Role Play?

[[PS4] Lorenzo Waringos]

He wants, narrative, he wants a story, he wants a launch pad into a greater story.

It's a damned sight better than imagining that female mechanic sitting in that empty seat next to you in the Python.
Get what I mean?

If anything, for me it would just give more eye candy on the bridge.
And maybe even an additional pair of legs when Space Legs are out.

Oh wait, he just wants a Pixel Princess to fall in love with. It appears imagination is replacing something here.

I'm sorry that I don't have the knack of making stories in my head to fill up an empty shell.

You sell yourself short, your own words show us that you’re entirely capable of imagining something, presumably to fill something.

OK, So I've caused a bit of butthurt amongst the imaginary friends crowd here in the game.

I'm sorry that I don't have the knack of making stories in my head to fill up an empty shell.
It's nice that you do. So I'm sorry for making fun at the lot of you.

OK now that we've got that out of the way.

Probably the most extraordinary apology, that is by no means an apology, I’ve ever witnessed.

The whole thing is much like saying to your date, “Sorry you got so stupid over me looking at all the other women in here, it’s probably because they’re better looking than you.

Now we’ve got that out of the way, you going to kiss me or what?”

 

[dxm55]

He wants, narrative, he wants a story, he wants a launch pad into a greater story.
Oh wait, he just wants a Pixel Princess to fall in love with. It appears imagination is replacing something here.
You sell yourself short, your own words show us that you’re entirely capable of imagining something, presumably to fill something.

Probably the most extraordinary apology, that is by no means an apology, I’ve ever witnessed.

The whole thing is much like saying to your date, “Sorry you got so stupid over me looking at all the other women in here, it’s probably because they’re better looking than you.

Now we’ve got that out of the way, you going to kiss me or what?”

Love your imagination BTW. LOL.

But to put it simply.
I want FD to PROVIDE us more engaging and immersive content, than having us come up with it ourselves or in our heads.
Right now, what we're getting is partial content. Half-baked even.

Even a linear progression game like Mass Effect is so much more immersive. And I didn't have to rely on making crap up.

It's really that simple. Why do players have to rely on imaginary friends in the bridge if the game already provided that content for them?
Immersion should be provided intentionally as part of the game, and not happen as an accident.

Imagine if you had a crew on your bridge you could rank up, and there was actual cockpit banter.
Maybe the term would be, cinematic experience.
You know... something that you don't have to imagine because it's already there, provided for you on a silver platter, as part of a main course that you paid for?

 

[[PS4] Lorenzo Waringos]

Imagine if you had a crew on your bridge you could rank up, and there was actual cockpit banter.

Me? I’d hate it. I love the solitude of the game.

I don’t have a dog in this fight. I’m sure it should be possible for you to get this and it not have an impact on my game.

Others might not want what you’re offering because they anticipate that they can create better stories for themselves than someone else can.

I think there’s room for all three perspectives in the game.

 

[Phisto Sobanii]

But to put it simply.
I want FD to PROVIDE us more engaging and immersive content, than having us come up with it ourselves or in our heads.
Right now, what we're getting is partial content. Half-baked even.

No. Elite is best as a sandbox to play in. We bring the tools and ideas and make something of it.

I'll lift up my own squadron as an example. Perhaps you've heard about our adventures in Carcosa? Coma? Premonition? Fact is anyone can do this.

Does it take a lot of work? Well sure! But anything worthwhile always does.

 

[dxm55]

Me? I’d hate it. I love the solitude of the game.

I don’t have a dog in this fight. I’m sure it should be possible for you to get this and it not have an impact on my game.

Others might not want what you’re offering because they anticipate that they can create better stories for themselves than someone else can.

I think there’s room for all three perspectives in the game.

Actually I think many players would want this. Seeing as how they've been asking for NPC crew.
Personally my take on role playing in computer games is a more cinematic type of experience... where it's like I'm watching a movie, but am also part of the movie at the same time.

