Bored of the game already

[Veridis]

I'm quite happy in the evenings when I get an hour or two to fly around in my eagle.

I'm just simply playing the game. "I'm in an Eagle....let's go and shoot some stuff" and I just like the atmosphere and how I can actually chill out while playing and enjoy it.

In contrast, a friend of mine managed to play for 45 minutes last night saying "I don't know what to do" many, many times. Not with regards to how to control etc but more to do with game direction. He knows what's possible but not al that sure how to get started.

This got me thinking. Is this a side effect of modern gaming? Holding our hands and telling us where and what to do. Rather than what this is.... "Here is your ship, here is the galaxy.....seeya"

 

[RaynMaykr]

Am I doing something wrong?

I was enjoying the game and everything, but right after buying a cobra, it hit me that I'm just grinding over and over...
There really isn't much to do in the game other than trading, bounty hunting and exploration, which are really just doing the same thing over and over.
I've seen a few players in game on my radar, but that's it. No chat, no interaction at all.

Is the game really this shallow?
Please tell me what do you guys do to enjoy this game...

Unfortunately, yes it is that shallow at the moment.

 

[StuartGT]

I get the impression the game was made for the fans of the old series just as a polite thanks. Original OP you are 100%, this game has very little to do(que the pitch forks). After getting my Cobra also and spending 2.6 Million on its upgrades there seems to be nothing else for me to do now, yes i have done everything, even that god awful mining lol. With a Oculus this game would get a bit more life out of it but not much. I have had fun and enjoyed my time with it, I wont uninstall it just yet but keeping an eye on it for a little longer. Hopefully some additional content will bring me and others back. No man sky next then I guess Star Citizen.

Play in "Hard Mode" for a bit, it's rock solid! :O

Do all of the above with Flight-Assist switched off...

 

[Zybane]

Elite Dangerous is not a game for people who like to be told what to do, go here do this, shoot that.

Basically you just said a fancy sentence for "no content".

 

[Katkon]

Am I doing something wrong?

I was enjoying the game and everything, but right after buying a cobra, it hit me that I'm just grinding over and over...
There really isn't much to do in the game other than trading, bounty hunting and exploration, which are really just doing the same thing over and over.
I've seen a few players in game on my radar, but that's it. No chat, no interaction at all.

Is the game really this shallow?
Please tell me what do you guys do to enjoy this game...

It sounds like you're perhaps looking for a story-driven game with a frequent change of scenery. Why? Because the way you describe Elite is really the way you can describe the core mechanic of every game ever made:

- Call of Duty: run around and shoot stuff, earn XP to get better gear and weapons
- Forza: drive around and race other cars, earn credits and upgrade your car and buy new cars
- Minecraft: run around and kill bad guys, discover/earn materials and build stuff
- Elder Scrolls Online: run around and kill stuff, earn gold and upgrade your character

The core mechanics - ie things to do - are pretty limited in all games. Story and scenery vary. Sounds like you're looking for the latter which may mean that a space game with 400 billion systems to explore wherein you have "make your own fun" is simply not for you. I'm not going to try to make you like a game you find boring, but I will encourage you to only ever play a game you find fun.

I personally love the freedom and immersion that Elite gives me. The game doesn't force me to do anything I don't want to, it doesn't hand-hold me, and doesn't drive me "quest" or level up. I love it!

 

[nUDD cHA]

See you in the black, Commander.

Can't take the sky from me

 

[Hokum15]

I assume people have been reading Galnet?

 

[Steve50]

Simple answer is: stop grind and start playing Enjoy the galaxy, the exploration, read the information about different factions, look at political interconnections, try to find yourself a nice home base, set custom goals - visit the Earth, go to Polaris etc. Slow down and take a closer look at what's happening around you

I can't put it better than this ^^

 

[Dean478]

we got invested in our games because there were less and they were simpler.

I think that's also part of the problem these days. We are literally swamped with games to the point where I'm starting to think there are literally no longer enough hours in my lifetime to play everything I like. I think this contributes to the modern gamer's compulsion to run through a game as quickly as possible and use any reason to justify their cessation of play and move onto the next game. Our imagination doesn't compel us as much any more. And without that higher mental investment, we quickly lose interest and consume something else.

I agree with you though. I've personally gone out and started reading the Frontier short stories and gazetteer. It made those games feel so much more alive and it still does today. It's also something we don't see in many games anymore; that compelling fiction that defines the virtual space we play in and not just narrate it.

 

[devastat]

I played the original in 1984 as a 13 year old. MANY of the backers are old-timers like me who never stopped playing games. We've seen them from their simple roots right through to todays AAA blockbusters with their pretty graphics and little gameplay.

...

As I said, I'm not calling anyone names, or young or stupid. Perhaps this game is simply geared at a different market. The people who created it, created the game they wanted. David Braben made this game 30 years ago, and now we have a modern version. If this game doesn't grab you right now, I'm sorry to hear it. I joined the beta and have not played another game since. I really enjoy it. I know it's not perfect, and there's more to come. It's only been out for a few days. Give it a little time, then maybe take a break. I hope it grows on you.

To give another perspective, I played Elite and Frontier on my Amiga 500 and Amiga 1200 as a child. I couldn't play them well, but I loved them. I can also be very nostalgic of them. But whats really depressing is to see how little the game has evolved in 30 years, while at the same time there are enormous leaps done in game development in general.

