I love playing Elite Dangerous, I really do. However I see a pretty major flaw in player engagement with the universe.
Namely that the development team have a big universe in mind that players can affect. The simple truth is that you can't really. Sure you can grow an NPC power fraction, but there's little we can do on an individual or small group basis. I'm not sure why this is the case either. Because lets face it, other than affecting stock market and which system a power fraction claims there's not a lot to do but gain influence, rank and elite levels. Oh and of course cash. But from a personal POV you don't really get anything out of it other than credits, and perhaps unlocking a few new ships.
Now, with things like EVE Online, you can buy your own clan, invite people to join. Share loot, and communicate via message boards. You can as a team build stations, claim systems, etc etc. My question is... why not Elite? Every system in the game has fractions, and there's a lot of unclaimed systems in elite players can move into. But Elite Dangerous is kinda in a weird position where they are pushing community goals, with no real sense of community. You just sign yourself up to an NPC who pays you once a week, and causes you to get attacked a lot more. It's to my mind the worst part of having community game play (you can't individually affect the universe, and you can't engage in a story).
what to do about it?
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I would personally suggest, not a clan system. But a fraction system. The ability to grow your own company, invite other people to join, and gain influence in a system. This in turn can give players the right to "claim a space station" or "start a war and take someone elses". If the system is unclaimed, then perhaps a small outpost could a built illegally until you gain enough upgrades and influence in the sector for other systems to start recognizing you as a candidate for a new power. Then pay up the credits, declare your alligance to alliance, empire or federation and get involved in wars and politics that way. Perhaps even share mining rights and the ability to place bounties on people who come into your system.
Giving players something real, and tangible such as a station, a moon or a planet with perhaps the rights to name that world would mean that they are directly and realistically affecting the universe on group by group basis.
Namely that the development team have a big universe in mind that players can affect. The simple truth is that you can't really. Sure you can grow an NPC power fraction, but there's little we can do on an individual or small group basis. I'm not sure why this is the case either. Because lets face it, other than affecting stock market and which system a power fraction claims there's not a lot to do but gain influence, rank and elite levels. Oh and of course cash. But from a personal POV you don't really get anything out of it other than credits, and perhaps unlocking a few new ships.
Now, with things like EVE Online, you can buy your own clan, invite people to join. Share loot, and communicate via message boards. You can as a team build stations, claim systems, etc etc. My question is... why not Elite? Every system in the game has fractions, and there's a lot of unclaimed systems in elite players can move into. But Elite Dangerous is kinda in a weird position where they are pushing community goals, with no real sense of community. You just sign yourself up to an NPC who pays you once a week, and causes you to get attacked a lot more. It's to my mind the worst part of having community game play (you can't individually affect the universe, and you can't engage in a story).
what to do about it?
----------------------
I would personally suggest, not a clan system. But a fraction system. The ability to grow your own company, invite other people to join, and gain influence in a system. This in turn can give players the right to "claim a space station" or "start a war and take someone elses". If the system is unclaimed, then perhaps a small outpost could a built illegally until you gain enough upgrades and influence in the sector for other systems to start recognizing you as a candidate for a new power. Then pay up the credits, declare your alligance to alliance, empire or federation and get involved in wars and politics that way. Perhaps even share mining rights and the ability to place bounties on people who come into your system.
Giving players something real, and tangible such as a station, a moon or a planet with perhaps the rights to name that world would mean that they are directly and realistically affecting the universe on group by group basis.
