Is ED played by mostly "Old Ducks" like me?
- Thread starter Old Duck
- Start date
It does when that game wants to bring back the look and feel of those earlier games, which was precisely what ED's initial vision set out to do.
From the outset it was designed to bring Elite to modern hardware, not an entirely new game with Elite sticky taped onto the title (like the current situation of a game series like Command & Conquer, for example). That's what attracted most of the games Kickstarter funding, mostly from players that remembered playing those earlier versions (or watching their parents play it) throughout the 80's and 90's. It's why many of the core design choices, the "grindy" nature of the game (modern players cannot begin to do margins the scope of just how "grindy" the elite series was), the inherent unfairness of the galaxy and the lack of any real story (the story was always about you, your ship and what you could imagine doing with it). It's why the galaxy is big, beautiful and pretty much empty, it's also why you have hyperspace jumps and in system travel as opposed to instatravel wherever you want Skyrim style and even why Hutton Orbital is so bloody far away. It's even why this unfair galaxy will kill you given any opportunity (heck it's predecessors used to kill you for accidentally firing off your pulse lasers on the landing pad).
There is probably a whole lot more but the fact remains, ED is designed to feel a lot like it's predecessors, something that it can pull off very well. A game like that is always going to be compared with the standards of it predecessors, it pulls on the heart strings of those who grew up with it.
Of course it's modern times, concessions have been made to cater for a new audience, they needed to be done. FD needed to both maintain it's old player base but (just as importantly) generate new players. That's why even before Horizons it was easily the most accessable game in the series. It's why there are (basic) RPG elements why we play (nicely or otherwise) with others etc etc (yes I know there is so much more).
At the end of the day, changes to the formula can't be so drastic that it's completely separated from its predecessors, an ED still very much needs to be a game in the Elite series, it simply wouldn't be Elite otherwise.
Me and my dad both played the original on the BBC in 1984 and we both still play E : D now we're mid 40's / 70's, meeting up from time to time when we can in our private group.
The biggest issue for pensioners seems to be trying to squeeze some game time in amongst all of the holidays, gardening, grandchildren, visits to friends etc!
The biggest issue for pensioners seems to be trying to squeeze some game time in amongst all of the holidays, gardening, grandchildren, visits to friends etc!
Of course, after that "rant" 36 here (One of the younger lads). I grew up with FE2, and FFE (on floppy disk) on A500 and PC. Those were the days when single digit frame rates were acceptable (on the A500) just because it was so impressive that it could be played. Then FFE on my dad's P75, for its time such a beautiful game, even if it was buggy as all hell...
First played Elite on an Acorn Electron - possible the least powerful platform ever available - probably did well at times to get 1 fps when you had 3 bandits on you.
However enough of that - in terms of people complaining there seem to be two groups - 1 groups who do not really care to much about the odd bug because actually (as other have said) all the other non bugged things in ED are exactly what we wanted from ED. (the recent bug was the first 'game breaker' for me and I have been on PS4 since launch)
And then there is another set of people who seem to only be able to see the negative side - but interestingly there seem to be a subset of people who think that if they keep complaining and shouting and insulting people they will get their own way and if not then they feel they have a right to flounce off and call everyone else muppets for staying.
I do not know where this sort of behaviour comes from -- initially thought it was just snowflakes but seems if it is we have some old snowflakes in here.
But whatever - I think ED is great and will continue to get enjoyment from it.
However enough of that - in terms of people complaining there seem to be two groups - 1 groups who do not really care to much about the odd bug because actually (as other have said) all the other non bugged things in ED are exactly what we wanted from ED. (the recent bug was the first 'game breaker' for me and I have been on PS4 since launch)
And then there is another set of people who seem to only be able to see the negative side - but interestingly there seem to be a subset of people who think that if they keep complaining and shouting and insulting people they will get their own way and if not then they feel they have a right to flounce off and call everyone else muppets for staying.
I do not know where this sort of behaviour comes from -- initially thought it was just snowflakes but seems if it is we have some old snowflakes in here.
But whatever - I think ED is great and will continue to get enjoyment from it.
What about Elite on PS4 and ED on Commodore 64?
My mother is annoying me by owning computer equipment she doesn fully understand because some one 'sold' it to her. I remember when each advancement in bit 8bit 16bit 32bit brought quantifiable differences in games/software.
