Elite Dangerous (In Open) is a lonely game

[Malak Dawnfire]

It's quiet out there, Commanders. While Elite Dangerous is far and above the most different and unique game I've encountered, I still play it as though it's an MMO and would fully like to interact with other players out there aside from the simple interdiction. Let me start off, I wholly enjoy Elite for the massive play area it grants me and for the fun combat plus the recently introduced Powerplay has given systems and factions their own unique flare but I still find it quite lonely out there, even within well passed through systems It seems that others rarely have the time to chat.

Other MMOs tend to have a general chat system that others can talk on throughout the server, regardless of their position within it. I feel that such a system would benefit the Elite community greatly and give us a chance to speak more with on-going topics in the black even if we're too busy to be within the same system.

 

[Muss]

+1 to this

In the right system there are many live pilots, drop by Lembava at the moment and you will see a tonne, however it would be great to have some sort of global chat. even if it was only for say a 50 light year radius.

 

[Malak Dawnfire]

Thanks for the +1. The game has nothing but enthralled me thus far with the graphics, the feel of flying your own craft but the lack of communication with other people has made this a lonely venture for me and as a ship captain, I feel it should not be so!

 

[ocflyer]

The Groups forum (https://forums.frontier.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=65) has a lot of players just like you in many types of groups. And they use group communication tools (chat and voice) to connect.

 

[GrimThara]

It really does get a bit lonely out there sometimes. The few times I've come across players willing to talk or play together have been great though and I wish I could do it more often. Been playing since Beta 3 but haven't had a single chance to even try the in-game voice communication with anyone yet, sadly.

Ah well.

 

[Cazliostro]

player interaction is tough when every player is by design so self sufficient. you know what might be cool? if players with big ships could allow players with small ships to latch on like moray eels. we could meet up in a station and agree to attach. that way the smaller ship could detach and fight as an escort when the big ship is interdicted. it seems like this could encourage grouping together... might need to up the NPC pirates a bit to make it worthwhile.

 

[Aegis I]

ED is incredibly self motivated, but I do agree the communications panel in game has much room for improvement.

+1

 

[Muss]

Maybe it could be given some realism with a delay (updating every minute or so) like the old IRC Chat

Why does the delay add realism, because the comms are going through relays blah blah blah

 

[DidierDrbois]

Lonely with a frame rate of a (broken) Powerpoint presentation. Speaking for myself ofc.

 

[Cmdr Eran Mintor]

Space is a cold empty place. There's certainly plenty of players out there, but its 400 billion systems to look in. Try the community goal areas or active powerplay areas. High-tech systems tend to be fairly popular as well.

You can always join a group as has been mentioned. Personally I don't see much of a need for an in-game "global" chat or something similar because we have the forums, but that's just me.

 

[Zigzera]

i agree while maybe a full general chat might not be needed but i would like to see a powerplay faction chat. it would help to coordinate and find new friends +1

 

[Agony_Aunt]

i agree while maybe a full general chat might not be needed but i would like to see a powerplay faction chat. it would help to coordinate and find new friends +1

This is the one improvment in terms of chat i would like to see.

A global chat would horrify me, i've seen how those things end up in other games... but power based chat could be cool

 

[Psycho Romeo]

I second the bit about Lembava. It's like the galactic sunday shopping mall.

 

[Kigre]

It's quiet out there, Commanders. While Elite Dangerous is far and above the most different and unique game I've encountered, I still play it as though it's an MMO and would fully like to interact with other players out there aside from the simple interdiction. Let me start off, I wholly enjoy Elite for the massive play area it grants me and for the fun combat plus the recently introduced Powerplay has given systems and factions their own unique flare but I still find it quite lonely out there, even within well passed through systems It seems that others rarely have the time to chat.


Other MMOs tend to have a general chat system that others can talk on throughout the server, regardless of their position within it. I feel that such a system would benefit the Elite community greatly and give us a chance to speak more with on-going topics in the black even if we're too busy to be within the same system.

Honestly, i dont think they're listening anymore... did they ever? People have said this from before the official release... make communication work as...well communication. I used to say hi to commanders and have small talks until one of us left. Now i dont say anything to anyone.

 

[Darshendros the Eternal]

Personally, I don't really want a "general chat" function. Already got /local and I think that's good enough ... if you're fortunate enough to be in a busy system/station. Space is vast and very lonely. That's how it should feel.

You can always go to Lave.

- - - Updated - - -

player interaction is tough when every player is by design so self sufficient. you know what might be cool? if players with big ships could allow players with small ships to latch on like moray eels. we could meet up in a station and agree to attach. that way the smaller ship could detach and fight as an escort when the big ship is interdicted. it seems like this could encourage grouping together... might need to up the NPC pirates a bit to make it worthwhile.

That's sorta what nav-locking does already.

 

[Cotic]

Personally, I don't really want a "general chat" function. Already got /local and I think that's good enough ... if you're fortunate enough to be in a busy system/station. Space is vast and very lonely. That's how it should feel.

Couldn't agree more.

 

[p3nnyw1s3]

i agree while maybe a full general chat might not be needed but i would like to see a powerplay faction chat. it would help to coordinate and find new friends +1

I completely agree! A global chat would be too anoying. However a powerplay faction chat would add a more cooperate feel to it.

 

[ermtony]

My experience in playing World of Tanks (my game of choice for PvP) suggests that global chat is a waste of time and effort. In game chat (equivalent of local in ED I reckon) is nearly as bad but just occasionally proves useful. YMMV of course.

 

[CYB34]

My experience in playing World of Tanks (my game of choice for PvP) suggests that global chat is a waste of time and effort. In game chat (equivalent of local in ED I reckon) is nearly as bad but just occasionally proves useful. YMMV of course.

I wouldn't compare a MOBA with a Sandbox.
Having an open channel in a MOBA game, between opposing teams, is bad and always has been since DOTA.
Its not the same with ED or any other sandbox, where most people you meet are not your enemies. They would rather collaborate and share experience.

Local chat is used to share information. But I guess its just better to alt-tab and Google simple questions or check the forums if you wanted to wing up.

The fact that this is discussed as a possible bad, useless feature baffles me.

 

[I and I Redeye]

One small quality of life change they could make is to separate npc chat from local chat.
Make it so local chat is different colour for npc and players.

Powerplay chat would be cool and prove very useful and popular I would have thought.
Even if they want to keep it per system for simulaton purposes I think it should span SC and normal cruise and better still span each control systems bubble.