Calling on the community to play in Open Play

Don't think I've seen another player in days and I always play on open (unless I'm streaming game to my mobile and then I haven't played for more than 20 minutes!)
 
ideas to create more chances to meet players:

- create a network galaxy stargates (like a star shaped network 10 highways from systems 20 jumps apparts, starting from neaby core to the wings, think the x series egosoft round artifact type). This will create alot of traffic near the entrance/exit of each of those jumps, and also makes those systems a bit 'special' and that would be cool.

- create a heatmap of "number of players in the system" in the galaxy view. that would indicate the zone with high level of peeps, and probably increase the population of systems already highmy populated.

Etienne

No. don't do these things.
 
I don't really see the point in open play, you get longer load times and more ships to bump into while docking, otherwise you seem to be on your own the rest of the time anyway. Conflict zones is the only time I have really bothered with it, and even then only seen one or two commanders

If they added some content that made it worth it I might consider it in the future, like a half decent chat system, grouping in Wings and missions for wings only which I hope would be tougher than the baby mode missions we get at the moment.
 
I allways play in open mode. Not once have I clocked on teh solo button. I never see anyone so why should I play in solo?

This is similar to me also, even when I travel through highly populated areas such as Diso and Lave I am lucky to see 2 or 3 players over a period of several hours. I always say hi to fellow humans and I think I have seen under 20 (non Friends) since May 2014
 
I try to play in Open Play whenever possible. I switch to Solo when :

1) I get fed up of hearing "Docking request denied" messages. Without a queuing system I can't waste half an hour of my life repeatedly requesting docking permission on the random chance I get a slot. There is no fun to be had there.

2) I get fed up of being attacked by human players for no reason in "no fire zones" where I'm not allowed to defend myself without getting slapped with a "wanted" status and then destroyed by the police.

2): You realize that if they shoot you first, and you aren't already wanted they become wanted? (unless you have report crimes against you off). That means if you do defend yourself in the no fire zone you get a FINE not a BOUNTY. It still amazes me how many people haven't figured out through player that there is a difference. Fines don't make you wanted and don't get you shot at because you have to pay them off at the faction that issued them, and they come from things like firing in the no fire zone, pad loitering, etc. Even smuggling is usually just a fine. BOUNTIES on the other hand come from attacking and/or killing another player. Bounties cause WANTED to appear above your heat signature, and if you go into a system map and move over the station wanted will appear above all the ones that will shoot at you if you get scanned at them.


On topic: I exclusively play in open, but even doing the rare run around lave (reportedly a busy place) I only see maybe 2 other player per system IF that, and once I get to the fujin side of the run I generally see none. Honestly I think its more to do with their p2p service than anything.
 
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I bought elite for solo as a reminder of 1984 but I'm sure I will play in the open too.

I might even default to open and see how it goes...

Don't kill me!!!! 8)
 
A big selling point in Elite is the ability to play in a real dynamic universe with other human players,

I play with other players - in a private group. Just because you don't see someone in open, does not mean they are in solo.


much of the criticism comes from not enough contact with a vibrant MMO community,

With a solo mode and only 32 players per instance, the only thing about this game that is "massive" is the area to play in. I wish this had not been branded an MMO, as that is what misleads people into thinking WOW style (or EVE style) social hubs - and the game cannot do those types of hubs.

and it seems increasing numbers of players are now playing in Solo mode.

Do you not read the rest of the forums here?
I've lost count of the "I've been killed by another player for no reason" topic threads. Check the beta/gamma forum archive for all the prophecies (for lack of a better word) on how open would devolve in to a griefers paradise and compare the threads over the past week, until there is a real hard definition of what griefing is in the game and ways to prevent it, people will go to solo or private groups.

If you want something like an MMO feel, join Mobius - at least you will see other players (it is consensual PvP only however)

I'm calling on players to play in open play

People will play how they want to play - if you want more people in open, call on the griefers to not be [insert your own insult to griefers here]

and you have insurance to provide protection.

