Design decision forum member

[Hamerstein]

Hi DDF member here, I signed on because David said I would have god-like-powers and I'm a meglo-maniac...

On a slightly more serious note, I first played Elite on the C64 in 1984 (or 5 - I lose count), played Frontier on the Amiga and while newtonian physics is a great model for a space sim, it made for pretty uninteresting combat - at least in Frontier's iteration of it.

I'm here not because I'm an innovator or the male descendent of the Oracle of Delphi (did she ever marry?) but because I think I can perhaps offer some modicum of sanity to what is probably going to be the web equivalent of bedlam for the next year or so. I do like brainstorming sessions and perhaps I can be of some help.

See you all around the forums.

 

[Jason Omega]

Another DDF with fond memories of Elite on a C64.

 

[echo]

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

Confirmed. Achieved Elite combat rating on BBC B Disk version.

 

[dobbinuk]

Another DDF member here as a result of a last minute 'Jonty'. I love space games but Elite is still the one that haunts my memories (in a good way). Whatever the level of contribution within the DDF, one area of interest to me is ensuring that a game is built that will stand the test of time. Looking forward to the journey.

Regards,
Lee H.

 

[Gromit]

Hello, I'm another of those DDF members.

I upgraded from Elite Founder to DDF level around about Christmas Eve, in the hope that I would be able to contribute to a much loved game of mine. Although way too much money to spend on a game, I thought it would be a once in a life-time opportunity, so here I am.

I originally bought the Spectrum 48K version of the game, after drooling over a game review of it in Your Spectrum or similar magazine. I seem to remember the user manual for the game was extremely well written and imaginative, and I am hoping we can capture some or all of that essence in the new game.

I have also played on the 128K Spectrum version of Elite, followed by Frontier (on Amiga, I think) and FFE on PC.

I've also played a lot of, or too many, other series of games including X-wing, Freespace, X, IWAR and Star-Trek, and most recently on the flying spaceships subject, Eve Online and FTL.

 

[Vaipa]

DDF members everywhere! Hi!

Same here. And since we're a lot of people and design by committee simply doesn't work it'll be amazing to see how things pan out

 

[Com.Vickers]

I have to admit that i am a bit jealous (in a very positive way!!!). But for me it was just impossible to go that step. When i see your options here, what is just a glimpse;

Many people have asked (via Reddit and elsewhere) whether the design discussion forum will continue post-release.

The up to 160 people on the DDF together with people from Frontier will have near god-like powers post-release. They will have access to live stats for the galaxy on rates of piracy, locations for player death, trade activity and so-on. They will decide how the galaxy will evolve. They will decide when famine (or plague) might arrive in a particular system. If, for example piracy is unusually high for a sustained period in a particular system how should the galaxy respond? Should an adjacent system send warships? Should it decay into anarchy and any government collapse? When we create a new ship type or variant How should we introduce it? How do we close down a particular game exploit - or do we? As you can see, the decisions will not stop at release.

then i get goosebumps. I'll hope you will steer the ship in the right direction guys and girls. go-go-go !!! I'll be with you in mind at least

 

[Andrew Sayers]

DDF members everywhere! Hi!

Same here. And since we're a lot of people and design by committee simply doesn't work it'll be amazing to see how things pan out

I started a little thread to discuss ideas to improve the panning process, but the forum is even busier than the KS comments were, so it got buried pretty quickly :s

Trying to walk the line between not spamming the forum and getting ignored in the hubbub. Suggestions welcome

 

[Juniper]

Another DDF member here. :smilie:

I don't think it's design by committee though - the decision rests with Frontier. What the forum will give them though is other perspectives that they may not have thought of themselves. 600 heads are better than 30. I don't think it'll come down to majority decision making.

Might be wrong, but nothing good ever came out of a committee - it needs to be one guy's vision primarily. And that guy is David Braben. :smilie:

 

[wayne nicoll]

Another DDF member here. :smilie:

I don't think it's design by committee though - the decision rests with Frontier. What the forum will give them though is other perspectives that they may not have thought of themselves. 600 heads are better than 30. I don't think it'll come down to majority decision making.

