Elite as a technological achievement.

[Phier]

I'd like to pause from the usual forum rants, raves, and whines. Elite is a shell of a game, yes, it needs more content, it needs some tweeking in balance, it needs more purpose. Thats fine and doable.

But lets talk about the shell. The foundation of this game is simply amazing, its potential amazing too. This is basically the beginning of a galaxy simulator. Think about what could be done with more computing power added. Collisions, planetary formations, super nova etc. Add a more dynamic living galaxy behind it. As someone who still remembers pong when it was new, its hard to comprehend how we went from that to this.

Then add in the VR side of it. If you don't have an oculus you are only getting a part of what makes elite a potential next step in gaming. Elite is pretty, and due to magnification the oculus is less pretty but you are IN your ship. When I look over my shoulder I see the back of my ship, I want to walk there and quite potentially can soon. (And if you don't have an oculus but are thinking about a 3 monitor set up the DK2 is $350, just saying )

While I want more game, I am still amazed when I play this game. Yesterday I jump to a double star, and fly to what amounted to a double planet. I've been waiting 30 years for that.

 

[Devil's Refugee]

It's a great achievement, but Frontier can't rest on their laurels given the amount of attention (a) the game has gotten and (b) the competition is getting this year with No Mans Sky, Limit Theory, Star Citizen etc
Yes they're all different takes on the sandbox space sim but they all boast similar if not greater technical achievements.
Its up to Frontier now to basically keep Elite at the frontier of the bleeding edge.

 

[Hemlock]

It is a sandbox into which more sand can be poured. I cannot agree with the "shell" sentiment. We agree on the rest of your post.

 

[Poisonberry]

I did a little squee when you said "no mans sky". that is going to be SO amazing, but in a different way. wish the two could be combined. wow.

 

[catanonia]

Yes FD and Ed won the race and upset a lot of people along the way, but let's hope it goes forward faster now once the balancing, simple bugs are done with and the new development gets going. The others will soon be on its heels.