Is switching between open and solo play to gain new missions considered a punishable exploit?

[rootsrat]

The OP stated "punishable exploit"

And I don't know what context has to be considered for this practice not to be an exploit.

Well, it's not punishable exploit then, is it? I don't know of anyone that was shadowbanned because of mode switching to get different set of mission on BB...

Also, your definition was a general exploits in video gaming, while the OP didn't specify that was the context, quite the opposite - the context was specifically within Elite: Dangerous and only for switching modes to get different missions.

Seriously, is it REALLY such a big problem for you?

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

As i've said in 1 of the many post's that's being made atm - Ive sat in a station legitimately for an hour for mining missions to spawn, and in that time not a single 1 appeared. Now due to family life etc, my personal playing time is usually around 5-8 hours a week, Im not spending my limited time just sat in a station waiting for missions to spawn, so I fast track it and it means I can continue to have fun - Which ultimately is all we as players want.

I think you attribute too many negative connotations to the word "exploit".

It's fine to make use of this exploit as long as it doesn't go against game rules. Which it clearly doesn't. The act of reloading is permitted after all. But I think it's rather far-fetched to reason that mode switching was created by the developers so players could reroll missions in the BB.

So: if you feel using this exploit is increasing your in-game fun, don't be so defensive about it. It seems you have good reason to do so as you explained. And you're not screwing over anyone's game (which is an important distinction some people, like my fashionable friend Majin, rather disregard )

Well, it's not punishable exploit then, is it?

No, but it is an exploit

Also, your definition was a general exploits in video gaming, while the OP didn't specify that was the context, quite the opposite - the context was specifically within Elite: Dangerous and only for switching modes to get different missions.

Uhm ... yeah? How does that change the fact this practise is an exploit?

Seriously, is it REALLY such a big problem for you?

Do you mean that on a discussion forum, I commented on what someone posted (If Frontier will consider it as an exploit they'll surely fix it) and I am trying to have a discussion about it? No, not a problem at all, I'm happy to discuss it

 

[Jockey79]

I can't have a say on whether this puts extra load to the server, since I have no knowledge of the infastructure FD uses regarding this and neither does anyone else to be honest.

Use [CRTL] + B

While docked with the bandwidth meter showing, as you click through the BB, market and UC screens.
Each one will make your network traffic spike as it has to talk to the transaction server each time you click one of the screens.
So the transaction has to respond each time someone does this, to confirm what is there or send new information on what is there.

Oh, and what is that error we get when the server goes wibble and we all get kicked out..... cannot communicate with the transaction server.

hmmmmm

 

[jabokai]

I suggest you go and read the DDA then.

The mode system is not there to refresh the BB. That is an unintended side effect of the way the game has been implemented.

Like the DDA has any relevance anymore, more's the pity!

It may be unintended but that still doesn't make it an exploit. Again, in the absence of direct comment, who's to say FD don't consider this side effect as something benign.

 

[[VR] Mad Mike]

So: if you feel using this exploit is increasing your in-game fun, don't be so defensive about it. It seems you have good reason to do so as you explained. And you're not screwing over anyone's game (which is an important distinction some people, like my fashionable friend Majin, rather disregard )

Indeed.. As usual Ziggy I think you nailed it. Exploit or not does not really matter in all honesty (even if i would rather see it fixed) so long as it does not hurt anyone else..... but the more obnoxious ones used to condemn other players to destruction or at least hugely inconvenience them however are a whole other ball game imo.

 

[Apos]

Use [CRTL] + B

While docked with the bandwidth meter showing, as you click through the BB, market and UC screens.
Each one will make your network traffic spike as it has to talk to the transaction server each time you click one of the screens.
So the transaction has to respond each time someone does this, to confirm what is there or send new information on what is there.

Oh, and what is that error we get when the server goes wibble and we all get kicked out..... cannot communicate with the transaction server.

hmmmmm

Noticed and noted.

But still, the transaction server problems started with 1.4 before long range missions started and it has only got better since then, so I doubt it is highly related.

Either way, like I said, this exploit (as in, exploitation of game mechanics, not the gamey term) is not a BB refresh. It's a BB expand. All 3 modes refresh every 5 minutes, not upon relog.

