PC Gamer interview with David Braben (2004)

[Kryten]

I found this scan of an old article from PC Gamer, July 2004 of an interview with David Braben about the "upcoming" Elite 4.

I didn't scan it myself, I think I got it from alt.fan.elite ages ago. It's interesting to see the ideas they had when they originally started development, before The Outsider came along. Had to giggle when I read, "Release mid 2006".

 

[Steve O B Have]

Heh - how interesting is that!!! Nice find Kryten. I'm sure that many of the original intentions stated in this article will have been carried over. I'm quite keen on the idea of having to work for your ship - maybe even crewing someone elses ship to get the cash to get your own!

 

[Sir.Tj]

Very interesting, I liked the comment by David "you can even flatten a city"

Bet its called Bells landing

 

[turwhitt]

Flatten cities?
Muhahaha!

It was always a bit annoying that even a plasma accellerator couldn't scratch a space station.

 

[Sir.Tj]

Flatten cities?
Muhahaha!

It was always a bit annoying that even a plasma accellerator couldn't scratch a space station.

Yeah, It always frustrated me thet the only building you could destroy in the whole FFE universe was the Rockford Academy!

Must have been built on the cheap

Obviously the builders did'nt have Crumpets with their tea at lunchtime!

 

[turwhitt]

Even the Academy had to be missiled though, right? Or could you laser it? I don't know if i actually tried lasering it.....

 

[Glyndo]

There are buildings that can be destroyed when you do the "destroy xxx" missions for the militaries. I always thought you should be able to destroy buildings and damage space stations; seemed a bit odd that a large plasma accelerator would destroy most ships instantly but wouldnt damage a glass dome!

 

[DraQ]

Well, you could raze the vaccine stockpile with PA during the Thargoid questline.

 

[Glyndo]

There's one thing I find interesting in that interview. In the Elite 4 ideas thread, the general consensus is to have something "outside" of the ship - being able to explore the environment and cities etc. DB said that would be something he'd like to see (according to the interview) so it looks promising for that to happen.

 

[Kryten]

Another blast from the past for you. Anyone remember this picture? It's the only piece of concept artwork released for Elite 4 and appeared on the Frontier website in 2001.

Since it depicts only a running woman, I'm sure we can assume that Frontier have been thinking about being able to leave your ship and run around outside.

 

[The Space Pirate]

I found this scan of an old article from PC Gamer, July 2004 of an interview with David Braben about the "upcoming" Elite 4.

I didn't scan it myself, I think I got it from alt.fan.elite ages ago. It's interesting to see the ideas they had when they originally started development, before The Outsider came along. Had to giggle when I read, "Release mid 2006".

Damn, I remember reading that article and getting all hopeful. I'm no longer that hopeful about Elite IV, I read somewhere that nearly every Frontier game since Frontier Elite II had some tech that was designed for Elite IV, so I'm taking this 'Outsider is a test-bed for Elite IV' spiel with a large pinch of salt.
I really hope I'm wrong, but I'm beginning to think Elite IV will never see the light of day. All I can say to Frontier if they're not going to release another Elite game is: You have missed one hell of a trick, it will sell like crazy, I guarantee it!!

 

[Alien]

Damn, I remember reading that article and getting all hopeful. I'm no longer that hopeful about Elite IV, I read somewhere that nearly every Frontier game since Frontier Elite II had some tech that was designed for Elite IV, so I'm taking this 'Outsider is a test-bed for Elite IV' spiel with a large pinch of salt.
I really hope I'm wrong, but I'm beginning to think Elite IV will never see the light of day. All I can say to Frontier if they're not going to release another Elite game is: You have missed one hell of a trick, it will sell like crazy, I guarantee it!!

I've two questions / theories (you can choose which)

1: Would someone at Frontier like to hint/speculate/give us a clue about what, if any, game Frontier has planned AFTER Outsider. Surely I'm not expected to believe that Frontier work on one game at a time?

