Do you feel that f-devs are killing elite dangerous?

[Aashenfox]

It's a shame if you are not enjoying the recent additions to the game. Sadly, as we as players always have different focuses, goals and content desires not every update is going to be ideal for everyone. Hopefully when we can share more details about the specifics of what's in store for Beyond Chapter Four you'll find more content that appeals directly to you.

Thanks for posting Paul, Beyond as an update has been one of the best, I only place Horizons above it as that brought planetary landings, but the new ships, alien content, and moreover, the QoL improvements we have seen in Beyond have been impactful, and I do believe the best is yet to come in chapter 4 (USS rework, exploring improvements, better missions, etc).

Glitches aside (and they are glitches, like poor model testing and poor scenario testing (or at the very least, lack of anticipation), not MAJOR issues), the core gameplay in Elite is better than ever, and the financials reflect that.

A little extra effort is needed on scenario and bug testing, and communications are still sporadic and seemingly often cherry-picked. For example, it would have been more useful (and indicative of FD caring about the players not being disappointed), if there was some input on the thread about the 2.8% figure of board switching, rather than on this thread, which is one that we see a different version of weekly (no offense to OP). This thread's existence (the one about the board switching) is indicative of another issue and that is that you (FD, not you personally) acknowledge that this is not intended, and that players are doing it, then say it will be removed without specifying what will be done to address the underlying problem (why these 2.8% board switch). This makes even your faithful (I count myself among that number) nervous. As I mentioned in the topic, I logged off last night, when I would have preferred to play more, even after flipping the board a couple of times and not finding a missoin I wanted to do (not because I'm greedy, because I like to play a certain way, and I'm not fussy, I do at least 5 different mission types, and I have 7 allied factoins to choose from so 7*15 (average missions per faction) didn't give me enough variety to do something I wanted to do), I just logged out and watched some boxing on youtube til my eyes started to close. I do not support ending board switching without some kind of major improvement to the way missoins are generated.

Sorry to cross these threads over, I hope you get my point. Thanks again for your presence on the forum today.

 

[[VR] DDM_Reaper20]

I came back yesterday, after about 6 months without ED, and what can I say? I'm hooked again.

What I REALLY like are those transport missions where you have to load the cargo into your hold (and don't have to load everything in one go!). VERY nifty. 'course, if you are like me, you might, ah, not read the instructions carefully, and, er, haul off WITHOUT the cargo . . . but that was educational, and fun.

I'm going to look for a place where they are selling the Krait Mk II, I'm going to give this bird a whirl...

 

[lokvette]

No but they're also not doing themselves any favours.

 

[iFred]

It's a shame if you are not enjoying the recent additions to the game. Sadly, as we as players always have different focuses, goals and content desires not every update is going to be ideal for everyone. Hopefully when we can share more details about the specifics of what's in store for Beyond Chapter Four you'll find more content that appeals directly to you.

Well, the quality you delivered in the last years, paired with the easy and avoidable bugs, not talking about the 12456th revision of the mission system coming in q4, and other 1000s of bugs and open tickets that are still unfixed I would say: yes, you are actively destroying elite by making the playerbase angry.

You could at least try to avoid easy bugs, like the galnet-thing. But I do not see any progress in the quality department.

 

[-VR- Max Factor]

To the OP, no.

 

[Dutchman141]

@OP

Although most posters here are positive about the state of ED as of today I do agree with you to some extend.
The repetitive gameplay they keep adding like the ones for the guardian stuff has worn me out, but it is a personal matter.
For me it's a sum of things that made me stop playing, the emptyness once you go outside the bubble, the strong bias towards adding combat related content, etc.
What realy bothers me is why they lock all the guardian stuff behind this unimaginative repetitive gameplay time and time again.
When you add cool new stuff don't you want all players to enjoy that?
No one seems to be bothered by the fact that you can just purchase new ships, normal SLFs or weapons, then why make it so tedious to obtain the guardian stuff?
Some effortt would be good imho but the current system just puts me off.

It is a personal opinion though, Fdev might be killing ED for you but there are plenty people that still enjoy it greatly.
For me? Q4 will determine if I hop back on board or not, I truly hope so though.

 

[[VR] Mad Mike]

So, I’ve been playing this game for a while and I loved it when I got it. It was fun, interesting, things worked and the grind wasn’t so painful. Before horizons and even after up to 2.3 really, most players didn’t have much worry about the nerf hammer and they were actually able to enjoy the game. Granted the rn-Jesus for the engineers sucked some times but was still interesting. Now with the game play, everything gets the nerf hammer almost instantly, there’s failed story narratives and there’s more problems with the game than ever before. After 6 years of have having a strong community following voicing their desires for what they want in a game, why does frontier remain so stubborn to make garbage content now? Also why does frontier insist of having this ridiculous grind to be able to do anything? I get having some grind to offset the lack of player progression or any sort of leveling system that almost every premium and free to play games have but the level of grind in this has gotten so far out of control, the game isn’t fun anymore. I want to play the game, not have to treat it as a job. Anyways that’s my rant. I’d like to hear your opinions on how you think elite has evolved since the horizons patch.

