Drew Wagar's article about supporting SEPP and why (Elite Exploration is Paramount!)

[Adept Geraden]

Many of the counter arguments used against pushing SEPP are based on the current well and truly borked state of play that is the current (or rather, what is left of it) PP.
Reality is, PP is gonna need a major reboot. Whoever wins this competition, is going to be in a position to influence the direction those necessary changes take.
Sepp have many very experienced people across many facets of the game amongst their ranks and supporters. Many household names most of you know.
Do you want PP driven by the Pew-Pew crowd ? Or do you want it better integrated with the BGS mechanics, like it should have been in the first place, with actions and rewards aimed at all players, or just the tiny niche that it was in its' first incarnation.
The correct answer, in fact the only answer, is to support SEPP.

 

[Ziljan]

SEPP is not in the games for power play. We care (as little) about politics as any sane CMDR.

SEPP is 100% about fleshing out the Exploration mechanic. And that is why Drew is supporting SEPP. Not for politics, not to promote any group in particular.

But only to make the whole galaxy more awesome for EVERY CMDR.

 

[JughedJones]

SEPP is not in the games for power play. We care (as little) about politics as any sane CMDR.

SEPP is 100% about fleshing out the Exploration mechanic. And that is why Drew is supporting SEPP. Not for politics, not to promote any group in particular.

But only to make the whole galaxy more awesome for EVERY CMDR.

Just wanted to bump this quote because it's exactly why I love this game.

Spent some time with SEPP last night.

We're organized, efficient, and awesome.

 

[Lemonhoko]

SEPP is not in the games for power play. We care (as little) about politics as any sane CMDR.

SEPP is 100% about fleshing out the Exploration mechanic. And that is why Drew is supporting SEPP. Not for politics, not to promote any group in particular.

But only to make the whole galaxy more awesome for EVERY CMDR.

Some people know Drew Wager as an author that was or has been involved with Elite lore and story background.
Drew has a healthy following here on FD forums.
He (Drew) also insinuates or atleast gives the appearance that he has some influence with FDev, hence his recent posts about dropping into FDevs offices mid July to get more inside information about the "rift".

Simply by endorsing one player groups makes this move political, no matter what the motive.

Perhaps his intentions are good...but from the competing player groups prospective, I cant see how this would not seem to appear bias in any way.

Either you are a regular player, or you are a semi celebrity with influence to the game,...and if its the latter, I do not see it as a fair or ethical endorsement.

 

[Cula-Ta]

Oi Lemon, we get it. Drew as a player wants more exploration content, just like the rest of us. He's also an author. Simples.

 

[Ziljan]

If being biased in favor of every player is "biased" then yes Drew is being biased against people who don't play Elite

SEPP is merely a front for any player that was ever even slightly interested in the Galaxy itself, but was disappointed by the lackluster exploration mechanic. Which is virtually EVERY Cmdr in the game.

 

[Lemonhoko]

If being biased in favor of every player is "biased" then yes Drew is being biased against people who don't play Elite

SEPP is merely a front for any player that was ever even slightly interested in the Galaxy itself, but was disappointed by the lackluster exploration mechanic. Which is virtually EVERY Cmdr in the game.

I truly believe all the competitive player groups involved wish the same thing about exploration mechanics ...we all want better exploration.

But being an author connected to Elite lore gives Drew a unique position in this game enhanced by his updates referring back to meeting with FDevs in thier offices.
With that comes responsibilty of fairness to ALL players, and not an obvious bias and endorsement against players that may want the same thing.
The only difference, is that they are all battling for a spot in Elite history.
To use Drews celebrity-ism to favor one side gives the perception of unfairness.

 

[Ziljan]

Not sure what your issue is with Drew then, because he is doing exactly that, being fair to ALL players.

That is why I am supporting SEPP as well. Not because Kancro is a nice guy, or out of any sense of loyalty or ambition. I am 100% purely interested in making the galaxy better for EVERYONE. Otherwise I wouldn't even be here.

It's really that simple.

 

[Lemonhoko]

Not sure what your issue is with Drew then, because he is doing exactly that, being fair to ALL players.

That is why I am supporting SEPP as well. Not because I think Kancro is a nice guy, or out of any sense if loyalty or ambition. I am 100% purely interested in making the galaxy better for EVERYONE. Otherwise I wouldn't even be here.

It's really that simple.

I have no personal beef with Drew...I do feel he is misleading a lot of players in the "rift" thread, but thats only my opinion.

My problem with this thread is the fact of trying to use a players celebrity status to influence the outcome of the DG competition.

I would love better exploration mechanics, but I fail to see how SEPP winning will change anything FD plans to do with their game.

 

[Cula-Ta]

OK we get it, you're backing one of our competitors. Thanks for stopping by.

 

[Lemonhoko]

OK we get it, you're backing one of our competitors. Thanks for stopping by.

I backed Adles Armada in the wildcard games...Im not backing anyone in this competition(yet)...since AA is out now.

 

[Ziljan]

Drew (and many others) understand that the DG isn't just a competition, it's also a Vote.

