ANNOUNCEMENT Elite Dangerous: Odyssey Announcement

[Rubbernuke]

OK but you won't understand my position in the argument and that of many others who have a great experience in VR and as I keep saying a huge investment in the game. I would have thought that investment, loyalty and commitment would have counted for something. I know for a fact that other people have started playing and invested themselves because of my experience. And all that has been thrown away.

First up: I hope (and really do) FD put VR into the segments of ED:O later on, and that the bits you enjoy remain in VR. I entirely get people are fed up having invested in VR when parts of the game it is used for stop being VR- I would be too if I had chose differently- but to me spending huge amounts of money (from my perspective) on a single game is gambling on an uncertain future when things do change.

For whatever reason FD think, VR does not fit the new bits of ED:O- which (to me) suggests it was not in consideration at all because VR is fundamental to a design- ED is / was 1:1 scale and built from the ground up to be like that. It could be the motion of jetpacks is like a tumbling SRV, it could be interiors are not 1:1 any longer (for example new compartments magicked out of thin air several times over). Its why FD really need to elaborate on why they think VR is not fully compatible with ED:O because they know full well people play it in VR, along with several high profile streamers. FD are also aware of money and the need for ED:O to be on time and a sucess, and have to balance that as well.

I don't envy people who made the leap to VR (despite it being amazing and wanting it myself), and I don't envy FD having to try to keep everyone happy really.

 

[Alshain]

True, but it doesn't say what you'll be engineering.

If you get to overcharge your crocodile clip or make your boots sturdy or something then that wouldn't boost your power in a spaceship, and there'll presumably be plenty of that sort of upgrade to do for people who do like the FPS side.

I'm really hoping they're going for that rather than "there's now G6 and G7 blueprints available, materials only available from Odyssey activities"

That would be fine. It would basically be the next CQC and probably end up in the same boat though. I feel like after the failure of CQC they are unlikely to do that, they would just sell it as a new game, not an expansion.

 

[Sweet&Dandy]

LOL! FD has the actual metrics of their own sales, including VR usage! I LOVE this hilarious take that makes it sound like FD is purposefully ignoring sales as some sort of personal insult!

I think the point here is the potential for VR sales. ED already had a stellar reputation as a Vr experience, but in many ways it was ahead of its time. VR sets were in their infancy and an expensive hobby. There were no AAA VR games and profit margins were not significant. Luckily for us VR players, 3D integration was surprisingly easy for the Cobra Engine and, even though niche, was worth it financially nonetheless.

Fast forward a few years and VR tech is still niche, but gaining traction slowly. Tech is improving, still expensive but becoming more commercial. Games like Beat Saber are starting to sell over one million copies. ED has been put into maintenance mode and VR is generating income for Frontier still at a cost effective level... theres no reason to scrap it or enhance the experience. It too goes into maintenance mode.

Now to the release of half life: Alyx- the first real AAA exclusive VR game. People are finally excited. Sales of head sets increase exponentially and the game sets a new standard of gaming excellence. It is clear to anyone who’s played it on a decent rig that VR uptake can only increase. This is the future of gaming. still expensive but so are smart phones.

Now all of those people with a new VR headset have finished Alyx and are on the hunt for the next next level experience. Alyx has not only opened up a whole new (not insignificant) demograph to attract to ED, but has literally shown the developing world how first person VR needs to be done.

From a purely business point of view, I feel Frontier have missed an opportunity. Money and time invested in creating a “next level” VR experience may well have finally become financially viable. Not to mention the fact that Frontier would’ve once again been seen as pioneers rather than a “playing it safe“ company.

Braben is playing it safe and I get that, but I feel (ironically), that a next gen FPS experience Has a genuine VR market right now - enough to make it economically viable.

obviously just my opinion.

 

[The Lawful]

Enough already - so tired of the salty "so called" players whining and crying all the time about how the game isn't good enough no matter what new content is released. Experience the DLC yourself first hand when it comes out, then you can have an informed opinion about it, like it or not. In the meantime, put your salt back in the shaker and quit being so entitled. So pathetic.

Congrats on your first post and welcome to the forums!

