Frontier's Mistake

I'm basing this more on all the negative feedback I'm reading about Fleet Carriers rather than my own feelings about them. Simply put, I believe Frontier's mistake was to focus solely on content for the "classes" while providing nothing for the "masses". Had the update included something that ALL players could enjoy, be it a new SRV or a new type of SLF (something for shuttling or mining), or perhaps the new ice planets, or a new ship or two (small or large this time), or [insert frequently-requested new feature], then I think there would be less, "That's it, I'm done!" threads. People would still complain about FCs, but at least everyone would have something to look forward to.
That's pretty much been my point of view the last couple of days.

Am I wrong? If you're one of the people who are now "done" with Elite, would you feel differently if this update had something for you, even if that something wasn't Fleet Carriers? Even though I'm not angry about Fleet Carriers, I definitely want to see more content for the masses, not the classes*.

* credit to Jack Tramiel of Commodore
I'm not done with Elite. My first reaction was that it didn't fit what I wanted to do (exploration), but then I realized I have an account focused on trading and that the carrier could work there. So I found something I can use it for, rather than it fit into what I really wanted to do. In the end though, I think Frontier kind'a missed the ball on this a bit, because I agree with you, to keep the players, you have to give everyone or at least a majority of players something. There's been so many updates in the past that had little or nothing relating to exploration, so it's no surprise that this didn't either.

Maybe NE will be good or great, but who knows. They really need to start thinking through about the different player groups and interests to keep players around.
 
Ok, thinking about op and my post, you hear it here first:

Fleet Carriers update will not only give us the Fleet Carrier, it will ALSO give us the Panther Clipper.
It's in line with the other updates, a shiny new toy for everyone.
Also it's fitting to the bulk carrier nature of the carrier.

So you may quote me later 😂
 
I'm not done with Elite.
I was on hiatus for a good month or so, having grown bored with the current content. This isn't a snipe at Frontier - I've been playing the game since 2017, so without new content, it's only natural for a long-time player to grow bored. What brought me back is Drew Wagar's Lore Tour, though I'm still not overly "ooh, ahh" about the gameplay itself. Now if Frontier reinstated Interstellar Initiatives, then I'd jump back into the pool with both feet and a big splash :D

But to be clear, I haven't quit. ED will remain on my hard drive as long as the servers keep running.
 
Am I wrong? If you're one of the people who are now "done" with Elite, would you feel differently if this update had something for you, even if that something wasn't Fleet Carriers? Even though I'm not angry about Fleet Carriers, I definitely want to see more content for the masses, not the classes*.
* credit to Jack Tramiel of Commodore
If anything I'm mad with Frontier and especially DB the man himself , the game that he hyped during the kickstarter video's is far from what we have today some 6 years down the line.
We are so far away from what was showed in the dev video's even a military drive couldn't get us back on course.
Since key people who was there from the start have left or been moved onto other projects the game has stalled.
This game could have been something really special but I can never see that happening now.
 
I'm basing this more on all the negative feedback I'm reading about Fleet Carriers rather than my own feelings about them. Simply put, I believe Frontier's mistake was to focus solely on content for the "classes" while providing nothing for the "masses". Had the update included something that ALL players could enjoy, be it a new SRV or a new type of SLF (something for shuttling or mining), or perhaps the new ice planets, or a new ship or two (small or large this time), or [insert frequently-requested new feature], then I think there would be less, "That's it, I'm done!" threads. People would still complain about FCs, but at least everyone would have something to look forward to.

Am I wrong? If you're one of the people who are now "done" with Elite, would you feel differently if this update had something for you, even if that something wasn't Fleet Carriers? Even though I'm not angry about Fleet Carriers, I definitely want to see more content for the masses, not the classes*.

* credit to Jack Tramiel of Commodore

Yeah, if Plan A (release Carriers in Beyond Season 3.3 with nuMining and nuExploration etc) was executed than I think some of the responses here would be a bit calmer. As it is, that deadline was missed, then another, and now Carriers are ready for deployment and just Carriers - nothing else. The first content release in over 480 days and some players feel excluded from that content.

I have no issue with the price of Carriers, or even no UC services on them. Its just a pity Plan A didn't work.
 
If anything I'm mad with Frontier and especially DB the man himself , the game that he hyped during the kickstarter video's is far from what we have today some 6 years down the line.
We are so far away from what was showed in the dev video's even a military drive couldn't get us back on course.
Since key people who was there from the start have left or been moved onto other projects the game has stalled.
This game could have been something really special but I can never see that happening now.
I don't disagree.
 