My role playing is better suited to what the character is defined as in the game.
I don't want to have to create one in my head because I think that it's silly on my part, and lazy on the game dev's part to relegate that to me.

No offence again to the role players here. I was never into that, hence why I could never understand the table top RPGs.
But liked it when computer games arrived with RPGs, providing me with the content rather than having me create one myself.

No. Elite is best as a sandbox to play in. We bring the tools and ideas and make something of it.

I'll lift up my own squadron as an example. Perhaps you've heard about our adventures in Carcosa? Coma? Premonition? Fact is anyone can do this.

Does it take a lot of work? Well sure! But anything worthwhile always does.

But here's the thing, you two.

It would appear that FD has at least an intention.... or been trying.... to provide us content to play with. Rather than being just an empty sandbox.
A sandbox game would be SPACE ENGINEERS, or Minecraft.

But this game apparently has a lore. It has scripted events going on. So obviously there's an attempt at narrative.
I say it is half baked because everything appears to be partially done, or done halfheartedly, all at a very base level.
Everything seems to be stuck at a placeholder state.

 

[varonica]

You must feel something if you are still focusing on only that that portion of my post.
Thanks for the sympathy, but don't be. I already fulfilled that quota when I was a little kid.

Don't try to push thoughts and feeling on people you don't know, that's pointless and almost inevitably a mistake. You never fulfill your quota of sympathy, maybe you just reject it, that's still sad.

However, I play mainly for stats and a goal, totally aware of the fact that it's just a game.
Especially how to fast-track progress. Legal or illegal. Within or outside the intended game mechanics, or even exploits. The meta portion of it interests me.
I play lots of FPSes too. My main objective is to dominate the table.

You certainly aren't reducing the amount of sympathy I have for you, to run through life with an attitude like that would be hell for me, however you seem to be....managing, but I believe this isn't the sort of game that works very well in, it's a game about imagination and role play. They gave us a galaxy, put in some basic foundations and said "go for it, be what you want to be!" I doubt if they will ever change it to work the way you want.

 

[dxm55]

You certainly aren't reducing the amount of sympathy I have for you, to run through life with an attitude like that would be hell for me, however you seem to be....managing, but I believe this isn't the sort of game that works very well in, it's a game about imagination and role play. They gave us a galaxy, put in some basic foundations and said "go for it, be what you want to be!" I doubt if they will ever change it to work the way you want.

Different sides of the fence, darling.
But thanks for feeling for me.
Back in school I also used to pity the nerds huddled around the tabletop D&D game in their club, wondering... why don't these guys just play football, or the guitar, or check out chicks. Diff strokes I guess.

Anyway, back to the subject of the game. Never say never.
If an idea like having NPC crews gains momentum, who's to say that FD won't implement it, especially given that it can be easily adapted from Holo-Me, SLF pilots, and Multicrew.

 

[Jellicoe]

You are trolling aren't you dxm? Please tell me you're troling

 

[dxm55]

You are trolling aren't you dxm? Please tell me you're troling

The suggestions are real. I really do think we could use crew character creation.
Think about it. Adding traditional RPG elements to this game, creating your crew... hand crafting them just like your Holo-Me... and not hiring them like pilots....
Them ProcGen NPCs are ugly enough to stop a clock.
Then levelling up your crew. Space Legs as a party (maybe Mass Effect style), having a friendly NPC SRV tag along your surface missions.
At least seeing your empty bridge seats filled up.

all the possibilities. Yeah?

Wel.... as for the part about role playing nerds... well... Sometimes I like to push buttons for fun.
Like going into an elevator, getting off at your floor, and then lighting up all the buttons before you exit.
Works best when it's a skyscraper.

 

[Six6VI]

...checks posts by the OP - no likes
...check posts by everyone else - likes

This is what's known as getting ratio'd, no?

You realise this game is still only half way through the 10 year development plan, right?

 

[Rat Catcher]

Just to lighten the mood a little...

