News Development Update - 15th Jan

[Korenwolf]

Hi everyone,

Nice one, thanks for clear updates

 

[The Brigadier]

Thanks for the information Michael. I still don't know how you don't put your head through the screen at some of the negative comments. Well done for keeping the British temperament alive and well.

This is the best venture I've ever been apart of. Roll on V1.1

My best to all the team.

 

[Kranium]

I'm sorry...... Did you really just say that you want us to pay in order to be able to test your game for you?

Really?!

Hi everyone,

Options for players currently without beta access to be able to purchase beta access will be available.

Thanks

Michael

 

[Michael Brookes]

When do you plan on adding a way to help minor factions that have very small % of influence in systems?

It's on the bug list, but we need to address the two big issues first and then we'll look at the next in the list.

Michael

 

[Flying Scorpion]

It's on the bug list, but we need to address the two big issues first and then we'll look at the next in the list.

Michael

Okay, thanks Michael.

 

[Michael Brookes]

How do you get the beta tester? I beta tested since the start of beta

If you already have beta test access then you'll be able to beta test the updates.

Michael

 

[ScottGust]

I'm sorry...... Did you really just say that you want us to pay in order to be able to test your game for you?

Really?!

Once again "OPTION"
dont wanna buy into beta..then wait...both "options" are luvly.

 

[Cmdr Eagleboy]

I'm sorry...... Did you really just say that you want us to pay in order to be able to test your game for you?

Really?!

Well, Beta players paid a lot for getting access to beta stage. Giving beta access for free would be really disservice to them. Besides, beta will run on separate world so in nutshell there's no mechanical advancements for testers. Also Michael left out how long beta will be. It might be a week. Not really much if you think about it.

 

[skydivertricky]

Hi Michael

Will the 1.1/1.2 "Collaboration" and Wings update also bring an increased threat? taking out an elite anaconda is already possible in a single viper, so doing it as a group isnt really going to increase the fun. Are we going to see packs of NPCs?

 

[ScottGust]

Well, Beta players paid a lot for getting access to beta stage. Giving beta access for free would be really disservice to them. Besides, beta will run on separate world so in nutshell there's no mechanical advancements for testers. Also Michael left out how long beta will be. It might be a week. Not really much if you think about it.

Actually Michael did say this "Depending on how the update Betas go in test, we expect them to be released to everyone a week or so after the Beta release.​ "

 

[lycan6under]

Hi everyone,

Following up on my post last week I will provide more information on our process moving forwards and dates for the next two major releases. As you’ve seen since the game’s initial release we have issued a number of point updates, the latest being 1.05 this morning. These are typically restricted to urgent and/or low risk changes and will continue on a regular basis as they allow us to respond as we need to. These aren’t scheduled in the same way as the major updates, but will be ongoing.

More significant updates allow us to add new features and content (as well as sweeping up a host of fixes and tweaks that haven’t been deemed suitable for the intermediate point releases).

Currently beta testing will be available for those who already have beta access for the main game. For players participating in the beta tests there will be a separate mechanism for playing so testing does not affect your game and that you can continue to play the retail version as well. Options for players currently without beta access to be able to purchase beta access will be available. Details will be made available nearer the time.

Depending on how the update Betas go in test, we expect them to be released to everyone a week or so after the Beta release.​

As you all know we’re also working on paid expansions for the game and these will have their own beta periods as well, we’ll again make details available of how this will work as we near their release.

The first planned significant update will be 1.1 and will enter beta in the first week of February. We’ll be talking next week about how 1.1 will introduce a new way to collaborate with other players in the galaxy in preparation for 1.2’s major Wings update. We have some some good news for planners of long journeys - V1.1 will also have a significant increase in the maximum distance for the route planner. We’re currently looking at extending this to 1,000 light years!

Looking further ahead there will be a 1.2 update which is planned to enter beta testing in the first week of March. The focus for this update will be Wings and other multiplayer goodness. I’ll provide more detail in future updates.

Thanks

Michael

Thank you.Awesome team !

 

[Marc Alexander]

Really REALLY not liking this idea. Why should we have to PAY you to HELP you? I know of no other game that does this. You limit the number of people that can test things, you divide your playerbase and not to mention, you just plain old screw your customers.

