is there enough hook to keep veteran players after 2.4, Sandro?

[smiths121]

In common with many MMOs (not saying its an MMO, do not go there), a player has problem when they hit the level (rank) cap. In other MMOs, many put the game down and return when new content is delivered. Some of those even go onto forums a week later when they have exhausted the new content, asking for more content.

I reached Elite/Tycoon/something in December 2015, Python the way I wanted it - and no desire for an Anaconda. The players I had played the BGS with since March had moved on. I experiemented with a few player groups, really not for me, so on the eve of 2.1 I did the sensible thing and reset my account and started iron man mode. Alas I am not very good at Iron Man mode, so I find I am constantly on the journey. Works for me. Doing a bit of BGS, does mean I tend to miss the new content as it is introduced though.

Being "where you want to be in a game", is when the challenge starts. Player Groups are a good way, but not for everyone, and I have some concerns about some of the bigger ones in terms of thr socio=political part of the game, but nothing thr FD magic wand cannot cure. They are not for everyone. I like the thargoid and other mysteries, they seemed to have been good for some of the community - not got involved yet. The problem comes if you do not like groups and the new conent is not to your taste. At that point, I think putting the game down or accoutn reset are the order of the day.

Simon

 

[Teh Smoo]

Hats. Hats should solve all the problems.

You're being facetious, but you know what? I think you're right. Not hats in the strict sense, but many types of hard-to-get collectibles will do the job. Hutton mugs, Beagle Point plushies, etc.

Heck, pick a bunch of random points around the galaxy, put collectibles there that players can activate by going there, and one for getting all of them. Boom, massive amounts of possible playtime. Put in complicated quests, or low-chance spawns. There goes the bounty hunters. Put in a couple bobbleheads that are lost on PVP death, becoming available to the winner, and broadcasting the location of the holder- PVPer content!

No company is ever going to make unique content as fast as players can grind it down, but they can put in a lot of little achievements that can absorb a lot of time.

 

[racer1]

I haven't read the whole thread but @OP.

If things change that much I would hope you could have a reset ranks option that still kept your credits, permits and engineer access.

 

[777Driver]

Teach me mighty grasshopper for your kung fu is strong, picked VA and Astra a few days ago and had a potter around.



Oh and hats solve most problems these days....

https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/1/13313/1373436-beerhat.jpg

I'll send you a PM with a copy of my VA profile.

Cheers

 

[Windie004]

I just enjoy the "game" being the poor relation on xbox doesn't detract it in anyway for me. No fancy gizmos, just a joy pad and a massive tv I have achieved most of the things I wanted too when starting out. But always find things to do.

Looking forward to the next few updates.

Fly how you want to, for me the next challenge is getting good at combat, I've a long way to go

 

[Valan]

Not mincing your words there Valan, though have to agree.

I play ED for the enjoyment period. Mmmm, seems obvious when I think about it, but what I'm really trying to say is it should only be about the enjoyment. Ranks, ships, etc. are just nice little treats creating the impression that I'm actually going somewhere.

Yeh I'm what they call a direct communicator. Wasn't having a go, the OP said it really. - It will still be cool for veterans. -

My post was more of a reminder to look at why people play a game. Like life everyone gets caught up on the end goal without enjoying the experience and the journey. I was an Eve player for a long time when it was hardcore. Do I remember the skill points? Nope, I remember the stories of the scrapes we got into. Remember the story and how you got where you are.

So I've logged in after a long time and found myself 21000 lyrs from home. Can't remember the controls or how to play the game. Last night I finally got everything bound and while screaming at my voice pack I found my window locked to a web page so I couldn't turn away from the sun. As I began to fry while despareately clicking on the screen and yanking on the stick, I thought well this will be a huge waste. Screen came back I regained control and turned my smoking ASP back to safety.

Not that interesting all I did was jump into a system on the face of it. But you had to be there...

Definitely thinking of writing an Elite journal.

 

[Cucco-Master]

After 1500+ hours, I still like the game but can see why people burn out.

Oh, I didn't mean I burnt out. I'm quick to burn out when exploring, but the easy solution to this is just not to leave the bubble and play the BGS instead. Because this is something I can do day by day without losing interest. The most likely reason is that playing the bgs includes a good variety of activities whereas exploring outside of the bubble will actually prevent me from doing anything else.

Regarding the ranks discussion, I am a bit worried about finishing my military ranks, but not because I fear I would lose motivation - the BGS will keep me hooked beyond ranks. My concern is that some future patch will introduce a fleshed out military career but if I'm already King+Admiral by then, I could miss out on the new stuff.

