game. These screenshots from early development got me so excited about the potential of the game:
Improved Market: Again with the early concept art here. The market is still a long way from where it needs to be. I know a lot of people are happy with it in it's current form, but for me it is far too basic. I want to see hundreds of commodities, I want to see commodities that are unique to the industry of specific systems, and I want to see details about each product.
Planetary Landings: This is the one that I am really looking forward to, landing on planets! Frontier have stated that this is coming in stages and we will only be able to go down to airless moons and maybe rocky airless planets first. But for me this is good enough. There are plenty of things we can be doing down on planets:
- Vehicles! Yes, I suspect we will get these at some point. They will allow us to get around planets without Frontier having to develop and FPS mode. All we need is a little drone vehicle that we can pilot.
- Mining.
- Bombing runs.
- Outposts
- Reconnaissance
- Exploration
- Sample gathering
- Lots of other things...
For more gorgeous Elite inspired images go check out the wallpapers thread by Mobius (the underwater image, and the two images directly above this paragraph are his work)!
https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5398
Here's my top 10 most anticipated future updates for Elite...
[video=youtube;ViGYFwHX8yk]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViGYFwHX8yk[/video]
And here's my thoughts on Planetary Landings:
[video=youtube;bGVEAH07Td0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGVEAH07Td0[/video]
Elite has the potential to be a huge game, and this was one of the things that attracted me to the game. Well that, and the fact that I played previous Elite games, and remembered feeling even then how vast the game world was. We know that Frontier has essentially chosen a modular release for this game, and whilst the debate is open at the moment as to how well they have delivered with content so far, the thing is - there is a heck of a lot of content on the way. And for the most part, I full expect that Frontier will deliver on this stuff. Here are a few of the things that stand out the most for me.
Passenger Missions: These have the potential to be a complete game changer. Not only was the idea for us to move NPC's from A to B, but it's also possible that the passengers themselves would generate missions for us, through triggering events - maybe the guy you are transporting is a known fugitive for example. (There's also the interesting rumour that the Orca, Beluga and Dolphin are all capable of underwater travel.
Orrery Maps: In a recent Q&A David Braben said these maps are still on the cards. However what form they ultimately take, and what benefit they bring to the game is up in the air. That said, this is something I really want to see in the game. These screenshots from early development got me so excited about the potential of the game:
Improved Market: Again with the early concept art here. The market is still a long way from where it needs to be. I know a lot of people are happy with it in it's current form, but for me it is far too basic. I want to see hundreds of commodities, I want to see commodities that are unique to the industry of specific systems, and I want to see details about each product.
Planetary Landings: This is the one that I am really looking forward to, landing on planets! Frontier have stated that this is coming in stages and we will only be able to go down to airless moons and maybe rocky airless planets first. But for me this is good enough. There are plenty of things we can be doing down on planets:
- Vehicles! Yes, I suspect we will get these at some point. They will allow us to get around planets without Frontier having to develop and FPS mode. All we need is a little drone vehicle that we can pilot.
- Mining.
- Bombing runs.
- Outposts
- Reconnaissance
- Exploration
- Sample gathering
- Lots of other things...
For more gorgeous Elite inspired images go check out the wallpapers thread by Mobius (the underwater image, and the two images directly above this paragraph are his work)!
https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5398
Here's my top 10 most anticipated future updates for Elite...
[video=youtube;ViGYFwHX8yk]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViGYFwHX8yk[/video]
And here's my thoughts on Planetary Landings:
[video=youtube;bGVEAH07Td0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGVEAH07Td0[/video]
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1. Solo and Open are still together
2. No Man's Sky comes out(No planetary landings yet)
3. After a long while SC comes out(No planetary landings yet)
4. Planetary landings, too bad nobody is around to actually land on stuff.
5. Solo and Open are still together
Jokes aside, I would love what you said there, too bad at this rate I'm going to have kids and my kids are going to have kids and maybe their kids could test these new Expansions
2. No Man's Sky comes out(No planetary landings yet)
3. After a long while SC comes out(No planetary landings yet)
4. Planetary landings, too bad nobody is around to actually land on stuff.
5. Solo and Open are still together
Jokes aside, I would love what you said there, too bad at this rate I'm going to have kids and my kids are going to have kids and maybe their kids could test these new Expansions
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LOL love this list, made me laugh! Probably true too, which is sad
Nice review Granite, criticisms included.
nedeaalex - you know there is a thread where you can discuss open vs solo? No need to disguise it as a comment about when the next planned expansions will be.
nedeaalex - you know there is a thread where you can discuss open vs solo? No need to disguise it as a comment about when the next planned expansions will be.
Chuckles.
Kind of, but if the features filter through in a reasonable amount of time and it adds to FD development income, don't we think we could let it slide .. for the sake of some awe inspired planetary landings later?
We're still one community, even if can't all quite get around the table to all have supper, all at the same time .. yet. (shopping list: need bigger table)
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I'm one of the top posters there i know that Thread very much. I'm not disguising anything, i'm just listing the things that basically make some people leave the game over time, and Open=Solo is one of the main things, for both Solo and Open players
+1 rep for the video
I cannot fathom why some of the feature you mention in the video like dynamic missions etc arnt already included in the game these would be better than the missions we have
But I wouldnt hold my breath as FD seem to be concentrating on either ED on the xbox or planet coaster
I cannot fathom why some of the feature you mention in the video like dynamic missions etc arnt already included in the game these would be better than the missions we have
But I wouldnt hold my breath as FD seem to be concentrating on either ED on the xbox or planet coaster
- The orrery view I want sooo much. Being able to see a system in 3d, zoom in, change your view, observe the true relative position of all objects in a system etc. etc. It would be of immense value to me.