Insurance is not "protection" - and the loan system has an upper limit that does not help with anything bigger than a Type 6.
Specious argument at best. Out right lie at worst.

I respect that Elite was a single player game,

So why the thread then? Most of the KS backers are '84ers who want the old Elite with todays graphics - that is what they have under solo mode, "calling on them" to play how you want not what they want is not showing respect for them.

but the MMO universe isn't that hostile,

Again, yes it is, read the forums and you will see that it is.

and I feel maybe in some ways its time we moved on from 1984,

So, apart from wanting others to play how you want them to play, you want to be condescending about it and your defence of it - I counter with, we've had these threads for months in Beta and Gamma, I feel it is time we all grew up and moved on from being concerned over how others play the game and be more concerned over how we play the game.

Perhaps once the problem people understand how they are the reason they are running out of targets and others are still enjoying the game without them, they will learn to play nice with others - until then, solo and private groups will flourish, people will enjoy the game and life will go on and the river of griefers tears will eventually dry up as they get bored with private groups laughing at them as they have no one to cause grief to.
 
I always play in open play except on very rare occasions where I need internet bandwidth for something else. In fact since launch I've been 100% open, apart from that one time I needed to take a high-res screenshot of something - really annoying that they removed the ability to do this in Open. I'm mostly in the Empire systems around Sorbago, and only occasionally do I come across other Commanders. Would love to see more players, but it is a damn big universe.

But I believe part of the problem is all these reactionary/exaggerated threads about Open play being a griefathon, which obviously puts people off. The reality is that player attacks are very rare outside of certain systems (the core systems and event systems) or conflict zones. Since gamma I have been attacked by another Commander only twice outside of a conflict zone. Both times I was interdicted, and both times they fled because they could see I meant business by submitting to said interdiction and and immediately deploying weapons. But so what if they had destroyed me - I always have the insurance money covered and it's part of the game.

I've had 12 interdiction attempts all of them from NPC's, most I avoided, two did some damage early on in the game, one almost killed me it was three Eagles, and more recently, one I killed and one ran, and as you say the insurance is there.

I get there may be some issues with docking though (although I've always been able to dock given a minute or two's patience)

I agree it seems people think the open play is some mass of immature teenagers slaughtering any player nearby. Whereas I see it more as a cooperative opportunity, I am socially aloof and boring as anyone probably is, but just knowing there are people making decisions that affect you, I guess I'm trying to ask people to consider it, like you say, that its not something to fear.

At the moment I couldn't see a group of players forming a fleet of ships which perform distinct roles, and sharing the spoils (for example a mining/refinery ship with some security), with players rotating the roles, or exploration in a fleet. I'm not even sure I'd feel too ready to interact just yet and form some collaborative agreement, but it would be nice if it felt like it could happen.
 
ideas to create more chances to meet players:

- create a network galaxy stargates (like a star shaped network 10 highways from systems 20 jumps apparts, starting from neaby core to the wings, think the x series egosoft round artifact type). This will create alot of traffic near the entrance/exit of each of those jumps, and also makes those systems a bit 'special' and that would be cool.

Not sure this would fit with the accurate representation of our galaxy

- create a heatmap of "number of players in the system" in the galaxy view. that would indicate the zone with high level of peeps, and probably increase the population of systems already highmy populated.

Etienne

I like this idea and have read it suggested elsewhere. Knowing where the majority of players are located would be very helpful for social elements (although would help naughty grieferes!)
 
Until last night I played solely in open mode. However the straw that broke the camel's back was a cloud of 15 ships, mainly CMDRs, trying to dock at the one crummy outpost that I needed to dock at. Docking request denied. Docking request denied. Exit to solo play and bam! Noone in sight. Probably not going to go back until multiplayer features are expanded upon.
 
