Greetings! Below you can find all of the Questions and answers combined into one post. Please use this thread to discuss the AMA.
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David Braben Powerplay AMA General Discussion - Qs & As in one place
- Thread starter Edward Lewis
- Start date
From CdrTwisted:
Does this mean the existing missions are staying but there will be more, or are the existing missions getting a good scrub?
It’s a mixture of both. The core mission system has been completely overhauled to allow better support and extensibility – which means we can do more with it as we move forwards both now and beyond the Powerplay update. Two main examples for the Powerplay update is the ability to find mission ships in supercruise and ambient traffic - so not just in USSs. There’s also better integration of mission branching in the inbox.
Hi Mobius - this is something we will look at in the future, but is not part of Powerplay.
He is involved in one of the Powers...
Yes, there will be a beta test. We're planning to announce the dates, as Michael would say, "soon" ;-)
I think it said this in the newsletter. You can be aligned with multiple Powers, but only one at the same time. Defections should be fun... and will have consequences.
There has been a considerable discussion on the practicalities of what those God-like powers mean in the game. We see a path where the DDF (and perhaps other invited members of the community) have direct input into the Powers.
We are looking into ways we can make this work, but it will not be in Powerplay at day #1. Maybe even one of the powers could be driven directly by the DDF?
Sorry - just told Ed off for this on the great interview he gave on Twitch... It should be P-at-ree-us. ;-)
No - the Power's names need to remain consistent; we can't have them changing all the time.
For ones that have risen from a minor local faction by player action, we might be able to do something there.
Yes, they can access "global" news, but for system-local news, you need to be in the system in question.
I quite agree.
"Master" I think.
Yes, we're OK with it.
The same actions that support a Power can have a knock on effect for your wider reputation with a major faction in the same way as working with a minor faction does currently.
You're very welcome. It is the great team here that do all the work, though!
Minor Factions are small, relating to local governance (like running stations), Powers are much wider entities, with Major Factions above them. Effectively it is a new, intervening layer.
Yes. There is quite a bit of interrelation between the two.
We are looking in to this, but probably wont be in Powerplay.
That's not a problem. The Powers are separate from this, and not all Powers are linked to a Major Faction.
Yes and yes. Powers can be independently aligned and minor factions can become Powers if they are successful enough (although this is no easy task!). There’ll be a chance at this for an Old World resurgence around the time of the Powerplay launch – if the players should choose to back them.
Nice!
It's funny that many people have connected the original Elite and the Thatcherite world view from the time - but that is not why we made 'score' into money. Both Ian and I were not quite so politically savvy I think it would be fair to say, but were just frustrated about the rut games were in. I was annoyed that almost all games got a smart bomb (or equivalent) at 5000, and an extra life at 10,000. I wanted to be able to choose!
As for Powerplay, it is more of a way of broadening involvement in the story. It has been in the works long before the election fever in the UK started, and is more inspired by TV shows like the excellent "House of Cards" and "Game of Thrones" than current political battles.
Nice!
It's funny that many people have connected the original Elite and the Thatcherite world view from the time - but that is not why we made 'score' into money. Both Ian and I were not quite so politically savvy I think it would be fair to say, but were just frustrated about the rut games were in. I was annoyed that almost all games got a smart bomb (or equivalent) at 5000, and an extra life at 10,000. I wanted to be able to choose!
As for Powerplay, it is more of a way of broadening involvement in the story. It has been in the works long before the election fever in the UK started, and is more inspired by TV shows like the excellent "House of Cards" and "Game of Thrones" than current political battles.
There are escalating costs and supply line issues (based on the distance from the "capital"). Multiple Powers working together is possible, but it depends on the ethos of the Powers. I'm sure people will try this, and I'm sure others will attempt to sabotage it!
We will look at balance continuously, both during the beta and afterwards, but we want players to be changing the Galaxy.
It's possible a Major Faction gets brought down, but is very unlikely.
There’s already a player group trying to destroy the Alliance, for example.
Nowhere near as much as I'd like to... ;-)
Michael will be doing a 'crime special' in his next dev update... so I won't steal his thunder!
There is no exploration oriented Power, but there is a Power with exploration-specific perks...
For a minor faction to become a Power will be a major achievement, involving many systems.
There are some bug fixes to Wings in Powerplay coming, and we are continuing to look at all issues.
Certainly not!