Ps, If a dev does read this, can the team start re-evaluating what you are doing to the game and maybe try listening to the community and make the game fun and enjoyable again!

I am not going to get into a rant - tho i fear this thread may become one - however imo IF the Devs ARE killing the game (which is debatable) then imo it is because they leave the exploits in for TOO LONG. therefore i see them trying to close them such as the new mission servers and getting rid of the broken money generators as a good thing NOT a bad one.

I agree parts of the game are less fun now (for me at least) but it is because of things like board swapping unbalancing the BGS which spoiled it for me. i am genuinely excited for this to change.

if FD can fix the changing instances to refresh things like meta alloy barnacle trees or the stuff at davs hope then even better still as it will make the game much more coherent - but this would surely have to be done at the same time as rebalancing the numbers needed - because i admit you kind of have to exploit that problem at the moment..

just my 2p and i do not expect you to agree

To answer the OP's question: No, I don't.

I do feel however that some decisions they took in the last couple of years were a bit weird and I do feel the attention to details is lacking in many aspects of the game. The ratio of core game improvements vs new content in Beyond raised my eyebrows too. So while I don't think they are killing the game, I am not 100% happy with a lot of the things they do either.

Elite used to be a real passion for me, but it's becoming "just a game" patch by patch.

pretty much how i feel these days. i used to be fully immersed in ED the second i donned my headset. but now i find myself taken out of the universe and into just playing a game more and more.

 

[Enderby]

Maybe they’re happy to keep it on life-support while all that lovely store money continues to roll in?

It makes sense; why spend money on expensive development when the cash cow’s still providing milk?

 

[operant]

OP
I guess the game is getting the attention it derserves from the perspective of its relative importance to FD as a business.

The current trend to hide lots of the new content behind grind-walls is not to my taste. But for whatever economic reason that seems to be the dominant development philosophy.
On a personal level, because I have grown weary of the repetitive game-play to unlock the stuff, almost all of the guaridan/thargoid content is unavaiblable to me.
As much as I want to play the game, and I really do and obsessively try, it no longer has the same apeal.
So I think I understand your frustration and disappointment.

But in the end FD is a listed business that has to make a return for shareholders. They care about the 'community' and game (compared to the rest of their portfolio) only to the extent that it satisfies their short and long-term business needs. Perfectly normal. Useful to remember.

 

[Rob At Work]

Dugh, dugh,
dugh, dugh,

Another one bites the DUST!

The Rage Quitters Union are here when you need us OP

 

[Parmo]

To answer the OP's question: No, I don't.

...

Elite used to be a real passion for me, but it's becoming "just a game" patch by patch.

I'm in concert with your sentiment.

Frontier seems to be like a broadband provider (UK).
They're always trying to attract new users by giving them good deals, better than for their existing users. After 12 months or so that deal has gone and the new users are on the usual fare and they become the existing user base.
Some of these users will look else where for value.

 

[CMDR Carbo]

Maybe they’re happy to keep it on life-support while all that lovely store money continues to roll in?

It makes sense; why spend money on expensive development when the cash cow’s still providing milk?

Does that mean we get another 3 Chieftain variants with amazing paint jobs?

 

[Bob McBobblehead]

I don't think Fdev are killing the game, but my own personal view is that game went in the wrong direction when FDev discarded any meaningful interactions with the Thargoids. They went full force with just killing all aliens arcade blaster option.

 

[VR SenseiMatty]

I want to wait to see the Q4 exploration update before putting any critic into the whole game and the developers plans.

I can tell you that I will be really pi*sed off if I don't get the following:


Q4 is entitled as a BIG exploration content update so here we go:
- I really expect much more gameplay on SRV and on planets surface with new things to discover that boost the exploration reward.
- A completely new exploration ship (not a variant)
- Exploration Missions
- New stuff in space to discover and scan (baby born planets, supernova, improved black holes)
- Planet mining as an option

I would be really really pis*ed off if in Q4 we get more combat contents than exploration. For example if they release a new combat ship and not an exploration ship.

2019 Development:
For me this is the year of atmospheric world. If at the end of 2019 there's still no news and no atmospheric previews I will just throw the game out of the window. I could give the game another chance in case they introduce legs instead, because that's my second desired feature in the game.

 

[VR Mr Teatime]

I see two distinct camps of thought here:

1. You either believe FDev are working furiously in the background on the two "big ticket" expansions that will open up a raft of new gameplay and complete access to the potential environments to play in, but whilst this happens the patches/content received are necessarily comparatively "lightweight" so as to avoid development stream conflicts and major downstream redevelopment work.

2. or you believe that FDev are playing a game where they milk the playerbase with lightweight patches and content , whilst dangling a fictitious carrot of "great things to come" in front of their customers to keep those funds rolling in for as long as they can get away with it.

The determining factor I feel is the amount of patience players have in waiting for the "great things to come", which is a hard road for FDev to walk, as the internet in general has a woeful lack of both patience and attention span...

