Concerned About the Future

[Alex Brentnall]

Player groups.

Get involved with a group like the Fuel Rats or Iridium wing or even SDC if that tickles your fancy. Find something you enjoy and people you want to talk to. The co-op play is addictive and suddenly you loose an evening or a weekend and realise you wanted to increase your imperial rank but didn't even get round to finding some missions (my problem currently ).

I do kinda agree though there could be more from FDev side to guide people in game to the alien invasion and player groups and stuff like that. Most of the galnet and the other stuff can be completely ignored. Give us the Mass Effect Elevator style newsbeats when at stations, give us player made adverts for their groups and things like that to point out places to go and things to do.

The Engineers despite the hate was a good start: "Oh you want this mod, well I need you to go do some mining, and srv stuff, and combat, and trading." <- If you want the mod you are forced to try and experience new things.

 

[Marak]

If you don't feel like playing ED for a while - that's fine.

I spent 2 months not feeling like playing Elite while I played Witcher 3 and I didn't feel guilty.

I came back though and played ED more (I had to have a couple of weeks off when Witcher DLC dropped) and I'm still having fun.

I'm sure I'll spurn ED again soon, for another game - but it's gotta be really good to stop me coming back.

 

[Robert Maynard]

No one would ever get bored if we were allowed free flight, like in previous Elites.

I expect that they would - as there can be no time compression in a multi-player game (not even in Solo as we all experience and affect the same single shared galaxy state) - getting anywhere even remotely distant would take far too long.

 

[Macros Black]

Heard about the Outlander Challenge, cleared save, signed up, traveled to Jaques, and I'm now flying my Sidewinder in the nebula having a blast. Things are moving relatively fast, the new planetary base, Colonia Hub opened for business yesterday.

"The future will be better tomorrow"

 

[GODofDUTY83]

I hope they'll introduce new stuff to achieve, new stuff to find. Especially since money is so easy to get now QUOTE]

Easy cash right now will probably be negated once you go hunting aliens and realize their killing machines.

 

[Cupcake]

*Mod hat off

Obviously all games will improve given time and resources, Elite will probably be no exception. But I think I have read "concerns about the future" threads since the Beta was first launched sometime in Q2 2014. Almost 2 years and a half later (and almost 3 since first playable alpha content in 2013), here we are.

And yet there are STILL lots of players who feel the same as the OP...... It really does beg the question     is FD thinking about? Either they have gone out on a limb an given the players the game they always wanted (totally sandbox and totally without linear paths) OR they tried to do something else and failed, miserably. I think its the latter and saying that its the players fault for NOT being inspired to play is ridiculous, thats just a cop-out. I STILL dont see hopw they are going to even finish Horizons, let alone release another expansion. And at the pace they are setting, it will take all of the much touted "10 year plan" to finish planetary landings.....

 

[jasonbarron]

Heard about the Outlander Challenge, cleared save, signed up, traveled to Jaques, and I'm now flying my Sidewinder in the nebula having a blast. Things are moving relatively fast, the new planetary base, Colonia Hub opened for business yesterday.

"The future will be better tomorrow"

I'm never going to clear my save, but I've been feeling the pull to make a new start for myself at Jaques more and more. My problem is that after only 1500 hundred hours there are still so many things I want to accomplish in the bubble...

 

[Marc_Hicks]

First off, I love Elite Dangerous. I thank Frontier for giving us this work of art and their support for these new content updates. Easily my favorite game by far.

This is NOT a "complaining" post, it's a "concerned" post.

