Back after 4 months.

[CMDR Harada]

Got annoyed by the changes in December, and bailed on the game. Decided I needed a break, my timer was almost at 6 weeks.
.
I dropped into my trusty Python, and took it out for a spin. No cargo, no bounties. Just a Dangerous pilot in an A-spec python.
.
The space station was very pretty. Once outside, the stars were incredible. I fell in love with the flight model all over again. I was at home, once more at the helm of the Pontius Pilate, ravager of star systems, slayer of hopeless criminals, implacable force of vengeance for those unable to serve it themselves.
.
Supercruise Engage !
.
And then 1 minute into a 3 minute jaunt.... I was interdicted by two Vipers piloted by idiots. I felt like the Outlaw Josey Wales being held up by two pimply teenagers with BB guns, or Chuck Norris being assaulted by the local high school bully. I didn't feel anything dispatching them, except annoyance that they had interrupted my flight.
.
Looked into trading again. Couldn't do it. I didn't want to drive a truck, I had enough money to buy any ship I wanted.
.
Thought about exploring. Couldn't do it. I didn't want to look at ( very pretty, I admit ) space balls after driving for 5 hours IRL, plus the 5 hour IRL drive back to collect peanuts. I can look at space art on the Internet without the 10 hour investment.
.
My PP faction rank was 0. I didn't care. I actually felt liberated I didn't 'have to' login and keep my rank. I am NOT getting back on that treadmill.
.
Thought about hitting a HazRes or CZ... looked up what the hot new build was... and saw people were complaining about stealth/HRP builds and how they needed an adjustment. Sounded awfully familiar to the SCB holy wars fought in December.
.
Fantasy successfully shattered. It was the same old, same old.

 

[frostypaw]

Fascinating. Sounds like you've got a lot of hours out of the game - just how many have you played it for? Just wondering if it's been good value for you even if you've have had enough for now.

 

[JoeShmo]

The part that bothers me ( aside from everything else ) is that taking a break is kinda like a half measure in this game.

What I mean is, typically when you take a prolonged break from a game 2+ months, at some point there has been a content patch in your absence. This makes returning to the game "new car smell" , in that you have to get back into the groove of playing again, but also have new things to play with; making the return all that much more exciting and grabbing.


In Elite though....being gone for 6 months can have little to no impact or "reward" for when you come back. Typically, nothing actually changes, save tweeks to mechanics / features that for all intent and purpose...doesn't really change up the game ( other than adding more frustation ). The last time's the game actually went through a "major" change ...was Power Play and Horizons ( and the enthusiasm for either is completely subjective to whether you enjoy said minigames at all ).

No matter how many countless times they've "updated" missions ( for example ) ...It never actually stuck as a game changer (aside from long distance smuggling by complete accident).


The lack of any content since Horizon launch is a testament to that prolong lack of drive to actually update the game. "2.1" isn't slated until summer, just like Power Play the year before. And I would imagine that's going to be filled with half empty glasses, and a wait until Winter for the next content update ( next season / expansion ).

Elite is kinda the game that you need to come back after an entire year to see any reasonable changes / additions; where as other games would do it quarterly. So you gotta take that for what its worth, a slow burner and a shallow wading pool.

 

[Zarlok]

Fantasy successfully shattered. It was the same old, same old.

Coming back with expectations as high as you clearly had are doomed to failure. And it appears that those that cant cope with this game seem to need much more defined and linear parameters. And if that is what you need go and find them then. There are many games out there like that. This game always has a surprise around the next corner, so open so much freedom so many places to go its overwhelming. And all without the need for strict linear quests. I hope you find what your seeking.

 

[GW42]

In Elite though....being gone for 6 months can have little to no impact or "reward" for when you come back.

Really? 6 months ago Horizons wasn't out.

The last time's the game actually went through a "major" change ...was Power Play and Horizons ( and the enthusiasm for either is completely subjective to whether you enjoy said minigames at all ).

Ah, that explains it, you see landing on planets* anywhere you want is a minigame?

*yeah, I know, not all planets


I'm pulling your leg, so please don't take offence . I think there's 2 very different overall opinions on Elite -

(a) - the base is a good start, but it needs more stuff to actually do, you know, to make it more of a game.

(b) - the base game is fantastic, I mean, you really feel like you're flying a spaceship, what more do you want?!

Apologies for the stereotyping/cartoonish division between the 2 views.

