Does ED deserve to be branded as a Space Trucking Simulator?

ianstrauss

I
Finally a space game for all of us. After waiting for so many years for a decent online space game, FD managed to create a great platform to satisfy our thirst for space exploration and beyond.

Elite: Dangerous has a lot of potential to be something great. In my opinion, it has the potential to beat even the best MMO games out there. However these potential has not been realised yet and I believe that we are currently in a crossroads right now:

The game can either be a great space massive multiplayer online game or a lucklaster, halfbacked MMO Single player game.

In my observation recently, the game is starting to suffer a reputation being branded as a "Space Truck Simulator" which in my opinion is damaging to the title and is a thing that drives potential new players away. A lot of players are also starting to share their level of interest to plummet as things get too repetitive and boring. IMHO, this is primarily due to missing multiplayer aspect and flawed game design features that impacts gameplay, social interaction and balance such as the ability to switch between Solo Mode and Open Play.

So are you satisfied with the way gaming sites brand ED as a Space Trucking Simulator?

How can we change the impression that ED is not only a Space Trucking Simulation but instead a living, breathing space ecosystem full of riches for the brave entrepreneur, untold mysteries for the bold explorers and danger for the cunning pirates and bounty hunters.

Share us your thoughts.
 

Eagle Eye

Eagle Eye
At the moment? The brand fits the game. All I did the last week (or is it two) is space trucking just to afford new ships.

Why not play bounty hunter etc.? Done it to the death, I can kill Elite Anaconda/Python in a Viper/Eagle. whopeee! Now what? Space Truck is what... These new ships? They will become space trucks for even bigger ships!

Why? Because I can do all the roles in Viper & Lakon-6. That's literally only 2 ships for everything. Hell, you can buy a Cobra and do literally everything the game have to offer with that single ship...

It's the only real "progression" around in this game other than exploring, and I'm no explorer...
 
Last edited:

Kyokushin

Kyokushin
True. For now it is a space truck. Exploration, bounty hunting or mining do not let you to buy a better ships in this decade.
 

Ommasaur

Ommasaur
That really is only one aspect of play, and even though it may appear to be the dominant style at the moment I am confident things will improve. I don't think the label is earned.
 

Ixnatifual

Ixnatifual
I think the combat is where the game truly shines, so it always irks me when someone describes it as a space truck simulator. But then again, since space trucking is by far the most profitable path in the game, I can't exactly say they're wrong. But often they're right for the wrong reasons - ie they never even tried the combat part.
 

Sandmann

Sandmann
If it only had a space trucking role then sure, but it's got several other roles. True, you may have to do some of the trucking role to pay for the other roles but since Elite is and has always been "the seminal space trading game" that's hardly unreasonable in my opinion. What do you expect from a space trading game, Call of Duty in space ships? It is what it is. Complaining about the trading aspect of a trading game is like complaining about the strategy aspect in chess.
 

BBcokeley

BBcokeley
Yes it is a truck simulator, ive done everything the game has to offer, and as mentioned previously space trukk'n is the best way to make money to improve your ship, combat is nice, but the loop de loop is getting old now
 

Cowboy Bats

C
Well, I did just drop off a load of resonators and pick up some palladium to haul back. I enjoyed it so much, I think I might keep it up all night...again.
 

adio

A
Some people are *playing* it that way... then they come and about it.

So don't bloody well play it that way would by my response, because I sure am not.
 

DoneWithFD

DoneWithFD
Space trucking simulator is a fine label.

I'm space truckin' and bounty huntin' in solo mode. Couldn't care less about how spectacularly the game is failing at being an MMO or at just being an interesting multiplayer game. Too bad I have to suffer all the stupid game design that's a direct result of the failed online dream.
 

Sandmann

Sandmann
GT3000 said:
The only viable profession is trading. The rest have a net negative outcome.
Click to expand...

Actually I can as much or more money from bounty hunting with very little to no expense... maybe not as profitable as you'd like but definitley NOT negative.
 

Durden T.

Durden T.
Maybe the game lacks different ways to earn new ships, for example: as a reward for the completion of a complex set of missions, or once you arrive to a given rank with a given faction.

Maybe to be able to salvage some scattered ships in some far away systems...

And also to be able to earn a good money by doing other jobs apart from trading.
 
Last edited:

kelticfury

kelticfury
@OP maybe for some, for instance, my gf loves trading. I however prefer combat and after a couple early days of trading I sold my type 6 and am back in my A rated Viper collecting bounties. So for her, yes. For me, no.

Oh and this...
[video=youtube;cxa74Inkv6k]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxa74Inkv6k[/video]
 
Last edited:

nexxo

N
ianstrauss said:
So are you satisfied with the way gaming sites brand ED as a Space Trucking Simulator?
Click to expand...

You make it sound like a bad thing? :p

caltD.jpg
 

kilvenny

kilvenny
Amassing money and assets is what most people do in live. Since the bigger ships allow more cargo and more profit that is the obvious way to go. The problem is you cannot easily reduce the profit margins because then trading in a starter ship is impossible.

Solution for me would be to introduce transportation fees for importing more than 10T. Docking fees for larger ships would also help. Make the benefit of the bigger cargo vessels smaller.

This is a big issue for me as its fundamental to the game and currently trading is really out of balance.
 

Frank

Frank
Maybe I've been lucky, but the game reviews I've seen for this game have been reasonable and fair. A few have referred to the "Space Truckin'" aspect of the game. I guess it comes down to whether you think this is a derogatory term or not.

I'd be more concerned if it was called "Call of Duty" in space. Not because that game is bad, but that it would attract players who are expecting a different type of experience. And they would end up on this forum complaining about how difficult it is to kill everyone in Elite: Dangerous.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom