Elite Dangerous: Odyssey Update 7 Notes

[Pralines]

o7
about the NPC missing facial expressions (lipsync) :
i'am french, so my w10 is in french
if EDO is also in french, i got facial expressions (lipsync)
if i switch EDO in english (much better dialogs), NO FACIAL EXPRESSIONS
i tried to install english language in W10 (but keep french as default), NO FACIAL EXPRESSIONS
i didn't try to switch may W10 completely in english
@sallymorganmoore :
it seems that if W10 language <> EDO language, the NPC have no lipsync

 

[CMDR Sheehy]

This is new since Update 7 - The SRV Scanner seems to think that everything is hovering many meters above the surface!

 

[Rubbernuke]

I agree with your posts word for word, but I guess where it all falls apart (possibly) is when you ask the majority of the playerbase - "would you pay $40 for that" - I reckon the answer is probably no, and I guess looking at NMS receiving plenty of free updates which not only contain QoL but new features altogether (whether they're deep enough is debatable, but they're free after all) I'd probably agree.

Elite Feet is a USP that you can market accordingly; though I have to say seeing what it added to the game, I really do not think it's worth the money I paid for, even if it was bug free and performance was good. If it added anything to the space game part, different story - but how separate it turned out to be is probably the most disappointing aspect for me of all of them.

I must admit that when I typed it out I did think the same- but then it comes down to how FD run ED really and see where the money comes from. More ships = more ARX from skins / kits for example, or that paid expansions build on the 'training sim' aspects (i.e. dip in / out) and have paid single player campaigns away from the main 'loop'.

I could come up with more, but in the end I'm of out of enthusiasm.

 

[CaptainPugwash]

I agree with your posts word for word, but I guess where it all falls apart (possibly) is when you ask the majority of the playerbase - "would you pay $40 for that" - I reckon the answer is probably no, and I guess looking at NMS receiving plenty of free updates which not only contain QoL but new features altogether (whether they're deep enough is debatable, but they're free after all) I'd probably agree.

Elite Feet is a USP that you can market accordingly; though I have to say seeing what it added to the game, I really do not think it's worth the money I paid for, even if it was bug free and performance was good. If it added anything to the space game part, different story - but how separate it turned out to be is probably the most disappointing aspect for me of all of them.

I went through a similar reasoning after my initial disappointment about VR. I was willing to accept that once you introduce on foot gameplay it's virtually necessary to have some kind of on-foot gameplay, and people will want to pew pew right?! Braben acknowledged that they would never beat other FPS titles at their own game, but the way they have done it is to portray it as almost a separate game, even advertising the fact that a ship is not necessary. It could have worked much better if sold as an extension of necessary ship based play, in my opinion.

 

[oztrich]

Absolutely, and I doubt it's the first time. What I don't understand is why they only appear to test the new or modified features and don't do a general check of the normal gameplay just in case. I mean, the patch notes have at least 100 changes - are none of those going to have side effects??

Regression testing is a pain to do, I avoid it where possible. Then again, my code is only usually used by me and not by thousands of others...

 

[Deleted member 182079]

I must admit that when I typed it out I did think the same- but then it comes down to how FD run ED really and see where the money comes from. More ships = more ARX from skins / kits for example, or that paid expansions build on the 'training sim' aspects (i.e. dip in / out) and have paid single player campaigns away from the main 'loop'.

I could come up with more, but in the end I'm of out of enthusiasm.

Yeah, the thing is that all the bits you mention should really benefit the entire playerbase, and not split them into the have's and have-not's - which would mean FDev needs a different business model... I've previously suggested ship packs, but get slapped so quickly with the SC hammer argument I don't have the energy to point out that a lot of other games do this already (cars, planes, trains, you name it). Balancing is important of course but FDev already went down this route before with Horizons exclusive ships so I don't really see the problem.

 

[Úlfhéðnar]

I must admit that when I typed it out I did think the same- but then it comes down to how FD run ED really and see where the money comes from. More ships = more ARX from skins / kits for example, or that paid expansions build on the 'training sim' aspects (i.e. dip in / out) and have paid single player campaigns away from the main 'loop'.