And more importantly, players are making it pretty clear that their support for SEPP is really support for more Dev attention on Exploration. Because it's our game too

 

[Cula-Ta]

I backed Adles Armada in the wildcard games...Im not backing anyone in this competition(yet)...since AA is out now.

Then I'm struggling to understand why you have such a major issue. Oh well. I'm disappointed AA missed out by the way, would have liked to see them in.

 

[Ziljan]

. I'm disappointed AA missed out by the way, would have liked to see them in.

Me as well, they were one of 3 groups who's agenda was bigger than themselves.

 

[Roberto]

The correct answer, in fact the only answer, is to support SEPP.

You people are getting creepy now. I've gone from bemused indifference to this weird idea* to outright dislike.

1. The Cult of Drew**
Drew's just this guy, y'know? Also, unless I'm mistaken, he stopped playing the game some time ago (unless you count tweeting about running away the other day...). So, how exactly is he better placed than the rest of us to judge what's good for explorers?

2. "I am [Kind of a Big Deal], and I support SEPP!" "Spoken like a true non-explorer!" "SEPP is vitally important." Vitally, mind! "I'm good at logic, so by implication you're stupid!" "I'll say it one more time as [you stupid!] people don't seem to get it." "Anyone who disagrees is trolling!"
Way to win hearts and minds.

3. Apparently, SEPP pledgers will definitely be able to access a special module. Perhaps it'll be some cool exploration-y thing, of, er, some sort! Which explorers will have to… grind through Powerplay stuff to access? Oh. That's... Yay?

4. I say again: you guys are like Dan Aykroyd in Grosse Pointe Blank. Explorers don't need some "movement". By and large, explorers enjoy striking out on their own, doing their own thing, at their own pace. Tying them into some group is almost antithetical to what exploration is about.

Spoiler

[video=youtube;KaJfDZr4bj4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaJfDZr4bj4[/video]

And if this isn't a real group, but just a glorified "Look at us explorers, FD!" protest, then... frankly, that's insulting to other groups who are taking this seriously.

5. The general consensus seems to be that Powerplay needs a rethink, with less emphasis on grindy pew-pew, as the kids say, and more on other activities, perhaps including exploration. If you're of that opinion, then wouldn't not engaging in Powerplay send a stronger signal to FD? Just a thought. Must be a rogue thought, though, as I hear the only answer is to support SEPP!



*We want more exploration! We don't like Powerplay! So let's… take time out from exploring to create a Powerplay faction! That'll show 'em!

**And other "household names"...

 

[Aewarin Jameson]

SEPP is not in the games for power play <snip> But only to make the whole galaxy more awesome for EVERY CMDR

If being biased in favor of every player is "biased" then yes Drew is being biased against people who don't play Elite

And more importantly, players are making it pretty clear that their support for SEPP is really support for more Dev attention on Exploration. Because it's our game too

Careful, you are contradicting yourself now - first it's for everyone, but now it's for the Explorers

 

[Cula-Ta]

You people are getting creepy now. I've gone from bemused indifference to this weird idea* to outright dislike.

And if this isn't a real group, but just a glorified "Look at us explorers, FD!" protest, then... frankly, that's insulting to other groups who are taking this seriously.

It isn't, oh and that stick your holding is the wrong way round

 

[Roberto]

It isn't, oh and that stick your holding is the wrong way round

SEPP is not in the games for power play. We care (as little) about politics as any sane CMDR.

Which is it, then? Serious attempt to form a Powerplay group, or an anti-PP protest thing?

 

[xdeath]

SEPP is not in the games for power play. We care (as little) about politics as any sane CMDR.

SEPP is 100% about fleshing out the Exploration mechanic. And that is why Drew is supporting SEPP. Not for politics, not to promote any group in particular.

But only to make the whole galaxy more awesome for EVERY CMDR.

Makes sense.

Arguable, Exploration is the most underdeveloped part of the game, and probably the most unbalanced part of the game.

While improvements can certainly be made, I feel that Combat and Trading aren't missing anything.
Don't get me wrong there are some things I would like to see in both those roles, but I feel that exploration is missing a lot.

For example, Sample Collection. You should, as an explorer, be able land on a planet, or enter asteroid belt, and be able to collect samples which would improve the value of the exploration data sold. It would also immerse the player in the role of the explorer. This could easily be implemented using the current materials collections system.

 

[o2thaZ]

This might be a dumb question but how does supporting SEPP to become a power directly lead to " lost cities, mysterious wrecks, bizarre planets, ancient legends, secrets hidden in the depths of nebulae, tense dangerous journeys through uncharted star systems and a real sense of pushing back a hidden and dangerous frontier…"

Indeed.

I understand it's a vote for more compelling exploration content.
But let's be honest...
Those bizarre planets, mysterious stuff, lost cities and so on should at this point allready be in game.

FD chose to go down another path and spend money on useless things like cqc and powerplay.
Almost every update is aimed at the [multiplayer] pew pew crowd.

In light of this I don't see how SEPP becoming a power will persuade FD to start developing content that should've been there (atleast partly) at launch.

Anyway I still wish SEPP the best of luck.
And if them winning results in FD putting in the wanted content..I'll certainly be thankfull..
But until that time I remain sceptical.