I can agree with the OP's ideas on a 'crew' that the player can assign. If only for the 'empty seat' part. As he states, he'd rather the RPG elements be fed to him rather than creating them, that is fine, I'd not want my preferences forced on him, nor his on mine.

This game has very little narrative provided by the developers, just enough to 'give some purpose to some', many of us are fine with so little meat on the bones of the game, others would like more.

On a personal note, enough game narrative has been provided for me by personal choice, and deciding my Pilot's paths through the game galaxy (I have 2 accounts, both different) and interacting with others who offer new content in line with those traits (Thanks LRCV!).

Not a dig, but OP - you already demonstrated a very good slice of RP in your 'wish list', well done!

 

[dxm55]

Just to lighten the mood a little...

I can agree with the OP's ideas on a 'crew' that the player can assign. If only for the 'empty seat' part. As he states, he'd rather the RPG elements be fed to him rather than creating them, that is fine, I'd not want my preferences forced on him, nor his on mine.

This game has very little narrative provided by the developers, just enough to 'give some purpose to some', many of us are fine with so little meat on the bones of the game, others would like more.

On a personal note, enough game narrative has been provided for me by personal choice, and deciding my Pilot's paths through the game galaxy (I have 2 accounts, both different) and interacting with others who offer new content in line with those traits (Thanks LRCV!).

Not a dig, but OP - you already demonstrated a very good slice of RP in your 'wish list', well done!

Heya Bud!
I was just initially poking a bit of fun at role players. But it sure got their attention didn't it?

In all seriousness, I am not against role playing. I just said it had to be provided by the game, as opposed to me having to come up with it myself.
I mean, if this was something like Space Engineers or some other pure sandbox, and you wanted to create your own head game, I guess fine. Go ahead.

But this game apparently has a lore and history. I feel it would only be right to flesh it out, rather than do it halfway, as what has been given to us.

Not surprisingly, there will be the usual crowd of "contented players" who will oppose it citing reasons that they want to create their own stories and don't want to be hamstrung by a given narrative. Some of these same guys can be seen everywhere defending existing mechanics, resisting changes. Yes, yes. FD's good friends, no doubt. But I digress.
So adding crew characters would not actually dewstroy or diminish their role play experience. If anything, it would probably enhance it. And probably everyone else's too.

Since NPC crews has been asked for numerous times. Why not take this one step further and allow players to actually create a crew and give them stats that can be leveled up.

If anything else, for me honestly, it would not add more "role play", but create a more cinematic experience. There's a reason why games like Mass Effect is fun, with your main character, and the entire crew!

And maybe also giving us another reason to continue play the game.... to level up crew stats... just like we've leveled up our credits, ranks, and ship's power levels via engineering.

 

[Isaiah Evanson]

Late to the party but...

 

[Skip Rockbounder]

Some players have to actually create the roleplay and narrative in their own heads, as opposed to that being in the game.
The simulation part of this game, they probably already have down pat.
The features part... they're missing a few things more, namely access to atmo planets and ELWs, and Space Legs.

What they need is the content part.

• Core mining is great gameplay. It actually requires skill, and it rewards you well for it.
• Stuff like powerplay is seriously flawed and an uphill time sink.
• Engineering is a grind ending in a casino jackpot machine gameplay. It's not the worst, but extremely draggy.
• The Guardian portion is actually more enjoyable than engineering, there are things you have to actively do... but they killed it with the ludicrous amount of materials you need to fetch.

I think what FD should do is to add upon role play elements to the game. It's kinda sad when I see players actually pretending that they have an imaginary crew and actually write posts or stories about them. OK, it's sad in a funny sorta way. ROFLMAO. But well, it wouldn't have to be this way if FD can implement some roleplaying features into this game.

So, why not FD allow you to play the role of commander, and then create your own crew, which functions as RPG parties especially when you get space legs.

