Ascent - The Space Game: Could this be the PvE alternative to Elite: Dangerous?

[Titus Balls]

So I saw this on Steam today, launches on there in 4 days: http://www.thespacegame.com/

Steam Page: http://store.steampowered.com/app/345010/

At first it's graphics didn't really blow me away in the trailer but then I noticed that they already had planetary landings in so my interest piqued. Then I read the description:

Ascent is a PVE sandbox space MMO with 270,000,000,000 star systems and an emphasis on strong Sci Fi, colonization, starbase construction, research and technology, mining and farming, trading and exploration, and combat. Outside first sector, everything in game is made by players.

So that part in bold really got my attention. Then I read their design & vision:

• New Direction, and More Fully Realised - we will be adding every classic space game feature to the game, but in each case we will take the feature in a new direction and aim to be a newer, more fully realised implementation. For example, lots of games do ship-based Asteroid Mining, but our version is the most active, interactive and "real" feeling (in our opinion anyway) to date.
• Easy to learn - The Space Game is designed so that anyone who can navigate a website can begin to play the game. The interface and design are not a valid source of difficulty
• Difficult to master - the more time and intellect spent on your play decisions, the higher the payoff
• Escalating difficulty - the basic trading game can be played by anyone, whereas the more complex and deeper elements in the space game (mining, manufacturing, combat) will provide steadily increasing difficulty as the player progresses
• Interruptability - Game play is designed so that, as far as possible, meaningful play can be had a session lasting only a few minutes, and the game can be closed at any time without serious penalty. This is not completely doable for combat, but for all other features it's a non-negotiable design parameter. Yes, it's an MMO you can play while still having a job, a family, a social life etc.
• The story is central to the game. All features and content follow and build on the central themes of the story - humanity on the brink of collapse in a true space age
• Features are complete when they're fun - We don't regard something as complete until it's fun - as defined by our players. Features and content that are unpopular will be revisited.
• No violence unless you seek it. The remnants of the military keep pirates and other bad guys out of the safe eight systems. Now we have the Janus binary system in game, there is an element of danger for players who seek it. When we add PVP sectors, they will come with a clear warning sign - a player will need to agree that they accept being attacked before they are allowed to jump in.
• Player input into design - even at this early stage, most of the content and features already in the game, were suggested by players. FKS takes player feedback very, very, very seriously. We want to make the game that you play and enjoy, and for that we want, and need, your feedback. At the moment we release a new version of the game each week, and every release contains player suggested features, fixes, or content.
• Quality, quality, quality. We fix bugs as our first priority. Not most of the time, EVERY time. If it can be fixed now, we fix it now. If it can't (as when the bug is in engine code for example), we escalate it to the people who can - immediately. We also rigorously test every feature before each release, and we test every line of code we change.
• Value for money - we aim our pricing so you consider the amount we're asking to be inconsequential compared to the amount of time and enjoyment you get from the content you are paying to access

.

Here are the features coming in 5 months (and they already have planetary landings) as well as:

The current version has a large number of features complete or in a beta state - exploration, asteroid mining, combat, trading, farming and mining on the inner 8 systems, a private starbase in the inner 8 systems, colonization and outer starbases in the outer systems, stock markets, governments, player made jump gates, salvage and research.

• Full disembark (without an EVA suit), being able to walk around in certain structures on colonies, starbases and space stations
• NPC AI - we are implementing Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs with our NPCs, giving them motivation to act within the game world. We are also developing a system which will enable them to engage in actual text chat with players (like old adventure games only we now have access to incredible new parser technology) in order to achieve their aims.
• Hiring NPCs as pilots - they will not be able to warp or jump unaided but that leaves a lot of capability
• Colonial Laws - these will enable you to outlaw or allow certain goods (e.g. alcohol) at your colonies, and lead to...
• Smuggling - setting up smuggler networks and sneaking banned goods into colonies for fun and profit
• Crime and punishment - setting up police and prisons in your colonies, and adventuring as a freelance investigator
• Bounty hunting - tracking down fugitive NPCs, whether they are running from the law, or just their enemies
• Assassination - whether blowing up the ship they're in, or tracking them to their home and pulling the trigger, you're a stone cold killer for hire

I'll be watching this one with interest.

 

[philmo]

Maybe they can build into it the ability to spend 85% of the game flying from system to system with nothing to do but pop in and out of the game (whilst hoping it will not crash) during this painful wait.
And then delivery some moments where all of a sudden some interesting stuff does happen which you are not ready for having just woken up.
And when you do manage a spell - staying awake and earning so cash someone pops out of the blue and swipes everything just of the hell of it.

