Proposal Discussion Are we absolutely sure about the name?

[kyoseki]

I apologize if I'm late to the party on this, but will "Elite : Dangerous" be called "Elite : Dangerous" on release?

The name makes sense if you're familiar with the combat ranking system, but not so much otherwise and if you want to attract new players you can't rely on them knowing that kind of thing.

Then, of course, it's falling into the same "Title : Subtitle" trope that's being thrown about all over the place lately, whether it's "Lichdom:Battlemage" per the latest Zero Punctuation, or the Jungle Book remake called "Jungle Book:Origins" (I'm not kidding, they're seriously using that title).

It just seems a bit cheesy to me (sorry).

Personally, I'd love it if the game were simply called Elite.

It's been 30 years since the first one, hell, it's been 20 years since the third one, so I think it's safe to say we're not going to confuse the two and it really is what the original would have been if we'd had the technology back then.

Save the subtitles for the expansions (I have to admit, I'm not looking forward to Eliteoor and Elite:Competent sounds a bit beige).

 

[Cmdr Snuffler]

The idea is that the game is supposed to be dangerous, and it will be.

This naming format has been used for decades, it's nothing new

70's - Final Chapter: Walking Tall
80's - Rambo: First Blood Part II
90's - Highlander II: The quickening

In all honesty, do you really expect FD to change the name of a game this far into development? Answer truthfully now.

Also, while your at it, send an email to Microsoft explaining that there are no Halos in Halo and the whole game series should be renamed to "Alien Killfest"

 

[kyoseki]

I work in the movie industry, the name isn't set until the damned thing is in theaters.

... and what action game isn't meant to be dangerous? That's like saying the name should be "Elite:Things Explode".

Edit: Oh, and did we forget the giant Halo shaped world in Halo?

 

[Sanderson]

Makes sense to me. It's Elite and looking closer reveals it dangerous. Even without knowing the games fictional history I get the picture, regardless of the ranking system. Both convey action, peril and the like. Maybe just a little peril.

10 forum points for the reference.

 

[Patrick_68000]

The human race is dangerous. And as the game is mainly an online multiplayer, I find that Elite Dangerous, is very appropriate. I will not want that Frontier changes the name of my Elite Dangerous

 

[Sanderson]

I also like cake. 5 points deducted for lack of confectionery treats.

Star Wars was already taken anyway. Even though the name will remain, it would be interesting to hear some fan alternatives. I'll start:


Elite: Every 20th Century Space Hero You Ever Wanted To Be. In Space.

Catchy no?

 

[Cmdr Snuffler]

I work in the movie industry, the name isn't set until the damned thing is in theaters.

so the name of the film isn't decided a year / months in advance so they can promote and advertise it. ok

... and what action game isn't meant to be dangerous? That's like saying the name should be "Elite:Things Explode".

Modern games are not dangerous, there is always a safety net. Elite is a one mistake and you're toast kind of game.

Edit: Oh, and did we forget the giant Halo shaped world in Halo?

Did we forget that Elite will be hard...sorry hard isn't the word...hmmm, what's the word I'm looking for...oh, yea...dangerous

Do you have any idea how much rebranding costs?

 

[[VR] Mad Mike]

I work in the movie industry, the name isn't set until the damned thing is in theaters.

... and what action game isn't meant to be dangerous? That's like saying the name should be "Elite:Things Explode".

Edit: Oh, and did we forget the giant Halo shaped world in Halo?

I may be wrong, but I think you are missing the point of Eliteangerous

AFAIK The origins of the name are because.

originally to be promoted from the pilots federation into the "Federation of elite pilots" you had to have an Elite combat rating.

however, these pilots were so few and far between, and it was deemed that, once a pilot got to a certain point, in reality their skills didnt change all that much it was just a matter of "time served".

So, Pilots from the ranking of "Dangerous" can now be invited into the Elite pilots federation, presumably after completing a number of tasks to prove your worth.

So "Elite Dangerous"

Presumably your rating the Elite federation of pilots will be defaced in some way, to distinguish you from the true Elite pilots - who I imagine will still command a premium and get some unique opportunities.

But some how Elite Defaced does not have the same ring to it

I heard about this in an interview ages ago, so I apologise if I am a little inaccurate or things have changed.

 

[Swan]

I'd rather it just be called Elite.

With my marketing head on, Elite : Dangerous has always sounded like an unnecessary mouthful and a bit 'gamey'. There's a lack of congruity between the two words as well.

 

[kyoseki]

I guess my point is that saying it's Dangerous is redundant.

It's an action game, so there is naturally an element of danger to it.