Saying that modern games have very little gameplay is bullcrap. It's quite the contrary because of the technology that is available today. There is as much if not even more love put into game development today. But If I would go back in time, and show Elite Dangerous to my older self from 20 years ago, I bet I would be disappointed.

Star Citizen is taking bigger steps in taking account of what gaming is today. Offcourse they have more budget too. Perhaps Elite Dangerous is being made for the "old timers" after all. But I would label it somewhat a failure if it doesn't manage to grab the imagination of the new generation of players.

 

[skuzzbag]

I just hope the progession comes before the money runs out.

 

[nUDD cHA]

I assume people have been reading Galnet?

Really? My assumption here is that they have not. These people seem to be wanting to have a "Quest" handed to them to tickle their interest and give them a direction, and then they ignore the point of access to said "Quest" and whine that they are bored. Action is happening out there people, Wars are kicking off and opportunity is knocking, if you are too blind to see it then go back to playing your mind expanding games like Cod, BF4 or WoT.

 

[Defacto]

Well it certainly has grabbed my imagination, and I consider myself to be part of the ''younger generation''.

It's not like I can speak for everyone, but who can?
And as for being bored, I'm just doing trade runs and enjoying it greatly. Will be more fun when the trading works better and the background simulation is fully implemented.

 

[John Xenir]

I have to partially agree with OP. After 10-20 hours in the game you discover it is a little empty, like just the core mechanics in it and not much else.
I could really write a huge list of things that would make the game better, more immersive, but truth be told - I still have a lot of fun in it, despite discovering it's not that rich. Freedom already makes for a lot of possibilities, with more content coming in the nearest future.

I think this game has huge potential but if it's not the kind of game that floats your boat, then no one forces you to play it. Check in the future if things improve to your liking

EDIT: What I find most disappointing are errors. When jumping to 3000Ly away nebula and getting to start menu during warp jump, each time. Like not being able to sell cargo because of server error. That is what makes me quit playing for the time being and go have some Quake Live fun. If this can be fixed to not bother us again, I don't think there's a force in the Universe - other than my wife and lack of sleep - to make me stop playing.

 

[Jaybong]

bored? BORED?! I pulled up to Sarbago last night, locked on a cap ship location, jumped out of SC to see a small battle going on... Then the skies opened and trumpets blasted from the nether, there was a lightning storm in space the likes of which killed Kirk's dad (new fiction) and this beautiful yet massive Imperial monster comes breaching into reality claiming souls of pilots as it's own to pull back into the void from whence it came.
It was like a spiritual experience.

 

[TiberiusMaximus]

"Get of my lawn moment" LOL!

 

[Antigonos]

bored? BORED?! I pulled up to Sarbago last night, locked on a cap ship location, jumped out of SC to see a small battle going on... Then the skies opened and trumpets blasted from the nether, there was a lightning storm in space the likes of which killed Kirk's dad (new fiction) and this beautiful yet massive Imperial monster comes breaching into reality claiming souls of pilots as it's own to pull back into the void from whence it came.
It was like a spiritual experience.

yes but no one TOLD YOU to go there! i think thats the biggest issue many people have, spoiled by modern games.

 

[Axelon]

You will have to jump a little further than 14LY my friend It's like me walking 3 mins to the corner shop and complaining :/

Open the galaxy map and pick a destination. The Pleides Nebula alone is worth a visit, not to mention the California/Eagle & Orion.

Here's a couple of interesting systems for those that can't be bothered to do the legwork

Aries Dark Region OY-Q B5-0
COMA
ALTAIS
CAPELLA
BAGA
HIP 63835 - Contains two black holes and a Neutron star
HD 226868
HIP 22500
Akheilos
MACAY
Ngarokpoi
WD 1207-032 (Stellar Nursery)
MAIA - Blackhole deep within a Nebula

Thanks for this list mate! I saw the galaxy map many times over in YouTube videos, but to actually explore the galaxy map is a trip on its own. The horsehead nebula was the first thing i searched for as I have always been fascinated by it. I would love to eventually check all these sites out! SO many places to go, so little time =/

 

[bigmuthatrukka]

Nail on the head. I played this on the bbc b and spectrum. It was the first game that went - here's the controls and a spoonful of back story... now get out and make your own rules. People talk about sandbox games. This was the daddy. I have been waiting for over quarter of a century for this reboot.

There is no go to a, pick up b, take it to c, go back to a, fight the boss, get an achievement have a cut scene. This is the ultimate sandbox. Do what you want, go anywhere, be the bounty hunter, be the trader, be the pirate, get involved in someone elses war, be an explorer boldly go..

Yeah it takes a little monotony to get a stable platform with the gear you need to venture forth, but these are your short term goals. Imagination drives you with this game.

It won't be for everyone. But there is depth to this game. Also the old elite had hidden missions and plenty of other stuff so keep tuned in say I.

 

[StuartGT]

I just hope the progession comes before the money runs out.

Whose money, FDev's? Worry not: they banked £10m from Kickstarter and Pre-Order sales on 16th December, and Amazon's AWS servers are very cost efficient, so I think the cash pot will survive for some time