I could come up with more, but in the end I'm of out of enthusiasm.

Tbf they could make a ton of money from reducing the grind and more fleshed out content than they could EVER do with a dlc. Why? Well skin's.

And the corresponding larger player base that's comes with less grind and more conten

 

[CardioTherapy]

I think they have temporarily nerfed all or most weapons until they have fixed the 'overflow' bug, where damage for some weapons was in the millions.

Oh. Thanks. I was frustrated spending mats to engineer a beam and nothing happens.

 

[Rubbernuke]

Yeah, the thing is that all the bits you mention should really benefit the entire playerbase, and not split them into the have's and have-not's - which would mean FDev needs a different business model... I've previously suggested ship packs, but get slapped so quickly with the SC hammer argument I don't have the energy to point out that a lot of other games do this already (cars, planes, trains, you name it). Balancing is important of course but FDev already went down this route before with Horizons exclusive ships so I don't really see the problem.

It comes down to ED straddling a GaaS / large update model. The updates have been made self contained (which causes issues) but also that it starves the core game which subsists on ARXy things.

If EDO was 70% foot / 30% space then I'd be happy because some long term love had fed back into the main game.

 

[Deleted member 182079]

I went through a similar reasoning after my initial disappointment about VR. I was willing to accept that once you introduce on foot gameplay it's virtually necessary to have some kind of on-foot gameplay, and people will want to pew pew right?! Braben acknowledged that they would never beat other FPS titles at their own game, but the way they have done it is to portray it as almost a separate game, even advertising the fact that a ship is not necessary. It could have worked much better if sold as an extension of necessary ship based play, in my opinion.

I think the key problem is that they had to bolt it on after the fact, instead of building the game from the beginning with legs in mind. I say this because I play X4 a lot more these days, and it's so evident there - legs is indeed a feature, but not the main one, quite the opposite.

I can ignore it completely if I want to, I can't even do combat on-foot, it's limited to walking around the (vast) stations, visit shops, talk to NPCs, pick up an item, it all feels very natural, and funnily enough I never feel the urge to pick up a rifle and go Halo/CoD on the enemy. I play X4 for the space ship stuff, just like Elite. I would've been happy with any 'touching-actual-ground' gameplay being limited to the SRV, but would've liked more of a choice (alongside missions/activities designed for each type). Oh well.

 

[Rubbernuke]

Tbf they could make a ton of money from reducing the grind and more fleshed out content than they could EVER do with a dlc. Why? Well skin's.

The game would generally be more pleasant if unlocks and engineer bribes were one off actions. A while ago I suggested (as an illustration) that one 100% Guardian ruin visit (and completed- i.e. big blue ball thing up and spinning) gave you one Guardian module- so everything required to unlock it could be done in one playthrough without relogging. I love Guardian sites, but I'm always short mats. Or Didi, why does she need so much brandy? Why not "bring a bottle (i.e. 1 bottle) and talk it over?".

 

[AgloWizard]

I was waiting for update 7. I was expecting it making improvements in the game but it didn't work. I got so disappointed really disappointed
I can only hope that this game will work after some updates more?
Please FDEV fix this game that I and many others love to play.

 

[Oztig]

Since update 7, all of my COVAS announcements seem to sound like they are being made by somebody sat in the bathroom - there is loads of echo.
I'm in deep space, in case that makes a difference.

Is anybody else getting this?

On the plus side, FPS has increased in stations - I now get a constant 60 (capped at this), whereas it used to go down to 40 is certain places

 

[Martind Forlon]

… but the way they have done it is to portray it as almost a separate game …

Just to comment obvious separation of ship and foot content: I ask myself whether it’s design choice or necessity based on fact that they needed keep Horizons play separate. Personally I hope it’s that latter and it will be significantly changed (one from things I really want to hear … what are the longtime plans), but for myself I simply don’t see way back to pure Horizons content. Possibility leaving ship or SRV is too strong argument and I like on foot play even if I of course see many areas where it could be improved.
—————————————

One thing I wanted mention for Patch7 is: Big thanks for adding CAS setting back, it makes play on smaller laptop screen hugely better!