 

[Angus]

My concern is that some future patch will introduce a fleshed out military career but if I'm already King+Admiral by then, I could miss out on the new stuff.

In essence that was what I was trying to say.

Thank you.

 

[Jex =TE=]

I think there's a few people waiting for the gameplay to be added to the game before they bother with it. Right now it's a framework and doesn't have any depth - for players that want that, ED offers nothing. If they put the (explorer) content in then you'll see people coming back to play - there are people waiting on the wings to see what FDev can deliver.

 

[Jex =TE=]

Try looking at your system map and reading the info about the stars and other stellar bodies you're visiting. Some have compositions and mass (or lack of mass for their size) that you don't immediately pick up on when looking at them. Seeing the universe up close and trying to figure out what made it that way is one of my favorite things to do.

Try thinking about the formation of Sol. How it's strong rotation brought all the space dust and debris into a relatively level orbital plane. How the formation of Jupiter, Saturn, and the other gas giants cleared out the stellar neighborhood and protected the inner worlds long enough to form with atmospheres, and in the case of Earth, (and possibly Mars before it was kicked out of the habitable zone and stripped of it's magnetosphere,) even develop life.

Now think of some of the solar systems we've found in Elite: Dangerous. As I said already, there are over 400 billion star systems in the game, and each one has a grand story to tell. Trying to get them to tell me their stories is quite literally the most fascinating thing in the universe to me.

If anything, it makes me appreciate Sol even more. Of all the systems I've visited in E, none of them seem quite as ordered as Sol. I haven't found another system like it.

I think a lot of us find RNG made up systems to be quite boring tbh. What point is there to knowing that x system has 2 more planets with slightly higher gravity than the last and your saying that every one is fascinating - all 10 trillion of them?

 

[Jane Turner]

Player groups, and by extension the BGS, are the heart and soul of Elite, and are what will carry the game forward. Would be nice to see FD implement some fleet/guild mechanics to facilitate the games biggest driving influence.

Absolutely.

 

[Weps]

FDEV did plenty of blast fishing during Season 2. I wouldn't worry about lines and hooks anymore....

 

[CMDR Cosmic Spacehead]

Someone mentioned hook?

 

[BigBANGtheory [VR]]

I think there's a few people waiting for the gameplay to be added to the game before they bother with it. Right now it's a framework and doesn't have any depth - for players that want that, ED offers nothing. If they put the (explorer) content in then you'll see people coming back to play - there are people waiting on the wings to see what FDev can deliver.

I wouldn't say it offers nothing, it offers what amounts to an introduction with the opportunity to go shopping and then repeat everything ad-infinitum. The only sustainable gameplay is PvP which isn't for everyone and those seemingly unaffected by the repetition. I am kind of OK with that for the time being that was always my understanding when starting my CMDR but you are right I find myself waiting for gameplay to be added now.

 

[Daish]

Been playing since beta also not ranked Elite on any yet but getting there, I find that the grind is criplingat best of times and with that I switch off come back to it in a month or two when something new is coming, hoping that 2.4 (FDEVS) wll bring QOL in a HUGE way.. watch this space...

 

[Catweedle]

Aye, watch this space for some official musings, looking-into's, would's, should's and could's.

 

[Ralph Vargr]

We're looking into it, but it's low on our list, and will only be implemented if popular?

 

[-VR- Max Factor]

Been playing since beta also not ranked Elite on any yet but getting there, I find that the grind is criplingat best of times and with that I switch off come back to it in a month or two when something new is coming, hoping that 2.4 (FDEVS) wll bring QOL in a HUGE way.. watch this space...

Been playing since beta as well and am not ranked Elite in anything either. And I really don't care as its not important. If you are finding it a grind trying to get these ranks, then don't bother as they don't mean anything much. Enjoy the game and just play. Don't grind.

 

[MottiKhan]

Been playing since beta as well and am not ranked Elite in anything either. And I really don't care as its not important. If you are finding it a grind trying to get these ranks, then don't bother as they don't mean anything much. Enjoy the game and just play. Don't grind.

That's one way of enjoying the game.

I think another is to grind until your eyes bug out. Then buy a 2nd CMDR and just enjoy the game in a small ship. It makes you appreciate the game more.

 

[-VR- Max Factor]

That's one way of enjoying the game.

I think another is to grind until your eyes bug out. Then buy a 2nd CMDR and just enjoy the game in a small ship. It makes you appreciate the game more.

You could do that. I have only just got a python and that is now my biggest ship. Most of my time is spent in small ships, as I find them more fun then the bigger ships.