News Elite Dangerous - 2.4 and beyond

[chotnik]

pls for your own sake and future enjoyment of the game lower your expectations by at least 20x.
My expectations are low and even then FD have failed consistently to meet them with pretty much every update. I can't imagine id have ever enjoyed any bits of the game at all if my expectations were as unrealistic as yours.

Well if you just watch Kickstarter videos and note everything DB mentions to be in game - you cant blame people for having such expectations.
What people buying into the game might not get clearly is that will be "kind of, maybe, not quite sure" 10 season and 600$ later.
Game reviews score on Steam still didnt recover after Steam launch disaster of releasing a game for 45$ and then 1 month later Horizons for ~50-60$...

 

[CMDR Cillian Raynor]

Well if you just watch Kickstarter videos and note everything DB mentions to be in game - you cant blame people for having such expectations.
What people buying into the game might not get clearly is that will be "kind of, maybe, not quite sure" 10 season and 600$ later.
Game reviews score on Steam still didnt recover after Steam launch disaster of releasing a game for 45$ and then 1 month later Horizons for ~50-60$...

what are you on about? ED came out on steam in april 2015 (only four months after coming out). Horizons was out on steam in december 2015.


Or is the complaint that the expansions have to be paid for? Cause thats not even an issue. Theres no sub fees and all that is in the store is aesthetical meaning not in any way required meaning a lot of people are not buying them probably. So how do people expect FD to keep the game and expansions funded? Magic?

 

[Kingtutuk]

How many alien races in the galaxy? Surely more than two, Human and Thargoid. What about Greys? for example or other types of popular culture Aliens and your bog standard "Flying Saucers".

 

[Han Zulu]

yes and then the issue will still be the same...

Now i get that you can argue if you play a game enough at some point you WILL be left with nothing to work towards but the truth is that for ED that moment is reached very early on. I myself, i do not have an anaconda or python or T9 so nevermind corvette and cutter but i have zero intention of working towards them as i'm satisfied with the ships i have plus i don't like flying big ships anyway. A clipper feels too big already. I could name you countless amounts of things most MMOs have as carrots to have you working towards. ED has next to nothing save for bigger ship. I don't even get how people who have the biggest ships even keep interested in the game. To work towards what? Having 5 billions for no good reason other than watch the numbers?

I remember in some early installments of WoW it took some people to get the highest ranks in just a few weeks. Hence Blizzard was (is?) constantly adding new upgrades and new stories and bosses and such. It's the nature if these games. When you've killed all the current bosses and ranked to the highest, then it's only ganking and griefing left to do, which people did and still do because of boredom.

Witcher 3 apparently takes less than 200 hours to complete, including all side missions. Now, playing Elite for 200 hours and feel that it hit a wall, it's normal with games.

I really don't think the problem is that Elite has too little to do, but rather that the things we can do are too simple in design. The space flying and rendering of stars and planets are advanced, but the missions are too simple. They don't require much thought to complete. It's more or less just pick up a mission, go into combat (most of them include some combat) or fight an interdicting pirate, scan something and then go back home and hand in the mission. And that's all there is.

In the beginning it's exciting to do all these things. But it becomes monotonous to do them, because there's no change in how they're done.

The BGS isn't a significant enough carrot. It's empty and gets boring fast. I mean yes you can craft yourself better components but the RNG is enough to drive anyone away from the idea plus it i only a stat change essentially. You won't get a kickass looking cannon you can marvel at. On an aesthetic level there is pretty much zero to earn in ED, anything that could be is in the stores and i get no sense of statisfaction fro spending 5$ to earn a better paint.

Sure. The RNG of finding mats and data, and then hope for a god-roll, it's boring because it's just tedious and doesn't have a challenge to your mind. If the engineering was a bit more like how crafting is in other games, I think it would become a bit more interesting. For instance different paths of chained effects so level 1 leads to level 2 and different options that you can only do either or. Current engineering is just to random and simple. And picking up things is just by luck and it's very annoying at times, agree. Take days to find some simple mats. Not sure how that could be improved, but I agree that it takes too much time.

I was playing warframe recently which isnt even that good but even that game...there's always always new weappns blueprints to acquire and craft, builds to work on, new warframes to unlocks, companions, rare things to earn and trade for. There's always something you dont have that you won't to try to get. Always a new goal. The gameplay gets stale fast but there ARE so many carrots to keep the players going. E has almost none of that. I'm not saying i want ships in ED to start dropping rare weapons and blueprints. But FD HAVE to find something for the players to work for beyond a bigger ship/big bank account and a terribly grindy unsatisfying half crafting system. they really really really do.

