Flipped Off :: Tales from the Mission Boards.
- Thread starter Strangepork
- Start date
Thing is, both are seperate issues and the proposed changes aren't even added in order to fix the other. So while I agree that the mission board should be improved, it doesn't make sense to complain about them fixing the symptom rather than the problem because that's just not what is happening here.
The issue that is being fixed is that they can't do anything to missions without taking the complete galaxy servers down. The issue that is being fixed is that loading times on mission boards is too long. The issue that is being fixed is that any issue with the missions may kick you out of the game.
Moving to a seperate server is a necessary step to allow further improvements to the mission system and fixes a lot of current issues. Players not being able to get the missions they want is not among them, and stopping players from exploiting the game and cheating other BGS players is just a byproduct of it.
Rafe Zetter
Banned
It might fix the "kicked out of the game / server load" issues - but as I said the problem is that the refresh rate is far too slow. Now some might argue that board flipping is "cheating" but if EVERYONE is doing it at some time or another - who are they cheating exactly?
The new system means that those with more time to play are now at an advantage over those who do not - previously it was a level system, open for anyone to flip and find what they want, and get on with it.
As I mentioned before players with more ships with different loadouts are now ALSO advantaged over those newer players who do not - ergo time spent vs credits earned has been slowed down considerably for new players, or those without a fleet of ships.
Are they going to be happy about that? I doubt it.
You are saying the new system is not stopping "Players not being able to get the missions they want" - and you're right - it isn't, as long as they are prepared to wait for intervals of 10 minutes for each refresh and be at the mercy of RNG.
You let me know how that goes considering supercruise comes under fire for being overly long on occasion.
Methinks now is a good time to buy shares in netflix as I can see even more people using it to fill the time.
When FDev were asked if they were going to add more mission types they did not say "we are planning on it at some point later" - but made it clear NO PLANS were being considered at this time, AT ALL to increase the amount of missions per refresh OR increase variation. As far as I can tell all they are doing is reducing the "normal" refresh rate from 15 minutes down to 10.
It also seems that along with the slow refresh being enforced, wing missions are part of the mission boards even in SOLO, which makes no sense at all and further reduces chances of getting one you like in a reasonable timeframe.
So your theory of "this is the first step in fixing it" is hokum.
Someone made a post that makes what I said above crystal clear but I can't be bothered to search for it.
Last edited:
I can't see any improvements coming soon, other than those you mentioned.
I hope I'm wrong and in depth, exciting, emersive, linked, multi layered, branching, story based, multi role, intelligent missions are just around the corner!
Do you really think FDev want you to wait 10 minutes for the mission board to refresh? Do you actually think this was their aim when they came up with the new mission boards?
No. But that's not the problem.
The problem is that FDev doesn't foresee that we will all be waiting 10 minutes for the mission board to refresh. (and then another 10, etc. or logoff) They don't really seem to grasp it even when it is pointed out to them.
No we won't all be waiting. I would just go to another system. Use the galmap to screen nearby economies and their states to pick out nice missions. Do some trading while I'm at it. Or jump into some USS's on the way. However, I'll never bet waiting for a board refresh because there's plenty to do in those 10 minutes. (And yeah, I play the BGS. A lot. But I still wouldn't mind the new mission boards.)
Is there any technical reason why FD will have to wait 10 minutes to refresh the boards? Why not 5 minutes, or even 2?
Ok 2 minutes would mean you would have to be pretty sharp about accepting a mission, but that would add a certain level of play: decide quickly or the best chance might be gone.
Ok 2 minutes would mean you would have to be pretty sharp about accepting a mission, but that would add a certain level of play: decide quickly or the best chance might be gone.
Anyone ???
I suppose there might be an issue with server bandwidth/costs.
It's as likely to be about gameplay and there secret target for what is an 'acceptable' amount to earn per hour in game.
15 (!) years ago there was an morpg called Star Wars Galaxies. This game had mission terminals, just like the ED mission board, that would generate semi random missions for you. You could refresh the board as many times as you liked. It also had different mission terminals for different types of missions (combat, explorer, ...).
It's so good to be living in the future.
In all fairness though, I'll admit that the ED mission generation algorithm is more complex and has many more variables, and if FD's stance on the refresh is by design choice then that's one thing. But technical reasons? No, that would be pure incompetence.
It's so good to be living in the future.
In all fairness though, I'll admit that the ED mission generation algorithm is more complex and has many more variables, and if FD's stance on the refresh is by design choice then that's one thing. But technical reasons? No, that would be pure incompetence.
Last edited:
Wow, there was once a less complicated mission system than Elites? Jeez.
I remember those from Privateer - check what they got, don't like it? Come back and try again.
Oh, and none of them demanded 11000t of mined water for 1m payout.
Pay was in relation to danger. You go and kill Kilrathi ships? that will pay more than ferrying 20t of good to the neighboring station.