Caving to the solo carrier guys (i.e. losing focus of what this is)


This, and I would like to know how fdev convinced themselves that we all such control freaks that we have to drive it and nobody else, when we can't even 'drive' it anyway.

I mean, just create yourself a squadron, don't let anyone join your squadron and drive it all the time as you see fit, right??
 
I think a good question is WHY are Universal Cartographics not available on them? Legit question for spitballing here.
Did Frontier explain why? I didn't see the stream in full.

I have a pessimistic theory that since Carto data sells for good value, it'd be too easy for people to maintain the upkeep costs.

A less malicious theory would be they don't want a bunch of carriers in the black, due to networking/some reason.. I have no idea.

What are your theories as to why Carto isn't included? I can't really come up with a good reason.
Better ways to make money than expo data. I think they're just afraid people would head on out to the black and never return.
 
Yeah, if Plan A (release Carriers in Beyond Season 3.3 with nuMining and nuExploration etc) was executed than I think some of the responses here would be a bit calmer. As it is, that deadline was missed, then another, and now Carriers are ready for deployment and just Carriers - nothing else. The first content release in over 480 days and some players feel excluded from that content.

I have no issue with the price of Carriers, or even no UC services on them. Its just a pity Plan A didn't work.

Well, now we all strap in for December and wonder what all the effort was diverted for. I can't even imagine what this place will be like if thats nothing short of epic- its going to get biblical.
 
This, and I would like to know how fdev convinced themselves that we all such control freaks that we have to drive it and nobody else, when we can't even 'drive' it anyway.

I mean, just create yourself a squadron, don't let anyone join your squadron and drive it all the time as you see fit, right??
I think that's why they changed from Squadron to solo assets, Fd didn't want thousand's of one man squads.
 
This, and I would like to know how fdev convinced themselves that we all such control freaks that we have to drive it and nobody else, when we can't even 'drive' it anyway.

I mean, just create yourself a squadron, don't let anyone join your squadron and drive it all the time as you see fit, right??

For me it was having a razor focus for an FC- and the schizophrenic yes / no binary thinking FD go through with multiplayer content. You have squadrons, you have assets of squadrons. No complaints of high costs because you all contribute. But because solo players can run them, you then have the issue of people thinking levels are too high- in essence FD have tried to please everyone yet can't. Too high and singles get shafted. Too low, it becomes too easy and groups complain "whats the point" and want it gone.
 
I'm basing this more on all the negative feedback I'm reading about Fleet Carriers rather than my own feelings about them. Simply put, I believe Frontier's mistake was to focus solely on content for the "classes" while providing nothing for the "masses". Had the update included something that ALL players could enjoy, be it a new SRV or a new type of SLF (something for shuttling or mining), or perhaps the new ice planets, or a new ship or two (small or large this time), or [insert frequently-requested new feature], then I think there would be less, "That's it, I'm done!" threads. People would still complain about FCs, but at least everyone would have something to look forward to.

Am I wrong? If you're one of the people who are now "done" with Elite, would you feel differently if this update had something for you, even if that something wasn't Fleet Carriers? Even though I'm not angry about Fleet Carriers, I definitely want to see more content for the masses, not the classes*.

* credit to Jack Tramiel of Commodore
I agree, they should've also avoided to tease FC as a content for single/solo players by calling them "Personal Carriers". They should've left the original "Squadron Carriers" name so it was clear it was a content focused on players interactions.
 
People complain. FD can't do anything without a fecal-storm. Get over it.
It seems that all fecal-storm is focused on the same topic, which is pretty new to me. This community has never been so united.
This time it would be pretty easily for FDEV to manage the situation because the message coming out from the biggest ED communities (this forum, discord, reddit) is pretty clear:
  • add universal cartographic for exploration mode.
  • reduce the initial cost
  • reduce or delete the upkeep cost (or make it as a percentage of the FC services income)
  • reduce jumping time
 
maybe they know that they need to put in more development time for the carriers. so they only give it to a small percentage of players. those players are the hardcore fans. they enjoy this no matter what. even if they don't, they stay with the game, because they love it. it won't matter. time will pass, changes are being made, carriers be available for more players. hardcore players happy, other players happy eventually. some are never happy, but there's nothing you can do about it.

bare in mind, fdev have very detailed statistics about their playerbase. the 5bn is not a random number. they know who the carrier is for. it's supposed to be for those players only at the moment. it's all part of the plan. so, just wait and see.
 
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