A Critique on the Current State of Exobiology

[Mogen Teras]

Keep in mind post was made before Patch 6 changes to terrain. That said, I'd call these the exceptions that prove the rule.

Edit: And Exobiology is technically parasitic according to the terms set in that video. If you were to delete the ED:O flora and set aside ED:O combat gameplay would a Horizon Player feel the game is identical or lesser? Lesser, because Geo and Bio sites were removed specifically for the changes made to DSS mechanics, all for gameplay that could literally be deleted today and the Elite as a whole wouldn't be worse off.

Exobiology is parasitic whether you like it (I don't see how you could once above the rank of Collector) or not because it objectively fits the definition.

This.

The new exobiology system in almost all aspects is just worse than Horizons. The game is grindy enough as it is; now it forces you to wander around for ages looking for plants when at least before you could scan from orbit to find the actual locations, and you didn't have to scan them three times just to identify it.

New exobiology mostly seems to exist purely to waste your time as a way to pump up gametime engagement hours for shareholder meetings.

 

[Riverside]

This.

The new exobiology system in almost all aspects is just worse than Horizons. The game is grindy enough as it is; now it forces you to wander around for ages looking for plants when at least before you could scan from orbit to find the actual locations, and you didn't have to scan them three times just to identify it.

New exobiology mostly seems to exist purely to waste your time as a way to pump up gametime engagement hours for shareholder meetings.

I feel a reminder is worthwhile here; nobody is forced to hunt salad.

AFAIK no mats are gained from it and the Armetis suit and Exobiology rank appear to be a self-contained, independent gameplay loop that simply provides another thing for explorers to discover. It could be better, but it's fine & nothing else depends on it apart from maybe being an extra BGS bucket for faction supporters.

It has slowed my travel time considerably, I can now spend hours in a system (depends on the system) because I enjoy the process, it is uncomplicated & relaxed, I don't play more hours but more things to do will inevitably increase player retention for those that engage in the activity. I see this as a positive.

 

[taniwha-qf]

Keep in mind post was made before Patch 6 changes to terrain. That said, I'd call these the exceptions that prove the rule.

Most of those screenshots are from before update 6.

 

[Burstar1]

I feel a reminder is worthwhile here; nobody is forced to hunt salad.

It has slowed my travel time considerably, I can now spend hours in a system (depends on the system) because I enjoy the process, it is uncomplicated & relaxed, I don't play more hours but more things to do will inevitably increase player retention for those that engage in the activity. I see this as a positive.

I don't think anyone said we were forced to do exobiology. I believe a large part of the criticism is how isolated its gameplay loop is. In the beginning it wasn't even giving you BGS faction rep.

As for the idea that 'technically we aren't forced to play it': That is such a disingenuous argument. We paid for a pleasant, and entertaining gameplay experience. We should WANT to play it, not be annoyed we're being pressured/forced to suffer through (which everyone here knows damn well is the whole point to giving it its own rank category on your stat board right panel). It's not relaxing, it's frustrating. The DSS lies, and the mental reward you get is at best on par with finding Waldo 600x. This is supposed to appeal to ages 16+, not 5 year olds.

 

[CMDR Sheehy]

I don't think anyone said we were forced to do exobiology. I believe a large part of the criticism is how isolated its gameplay loop is. In the beginning it wasn't even giving you BGS faction rep.

As for the idea that 'technically we aren't forced to play it': That is such a disingenuous argument. We paid for a pleasant, and entertaining gameplay experience. We should WANT to play it, not be annoyed we're being pressured/forced to suffer through (which everyone here knows damn well is the whole point to giving it its own rank category on your stat board right panel). It's not relaxing, it's frustrating. The DSS lies, and the mental reward you get is at best on par with finding Waldo 600x. This is supposed to appeal to ages 16+, not 5 year olds.

It sounds like you are getting stressed over something that's supposed to be a game.

Methinks the only cure is ice cream with a raspberry compote. I have just the ingredients right here. Why ice cream? It's the reverse of stressed!

 

[Riverside]

I don't think anyone said we were forced to do exobiology.

The game is grindy enough as it is; now it forces you to wander around for ages looking for plants

I get virtually all my raw mats from ring mining, any surface prospecting is a bonus and the new plants don't offer any farming opportunities that I have seen, their only practical purpose in the game is as something else to find.

 

[Burstar1]

It sounds like you are getting stressed over something that's supposed to be a game.

Methinks the only cure is ice cream with a raspberry compote. I have just the ingredients right here. Why ice cream? It's the reverse of stressed!

Yes, I can see it now. 3 months from now I'm posting how I gained 60 lbs playing something that's 'supposed to be a game' (most honestly accurate Elite description ever btw). In the meantime I should post in r/WSB to buy Icecream futures because FDev is planning to eventually release a console merge version