ANNOUNCEMENT April Update - Coming 23 April 2019

[NeilF]

Because SCB's are, nice to have too?

Or instead? Disagree because how you load out defines your ship.

A poor comparson? SCBs offer a true gameplay advantage? A docking computer in truth is simply a convenience or nice to have?

Now, I've never used a docking computer in my life, BECAUSE it costs a slot and I'm not willing to "pay that".Would I like to use one every now and then for convenience? Definately!

But let's consider if everyone could fit a docking computer in effect at no "slot cost"? What would the outcome be? Do we unbalance the game? Do people using it suddendly gain a tangible advantage? OR, has the game simply been made more enjoyable to play? - ie: When you feel like it, you can press a button to dock instead.

What is the issue in offering convenience and enjoyment at no expense?

 

[Angus]

I can't see much here for existing players. Yes, it's it going to be an easier, more friendly environment for people who don't currently play the game. I'd like to see more effort for existing and long term players - call me selfish, but I play the game for my own enjoyment, nobody else's.

 

[Noobilite]

I like the idea of the learner rank. it's the easiest to implement potentially and the smoothest to the game and for the player. Just like a learners permit as a driver. You can also give the option like in mmorpgs to do it or skip it. Like character flavor. Or force it for new characters to make them learn.It's wouldn't take too long. I just hope we don't loose access to current systems. I'm still maxing rep with the pilots federation newbie groups.

Anything involving auto pilot is a step closer to more advanced systems in the map or navigation areas of the game. That is a game changer. That will eventually effect everything including combat.

 

[M00ka]

Another suggestion I see is - first time you earn notoriety you are out. Even better if that only happens against CMDRs I guess. If it's a reset per kill then that would encourage most to move on.

I am actually hoping that it won't even get that far. Hopefully these new Beginner Zones will be High Sec and I hope FD populate them with a special ATR, MoM's Own ATR (MOMOATR ) that will descend with extreme prejudice on anyone who even looks like committing an illegal act - okay something like initiating an interdiction or any attack on a clean ship.

 

[NeilF]

I can't see much here for existing players.

Apart from the ring fenced guaranteed noob seal clubbing zone. ie: Get in your second account simply to go and seal club the nicely fenced in noobs. I'm asure many existing "players" will appreciate the new take on ganking being offered to them!

 

[Ian Doncaster]

power isnt really a thing tho is it when in supercruise? and power management would just shut it off when weapons are deployed. in principle i am not against it (though would be far better if it were crew doing it imo) but imo FD need to be making the game more hands on, and harder for botters not easier for them.

once we can get out of our seats and have other stuff to do whilst the ship is flying then there will be a much stronger reason for it.... but to me, in a game which is currently fundamentally about flying our ship, then makign the ship fly itself is removing the experience not adding to it.

NOTE this is not a "i want to make the game hard to get into".... I applaud better ingame instructions, making the hud better etc etc etc...

All of this I largely agree with - my concern with the supercruise autopilot is not that it will be more efficient than manual flight, but that it will teach bad habits.

The "75% rule" is boring approaches for boring people. Providing a way to be alt-tabbed out of the game while your ship does it for you doesn't make it better or more interesting - encouraging discovery of the various fast approach options which require hands on the controls would.

Certainly power management could be used to make the power use of the autopilot irrelevant, but a lot of people go around with everything on priority 1 regardless, and I would think "learning how to stop in time while supercruising" was a much easier process than "figuring out how power management works".

 

[M00ka]

I can't see much here for existing players. Yes, it's it going to be an easier, more friendly environment for people who don't currently play the game. I'd like to see more effort for existing and long term players - call me selfish, but I play the game for my own enjoyment, nobody else's.

Okay, you're shelfish This update was always going to be primarily about helping the beginners, FD stated that from the 'get go'. I am sure there will be exciting stuff for us in future updates

 

[NeilF]

For the individuals who frequently discuss automatic scripts being used to affect the outcome in the game (ie: players ships running under scripts for Powerplay etc), I wonder what they'll make of the supercruise autopilot probably making that scripting a lot easier?

