Where is the paid 'content' LEP holder get for 'free'

[Luniticisi]

At the same time, the $40 USD I paid for a second multicrew account is giving me some very tangible in-game benefits, i.e., additional power pip and rebuy discount. This was very specifically addressed by Sandro where he stated that is entirely permitted use for a second account even if it provides significant in-game benefits. That is not technically pay to win, because I am not literally buying an in-game advantage that applies to my main account, but it's definitely setting a precedent for heading directly into pay to win territory. I would not be at all surprized if future paid content works in a similar manner of being "not technically pay to win but gives you a clear and significant in-game advantage".

I think the poster was being sarcastic as 'Horizons' could be classed as "Pay 2 win" (engineers.)

 

[Devari]

Define adequate.

Take a look at what Braben described for planned development of the Elite franchise and what was specifically described as upcoming content in the LEP, i.e., space legs, boarding actions and landing on inhabited planets. That is the paid content players have been waiting for.

 

[Luniticisi]

Take a look at what Braben described for planned development of the Elite franchise and what was specifically described as upcoming content in the LEP, i.e., space legs, boarding actions and landing on inhabited planets. That is the paid content players have been waiting for.

Yes, but who's ever said it isn't coming? (except boarding actions - I said that wasn't coming , at least not PvP)

 

[Devari]

I think the poster was being sarcastic as 'Horizons' could be classed as "Pay 2 win" (engineers.)

Quite possibly, but wasn't quite sure. Sometimes sarcasm doesn't quite carry over into forum posts. The issue here is that some people have tried to claim that Horizons was "pay to win" simply because if you don't buy Horizons you can't use Engineering mods, which I disagree with because buying Horizons doesn't directly give you any "power" in the game, only the ability to earn in-game progression with Engineers. Whereas buying a second multicrew account is basically pay to win for all intents and purposes, even if it isn't "technically" selling a direct in-game advantage for your main account.

 

[Ozric]

Take a look at what Braben described for planned development of the Elite franchise and what was specifically described as upcoming content in the LEP, i.e., space legs, boarding actions and landing on inhabited planets. That is the paid content players have been waiting for.

So you will only be happy with space legs and atmospheric landings. Funny how everyone gets themselves so fixated on those two things, which will lead to cries of disappointment and anger if FD release anything else as paid content.

And if they add space legs as paid content and you can only walk around the cockpit, you would define that as adequate would you? I somehow very much doubt that.

 

[Darkfyre99]

How is it obvious. Do you know what the player numbers will be like in five years time or ten? Nobody knows. For all we know it may continue to be developed for another 20 years or so as long as the player numbers stay up.

IIRC, didn't the 2017 annual report, linked to in this thread, state that the expected lifespan of ED was another 4.5 years?

*seaches*

Found it (page 45):

Non-current deferred income is due to be recognised over the expected remaining life of the franchise period. At 31 May 2017 the expected remaining life of the franchise is considered to be four and a half years.

The deferred revenue is in respect of Elite Dangerous lifetime expansion passes purchased during the financial year and Elite Dangerous: Horizons revenue in respect of future promised content. The carrying values of deferred income are considered to be a reasonable approximation of fair value.

While I certainly hope to playing Elite: Dangerous for many years after that, I suspect that there's a reason why Frontier's estimate is considerably shorter than 20 years.

 

[Devari]

Yes, but who's ever said it isn't coming? (except boarding actions - I said that wasn't coming , at least not PvP)

Telling us that something is being developed does not mean I will have confidence in that content based solely on that claim, especially when I have seen a massive difference between how content is described and how it is actually delivered. FD told us all about what multicrew was going to involve and it sounded great. I think we all know how that turned out.

 

[Zelos1983]

Not if they're sensible they don't, because when they inevitably miss the deadlines they set in stone to the public, they get torn apart.

Then simply don't miss the deadlines.

No one at Frontier ever said a season per year. It's yet another case of people jumping to conclusions and then getting angry when FD don't follow their own personal definitions.

FDEV didn't state that it was not 1 season per year either.
If stuff isn't clearly communicated, it's normal for people to make reasonable assumptions.

They did. They have twice in fact, at least the Beyond one seems to be keeping more on track than the Horizons one

But "Beyond" has much less content, it's also not a paid expansion. And even then they were months behind schedule, see the FSD Booster for example.

 

[Komemiute]

Telling us that something is being developed does not mean I will have confidence in that content based solely on that claim, especially when I have seen a massive difference between how content is described and how it is actually delivered. FD told us all about what multicrew was going to involve and it sounded great. I think we all know how that turned out.

Now you're moving goalposts though.
The point of contention is the DELIVERY of the promised expansions NOT the perceived difference between promised content and it's appeal to each and single player.

 

[PiLhEaD]

Just to Clarify a couple of things.... 3) The most recent post from FD was this one by Zac.... Wait and see.

Thanks to T.j. for confirming that the last official communication from FDev was indeed in October 2017.

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showt...-LEP-musings?p=6020972&viewfull=1#post6020972

Hence I wrote:

...I'd be happy to have the date of when they will reveal more, and even that reveal doesn't need to have a launch date. They've managed to do (more than) this for the four tranches of Beyond, so why not for the LEP? The lack of news can be construed as there being nothing coming, which is why some are getting twitchy. I'm not in that camp, but the lack of information is clearly irritating many. And I'm fine with people being fine with 'no news'.

I know that FDev are quite conservative/restrained with how they promote upcoming features, and I understand and respect that, but no news for eight months is 'pushing it' in my opinion.