But we are comparing apples and oranges.
In the UK the BBCmicro was the main computers in schools. It was the original machine that Elite was developed on. Of course we know about the Acorn Atom. The other widely used computer of the spectrum. The one with all the games.
Back then as is now cpu speed memory soundchip graphics resolutions were all key differentiators.
BBcmicro B had 32k standard memory . The mode2 graphics mode gives 8 unique colors the oher '8' are flashing. When you see the same games with more memory you already see what difference it can make.
Some crazy people still use the BBC micro for there everyday tasks and have even upgraded various part to include modern peripherals.
The commodore 64 graphics sub system was completely rewritten to allow 'vector' graphics for c64 Elite version. Not sure what the legal aspect of getting that code released for academic purposes. Again there is an active demo scene.
Either you needed to be a rich kid to afford any of these computers.
Codemasters started in there bedroom writing games which were marketed in the back of magazine.
You were considered very much a geek to have any interest in computer then.
Being 41... oh boy, that number looks weird... anyway, I played Frontier games as a young lad, not original Elite. I'm a PC gamer since around that time, so I believe I see EDangerous for what it is and what it could be. I don't feel much nostalgia, yet I'm able to see past the shortcomings of ED, because otherwise it gives me something no other space game is able to provide. Vastness of space and freedom - inlcuding freedom to not fly in space, but drive on some rock instead. If there's something I don't like or find lacking in game, I try to use my imagination or create some house rules to fix that on my end first.
I also enjoy ED community immensely, because finally I don't feel too old here.
I also enjoy ED community immensely, because finally I don't feel too old here.
Only 51, but that's just the number on the timeline: I still think I'm who I was when I was 20-something.
Met Elite on the BBC Micro, and it was my very first video-game crush. When I went to my cousins' place, they had a speccy, but no Elite. I just thought their speccy games were rubbish
while they thought Elite was boring!
I also dabble in other games, still... GTA - from the very first version: that blew me away somewhat, along with Charlie Brooker's excellent PC Zone era.
Sim City, Civilisation, Morrowind, Thief, Populous, Half Life, Quake, Unreal Tournament GOTY (Man I put some hours into the last two!!), TF2...
Games: So many good times! Who on earth has time for TV???
o7
Met Elite on the BBC Micro, and it was my very first video-game crush. When I went to my cousins' place, they had a speccy, but no Elite. I just thought their speccy games were rubbish
while they thought Elite was boring!I also dabble in other games, still... GTA - from the very first version: that blew me away somewhat, along with Charlie Brooker's excellent PC Zone era.
Sim City, Civilisation, Morrowind, Thief, Populous, Half Life, Quake, Unreal Tournament GOTY (Man I put some hours into the last two!!), TF2...
Games: So many good times! Who on earth has time for TV???
o7
I completely understand why it's not sensible or helpful to judge this game (or overlook its failings) because of how much better it is than what some of us played in the 80s. And yet... I'm sorry, I can't help but feel that way. I know that it's wrong. But, and this is as true now as it was in 2015, I still find myself thinking I'm playing Elite but look how fancy and BIG it is! on a regular basis. These games have been a larger part of my life than any other. And truth be told, I'll forgive FD far more than they warrant being forgiven because it's 2019 and I'm still able to play a new, up-to-date, and mostly functional Elite.
Also, possibly relevant, possibly not, but I started playing Elite when I was awfully young. Maybe five? No older than seven. It's been a fixture throughout my life. An alternative universe that's always been there (I guess lots of Star Trek fans feel the same about that, but Elite is the only sci-fi creation I've ever been really interested in).
(EDIT: Also, I think it's worth adding, if you waited expectantly for the entire nineteen years - or twenty in my case, I couldn't afford to buy this game for a few months after it came out - between games, that has an effect, it can build a lens through which you view and judge this game, and only this game.)
Also, possibly relevant, possibly not, but I started playing Elite when I was awfully young. Maybe five? No older than seven. It's been a fixture throughout my life. An alternative universe that's always been there (I guess lots of Star Trek fans feel the same about that, but Elite is the only sci-fi creation I've ever been really interested in).