Community goals will still be used in game, and can connect with Powerplay – for example: a campaign of goals to elevate a minor faction to a Power.
Yes, this could happen.
Medicine in 3301 is pretty good, so the Emperor may be in a coma for a while yet...
Also, just because you are paranoid doesn't mean they are not out to get you!
Firstly there won't be twenty to start with. It is likely to be ten when Powerplay first goes out. This gives room for more to come in later.
Currently there are no minor factions anywhere near being promoted to being a Power.
There already are... ;-)
Yes. Powerplay should do this.
You could start doing this now. We are not resetting the Galaxy or anything, and the current minor factions will carry over.
There is a slight wrinkle in that we are renaming some minor factions to ensure they have unique names. For the most part this is just adding the system name to make it unambiguous.
Joining powers is optional and you can continue to play the game as you do now if you don’t want to get involved. You do need to join a power to gain the perks, but changes to systems from being controlled by a power apply to anyone in that system.
In other words the markets and laws can change when the system Power changes.
Yes. Other things... ;-)
It can be more profitable, and it will apply to both players and NPCs.
What I had in mind has been there since Wings...
Players can defect from a power to join another at any time, but if they're highly ranked within the power then there could be repercussions. So if you chop and change a good deal you will end up with a lot of repercussions!
Unlike community goals, Powerplay is a swinging balance - ie solo players are also balancing solo players.
Quite a few real-life ones, like Barnard's Star.
For some of the Powers we are looking at Power-specific modules and weapons. More info to come. <<< Announcement. ;-)
It is still on the list...
Yes. Powers, and their associated characters will come and go. The 'go' will often be due to them dying...
They haven't been revealed yet...
Thanks!
The Imperial Courier is a shiny fast multi-role ship. Of course you can use it as a fighter, but it is not a specialist.
Imperial slavery is not unlike signing up to the army. You do what they say for a fixed period of time - and how acceptable this is, is very much the equivalent of the particular army you sign up to.
And yes, Powers can change what is illegal. I think Aisling Duval is trying to do this right now.
Thanks!
If you scan another ship, it will show the Power you are aligned to. This isn't quite the same as player bases as the Powers are regional - but it is close.
The carte blanche only exists within systems controlled by your Power and only apply against ships that are aligned with a Power of a different major faction to your Power. Powers interact with each other in different ways and combat is but one of those methods. How the Power is structured geographically will also guide which areas are potential hotspots. In some case Powers could provide a safety zone within their borders by their actions.
You're right. This has come up before too. There is some context here, but I think it is something we want to look at down the line.
Margaret Thatcher insisted on being "Prime Minister" when she took power (ie not "Prime Mistress") and many female actors are not known as actresses at their own request. Similarly women chairmen. So there is an argument that gender-specific roles will lose their specificity over time.
Can't imagine what you're referring to ;-)
The Alliance is a relative newcomer on the galactic stage, but we know the Alliance is a favourite with many players.
The Federation and Empire have both had hundreds of years to evolve their traditions and identity. For the Alliance this is little different from the Independent ships already available in game. That’s not to say that an Alliance ship building project might happen in the future, along with recruitment for the Alliance Navy. The trouble is Prime Minister Mahon finds it hard to get his members to agree...
Does this mean the existing missions are staying but there will be more, or are the existing missions getting a good scrub?
It’s a mixture of both. The core mission system has been completely overhauled to allow better support and extensibility – which means we can do more with it as we move forwards both now and beyond the Powerplay update. Two main examples for the Powerplay update is the ability to find mission ships in supercruise and ambient traffic - so not just in USSs. There’s also better integration of mission branching in the inbox.
Hi Mobius - this is something we will look at in the future, but is not part of Powerplay.
He is involved in one of the Powers...
Yes, there will be a beta test. We're planning to announce the dates, as Michael would say, "soon" ;-)
I think it said this in the newsletter. You can be aligned with multiple Powers, but only one at the same time. Defections should be fun... and will have consequences.
There has been a considerable discussion on the practicalities of what those God-like powers mean in the game. We see a path where the DDF (and perhaps other invited members of the community) have direct input into the Powers.
We are looking into ways we can make this work, but it will not be in Powerplay at day #1. Maybe even one of the powers could be driven directly by the DDF?
Sorry - just told Ed off for this on the great interview he gave on Twitch... It should be P-at-ree-us. ;-)
No - the Power's names need to remain consistent; we can't have them changing all the time.
