An important question [I think]

[Thespen Tombs]

When standard Beta starts we will be able to play in full multiplayer, just play with people from your friend lists or even just solo play.

So my question is will you be able to swap between them with the same commander?

If so starting solo or with friends will give you a big advantage over those who chose full multiplayer; as you could quickly build up credits and buy the best gear before switching to FMP.

I hope which ever one you start in you have to stick too, but lets have a poll and see what the community thinks.

 

[Stoo]

Technically there's two modes, offline and online. You won't be able to swap between them. Grouping should stay dynamic and flexible.

That's ok to me.

 

[Viajero]

Do we know if we will be able to create several avatars in game ? Or are we strictly limited to one profile?

If a player found reset strictly separate profiles for multi and for solo it could also be an option, no?

 

[RoadRunner]

Technically there's two modes, offline and online. You won't be able to swap between them. Grouping should stay dynamic and flexible.

That's ok to me.

I think what he means is that you can play online single player, build up credits in relative safety and then switch to online MP once you are all set. Offline play is completely separate: you won't be able to use your offline character in online mode and vice-versa.

Personally, I think you should be able to have one character in each mode and your mode should be locked in when you first choose which type of game your character will join.

 

[Thespen Tombs]

I think what he means is that you can play online single player, build up credits in relative safety and then switch to online MP once you are all set. Offline play is completely separate: you won't be able to use your offline character in online mode and vice-versa.

Personally, I think you should be able to have one character in each mode and your mode should be locked in when you first choose which type of game your character will join.

Indeed that is what I meant

 

[Space_Killer69]

I really don't understand this obsession with other peoples choice of having fun.

The only competition that you are in is one that you've invented in your own head.

There's no "rich list, best murderer league, baddest pirate ladder."

Try enjoying the game for yourself, you never know it may be fun, rather than spending all the time fretting that someone else may have a perceived advantage.

 

[Kris]

Do we know if we will be able to create several avatars in game ? Or are we strictly limited to one profile?

I think plan is for 3 avatars/profiles per player. I´m not 100% sure, so correct me if i´m wrong.

 

[Cody]

Three characters per account has been mentioned - but nothing is certain as yet!

 

[Swan]

I'd rather see separation between the two modes, otherwise you'll get people popping up in MP (who've been grinding & farming in SP where it will naturally be easier) all buffed and 'maxed' out. This would suck for those who've been trying to build up in the harder MP arena and perhaps put players off MP, and in this day and age, the MP needs to as balanced as possible if we want the game to succeed long term.

 

[Joe Spivey]

I really don't understand this obsession with other peoples choice of having fun.

The only competition that you are in is one that you've invented in your own head.

There's no "rich list, best murderer league, baddest pirate ladder."

Try enjoying the game for yourself, you never know it may be fun, rather than spending all the time fretting that someone else may have a perceived advantage.

This ^^^.

Really, what does it matter? If everyone can chop and change as they want to then everyone is on the same playing field. Trying to prevent this just limits choice.

(edited for typos)

 

[Nagual]

Three characters per account has been mentioned - but nothing is certain as yet!

I'm certain it's been mentioned!

 

[Cosmo Bozo]

I really don't understand this obsession with other peoples choice of having fun.

The only competition that you are in is one that you've invented in your own head.

There's no "rich list, best murderer league, baddest pirate ladder."

Try enjoying the game for yourself, you never know it may be fun, rather than spending all the time fretting that someone else may have a perceived advantage.

Yep, people need to stop worrying about what everyone else is doing. There will always be someone with more money/a better ship and you will have no idea whatsoever how they got it, so best not to worry.

 

[Joe nose]

This ^^^.

Really, what does it matter? If everyone can chop and change as they want to then everyone is on the same playing field. Trying to prevent this just limits choice.

(edited for typos)

Indeed. You don't have to have a fully kitted out Anaconda to be winning. I'll be quite happy seeing the galaxy in a Cobra or an Adder to be honest. Better to fly, and more of a challenge

I got to the Panther Clipper in Frontier, but that behemoth bored the pants off me tbh.

 

[Rickenbacker]

Technically there's two modes, offline and online. You won't be able to swap between them. Grouping should stay dynamic and flexible.

That's ok to me.

Well, technically there's only online. The difference is in the grouping, you can choose to be in a group of one. Others will still affect the galaxy around you, but you'll never meet them.

 

[the-monk]

I think "Ironman" or what ever it is mode should be limited to full multiplay as that's the mode I shell be playing.

I believe its the mode where if you die you are dead and you commander gets pushed back into normal mode.

 

[Cosmo Bozo]

Well, technically there's only online.

There will be offline in the finished game.

 

[Bromley86]

The real issue isn't people moving to online singleplayer to earn money and then back to ALL when they have it. As has been mentioned, who cares what the other guy has? We've got KS tiers that allow you to start with 150-200k credits (tooled-up Cobra) and there's a chance there won't be a wipe after gamma, in which case you'll have some players starting the release game in Anacondas and Imperial Couriers.

The issue is players dipping out of ALL to make a difficult cargo run to an Anarchy because they perceive (correctly IMO, but that's a different argument) that online singleplayer will be easier. Again, no one should care if they make more money this way. However, in doing this, they do reduce the opportunity for player pirates to pirate player traders.

I personally want an option for IDENT-off, but that doesn't mean I want to deprive player pirates of the ability to engage me (I just don't want them to select me purely because I'm a player).

Anyway, none of that really matters. If you work through the ways you might structure the various online groups, you'll likely realise that it's just not feasible to prevent movement between the various groups.

 

[technome]

Players will be able to switch between the "All", "Private" and "Solo" groups. There will be limitations, though. One is that the switching will only be allowed at certain points, such as when docked. Another is that players who have gained a bounty in the "All" group will not be able switch out while the bounty is in force. I'm sure there will be others, too.

During beta, Frontier will be observing and assessing how this mechanic is used and the effects it has on player behaviour and the game in general.

The main argument advanced against this capability is that players in the "Private" and "Solo" groups will gain some sort of unfair advantage over those in the "All" group. I disagree with this assessment and Frontier don't seem to be particularly concerned that it will be a problem. I feel confident that they'll be analysing this possibility during the beta and will deal with any balancing issues in an elegant, effective manner.

 

[Joe Spivey]

...However, in doing this, they do reduce the opportunity for player pirates to pirate player traders.

Or to put it another way, they reduce the opportunity to have another player force PVP onto them. This, IMO, is why we should maybe have PVP flags so that those who want to engage in PVP combat can do so without spoiling the games of those who want to play the PVE game.

 

[Cosmo Bozo]

Players will be able to switch between the "All", "Private" and "Solo" groups. There will be limitations, though. One is that the switching will only be allowed at certain points, such as when docked.

Currently only when logged out

As an aside, I believe the first implementation of of private groups will require a commander to log out and log back in with the new setting. We're still investigating the final rules that should govern such multiplayer changes, as these will obviously impact on a player's decision making process.