So can some please now stop with replies such as that quoted below, attempting to deflect the fact of the matter.

...Again with this nonsense. There were [sic] plenty of news and posters above repeatedly pointed them out to you. You just arbitrarily declare them "not news enough for your liking".

To repeat, yet again for the hard of understanding, I'm happy that many are happy with no news for eight months, but that uncomfortable fact is not nonsense and is perhaps why many here are unhappy and others so very defensive, and re: 'You just arbitrarily declare them "not news enough for your liking"' - well yes, if by 'arbitrarily' you mean 'in my opinion based in fact', yes you're quite right, I don't think what I've seen in the intervening eight months is enough.

To be REALLY really clear, I'm pleased and can accept that you are happy with the situation as is. Perhaps you could show the same maturity, as I however am unhappy with it. I hope this finally clarifies my reasoning for you, and confirms the underlying facts.

 

[Luniticisi]

Then simply don't miss the deadlines.

too funny

 

[Devari]

Found it (page 45):

At 31 May 2017 the expected remaining life of the franchise is considered to be four and a half years.

Well that is very interesting. That is why I have been telling everyone to read the Annual Reports, it's quite remarkable how much useful information you'll find there written in very direct language that is readily understandable to their shareholders. That clearly puts the total development lifetime of Elite as ending sometime in late 2021, i.e., approximately 7 years of total development, certainly less than the 10 year "plan" that many people have tried to claim. We will be 4 years into development by the end of 2018. That means that FD will need to deliver a full Horizons-quality expansion every year from 2019 through to 2021 in order to deliver adequate value to their LEP holders.

That is quite a lot of work that FD has ahead of them, and it also sets a hard cap on when we can expect space legs, boarding actions and inhabited planets to be developed, i.e., a maximum of 3 years after Beyond is finished at the end of 2018.

Found it (page 45):

The deferred revenue is in respect of Elite Dangerous lifetime expansion passes purchased during the financial year and Elite Dangerous: Horizons revenue in respect of future promised content.

It just keeps getting better. That literally refers to "promised content".

So I guess that FD did make a "promise" after all, didn't they?

I suppose the next question is, did they pinky swear though? I mean technically if not then it's not a "real" promise, right?

I need to go back and read those Annual Reports again. They are full of fun facts about Elite development.

 

[dayrth]

...FDEV didn't state that it was not 1 season per year either.
If stuff isn't clearly communicated, it's normal for people to make reasonable assumptions...

Damn. I forgot to say that I would not be giving everyone in the world a million dollars. Does that make me liable?


(P.S. I will not be giving everyone in the world a million dollars)

If you paid $180 for a LEP and you got ED (priced at $60 at launch) and then got Horizons (priced at $60 at launch) then if you get another update priced at $60 you will have had your money's worth. What makes anyone think there will never be such an update? I'm pretty sure there will be at least one and probably more.

 

[Sylveria]

Damn. I forgot to say that I would not be giving everyone in the world a million dollars. Does that make me liable?


(P.S. I will not be giving everyone in the world a million dollars)

If you made a binding legal business contract which was agreed to by all parties involved... then yes.

 

[Ozric]

Then simply don't miss the deadlines.



FDEV didn't state that it was not 1 season per year either.
If stuff isn't clearly communicated, it's normal for people to make reasonable assumptions.

[video=youtube;FopyRHHlt3M]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FopyRHHlt3M[/video]

 

[Luniticisi]

Well that is very interesting. That is why I have been telling everyone to read the Annual Reports, it's quite remarkable how much useful information you'll find there written in very direct language that is readily understandable to their shareholders. That clearly puts the total development lifetime of Elite as ending sometime in late 2021, i.e., approximately 7 years of total development. We will be 4 years into development by the end of 2018. That means that FD will need to deliver a full Horizons-quality expansion every year from 2019 through to 2021 in order to deliver adequate value to their LEP holders.

That is quite a lot of work that FD has ahead of them, and it also sets a hard cap on when we can expect space legs, boarding actions and inhabited planets to be developed, i.e., a maximum of 3 years after Beyond is finished at the end of 2018.

That is true, but I think (as I have said) that this years 'Beyond' season has given the devs an extra year to be doing stuff behind the scenes. My feeling is that we are going to get one big update at the end of each year with smaller (free) updates coming in between.

Also don't forget the word "Expected" in that quote. If ED is bringing in profit in 3 and a half years time I can't see them pulling the plug. Same goes the other way, if ED is losing them money - Plug pulled early!

 

[StevieG]

I think the poster was being sarcastic as 'Horizons' could be classed as "Pay 2 win" (engineers.)

muahaha

 

[Sylveria]

too funny

It's true, though. Why set a "deadline" if you don't plan to adhere to one? Just leave it open-ended and you'll avoid the trouble associated with breaking one.

Like most businesses, Frontier seems to create a lot of their own problems.

 

[Zelos1983]

Damn. I forgot to say that I would not be giving everyone in the world a million dollars. Does that make me liable?


(P.S. I will not be giving everyone in the world a million dollars)

Are you implying that it would have been a reasonable assumption that you do?

Or are you implying that it should have been obvious in the same manner that FDEV will not provide a season per year as it is customary in entertainment?

 

[Luniticisi]

It's true, though. Why set a "deadline" if you don't plan to adhere to one? Just leave it open-ended and you'll avoid the trouble associated with breaking one.

Like most businesses, Frontier seems to create a lot of their own problems.

Maybe that's why they haven't said anything yet?