For ones that have risen from a minor local faction by player action, we might be able to do something there.
Yes, they can access "global" news, but for system-local news, you need to be in the system in question.
I quite agree.
"Master" I think.
Yes, we're OK with it.
The same actions that support a Power can have a knock on effect for your wider reputation with a major faction in the same way as working with a minor faction does currently.
You're very welcome. It is the great team here that do all the work, though!
Minor Factions are small, relating to local governance (like running stations), Powers are much wider entities, with Major Factions above them. Effectively it is a new, intervening layer.
Yes. There is quite a bit of interrelation between the two.
Will be be able to express our allegiance to a power (and also, support the ongoing development
We are looking in to this, but probably wont be in Powerplay.
That's not a problem. The Powers are separate from this, and not all Powers are linked to a Major Faction.
Yes and yes. Powers can be independently aligned and minor factions can become Powers if they are successful enough (although this is no easy task!). There’ll be a chance at this for an Old World resurgence around the time of the Powerplay launch – if the players should choose to back them.
Nice!
It's funny that many people have connected the original Elite and the Thatcherite world view from the time - but that is not why we made 'score' into money. Both Ian and I were not quite so politically savvy I think it would be fair to say, but were just frustrated about the rut games were in. I was annoyed that almost all games got a smart bomb (or equivalent) at 5000, and an extra life at 10,000. I wanted to be able to choose!
As for Powerplay, it is more of a way of broadening involvement in the story. It has been in the works long before the election fever in the UK started, and is more inspired by TV shows like the excellent "House of Cards" and "Game of Thrones" than current political battles.
Nice!
It's funny that many people have connected the original Elite and the Thatcherite world view from the time - but that is not why we made 'score' into money. Both Ian and I were not quite so politically savvy I think it would be fair to say, but were just frustrated about the rut games were in. I was annoyed that almost all games got a smart bomb (or equivalent) at 5000, and an extra life at 10,000. I wanted to be able to choose!
As for Powerplay, it is more of a way of broadening involvement in the story. It has been in the works long before the election fever in the UK started, and is more inspired by TV shows like the excellent "House of Cards" and "Game of Thrones" than current political battles.
There are escalating costs and supply line issues (based on the distance from the "capital"). Multiple Powers working together is possible, but it depends on the ethos of the Powers. I'm sure people will try this, and I'm sure others will attempt to sabotage it!
We will look at balance continuously, both during the beta and afterwards, but we want players to be changing the Galaxy.
It's possible a Major Faction gets brought down, but is very unlikely.
There’s already a player group trying to destroy the Alliance, for example.
How much time do you get to play the game yourself? And have you ever done anything naughty like piracy??
Nowhere near as much as I'd like to... ;-)
Michael will be doing a 'crime special' in his next dev update... so I won't steal his thunder!
There is no exploration oriented Power, but there is a Power with exploration-specific perks...
For a minor faction to become a Power will be a major achievement, involving many systems.
There are some bug fixes to Wings in Powerplay coming, and we are continuing to look at all issues.
Certainly not!
Community goals will still be used in game, and can connect with Powerplay – for example: a campaign of goals to elevate a minor faction to a Power.
Yes, this could happen.
Medicine in 3301 is pretty good, so the Emperor may be in a coma for a while yet...
Also, just because you are paranoid doesn't mean they are not out to get you!
Firstly there won't be twenty to start with. It is likely to be ten when Powerplay first goes out. This gives room for more to come in later.
Currently there are no minor factions anywhere near being promoted to being a Power.
There already are... ;-)
Yes. Powerplay should do this.
You could start doing this now. We are not resetting the Galaxy or anything, and the current minor factions will carry over.
There is a slight wrinkle in that we are renaming some minor factions to ensure they have unique names. For the most part this is just adding the system name to make it unambiguous.
Joining powers is optional and you can continue to play the game as you do now if you don’t want to get involved. You do need to join a power to gain the perks, but changes to systems from being controlled by a power apply to anyone in that system.
In other words the markets and laws can change when the system Power changes.
Yes. Other things... ;-)
It can be more profitable, and it will apply to both players and NPCs.
What I had in mind has been there since Wings...
Players can defect from a power to join another at any time, but if they're highly ranked within the power then there could be repercussions. So if you chop and change a good deal you will end up with a lot of repercussions!
For fun
That said, it could be worth thinking about reducing the impact that solo & group players have on the political simulation.