O7,

 

[Kira Mikamy]

No VR? I honestly cannot see the point in buying Odyssey then.

we already bought a game witthout gameplay, vr is just a little thing

 

[Laffer]

Haven´t been playing Elite for a long time, saw the odyssey trailer and got hugely excited to come back to play Elite. Then my hopes got shot down when they said it won´t support VR. I never would have thought that they wouldnt support vr (even temporarily) since ED has had vr support basicly from beginning.

I Have never played ed with monitor(s), and I don´t ever plan to, so think about it Frontier.
Personally I would play the vr odyssey even if its not perfect at launch.

 

[scholesey]

After letting my disappointment sink in, cooling off, and reflecting a bit other the last day, here are my thoughts:

• VR in Elite Dangerous is very important to me. I'm still very disappointed it won't be available in Odyssey at launch. Elite Dangerous was always a VR game, and now suddenly it isn't anymore. Knocked the wind out of my sails after the excitement of seeing the new trailer. Elite Dangerous without VR is just not as appealing or immersive, and ED as an FPS without VR seems like nothing new.
• If (and hopefully when) VR support is added to Odyssey, I would definitely want them to do it right, and build proper interface and controls, accessibility (I'm a lefty), etc.
• I can totally understand if FDev does want to support VR, but couldn't delay the launch of the DLC to accommodate that development because of time and resource constraints.
• I'm OK waiting a little longer to get proper, great VR support. I'm not OK buying the DLC and then hoping they do decide to add it at some point. (PSVR, anyone?)
• I'd like to hear from FDev that they will commit to bringing VR support to Odyssey post-launch, even if they can't commit to a date for delivering it. (Not a demand, I'm just hoping they will)

Agreed, I'm sure VR players would be happy to make the commitment to stay with horizons and commit to buying Odyssey in the future if Fdev give a commitment to deliver VR in the future.

 

[thistle]

So you enjoy tens of minutes staring into the black NOTHING during supercruise in ED, but go mad about watching 1 minute at diverse and beauty landscapes in other game? Sounds like ELITE FANBOYISM INTENSFYING

Man, how upset are you going to be when Odyssey characters don't t-pose correctly.

 

[scholesey]

That was changing two integers of a variable. Not a fundamental design philosophy of a product already deep in development.

Ahhh, so silence is the answer, silly me.

 

[scholesey]

That’s why I don’t buy a VR headset.

Having this thing on my face for hours gives me nightmares.

Please don't comment from a point of ignorance.

 

[Crank Larson]

if you don't like it don't read it.

But you've got to read it to know if you like it or not...

 

[Alshain]

But you've got to read it to know if you like it or not...

Schrodinger's Thread?

 

[ECity]

If they didn't have a gameplay plan for walking on ships they shouldn't have used it as a selling point when we backed the project in the original Kickstarter campaing in first place.

I hate to tell you this. They probably didn't have a gameplay plan back then. Now, today, as a for-profit business, why should they add it to Odyssey? What benefit could be added that isn't too costly to implement?

 

[Xenia_K]

tbo - for me releasing ED:O without VR-support is a little like selling a Ferrari which you can drive with hand-brake on only, BUT still I´d like to drive the Ferrari instead of a Fiat Quinquecento

 

[scholesey]

I think the point here is the potential for VR sales. ED already had a stellar reputation as a Vr experience, but in many ways it was ahead of its time. VR sets were in their infancy and an expensive hobby. There were no AAA VR games and profit margins were not significant. Luckily for us VR players, 3D integration was surprisingly easy for the Cobra Engine and, even though niche, was worth it financially nonetheless.

Fast forward a few years and VR tech is still niche, but gaining traction slowly. Tech is improving, still expensive but becoming more commercial. Games like Beat Saber are starting to sell over one million copies. ED has been put into maintenance mode and VR is generating income for Frontier still at a cost effective level... theres no reason to scrap it or enhance the experience. It too goes into maintenance mode.

Now to the release of half life: Alyx- the first real AAA exclusive VR game. People are finally excited. Sales of head sets increase exponentially and the game sets a new standard of gaming excellence. It is clear to anyone who’s played it on a decent rig that VR uptake can only increase. This is the future of gaming. still expensive but so are smart phones.

