Are things getting a bit multiplayer and routine orientated?

[Angus]

This isn't a grumble - I love the game, and I think Frontier have done a marvelous job - I've already had my money's worth ........but I still hope for more.

.......however, I am a bit concerned that the game is leaning more towards the multiplayer/team experience and that the focus is more on the general environment, than the individual player experience. Let me try to explain that:

The Wings update was obviously multiplayer based, and it seems to me Powerplay with its focus on joining Powers and extended community goals, is apparently coming from the same direction. I maybe proven wrong there, but be that as it may, regarding the content, I'm unsure that I want to pledge allegiance to anybody, its not something one would do lightly after all, and from a role-playing point of view, it seems a long way from the rugged individualist, space Commander ("I'm still free - you can't take the sky from me") who was a vassal to nobody.

I'm not saying its "wrong" or "bad", I'm just unsure if this update, like the last one, is something for me.

My point about the general environment is that we all understand David's point that its silly having everybody "rescuing the princess" (although I think every Jedi in SWTOR gets to fight the Emperor and that didn't seem to cause a major problem) - but are Frontier making things too general, and procedurally generated? I know the mission system is being updated, but will we ever feel that we've been sought out to take on a unique and "special" mission, as in the original game. Remember the term "hand-coded missions" are we going to see those - and will we ever run into a guy who, for a price, can do some custom tuning to your ship's engine, for example?

Its things like that, I'm talking about. Things that don't turn the game into your personal biography, or make you The Chosen One, but do make you feel a little bit special, and help to reduce the sensation that you are interacting with a series of programming routines (however cunningly crafted).

As I say, I'm not having a go at the game or Frontier, I'm in awe of both - just raising a well-intended and possibly minority concern - I would love to be re-assured by Frontier.

 

[willowfan]

From what I've seen in discussions about powerplay there will be plenty to occupy the single player, though it would, as you point out, mean having to align yourself with a particular power.

 

[Cooperman]

Great post Angus. was thinking sort of along these lines,i'm not so keen on the multiplayer elements although i do play in a group with my brother and a close friend,but all we do is shoot stuff and trade stuff,(we are not pirates and all have a clean rating so far)
Then i thought to myself,FD are overhauling missions in 1.3 so hopefully this will do the job for us both Angus.

fly safe.

 

[TriumphANT]

From what I've read, Powerplay isn't definitively for Open mode/multiplayer. Aligning yourself with a "popular" faction, and just playing along isn't much different to the current faction/mission thing, except I expect a bit more depth and overall influence from what you're doing. Yes, the background sim will be influenced by others, but that's only an extension of what happens to the trade and exploration model right now. Hopefully the missions will be a better experience. That's all I care about from 1.3! Everything else is bonus points for FD.

 

[CMDR Derrida]

I think there is as much for the single player as the multiplayer in community goals although they do involve aligning yourself with a faction. The recent war at Quivira meant picking sides, and I guess the community goal at Diso, although trading, still meant picking one faction over the other (although I didn't do this one myself). I imagine if they improve the missions in the next update as I believe they are doing, then there will be more for the "I'm still free - you can't take the sky from me" pilots out there. However, I think having plenty of role-playing baddies out there (at least, I hope my fellow Barons and Viscounts in the empire don't actually want to turn the 'real' universe into a place of slavery and darkness! ) - will make it a lot more fun for those pilots in search of individual freedom (accompanied by a big furry Wookie!) to have oppressive powers trying to curb that freedom.
I just hope they make the pirating profession a bit more viable in the next version, as I'm a bit tired of '50 Shades of Bounty Hunter' (More Boba Fets out there than Han Solos I guess ).

 

[Arjin]

I just hope they make the pirating profession a bit more viable in the next version, as I'm a bit tired of '50 Shades of Bounty Hunter' (More Boba Fets out there than Han Solos I guess ).

This exactly, smuggling is broken, fencing doesn't really count as smuggling. So hopefully they will fix this to balance out BH vs Smugglers participants.

 

[Rankaze]

I don't think so, really.

I mean, my favorite part of Powerplay is that it lets us contribute on the galactic stage as individuals, rather than requiring players to join a group or guild to get anything done. The only real "group content" in the game are Strong Signal Sources, and even those can be done solo by a strong enough ship (not mine!)

If you're out for PvP you'll probably want a wing, but if you're out for PvP that's a multiplayer activity by nature.

I still lone wolf it almost completely and I don't feel as though I've been marginalized by it at all.

 

[X2Eliah]

Hm. To be fair - and I'm generally a "solo" player in the sense that I don't do wings or voicechat or teaming up or guilds - sure, I play in the open, or in Mobius, but I still do my own stuff -, I kinda think that Powerplay is going to be really good for us lone-pilot players. Because the whole powers system will help add a lot more meaning and feel to the world, and better context for your actions.