2: I've a sneaking feeling, (and let me stress it's very much MY OPINION) that The Outsider could, I repeat COULD be a working title/code name for Elite 4. Think about this: The main character is called Jameson? It has been likened to GTA4, which involves vehicles, And there is little or no info about it?

Of course I could be completley and utterly wrong in which case i'll just exit my space craft in a space suit and fly off in, oh, that direction maybe for the next million years.

PS if I am wrong I apologise and grovel to everyone at Frontier (no sycophancy I promise)

PPS Yes I remember reading that article too and my reaction was the same GREAT ELITE 4 IS COMING !!!

 

[Sir.Tj]

I've two questions / theories (you can choose which)

1: Would someone at Frontier like to hint/speculate/give us a clue about what, if any, game Frontier has planned AFTER Outsider. Surely I'm not expected to believe that Frontier work on one game at a time?

2: I've a sneaking feeling, (and let me stress it's very much MY OPINION) that The Outsider could, I repeat COULD be a working title/code name for Elite 4. Think about this: The main character is called Jameson? It has been likened to GTA4, which involves vehicles, And there is little or no info about it?

Of course I could be completley and utterly wrong in which case i'll just exit my space craft in a space suit and fly off in, oh, that direction maybe for the next million years.

PS if I am wrong I apologise and grovel to everyone at Frontier (no sycophancy I promise)

Hi Alien,

Have'nt heard from you for a while!

Re 1: Yep It would be great it there was actually something concrete from the guys at FD. at the moment its all speculation etc.. If they actually said "YES WE WILL MAKE E4" That would go a long way for me.

Re 2: If you look on the main site this is the game info description.

"The Outsider is a next-generation high-octane action thriller with innovative gameplay.
The President has been assassinated! Washington DC is under martial law and ex-CIA operative John Jameson is the most wanted man alive. Framed for a crime he didn't commit, he finds himself fleeing from the might of the US Government."

That seems to me to be set now or in the near future not in the E4 universe. I would love to be wrong but..

 

[Sir.Tj]

Oh, and i've just watched the outsider trailer again.....

 

[Stefan Mars]

1: Would someone at Frontier like to hint/speculate/give us a clue about what, if any, game Frontier has planned AFTER Outsider. Surely I'm not expected to believe that Frontier work on one game at a time?

You are right, we don't. For example Thrillville: Off the Rails was being worked on in parallell with The Outsider.

2: I've a sneaking feeling, (and let me stress it's very much MY OPINION) that The Outsider could, I repeat COULD be a working title/code name for Elite 4. Think about this: The main character is called Jameson? It has been likened to GTA4, which involves vehicles, And there is little or no info about it?

Interesting thought, but I am afraid that The Outsider does indeed exist and is not the same as Elite IV. David B's statement that Elite IV will be released after The Outsider still stands.

 

[Sir.Tj]

You are right, we don't. For example Thrillville: Off the Rails was being worked on in parallell with The Outsider.

Ahem ??????????? any clues you may like to accidently slip out

 

[Stefan Mars]

Ahem ??????????? any clues you may like to accidently slip out

Not really , as that would get me into a lot of trouble - but it was a good try.

 

[Dragonstar]

Is bribery out of order here??? I'll add $1.00 (CDN) to the pot for info!

Maybe we can all chip in to buy a big stick to whack the developers to hurry up?

 

[Sir.Tj]

Not really , as that would get me into a lot of trouble - but it was a good try.

*sulks*

Spoilsport

 

[Alien]

Is bribery out of order here??? I'll add $1.00 (CDN) to the pot for info!

Maybe we can all chip in to buy a big stick to whack the developers to hurry up?

I'll also add $1.00 (payable upon delivery of info) to the pot.

Hi Alien,

Have'nt heard from you for a while!(

Yeah been offline for a bit (PAYG modem + no money = no internet at home)

You are right, we don't. For example Thrillville: Off the Rails was being worked on in parallell with The Outsider.


Interesting thought, but I am afraid that The Outsider does indeed exist and is not the same as Elite IV. David B's statement that Elite IV will be released after The Outsider still stands.

Thank you Smars (and everyone else too !)