Sound familiar.....?

 

[CMDR Regulas]

Graphics are pants. looks like minecraft in space. no thanks!

 

[m6ko]

So I saw this on Steam today, launches on there in 4 days: http://www.thespacegame.com/

Steam Page: http://store.steampowered.com/app/345010/

At first it's graphics didn't really blow me away in the trailer but then I noticed that they already had planetary landings in so my interest piqued. Then I read the description:



So that part in bold really got my attention. Then I read their design & vision:



Here are the features coming in 5 months (and they already have planetary landings) as well as:





I'll be watching this one with interest.

You should go play it, and complain constantly on their forums, we won't miss you.

 

[Non Grata]

"we will be adding every classic space game feature to the game, but in each case we will take the feature in a new direction and aim to be a newer, more fully realised implementation."

More fully-realised in every area. Hmmmm.

 

[thenickmove]

I've been playing this non-stop for the last three weeks, and all I can say is that it's absolutely amazing. Even the graphics can look really great (the atmosphere of space and nebulae etc.).
Very very very deep game. For me this fills the hole that I hoped Elite would fill. 250 billion systems to explore (they get named after you if you find them first), you can land on planets, you can actually colonize planets (colonies are huuuuuuuge and lots of work), you can build star bases, settlements, ships etc.

All in all I'm in love

 

[Defacto]

Maslow's hierarchy for NPC's! I would like that in ED:

Step 1: Oh noes canopy busted out of Oxygen help help aaaach
Step 2: Right now, that station is not shooting at me, but if I stay stuck at the entrance for two more minutes, it might. Should I change my situation?
Step 3: I've been hauling for this ''Jet Power Corporation'' for as long as my virtual mind remembers, but do they really appreciate my service? Am I just another puppet? Should I become independent, and travel the stars for love, lust and life?
Step 4: I might only have a shieldless Eagle, but damn is that Commander in a Vulture going to pay up all their Palladium, which I am sure they have. I'm going to be rich today! I'm going to be famous! I'm the most glorious pirate this side of Eta Carin*BOOM*
Step 5: I want to be a real Cmdr. I want to travel the star routes, looking for capships to exploit. I want to post on the forum, whining about the latest nerfs. It is my future! It is my fate!

 

[thenickmove]

A bit of a shameless plug, but in case anyone is on the fence of whether this is the game for them or not, I made a video review:

[video=youtube;K0ZaF8WzqDo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0ZaF8WzqDo[/video]

It's probably obvious that I like the game, but I also tried to be honest about the negative points of the game. Hope you find it useful!

 

[Vasea Azure]

You should go play it, and complain constantly on their forums, we won't miss you.

Some forum users are giving me a headache sometimes... just WOW

Anyway - I was looking at this game for some time, mostly because similar to Elite vast universe but with player created content. Sure graphics are not the best but graphics are not making the game.
From what I heard this game is really good. I might give it a try.

 

[thenickmove]

Was chatting with the Dev on IRC, and apparently NPC haulers are coming in very soon. We can hire people, put them in one of our ships and give them jobs. He plans to give them personalities etc. (not sure if that's coming soon as well), so that for example if they are unhappy, they might run away with your ship, which gives you the option to put a bounty on them etc.

He plans to make the interaction with NPC's quite deep, also at colonies etc., something I'm very much looking forward to, in order to make the universe feel very alive (something I love with X3 for example)

 

[Sammey]

Well I thought I would give Ascent a go.. (It was on sale @ steam)
Quick background.. I have star citizen, Eve, ED, Space Engineers, and now ED Horizons.
So I'm a bit of a space game goof... lol
I gave up on eve, no need to say why. SC is still in Alpha, and am currently enjoying Horizons Beta.
So within 10 minutes of playing Ascent I realized there is no comparison to Elite but there shouldn't be as they are completely different concepts.
I was however impressed with what one developer can do. Sure the graphic's are not today's standard. But the game is really enjoyable.
In-game progression is a good pace without feeling like it a grind fest. Oh and the mining!! Its really good! Not just in income but the process itself.
There is a ton of things to build, explore, research, etc.
I was pleasantly surprise. So much so, I've made a poor beta tester for Horizons... lol Oh! and a great Ascent community...
I just though I would post this in case there are ED players on Ascent as well. Maybe drop me a line...
Perhaps there's an existing group of ed/ascent players already?
Take care all....

NB. If you try ascent, look up a fella named Mooncrest. He helped me out a lot and sold me a 200mil ship for a heck of a lot less!!