Elite Dangerous is not a sandbox

[Daeron]

Indeed.

Hats, please.

Elite Dangerous already got procedurally generated boulders, throw in some hats, and you can call it a corridor shooter, as far as I'm concerned. We are so close to the edge of the Galaxy, it feels cramped every time you sleep on top of the arm. Make hats, not hate.

 

[Shepard]

For me, you are correct on your first point, and incorrect on your second point. ED isn't an MMO* (as far as MMO's are currently understood) and you can have the term sandbox all to yourself if you want. I don't care about the labels, I care about the game.

*Beyond the fact that it's Massive, Multiplayer, and Online.

Yup, Teefur is right on the spot. when you start the game after release you will have two options - single player and then multiplayer. Single player you just on your own, flying around doing stuff and NPCs influence prices on market, interdict you etc. in Multiplayer it's pretty much the same except along with NPCs there will be real players flying around, but only up to 32 players (or less due to limitations) in a single layer of the game along with you. There will be pretty much open world PvP in exception of specific places like close to stations for example. Interdiction will also include real players depending on their proximity.

Interdiction is not always 100% PvP. It could be a peaceful trader player or it could be a bounty hunter. If you don't have bounty on your head or if you are same peaceful trader you will not be attacked. Based on conditions and players preferences interdiction may result either in dogfighting or in just a handshake. You can always supercruise out and run unless there is a big body present close, planet, moon etc. in that case it will take a while for your engines to spool so you'll have to outlast the attacker or chat for a while if player you met is peaceful trader/explorer.

But yeah it's not an MMO. I'd actually hate if game was MMO because then it would contain all kinds of MMO elements some of which are quite annoying like levels.

 

[Gibbonici]

Unbelieable! This sudden influx of sandbox MMOs!
WoW, Guild wars 2, Rift, SWTOR!

Who would have thought the sandbox definition is so obvious and themepark MMOs never existed! Open world, free roam

So doing a bunch of quests, delivering chicken eggs to the dwarf family or delivering 100 tons of wheat to a starving planet is now officially "sandbox MMO".
Alrighty

You know why those aren't free roam games? Because you don't progress on a free roam basis. Your path through the game is determined by predefined quest lines and hubs. It's not very complicated to understand.

 

[smsKONG]

Folks, while this has been entertaining, I must depart. Please continue the discussion - I'll be sure to reply to the respectful comments when I return.

I do believe you've all been done - you've all been arguing for 19 hours without the tro..ahem..Op even having to get involved.

My hats off to him

 

[Tobytyke1972]

Agreed,

He stoked the fires but we kept them burning.

Does it really matter what type of game ED is, Whats more important if that its going to be Elite

 

[Fromhell]

You know why those aren't free roam games? Because you don't progress on a free roam basis. Your path through the game is determined by predefined quest lines and hubs. It's not very complicated to understand.

[redacted] and you know it, the quest hubs in Elite will be stations, or maybe you get quests auto logged based on area
like in Guild Wars 2 and the like.

You need a bit more to prove that ED is not a themepark, sorry.

I'll call it a space theme park, because that's what it is.

It WOULD only deserve the label sandbox if they let me

1) build persistant stations in player contested systems
2) buy one of the 400 billion planets and build a persistant structure on it
3) blow one of the 400 billion planets up and watch the gravity in the system change
4) conquer and defend territory within player guilds
5) build up a trade armada
6) run a factory and produce goods, to sell on a player driven stock market

-> until then, SORRY. Space theme park adventure, fun, but no sandbox. Not even close.

 

[Globusdiablo]

I can't build my own jacuzzi!!! Ergo: not a sandbox!!! End of discussion!

 

[Asp Explorer]

[redacted]

Players in elite cannot hope to own planets, contest space, order about huge armadas, build shipyards or factories. That is what the power blocs are for.

If you get too big for your boots, there will be a nice little comms from a gentleman with an Armagh accent - "This is yer man. This is a message for your benefit - don't be startin yer Cobra this morning"

 

[Robert Maynard]

We're getting hung up on the definition of "sandbox" - the definition of which is only really relevant to the proposal by the OP to include a whole load of features from EVE Online (because of the fact that E: D has been called a sandbox game and in the OP's opinion is not).

To me, the discussion really centres around whether such features should be included - my vote would be not now and if ever then after the planetary landing and "out of the cockpit" expansions.

I'll call it a space theme park, because that's what it is.

In your opinion, of course. MMMV.

There's no need to change the game simply because a number of people can't agree what type of game it is.

 

[Joe nose]

Nah, sod the jacuzzi, I want a football stadium. And to compete first person in an interstellar league. In between seamlessly jumping into a Death Star crewed by thousands (and also built by one of my many Death Star factories) to obliterate any planets whose teams beat me. Oh, and I need to craft footballs and train players too. And craft performance enhancing drugs for my team.

