Why do people support this game so heavily??

[Lucifera Danzig]

As I see it, the problem lies n the expectation of Elite to provide things not intended for the genre. It's supposed to be less linear story and more sandbox, and in sandboxes you make your own path. So people who like that kind of game are the target audience. That doesn't mean people who prefer other kinds of games can't play, but if they expect the game to be changed to suit their preferred style of game it's only going to lead to disappointment.

And when you look at the differences between genres of games, you have to realize "content" is going to mean different things for different games. In a typical MMO like WoW or Star Trek Online, that's linear stories people can work through. In a sandbox-type game it's more typically more tools with which to create your own stories. And yes, there's plenty of debate as to what constitutes "necessary" or "obvious" tools, but that's subjective.

Frontier know they have the space game monopoly which is why ED is in maintenance mode this year

"Maintenance mode" is NOT reworking entire core game mechanics and overhauling major parts of the graphics engine. Maintenance mode is when they just leave it running with no new time invested except bug fixes, or security fixes if they absolutely have to, and the occasional cosmetic item in the store. (See: Champions Online for an example.) You don't invest the time, effort, or resources to put out an update the size of Beyond: Chapter 1 (10.1 GB worth), let alone the bigger update coming in Q4, on a game that's in "maintenance mode."

 

[metatheurgist]

Elite is as wide as an ocean but only a foot deep,

Whoa! That's a massive improvement from "mile-wide, inch deep". Good job FD!

Frontier know they have the space game monopoly

Wow! Not bad for a game that's been dead for years. Doom! Doom! Doom!

 

[LeoBartlet]

If by support you mean play the game well I play it because I enjoy it but that doesn't mean I don't see the faults in it or call them out when I do.

 

[crushdepth]

The depth is defined by your imagination


Fly/land safe

CMDR Steyla

Yep. If you have a limited imagination game looks great. No need for improvement.

 

[Bortas]

Because it's Elite.

It's a childhood dream... Elite with good graphics, sound, athmosphere and everything... and damn did they nail this.

Thanks David, for dreaming the same dream and finally turning it into reality.

 

[Alec Turner]

Following this thread, there's some good responses here.

To the OP (who I don't think is "whining" but simply trying to understand) I think the heart of the appeal for me lies in the solid flight model, brilliantly modelled galaxy and complex but engaging control systems for navigation, ship and station controls, outfitting, etc. Basically I get a huge amount of pleasure from simply travelling from A to B and so everything else is a bonus. I'm kinda of with the "imagination" crowd and, as someone else posted, I think the videos by Isinona probably exemplify the reasons why I love this game better than any words I could write here would do. I have a TODO list a mile long (lots of places to visit and see, game mechanics to try which I haven't experimented with before and also things like planning races, investigating base jumping sights, getting back into fuel ratting, or trying out whole new roles for myself like "film maker", "expedition planner", etc) so whenever I sit down to play I have plenty of options outside of simply "play the game" (by which I mean running missions, doing engineering, getting involved in CG's, etc).

Three years and counting ... still a LONG way from getting bored I think.

 

[-VR- Max Factor]

I support the game because I have a huge amount of fun in the game.

It is the least grindy game I have ever played as there is no forced progression, just chosen progression and I can choose how I go about that progression too.

I have still got a ton of goals to do in the game, loads of places I haven't been to yet and I have played for around a 1000 hours.

So difficult for me to get bored really.

 

[lokvette]

I come here every day because its Elite, even if Im not playing at the moment due to the game becoming boring and nothing added of late was off any real intrest to me. I will contiune to surport the game or at least follow it.

I dont buy stuff from the store anymore so the only surport I really give is the odd pat on the back to FD when they do somthing right.

 

[Troz]

Yep. If you have a limited imagination game looks great. No need for improvement.

I think you've got this bit backwards. It's the people with no imagination who need to be spoon-fed.

 

[CMDR Cylixx]

Welcome to the worst excuse for a sandbox in history.

Supporters will use the excuse, "it doesn't hold your hand" to overlook the galaxy spanning empty space that you cannot interact with apart from putting your name on things that no one else will see.

There is no 'game', it turns people off. Then obscure weirdos on this forum, talk down to the disillusioned as though they themselves are superior beings for not being bored.