Might be wrong, but nothing good ever came out of a committee - it needs to be one guy's vision primarily. And that guy is David Braben. :smilie:

well said, they've already said this is the way it will be!

 

[Mark S.]

Hello all - yes, I'm in the DDF as well.

I'm not sure what to expect - but I'm sure it will be very interesting and great fun.

This game will be epic - if it is done right. So no pressure then!

 

[CharlesN]

I've been reading over a number of threads...wow, they are growing- and some great discussions and speculation! It's getting difficult keeping up with everything.

However, I'm probably going pass on reading the majority of them right now, though...because we're missing one pretty big thing: Frontier hasn't set a charter and charge to DDF members...yet.

I think I saw from either David or someone else on the Frontier team that the DDF forum is coming in the next week or so. I imagine that around that time we'll find out a little more about how our advice will be gauged and used.

I guess it's my IT Admin hat that has me holding off on getting involved in any of the heavier topics...it's too much like spinning my wheels in the mud and not getting anywhere really fast

ok...I'm off to do something else British...the US broadcast of Downton Abbey Series 3 is on tonight in the US!

 

[Synx]

I was 12 when i got hooked on elite.

Elite on Acorn Electron then bought an Amstrad PC1512.

I became DDF because that was the amount of money i had spare. I increased my pledge about 8 different times towards the end of the kickstart. I am seeing it as a reward rather than a right and am looking forward to enjoying the experience

 

[Dunk]

I'm hearing more sensible comments on this thread than I am on a lot of other threads. I only spent a mere £90, so I can only guess at the motivation of those who spent £300.

All I can ask is that those of you making suggestions on there take into account that the 25681 backers all did so having watched and read the videos and article updates that came out from David Braben etc.

Some of the suggestions I see bandied about from DDF members are radical and would considerably alter what has been advertised to everyone at this point.

One person in particular would seemingly change 90% of what I have specifically pledged money to play into something else entirely. Where as, I'm totally behind what I have heard and read David say.

 

[CharlesN]

Dunk, I think I'd be willing to bet that would never happen. David and Frontier have their own vision for E and that had to be established well before the Kickstarter began.

My take on the DDF is that we aren't going to have that kind of power. We aren't employed by Frontier and the bottom line...Frontier is going to make decisions that help the company be profitable, which means decisions that attract as many people as possible to buy and play the game.

I think I'd like to see our advice taken in the form of polls and possibly comments related to those polls, with a few other topics that we could comment on. I don't have enough free time for this to become a second job

My 2 cents and/or pents

 

[I_am_Jon]

All I can ask is that those of you making suggestions on there take into account that the 25681 backers all did so having watched and read the videos and article updates that came out from David Braben etc.

Some of the suggestions I see bandied about from DDF members are radical and would considerably alter what has been advertised to everyone at this point.

One person in particular would seemingly change 90% of what I have specifically pledged money to play into something else entirely. Where as, I'm totally behind what I have heard and read David say.

I'm with you on that. Not pledged enough for the DDF myself. May upgrade later if possible, wife is less likely to kill me for spending £300 on a game if I can split the payments up.

I have faith in David Braben to guide the game design in his vision. So guess I should just sit back and wait for the official updates. Been waiting over 10 years for this, I can wait a little longer.

 

[tricky]

I think that everyone has the idea that DDF members will be given a big red button to press everytime they want, bringing down the wrath of god on all players just for the perverse pleasure of the DDF member.

I'm betting the only big red button is going to be on DB's desk, which will only be pressed if and when it benefits the overall game.

 

[Styggron]

From what I read, the DDF appears to be in good hands.

 

[shreddog]

.Frontier is going to make decisions that help the company be profitable, which means decisions that attract as many people as possible to buy and play the game.

God, let's hope not. If they go down the path of mainstreaming and streamlining.., ugh, I'm going to be seriously depressed.
But I'm sure you didn't mean that

 

[Slawkenbergius]

All I can ask is that those of you making suggestions on there take into account that the 25681 backers all did so having watched and read the videos and article updates that came out from David Braben etc.

Yes, I feel that way too. Not to get the game that was pitched would be a breach of trust. Fortunately I doubt DB will be swayed, and will hopefully categorically say no to certain suggestions from the outset.