Solo - Why the need to be online

[Zenicetus]

Because many, like myself, feel that it's unfair that the online solo game shares the same universe as the open game, with players able to cross-over assets and easily skip out of difficult situations (such as station campers) instead of figuring out ways of dealing with it (and there are ways of dealing with that if you're clever).

A solo mode should be an offline one. I wouldn't mind that, but it shouldn't be connected to the main open world.

But like I said, it needs to be discussed in it's own official thread.

Why? Do you think that will change David Braben's mind about having a Solo Online mode in the game?

Consider also that this is an advertised feature of the game, and might be the reason why some people decided to buy into it. At this point, it might be considered false advertising to remove the feature.

 

[Hermit]

Why? Do you think that will change David Braben's mind about having a Solo Online mode in the game?

It could if it's perceived as a weak feature of the game by reviewers. The last thing this game needs is others seeing it as a "carebear cheat" That won't do the game any good whatsoever.

 

[cherbert]

Because many, like myself, feel that it's unfair that the online solo game shares the same universe as the open game, with players able to cross-over assets and easily skip out of difficult situations (such as station campers) instead of figuring out ways of dealing with it (and there are ways of dealing with that if you're clever).

A solo mode should be an offline one. I wouldn't mind that, but it shouldn't be connected to the main open world.

But like I said, it needs to be discussed in it's own official thread.

Station campers is not realistic. I am sure Frontier will be doing everything they can to make it unviable for anybody to ever consider doing it. That is really a poor accusation to throw at Solo players in my opinion. I am pretty sure it was David Braben himself that said that playing in Solo won't necessary mean it will not be difficult nor risk free. PvP is not the driving focus of this game. The real danger is from within the galaxy itself from NPC's who will be equally if not more dangerous than any player.

 

[Joe Spivey]

Because many, like myself, feel that it's unfair that the online solo game shares the same universe as the open game, with players able to cross-over assets and easily skip out of difficult situations (such as station campers) instead of figuring out ways of dealing with it (and there are ways of dealing with that if you're clever).

A solo mode should be an offline one. I wouldn't mind that, but it shouldn't be connected to the main open world.

But like I said, it needs to be discussed in it's own official thread.

Many like yourself? Do you have a figure for that? Anyway, first of all Solo Online can never be unfair while it is available to all. Secondly, if a player does not want to be camped, does not gain enjoyment from being camped why should she have to figure out a way of dealing with it? The problem is with the camper.

If a player wants to take part in PvP or any other interactive part of the game they will. If not then Solo Online provides the escape that 'many like yourself' would like to deny them. Stop trying to dictate how others have to play the game.

At last we have a game where PvP is TRULY optional.

 

[Fedhman Kassad]

It could if it's perceived as a weak feature of the game by reviewers. The last thing this game needs is others seeing it as a "carebear cheat" That won't do the game any good whatsoever.

Do we really need people that call others names like carebear? Do You feel insulted when someone call u a carebear? I just laugh at how childish those people are.

 

[Zephyriel]

I don't know if this has been discussed before, but there's something I'm wondering about the Offline Solo mode.

As I understand it, the online solo will receive all the events/story/market updates injected by FD and influenced by the players, and the offline solo will not receive any of that.

My question is, will the offline solo be a "static" experience, or will the player be able to influence his solo world with his actions as he would in multiplayer ? Also, will there be random or pre-made events that will happen randomly or as you get further in the game ?

I would hate for the offline solo to be a dead, static galaxy with nothing special happening. While I plan on playing online, I'm thinking really long term here. As a passionate nostalgic who considers games as a cultural estate, I know I'll be replaying Elite Dangerous in many years, when the servers will be long dead (hopefully to the benefit of another Elite game ^ ^), and in the end, however long that takes, the offline solo will be all that's left of ED.

 

[Iskariot]

It is better if they remove solo mode. Meeting people while traveling make me feel great.

Without solo mode I would not even have considered buying this game, even though I have waited for it for two decades.

I will try multiplayer however, but if connection problems get in the way of the fun I will switch to sp offline in a heartbeat. When playing Elite I do not want to have to be concerned about my connection.

