David Braben: Releasing the game with "fewer features"

[Siggi]

I think a fully offline version would have been kind of crap anyway. It was fine back in the day when the thought of a real-time dynamic galaxy influenced by thousands of players would have been "OMG! QUICK, TAKE MY MONEY OH GAMING GOD!"
I get that it's a very moot point for those with un-useable connections and I think they should definitely be given a refund (even if it means FD go bankrupt and NOBODY then gets to play?), but welcome to the 21st century and state-of-the-art gaming. A truly offline game was always going to suck, knowing there was an alternative real-time dynamic one out there ("in the cloud, maan!"). In my opinion.

 

[Zieman]

It's not impossible that there is no future expansions, no new content and they shut the servers down and you can't even play offline mode due to a poor launch.
I hope that doesn't happen, I cannot say with 100% certainty though that they game will be a success.

Exactly.

 

[Krait_79]

Honestly, I don't know why so many people seem to be unhappy. Are you enjoying the game so far? Are you looking forward to the gamma/official release?
Why do so many of you guys act like there won't be any updates/adds to the game after (!) the release in december?

Ok, so:
- no offline mode? I couldn't care less. Play single player online, found a group... don't see any problem except for "ooooooh but I can't have all the resources/commodities for myself" thing

- fewer features at release than originally planned? Does not mean FDevs won't throw those features in at a later time, right?

Really, I can not understand what all the fuzz and concerns are about. I personally am looking forward to the gamma and the final (uhm... let's call it not "final", let's call it "official") release, and I have much faith in DB and his team. And no, I am not a fangirl... not old-school nor new follower. I am just enjoying what I have, and it's way better than many titles that have been out there for a much longer period of time.

*shrugs and starts E: D*

Totally agree. The fact is features will be added going forward from release. I'd rather wait for decent content then them throw everything in all at once and make a mess if it.

 

[Shoklar]

Honestly, I don't know why so many people seem to be unhappy. Are you enjoying the game so far? Are you looking forward to the gamma/official release?
Why do so many of you guys act like there won't be any updates/adds to the game after (!) the release in december?

Ok, so:
- no offline mode? I couldn't care less. Play single player online, found a group... don't see any problem except for "ooooooh but I can't have all the resources/commodities for myself" thing

- fewer features at release than originally planned? Does not mean FDevs won't throw those features in at a later time, right?

Really, I can not understand what all the fuzz and concerns are about. I personally am looking forward to the gamma and the final (uhm... let's call it not "final", let's call it "official") release, and I have much faith in DB and his team. And no, I am not a fangirl... not old-school nor new follower. I am just enjoying what I have, and it's way better than many titles that have been out there for a much longer period of time.

*shrugs and starts E: D*

I share the same sentiments as you. I am actually very happy with what I currently have which is more than anything else currently on this planet. Anything else added between now and whenever is a bonus in my book.

Shok.

 

[Cosmos]

Honestly, I don't know why so many people seem to be unhappy. Are you enjoying the game so far? Are you looking forward to the gamma/official release?
Why do so many of you guys act like there won't be any updates/adds to the game after (!) the release in december?

Ok, so:
- no offline mode? I couldn't care less. Play single player online, found a group... don't see any problem except for "ooooooh but I can't have all the resources/commodities for myself" thing

- fewer features at release than originally planned? Does not mean FDevs won't throw those features in at a later time, right?

Really, I can not understand what all the fuzz and concerns are about. I personally am looking forward to the gamma and the final (uhm... let's call it not "final", let's call it "official") release, and I have much faith in DB and his team. And no, I am not a fangirl... not old-school nor new follower. I am just enjoying what I have, and it's way better than many titles that have been out there for a much longer period of time.

*shrugs and starts E: D*

I think the lack of a DRM-free version is upsetting people because it was something explicitly promised. The larger issue is a trust thing.

However, re-reading this

These additional features will come post-launch, as we have always planned. That is solely because we want to make sure it is done correctly and to a quality we are proud of and that matches the other aspects of what we plan to be an incredible experience that we will deliver on 16th December.

We might be able to conclude that features not present upon release, from the DDA, will be implemented afterwards. I'm of the view that we'll be more in a position to judge things in March 2015..

