Steam Numbers Now

[Old Duck]

As much as i rattle on around here, id have say that i probably would recommend elite.

FWIW, I used to recommend ED to my IRL friends - I'd even bring my PS4 over to their houses to demonstrate it. That was before it devolved into a bug-ridden mess on my platform.

Unfortunately (at the time) while my friends did think it looked cool, none of them went out and bought it. Gaming geeks are rare enough in my town, but gaming geeks that are also space simulation nerds are an endangered species it seems, at least around here.. It's probably no coincidence that I was the only one of my friends who really got into Firefly.

I know, I need new friends LOL.

 

[Navigare Necesse Est]

ED does well enough. I have no idea why, I guess it just appeals to a different target group. Steam numbers have been pretty stable over the years. I guess they hit the nail with the engineer crap.

 

[Riverside]

What is with the mk2 PD?

Permaboost.

 

[Bigmaec]

Permaboost.

Ah ok, I think of the boost stat as a fixed value for the Frame (I guess that's true?) so a different PD doesn't have that much influence.
You propably could permaboost with a c6 PD also.

 

[TheSynopticVision]

What bugs are you talking about? Can you be specific? Because I have played all week long with no issues.


Also do you have any proof that Elite is in "Maintenence Mode" or are you just pulling that out of your butt? Because the Devs have been rather clear that they have a major update coming out next year and that is what they are currently working on.

There are literally dozens of outstanding bugs, problems that were never fixed over the course of years. The new Bug Reporting system has brought no change whatsoever -- except that now it is harder to browse if you're not reporting anything.

As for "Maintenance Mode" -- it's really pointless to debate the meaning of the term. The facts are that Elite is a "living game" which the developers decided to leave without significant updates for 18 months, while working on some super-secret Second Coming project that allegedly will revolutionise the game. Whether or not this is true, the fact remains that the game (and the community) has been "abandoned" so to speak. Anyone who's followed the game and the forums over the last 4 years will readily acknowledge that this is the "deadest" period since the game launched. Hardly any dev post/intervention, nothing in the near future to be hyped about, no community events (I don't even consider those pathetic "interstellar initiatives"), the few livestreams they do are incredibly boring let's plays or "interviews" with no info given about either the present or the future...

You might choose not to call it "maintenance mode", because yeah they're working on something. But it sure is not a healthy and vibrant game.

 

[Old Duck]

I was just wondering why you brought up the length of time people have been playing.

Personally, I get the impression (from this forum) that ED is one of those games that people do play for thousands of hours unless something changes dramatically.

Course, that, in itself, could be the result of artificial bias.

Speaking of artificial bias, length of time "playing" in a game like Elite is artificially biased by the very nature of the game. If I run a mission to Hutton Orbital, am I actually "playing" for those two hours? More likely I'm playing the forum or YouTube videos as ED runs in the background. And even if I'm actively controlling my ship, like I am when flying across the galaxy, how many consider "Frameshift drive charging. Four. Three. Two. One. Engage... (watch loading screen) Fuel scooping.. Fuel scooping complete.. (repeat x 100)" to be actual gameplay after the novelty wears off?

I'll leave the following quote from another thread here to make my point, though the fellow I'm quoting may actually love the hours of "gameplay" he gets each night (he is doing it, after all).

Im almost at beagle - on my last 100 jumps, i might get there in a few days time. Its hard to put a couple of hours a night into this when you've got a family and are working. Very difficult with the window , Im just about going to make it, but I should, providing the PS4 dont blow up

 

[CoyoteXStarrk]

There are literally dozens of outstanding bugs, problems that were never fixed over the course of years. The new Bug Reporting system has brought no change whatsoever -- except that now it is harder to browse if you're not reporting anything.

As for "Maintenance Mode" -- it's really pointless to debate the meaning of the term. The facts are that Elite is a "living game" which the developers decided to leave without significant updates for 18 months, while working on some super-secret Second Coming project that allegedly will revolutionise the game. Whether or not this is true, the fact remains that the game (and the community) has been "abandoned" so to speak. Anyone who's followed the game and the forums over the last 4 years will readily acknowledge that this is the "deadest" period since the game launched. Hardly any dev post/intervention, nothing in the near future to be hyped about, no community events (I don't even consider those pathetic "interstellar initiatives"), the few livestreams they do are incredibly boring let's plays or "interviews" with no info given about either the present or the future...

You might choose not to call it "maintenance mode", because yeah they're working on something. But it sure is not a healthy and vibrant game.

Then I will ask you the same thing I asked him. What specific bugs are you talking about? I have been playing for 2 weeks now with literally not a single issue on PS4. No crashes. No game breaking bugs. Nothing.


We have not been "abandoned" just because they are working on the next major update. By that logic Monster Hunter World has been abandoned because the Devs are working on the Iceborne expansion.