I sit in camp 1. as there is too much evidence for it if you care to go looking and belief system no. 2. would be unsustainable and I don't believe FDev are looking to make a fast buck and run off and in the words of the exceptional Hans Gruber "sit on the beach and earn 20%" ;-)

 

[Phazon Xenomorph]

I want to wait to see the Q4 exploration update before putting any critic into the whole game and the developers plans.

I can tell you that I will be really pi*sed off if I don't get the following:


Q4 is entitled as a BIG exploration content update so here we go:
- I really expect much more gameplay on SRV and on planets surface with new things to discover that boost the exploration reward.
- A completely new exploration ship (not a variant)
- Exploration Missions
- New stuff in space to discover and scan (baby born planets, supernova, improved black holes)
- Planet mining as an option

I would be really really pis*ed off if in Q4 we get more combat contents than exploration. For example if they release a new combat ship and not an exploration ship.

2019 Development:
For me this is the year of atmospheric world. If at the end of 2019 there's still no news and no atmospheric previews I will just throw the game out of the window. I could give the game another chance in case they introduce legs instead, because that's my second desired feature in the game.

My faith has waned a lot unfortunately. I have so little faith in the exploration update that before it hits I'ma do Road to Riches (already the rank before Elite thanks to ACTUAL exploration) just to ensure the grind for the Elite rank doesn't become harder than it was already.

The only thing of remote interest anymore with Elite for me is the Paid DLC coming. If it's not utterly drenched in so much content (outside of a weeks worth at best) that I can play for a month and still not be bored, then Elite will have failed permanently in my eyes.

 

[thistle]

So, I’ve been playing this game for a while and I loved it when I got it. It was fun, interesting, things worked and the grind wasn’t so painful. Before horizons and even after up to 2.3 really, most players didn’t have much worry about the nerf hammer and they were actually able to enjoy the game. Granted the rn-Jesus for the engineers sucked some times but was still interesting. Now with the game play, everything gets the nerf hammer almost instantly, there’s failed story narratives and there’s more problems with the game than ever before. After 6 years of have having a strong community following voicing their desires for what they want in a game, why does frontier remain so stubborn to make garbage content now? Also why does frontier insist of having this ridiculous grind to be able to do anything? I get having some grind to offset the lack of player progression or any sort of leveling system that almost every premium and free to play games have but the level of grind in this has gotten so far out of control, the game isn’t fun anymore. I want to play the game, not have to treat it as a job. Anyways that’s my rant. I’d like to hear your opinions on how you think elite has evolved since the horizons patch.

Ps, If a dev does read this, can the team start re-evaluating what you are doing to the game and maybe try listening to the community and make the game fun and enjoyable again!

No.

 

[AbsinthSvK]

wait for Chapter 4, then start this topic again.

 

[Weps]

I’d like to hear your opinions on how you think elite has evolved since the horizons patch.

Yes, this is my feeling to. Killing is a strong word, but E: D is surely starting to grasp for air.

Regardless of what one may think of each individual update, I think it is obvious that E: D has been on a downwards slope ever since Horizons. Updates have started to imbalance the game more and more, updates have been poorer in content and quality since then, updates have been more and more rare, betas have shortened, become more rare and dissipated, communication with involved community members and beta testers has been reduced. I'm comparing all of this with the state of facts during E: D's first year.

The overall feeling I get is that E: D is completely missing a game director. A person to watch all the angles and to treat the product as a whole and foresee how all the updates and mechanics and stories fit inside the puzzle. A person responsible for the vision of the game, the vision which was painted right before launch.

 

[gooddoc]

It's a shame if you are not enjoying the recent additions to the game. Sadly, as we as players always have different focuses, goals and content desires not every update is going to be ideal for everyone. Hopefully when we can share more details about the specifics of what's in store for Beyond Chapter Four you'll find more content that appeals directly to you.

Thanks for responding Paul, good to see that you guys are still reading our posts.

We players, well most of us, let you know our feelings because we love the game so much. Sometimes some of us can go a bit overboard at times, but it's mainly because we want to see another 4 years of being able to log in.

You guys do a fantastic job in a very difficult market. You're never going to please eveyone all of the time, each player has their own opinions of what they want or expect from the game, me including. I'm difficult to write for in game because I don't want pewpew & avoid it whenever I can. That's how I want to 'blaze my own trail.
I don't like everything you do, that's me being honest, but I know that even adding things to the game I don't like, the game's still being developed.

What comes up quite a lot now, which is nothing to do with gameplay, is lack of communication with the community.

Everything is so secretive, we get minimal or no information about anything now until the very last second. Give us something to look forward to, even if something is delayed (like Zac's announcement on the carrier & Ice Planet delays). I would rather FD be more up front with what's happening. Yeah there'll always be clowns with negative comments on anything that you do, that's life, but it'll be more appreciated by the community if we get more communication with the state of the game.
Maybe then 90% of threads like this won't appear......maybe!