We should have all 3 BB merged instead and have a big list of available missions shared among all 3 modes instead of 3 miniscule ones.

 

[Jockey79]

But still, the transaction server problems started with 1.4 before long range missions started and it has only got better since then, so I doubt it is highly related.

FD bring in new missions,
more people start this relog thing to get them,
server becomes unstable,

both require the transaction server

Was looking great, I was going to get my teeth in to a great little conspiracy theory, and you've ruined it all ready

Either way, like I said, this exploit (as in, exploitation of game mechanics, not the gamey term) is not a BB refresh. It's a BB expand. All 3 modes refresh every 5 minutes, not upon relog.

We should have all 3 BB merged instead and have a big list of available missions shared among all 3 modes.

See, I've never done this relog business. When I dock I have a quick look at the BB and grab anything that takes my fancy and carry on doing what I was doing.
These folks trying to constantly max out profits per minute confuse me, also why do people want to sit in one system for so long?
Other MMOs make you move about to get new missions, not login / out over and over - FD should bring that in

 

[[VR] Mad Mike]

We should have all 3 BB merged instead and have a big list of available missions shared among all 3 modes instead of 3 miniscule ones.

if this is the case then that idea makes sense imo.

have the BB in tabs so it does not get too long, and then click on the tab to then show in a similar way as it does now.

so header tabs for

mining / courier needed / goods wanted / Assassination / misc

 

[Jockey79]

....

mining / courier needed / goods wanted / Assassination / misc

Could use the rank names, so it keeps it simple and helps people understand what rank will improve doing that mission.

Combat / Trade / Exploration

Combat : Bounty Hunting, System Security, Assassinations, Pirating (anything involving use of guns)
Trade : Trading, Courier, Smuggling, Good Wanted (anything involving cargo without combat)
Exploration : (I have no idea, is there missions to go scan stuff ??? - if not, why not???)

Perhaps even some CQC missions, win X games or get X kills in CQC (just a thought)

 

[Apos]

Could use the rank names, so it keeps it simple and helps people understand what rank will improve doing that mission.

Combat / Trade / Exploration

Combat : Bounty Hunting, System Security, Assassinations, Pirating (anything involving use of guns)
Trade : Trading, Courier, Smuggling, Good Wanted (anything involving cargo without combat)
Exploration : (I have no idea, is there missions to go scan stuff ??? - if not, why not???)

Perhaps even some CQC missions, win X games or get X kills in CQC (just a thought)

Also, creating missions for ranks higher than what the commander is should just be removed.

It's not like the bulletin board is shared universally. You can't call a friend of yours with the appropriate rank to come and grab them, while you stand there, observing the 2 charity missions you have available before everything else was created for a higher rank.

It's completely pointless.

 

[Soliluna]

Also, creating missions for ranks higher than what the commander is should just be removed.

It's not like the bulletin board is shared universally. You can't call a friend of yours with the appropriate rank to come and grab them, while you stand there, observing the 2 charity missions you have available before everything else was created for a higher rank.

It's completely pointless.

Definitely should not be removed. They are a pointer to what you can achieve if you increase your rank (managed to accidentally type a w there, glad I picked up on that before posting), not to mention how it makes the BB seem more realistic.

I think the BB should just be full of a huge variety of missions with varying payouts based on the population of the system you are in. So super large populations offer loads of jobs for you to pick up * but not necessarily with good payout * while small populations do not. Wealthier systems have much larger payouts so a wealthy huge population system would be the best place to get lots of great missions.


Jockey has pointed out this potentially affects the loads on the servers and ultimately I think it's a bit weird for people to WANT to log in and out (even with the benefits I don't do it). So, I would be happy with same BB across modes just so people have a more coherent experience and the load is not increased on the transaction server.

I had never really thought about those implications, perhaps that's why it takes 30 odd seconds for me to load the Bulletin Board compared to the instant loading BB when I started playing in December last year.

 

[Apos]

Definitely should not be removed. They are a pointer to what you can achieve if you increase your rank (managed to accidentally type a w there, glad I picked up on that before posting), not to mention how it makes the BB seem more realistic.

Then they shouldn't affect the amount of actually obtainable missions.

I very much know what there is to come when I get elite. I don't need to have 12/14 missions unavailable as a reminder from RNG.