Unlike community goals, Powerplay is a swinging balance - ie solo players are also balancing solo players.
Quite a few real-life ones, like Barnard's Star.
For some of the Powers we are looking at Power-specific modules and weapons. More info to come. <<< Announcement. ;-)
It is still on the list...
Yes. Powers, and their associated characters will come and go. The 'go' will often be due to them dying...
They haven't been revealed yet...
Thanks!
The Imperial Courier is a shiny fast multi-role ship. Of course you can use it as a fighter, but it is not a specialist.
Imperial slavery is not unlike signing up to the army. You do what they say for a fixed period of time - and how acceptable this is, is very much the equivalent of the particular army you sign up to.
And yes, Powers can change what is illegal. I think Aisling Duval is trying to do this right now.
Thanks!
If you scan another ship, it will show the Power you are aligned to. This isn't quite the same as player bases as the Powers are regional - but it is close.
The carte blanche only exists within systems controlled by your Power and only apply against ships that are aligned with a Power of a different major faction to your Power. Powers interact with each other in different ways and combat is but one of those methods. How the Power is structured geographically will also guide which areas are potential hotspots. In some case Powers could provide a safety zone within their borders by their actions.
You're right. This has come up before too. There is some context here, but I think it is something we want to look at down the line.
Margaret Thatcher insisted on being "Prime Minister" when she took power (ie not "Prime Mistress") and many female actors are not known as actresses at their own request. Similarly women chairmen. So there is an argument that gender-specific roles will lose their specificity over time.
ROFL!!!
Brian
Can't imagine what you're referring to ;-)
The Alliance is a relative newcomer on the galactic stage, but we know the Alliance is a favourite with many players.
The Federation and Empire have both had hundreds of years to evolve their traditions and identity. For the Alliance this is little different from the Independent ships already available in game. That’s not to say that an Alliance ship building project might happen in the future, along with recruitment for the Alliance Navy. The trouble is Prime Minister Mahon finds it hard to get his members to agree...
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Awesome Q&A! Thanks very much to David and the team for the opportunity to quiz the Chairman.
Will unanswered questions be examined at a later time?
Would also like to know this. There were a fair few that were asked repeatedly (both today and yesterday) but not answered.
Thanks for the Q&A anyway
.
Thank you for this post of all the answers combined. This is clearly something I will look at in the future. It is still on the list.
Pity there was no answer to the 'Can player groups ever get promoted to Powers" questions.
Before you give yourself heartburn; I'm only talking about those groups who have added substantially to the colour and excitement of the game and FD would always remain the arbiter of which group has 'qualified' and by which standards. Nor am I asking for those 'promoted' groups be given extra powers or benefits from that promotion - other than for their name to be among the Powers. Day to day running, rewards and what have you would be done by the game.
For me this would be something that would get groups involved in the game more intensely, knowing that if they keep up the work and create and add to the exciting backstory of Elite: Dangerous, they will be rewarded.
Before you give yourself heartburn; I'm only talking about those groups who have added substantially to the colour and excitement of the game and FD would always remain the arbiter of which group has 'qualified' and by which standards. Nor am I asking for those 'promoted' groups be given extra powers or benefits from that promotion - other than for their name to be among the Powers. Day to day running, rewards and what have you would be done by the game.
For me this would be something that would get groups involved in the game more intensely, knowing that if they keep up the work and create and add to the exciting backstory of Elite: Dangerous, they will be rewarded.
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What about the questions from yesterdays thread? We were led to think that David has been answering those in a separate thread, but i dont see anything like that.
It would still be nice if they would just post what is necessary for ranks. As of right now, I have to consider all existing data invalid.
It's dubious on purpose. You're meant to work toward it and be surprised by it when it happens. The Pilots Federation is monitoring your progress and promote you when they feel you've earned it. The actual game programming is intentionally secret - there's seemingly multiple contributors to it as well as a somewhat random +/- factor.
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Yeah, have to say, I was kind of under that impression as well.
What is AMA vs. Q&A? Ask Maybe Answer?
Sorry, just never seen the acronym- should spell these things out first.
Q&A on Power Play was appreciated, but I think an under-utilization of Mr. Braben. Hundreds of questions came before the live session, he could just as well have posted an answer sheet to them like the first post in this thread. No way he could keep up with slew of posts coming at him. This type of thing would be better as a surprise where DB just shows up in an active thread and starts posting. He will get questions he doesn't want to answer either way.