 

[Muzz UK]

So how are the Steam numbers now? Someone always posts Steam numbers right after Christmas and a huge update, and we're all like, "Woohoo, Elite is doing great!" But what about now?

The question is sincere, as I have no idea. I'm a PS4 player on indefinite hiatus, and considering how dull everything is around here lately, I'm beginning to wonder if I'm not alone.

PS - You can't claim Steam numbers matter when they are high and then say they don't matter when they are low. Consider them a statistic sample, like Nielsen ratings in the US.

Christ not this again.

Steam numbers are not a clear indicator because so many people still play through client only and refuse to give a % to Valve. EDSM tracks over 10,000 per day where as Steam says 4000 that settles the argument that Steam is loosely indicating numbers. Games doing fine it's not dead or dying.

 

[sollisb]

What bugs are you talking about? Can you be specific? Because I have played all week long with no issues.


Also do you have any proof that Elite is in "Maintenence Mode" or are you just pulling that out of your butt? Because the Devs have been rather clear that they have a major update coming out next year and that is what they are currently working on.

'What bugs' Are you serious? I have no idea how many hours you have in game, but for me, I have 5 accounts and thousands of hours. I could spend a day listing bugs that have gone ignored. That you are playing with no issues, means didly squat except you are not seeing the bugs or are willfully ignoring them. Either way, it in no means there are no bugs.

Why do I need 'proof' of anything? I clearly stated 'impression' which again you either didn't read, or willfully ignored in your mad dash to call proof or lying.

Let's consider, that Elite was built on the finance of the backers. Last year the backers were told they were getting some 'premium' content in 2018. Then in 2019, they got told that the next major release is 2 years down the road, with no explanation nor further details. And you come here and claim there are no bugs and I am pulling stuff out of my butt?

 

[Old Duck]

Steam numbers are not a clear indicator...

Until someone posts the Steam numbers right after a major update and / or a holiday sale, then Steam numbers are equal to the 10 Commandments blazed in stone by the finger of God...

 

[WinterKing2112]

There are literally dozens of outstanding bugs, problems that were never fixed over the course of years. The new Bug Reporting system has brought no change whatsoever -- except that now it is harder to browse if you're not reporting anything.

As for "Maintenance Mode" -- it's really pointless to debate the meaning of the term. The facts are that Elite is a "living game" which the developers decided to leave without significant updates for 18 months, while working on some super-secret Second Coming project that allegedly will revolutionise the game. Whether or not this is true, the fact remains that the game (and the community) has been "abandoned" so to speak. Anyone who's followed the game and the forums over the last 4 years will readily acknowledge that this is the "deadest" period since the game launched. Hardly any dev post/intervention, nothing in the near future to be hyped about, no community events (I don't even consider those pathetic "interstellar initiatives"), the few livestreams they do are incredibly boring let's plays or "interviews" with no info given about either the present or the future...

You might choose not to call it "maintenance mode", because yeah they're working on something. But it sure is not a healthy and vibrant game.

Feels pretty healthy and vibrant to me, but I have only been playing for a few months now. Lots of people on this forum have obviously been playing too long and need to move on. All games get stale after you have played them thru a few times, even great games like Skyrim, Dark Souls, Age of Empires 2, all the good Resident Evil games etc. No game stays fresh forever (I guess games are a bit like food!). You would think the way people whinge about ED that it's the only game in the world! And there are other hobbies out there too, gaming is not the only thing to do outside of work!

 

[Ian Skippy]

Until someone posts the Steam numbers right after a major update and / or a holiday sale, then Steam numbers are equal to the 10 Commandments blazed in stone by the finger of God...

It is not good style to quote part of a sentence, ducky. In any case, steam numbers are neither 'good' nor 'bad' to use, it depends on what you do. For example, steam numbers represent a segment of the ED community. That means they can be taken as a minimum number of players (if 1000 players play on steam, at least 1000 people play ED) but obviously not as a maximum. Like any statistics, it means what it means; no less and no more. The question is not whether or not you can use these numbers and stats, but how you use them.

So, what exactly is the argument or point you are trying to make, and how do you think the numbers fit in with that notion?

 

[WinterKing2112]

'What bugs' Are you serious? I have no idea how many hours you have in game, but for me, I have 5 accounts and thousands of hours. I could spend a day listing bugs that have gone ignored. That you are playing with no issues, means didly squat except you are not seeing the bugs or are willfully ignoring them. Either way, it in no means there are no bugs.

Why do I need 'proof' of anything? I clearly stated 'impression' which again you either didn't read, or willfully ignored in your mad dash to call proof or lying.

Let's consider, that Elite was built on the finance of the backers. Last year the backers were told they were getting some 'premium' content in 2018. Then in 2019, they got told that the next major release is 2 years down the road, with no explanation nor further details. And you come here and claim there are no bugs and I am pulling stuff out of my butt?

I'm not seeing these bugs either. Not saying there are no bugs, just that some of us ain't seeing them. Guess we're just the lucky ones.