Elite Dangerous is FUN and in it's own right, a fantastic game. That isn't to say that it isn't without its problem. The main issue, content.
For many players, once they get one of the "ultimate" ships in the game and have their millions, it becomes a difficult task to find a purpose. I myself have run into this issue. I WANT to play every night, but I really don't know what to do. Last night I setup my x52 and TrackIR, loaded up Elite and sat there thinking, "what do I want to do". I couldn't decide so I shut the game off and played something else. Sure, I could do Powerplay but it isn't my cup of tea and I unfortunately have no interest in it. I want to go from my 'Conda to a Cutter but I don't want to finish grinding from from Viscount to Duke (my problem, I know), and I like the "idea" of the Engineers but for some reason which I can't explain, something just throws me off of it.

I know the game will be amazing down the road when more content gets released but how long until then? I don't know much about game development or how long expansions take but it seems to take a while for content to get released as compared to other games. I'm sure there is a very good reason for it but when the updates seem hit or miss, each expansion seems to take FOREVER. When I say 'hit or miss' i'm talking about updates that don't seem to be well liked by the majority (I could be wrong here, just stating my perception of the situation) such as, CQC, Powerplay, and Engineers. I'm looking forward to our next update, but even then it doesn't seem to be adding much more in terms of goals. It also seems like the player base is slowing dwindling (I hope not).

I know this seems like a lot of ramblings but my main point is that Elite CAN become amazing one day once more expansions are released (FPS, atmospheric landings, multi-crew) but I'm concerned the game won't last until then. These expansion (not multi crew) are 3-4 more years away (I'm guessing). What if the player base dies to a point where they give up on expansions and keep the game as is? I would be so sad.

I'm just stating my point of view. Do you guys feels the same? If not, please explain. Please keep the comments clean and be respectful of other CMDRs posts.

Thanks and fly safe.

EDIT: Corrected spelling

You're right that this isn't a genuine "complaint" thread. You put forward a number of reasonable concerns in a calm and considered manner-& for that I will rep you .

For my part, yes I do want to see more content added to the game, but no it is not currently impacting my in-game experiences at the moment. I have seen multiple posts-from the developers-that they are looking towards overhauling Power Play and The Military before this season is over-& that's going to make a *huge* difference to me when it comes.

In the meantime, though, I am really enjoying the experience of playing the scoundrel and working the BGS on behalf of a number of Anarchic factions, I am also really enjoying using the Engineers.....and I am looking forward to all the gameplay and visual changes coming in 2.2. My advice to you is to keep playing the game, but maybe keep your game-play time limited until the end of season 2.

- - - - - Additional Content Posted / Auto Merge - - - - -

The problem that people have is that it's also pointless. You have to make your own goals and so on.

Power Play was supposed to give people a point to play but it has totally failed.

ED desperately needs a real way to create a meaningful reason to log in every night.

All they need to really improve Power Play is to offer up even more channels via which you can improve/undermine the position of a power. Explicitly linking the Powers to specific factions in a system, and explicitly linking their fortunes into the system type and BGS would help a huge amount

 

[Marc_Hicks]

I'm never going to clear my save, but I've been feeling the pull to make a new start for myself at Jaques more and more. My problem is that after only 1500 hundred hours there are still so many things I want to accomplish in the bubble...

I cleared my save after 2.1 launched.....best decision I ever made. It made the game feel so fresh and new....doubly so thanks to all the great stuff 2.1 added. I reckon I will do the same on a yearly basis now.

 

[Limoncello Lizard]

"what do I want to do". I couldn't decide

This is when you should do something stupid.

 

[CaptainSeriousFun]

The problem that people have is that it's also pointless. You have to make your own goals and so on.

Power Play was supposed to give people a point to play but it has totally failed.

ED desperately needs a real way to create a meaningful reason to log in every night.

These posts remind me of how two people can look at the very same thing, and have diametrically opposed thoughts on what that thing is...in all kinds of different aspects of life, not just in this circumstance where I see the point of the current E experience, enjoy doing PP every now and then, and have a real and meaningful reason to log in to E every day...and you see the opposite. And as I'm reminded of that, I simply hope that those who think as I do number enough players to keep E on course and becoming, every year. If not, that's sad, but that's okay too...Frontier, be true to your vision of a player, small, in a big galaxy where the galaxy itself is the big dog and the player likely can never be, where life is hard an space can be deadly, but where you can make it, and see and do truly unique individual and group things. I've been around since 1984, and I'll still be around.