- And we need more immersive trade screens. A bit more illustrative representation of the goods we are transporting would go a long way. It is too dry at the moment.
- The Elite galaxy needs to get filled in. It needs more diverse structures in space, like large military bases, industrial complexes, mining installations, scientific installations wit large telescopes and huge radio dishes, true shipyards with capital ships under construction, large container areas etc. etc.
Also we need a wealth of npc ships going about their business, shuttles, utility ships, repair ships, tugs, tankers etc.
The X-Wing and Tie-fighter games featured numerous npc only military and civilian ships that created a believable and immersive background for the player. ED needs this too.
The Elite universe needs to be brought to life. Having stations of true imperial design would also help to give a face to certain systems and parts of the human galaxy. Currently there is no visual difference, no feeling of uniqueness and identity. The Achenar and Sol system should look unique and recognizable. They should look special. People should want to go there to see what is there. No run of the mill space stations in core systems like that.
- Planetary landings. I would even be happy if we at first got them without being able to leave the ship and were limited to docking at planetary star ports. Experiencing atmospheric entry, putting my ship down in a beautiful planetary star port would be great. The rest could be added later.
- And we need more immersive trade screens. A bit more illustrative representation of the goods we are transporting would go a long way. It is too dry at the moment.
- The Elite galaxy needs to get filled in. It needs more diverse structures in space, like large military bases, industrial complexes, mining installations, scientific installations wit large telescopes and huge radio dishes, true shipyards with capital ships under construction, large container areas etc. etc.
Also we need a wealth of npc ships going about their business, shuttles, utility ships, repair ships, tugs, tankers etc.
The X-Wing and Tie-fighter games featured numerous npc only military and civilian ships that created a believable and immersive background for the player. ED needs this too.
The Elite universe needs to be brought to life. Having stations of true imperial design would also help to give a face to certain systems and parts of the human galaxy. Currently there is no visual difference, no feeling of uniqueness and identity. The Achenar and Sol system should look unique and recognizable. They should look special. People should want to go there to see what is there. No run of the mill space stations in core systems like that.
- Planetary landings. I would even be happy if we at first got them without being able to leave the ship and were limited to docking at planetary star ports. Experiencing atmospheric entry, putting my ship down in a beautiful planetary star port would be great. The rest could be added later.
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Great video. Really happy about the potential of these as well.
There's one other thing that I love the idea of - but not sure it's a planned feature. I know it's been mentioned in passing before as a possibility.
First person exploration and salvage of a derelict.
Also, I keep looking at gas giants with life, and the description that says the ecology is underpinned by free-floating radioplankton. Underpinned. So more life? Bigger creatures? Herds? Space whales drifting through the towering thunderheads of a gas giant, letting out a strange mournful song?
At this point, I'm just dreaming, I know
There's one other thing that I love the idea of - but not sure it's a planned feature. I know it's been mentioned in passing before as a possibility.
First person exploration and salvage of a derelict.
Also, I keep looking at gas giants with life, and the description that says the ecology is underpinned by free-floating radioplankton. Underpinned. So more life? Bigger creatures? Herds? Space whales drifting through the towering thunderheads of a gas giant, letting out a strange mournful song?
At this point, I'm just dreaming, I know
I remember playing X-Wing and Tie Fighter when they first came out. For space combat they had the best missions ever. Freespace 1&2 came close.
However, in those games you were part of a large NPC fleet. You were in a squad of that fleet that had primary, secondary and bonus objectives that gained you fleet progression points used for medals and promotion.
I cannot see how FD could fit something similar into ED as the latter is basically about a lone pilot having to trade etc to make money. Providing set piece battles as in X-Wing between Powerplay factions feels like an idea too far.
It would be great though!
That's it.
I was not talking about the X-wing mission system, although I loved it and created many missions myself
.What I was referring to is the way the universe was made to feel alive, believable and immersive by numerous npc craft being present in it, doing their thing.
I would love to see different types of military vessels patrolling systems, also near stations. Seeing them docked, commanding me to stop and scanning me. Perhaps I could even be forced to dock with some for an in depth check up.
I would love to see repair and maintenance ships flitting about, doing maintenance at stations etc. etc.
Stuff like that would make the ED universe feel more real, more alive.
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Sitting at an open air starport on Merlin watching the ringed gas giant dipping below the horizon is sufficient reason as to why planetary landings need to be there for me. The lack of a Stardreamer is a pity though (but that is a sacrifice required for multiplayer).
As for moving around ships/space stations: I was pretty cynical about this but a combination of reading the books and some of the mooted features (boarding parties, infestations, etc) convinces me otherwise. What would be cool if you could EVA to a derelict ship and explore that.
Sell All? Try loading up a Panther clipper with 500 tons of robots and selling them in Sol
Exactly. Imagine that you boot up the game and, instead of seeing the inside of a dingy, grey hangar, you instead see Aster rising on the horizon of Merlin, jsut like that first time you booted into FE2.
That kind of vista alone is enough for me. Imagine those little trucks going round in their endless circles in the station, but now they're lines of street or hover cars going in between the skyscrapers in the distance. It's not 'content' how moiost people would define it, but it's a sense of wonder that for me, even in the days of FE2, never got old.
