Op, you're right. Elite is a solid framework of a potentially good space sim at the moment. Maybe one day this single player game with multiplayer features and MMO time wasting mechanics will stop being just potentially good.
The problems with elite dangerous and why I'm not having fun. (Discussion?)
- Thread starter drawerboy99
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I have to agree with the OP's general sentiment. The game does essentially feel lifeless and boring unless you wear socks with sandals and you don't mind flying around for hours either doing the same thing over again , or join a player group and probably spend hours waiting for other people, doing what other people want, or listening to players who care a little too much about how other people play.
All I do now is log on now and again to kill NPCs in a HazRes until my ammo runs out (usually 30mins to 1hr 30) then log off. Right now, still maintaining faith in Frontier, I feel like I'm slowly storing credits for the time the game suddenly begins to sparkle.
As for making credits mate if you have had the game for two years you missed the boat if you didn't undertake various tasks like smuggling before they were nerfed a bit. You can still make 15mil or more in an hour long range smuggling, but that again does take a degree of planning time and mission stacking. As for combat credits, its easy to make around a mil or more in the time you have available to play.
FD already have your money so they don't care if you are playing or not. Just take a break and dip your toe in occasionally.
All I do now is log on now and again to kill NPCs in a HazRes until my ammo runs out (usually 30mins to 1hr 30) then log off. Right now, still maintaining faith in Frontier, I feel like I'm slowly storing credits for the time the game suddenly begins to sparkle.
As for making credits mate if you have had the game for two years you missed the boat if you didn't undertake various tasks like smuggling before they were nerfed a bit. You can still make 15mil or more in an hour long range smuggling, but that again does take a degree of planning time and mission stacking. As for combat credits, its easy to make around a mil or more in the time you have available to play.
FD already have your money so they don't care if you are playing or not. Just take a break and dip your toe in occasionally.
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Yeah, but I think we can all agree that some updated form of galnet is in order: automated audio and a variety of video clips to use to give GalNet some life, make it feel more like a video broadcast without having to use actors or waste dev time once it's set up.
Y'know, I just had a thought. If you throw the problem I'm having with credits out the window, perhaps one of the reasons I'm having trouble enjoying the game is that it's too EASY to get things done. Exploration for example. You said "driving around them seeing a amazing crater and it taking something like 1h30min to get there is awesome because it makes the adventure worth it." I personally like to get things done quickly, and I don't see the point in driving for an hour and a half when I can just fly there in thirty seconds. Perhaps if it took longer to explore or kill an enemy ship, it would make the experience more rewarding. Trading needs to be easier, period. But other things could do with being a bit more difficult. It's kind of like dark souls. That game is hard as nails, but man is it satisfying when you finally overcome a challenge and get to a new area. I wonder if my current problem is that thing's are just right in the middle right now. Not slow, but not fast either. If its slow, I'd inevitably have to be more careful and think about how I'm going to get to a destination or take out an enemy. If it's faster, I can move on more quickly and get to something new. Where elite is currently, its just slow enough that its frustrating for me to get things done?
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Ehhh, maybe. But its just a still block of text, nothing more than an in game webpage really. If it had some breaking news scrolling down across the bottom that would help. Or some video footage. Or something to stop it from being so static.
1: Its big, no other game has had this many possible systems that people can be in, plus that open can have issues with connections since it depends on connections who you can see so yeah, I've seen plenty of people personally before I headed into deep space. Space is big, the scope of Elite is hard to grasp. and if not referring to people, then yeah, there are NPC's but space IS big and maybe it is the scope, the size of Elite that throws you off, space IS empty, what would you put in that wouldn't make the whole thing just seem odd? what would make it 'not' empty?
2: Personally I enjoy the risk of loss, but I know it isn't for everyone, but I don't really see Elite's mission system currently being better or worse then any other mmo, or non direct storyline driven game's quests/missions systems, so yeah, not sure what to say there, the reason people could grind endlessly in WoW escapes me, and then they go to other games and find exactly the same type of stuff boring and grindy?
