Design decision forum member

[Daneel]

DDF Pledger here and also first played Elite on the Acorn Electron and Atari 1040STe ...

@Cristari
It is very good to meet my E : D 'twin' DDF pledger! I too started out on the Acorn Electron way back in 1984-ish and then onto an Atari 520STe (with 1MB RAM upgrade I recall).

I remember spending forever crashing into the stations before finally figuring out how to dock. I'm sure that I thought that if you docked then you earned 'Elite'! I never made it to true Elite status but became 'Dangerous' on both the Electron and STe which seems kinda fitting given today's success.

 

[Stewart Forgie]

I first played Elite when it was released on the C64 and I will be in the DDF

 

[stephen_usher]

Elite history

The first time I played Elite was on the University College London Physics Common Room BBC micro using a joystick a friend had made out of a Tupperware pot and a roll of paper held together by Sellotape.

After the first couple of 9 hour stints I got reasonably good. ;-)

Later on I bought Elite for my ZX Spectrum but after flying on the Beeb I found it far too slow (one frame per second) and without the proportional joystick annoying.

Later, on my Atari 520STM I played with the new version but found the blobby projectiles, letterbox view port and treacle slow rotation speed horrid, relative to the snappy BBC Micro version.

Frontier followed, which I ran on my Atari TT030. Far more responsive on the TT than the ST, which had trouble keeping up.

Finally, Frontier: First Encounters was played on my 486DX2-66 based PC.

So, as you can see, I've played them all (other than ArcElite).

 

[Memnoch]

I will be in the DDF too. Looking forward to the idea of being able to influence, in however miniscule a way, the design of this game. I would assume that it would work like a poll of DDF forum members. Frontier put forward an idea with a number of choices, a bit like their various ship shield design variants, and then ask the DDF forum members what we think.

 

[Lortsamler]

How many users enjoyed Frontier and FFE as much or more than the various incarnations of Elite 1?

 

[G.D.R.]

I was only 8 when I started playing Elite (occasionally) and 12 when I moved on to Frontier (religiously, when it came out), so I'm in that camp.

 

[Mars]

The first time I played Elite was on the University College London Physics Common Room BBC micro using a joystick a friend had made out of a Tupperware pot and a roll of paper held together by Sellotape.

After the first couple of 9 hour stints I got reasonably good. ;-)

Later on I bought Elite for my ZX Spectrum but after flying on the Beeb I found it far too slow (one frame per second) and without the proportional joystick annoying.

Later, on my Atari 520STM I played with the new version but found the blobby projectiles, letterbox view port and treacle slow rotation speed horrid, relative to the snappy BBC Micro version.

Frontier followed, which I ran on my Atari TT030. Far more responsive on the TT than the ST, which had trouble keeping up.

Finally, Frontier: First Encounters was played on my 486DX2-66 based PC.

So, as you can see, I've played them all (other than ArcElite).

You also missed the Nintendo version.

 

[alexd]

3. Can I ask if there are any ELITE players here from 1984/85 that are part of that tier.

I am... I started with the BBC B at school, moving through the Spectrum and Commodore platforms at home, spending too many hours playing those! I still remember the Spectrum lenslock anti-piracy device...

The PC variants were bought, but I didn't invest as much time, so are less influential

Re: DDF, I have low expectations and was fortunate to be able to choose a tier that had this benefit

 

[HappyMonday]

How many users enjoyed Frontier and FFE as much or more than the various incarnations of Elite 1?

Frontier, but loved the Amiga Elite + too. The attempts at realism and the greater variety of Frontier overcame the less enjoyable combat.

 

[Memnoch]

I played way more Frontier on the Amiga than Elite. By the time F:FE came out for the PC I was a bit of an old hand at it and probably spent more time on that version that any other.

 

[Stachel]

The cynic in me points out that they say you're a member. Absolutely nothing about FD listening to you. So it could just be that you get to see what FD are talking about.

I'm interested, but, same as Styggron, it's nearly $500 for that level for me and, well, with a mortgage and a kid it's an aweful of lot disposable $$$. It's doable, but it's a stretch.

Agree with this. The only qualification for this level of access to the development process is an individuals ability or willingness to lob £300 at a video game. I'm not too worried about being excluded from the club. I think its more just a case of these people paid a ridiculous sum of money, so they get something to show for it. If they get input, great for them. If they get in-game perks, great for them. If they get anything I don't because they paid a lot more than I did, fair enough.

Ultimately though, FD make the game and DB makes the calls.

 

[Frobac]

I'm a '84 vintage player (but not a very good one) on the station naming tier.

