Michael, please don't use 3D printing lore explanation, it will just add more confusion. Hauling works better.
The Galaxy - Is its size now considered to be a barrier to gameplay by the Developers?
- Thread starter Robert Maynard
- Start date
Including engineered stuff?
If explaining the availability of ships in shipyards comes down to licences, isn't that a kind of unsatisfactory situation?
Michael Brookes
Game Director
Print based manufacturing has been part of the fiction for some time - it's hardly that big a stretch considering we're already looking at it.
Michael
Michael Brookes
Game Director
Not really - it's down to the facilities they have and the ship manufacturers - it's not a machine that spits out ships - more like a larger process.
Besides in this case the convenience of the feature means that a little look away is required, in the same way that we don't make you wait for cargo to be unloaded.
Michael
3D printing is already advancing a lot, I don't see any issues with the technology. However that are many pit falls, that need to be explained.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SObzNdyRTBs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMQJkkchTi4
Thank you! <3
Can we have some of the more... hmm... "felxible" Factions not caring about such details? Illegal ships, much cheaper but not covered by insurence and when a cop scans you you are in for a lot of trouble!
I really think adding some gameplay to that whole thing that involves more then clicking a button couldn't hurt.
Michael, there is no gameplay to be had watching cargo get loaded. there is waiting for a ship while you are in one. There are many gains in a delayed ship transfer, future player missions to take, attack and escort player ships, same for NPC's. You could hire NPC's to take your ship, these NPC's could be aspiring to become our fighter wingmen and ladies of the future. You guys are better than a dead end instant transfer mechanic, show us what you can do, please, we can wait for a well thought out and future proof ship transfer mechanic.
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I think biggest issue with 3D printing is Engineer modules (if those where just software tweaks ok, but there are materials involved too) and "why then not everything is not buyable at outfitting"?
Last one can be explained away but first one is much much harder.
Also with 3D printing you write yourself into corner in my opinion, if you rethink that feature later it will be hard to find good explanation.
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Thanks for the response Michael. My issue with thise explanation is: why is hauling machines and other manufactured cargo still a thing in a society that is so technically advanced that they can 3D print stuff as complex as spaceships at every station?
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Axeman pls.
Are you telling us that the same amount of suspension of disbelief required for both cargo being unloaded and a ship teleporting halfway through the galaxy?
Michael. It is completly different. Waiting for cargo stops you from playing the game. Waiting for the delivery of a ship doesn't, you can still play while your ship in is transit. Most people want delivery of ships, but if you make it instant it removes all the consequence in the decision of what ship you will be flying. I can imagine that nearly everyone will be flying a hauler around the bubble, then insta summoning a ship for specific roles when required.
I have to assume that there are going to be events happening when combat ships are going to be needed in quick time, but there really needs to be a better alternative as it will break so many other aspects of the game. Maybe something like combat ship hire while you wait for your ship to arrive. Or make cargo running as important as combat during these events.
A galaxy in which 3D printing is ubiquitous is not a universe that requires lots of pilots to haul goods.
After Jaques, I'd rather have gone with "something something overcharged hyperdrive mumble lethal radiation, you wouldn't like it in there."
Also, DRM is the devil!
I don't even know what that means
'The ship transfer' is an entity? Thanks anyway, you didn't have to answer and you did. Apreciate that.
Shame though. I like my games like I like my pudding. Consistent. You can tell I'm on holiday in the UK eh?
Michael Brookes
Game Director
In this instance the convenience was the overriding factor. That and keeping the feature within a sensible budget - complicating it unnecessarily introduces more points of failure and for a relatively small quality of life improvement, it's not worth the risk. The instant transfer also provides positive aspects to how players can interact the game - it gives them greater freedom to participate in wider aspects in what's going on. We did of course consider the downsides, and other ways of doing it - Sandy in fact was very much in favour of a delay, but it was felt that this weakened the utility of the feature. The point was to allow more freedom with ship use, not add additional barriers.
Michael
Really? Why pay to 3d print goods when us pilots basically transfer them for free and only pocket the market difference?
Unloading a standardized cargo container using advanced robotics can indeed be nearly instant. Summoning instantly a fleet of 10 battle ships across galaxy with engineered stuff is something completely different. I would not say it is a little look away, for me it breaks the Elite universe big time, making any traveling almost pointless in any other than modded taxi ship be it ASPX, DBS or Anaconda while cargo reload, weapon reload or repair does not. This little feature will have a great impact how ED is played and how it is perceived. Anyway, thanks a lot for your input.
As a resident of the UK.....Ziggy, are you more bonkers than I ever considered, a holiday....in the UK?!