It's like calling games "Eve:Tedium" or "Tomb Raider:God damn it, why is the camera behind that bush"

 

[CommanderPablo]

I vote for "Elite: Viper killy death machine"

But seriously, I can't see the name getting changed although I agree it does sound a bit silly when the game's as good as this I really don't care what it's called

 

[Cmdr Andy B]

I'd rather it just be called Elite.

With my marketing head on, Elite : Dangerous has always sounded like an unnecessary mouthful and a bit 'gamey'. There's a lack of congruity between the two words as well.

a bit 'gamey'? that's ok then, after all it is a game. if it was a bit filmy i'd be worried

 

[kyoseki]

so the name of the film isn't decided a year / months in advance so they can promote and advertise it. ok

"Edge of Tomorrow" was called "All You Need is Kill" until about 3 months from release and they're heavily pushing "Live, Die, Repeat" for the DVD/Blu release.

Hobbit 3 was called "There and Back Again" until last month when some pencil neck decided that "Battle of the Five Armies" sounded better ("better" meaning "will sell more tickets").

So, no, until the marketing push starts, the name isn't close to set, that's even more true in games that don't generally see anything like the same marketing push as movies do.

Modern games are not dangerous, there is always a safety net. Elite is a one mistake and you're toast kind of game.

As long as you ignore insurance, right?

If that's your argument, it should be Elite:Hardcore which still sounds better to me than Dangerous, but it's still a mouthful.

Did we forget that Elite will be hard...sorry hard isn't the word...hmmm, what's the word I'm looking for...oh, yea...dangerous

Unless you play in solo or offline mode, maybe "Elite: Dangerous if other players are about" would be more accurate?

Do you have any idea how much rebranding costs?

Yes, at this point, almost nothing. Although that guy who got the Elite : Dangerous tattoo might have a laser bill to pay.

 

[[VR] Mad Mike]

I guess my point is that saying it's Dangerous is redundant.

It's an action game, so there is naturally an element of danger to it.

It's like calling games "Eve:Tedium" or "Tomb Raider:God damn it, why is the camera behind that bush"

like i said, read my post above (on last page), there IS a reason for Elite Dangerous, rather than it is elite and it will be dangerous.

 

[kyoseki]

I may be wrong, but I think you are missing the point of Eliteangerous

...

So, Pilots from the ranking of "Dangerous" can now be invited into the Elite pilots federation, presumably after completing a number of tasks to prove your worth.

So the title is now Elite:Close Enough?

.. of course, the other problem with the name is nicely illustrated by the smilies that get inserted because of the part.

 

[Cmdr Snuffler]

So, no, until the marketing push starts, the name isn't close to set, that's even more true in games that don't generally see anything like the same marketing push as movies do.

That started a long time ago for ED

If that's your argument, it should be Elite:Hardcore which still sounds better to me than Dangerous, but it's still a mouthful.

I think English councils may not be happy with this
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-29202444

Yes, at this point, almost nothing. Although that guy who got the Elite : Dangerous tattoo might have a laser bill to pay.

Yea, Kerrash may have something to say about this. Don't think he'll like removing that tat

 

[metatheurgist]

Elite: Dangerous does sound a little unwieldy, but I don't think it's too bad.

Maybe Elite: Awesome? Elite: Best Damn Space Sim Ever? Elite: 2014? Elite: 3300?

 

[kyoseki]

like i said, read my post above (on last page), there IS a reason for Elite Dangerous, rather than it is elite and it will be dangerous.

Yes, but again, we're getting into stuff that's far from apparent to new players, now you're not only expecting them to know that there's a ranking system, but that the qualifiers were relaxed, all in order to justify what's really quite a cheesy name.

 

[[VR] Mad Mike]

So the title is now Elite:Close Enough?

.. of course, the other problem with the name is nicely illustrated by the smilies that get inserted because of the part.

I left the smiley in deliberately the 1st time I wrote it because E is its affectionate name on this forum by many.

Like the name or not, it makes logical sense and is not without precedence in the real world so I am fine with it.

Yes, but again, we're getting into stuff that's far from apparent to new players, now you're not only expecting them to know that there's a ranking system, but that the qualifiers were relaxed, all in order to justify what's really quite a cheesy name.

I would say most people could not give a flying banana on the name (to be honest I dont think Star Citizen rolls of the tongue either).

And to anyone who IS so bothered by a name, surely it is down to them to do their homework before making wrong conclusions and being vocal about it? . This may not be so simple right now outside of this forum where people may not follow the dev diaries etc but I suspect the lore will be fleshed out and be more available before the game launches properly.

 

[Cmdr Andy B]

So the title is now Elite:Close Enough?

.. of course, the other problem with the name is nicely illustrated by the smilies that get inserted because of the part.

you only get the smilie when typing Elite: Dangerous if you forget to put a space after the :