Not really sure what to expect of the DDF - DB's mention of "godlike powers" was a little surprising. I had assumed it would be more a case of debating questions along the lines of "which of these designs do you like best?" or "how do you think this could be improved?". Whatever the DDF's remit, I will try my best to make a useful contribution.

 

[Stachel]

I'm a '84 vintage player (but not a very good one) on the station naming tier.

Not really sure what to expect of the DDF - DB's mention of "godlike powers" was a little surprising. I had assumed it would be more a case of debating questions along the lines of "which of these designs do you like best?" or "how do you think this could be improved?". Whatever the DDF's remit, I will try my best to make a useful contribution.

If you and all the other guys in this club paid £300 or more each to make Dangerous happen - I salute you and wish you nothing but Omnipotence. Without you this would never be a dream come true for the rest of us skinflints and paupers.

 

[locke]

Many sleepless nights playing FFE. Also played Jumpgate and EVE.
The main aim of my involvement in DDF is to ensure we never end up with pandas.

 

[robbiec]

DDF Member

Jumped from the access to alpha to ddf level in the last remaining hour or so. Just missed out on the BBC micro days, we had an Amstrad 464 but many an evening and weekends disappeared in the Elite world. Had Frontier as well, vaguely remember it being quite tricky to actually hit anybody
As regards the God like powers.... Every Universe seems to have their God's, could be an asset, could be a complete waste of time. I'm more interested in seeing how the development unfolds and the Frontier team's management of it. Already we are seeing a little bit of antipathy towards DDF members from some which is a shame but it's the Internet way, it's to be expected. Actually think ED will be immune to a lot of trolling we see in other game forums purely because the age group is actually generally advanced, so in theory should be more mature and thoughtful, well I'm hoping so anyway
S!
Robbie

 

[Memnoch]

You're never too old to be immature.

 

[nuke_bloodaxe]

Well I upgraded to DDF the day the announcement of what it would allow was put up. I'm particularly keen on looking at the various stat numbers, and seeing how the game evolves in particular.

I'll be doing my best to chime in every so often, but try to be sensible along the way. I have been in EVE for quite a while, and I know how brutal things can get if certain scenarios come into play, I'll be keeping an eye on things with that in mind [the game should be enjoyable, but also at the same time shouldn't be an absolute walk in the park ]

Anyway, it'll be interesting to participate in the grand adventure

[My experience with Elite is mainly from Frontier Elite 2 on the Atari STFM 1040, you had to be hard-core to play it on that because of the serious frame update issues.]

 

[stingray]

I just would like to point out that the Kickstarter campaign would have failed without the DDF (and above) pledges. So please, do not think badly of those who pledged more than most. We are in this together and a little respect goes a long way. I see the DDF members as the guardians of the flame who watch out and take care to keep us on course to get to our destination, in this case, the release of this marvelous game.

 

[AdamMellor]

Greetings,

Just letting ya'll know there's another DDF member around (me). Aussie down here, never been to Europe so I didn't realize initially what a big deal Elite: Dangerous was to you. Spoke to some English colleagues and they set me right.

I'm really looking forward to the world that DB & co will create with their PG skills. The galactic economy aspect of it is really appealing to me (and I am already thinking of some things to throw into the DDF pot).

I hope to be adding my values into the game & using my judgement to influence the AI behavior.

I am (now) a 33 year old time poor dink, who's partner does not mind him being on the computer at night (yay for me). I started playing games in earnest on the family's PC's, first and XT then a 486DX2-66 (that was great, it had a big hard drive and a go fast button - turbo). Yes I do understand that a 486 in the early 90's was a big deal.
First space sim I remember playing was Microprose HyperSpeed, too many hours, father actually tried to hide it from me on the computer. lets just say I was an enterprising child and found it .

Never played any of the Elite games (sorry), but I have started playing Oolite to get an understanding of the original & and understanding of your experiences. So far, slowly trading food and machinery between the start planets, cargo hold, fuel scoop or injectors (don't like the mass lock) ?

 

[Mack]

I just would like to point out that the Kickstarter campaign would have failed without the DDF (and above) pledges. So please, do not think badly of those who pledged more than most. We are in this together and a little respect goes a long way. I see the DDF members as the guardians of the flame who watch out and take care to keep us on course to get to our destination, in this case, the release of this marvelous game.

A quick calc shows that the 641 people in this tier and above have pledged £476,600.
So yup, you are indeed correct, neverminding the stretch goals, the main goal wouldn't have been reached.
£300 may seem a lot of money up front, but when you consider a MMO sub generally, eg WoW, if you'd have played since the start, then you would have paid (on 6 month plan) £646 for subs, and probably £150 (£30 each for game and expansions) over the period !!!