An idea to replace the rank grind in Elite

[Katie Byrne]

Have had this idea for a little while - has it's pro's and cons for sure but would defiantely be more fun and immersive i think than the current rank progress system

Source: https://youtu.be/1jXtFQcFKg8


would love to hear feedback

 

[Kissamies]

So a joining a navy and getting issued a service ship with special perks and responsibilities. I don't think it would fit the blaze your own trail theme very well, and the weekly responsibilities might be seen too restrictive by some. The navy being more than honorary ranks ideas do pop up from time to time, so other might love it.

Maybe the powerplay merit system could be repurposed as "prestige". The better prestige level you have, the better perks you get, and if you maintain a certain level for X number of weeks, you get a promotion.

 

[Koben]

Makes sense as joining the army would... maybe this could be done to our player squadron... by getting our squadron allied to Aegis (for example) would requires X Thargoid kills per week with some extra compensation to the squadron. Same goes to getting allied to Federation/Empire/Alliance

Maybe this would keep the freedom for individual player to do rank grind the old way and give something fresh as an option.

Today we have TipOff missions that could also be worked upon to give it more realism for getting allied to a minor faction and be granted some perks for grinding the extra mile.

 

[JTFireblaze]

Sounds great!

I would disagree with one point: the required weekly missions, purely because "it's a game, not a job". I'd have something like optional weekly missions that would generate a lot more rep or progress in the navy you pick so you are not required to participate but can if you want to make more progress.

Unlocking the service ships idea sounds really fun. As someone who hasn't bothered with the rank grind, it'd be a nicer way of me trying out these more exclusive ships while being encouraged to RP as a Fed or Imp and uphold their values.

Beyond your ideas, I'd love to see a revamp of the Navy rank grinds, maybe see some kind of small campaign around them. Perks like the service ship could be used for specific missions that are required for promotions and the like. Introduce you to some officers in each navy to flesh out the world more.

...and an Alliance rank plz.

 

[The Golden Knight]

I just wanted to be a proper leader of the Federal Navy. The one thing I don't like is how "empty" the title of Admiral actually plays out in-game. Not even for gameplay perks, but for the lore of my character!

 

[metatheurgist]

That's an entirely different thing. The current ranks are honorary auxiliary ranks.

 

[varonica]

The point about being a member of the Independant Pilots Federation is that you are actually a member of the "Independant" Pilot's Federation, if you join a navy you should lose all the benefits provided by the Pilot's Federation.

 

[Northpin]

This ^^

Also Based on the Lore, once you get to Dangerous rank you are already in the inner circle of Elite Federation of Pilots.
Being Deadly or Elite is not a matter of skill anymore, but a matter of perseverance

So, the current "grind" is pretty much well aligned with the lore.

 

[JTFireblaze]

The point about being a member of the Independant Pilots Federation is that you are actually a member of the "Independant" Pilot's Federation, if you join a navy you should lose all the benefits provided by the Pilot's Federation.

What benefits do the Pilot's Federation provide that joining a navy wouldn't?

Access to Shinrarta? I'm sure the superpower could provide similar discounts to ships in their systems.
Bounties? I'm sure the superpowers could pay you for bounties given that they have seemingly unlimited funds (given the state of the last CG).
Insurance? Again, I'm sure the superpower I joined could offer ship insurance.

I don't really see a downside to this.

 

[Northpin]

What benefits do the Pilot's Federation provide that joining a navy wouldn't?

The benefits of playing Elite.

You fly a ship in Elite because you are a member of the Pilot's Federation.
It's the basic premise of the Game. You got your ship because of that.

 

[JTFireblaze]

"Would you like to join the Imperial Navy, CMDR?"

[Yes]

<Game over screen>

"Load new commander. [Y/N]"

 

[varonica]

What benefits do the Pilot's Federation provide that joining a navy wouldn't?

Access to Shinrarta? I'm sure the superpower could provide similar discounts to ships in their systems.
Bounties? I'm sure the superpowers could pay you for bounties given that they have seemingly unlimited funds (given the state of the last CG).
Insurance? Again, I'm sure the superpower I joined could offer ship insurance.

I don't really see a downside to this.

Well lets put this here for a start just to get an idea of how it works;

The Pilots Federation is a secretive organization that oversees and represents the galaxy's independent pilots, almost all of whom are licensed members and granted the title "commander". Since its founding in 2805, the Pilots Federation has amassed enormous wealth and influence, but always maintained political neutrality, dedicating itself to supporting pilots rather than nations or political factions.

Insurance for you personal ship, free access to the Universal Cartographics star database, Access to Galnet, also when your ship is destroyed it's the pilots federation that bring you back to the last station you were at;

In the event a pilot is critically injured or loses their ship, they are recovered by the Pilots Federation Rescue Rangers, a free service extended to all Pilots Federation members.

Also access to bounty information on other ships, access to Shinrarta Dezhra. I see you suggested making the Superpowers also supply access to discounted ships, but why should they? You're basically a grunt in their navy, why should they give you discounts?

 

[JTFireblaze]

Insurance for you personal ship, free access to the Universal Cartographics star database, Access to Galnet, also when your ship is destroyed it's the pilots federation that bring you back to the last station you were at;

I guess military superpowers don't have ships capable of transporting injured military members back to military hospitals.