I'll give Frontier a bit of leeway on this and wait and see but if the full on background sim isn't in by the 16th, thats extremely concerning. Indeed, wings and alliances are very important too. I've seen several companies screw up a great mmo because they implemented poor multi-player functionality.

 

[Morbad]

Ideally, the game should be delayed until it's 'done', with this implying that all features originally slated for release are present and largely bug free.

Failing that, I would rather see less features that work than more that don't.

- no offline mode? I couldn't care less. Play single player online, found a group... don't see any problem except for "ooooooh but I can't have all the resources/commodities for myself" thing

No offline mode means being slave to developer vision/fiat and reliant on Frontier's servers for basic connectivity. No end user modding, and no playing at all if you cannot connect for some reason.

I play Open almost exclusively, and will likely continue to do so, but the lack of an offline mode does worry me.

I think the lack of a DRM-free version is upsetting people because it was something explicitly promised. The larger issue is a trust thing.

Definitely.

 

[Shoklar]

I think the lack of a DRM-free version is upsetting people because it was something explicitly promised. The larger issue is a trust thing.

I can't help asking, where did you get this information from?

As, according to my backers pledge reward: DRM-free collector's premium boxed edition of "Elite: Dangerous". Includes a T shirt with "I backed Elite: Dangerous" on the back, an A3 Star Map and a paperback copy of the official sequel to "The Dark Wheel".

This is still intact, according to the backers rewards.

Shok.

 

[S.H.A.D.O]

I guess we can assume theres going to be no Thargoids in the release version then?

 

[Morbad]

I can't help asking, where did you get this information from?

As, according to my backers pledge reward: DRM-free collector's premium boxed edition of "Elite: Dangerous". Includes a T shirt with "I backed Elite: Dangerous" on the back, an A3 Star Map and a paperback copy of the official sequel to "The Dark Wheel".

This is still intact, according to the backers rewards.

Shok.

You can't have an online only DRM-free game. The login/authentication servers, non-local saves, and mandatory participation in on-line content are all forms of DRM.

 

[Lobstris]

I guess we can assume theres going to be no Thargoids in the release version then?

TBH I always thought that the Thargoids were going to be part of the dynamic story content later than release, given the way Michael spoke of 'walled off' areas of the galaxy (i.e. areas reserved for future content) in the dev diaries.

 

[Zieman]

TBH I always thought that the Thargoids were going to be part of the dynamic story content later than release, given the way Michael spoke of 'walled off' areas of the galaxy (i.e. areas reserved for future content) in the dev diaries.

Michael has stated several times that Thargoids will be included in the release, as encounters. The main Thargoid content will come later though.

 

[Cosmos]

I can't help asking, where did you get this information from?

As, according to my backers pledge reward: DRM-free collector's premium boxed edition of "Elite: Dangerous". Includes a T shirt with "I backed Elite: Dangerous" on the back, an A3 Star Map and a paperback copy of the official sequel to "The Dark Wheel".

This is still intact, according to the backers rewards.

Shok.

Comments from Michael Brookes during KS. I'm not invested in the single-player, I never have been, ED to me was always about a multiplayer experience and I've argued my heart out to those ends because I know gaming and where the future is for the game to be a great success - even if I often get lambasted for expressing my views. Yet unlike some, who turned a blind eye on other occasions, I offer my solidarity towards those who are feeling a bit peeved right now.

What I want, and always have, is for ED to be an amazing success with Frontier benefiting and moving on from playing it safe to being a key player in the games industry. I admire the Frontier guys so much but that might have got lost when we've had our ups and downs. Its never personal, and its not easy critiquing but for the most part I've always had positive intentions. I just hope those at Frontier understand that.

 

[Lobstris]

Michael has stated several times that Thargoids will be included in the release, as encounters. The main Thargoid content will come later though.

Ah. To be honest I'm finding the words '...will be included in the release' a bit problematic and hollow right now. Probably, better to say 'we don't know'.

 

[Zieman]

Ah. To be honest I'm finding the words '...will be included in the release' a bit problematic and hollow right now. Probably, better to say 'we don't know'.