Yeah, I know. I'd like to see more of that too.

Put it this way, I don't think the boredom comes from too little things to do and too little things to discover, but rather that most of the things are so similar and so simple in design, so it feels like how it felt in No Man Sky after seeing the 50th planet that the animals and plants all looked very familiar. It wasn't really new or exciting anymore, even if there were 8 bazillion stars to go to.

 

[Jacobus Franconium]

??? I'm not sure I follow. Why is "making your own path" has anything to do with requiring multiplayer? Isn't a concept of doing it on your own disconnected with what other people force you to do? Please expand a bit on your comment, please, because I don't know how personal choice is in conflict with solo play.


You're making the solo story by being the player. After all, the game description is that you're blazing your own trails, in others words, you're the one creating the story by playing the game. There's no Solo Quest like other games. There's no end game, end goal, a final super boss that you have to overcome. The whole story evolves in the game as we all are playing. The factions change. The expansion of humanity changes. The war between Federation and Imperial changes, as well as the emerging war with the thargoids. Also, the knowledge, star maps of the galaxy is growing by the explorers exploring. And so on. The game is you making the story, solo or multiplayer, no difference.


Correct. Solo mode helps the player to avoid griefers and gankers.


Meaning? Bosses to beat? Combat? Combat? Combat?

I'd like to see more puzzles to solve. Puzzles and mysteries that you can solve on your own, rather than yet another weapon or enemy.

I agree , the ofline mode was killed of. and solo was introduced . still you can make an inpact on the galaxy even if not in open or private.

New commanders are best to start in solo and get to know the game before heading to the murderers open game.

 

[Han Zulu]

I agree , the ofline mode was killed of. and solo was introduced . still you can make an inpact on the galaxy even if not in open or private.

New commanders are best to start in solo and get to know the game before heading to the murderers open game.

Good tip.

I do go into Open at times, but I do it knowingly that it'll be more challenging. And I probably will go there more when I start doing more combat soon (I want to unlock all engineers, and some require some rank and such). But when I explore, trade, or do regular missions, I tend to do it in Solo. Or, at least I switch to Solo when enter/exit a station. That's where it tends to be most dangerous. In general though, in Open, 99% of the players are nice and won't attack unprovoked. Some even just chat. One time, waiting for the Thargoid at the barnacles, we were playing around with the SRVs and chatted up a storm. No one attacked anyone. We had a great time. Those moments are golden. But then... some times it's not as fun. It's a matter of learning things and playing smart.

 

[Deamawa]

Thanks for that - I give it a try

 

[Jester13]

I see no mention of cargo storage. I do see mention of "quality of life". Might this include cargo storage?

Greetings Commanders,

It’s a very exciting time to be part of the Elite Dangerous galaxy. On June 27 we will welcome even more Commanders to the galaxy with the PlayStation 4 launch. These new players will join the ranks of our already incredibly active, passionate and dedicated community.

Since the launch of Elite Dangerous: The Commanders a number of weeks ago, we’ve received messages from members of the community eagerly awaiting details about the 2.4 update and the future of the game. I’m pleased to be able to share with you a little more detail on what’s to come in the short term and slightly longer term with Elite Dangerous.

2.3.10

The first thing I’d like to share with you is that we will be adding another point update on June 27, this will be for all platforms and will include a number of bug fixes, and stability and networking improvements. This includes the much-requested Anaconda cockpit appearance change and will also introduce greater security for multicrew hosts to be able to disable or limit crew members’ specific activity.

One large element of this point update is a number of “under the hood” fixes which are designed to improve stability and performance, particularly on planet surfaces. This means that we will be looking to run a beta for 2.3.10. However, we do understand that with this being a point update with a number of less visible improvements, it won’t have as many new features to play test. Nonetheless, this testing is very important to make sure the game works as we would expect. Due to the wider and more global nature of this small point update, we will be making the beta open for all and we would welcome your support in joining and spending a few hours playing and helping to ensure the update is as good and stable as it can be.

We’ll have more details on the beta, and exactly how it will work shortly.

2.4 – “????”

Back at EGX in 2015 we showcased the headline features that would be coming to Horizons. However, there’s always been an extra little update, a mystery if you will, that has yet to be revealed.