Got bored of Elite ages ago, but I stuck around until I noticed you can't make a thread without a swarm of crazy people descending on you wasps to soda; all eager to tell you why you are a piece of trash because your opinion differs. What a community.

 

[crushdepth]

I think you've got this bit backwards. It's the people with no imagination who need to be spoon-fed.

I invite you to consider the (unrealised) possibilities of the game a little more.

 

[lokvette]

I think you've got this bit backwards. It's the people with no imagination who need to be spoon-fed.

Not that I ever want a game to spoon feed me, but once I find myself making up reasons to contuine to play a game then its time for a break.

I have a vast imagination but when it comes to ED its more of, what it could have been, and hey what it could become. for me at least there is still somthing missing an underlying somthing I cant really put my finger on.

 

[Troz]

I invite you to consider the (unrealised) possibilities of the game a little more.

Thank you for the invitation. I still think my point is valid. People like the OP would get more out of this game if, rather than expecting a story-line like the majority of games, they were prepared to let their imaginations build on what the game already provides. Which is not to say that I won't welcome more complexity in the game as it arrives!

 

[Alec Turner]

Welcome to the worst excuse for a sandbox in history.

Supporters will use the excuse, "it doesn't hold your hand" to overlook the galaxy spanning empty space that you cannot interact with apart from putting your name on things that no one else will see.

There is no 'game', it turns people off. Then obscure weirdos on this forum, talk down to the disillusioned as though they themselves are superior beings for not being bored.

Got bored of Elite ages ago, but I stuck around until I noticed you can't make a thread without a swarm of crazy people descending on you wasps to soda; all eager to tell you why you are a piece of trash because your opinion differs. What a community.

You complain about the community and yet ironically yours is one of the saltier posts in this thread?

 

[Noob]

Basically I get a huge amount of pleasure from simply travelling from A to B and so everything else is a bonus.

Yep, in a nutshell that's it.

Parts of "everything else" annoys me immensely (at Synuefe right now) but the core thing you stated makes for it all.

 

[Troz]

Not that I ever want a game to spoon feed me, but once I find myself making up reasons to contuine to play a game then its time for a break.

I have a vast imagination but when it comes to ED its more of, what it could have been, and hey what it could become. for me at least there is still somthing missing an underlying somthing I cant really put my finger on.

What there already is provides me with plenty of enjoyment, and the expectation (or hope, if you prefer) of more to come adds something to the enjoyment. After all, I waited over 30 years for this, so I'm used to being patient.

But anyone who presumes to tell me that the reason I enjoy this game is because I lack imagination is someone who lacks judgement, empathy, understanding of human nature, and most of all common courtesy. Oh yes - and imagination.

EDIT: not that it was you who did...

 

[Exeider]

Because, despite some of its problems, it's still a cool as hell game. Could it be better, yes, but I like the journey there as much as I like the destination.

I have fun with combat, which is saying something because I generally avoid in games like this, I hate PvP in general, but this game makes me like it.

No matter how badly I lose in terms of money, I know I can come back from it with another profession.

I will admit I'm liking forward to things like atmospheric planets and cities, space legs. And would love more and deeper levels of commander interaction like direct trading, docking in space. Walking around ships, stations or planets. Player owned capships or structures (there are a few things I would borrow from EvE Online because they are good ideas.)

The thargoid war and alien narriative evolves in real time. I remember when aliens were a myth and the idea of finding them was a dream. Now they exist , we can see them, and they shoot back.

I know those are years away but still each thing will change the game with every jump.

But I'm getting a chance to watch the game evolve before my very eyes. And it's just cool to be apart of.

 

[gooddoc]

I get a lot of pleasure & relaxation playing ED.
It's one of the few games that you're not forced into pewpewpew all the time. Setting your own goals & planning, doing what you want, nails it for me.

Iv got nearly 48 1/2 weeks on my game clock, so I must enjoy it.

Is it perfect?....NO! not by a long way. It could be better, alot better, but it's not as bad as what some players want to make out.

I don't play or go looking to play anything else. I just hope that FD continue improving the game over the coming years.....maybe at a quicker pace than they are currently doing!

 

[Enderby]

Good when one’s got a hangover or is tired and wants to play a ‘game’ without risk of unwanted excitement.

 

[GunnerBill]

Thinly disguised whine thread with “I love the game” tacked on the end.

Seem it all before.