I do not have a high opinion of multiplayer in games in general anyway. You only need a few bad apples to destroy the enjoyment of a game. For me immersion is extremely important and other humans rarely contribute to that. Quite the opposite.

 

[FoxTwo]

I've always treated my "real" games only in SP mode (offline, in ED's case). I will grind and play and explore etc all offline.

MP mode is solely for socialising, not where my "real" game is (races, helping friends out with missions etc). I'll never do any "serious" trading/exploring/mining/upgrading my ship in MP mode.

If ED had not promised a solo offline mode I would never have backed it.

That means, it's worth more to me that my solo offline profile is ELITE and I would not bother even if my MP profile is only Harmless.

 

[Zenicetus]

It could if it's perceived as a weak feature of the game by reviewers. The last thing this game needs is others seeing it as a "carebear cheat" That won't do the game any good whatsoever.

Well, luckily for us all, I doubt this particular game will depend on what "reviewers" say about it.

Players who object to the Online Solo crossover have two options, as I see it. You can think of it as a way to eventually increase the player base in All, even if it doesn't happen right away. Players can dip their toes into All mode at their discretion, building up their combat skills over time. When they feel they're ready for it, they might spend more time in All. Anything that pulls more players into All mode as an option (not forced) is good, right?

Or, you can just call them "carebear cheaters" and make sure that they never want to join you in All mode. Your choice.

 

[Phosphora]

If I choose to play solo, I won't be harming any PvPer, or crimping their play style. That's enough reason to keep the solo options open.

Elite needs to cater for as many people as possible, including those who enjoy the gradual character enrichment that PvE offers. Like a fair few others in the gaming community I'm pretty introverted, and enjoy working out problems by myself.

I have tried PvP in other games, and almost without exception I have found it dull, dreary, frustrating, monotonous, tedious and deeply, deeply boring. I have absolutely no problem with PvP being an option for the extroverts out there, but it should not be compulsory. Think Marmite.

Cheers, Phos.

 

[Comrade Napoleon]

It's funny how this issue pops its head up constantly

Many a PVP'er , not all , perceive the solo mode as cheating or care- bear mode....
I must be dumb, but what is their concern, what is their worry , how does it detract from their game ?

NONE !! Their worry is that the game , by secluding unwilling PVP'ers, will deprive them of easy prey and canon fodder, that they will a harder time to demonstrate their L33t Skilz !! Hars words , hmmm and I have not even begun!
As the game thakfully does not have scoreboards these people are now running around like headless chickens, trying to cope with the fact that other players CAN put them on the IGNORE and they are gone ! vanished and forgotten !
As one of the few games ever FD has come up with a method, so that must people are capable of having FUN the way they like, and credits to FD for that.
I thing that the playing modes that Elite : D offers will be the strongest selling points for the game, honestly ..
Many a MMo game has all to often looked forward to a game, and then seen it , or the PVP in it, ruined by gankers, grifers,trolls and other stuff from the internet gutters.
Why is this so, well people act much, much differently in the veil of Internet anonymity, it is as people really expose the inner self , they dare not do in RL.
The human race has not evolved much since Caligula was the Boss, but society has become much better of keeping human nature in check, at lest in the part of the world I live in, but as news agencies tell, many other people are not so fortunate.
Try and look at FD choices in those perspectives, and it becomes much more clear.
We should play games for having fun, not hazzeling others

Cheers Cmdr's

 

[Ian]

Elite needs to cater for as many people as possible, including those who enjoy the gradual character enrichment that PvE offers.

^This, of course.

I've been waiting 30 years for Elite Dangerous, damned if i'm letting some joystick jockey and his 'band of merry men' ruin my experience

All game modes are valid. It seems to me the only people whining about solo online mode are the PvP corner, who are somehow terrified their human prey might escape, or simply disappear altogether.

 

[seagull1943]

As Ian has stated all modes of play in E are valid. These variations will allow the game to a have greater appeal, hopefully increasing sales to every ones benefit, more cash more add ons.

 

[Darth Krayt]

I will play offline simply because my internet connection is unreliable. It went down for a few minutes just before I started typing this post.

As others have mentioned above, I would not have backed this game if there was no offline option.

