In another thread where someone was objecting to exploration mechanics, I saw this:
Perhaps when you do get the same topic fifty times, you can start to recognize there's actually an issue.
That whole smoke - fire thing, to put it simply. So here's thread fifty-one.
The devs could have left the existing exploration mechanics alone and layered the planetary surface scanning dynamic like a cake with more rewards for those who want to 'dial the radio'. Instead, they chucked out a system that worked for most and replaced it (and mining) with a grindy multi-screen mini-game that isn't intuitive and makes little sense. And this isn't the first time.
The new ships, SLF, planetary landings, additional station interiors and other contextual changes through the years were great. Yet, some areas of the game need serious review:
- Powerplay
- Crime & Punishment
- Arena / CQC
- BGS
- Missions
- Multi-player
- Mining
- Exploration
All of the above releases degraded my in-game experience. Each has illogical rules imposed that ruin game balance, especially when taken together.
I've played E: D literally every day (with few exceptions like holidays) since January of 2015. Today is the last day of my two week stay-at-home Christmas vacation and I've not booted up any of my accounts, save to update the game itself.
I do think the majority of FDEV staff are magnificent; they care and are a talented group, but some of the base decisions made in core game mechanics are horrifically flawed. I'm an optimist and look forward to hearing what they have planned for 2019 and beyond. Two of my four accounts have LEPS so I'm not worried about access to future material. However, until they sort out the above list, I'll be spending my free time (and money) in other companies games.
If I had to summarize Elite: Dangerous today into one line, I'd say it was 'poor ideas, brilliantly executed.' The latest release, for me, was the straw that broke this camels back. YMMV. If you enjoy the new FSS, congrats. I hope you're buying twice what you normally do in the Frontier store to make up for those of us who have stopped. Frontier Developments has said repeatedly that it wants to use income from E: D to finance future development of other projects. I'd suggest it's prudent to take the time to fix the cracks in the foundation, before adding the third and fourth floors.