I used to play solo or a PvE group only, until saw some posts on how "safe" open play was.
So i tried it, and yes perfectly safe, i now just play open all the time, no fear at all perfectly safe mostly.

And that is the problem, thats why open is not exciting, even PvP'ers arn't bothered about open, it is rare to see human players.
Open should be dangerous, exciting, risky, losing your ship often, scared of traveling through Anarchy systems.
But it is not. And until it is, it will not attract people to play in it.
 
I play with other players - in a private group. Just because you don't see someone in open, does not mean they are in solo.




With a solo mode and only 32 players per instance, the only thing about this game that is "massive" is the area to play in. I wish this had not been branded an MMO, as that is what misleads people into thinking WOW style (or EVE style) social hubs - and the game cannot do those types of hubs.



Do you not read the rest of the forums here?
I've lost count of the "I've been killed by another player for no reason" topic threads. Check the beta/gamma forum archive for all the prophecies (for lack of a better word) on how open would devolve in to a griefers paradise and compare the threads over the past week, until there is a real hard definition of what griefing is in the game and ways to prevent it, people will go to solo or private groups.

If you want something like an MMO feel, join Mobius - at least you will see other players (it is consensual PvP only however)



People will play how they want to play - if you want more people in open, call on the griefers to not be [insert your own insult to griefers here]



Insurance is not "protection" - and the loan system has an upper limit that does not help with anything bigger than a Type 6.
Specious argument at best. Out right lie at worst.



So why the thread then? Most of the KS backers are '84ers who want the old Elite with todays graphics - that is what they have under solo mode, "calling on them" to play how you want not what they want is not showing respect for them.



Again, yes it is, read the forums and you will see that it is.



So, apart from wanting others to play how you want them to play, you want to be condescending about it and your defence of it - I counter with, we've had these threads for months in Beta and Gamma, I feel it is time we all grew up and moved on from being concerned over how others play the game and be more concerned over how we play the game.

Perhaps once the problem people understand how they are the reason they are running out of targets and others are still enjoying the game without them, they will learn to play nice with others - until then, solo and private groups will flourish, people will enjoy the game and life will go on and the river of griefers tears will eventually dry up as they get bored with private groups laughing at them as they have no one to cause grief to.

I haven't had the experience you describe, that's the problem, I'm just asking people to consider open play again.

EDIT: Also if Elite does turn out to be a modern rehash of 1984 I will certainly leave and carry on with my own Space research project, as I think it has the potential to be so much more. Also the original backers only provided a percentage of money, that doesn't give them a right to dictate to Frontier the scope of the games expansion, there were also big money backers who might want to see it accomplish something different.

I guess I'm a progressive, I see this big opportunity and it makes me sad that maybe the community is holding it back by demanding such a rigid experience.

I'm not suggesting abolish solo/group play, just that people consider open play now and then
 
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I don't think it's as simple a avoiding PvP by playing in Solo, as others have mentioned, there are ways to avoid PvP quite easily in Open.

What I think is an issue is the effect on System Influence and the story from within Solo play. If you want to play against factions that might be getting support from other players, that to me is a form of PvP (although significantly removed from direct, ship against ship, combat) and should only be possible in Open play.

I would suggest that when in Solo, actions that you take shouldn't have an effect on any faction's influence in the system.
 
ED Biggest design flaw and the reason its a lonely and soulless game is solo play. Such a shame they dint get the basics right because the stuff they did get right is good
 
I play a mixture of open and private group depending on my mood and rarely see any other commanders at all! The bottom line is the play area is massive and if you venture anywhere outwith the central systems you can carve out your own area of space and rarely see another sole. Whenever I do see a hollow shape on my radar I try to contact them but usually they zoom straight off.

I've often received comms as my FSD is counting down to boost me to the next system - I've jumped before I can reply!

It would be good if incoming comms where a little easier to notice, too - though hopefully thats coming with the "wings" update.