 

[Hermit]

As others have mentioned above, I would not have backed this game if there was no offline option.

No, they're talking about solo online. I've nothing against an offline single player version. That makes more sense than a solo online one, as a new player can practice within in before going into open.

It's quite surprising to see so many anti-social posts, though. You all don't want to play alongside other players. That's fine, then stick to the offline single player (when it's available). But playing a game in online solo, without the worry of bumping into other players, but still having an effect on that universe does seem somewhat unfair on the open players.

 

[Ian]

It's quite surprising to see so many anti-social posts, though. You all don't want to play alongside other players. That's fine, then stick to the offline single player (when it's available). But playing a game in online solo, without the worry of bumping into other players, but still having an effect on that universe does seem somewhat unfair on the open players.

Not anti-social, but as an 'older gamer' who's been playing online games since the dial-up modem age, i'm wise enough to know there are a large portion of people who enjoy nothing more than giving other game players a hard time, infact, they thrive on it.

Personally, I'm in ED for the exploration and discoveries. Dedicated solo and online solo merely 'filters out' the extraneous content.

 

[Jexter]

But playing a game in online solo, without the worry of bumping into other players, but still having an effect on that universe does seem somewhat unfair on the open players.

There, you said it yourself. Why can't I play and experience ED the way I like without having to worry about other players trying to wtfpwn me?

The "worrying" is for some people a bad thing; for others it's something that ads to the fun. Why would the one side have to conform to what the others like? Would it be OK for you if you were forced to play in Online Single Player mode just because it's how someone else likes to play?

 

[Zenicetus]

It's quite surprising to see so many anti-social posts, though. You all don't want to play alongside other players. That's fine, then stick to the offline single player (when it's available).

It's not that so many players are anti-social. Many of us have years of experience in MMO's where we've seen both the best of group interaction, and also the dark side. Solo Online mode allows enough control to avoid the worst of MMO's -- the griefers and gankers who prey on newbies, and whose whole purpose in the game is ruining someone else's fun -- while still allowing the option of interaction with other players, who are more fun to interact with.

Solo Online won't be a benign environment anyway. FD can easily make NPC's as dangerous as human players if they want to, just by giving them unfair advantages. Like the rear seat gunners in Rise of Flight, who are all clones of Alvin York as crack-shot marksmen. I hate those guys. It's actually easier flying against other players in RoF multiplayer, because they can't shoot that well. Anyway...

But playing a game in online solo, without the worry of bumping into other players, but still having an effect on that universe does seem somewhat unfair on the open players.

In what way? The impact of a single player will be minuscule on the Galaxy at large, and we'll all be participating in the same economy and faction disputes. If anything, players in All mode have more potential advantage in being able to gang up together and shift commodity prices in one direction, or alter the outcome of faction wars in group efforts. All of that will affect what the Solo Online player experiences in the game, but with far less individual control over the outcome.

 

[Seonid]

But playing a game in online solo, without the worry of bumping into other players, but still having an effect on that universe does seem somewhat unfair on the open players.

I'm an Open player and it doesn't feel unfair to me, I think you are confusing your own opinion with what you expect others to feel. People should be able to play the game as they want, not as you expect they should.

 

[Fedhman Kassad]

^This, of course.

I've been waiting 30 years for Elite Dangerous, damned if i'm letting some joystick jockey and his 'band of merry men' ruin my experience

All game modes are valid. It seems to me the only people whining about solo online mode are the PvP corner, who are somehow terrified their human prey might escape, or simply disappear altogether.

Very similiar thing had place in World of Warcraft. There were battlegrounds (PvP areas) for low level players. They were dominated but so called "twinks" (low level characters geared with best in slot items one could obtain on specific level bracket). Those twinks wers literally one shooting people same level that joined battleground to have some change while leveling. Asked why do they twink their "twinks" the usual answer was "to fight other twinks that are there". After some time Blizzard (devs of WoW) introduced twink only battlegrounds. Gues what happened next? Twinking almost died and those new battlegrounds became completely barren. It wasnt about challenge vs other twinks. It was about one shooting and griefing low-geared players. This is what You witness happening here and now.