 

[Straha Yeagar]

These posts remind me of how two people can look at the very same thing, and have diametrically opposed thoughts on what that thing is...in all kinds of different aspects of life, not just in this circumstance where I see the point of the current E experience, enjoy doing PP every now and then, and have a real and meaningful reason to log in to E every day...and you see the opposite. And as I'm reminded of that, I simply hope that those who think as I do number enough players to keep E on course and becoming, every year. If not, that's sad, but that's okay too...Frontier, be true to your vision of a player, small, in a big galaxy where the galaxy itself is the big dog and the player likely can never be, where life is hard an space can be deadly, but where you can make it, and see and do truly unique individual and group things. I've been around since 1984, and I'll still be around.

I'm in the same camp as you. Always plenty of stuff to find to do, plenty of reason to log in every day. Only problem I have is being able to log in every night...pesky real life and all that

 

[DogsBody]

Can't you simply ignore engineer mods/materials and do whatever things you did before and enjoyed? Nothing was removed from the game with 2.1.

The problem with engineers is that if you play in open, you can't ignore them, as an engineered ship will totally wipe the floor with a non engineered one.

 

[Lobstris]

The problem with engineers is that if you play in open, you can't ignore them, as an engineered ship will totally wipe the floor with a non engineered one.

Whilst it's true that an engineered ship will outclass a non-engineered one, that's only a problem if you're seeking pvp. I've not died to player or NPC since 2.1 hit, I don't have any engineer's mods, and aside from the better AI, the game plays as it always did.

As to the OP, my main concern for Elite is that there won't be enough people playing in the future to economically justify the development of an atmospheric landings expansion. That's pretty much all I want out of the game now, given that the potential from the DDFs doesn't seem to be being realised. But I can't complain too much that I've racked up 1200+ hours in a kickstarter game.

 

[DogsBody]

<snip>...Frontier, be true to your vision of a player, small, in a big galaxy where the galaxy itself is the big dog and the player likely can never be, where life is hard an space can be deadly, but where you can make it, and see and do truly unique individual and group things. I've been around since 1984, and I'll still be around.

I totally agree with the above. I've been a fan of Elite since the original in 1984 and for me the whole point of the game is to live the life of a lone pilot in the big, bad universe, making your way however you choose. Elite has always been about the lone pilot in a small ship and to me that is how it should stay, which is why I'm always opposed to requests for ever bigger ships and even player stations / bases - that just isn't Elite.

Elite had the "problem" when it was released way back when, in that it didn't set the player any goals and that kept many publishers from wanting to take the game. To me that "problem" was one of its biggest selling points, it doesn't tell you what to do, you make your own goals and go do them. Now more than ever, players struggle with that idea and expect a game to have targets and achievements set for them that they have to complete to feel they are completing the game - that simply isn't what Elite is about.

 

[Cosmos]

First off, I love Elite Dangerous. I thank Frontier for giving us this work of art and their support for these new content updates. Easily my favorite game by far.

This is NOT a "complaining" post, it's a "concerned" post.

Elite Dangerous is FUN and in it's own right, a fantastic game. That isn't to say that it isn't without its problem. The main issue, content.
For many players, once they get one of the "ultimate" ships in the game and have their millions, it becomes a difficult task to find a purpose. I myself have run into this issue. I WANT to play every night, but I really don't know what to do. Last night I setup my x52 and TrackIR, loaded up Elite and sat there thinking, "what do I want to do". I couldn't decide so I shut the game off and played something else. Sure, I could do Powerplay but it isn't my cup of tea and I unfortunately have no interest in it. I want to go from my 'Conda to a Cutter but I don't want to finish grinding from from Viscount to Duke (my problem, I know), and I like the "idea" of the Engineers but for some reason which I can't explain, something just throws me off of it.