Seriously, this isn't like early access. Game is out. This is seriously, deeply concerning and makes me question supporting you and any future endeavors in the future.

I'm sorry...... Did you really just say that you want us to pay in order to be able to test your game for you?

Really?!

I feel a bromance coming...

 

[Alec Turner]

Well, Beta players paid a lot for getting access to beta stage. Giving beta access for free would be really disservice to them. Besides, beta will run on separate world so in nutshell there's no mechanical advancements for testers. Also Michael left out how long beta will be. It might be a week. Not really much if you think about it.

I guess Kranium does kind of have a point. When we paid for Beta (and yes, I was one) one of the main things we were paying for was immediate access to a game we desperately wanted to play rather than having to wait until it came out. Now that we have the game it does seem kind of cheeky to still ask people to pay for the privilege of testing new features. I guess at this stage what you're paying for is to have your voice heard in the continued shaping of the product. If beta testing of new features was free for all you'd have 300,000 people all going "this is wrong, I don't like that, why not add the other" (a bit like this forum). On balance I think paying for the privilege is perhaps fair enough (but maybe it should be cheaper than the original Beta price?).

 

[Adept]

Thanks for this thread Michael. With regards to beta testing the major updates, will a separate launcher be required, or just a different login?

End of the year I reckon.

For the whole planetary landings with biosphares and NPCs... two years minimum. It's as big a project as the core game and the simulated galaxy!

 

[juchtelbursche]

oO

so we can wait 3-4 months for some simpel multiplayer features, lool
i want only some teamplay and mp action not this buggy boring

[h=2][/h]

 

[Blast Hardcheese]

Please, overlord game designers, make the Federal Dropship into something better than it's current sad state.

 

[MrShadowfax]

Really REALLY not liking this idea. Why should we have to PAY you to HELP you? I know of no other game that does this. You limit the number of people that can test things, you divide your playerbase and not to mention, you just plain old screw your customers.

How does this screw Frontier's customers? They know the cost, they know whether or not it is worth it to pay the cost. Sounds perfectly fair and straightforward to me.
Also customers don't HAVE TO do anything. They have the OPTION of paying if they want to be part of the Beta.

Seriously, this isn't like early access. Game is out. This is seriously, deeply concerning and makes me question supporting you and any future endeavors in the future.

Why? Seriously, why? Does this decision cause you significant financial hardships or problems in any way? Now ask yourself, does this decision help make sure that only those who are committed to the game and its development get to test the game? Surely it does. How is this a bad thing?

 

[Christopsy]

Great news keep up with the updates loving this game. I do worry that most people are treating it like a normal 20hr game. Make money as fast as you can blah blah. I have been playing since Beta and I am only worth 14Mil but im happy (wife is not)

I don't think "most people" are, but maybe some of the squeakiest wheels on the forums are. I'm only worth a few million too but damn I'm enjoying the ride.

(and I get "that bloody game" comments too... )

 

[Harbinger]

We have some some good news for planners of long journeys - V1.1 will also have a significant increase in the maximum distance for the route planner. We’re currently looking at extending this to 1,000 light years!

Absolutely the best part about this announcement in my honest opinion.

1,000 LY! I hope the range jump comes with a more efficient path finding algorithm!

I'm sure they've probably come up with something more specific to the direction you're heading in rather than trying to calculate every single path in a bubble with a 1000 LY radius. If not you'd be sat there for hours waiting for the spider web to generate.

As no ship is design to handle 1000ly travels. Ploting a route with no control over the type of stars to scoop is way too dangerous. Imagine 400ly route without scoopable star automatically selected will dry your fuel tank todeath.

Sure you may pass through regions where there are a few unscoopable stars one after another but you can easily check the star types along the route by hovering over each star and checking the INFO tab. With a long route you'd probably need to periodically check the stars along your route up to the broken line to ensure there is an A, B, F, G, K, M or O star that you can refuel from.

 

[flint read]

how exiting! I can hardly wait so let me get this straight, if i was part of the beta testing (beta 1.01 onwards) then i can beta test the upcoming amendments as well as continuing my regular game?