Mostly I want to rule baby and be awesome!!!

 

[Phaserlight]

For me, you are correct on your first point, and incorrect on your second point. ED isn't an MMO* (as far as MMO's are currently understood) and you can have the term sandbox all to yourself if you want. I don't care about the labels, I care about the game.

*Beyond the fact that it's Massive, Multiplayer, and Online.

The double M in MMORPG, MMOG, or MMO as it's often shortened to these days actually stands for "Massively Multiplayer". It has nothing to do with the size or scope of the game, it has to do with the number of interactions between players playing the game. You can't split those two Ms up without changing the original meaning of the term.

Sorry, just an aside pointing out a common misunderstanding

 

[Cosmos]

I must admit, definitions of what is a sandbox and what is not aside, I get the impression ED isn't going to be as sandboxy as I was expecting. We'll have to see how things work out but I find the restriction on not seeing other players easily as a large move against sandbox play.

I understand Frontier want the game to be a positive experience for all but its becoming a little to safe and cuddly in my view with the never ending push to cater to avoiding other people. In an online multiplayer game that just seems odd to me.

 

[Teefur]

The double M in MMORPG, MMOG, or MMO as it's often shortened to these days actually stands for "Massively Multiplayer". It has nothing to do with the size or scope of the game, it has to do with the number of interactions between players playing the game. You can't split those two Ms up without changing the original meaning of the term.

Sorry, just an aside pointing out a common misunderstanding

And that's just one more way that ED isn't an MMO as they are understood today

 

[Fromhell]

In your opinion, of course. MMMV.

There's no need to change the game simply because a number of people can't agree what type of game it is.

not opinion, fact.

It's not EvE with cockpits, it's not Darkfall in space, and it's not a sandbox MMO.

Same old cherry picking, wanting the sandbox buzzword because it sounds cool, but not wanting the genre defining mechanics that come with it.

Just call it open world as a compromise, without sand

 

[Luniticisi]

not opinion, fact.

It's not EvE with cockpits, it's not Darkfall in space, and it's not a sandbox MMO.

Same old cherry picking, wanting the sandbox buzzword because it sounds cool, but not wanting the genre defining mechanics that come with it.

Just call it open world as a compromise, without sand

I am sorry but do you REALLY think people are wanting the sandbox "buzzword" because it sounds cool? ... seriously, how old are these people ... I don't care if it's called sand box or cat-littler ... Elite is an open world game, some may call it sandbox and that is fine ... but I very much doubt that it's because of the term being "COOL" ... I mean .. who thinks that "sandbox" is cool, apart from 4 year old's dodging the dog turds in their sand pits?


*EDIT* <Moderation Edit: Residual Cleanup>[/QUOTE] Very poor and unnecessary

 

[andy_herbert]

Just call it open world as a compromise, without sand

I'm not sure why a compromise has to be made based purely on a semantic argument caused by some individuals with hard definitions on what does, or does not, constitute a 'sandbox' game.

Even with your definition, the actions of the player has an effect on the state of the Elite universe, through market trending and the cost of goods, and also has the chance to adopt certain play styles.

You could even make the argument, that Elite is actually a first person shooter if you were feeling especially ungracious.

(This is my first post here btw. Hello!)

 

[Lestat]

No, I want to rule and be awesome!!!...

To bad the picture was uncool and not Awesome.

 

[Spook]

<Moderation Edit: Residual Cleanup>

Don't you dare beat around the bush.

Don't insinuate Godwins Law, never hint at it - just walk right up there and smack it in the face with a 12 lb lump hammer.

 

[Globusdiablo]

I am sorry but do you REALLY think people are wanting the sandbox "buzzword" because it sounds cool? ... seriously, how old are these people ... I don't care if it's called sand box or cat-littler ... Elite is an open world game, some may call it sandbox and that is fine ... but I very much doubt that it's because of the term being "COOL" ... I mean .. who thinks that "sandbox" is cool, apart from 4 year old's dodging the dog turds in their sand pits?


*EDIT* Very poor and unnecessary

To bad the picture was uncool and not Awesome.

Don't you dare beat around the bush.

Don't intimate Godwins Law, never hint at it - just walk right up there and smack it in the face with a 12 lb lump hammer.

I knew that referencing humans historical obsessions for ultimate power and world domination would upset some people.
Just stating facts people. It is meant as stark sarcasm.

 

[Lestat]

I knew that referencing humans historical obsessions for ultimate power and world domination would upset some people.
Just stating facts people. It is meant as stark sarcasme.

It not funny. It insulting and it been reported.