We’ll be providing a little more information about the update to the community and the press during E3 on June 12^th and 13^th. We’ll be hosting special community livestreams and activity so stay tuned for more news and updates as we get closer to the date.

I can, however, tell you that this update will be slightly different to previous ones - content will be revealed over time rather than all being available on day one. Additional pieces of exciting content will surface over the coming months as the narrative progresses.

Beyond

So with the Horizon season of expansions coming to a close, what is beyond 2.4 I hear you ask? Well, it certainly isn’t the end of this amazing journey… we’re only just getting started!

Our awesome dev team are dedicated to continuing to build and improve the Elite Dangerous experience with an exciting long term vision in mind. We’re happy to be able to confirm that the next major updates following 2.4 will focus on core gameplay, existing features, quality of life and other improvements! We’re delighted to be investing a considerable amount of development and effort into making the core gameplay experience even better for our fantastic community or players.

We’ll be sharing more news on that content and our roadmap at a very special event coming later in the year - more details on this event will be released in the weeks after E3.

On behalf of the entire Elite Dangerous team, thank you for your continued support. We are very excited to embark on the next part of the journey together as we continue to make Elite Dangerous an even more fantastic game and experience for our incredible community of players.

 

[Teh Smoo]

I see no mention of cargo storage. I do see mention of "quality of life". Might this include cargo storage?

Also, materials storage. And materials space.

 

[sutex]

Also, materials storage. And materials space.

Elite Dangerous: Trinity - K.I.S.S

Off Ship Storage .. allowing choice, freedom of movement and trade among players

Combat logger ship blows up .. any weaponized ship taking damage that looses connection blows up.

Consequences for destroying unarmed ships .. any ship Cmdr who destroys an unarmed players ship has re-buys tripled of their most expense ship


Since Frontier thought up the BGS surely can work out the finer details following the K.I.S.S principle Keep It Simple Stupid



Other thoughts are, coupled with the above.
Only Solo and Open would exist, and proximity chat in open, a 5km sphere around your ship.

 

[V3teran]

How many alien races in the galaxy? Surely more than two, Human and Thargoid. What about Greys? for example or other types of popular culture Aliens and your bog standard "Flying Saucers".

This is what i would like to see, more alien races even monuments that are linked to different species for the time being. Give you a reason to explore, ive not explored at all yet as i see no point. Im hoping that one day we will see different races. If this game is going to be done then it needs to be done properly.

 

[Marc_Hicks]

Also, materials storage. And materials space.

My guess is that the Science & Research contact is the person we can go to in order to trade materials & data-but probably not on a 1 for 1 basis.

 

[Lngjohnsilver1]

I believe there is a sub-forum for wishes and desires.

What REAL Frontier news is there? Presumably seeing as we have nothing formal of any substance since July we will continue waiting until the 'special event' i.e. Frontier Expo, in October to hear more about what IS going to be happening rather than tinfoil hat speculations and wishes.

 

[Marc_Hicks]

I believe there is a sub-forum for wishes and desires.

What REAL Frontier news is there? Presumably seeing as we have nothing formal of any substance since July we will continue waiting until the 'special event' i.e. Frontier Expo, in October to hear more about what IS going to be happening rather than tinfoil hat speculations and wishes.

2.4 Beta announced just this weekend gone......are you paying attention?

 

[Marcns007]

I haven't played the game for a long time and will come back with 2.4. World of Warships is filling the gap.
For 2.4, I would like to see the Panther, but also more interaction such as find modules in ship wrecks that are military grade, also the insurance needs to be changed and lowered for people on the receiving end in non combat ships, perhaps a guild of traders or explorer with 50% to 75% off if you reach a set limit each month?
The other big debate is paying for ships, say military versions?

 

[Tikigod]

This is what i would like to see, more alien races even monuments that are linked to different species for the time being. Give you a reason to explore, ive not explored at all yet as i see no point. Im hoping that one day we will see different races. If this game is going to be done then it needs to be done properly.

The sad thing is, there has been things to find through exploration there have just been no game tools to help pinpoint them, instead unless Frontier signpost players toward somewhere then the chances of just stumbling across it as slim to none due to how most people have reacted to the game by just flying around a small bit of space in the bubble or just flying between tourist spots where as Frontier had expected players to be much more curious and cover more ground continuously.