Touché

 

[akaliel]

Comments from Michael Brookes during KS. I'm not invested in the single-player, I never have been, ED to me was always about a multiplayer experience and I've argued my heart out to those ends because I know gaming and where the future is for the game to be a great success - even if I often get lambasted for expressing my views. Yet unlike some, who turned a blind eye on other occasions, I offer my solidarity towards those who are feeling a bit peeved right now.

What I want, and always have, is for ED to be an amazing success with Frontier benefiting and moving on from playing it safe to being a key player in the games industry. I admire the Frontier guys so much but that might have got lost when we've had our ups and downs. Its never personal, and its not easy critiquing but for the most part I've always been well intended. I just hope those at Frontier understand that.

I don't mind having only the Solo (online) mode. Personally, I don't want to play multiplayer. If I wanted to get harassed by somethingawful trolls I'd play EVE. But as long as there is a solo mode I'm happy.

 

[xyphic]

I'm pretty sure the "fewer features" quote was implying that in this run up to release they're concentrating less on adding new features (though there will be some still) and more on fixing bugs with existing features. Completely natural toward the end of any development cycle.

 

[KEY]

I can feel your points, guys (KING5TON, Cosmos, Morbad). And I understand that no-offline mode goes further down than a "no all commodities/resources for me mode" (hey, I'm not an IT girl, so I have not much clue about the servers needed for an online-only game).

But like I said, release day doesn't mean all is carved in stone and will stay the way it is on december 16th.

My intention is to sprinkle a little more enthusiasm and positiveness concerning that release date, rather than feeding fuel to the kinda depressive fires that spread through the forum lately. If you asked me (and I know some wouldn't ) : I am already pretty happy with what E: D is offering right now. I don't even want to go as far as comparing the status quo of E: D to another huge space opera that's being developed and that's being fed way more money than FDev will probably ever see.

Everyone sets his own expectations, and may be mine are lower than others'... but that's a very personal thing everyone has to deal with on his very own.

I'm still looking forward to things to come *thumb up on one hand* ... *fingers crossed on the other*

 

[Ortikon]

They could have phrased it better.
The point of the mentioning "fewer features" in a positive tone is simply referring to concentrating harder on core features for release. A lot of kickstarters try to sell itself on an impossible amount of features for release and in an attempt to reach that promise, have all of the features half baked or pointless.
"Prioritizing core elements" would have been a better way of phrasing it. Heck, I would never say "ya we have fewer features so it was easier to do" in a conference call to a client. That would be the worst thing ever. Literally. I shudder at the thought..

..Essentially, by applying focus to the core mechanics of the game, they now have a firm infrastructure from 1.0 onwards to apply new features to with ease. A modular, thought out system capable of taking change without drastic destabilization.

 

[StayFrosty]

The concern that the game will be released not much more advanced than it currently is, the reception that will get, the impact that might have on the future content. If the game flops (and I hope it doesn't) then how long are FD going to keep working on it? Most of us have already paid for the game and future expansions so there's no new money there, ship skins ain't going to cover it.

It's not impossible that there is no future expansions, no new content and they shut the servers down and you can't even play offline mode.
I hope that doesn't happen, I cannot say with 100% certainty though that the game will be successful enough for the developers to continue working on it. FD are a business after all.

This type of thing has happened time and time again in the gaming industry (game does poorly due to rushed release, has expansion plans, development stops as it doesn't sell enough, game dies except for the hardcore few) so it's not like there's not precedence.

My thoughts exactly. Contrary to what people seem to think, FD doesn't run on love, trust and pizza, and this far too early release doesn't bode well for it.

It's funny how it's so often those telling others they're not thinking ahead that aren't thinking ahead. They're all saying the game will "eventually be good", and we only need to wait because development will continue, but while I'd be fine with this, there are many repercussions to that.

This isn't a complete disaster either, but it could be. It'll depend on how good, interesting and fun the game is at release, but the news that Elite: Dangerous wouldn't be like it was promised to be already made a round across the internet. You might love it in its current state, it won't save it.

 

[cmdr awesome]

FD have built a fine house, with beautiful architecture. It is tastefully decorated, and they are probably at IKEA right now getting enough furniture together so it doesn't feel empty.

The really tasteful, elegant furnishings and ornaments will hopefully come in over the next 12 months.