 

[Riverside]

I presume the intent of the reverse permit is not to prevent PvP combat at all but to reduce sealclubbing. Perhaps FDev could clarify the design intent?

 

[hyford]

have no problems with making stuff for new players, however rank locked systems is so gamey, would have been better having a "mode" for new players which is locked off which then merges into one of the 3 core modes after a time..... locked off systems for new players makes no sense when looking at it from the game universe POV.

I tend to agree but if you were to argue the point in-game the Pilots Federation control our FSD so I guess some twisted excuse could be made.

I think it will fail though because it creates a wonderful fishbowl for people who buy a £6 alt account and run around nearly destroying new players (and thus not ranking up).

It creates a set of CQC like systems where you can buy a sidewinder & head out there to club seals

 

[Noobilite]

As long as the system cops aren't stupid enough and kill them for the clubbers. Maybe no police in the newbie systems just to avoid the mechanics. Or any other npcs with guns for that matter. Even allowing ramming potentially would be greifable. So no police or npc ships at all. Just players and stations. Why need police in a system you control access to completely. Especially something as powerful as the pilots federation. We don't need a new galcop right?!

 

[SzzS]

I really hope the systems for novice commanders is placed somewhere at the edge of the current bubble, and you guys not locking my entry system, where i started my game career near three years ago.

 

[huehnerfaust]

I like the changes, one new module for every small ship is great!

But as always your solutions to the starter zone griefing is so uninspiring.

You could set the newbies in a simulated eravata for a beginning, you could revoke acces to starter sectors when you have bounty or you notority is to high.

But again, your solution looks like the cheapest one. Again and again from patch to patch.

 

[Killnine]

Now give veterans something to do. Give us the danger zone! There is a glimmer of hope left for some consequence and challenge for veteran players in this game.

Now this is what really makes me sad. The lack of consequence and challenge. A wing of marauding gankers can literally do whatever they please, since they only engage targets they can take out before the cops arrive, and the NPC authorities are literally unable to interdict. Vigilante CMDRs on the other hand have too little tools at their disposal to track and hunt down the gankers. On top of that, the bounties from CMDRs are a fraction of the rebuy you'll risk trying to take them out, so there is little incentive to even try. If the game universe is fundamentally unable to keep gankers in check, the least FD could do is give the community an opportunity and incentive to step in!

, bloody Roblox has better cops and robbers mechanics for meaningful PvP!

 

[thistle]

Apart from the ring fenced guaranteed noob seal clubbing zone. ie: Get in your second account simply to go and seal club the nicely fenced in noobs. I'm asure many existing "players" will appreciate the new take on ganking being offered to them!

I'm not really getting this complaint though. At the moment we have free for all seal clubbing, for any ganker who fancies it. With restricted start systems the seal clubbing will still exist but will be much less, as Murder Harry and The Narcissists (great band) can continue using new accounts.

So ... it's better, surely.

 

[Killnine]

Sure you will get the odd idiot who will buy a new account just to gank a couple of newbies but I can't see a lot doing that ..

You must be new to the internet?

Also, on PS4 you can have multiple accounts for one copy of Elite by utilizing PS subaccounts.

 

[M00ka]

You must be new to the internet?

Also, on PS4 you can have multiple accounts for one copy of Elite by utilizing PS subaccounts.

Not new, just definitely wiser

 

[Zapgun]

Having just recently taken a friend through the first time experience I think these are good additions. There is a LOT to learn in this game, and for people using trackpads/mice AND having to figure everything out the current experience can be frustrating. The new in-game learning features and auto computers will allow them to concentrate on other aspects of the game (before they brave taking those out and replacing them with other modules of course). Also looking forward to the new slots - especially the additional utility added to small ships (who will get two of them).

 

[Jaggid Edje]

You must be new to the internet?

TO be fair, he's probably right that not a lot of people are gankers/griefers....their actions just lead to them standing out and getting an inordinate level of attention...which of course is the whole reason the poor damaged souls do it.

 

[nicedevill]

Me changing my mind in the last second and wanting to approach object from opposite side is not the loop of shame. Right? Right.