Was some statements Frontier made for some press articles a year or two back where they mention that there is/was lots of content out there in the game that no player has seen yet because they had expected players to move around a lot and for things to eventually get discovered, shared with others and eventually as more and more ground is covered people would uncover all this content.... but then they actually looked at how the majority of people were playing the game and they were mostly just establishing a small box which they'd live in doing the same thing over and over again but expecting to find something new whilst doing so. This was causing no one to be finding the content that was in the game, and so Frontier decided they had to change how they approached things to suit how people were behaving. (Not long after, everything that needed to be discovered just started being dumped around Pleiades for the continuous circle 'explorers' to 'find' through Youtube video analysis and begging Frontier staff for more signposted clues on the forums, and since then that's become the popular take on exploration... wait for a new update then fly circles around the Pleiades.)


Plus if you look at what most people consider exploration you'll see what they call exploration is just flying from tourist trap to tourist trap... so I guess the whole exploration aspect was doomed from the start and Frontier have just left it to die after figuring players didn't have the temperament for actually exploring an entire galaxy for something.

 

[chotnik]

New commanders are best to start in solo and get to know the game before heading to the murderers open game.

You do realize that this is one of the major problems the game faces and FD doesnt have the balls to solve it? Having both Solo and Open is bad, but probaby necessity in current "PVP" implementation.

Lets imagine some scanarios :
1. So a new player just bought this new MULIPLAYER game called Elite Dangerous and you tell him to play SOLO? Because :
a) police is weak and incompetent that engineered Conda or Cutter can camp "noob zones" and there is nothing they can do
b) player kills a lot of new players, get bounty, jumps 2 systems and they welcome him as normal everyday guy, nothing happened... Makes sense.

2. You killed a lot of newbs in your shiny FDL, their friends are coming to help - oh lets just relog to Solo, bye suckers!

 

[chotnik]

The sad thing is, there has been things to find through exploration there have just been no game tools to help pinpoint them, instead unless Frontier signpost players toward somewhere then the chances of just stumbling across it as slim to none due to how most people have reacted to the game by just flying around a small bit of space in the bubble or just flying between tourist spots where as Frontier had expected players to be much more curious and cover more ground continuously.


Was some statements Frontier made for some press articles a year or two back where they mention that there is/was lots of content out there in the game that no player has seen yet because they had expected players to move around a lot and for things to eventually get discovered, shared with others and eventually as more and more ground is covered people would uncover all this content.... but then they actually looked at how the majority of people were playing the game and they were mostly just establishing a small box which they'd live in doing the same thing over and over again but expecting to find something new whilst doing so. This was causing no one to be finding the content that was in the game, and so Frontier decided they had to change how they approached things to suit how people were behaving. (Not long after, everything that needed to be discovered just started being dumped around Pleiades for the continuous circle 'explorers' to 'find' through Youtube video analysis and begging Frontier staff for more signposted clues on the forums, and since then that's become the popular take on exploration... wait for a new update then fly circles around the Pleiades.)

Plus if you look at what most people consider exploration you'll see what they call exploration is just flying from tourist trap to tourist trap... so I guess the whole exploration aspect was doomed from the start and Frontier have just left it to die after figuring players didn't have the temperament for actually exploring an entire galaxy for something.

And what you expect people should do, if we only have atmospere-less planets? Drive around them in SRV searching for what? There is nothing there, they are LIFELESS. Screenshots only.
If we could scan for POIs from the ship flying low over that planet - maybe more people would land on them. But then again - what for?

If FD put something on some planet without any hint it might be there, than good luck anyone would find it. They should know, they designed the game, they know how many systems there are and how many rocks we can land on, did FD forget, we live ~80 years, not 8000 to scan whole Galaxy? Or that they build and improve ED for a living, but people dont and have to live and work.

And even if someone landed on that particular rock, its huge and impossible to cover from surface. Maybe if when scanned it shown some "anomaly" then it would be hint to look there.

Logical approach - if you can spend 500 lifetimes and never find it - why should you bother? Its milion times easier to win a lotter than find a random thing on a random planet in ED.

 

[mojonaut]

If FD put something on some planet without any hint it might be there, than good luck anyone would find it.

Its a bit like finding a needle in a haystack, except you don't even know if the planet you're searching has a haystack.

 

[DarthVain]

Perhaps a new scanner should come into play that can pinpoint POIs on the planet from space. The current surface scanner only advices what the planet surface is.