 

[excalibus]

Actually, it is a lot of speculation, because logging out and to a different mode does not refresh your missions, it only places you to a different allocation of missions.

A player's open/private/solo mode has their own bulleting boards creations. Those refresh normally every 5 minutes. If you log out and in the same mode within the same 5 minutes, you won't refresh anything.

I can't have a say on whether this puts extra load to the server, since I have no knowledge of the infastructure FD uses regarding this and neither does anyone else to be honest.

actually it technically does and we do know what architecture is used since the public AWS re: invent video posted where FDev discuss their network system in a fair amount of detail...

Oh you have not seen the video??? Oh well you can find it and watch it I am sure afterall there is a link posted in a thread here on the Elite Dangerous Discussion forums...

 

[Apos]

actually it technically does

Log out from open into solo after the BB refresh happens, then back into open within the same 5 minutes and let me know how it "technically" refreshed your BB.

It's an expansion of the bulletin board, not a refresh. Regardless of someone's position in the matter, we should at least be using the correct terms in order to avoid misinformation. Having people parading around that you can refresh your BB infinitely might sound catchy, but it's not the truth.

 

[Blackbird2]

Bunk i ranked up too baron in two weeks without that exploit.

 

[Andromalius]

If Frontier will consider it as an exploit they'll surely fix it.

Well, they'd better, because I guess a thousand guys refreshing the missions non stop are one of the possible source of the lag I epexrienced yesterday.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Well, they'd better, because I guess a thousand guys refreshing the missions non stop are one of the possible source of the lag I epexrienced yesterday.

You found a way to have mission stacking influence other people's game.

Well played Sir!

 

[Daffan]

If its a part of the game mechanics, why is it so awkward? Why not just have a refresh button in the bulletin board, or heck why not just only give out only high paying missions?

Sure feels weird to have to log in and out.. Almost feels like it wasnt designed to be used that way.

Exactly

Cant they just make a refresh button so i can sit there on Netflix and presh refresh 50 times and then making 200 million in one trip?

Come on devs what on earth are you doing? I want to be a billionaire by Saturday.

You exploiting the mode switching doesn't impact anyone but yourself. You labelling those who disagree with you however does.

Nah it made me so much cash i can happily gank new players with no risk muhahaha

 

[Soliluna]

Then they shouldn't affect the amount of actually obtainable missions.

I very much know what there is to come when I get elite. I don't need to have 12/14 missions unavailable as a reminder from RNG.

How do you know what comes when you get to Elite, without being there or seeing these missions?

Where does it say that you get less obtainable missions?

Where has it been said there is a maximum number of missions that can be rolled?

Where does it say that the set of missions for attainable and unobtainable are separate or combined?

Furthermore, why should you only be able to roll obtainable missions? That doesn't really make sense for a 'believable' world unless you have all the skills and equipment those missions require.


Honestly, I don't understand why you would even play with the RNG in the first place, I go to a station, see what missions are there and if there are no applicable missions I move on or come back later. If you're in the game of constantly spamming the BB and logging in and out just to get some high paying missions why don't you just ask FDEV to give you a button that gives you credits. There is more to the game than accumulation of wealth and you would probably enjoy the game more if you focused less on gaming the game to max out your credits and more on just playing the game as it presents itself to you.

You're getting frustrated because it's not giving you the max payout mission type for your career on every occasion but I guarantee it would frustrate you more if each and every possible mission was ALWAYS at the station. You would be asking for "variety" then, I have no doubts.

Digressing slightly:

I was in Wolf 406 last night and Transport Co gave me a 200 Cr fine for clipping the letterbox on exit after dodging some pilot who was racing in on the wrong side. Will not be doing business with them again lol

 

[excalibus]

Log out from open into solo after the BB refresh happens, then back into open within the same 5 minutes and let me know how it "technically" refreshed your BB.

It's an expansion of the bulletin board, not a refresh. Regardless of someone's position in the matter, we should at least be using the correct terms in order to avoid misinformation. Having people parading around that you can refresh your BB infinitely might sound catchy, but it's not the truth.

my mistake, I quoted your WHOLE mmessage when the point I was adressing was your last sentence... with regards to extra server load and knowledge of how the infrastructure in ED works...