3: Trading is again, very similar to other games' trading systems, so I don't really see how it suddenly is boring for some while other game with similar systems aren't, its trading, it can be dangerous in Elite, yes...that's a good thing in my book? and trading like many other games with such systems is faster then most of the other things.
4: This I find is often a connection issue you also mention you have 30 second jumps, which is VERY long, so maybe you are having connection issues? as for 'where are the people' referring to npc's? what kind of population were you expecting, systems swarming with npc's?
5: As for planets.....that is not my experience, the planets are _VERY_ beautiful, where I am out and exploring, so yeah can't quite follow the potato thing, heck Elite's generation model is one of the best I've ever seen in terms of realistic terrain and not just sinus mountains. and I've seen several sharp edges, you have to remember in space erosion is a very real thing from solar winds and such with no athmopshere to protect the planets we can land on currently, also remember you bought horizon, and only 2.0 of it is out, you are over time getting access to a lot more stuff, similar to season passes on other games.
6: there kinda sorta are mission like you describe, ones that have several actual missions in them, but from what I understands those are amongst those broken, so hopefully 2.1 will fix it, and remember in Elite you aren't a 'hero' like in many games, so you aren't going to get missions where you would essentially be luke skywalker or han solo, which is very refreshing to me and many I know, it is so predictably "you are the hero" thing that most other games have, making the actual impact of the game feel weak, because of course you have a big effect of stuff, how could it be otherwise, the way it is treated in Elite is more realistic, and you need people to work together in factions to solve 'big' stuff, though yes, the addition of co-op missions for wings and such would be a lovely addition.
7: Dunno, what's the point of a power battling another in real life or any other location? spread influence, get advantages, be better then the others? yes there is no 'win' state which seems to frustrate some people.
8: you can go to the places the news informs about and be part of what happens there? again, you are not the hero, why would leaders of powers and such allow 'you' near them or similar? maybe this style of game isn't for you?
9: 'travelling sucks' ...I absolutely have no idea what travelling would have to be like for it not to suck for you, I enjoy it thoroughly, flitting around near the core currently. Jumping takes..at most after countdown 10 seconds for me, mostly around 5 seconds. So I would think you have either connection or computer issues causing so long loading times. As for meeting aliens, even that would get boring over time if you met them constantly, and thargoids aren't at least officially in yet as far as I know, and again it depends on what you expect to happen when you meet them, though that said I would agree that certain things could be improved, like for example, if two stars are very close, realistically they would be bulging and not be spherical from forces, they might also be tearing matter off each other, such effects would be very very nice.
In short yeah I don't know what exploration should be like for you to enjoy it, but if it was trivial and easy it would be boring, and the need for scooping makes sense, so yeah, unfortunate you don't like it, but I can't imagine it being 'faster' or such and being enjoyable.
As for goals, that's the thing about Elite, there is no real "goal" as other games have, there is an overarching story going, and then there's......whatever you want to do and what ever goals you find that you want to do.
2: Personally I enjoy the risk of loss, but I know it isn't for everyone, but I don't really see Elite's mission system currently being better or worse then any other mmo, or non direct storyline driven game's quests/missions systems, so yeah, not sure what to say there, the reason people could grind endlessly in WoW escapes me, and then they go to other games and find exactly the same type of stuff boring and grindy?
3: Trading is again, very similar to other games' trading systems, so I don't really see how it suddenly is boring for some while other game with similar systems aren't, its trading, it can be dangerous in Elite, yes...that's a good thing in my book? and trading like many other games with such systems is faster then most of the other things.
4: This I find is often a connection issue you also mention you have 30 second jumps, which is VERY long, so maybe you are having connection issues? as for 'where are the people' referring to npc's? what kind of population were you expecting, systems swarming with npc's?