I'm in camp b. I can see where people in camp a are coming from, especially those who forked out for Horizons and haven't seen a real update since the first one yet.

For me though, I've got 100's of hours in the game and after taking a break for FO4 for a month or so, I'm back in my spaceship and having a blast (literally, I've just started some trying out some ground assault missions). I can see why some people may be cheesed off, but I don't regret the pre-order for Horizons one bit.

 

[Comrade Error]

Got annoyed by the changes in December, and bailed on the game. Decided I needed a break, my timer was almost at 6 weeks.
.
I dropped into my trusty Python, and took it out for a spin. No cargo, no bounties. Just a Dangerous pilot in an A-spec python.
.
The space station was very pretty. Once outside, the stars were incredible. I fell in love with the flight model all over again. I was at home, once more at the helm of the Pontius Pilate, ravager of star systems, slayer of hopeless criminals, implacable force of vengeance for those unable to serve it themselves.
.
Supercruise Engage !
.
And then 1 minute into a 3 minute jaunt.... I was interdicted by two Vipers piloted by idiots. I felt like the Outlaw Josey Wales being held up by two pimply teenagers with BB guns, or Chuck Norris being assaulted by the local high school bully. I didn't feel anything dispatching them, except annoyance that they had interrupted my flight.
.
Looked into trading again. Couldn't do it. I didn't want to drive a truck, I had enough money to buy any ship I wanted.
.
Thought about exploring. Couldn't do it. I didn't want to look at ( very pretty, I admit ) space balls after driving for 5 hours IRL, plus the 5 hour IRL drive back to collect peanuts. I can look at space art on the Internet without the 10 hour investment.
.
My PP faction rank was 0. I didn't care. I actually felt liberated I didn't 'have to' login and keep my rank. I am NOT getting back on that treadmill.
.
Thought about hitting a HazRes or CZ... looked up what the hot new build was... and saw people were complaining about stealth/HRP builds and how they needed an adjustment. Sounded awfully familiar to the SCB holy wars fought in December.
.
Fantasy successfully shattered. It was the same old, same old.

Did you think about piracy?

 

[Tuub t Tute]

If you can find something in the game to make you want to play: play
If you can't: don't
You are entirely free to post here about your experience of course. No idea if anyone reading will suddenly have a road to damascus moment and think "Wow, they are so right, what have I been thinking all this time!"

Hope you find something fulfilling to do in or out of game.

 

[Bazorlag]

It would have been much better idea to look through patch notes first. There hasn´t been a major patch (it´s only due during summer), so nothing much has changed. Try 2.1 when its out instead.

 

[frostypaw]

What I mean is, typically when you take a prolonged break from a game 2+ months, at some point there has been a content patch in your absence.

In thirty five years of gaming this has been a very rare experience. A fair few small bug fixes - that's it.
What are you talking about? I've got games that haven't updated ever on Steam.

So what I mean is typically over 35 years of gaming when you take a prolonged break from a game 2+ months precisely sod all happens.

In Elite though....being gone for 6 months can have little to no impact or "reward" for when you come back.

Why do you think you deserve a reward for coming back?

Then to complain about them releasing content in stages rather than a constant drip feed?

Could you give any examples of these shining stars of game production?

 

[Vorxian]

Fantasy successfully shattered. It was the same old, same old.

What do you mean? did you try reputation grinding before throwing in the towel? Apparently it's fun and adds content. You'll need a clear solid 60 hours of uninterrupted game time, and few pre-requisite supplies before you start though: An approved drip feed, modafinil, norepinephrine & a glucose/dextrose feed plus electrolyte solution which needs to be intravenously administered throughout.

Now, if that doesn't sounds like your cup of tea and 'slowgrinding' (aka playing it normally for about a year with the choice of) content listed in the OP whilst slowly building up your rep if you would love to fly a Cutter (for example), doesn't sound like your cup of tea either... then I'd probably suggest going on another break for another 6 months - don't let a game depress you dude, summer time is well on the way, enjoy the out doors, beaches and fun that doesn't require drip feeds and medication.

/salute mon capitaine, sir.

 

[Ruskodisco]

Alot of people were expecting this to be a "GTA in space". That and while S.C. has ship interiors and other things while this game has got a vast space grinder.
I remember when Elite actually was looking alot better than S.C., all S.C. gotta do now is flesh out the bugs and they're set. I know one has got better funding but the matter of fact is that this game isn't looking like 160$ worth like some of us spent (and more), only ones who aren't complaining are ones who bought the life expansion passes. Also people don't care about who has more money they care about which is the better game, and some will try to say that they are different games in their respect (which is very true) but they ARE competing.