Hold up, the pilots federation is the ONLY way to access Galnet? So how does anyone else in the galaxy access the news?

And "free access to UC" - my superpower has near unlimited credits. They can offer access to maps for it's service people so they're not wandering the galaxy blind.

Also access to bounty information on other ships, access to Shinrarta Dezhra. I see you suggested making the Superpowers also supply access to discounted ships, but why should they? You're basically a grunt in their navy, why should they give you discounts?

Military superpowers and governments don't have access to any "Most Wanted" lists?

Military discount? Why should Li Yong-Rui offer 15% discount to anyone for that matter.

And I'd be fine with having my Shinrarta access revoked if I joined another faction. That's acceptable.

 

[varonica]

I guess military superpowers don't have ships capable of transporting injured military members back to military hospitals.

Hold up, the pilots federation is the ONLY way to access Galnet? So how does anyone else in the galaxy access the news?

And "free access to UC" - my superpower has near unlimited credits. They can offer access to maps for it's service people so they're not wandering the galaxy blind.



Military superpowers and governments don't have access to any "Most Wanted" lists?

Military discount? Why should Li Yong-Rui offer 15% discount to anyone for that matter.

And I'd be fine with having my Shinrarta access revoked if I joined another faction. That's acceptable.

They purchase it from the Pilots Federation, where do you think they get their money?

Also I am sure the Navy won't be sending out Navy ship to rescue you when you are doing trading or exploring or fighting in a CG for a competing power, they might do it when you are on Navy business, following orders etc, but unless you intend to do nothing else in the game why should they rescue you? You fly off in your private ship for personal reasons you are on your own.

Wanted lists; No they don't, that secret Pilots Federation stuff. They don't share that stuff, you would have zero access to it;

The Pilots Federation’s zero tolerance policy of dishonourable behaviour amongst its members is enforced by a system of bounties automatically placed on the heads of transgressors.

Also;

GalNet has evolved into an effective galactic infrastructure and content monopoly on news, market pricing and communication systems.

See that word monopoly, they can share or not share data, whatever they want. You have access to all of it as a member of the Federation, why would they give the same access to outsiders?

 

[JTFireblaze]

Sorry OP, your really good gameplay idea has been deemed unacceptable due to The Pilot's Federation's other monopoly, the one that they have over gameplay ideas apparently.

OP has a really interesting idea about how to change up the navy rank grind and it's torn down by asinine arguments.

 

[varonica]

Sorry OP, your really good gameplay idea has been deemed unacceptable due to The Pilot's Federation's other monopoly, the one that they have over gameplay ideas apparently.

OP has a really interesting idea about how to change up the navy rank grind and it's torn down by asinine arguments.

The question is, what game does the OP want to play, Elite Dangerous or another game that has nothing to do with the actual original game concept and implementation, because what he is describing is a different game altogether, it's no longer Elite Dangerous. The monopoly on the game play ideas are what the makers concept and implementation of the game encompasses, Elite Dangerous, certainly not Navy Admiral or whatever the OP's new and different game would be called. There's a huge amount of lore and background to the game from it's beginnings in 1984, this is what the game is, Elite Dangerous.

 

[Katie Byrne]

The question is, what game does the OP want to play, Elite Dangerous or another game that has nothing to do with the actual original game concept and implementation, because what he is describing is a different game altogether, it's no longer Elite Dangerous. The monopoly on the game play ideas are what the makers concept and implementation of the game encompasses, Elite Dangerous, certainly not Navy Admiral or whatever the OP's new and different game would be called. There's a huge amount of lore and background to the game from it's beginnings in 1984, this is what the game is, Elite Danger

He lol

you don't pay a lot of attention do you?

 

[Katie Byrne]

So a joining a navy and getting issued a service ship with special perks and responsibilities. I don't think it would fit the blaze your own trail theme very well, and the weekly responsibilities might be seen too restrictive by some. The navy being more than honorary ranks ideas do pop up from time to time, so other might love it.

Maybe the powerplay merit system could be repurposed as "prestige". The better prestige level you have, the better perks you get, and if you maintain a certain level for X number of weeks, you get a promotion.

yeah this would certainly be a kind of departure in a way from the 'blaze your own trail' but ultimately still voluntary so not too far from the path

At the moment the Naval aspect of the game is essentially meaningless beyond unlokcing ships - it would be nice if they gave it greater depth i feel is all

 

[Katie Byrne]

Sorry OP, your really good gameplay idea has been deemed unacceptable due to The Pilot's Federation's other monopoly, the one that they have over gameplay ideas apparently.

OP has a really interesting idea about how to change up the navy rank grind and it's torn down by asinine arguments.

also i know who you mean - this particular forum member has a habit of just being contrarian

As i said in the video this was just an idea with no expectation that it would mean anything or to actually be introduced - i would support any new ideas that gave supporting a major factions military more depth

 

[Ettanin]

By joining the navy in a more than honorary manner you are basically forfeiting your privileges as a PF member which in essence means converting your save into hardcore/permadeath mode. I don't think that's ideal for most players.