So let's say you can create 2 crew members, one of whom is your co-pilot first officer, and the other the systems officer.
Give them stats, just like how your pilots already have that skill stats, but make them relevant to their jobs.
So when you get NPC SRVs or Space Legs, allow one team member to tag along with you out there, and have the other one stay onboard the ship as a coordinator, controller, or as the reason why you can dismiss and recall your ship.

It would certainly aid the gameplay experience.

Unless of course, Space Legs is going to be another empty borefest, just like what surface wandering on your SRV is like.
Just you alone, in Solo, or just you and your friend in Group / Open. No other NPC traffic in sight.

I've given you a point up because I think it's sad that ...no, just kidding.
In all seriousness I feel that you have a point and though not well received by the "I tell stories to myself" group you're kinda right, ED could have 'but didn't' look towards the RPG side of the game that would please so many... me included, but it's kinda difficult to drive a RPG narrative for everyone's mindset when you know damn well that the game for some is about wasting another player, it's OK to play a psycho for a while but in RL they don't live that long, in this game they can through silly C&P do it for ever! that can kinda put a damper on Roleplay for many in open.
Yonks back in Frontier me and a mate would put a start scenario together (you wake with a headache and a pretty busted ship planetside... little do you know that there is a systemwide hunt for you for murder... the cops ain't far away, get off planet and clear your name/pay bounty/whatever) and send the disc to each other to play from there, it was fun but OFF LINE. things are different now, that game ain't off line and there's little to make your game any different from anyone else's.
FD could allow us to have NPC's in the cockpit, that would go a hell-ov-a-way towards a better RPG arm to the game but it's gotta be supported with animations... perhaps Legs will bring about a change there.
So, while it seems you scoff at the players making up stories to support their games... they are Authors of sorts adding to the sci-fi world (galaxy) of Elite Dangerous, and many enjoy reading the stories of other players, and you're right, ED could (perhaps they already are in the new era) look toward supporting the RPG gamer to a far greater extent...


If this jars on the reader, I'm sorry, I was distracted by real world issues and lost my train of thought.

 

[Old Duck]

I was just initially poking a bit of fun at role players. But it sure got their attention didn't it?

In all seriousness, I am not against role playing. I just said it had to be provided by the game, as opposed to me having to come up with it myself.

I enjoy role playing, but I'd rather it be built into the game instead of having to live in The Neighborhood Of Make-Believe. For example, when I go exploring for a long time, I'll pack my cargo hold with some food cartridges, water, coffee, etc. This is because I want a more authentic experience than what the game provides, so I do these things even though it has no (or worst, a slightly negative) impact on the game. Similarly, I fly very gracefully when ferrying passengers, so not to make them motion sick. Again, zero benefit in the game, but it just feels like the right thing to do.

But like you, I'd much rather these mechanics be built into the game. If you give your law-abiding passengers whiplash by boosting out of the station, then their satisfaction goes way down. Land nice and smooth and they give you a tip for being such a good pilot. I'd also be cool if my pilot had stats. You have to be careful here, since the skill of flying a ship should not depend on leveling a pilot, so what I'm talking about is things like hunger, thirst, stamina, etc. I wouldn't want it to be obnoxious like Subnautica where I die if thirst if I don't drink a gallon of water every 10 minutes, but it would be nice to have to think about supplies while on a long expedition (queue the Food Rats), and the more hungry I become, the less tolerant to G-forces I become (more easily blacking out if I become more hungry). These are just a couple of examples where I'd like the game to be more realistic for role players. Until then, I'll just keep living in make-believe land..

Now since an NPC crew would need an "AI skill level", there I see the idea of leveling them up to be brilliant, just like we level up our SLF pilots. And yes, I'd love to have an NPC crew.

So don't worry OP, despite all the flack you're getting in this thread, you're not alone in your desires for more meat on the skeleton that is ED.

 

[Renraiku]

As far as hand holding roleplay or a cinematic/movie like experience. I don't want that.

I like that the lore and story are not forced down my throat and i can avoid it if i want to really easily.

