Code blockading Sothis

[xondk]

...and again, ED creaks under the attempts to do anything slightly emergent, and anything involving true piracy and/or blockading.

The mechanics at hand simply do no exist, or are too simplistic...

If only some layered mechanics/gameplay existed to support/allow all this to actually mean/achieve something.

Well its more a problem with scale really, because they do it with full or multiple wings to interdict their targets, they could do it much more efficiently if they split into groups of two, and track people down that way by staggering instances, as having a group hunting, while rest of the pairs of pirates sitting around at various spots in space outside supercruise, once team 1 has interdicted a target, team 2 can go into supercruise for next target, team 1 handles target, getting cargo and target leaves, they remain out of supercruise until team 2 has their target, repeat with as many people as necessary with as few in supercruise instance as possible...

There you go, simple instancing usage tip given

Edit: I mean like do you really need full wings to get a single trader/smuggler?

 

[ianw]

It's clearly obvious people want to be able to have some sort of more affect on the FD universe, and for people to be more accountable.

Here we have another "blockade" attempt which once again - for all the effort put into it - can achieve... zilth. Not one CR will be truly affected in the system. Not one law enforcement ship will change its behaviour. Not one economic outcome in the system will change. Not one policitcal outcome in the system will change...

Indeed the blockade can be totally ignored by simply choosing "SOLO" or "GROUP" while in SC...


I feel sorry for Code, and ultimately for the game too... Because as we "blaze our own trails," in ED we currently can't even move a spec of dust for want of trying given the current mechanics

Well yes - you can choose to ignore it by going into another mode - or you can choose to take it on - if you can get in the same instance of course.

But that is how it's been planned from the start - it's not as if people didn't know.

FD can tweak some things but enabling player blockades is not in their gift.

- - - Updated - - -

Well its more a problem with scale really, because they do it with full or multiple wings to interdict their targets, they could do it much more efficiently if they split into groups of two, and track people down that way by staggering instances, as having a group hunting, while rest of the pairs of pirates sitting around at various spots in space outside supercruise, once team 1 has interdicted a target, team 2 can go into supercruise for next target, team 1 handles target, getting cargo and target leaves, they remain out of supercruise until team 2 has their target, repeat with as many people as necessary with as few in supercruise instance as possible...

There you go, simple instancing usage tip given

Edit: I mean like do you really need full wings to get a single trader/smuggler?

Creative thinking - adapt!

No idea if it works mind you - but it sounds like a good plan.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Here we have another "blockade" attempt which once again - for all the effort put into it - can achieve... zilth.

Good. I don't want blockades in my game.

 

[glynie]

Stay calm. Follow these steps and you'll survive your encounter with the scourge of the galaxy:

1. Switch to solo play for 2 minutes.
2. Nice.

Have a lovely cup of tea.

 

[Kayin]

Props to CODE for doing this. This is amazing. It makes me want to go out there just to see if I can run the blockade. Bring it on!

10/10. would create pirate inviting thread whining about money making exploit again.

 

[NeilF]

Good. I don't want blockades in my game.

You've said that before and I'm still just as bemused by that statement as before...

If we consider a (possible) blockade (mechanic) as a very rare event, and something that would only last a week (or two), then in truth what's the problem? If you find a station blockaded, and you don't want to "take part", use a different station for a week or two...

I know for one, I want emergent gameplay where the galaxy can be affected, and can react. And most important I want interesting things to do to create these events, and interesting things to do because of theses event... The mechanics in ED are too rigid/simple at the moment. Even the much lauded economics doesn't work, yet alone the other emergent gameplay hinted at back in kickstarter. It's almost like people are just resigned to these disconnected mini-games we've been given

But we've had this discussion before


TBH.. Even if we just saw a properly designed blockade mechanic only used as part of a community goal I'd be happy. At least it would give some sort of variety and outlet for this sort of activity. Surely even you wouldn't begrudge a single system being blockaded for a few weeks once in a while?

 

[Mr_Blastman]

The answer is simple. Get some wings together and fight then out of the system. It isn't that hard! No need for solo. No need for private groups. Use those guns that Frontier gave those ships!

I'm sure there are enough people who have posted in this thread that would be willing enough to wing up and fight back.

 

[Bomba Luigi]

You've said that before and I'm still just as bemused by that statement as before...

If we consider a (possible) blockade (mechanic) as a very rare event, and something that would only last a week (or two), then in truth what's the problem? If you find a station blockaded, and you don't want to "take part", use a different station for a week or two...