5: As for planets.....that is not my experience, the planets are _VERY_ beautiful, where I am out and exploring, so yeah can't quite follow the potato thing, heck Elite's generation model is one of the best I've ever seen in terms of realistic terrain and not just sinus mountains. and I've seen several sharp edges, you have to remember in space erosion is a very real thing from solar winds and such with no athmopshere to protect the planets we can land on currently, also remember you bought horizon, and only 2.0 of it is out, you are over time getting access to a lot more stuff, similar to season passes on other games.
6: there kinda sorta are mission like you describe, ones that have several actual missions in them, but from what I understands those are amongst those broken, so hopefully 2.1 will fix it, and remember in Elite you aren't a 'hero' like in many games, so you aren't going to get missions where you would essentially be luke skywalker or han solo, which is very refreshing to me and many I know, it is so predictably "you are the hero" thing that most other games have, making the actual impact of the game feel weak, because of course you have a big effect of stuff, how could it be otherwise, the way it is treated in Elite is more realistic, and you need people to work together in factions to solve 'big' stuff, though yes, the addition of co-op missions for wings and such would be a lovely addition.
7: Dunno, what's the point of a power battling another in real life or any other location? spread influence, get advantages, be better then the others? yes there is no 'win' state which seems to frustrate some people.
8: you can go to the places the news informs about and be part of what happens there? again, you are not the hero, why would leaders of powers and such allow 'you' near them or similar? maybe this style of game isn't for you?
9: 'travelling sucks' ...I absolutely have no idea what travelling would have to be like for it not to suck for you, I enjoy it thoroughly, flitting around near the core currently. Jumping takes..at most after countdown 10 seconds for me, mostly around 5 seconds. So I would think you have either connection or computer issues causing so long loading times. As for meeting aliens, even that would get boring over time if you met them constantly, and thargoids aren't at least officially in yet as far as I know, and again it depends on what you expect to happen when you meet them, though that said I would agree that certain things could be improved, like for example, if two stars are very close, realistically they would be bulging and not be spherical from forces, they might also be tearing matter off each other, such effects would be very very nice.
In short yeah I don't know what exploration should be like for you to enjoy it, but if it was trivial and easy it would be boring, and the need for scooping makes sense, so yeah, unfortunate you don't like it, but I can't imagine it being 'faster' or such and being enjoyable.
As for goals, that's the thing about Elite, there is no real "goal" as other games have, there is an overarching story going, and then there's......whatever you want to do and what ever goals you find that you want to do.
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These posts always break down into "This is too easy" and/or "This is too hard".
The fact EVERYTHING seems to fall into both categories, depending on who you ask, suggests that ED has the balance pretty much right on both things.
If you find something too hard, then either read the forums, practice and get good, or go do something else.
If you find something too easy, then set yourself a challenge - combat against NPCs no challenge? Buy a T7 and try bounty hunting in it.
ED is a big open space full of things you can do - but don't expect the game to be your nursemaid.
The fact EVERYTHING seems to fall into both categories, depending on who you ask, suggests that ED has the balance pretty much right on both things.
If you find something too hard, then either read the forums, practice and get good, or go do something else.
If you find something too easy, then set yourself a challenge - combat against NPCs no challenge? Buy a T7 and try bounty hunting in it.
ED is a big open space full of things you can do - but don't expect the game to be your nursemaid.
The last two posts above perfectly illustrate the problem with the game and why Elite doesn't hold lasting appeal to the average space fan. The sandal wearing geek core player base seems to be large enough to keep FD in business. FD have at least temporarily lost thousands of players and received thousands of terrible player reviews and the apologists just cannot see were the problem is, because they have superior imaginations!
There does seem to be an element of Elder Scrolls syndrome to ED, perhaps because it is, like Skyrim, an extension of a type of game that dates back to the 80's and 90's. I played frontier elite and elder scrolls arena and I remember being blown away by the potential but realizing that they were just big empty worlds.
Elder Scrolls series has gotten around it over the years by encouraging modding, maybe FD needs to do the same? Offload some of the nitty gritty into a willing community.
At the end of the day it comes down to preferences, doesn't it. I'd also say that in its complete form, which is unfortunately a long ways away, it would have greater appeal through greater variety. As much as I love ED, it is very much half-baked.