I know the game will be amazing down the road when more content gets released but how long until then? I don't know much about game development or how long expansions take but it seems to take a while for content to get released as compared to other games. I'm sure there is a very good reason for it but when the updates seem hit or miss, each expansion seems to take FOREVER. When I say 'hit or miss' i'm talking about updates that don't seem to be well liked by the majority (I could be wrong here, just stating my perception of the situation) such as, CQC, Powerplay, and Engineers. I'm looking forward to our next update, but even then it doesn't seem to be adding much more in terms of goals. It also seems like the player base is slowing dwindling (I hope not).

I know this seems like a lot of ramblings but my main point is that Elite CAN become amazing one day once more expansions are released (FPS, atmospheric landings, multi-crew) but I'm concerned the game won't last until then. These expansion (not multi crew) are 3-4 more years away (I'm guessing). What if the player base dies to a point where they give up on expansions and keep the game as is? I would be so sad.

I'm just stating my point of view. Do you guys feels the same? If not, please explain. Please keep the comments clean and be respectful of other CMDRs posts.

Thanks and fly safe.

EDIT: Corrected spelling

Perhaps take a break.. Come back fresh when 2.2 releases.. Its easy to burn out on any game..

 

[verminstar]

What happens in the community doesn't really bother me that much, although I would like to play in open and meet others, eventually...after some changes are made...if they ever get around to it.

I see this as a single player game so don't really think too far beyond 6 months...engineers just bored me in the extreme so made the choice not to bother with them at all. Hasn't really had that much of a detrimental effect on how much I enjoy playing the game, although I do understand that I'm left with a disadvantage...but the grind was just too frustrating and I don't have the motivation to be in the bubble that long.

Apparently FD have a ten year plan...I very much doubt I'll be around to see it because I'll have gotten bored with it long before that happens. Unless something changes that would benefit e personally in solo play, then I don't see meself here at all after xmas...hence I'm none too worried about the future. This was my first frontier game...right now it's good, but I honestly don't see meself playing any other offerings from them now that I have seen how they operate...others just do the multiplayer thing better and they should have stuck to the single player side. Their issues are basically self inflicted.

Fairly sure that reply will ruffle the feathers of the fanbois but...if ye don't like the answer then don't ask the question ^^

 

[DogsBody]

Whilst it's true that an engineered ship will outclass a non-engineered one, that's only a problem if you're seeking pvp. I've not died to player or NPC since 2.1 hit, I don't have any engineer's mods, and aside from the better AI, the game plays as it always did.

As to the OP, my main concern for Elite is that there won't be enough people playing in the future to economically justify the development of an atmospheric landings expansion. That's pretty much all I want out of the game now, given that the potential from the DDFs doesn't seem to be being realised. But I can't complain too much that I've racked up 1200+ hours in a kickstarter game.

I agree with you, if you avoid PvP then not being engineered isn't a hindrance to normal play and I'm currently doing just that. It does present a barrier to PvP though, to be competitive you need to invest a lot of time in engineers and some people just don't have that time available. This is one of my complaints with engineers, they make the entry level to a competitive PvP build harder to achieve and thus make it harder for someone to get involved in the PvP experience. To my mind PvP works best when all players can get a relatively competitive ship / avatar fairly quickly, it then comes down to your skill in building that ship / avatar and using it.

However, despite what some would say, PvP is only a small part of this game and there is plenty to enjoy without it. I went out to Jaques as part of the August Exodus and took part in most of the CGs there. The trip out was easily the furthest I've been in ED and having enjoyed getting "out in the black", I'm now making my way to Sagittarius A* in my Asp, just to say I've been there and to see what I can see along the way. The game won't give me any particular reward for getting there but thats not relevant to me, its the experience of the journey there that counts for me.