I agree with the OP and Ratcatcher. I would like to be able to assign a role to my visible NPC crew members, that is a quality of life improvement. I hate seeing empty seats on board my Corvette.

 

[dxm55]

I've given you a point up because I think it's sad that ...no, just kidding.
In all seriousness I feel that you have a point and though not well received by the "I tell stories to myself" group you're kinda right, ED could have 'but didn't' look towards the RPG side of the game that would please so many... me included, but it's kinda difficult to drive a RPG narrative for everyone's mindset when you know damn well that the game for some is about wasting another player, it's OK to play a psycho for a while but in RL they don't live that long, in this game they can through silly C&P do it for ever! that can kinda put a damper on Roleplay for many in open.
Yonks back in Frontier me and a mate would put a start scenario together (you wake with a headache and a pretty busted ship planetside... little do you know that there is a systemwide hunt for you for murder... the cops ain't far away, get off planet and clear your name/pay bounty/whatever) and send the disc to each other to play from there, it was fun but OFF LINE. things are different now, that game ain't off line and there's little to make your game any different from anyone else's.
FD could allow us to have NPC's in the cockpit, that would go a hell-ov-a-way towards a better RPG arm to the game but it's gotta be supported with animations... perhaps Legs will bring about a change there.
So, while it seems you scoff at the players making up stories to support their games... they are Authors of sorts adding to the sci-fi world (galaxy) of Elite Dangerous, and many enjoy reading the stories of other players, and you're right, ED could (perhaps they already are in the new era) look toward supporting the RPG gamer to a far greater extent...


If this jars on the reader, I'm sorry, I was distracted by real world issues and lost my train of thought.

Hey I played FE:2 too. But I could excuse the lack of content back then because that was the state and standard of games like that back in the day.
Fast forward over 25 years later we have seen games like Mass Effect, Star Trek Online, SW:KOTOR, all creating immersive worlds and stories that actually pull you in. The cinematic experience you get from them.

But ED, despite its pretty graphics (which I completely applaud BTW. This is the one thing that I completely give props to ED for), it's almost similar to FE2... plus / minus a few things. Plus engineering, BGS, etc. Minus atmo planets. I feel that the game can be amped up in that direction.

Otherwise it will always be, as what has been stated many times over, a mile wide, but an inch deep.
Hence this thread, or question, or statement. Whatever you wanna call it.

 

[dxm55]

As far as hand holding roleplay or a cinematic/movie like experience. I don't want that.

I like that the lore and story are not forced down my throat and i can avoid it if i want to really easily.

I agree with the OP and Ratcatcher. I would like to be able to assign a role to my visible NPC crew members, that is a quality of life improvement. I hate seeing empty seats on board my Corvette.

Yes, NPC crew is a good starting point.

All I'm suggesting is to give them stats, like your SLF pilot, for more immersion. And also allow you to customize them, just like your pilot.
So that your crew means something to you as a player. You feel the pinch when the Novice pilot you hired and ranked up to Deadly over months just got killed after you got waxed in a CZ.

I used the term Role Playing, because it is essentially like building an RPG game party.

I'm sure it could start as something cosmetic, but I betcha they can be used to better effect with later updates to the game.
Imagine having space legs, and your crew running out there with you on missions. Or driving that second SRV with you.

 

[Jellicoe]

To be honest I was disappointed in multicrew and would have much preferred NPC crew (though what functions they could carry out I'm not sure), I am surprised and disappointed that FDev haven't brought in some feature to create holo-me's for 'crew' even just to fill empty seats on your bridge say for the same price as a paint pack.

 

[dxm55]

To be honest I was disappointed in multicrew and would have much preferred NPC crew (though what functions they could carry out I'm not sure), I am surprised and disappointed that FDev haven't brought in some feature to create holo-me's for 'crew' even just to fill empty seats on your bridge say for the same price as a paint pack.

Well I would pay for the ability to create Holo-Me crews.

More so than I would for those kindergarten-coloring-book paintjobs anyway....