 

[sollisb]

There is no doubt there are a

Feels pretty healthy and vibrant to me, but I have only been playing for a few months now. Lots of people on this forum have obviously been playing too long and need to move on. All games get stale after you have played them thru a few times, even great games like Skyrim, Dark Souls, Age of Empires 2, all the good Resident Evil games etc. No game stays fresh forever (I guess games are a bit like food!). You would think the way people whinge about ED that it's the only game in the world! And there are other hobbies out there too, gaming is not the only thing to do outside of work!

yes exactly. You are now playing, thinking wow this is great until, like the people playing years, you realise it's the same gimmicky garbage time after time, and FDev have gone off on sabatical, because they are devoid of a decent game ideas.

 

[Rubbernuke]

And 4 lights.

Prove me wrong.
#doom

In the BGS, there are always five lights- with the fifth being counted with the forth for reasons.

 

[sollisb]

Feels pretty healthy and vibrant to me, but I have only been playing for a few months now. Lots of people on this forum have obviously been playing too long and need to move on. All games get stale after you have played them thru a few times, even great games like Skyrim, Dark Souls, Age of Empires 2, all the good Resident Evil games etc. No game stays fresh forever (I guess games are a bit like food!). You would think the way people whinge about ED that it's the only game in the world! And there are other hobbies out there too, gaming is not the only thing to do outside of work!

So all the players who backed the game and have been playing years, and without whom you wouldntt be playing the game 'need to move on'?

 

[CoyoteXStarrk]

'What bugs' Are you serious? I have no idea how many hours you have in game, but for me, I have 5 accounts and thousands of hours. I could spend a day listing bugs that have gone ignored. That you are playing with no issues, means didly squat except you are not seeing the bugs or are willfully ignoring them. Either way, it in no means there are no bugs.

Okay cool so if there are so many then you wouldn't mind naming some for me. Especially if you seem to think I am not seeing them. I would love to know what to keep an eye out for.

Also I have about 850hrs in the game since you asked.

Why do I need 'proof' of anything? I clearly stated 'impression' which again you either didn't read, or willfully ignored in your mad dash to call proof or lying.

Well generally when you make big claims you need big proof to match it. Otherwise you are just pulling stuff out of your *** because you are unhappy.

Let's consider, that Elite was built on the finance of the backers. Last year the backers were told they were getting some 'premium' content in 2018. Then in 2019, they got told that the next major release is 2 years down the road, with no explanation nor further details.

The next major update is coming next year unless I am mistaken. That is not "2 years down the road".

And you come here and claim there are no bugs and I am pulling stuff out of my butt?

Except that is not what I said at all. I asked you to name some bugs because I myself have not noticed or experienced them. Saying I have not experienced any bugs is not the same as me saying there are no bugs. You should work on your reading comprehension I think.

 

[Ian Skippy]

Except that is not what I said at all. I asked you to name some bugs because I myself have not noticed or experienced them. Saying I have not experienced any bugs is not the same as me saying there are no bugs. You should work on your reading comprehension I think.

I wouldn't bother. Some here are really upset and frustrated, and there isn't much point in debating about that. If someone just wants to yell "Bugs! Bugs!" without being precise, constructive or in any other way trying to be a positive influence on anything they are just spleen-venting.

 

[CoyoteXStarrk]

I wouldn't bother. Some here are really upset and frustrated, and there isn't much point in debating about that. If someone just wants to yell "Bugs! Bugs!" without being precise, constructive or in any other way trying to be a positive influence on anything they are just spleen-venting.

I guess so. I just don't see the point in spouting bullcrap if you are not prepared to at least try and back it up. It makes you seem foolish at best and childish at worst.

 

[TheSynopticVision]

Feels pretty healthy and vibrant to me, but I have only been playing for a few months now. Lots of people on this forum have obviously been playing too long and need to move on. All games get stale after you have played them thru a few times, even great games like Skyrim, Dark Souls, Age of Empires 2, all the good Resident Evil games etc. No game stays fresh forever (I guess games are a bit like food!). You would think the way people whinge about ED that it's the only game in the world! And there are other hobbies out there too, gaming is not the only thing to do outside of work!

And in fact I'm happily playing other games. But there is an issue with your examples. You're listing mostly single-player "over and done" games, not living games like Elite. And by living game I mean a constantly developed MMO. A game like this needs a fairly steady stream of updates/patches to keep the show going. Now, why did Frontier choose to take this long hiatus? That's anyone's guess. But they obviously feel confident enough that 18 months of radio silence will not negatively impact the sales of the 2020 Messiah DLC. We'll see if this is true.

What I am seeing from where I'm sitting is a large number of disillusioned long-term players who have stopped playing or are playing much, much less than they used to. Sure, then there's newer people like yourself. But the "who cares if people stop playing we're still getting new ones" attitude is hardly something I'd define respectful of your community.