An original Elite '84 player here and I too was blown away by the game. It probably contributed to unexpected poor exam results...
Modding wouldn't be a bad thing, even just player designed skins would add something. However this wouldn't happen if left to the core player base because the great unwashed might take over their game with unique skins and decals etc...
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OP, the reality is that there are two EDs: there is the vision, and there is the work-in-progress. Evidently, we're currently playing the work-in-progress, and that is kind of a mess. It's not surprising really, Frontier pushed out a minimum viable product asap while three quarters of the game were absent. So what is here is playable, but being a WiP it is lacking in almost all aspects. It will get better, eventually. It has gotten slightly better in some respects, and the upcoming work on tier 2 NPCs, reworked AI and reworked USS spawns as well as some changes to the economy/bgs mentioned recently should help make the game world make a little more sense. And when the world is more consistent and believable, it becomes a lot easier to pretend there are people living there, and that you're one of them.
Unfortunately, this means that the only really valid answer to your thread is the infamous and much laughed about 'ten year plan'. In the mean time you'll have to endure the quirks a game that is just out of the womb as well as the hostility of fanboys taking negative feedback about the game as a personal insult.
Now regarding the grind and your difficulty making money, I'm afraid that's your problem. As it stands, it is exceedingly easy to make money in the game, so I recommend you stick around and look for advice in that regard.
Please, point out to me what, in the OP, makes it look like the game isn't meant for them. You could maybe legitimately blame the OP for posting yet another thread pointing out that the game as a whole is in a hybrid state of alpha and early access and will stay that way for several years yet. You could tell them, quite legitimately again, that in its current heavily unfinished state, the game isn't for them, because a heavily unfinished game requires a lot of effort on the part of the player to fill in the blanks and look past the very rough edges and therefore only a subset of the target audience for the finished product will be able to trully enjoy the bumpy ride there.
But certainly you have no right to make such unfounded comments as you did. That's plain trolling in my book.
Unfortunately, this means that the only really valid answer to your thread is the infamous and much laughed about 'ten year plan'. In the mean time you'll have to endure the quirks a game that is just out of the womb as well as the hostility of fanboys taking negative feedback about the game as a personal insult.
Now regarding the grind and your difficulty making money, I'm afraid that's your problem. As it stands, it is exceedingly easy to make money in the game, so I recommend you stick around and look for advice in that regard.
Please, point out to me what, in the OP, makes it look like the game isn't meant for them. You could maybe legitimately blame the OP for posting yet another thread pointing out that the game as a whole is in a hybrid state of alpha and early access and will stay that way for several years yet. You could tell them, quite legitimately again, that in its current heavily unfinished state, the game isn't for them, because a heavily unfinished game requires a lot of effort on the part of the player to fill in the blanks and look past the very rough edges and therefore only a subset of the target audience for the finished product will be able to trully enjoy the bumpy ride there.
But certainly you have no right to make such unfounded comments as you did. That's plain trolling in my book.
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*ED is a long game, big bits are definitely broken and thin currently, you are right.
*CGs for some trade grind that's fun because of Cmdr interaction and cash.
*If you like space but think these planets look the same don't know what to say.
*Try Arena if you want something new to love/hate.
*Take breaks. Come back. Feel that deep space love.
[Caveat - long breaks may be required :/]
*CGs for some trade grind that's fun because of Cmdr interaction and cash.
*If you like space but think these planets look the same don't know what to say.
*Try Arena if you want something new to love/hate.
*Take breaks. Come back. Feel that deep space love.
[Caveat - long breaks may be required :/]
Look, I'm not expecting the game to pander to me in any way shape or form. I'm just theorizing on what my problem with the game could be, and what would rectify that problem.
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I still am at a loss when people say "making money is easy." In my experience its the most difficult part of the game. Why oh why can't they make this information readily available. Alternately, why oh why cant I find it if it's sitting right out in front of me?
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I still am at a loss when people say "making money is easy." In my experience its the most difficult part of the game. Why oh why can't they make this information readily available. Alternately, why oh why cant I find it if it's sitting right out in front of me?