Now all of those people with a new VR headset have finished Alyx and are on the hunt for the next next level experience. Alyx has not only opened up a whole new (not insignificant) demograph to attract to ED, but has literally shown the developing world how first person VR needs to be done.

From a purely business point of view, I feel Frontier have missed an opportunity. Money and time invested in creating a “next level” VR experience may well have finally become financially viable. Not to mention the fact that Frontier would’ve once again been seen as pioneers rather than a “playing it safe“ company.

Braben is playing it safe and I get that, but I feel (ironically), that a next gen FPS experience Has a genuine VR market right now - enough to make it economically viable.

obviously just my opinion.

Good opinion.

 

[Sweet&Dandy]

First up: I hope (and really do) FD put VR into the segments of ED:O later on, and that the bits you enjoy remain in VR. I entirely get people are fed up having invested in VR when parts of the game it is used for stop being VR- I would be too if I had chose differently- but to me spending huge amounts of money (from my perspective) on a single game is gambling on an uncertain future when things do change.

For whatever reason FD think, VR does not fit the new bits of ED:O- which (to me) suggests it was not in consideration at all because VR is fundamental to a design- ED is / was 1:1 scale and built from the ground up to be like that. It could be the motion of jetpacks is like a tumbling SRV, it could be interiors are not 1:1 any longer (for example new compartments magicked out of thin air several times over). Its why FD really need to elaborate on why they think VR is not fully compatible with ED:O because they know full well people play it in VR, along with several high profile streamers. FD are also aware of money and the need for ED:O to be on time and a sucess, and have to balance that as well.

I don't envy people who made the leap to VR (despite it being amazing and wanting it myself), and I don't envy FD having to try to keep everyone happy really.

This is well written and on point. And Frontier have made their choices for whatever reason.

But i would just add that ED and ultimately the success of Frontier. (At least in part) is owed to a kickstarter campaign. Elites reincarnation from the nostalgic past to a very real present happened because of us. It wasn't just VR we gambled on (oculus) - it was this game too! DB made some shrewd moves since, but it was done off the back of a game that WE helped realise.

That makes a person (in my experience) far more invested than had we bought it last month off Steam. Ditching VR (for whatever reason) is still within their rights obviously, but it feels like a low blow to those who are so invested because of VR.

 

[amigacooke]

I hate to tell you this. They probably didn't have a gameplay plan back then. Now, today, as a for-profit business, why should they add it to Odyssey? What benefit could be added that isn't too costly to implement?

Perhaps you could lay out the figures for us, I'm interested to know why from a cost basis, this is the point where Frontier decided it was no longer profitable.

 

[scholesey]

This is well written and on point. And Frontier have made their choices for whatever reason.

But i would just add that ED and ultimately the success of Frontier. (At least in part) is owed to a kickstarter campaign. Elites reincarnation from the nostalgic past to a very real present happened because of us. It wasn't just VR we gambled on (oculus) - it was this game too! DB made some shrewd moves since, but it was done off the back of a game that WE helped realise.

That makes a person (in my experience) far more invested than had we bought it last month off Steam. Ditching VR (for whatever reason) is still within their rights obviously, but it feels like a low blow to those who are so invested because of VR.

Yes yes yes, how can anyone argue with that, well said.

 

[UberMeg]

If any of the CM's are still reading I have a genuine question ...

Will people in VR still be able to fly space ships around beneath a blue sky?

In other words, at what point is VR not supported? Is it when you enter glide for an atmospheric world, when you transition to "legs", or when you launch an "Odyssey" version of Elite?

I need to know this please.
Ps. I asked the same question but you put it far better than me

 

[Patrick_68000]

Please don't comment from a point of ignorance.

I don’t need to have a VR experience to know that I don’t want to stick a headset (even ultra light) on my face for hours.

Already, I make efforts to wear glasses in front of the computer, so a headset ... not even in dreams

If one day the miniaturization allows to play in VR with glasses like eyeglasses, then yes I would be the first volunteer.