(EDIT: Also, I think it's worth adding, if you waited expectantly for the entire nineteen years - or twenty in my case, I couldn't afford to buy this game for a few months after it came out - between games, that has an effect, it can build a lens through which you view and judge this game, and only this game.)
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But on the other hand, ED was visually impressive when it first released on PS4 (except for the beige plague, but that's not a console thing). It was no Horizon Zero Dawn, but it was good enough for me. Remember, I'm not as fussy as people think, hence why I play on a Slim instead of the Pro. The broken shadow issue is a bug acknowledged by Frontier, one that's never been fixed despite their attempts.
I think the problem is that Frontier put their best people on the job to port ED to PS4, and once it was released, they moved that team to JWE and other projects. That's why 2.3 was great, but starting with 2.4 ED on PS4 started to fall apart. From Frontier's Cobra Engine page (emphasis mine):
Cobra engine was supposed to allow Frontier to "fire and forget" when it comes to the console ports, but unfortunately it has failed in that regard.
In regards to the OP's original question: I'm in my 30's and reading many posts in this forum makes me feel like I'm several decades older than a number of people. There does seem to be a large representation of 'older' players though which I actually appreciate and find endearing about the game. It's definitely not a common game for kids (though I know some do play it).
Flossy
Volunteer Moderator
I actually have something to look forward to in retirement. As long as I can sit in the chair, operate a mouse and keyboard and see the screen, elite dangerous is my retirement plan..
There are now ways to play even if you can't sit in a chair and can't operate a mouse and keyboard. By the time you're at that point hopefully we can just plug ourselves straight into the game matrix-style
I received my first State Pension payment this week...
Next week I'll be 37 (hm... triple salute age?), started playing games on Amiga 500 but haven't played original ED. Age wise I barely missed that game but I haven't been aware of the franchise until few year ago when I started to research modern space sims. No nostalgia to ED for me but nostalgia to space sims as a whole - I played countless hours with X-Wing Alliance (X-Wing vs TIE Fighter as well) and Freespace. Later I played lots of RTSes and RPGs. Few years ago I wished to play again as a space pilot so I started to look after modern space sims.
I had my hopes with Star Citizen, when I joined it had just few ships available, 2 maps and simple shooting mode. Not enough for my needs so I researched further. No Man's Sky had bad reviews and only true option was Elite. So what drawn me to ED? Urge to play space pilot. And mnostly non combat one. When I learned you can explore, mine and trade as a living I knew it's the game for me.
Looking at the game from a distance and time spent - I must say it's a good game. Interesting gameplay, awesome ship feel. Sure, it has it's issues (RNG overuse, grindness and timegating behind weird limitations) but overall it is interesting enough so I come back to it on regular basis.
As someone who was a pre-teen when the first home computers came out, and owned a Commodore Vic 20 before upgrading to a C64 (still have it,) I'm also an "over the hill" gamer.
That said, as I've aged I've become less interested in hyper-shooters with the spawn-die-repeat mechanism of COD, and have focused on games that allow me to play with friends cooperatively.
Unlike students with oodles on time on their hands, my limited game time is my R&R time away from work, stress, and honey-do lists ;-)
Not sure if other older gamers feel the same way, but I can say none of my friends are playing either COD or Fortnight.
I only like the older COD games like MW2, which I have fond memories of as early console multiplayer was often me and my wife battling my friend and his wife on a 4-way split screen. "No screen peeking!" was shouted back and forth more than a few times, LOL.
When I play Fortnite, I do so in a non-traditional way. I tend to explore in "stealth mode" (similar to how I often play ED, actually) and let everyone else kill each other until the storm closes in. I hate the "I can magically toss a wall in front of me and build a gravity-defying ramp to the moon" mechanic that makes Fortnite popular, so I don't use it and usually lose to those who do. I don't play that game to win, I play to explore and experience the "hide from everyone" gameplay. I'm that girl from the first Hunger Games who ate the berries.
Now Overwatch for me is a very different FPS. This game is as much a game of chess as it is a shooter. I'm still young enough to have the reflexes needed for a shooter, but I can tell that I often have a strategic edge over many of the younger players who don't understand the chess-like nature of the game. I get much more enjoyment from out-thinking an opponent than I do from out-shooting that opponent. Overwatch kinda reminds me of Archon for the Commodore 64, one of my favorite games of that era.