Hey, I hate wearing sandals. No one wants to see these hairy floor mashers!
But, I do have a superior imagination to just about everything there ever was and ever will be
TES has also reduced the world size over the last 4 iterations (ESO excluded). Then, like a terrarium, they jam pack those worlds full of crafted content. Additionally, being based on a continent, they were never meant to be empty worlds...the progression is natural. However, with Elite we are portraying a galaxy, which is mostly empty. Even adding planets as landable areas reveals that most planets are barren "empty" worlds. Until you walk around in a station or in a ground city, I feel the apparent low density of the game will keep a large group of people from really enjoying it.
I'd love it if we could mod ED, but how is that accomplished with a shared galaxy? Everyone would have to have the same Hello Kitty Beam Laser mod, right?
Quickly, I think your going to have to forgive me for saying "the planets look the same". I'm currently sick, and my thinking isnt 100% clear. I think it would have been more appropriate to say that they look good, but its disappointing that you cant really do anything with them.
Ever since I bought E
(Please note, I REALLY want to like this game! However, these issues are just to glaring for me to have a consistently good time playing.)
#1. The galaxy feels DEAD.
#2. The grind.
#3. The grind 2.0
#4. The people (or lack there of)
#5. The planets (Oh boy.)
#6. The missions
#7. Powerplay (Ai yi yi)
#8. The story (Where is it? WHERE IS IT???)
#9. The exploration (You done did it now)
1. Agree
2. Well, only a grind if you let it.
3. See above
4. See many commanders, where are you?
5. Do not agree, they are really interesting to explore. Not the POV, that is kind of Meh? I mean the geographical part of it.
6. Yes they SOCK, 2.1 will fix that we hope.
7. Yes that need a face life, DEVS are working on that.
8. Plenty of story, you just need to dig. (its just not about you or me)
9. Need more fleshed out yes, however you can explore and find interesting places.
So, what can you do while you wait for it to become perfect. Well I like to just tool around, hone my skills in combat, learn to master the SRV, enjoy the scenery.
Today I made a video where I took out a FDS and a couple of Eagles with my iCourier in a HAZ Zone, that was fun (the AI was actually awake today, no spinning, no flying into rocks).
So I guess ED is what you make of it.
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Oh thanks, I'd forgotten the part where the sky is going to fall in unless FDev fix everything right now.
OMG WAKE UP SHEEPLE!
I'm not yet fed up with the game, and I still find lots of fun and purpose in it. But I have to agree on that point. Galnet is there, but galnet is the least it could potentially be. You can't interact with galnet, you can't save informations, you can't comment, you're not linked to any gameplay feature. It's a news feed, and it could be a news / social hub. I read it during those long 100 000 ls trips. Just wish it was more.
Now, I would also like community possibilities to be more detached from the forum and to alt-tab web browser. Give us a companion app, I don't know, or a basic mail and announcement system in game. Let me call the fuel rats with a beacon. Let me follow powerplay tactics on a dedicated screen.
Expand the bulletin board : Let us post escort missions. Let us post stories and exploration journals at starports, submitted to the community and to evaluations, the better the more money and royalties you can get. Let it be that kind of life in the game, that would even make solo players feel more involved. Cause the best parts of élite, you've got to commit to them, and it's not beneficial to the entire community as players run away...
Def agree on that. And you're right to say close texture is bare on most flatlands. (Don't hold up SC as a paragon there just yet though, their mist hides many a sin. They may well deliver on their more curated worlds down the line tho)
Short answer could be : ED is Space with some big 'Work in Progess' panels slapped over it. You keep banging into them maybe. Enjoy the core good bits (flight model, ship vibe, 1:1 delightful hubris). Find some helpful or challengingly hellish Cmdrs at hubs to liven it up. Forget about cash and pirate NPCs with mining lasers. Then park that Asp for a bit, and see what's there to explore in a few month's time. Ain't ideal, but it's kinda working for me
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