In my opinion the season three of this game will either make or break this game, because I've seen the "roadmap" of season two and it just adds up to a "meh". I really do hope this game gets better because it's got such a good foundation but I'm thinking Braben is stuck in the eighties or something. I say this because the game really is "Elite" with all the graphics Braben wanted to have on the original one. This is coming from an ex-fanboy of elite dangerous who used to scuff at the "detractors" on this forum.

Good Luck Frontier, I'll see you in season three(hopefully with something to make up for season two).

 

[Ian Skippy]

Alot of people were expecting this to be a "GTA in space". That and while S.C. has ship interiors and other things while this game has got a vast space grinder.
I remember when Elite actually was looking alot better than S.C., all S.C. gotta do now is flesh out the bugs and they're set.

Ha, do you even play it? Apart from fixing bugs, they still kinda have to add, you know, the game.

 

[frostypaw]

all S.C. gotta do now is flesh out the bugs and they're set

How many environments out of the galaxy have they got that people can see anything of now?

Is it in the single figures still? Just wondering if all they really have to do is some bug fixes

 

[Ian Skippy]

How many environments out of the galaxy have they got that people can see anything of now?

Is it in the single figures still? Just wondering if all they really have to do is some bug fixes

Yup, we're still in the baby-PU. Doubt it'll change anytime soon consider S42 is supposed to be released in a little over six months or so from now. I expect them to use those assets and expand the PU greatly in the beginning of 2017, and then work from there till end of 2017 or early 2018 for a '1.0' release while periodically shipping new S42 episodes. Would make the most sense AFAIK.

 

[frostypaw]

Yup, we're still in the baby-PU. Doubt it'll change anytime soon consider S42 is supposed to be released in a little over six months or so from now. I expect them to use those assets and expand the PU greatly in the beginning of 2017, and then work from there till end of 2017 or early 2018 for a '1.0' release while periodically shipping new S42 episodes. Would make the most sense AFAIK.

I think S42 will end up episodic too. Just bonkers the way they're trying to go with it. The whole business model is just surreal - I know so many who paid and walked away, but their numbers aren't recorded anywhere

 

[Ian Skippy]

I think S42 will end up episodic too. Just bonkers the way they're trying to go with it. The whole business model is just surreal - I know so many who paid and walked away, but their numbers aren't recorded anywhere

Actually, its officially confirmed. SQ42 will consist of three episodes. There is little known of how it'll work though, it might be that Episode II wont be released before SC 1.0.

 

[nats]

Fantasy successfully shattered. It was the same old, same old.

Yes pretty much my experience as well after a few months away. Tried the buggy and that was fun for a couple of hours. I dunno what I want to see actually, it just doesn't hit the sweet spot. Something is missing. Occasionally I feel the need to just fly around do a spot of exploring etc but I think its the wholly procedural universe - just doesn't make me want to bother exploring much because I know its all going to be roughly the same with no surprises. What I would love to read on these forums is a few posts indicating that people had found something interesting and unexpected. Not seeing it though. I would love to chase around a few assassination targets or whatever but my past experiences of randomly generated traffic has left a stale feeling in my mouth about trying any of that. Is that still the case for mission targets? Do they actually persist now or not? Can you chase them around the universe?

 

[darkwolf79]

Same old, same old.
And I for one am glad. I love the game as it is right now. It's Elite, as I remember it and as I always wanted it to be.
I am however excited about things to come...

In terms of expectations: Have you had a look at the team size they are running? Impressive I must say. (I am a game dev myself)

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Thought about exploring. Couldn't do it. I didn't want to look at ( very pretty, I admit ) space balls after driving for 5 hours IRL, plus the 5 hour IRL drive back to collect peanuts. I can look at space art on the Internet without the 10 hour investment.

Looking at space art is so very different than flying around in it. And you don't go exploring like you do other professions where you drive up to the event, and drive back again. That 5 hours there and back is part of the exploration. The second you leave the station it starts. And you're right, if it's monetary rewards you're after, it's a very poor choice to spend time on.

 

[Kurdran]

Thought about exploring. Couldn't do it. I didn't want to look at ( very pretty, I admit ) space balls after driving for 5 hours IRL, plus the 5 hour IRL drive back to collect peanuts. I can look at space art on the Internet without the 10 hour investment.

LOL! Spot on!