I miss his visionary development videos and peeks at clouds and PG discussion about where he wants to take Elite development. The vision stuff is where he shines and what he should still be doing to stoke the flames. I know FD has to be careful not to make a "promise" to deliver X until it is coded, but now that sales are past the bull scenario and Xbox sales haven't even started it would be good to get some vision of expansion plans more than 4 weeks out. I'm stoked to use my expansion passes, maybe there will be a DDF resurgence for future design decisions at least for major expansions? I am curious about many uncoded DDF items.
Anyway, all at FD you are doing great work, so keep it up, have a restful spring weekend and hits the ground running again Monday.
Cheers!
Sorry, just never seen the acronym- should spell these things out first.
Q&A on Power Play was appreciated, but I think an under-utilization of Mr. Braben. Hundreds of questions came before the live session, he could just as well have posted an answer sheet to them like the first post in this thread. No way he could keep up with slew of posts coming at him. This type of thing would be better as a surprise where DB just shows up in an active thread and starts posting. He will get questions he doesn't want to answer either way.
I miss his visionary development videos and peeks at clouds and PG discussion about where he wants to take Elite development. The vision stuff is where he shines and what he should still be doing to stoke the flames. I know FD has to be careful not to make a "promise" to deliver X until it is coded, but now that sales are past the bull scenario and Xbox sales haven't even started it would be good to get some vision of expansion plans more than 4 weeks out. I'm stoked to use my expansion passes, maybe there will be a DDF resurgence for future design decisions at least for major expansions? I am curious about many uncoded DDF items.
Anyway, all at FD you are doing great work, so keep it up, have a restful spring weekend and hits the ground running again Monday.
Cheers!
while i am very greatfull for the answers currantly on this list i feel like alot of them seemed like the same kinda questions and alot of the more popular questions that were asked on the thread from yesterday were missed out, this just seems to be answers to powerplay related questions only pretty much i was under the impression it was "ask anything" or was i greatly mistaken?
Thanks for the info, Mr. Braben. Can't wait for 1.3!
QUOTED FROM OP QA -
From Matlok:
The Empire have a couple of great ships that adds to the empirical identity. The mighty federation also have ships to call their own. I really love the Alliance, yet I feel they have been very neglected by the defs. Currently, there is no real reason to rank up in their systems, for there is no real reward. With Powerplay, will there be some content for the Alliance faction?
Braben's Post:
"The Alliance is a relative newcomer on the galactic stage, but we know the Alliance is a favourite with many players.
The Federation and Empire have both had hundreds of years to evolve their traditions and identity. For the Alliance this is little different from the Independent ships already available in game. That’s not to say that an Alliance ship building project might happen in the future, along with recruitment for the Alliance Navy. The trouble is Prime Minister Mahon finds it hard to get his members to agree..."
Hey, that last statement he made....You guys do realize that he just gave away a MASSIVE hint right? - Any alliance players that want to see a navy, or a ship, or whatever it is, find these "members" that dont agree, and through powerplay, Take...them...out...lol - This is what I took from that statement. Find the factions that are aligned, or controlled or whatever by these council members and crush them, or improve other minor factions to the point where their leader gets put on the council so Mr. Prime Minister can get a group to agree on something
From Matlok:
The Empire have a couple of great ships that adds to the empirical identity. The mighty federation also have ships to call their own. I really love the Alliance, yet I feel they have been very neglected by the defs. Currently, there is no real reason to rank up in their systems, for there is no real reward. With Powerplay, will there be some content for the Alliance faction?
Braben's Post:
"The Alliance is a relative newcomer on the galactic stage, but we know the Alliance is a favourite with many players.
The Federation and Empire have both had hundreds of years to evolve their traditions and identity. For the Alliance this is little different from the Independent ships already available in game. That’s not to say that an Alliance ship building project might happen in the future, along with recruitment for the Alliance Navy. The trouble is Prime Minister Mahon finds it hard to get his members to agree..."
Hey, that last statement he made....You guys do realize that he just gave away a MASSIVE hint right? - Any alliance players that want to see a navy, or a ship, or whatever it is, find these "members" that dont agree, and through powerplay, Take...them...out...lol - This is what I took from that statement. Find the factions that are aligned, or controlled or whatever by these council members and crush them, or improve other minor factions to the point where their leader gets put on the council so Mr. Prime Minister can get a group to agree on something
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