I know for one, I want emergent gameplay where the galaxy can be affected, and can react. And most important I want interesting things to do to create these events, and interesting things to do because of theses event... The mechanics in ED are too rigid/simple at the moment. Even the much lauded economics doesn't work, yet alone the other emergent gameplay hinted at back in kickstarter. It's almost like people are just resigned to these disconnected mini-games we've been given

But we've had this discussion before


TBH.. Even if we just saw a properly designed blockade mechanic only used as part of a community goal I'd be happy. At least it would give some sort of variety and outlet for this sort of activity. Surely even you wouldn't begrudge a single system being blockaded for a few weeks once in a while?

Yeah great, System with Rares and the likes will have blockades all the Time, how great. Sol? Blockade. For a week you can go there again and then its closed again. you have permit? Does not matter. Because some user obviously are more imprtant and have more rights to acces these system then lousy people like me. I should be thankful for having less stuff to do and go! Doing what I what, such stupidy. I need to do what the Code wants.

I may pray to great ED players who are so much worth then I am. (Yes, that wasn't all that serious, but still)

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

You've said that before and I'm still just as bemused by that statement as before...

If we consider a (possible) blockade (mechanic) as a very rare event, and something that would only last a week (or two), then in truth what's the problem? If you find a station blockaded, and you don't want to "take part", use a different station for a week or two...
[...]
But we've had this discussion before

Yes we did. And like before I still don't want other players dictating where I can and cannot go. One of the reasons I bought Elite.

TBH.. Even if we just saw a properly designed blockade mechanic only used as part of a community goal I'd be happy. At least it would give some sort of variety and outlet for this sort of activity. Surely even you wouldn't begrudge a single system being blockaded for a few weeks once in a while?

No, unacceptable.

Counter question: what gives another player the right to prevent me from entering any system?

 

[Vandaahl]

I went to sothis and couldn't spot one blockader or pirate.

Good job.

They're prolly playing in a private group.

 

[Teldja]

It's clearly obvious people want to be able to have some sort of more affect on the FD universe, and for people to be more accountable.

Here we have another "blockade" attempt which once again - for all the effort put into it - can achieve... zilth. Not one CR will be truly affected in the system. Not one law enforcement ship will change its behaviour. Not one economic outcome in the system will change. Not one policitcal outcome in the system will change...

Indeed the blockade can be totally ignored by simply choosing "SOLO" or "GROUP" while in SC...


I feel sorry for Code as they are trying so very hard, but have so very little to work with. Ultimately I feel sorry for the the game though.. Because as we "blaze our own trails," we seemingly currently can't even move a spec of dust for want of trying given the current mechanics

If only pirate/aggressive behavior could bring about economic/law/political changes? Imagine if the game then bought into play dynamic policing changes etc etc. And imagine if (new) dedicated blockade mechanics could be kicked off under certain conditions, with traders deciding whether to run the risk of trying to get through or not (for the addition CRs?).


Anyway, as you imply, we are where we are

Players actions could affect the game world better yes.
And what is the game world ?
Us ? The Cmdrs ? We are nothing compare to the human civilization bubble in ED.
What happen between us can't impact the game world enough to make a real difference.

But what we need is, indeed, more feedback, responses, reactions, from the game world, the NPCs, the background simulation.

Right now, PvP can't really affect the game world but PvE can.
Because it is the only thing we all truly share, regardless how many instances are created.

 

[Majinvash]

The answer is simple. Get some wings together and fight then out of the system. It isn't that hard! No need for solo. No need for private groups. Use those guns that Frontier gave those ships!

I'm sure there are enough people who have posted in this thread that would be willing enough to wing up and fight back.

No Blastman No!!

If they did, that they might have fun and that would totally negate all their insults and posts about PVP.

They do not want to do this!

This is a PVE game and we must respect their ability to hide in Solo and Private, all while telling us on the forums how what we do in Open is wrong!

Majinvash
The Voice of Open

 

[Dixie]

No Blastman No!!

If they did, that they might have fun and that would totally negate all their insults and posts about PVP.

They do not want to do this!

This is a PVE game and we must respect their ability to hide in Solo and Private, all while telling us on the forums how what we do in Open is wrong!

Majinvash
The Voice of Open

Hey,

Can someone dig up that quote by DB saying, more or less, that pvp encounters would be sparse but meaningful or some such - I cant locate it. It seems there are still people out there that thinks Elite Dangerous is a PVP game with PVE elements.

This thread is veering in a certain direction. Time to merge! Autobots, combine!

Cheers,

 

[NeilF]

Yes we did. And like before I still don't want other players dictating where I can and cannot go. One of the reasons I bought Elite.