...I've been a big supporter of the game so far, but the community is certainly one thing that could alienate me and its quite depressing thinking about it.

Online game communities are 90% toxic - give people distance and anonymity and things quickly degenerate. This one is no different from all the others, I'm afraid. Don't let them get to you ;)

I just wish folks in open play would reply to my comms once in a while. LHS 3447 was very busy when I left, so it was not for want of trying. I'm in the back of beyond now and have not seen a player in days!

See above - don't always notice, sometimes the call comes in just as I'm FSDing away. I'm trying not to be anti-social, though. If not actually reaching out to folks yet.

So far I'm sticking to Solo. I read the forums before launch and hearing about all the exploits and the amount of money everyone was making turned me away from the idea of playing in Open. The billionaires keeping their bug money doesn't tempt me into Open now, either.

Go back and read the official replies to that stuff again. Those who received too big a refund will keep the excess (sometimes quite substantial). Anyone who used an exploit is being investigated and looking at an individual roll-back.

I rarely come across any other commander and if I do I'm quite happy to see someone else!

Me too, though I see about 5-6 every half hour or so, but I've barely moved from my start area. Waiting for the dynamic faction stuff to be activated/fixed and building some local rep for when it does :D

I have only played in Open mode so far but rarely seen other players. Seeing those hollow markers when I have just arrived in a system can be quite worrying and if someone starts following me to a station it makes me anxious about their intentions. I don't think (perceived) NPC threats have the same effect, so it does add something to the experience, even if it is a rare event.

I tend to lock and follow CMDR's a little when I see them - just to see what their name/ship/status is, see if I can get an idea what they've been up to! Sorry if I spook anyone! "Following you to a station" - maybe you are just going to the same place :)

I tend to fly my routes across systems in an arc - up/down out of the plane of all the orbits and arc back into the destination - soon lets me know if I'm being followed, and then I'll switch directions and speeds all over the place until my tail is clear again!

So yeah, I play mostly open, too. I do dip solo for an hour here or there, just to test some new mechanic I haven't tried my hand at yet without having to watch my tail/worry about accidently hitting a CMDR.

Play solo, play open. Its all good.
 
Even if everyone played Open. You still have the spread issue. Frontier simply made too many populated systems. They need to drasticly reduce the numbers of populated systems for the this game to have any meaningful player to player interaction outside the rare trade goods routes.

How many populated systems do we have anyway, 10000?
 
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Even if everyone played Open. You still have the spread issue. Frontier simply made too many populated systems. They need to drasticly reduce the numbers of populated systems for the this game to ahve any meaningful player to player interaction outside the rare trade goods routes.

Or they need to have a big enough incentive to draw people to certain systems. The conflict zones arent enough.
 
Open only for me too.

I don't get the argument that anyone is forcing anything onto anyone else, simply by suggesting Solo is unnecessary. Solo is unnecessary. To play solo, one simply needs (as has already been suggested here), to fly off to a less populated area of space.

I also don't quite believe all the tales of constant 'griefing' in the forums. I have seen none of it. Not a single instance. No stations surrounded by Pirates or griefers, ransacking poor players as they dock, or depart. No players pulling me out of SC, following me through every jump, killing me for no reason and then laughing as they fly off.

I'm sure that some PvP battles do occur, as they should and that for the loser, it isn't always great. However, it is supposed to be one Galaxy we are in, not as many Galaxies as there are players.

However, if someone wants a purely single player Elite, then that's fine really. I only object to those who wish to 'dabble' between Open and Solo, for reasons only they know and the rest of us can only imagine.
 
Even if everyone played Open. You still have the spread issue. Frontier simply made too many populated systems. They need to drasticly reduce the numbers of populated systems for the this game to have any meaningful player to player interaction outside the rare trade goods routes.

How many populated systems do we have anyway, 10000?

I think you would see the same kind of social system emerge where you had heavily frequented areas and sparse areas, so I don't agree that the games scale would have such an effect.
 
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