 

[Zplintz]

From what I've seen in discussions about powerplay there will be plenty to occupy the single player, though it would, as you point out, mean having to align yourself with a particular power.

Quite. How does (optionally) aligning yourself with a particular power make powerplay for multiplayer gaming only?

We don't have the details of Powerplay yet and it is probably worth Not assuming your worse scenario automatically.

 

[Ydiss]

I don't agree with your view of it.

Community goals are actually better to do solo. You get more cash. If anything, the game needs more content for wings - with the caveat that this should only come once Ai wings can be hired so the solo player can still enjoy that content without needing to play with others.

You forget 1.3 is giving us a revamped mission system, too. That's more solo content right there.

 

[Apos]

The problem is that you can't increase personal influence without making it a hell for 2 groups clashing in a certain system. Can you imagine 2 opposed factions having +/-20% swings of influence within hours just because someone had to take a bathroom break?

Some small personal benefits wouldn't hurt. And from my understanding, powerplay does include them.

 

[Chazzie]

Umm, a little bit I think - wings did bring in strong signal source's which really are only for wings, I did try to solo a few but they are really difficult to do solo.

But overall - I think Frontier have done a great job of balancing solo and multiplayer requirements, as for Powerplay - I guess we'll have to wait and see.

 

[Ydiss]

The problem is that you can't increase personal influence without making it a hell for 2 groups clashing in a certain system. Can you imagine 2 opposed factions having +/-20% swings of influence within hours just because someone had to take a bathroom break?

Some small personal benefits wouldn't hurt. And from my understanding, powerplay does include them.

The fastest way to build reputation is through missions. 1.3 includes a mission overhaul.

And, again, there isn't anything to suggest that the solo player will be unable to benefit from power play.

Or have I misunderstood?

- - - Updated - - -

Umm, a little bit I think - wings did bring in strong signal source's which really are only for wings, I did try to solo a few but they are really difficult to do solo.

But overall - I think Frontier have done a great job of balancing solo and multiplayer requirements, as for Powerplay - I guess we'll have to wait and see.

SSS is the only wings only content to date. And some of them can be done solo.

We need more wings content. Once we have ai wingmen.

 

[ste]

They are probably prioritising in what they think is most demanded/most needed. I imagine lots of things are being worked on in lots of areas but they are focusing on elements of the game. MP did need a lot of work and has probably been the most requested.

Me personally are looking forward to the mission overhaul in power play, I think this will benefit the SP as much as the MP. I'm also hoping passenger transporting isnt too far off too.

 

[mysterious42]

Me personally are looking forward to the mission overhaul in power play, I think this will benefit the SP as much as the MP. I'm also hoping passenger transporting isnt too far off too.

eventually passengers missions means every ships would need to have their passenger capacity defined....

unless cabins arent required to host passengers

 

[ste]

eventually passengers missions means every ships would need to have their passenger capacity defined.... meaning if certain ships includes passenger cabins , or rather they are all confined cramped in the cargo bay.

Old elites you bought cabin space they took up cargo space. I imagine it would be just like buying extra cargo space. Unless its a dedicated passenger ship like the Orca and dolphin.

You could also kill them. And sell them as fertiliser

 

[CMDR Hagglebeard]

From what I've read, Powerplay isn't definitively for Open mode/multiplayer. Aligning yourself with a "popular" faction, and just playing along isn't much different to the current faction/mission thing, except I expect a bit more depth and overall influence from what you're doing. Yes, the background sim will be influenced by others, but that's only an extension of what happens to the trade and exploration model right now. Hopefully the missions will be a better experience. That's all I care about from 1.3! Everything else is bonus points for FD.

Agreed, the missions update is the focal point for me, unless a pirate's faction is introduced, a completely dedicated piratical corporation

 

[Angus]

From what I've seen in discussions about powerplay there will be plenty to occupy the single player, though it would, as you point out, mean having to align yourself with a particular power.

Yeah, aligning would be okay, its the Oath of Allegiance that worries me. I mean there'll be bending on one knee, and kissing ducal signet rings and stuff like that, won't there?

I take your points though guys, but my other concern doesn't seem to have made much of an impression, so perhaps its just me - but are Frontier viewing the game more like a kind meteorological climate simulation which they tend with injected community events and so on, but the individual player experience, things like hand-coded missions that seem unique and special amd make you think "Darn, this is serious!" are not being included.

I just wonder if there's been a change in perception and the game is viewed as too much of a Galactic simulation focussed on "tidal forces" and "climate" scale events for the guys to concern themselves about the personal and unique adventures of the humble Commander.

 

[TriumphANT]

Agreed, the missions update is the focal point for me, unless a pirate's faction is introduced, a completely dedicated piratical corporation

From what DB said, there will be all kinds of factions, including exploration eventually, so I think you'll get your wish. I'll be a trader. See you out there, ya black flag vagabond!