I don't like the fact other players can affect my trading route prices and mean me haing to find another one, but in truth it needs to happen even better/more than it does now... And not just with commodity prices. Mechanics across the board should be more complex and more interactive such that players can actually have a cause/effect on more things, and do so in more interesting ways. Ultimately we surely want more dynamic and interesting gameplay?

Given the opportunity of:-
- flying to a station... the same as every other time, ever...
- find the station under blockade (a very rare event) for reason X, and having to decide what I want to do...

I'd rather have the prospect of the second potentially happening, than more of the same over... and over... and over... And mroe importantly, if that also results in me being able to take part in it (supporting it or fighting it) via new gameplay mechanics, great! All the better!


Anyway, we digress.

Clearly there's an interesting for some players in supporting/breaking blockades. So I can't help but feel a new dedicated mechanic (even if just a sporadic community goal) could be popular, especially if it introduced some new gameplay elements...

 

[Zulu Romeo]

Not exactly an original plan.

 

[Teldja]

No Blastman No!!

If they did, that they might have fun and that would totally negate all their insults and posts about PVP.

They do not want to do this!

This is a PVE game and we must respect their ability to hide in Solo and Private, all while telling us on the forums how what we do in Open is wrong!

Majinvash
The Voice of Open

There is no "hide", there is only a choice of game mode.
Again, there is no wrong or right as it is a matter of personal taste and choices.
You will find a large number of players enjoying the Open Play mode.

PvP is a choice and it is a great feature because you'll only face players who have decided to "possibly" play with you.

 

[Commander Dave]

...and again, ED creaks...

There's no creaking here dude. The game is working as designed.

...under the attempts to do anything slightly emergent, and anything involving true piracy and/or blockading.

The mechanics at hand simply do no exist, or are too simplistic...

As if this was even an aim. Or a desirable outcome.

If only some layered mechanics/gameplay existed to support/allow all this to actually mean/achieve something.

Achieve?
A blockade should be impossible to "achieve". That's other people controlling my game and other peoples' games.
That is absolutely unacceptable. No one controls my game. I didn't invest in this so some at can tell me where I can and can't go.
I go where I will. When I will.
My advice to anyone would be to not get in the way.

 

[Mr_Blastman]

No Blastman No!!

If they did, that they might have fun and that would totally negate all their insults and posts about PVP.

They do not want to do this!

This is a PVE game and we must respect their ability to hide in Solo and Private, all while telling us on the forums how what we do in Open is wrong!

Majinvash
The Voice of Open

But... but... we should have choices! It should all be respected! There is no one true way to play except if...

If we shoot another ship, we're a psychopath.

If we cause conflict we should see a therapist.

If we say anything in chat we are spamming and being a nuisance.

If we play CQC we are destroying the game!

If we don't play CQC, it's because we can only shoot defenseless traders!

The list goes on.

Stand everyone. Stand and fight! It is not hard. And now that we have CQC to practice all we want (and have fun at it, too), there's no reason the community should not band together and enhance this wonderful emergent opportunity.

 

[chagnampra]

What is so wrong with Sothis from an overall ED point of view? when you could have a player who starts in the morning in a sidewider, and 8 hours later is flying a conda, something is very very wrong.

What utter, utter baloney! There is SO much of an exaggeration and knee-jerk reaction from peeps about the new Smuggling missions.

First of all, in order to benefit from the high-end paying smuggling missions at Sothis, a player would need to be well along in his journey to Trade Elite (at least Entrepreneur or Tycoon) - this requires MUCH more time and effort than you are suggesting. Second, he would have to have built up a rep with the various factions to get such missions. Third, a player in a Sidewinder would be far too vulnerable early on from attack in anything less than a fully knitted out Cobra (moving on to an Asp at the earliest opportunity, of course, for the cargo space).

Finally, why shouldn't a player (who may or may not be using the mission refresh 'exploit' - this term is used advisedly and is left for FD to judge) benefit from a legitimate in-game career path? It's about time Smuggling got some love!

As for CODE, what a joke! Why should a player be targeted by self-righteous players/ player-groups who feel that it isn't "fair" that such players are benefiting financially. Why should anyone care?? If you don't want to take advantage of Sothis and the like, don't bother taking the missions; and if you a currently engaged in targeting players who are taking advantage of Sothis, don't pretend you are doing anything other than just trying to ruin other people's fun under the guise of RP.

 

[Duane Dibbley]

Jack Sparrow is a nonsensical, romanticized, hollywoodian take on a pirate.
Real pirates don't just rob you, they also torture you, take your wife and force you to watch, kill her slowly, throw your kids in a firepit, and then they ransom you if they're in the mood.

Keep it light!