 

[CaptainPugwash]

It comes down to ED straddling a GaaS / large update model. The updates have been made self contained (which causes issues) but also that it starves the core game which subsists on ARXy things.

If EDO was 70% foot / 30% space then I'd be happy because some long term love had fed back into the main game.

Personally I would be OK with a monthly subscription: paid DLCs that lock those who don't pay out of parts of the game end up being pay to win in the long run, and the alternative is to pay for assets (ships, weapons etc) that a lot of games do. We have had great value for money with Elite up until Horizons, but how sustainable is it with cosmetics?

 

[CaptainPugwash]

necessity based on fact that they needed keep Horizons play separate.

Maybe it's related to the PEGI rating ..

 

[Rubbernuke]

Just to comment obvious separation of ship and foot content: I ask myself whether it’s design choice or necessity based on fact that they needed keep Horizons play separate. Personally I hope it’s that latter and it will be significantly changed (one from things I really want to hear … what are the longtime plans), but for myself I simply don’t see way back to pure Horizons content. Possibility leaving ship or SRV is too strong argument and I like on foot play even if I of course see many areas where it could be improved.
—————————————

One thing I wanted mention for Patch7 is big thanks for adding CAS setting back, it makes play on smaller laptop screen hugely better!

Whereas for me I don't see any use for on foot stuff. If you want that Mos Eisley vibe EDO falls flat because stations are pretty menus- Vista, barman, mission givers....all the same. In these spaces walking is no different to moving a cursor about. Right now there is no synergy between EDO and the core game- I know FD are trying to make it feel more fluid and interconnected but as it is I still feel cold about it.

I mean, I'd love a message from pirate x in my ship "come to these co-ordinates on planet y for my secret base and we'll chat". So I have to go, find the base using lat / long, land, chat, bargain, do the mission (steal, kill etc) go back, base is attacked by rivals, or I'm followed, or I'm given an offer by a rival warlord to go back and wipe them out etc. So rather than feet being the new cursor that layer of the game becomes to the fore, amplifying the human scale as well as having to get there.

 

[Martind Forlon]

I mean, I'd love a message from pirate x in my ship "come to these co-ordinates on planet y for my secret base and we'll chat". So I have to go, find the base using lat / long, land, chat, bargain, do the mission (steal, kill etc) go back, base is attacked by rivals, or I'm followed, or I'm given an offer by a rival warlord to go back and wipe them out etc. So rather than feet being the new cursor that layer of the game becomes to the fore, amplifying the human scale as well as having to get there.

Yes, this is exactly a thing(s) which I hope will future bring. Another one is offer to deliver somewhere cargo (alcohol for example) which would be out of stations. There may be added ambush by scavengers etc. All this is now with on-foot added possible… Big question however is whether there are at least intentions to add such gameplay into ED later …

 

[Rubbernuke]

Yes, this is exactly a thing(s) which I hope will future bring. Another one is offer to deliver somewhere cargo (alcohol for example) which would be out of stations. There may be added ambush by scavengers etc. All this is now with on-foot added possible… Question is whether there are at least intentions to add such gameplay into ED later …

They can do all of it now- bases could be temporary ones via POI- this is what I find frustrating is that the building blocks are there right now just never used in an ambitious way.

 

[Sakashiro]

And they chose to release without optimizing it, which as can be seen, optimization is a very lengthy process - we're going to be at least 8 patches, 6 extra months.

In other words, they chose to take our money six months before they had a viable product. And now they're struggling to keep the whole thing from falling apart.

Oh, and let's stop repeating that 1:1 scale galaxy nonsense. ED renders one star system at a time, consisting of textured and displacement-mapped subdivided cubes, and a static image of the galaxy is rendered into the skybox texture during each jump. ED does not render 400 billion stars at once, and what you see on screen in a settlement is nowhere near the complexity of what games such as Cyberpunk 2077 manage to render with much better performance.

I stopped caring about Odyssey since I uninstalled it weeks ago, but the fact that its bugs are now spilling over into Horizons is bothering me.