FDev Please Consider This For the Upcoming 2020 Update

[LanceLord]

Unfortunately not in the space game and (massive) multiplayer genre in general. Though some older titles did a better job in this regard (Privateer, Terminus, Jumpgate to name a few, none of them massive multiplayer). Really good gameplay can be found in some old school RPGs. My current favorite is Pathfinder: Kingmaker. Buggy like hell, certainly not the pinnacle of clean coding, but gameplay is totally awesome and even leave excellent RPGs like Pillars of Eternity or Divine Divinity behind (the latter (DD2) is objectively and technically the best RPG I've ever played). Most players these days would find Pathfinder way too inaccessible and complex though. And certainly those who consider such non-gameplay nonsense like the ADS (RiP) and staring at schematic planet constellations in all seriousness as 'gameplay'.

Frontier could at least learn some lessons about storytelling and integrating a story into the game, though I doubt it will ever reach such a depth in a massive multiplayer game. I'm afraid that's just impossible...

Cmdr. Numa brings it to the point:

Wherever 'massive multiplayer' comes into play there is this thing called "lowest common denominator" that has to be served and which is the biggest obstacle for decent gameplay in ED. That is why almost everything in ED is 'optional' (and pointless).

PoE is without peer as it was conceived by the gods of Obsidian, the founding fathers of Fallout 1/2 and NV.

Great titles. But these don't address the point. Aside from none of these titles being space sims/space dramas, all of them have one singular advantage where ED does not. Terran legs. Which btw, are a critical and mandatory game mechanic that make engagement of the game's lore, RPG aspect, and main/side quest framework possible. Terran legs are the mobility feature your player character relies upon to conduct the details of their pixelated lives.

The space sim analogy is obviously space legs. An argument could be made that the different genre/game mechanic (aka space ships, FTL travel via hyper jump tech etc etc.) in a space game would make PC dependency on space legs less of an issue.

However

Space RPGs the likes of Mass Effect and Star Wars KOTOR flip that argument completely on its head. Space legs were vital in a title like KOTOR as franchise lore mandated it. You can't have dank meme Jedi v. Empire Sith lord light saber DMs without space legs....

The same concept can be extended to ED. The only problem however, is that despite having an enthusiastic fan base (which have capacity to add fan base lore to the game the way TES does) ED still continues to suffer from weak to non existent lore/story writing. There is much FDev needs to do to improve the RPG aspect of the game in that area.
And IMO, this feature would be greatly facilitated/supported by implementing a space legs/EVA space ship feature.

PP is a start but has a long way to go. e.g. by means of a physical manifestation of PP lore based NPCs in the game world instead of 100% interaction by endless nested console menus. Being able to see and interact with station NPC contacts inside a SC style space station. And NO space station interiors do NOT need the level of fidelitous detail like the ones in SC. They need to be functional with reasonable aesthetic appeal. Perhaps the mechanic could work the way a non space RPG the likes of Skyrim works. Where your character has open world exploration/access to interiors. And ability to interact with specific NPCs etc. etc. to conduct quests/sand box game play.

Unfortunately, there is an industry deficit in innovative story writing/lore and RPG mechanics where space sims are concerned. Ever since EVE Online, publisher focus in the industry doesn't appear to be on the space genre at the moment. It's terran based FPS RPG/MMOs the likes of TES/ESO, and battle royale modes the likes of Fortnite etc. which drive the industry ot date.

Ironically, Roberts was the first to address this deficit when he pitched SQ42 as a space drama back in 2012. Had he been less incompetent being the CEO/COO/CIO/CAO, Board Chairman and director of publishing, focused and released SQ42 as a single player game, then the space sim industry would be significantly different today. Most space sim publishers and devs would've been in reactionary mode to SC success as market leader. Had SQ42 been released years ago, I find it hard to believe FDev wouldn't have implemented a space legs feature much earlier on. Due to industry peer pressure of trying to remain relevant by "keeping up with the Joneses" like the rest of the industry. I'm fairly confident in saying your paraplegic Holo Me commander being bound to their ship cockpit chair in 2019 would NEVER exist.

 

[EUS]

When atmospheric flight does come, the one thing I care about is that FD keeps their promise that different ships perform better than others in atmospheric flight.

 

[4gui4]

for me it seems the creator trying to run from his creation, I understand the dilemma Frontier faces as a company, alone Elite Dangerous does not produce profit enough to keep the company they are obliged to make new products, outsource services and everything that produces profits is acceptable so be it.

What I mean is that right now, Elite does not get the investment enough for us to have the perfect, bug-free game we'd all like to have.
Perhaps, and only perhaps if they had chosen another path more favorable to Elite, and turned this game into something extraordinary, if they chose to invest in the past heavily in the game the two goals had to be reached: success and profit, with a huge base of active players. (inversely to what happens with Star Citizen that has players with money to spend but can not deliver the game)

my conclusion is a good game, not brilliant, but enough for a reasonable amount of stubborn like us to continue to draw some fun but not good enough to attract large numbers of players and behind them 'the' big money.

I do not expect anything fantastic in the years to come.

 

[Cosmo]

Based on the accurate roadmap leak, I'm pretty sure we'll get EVA with ship interior customization and/or planet-side base cosmetics in 2020. Both would be additional revenue for Frontier to keep developing ED.

 

[thistle]

Frankly, I'd rather FDev fully committed to something and then left it up to players to decide if they're willing to play that kind of game.

Like the FSS, which Adam BW has confirmed isn't changing?

 

[Stealthie]

Like the FSS, which Adam BW has confirmed isn't changing?

Sure, why not?

Personally, I think the FSS could have been implemented differently but there's nothing halfassed or "MVP" about it.
It's a pretty good example (albeit, not exactly a hugely significant one) of somebody knowing what they want and getting the job done.
Properly.

 

[Vasious]

Sapce legs or not
I would love to spruce up the flight desk of my Sidewinder
A Saud Kruger luxury upgrade with better panels, materials, and flooring and hidden pipes and wires.

Having A rated and engineered everything, and fitted a body kit, it would be nice to redo the inferior as well

 

[VR Jay Le Chardon]

SC may have it's many failings as a functioning MMO space sim. But I'm not going to lie. No other game/early access test game exists on the market that can beat SC when it comes to ship customization.

Space legs/EVA aren't likely to be a feasible game feature for this existing generation of ED game design. Unless inside your SRV, your existence as a paraplegic commander confines you to the interior of your ship. Never being able to escape you pilot's chair on the bridge.

HOWEVER, other games have proved that it IS possible to have a psuedo space leg version for the likes of new features like:

1. Cookie cutter/customized Space ship interiors.

This customization works the way SC currently handles space craft customization (to an insane level of detail). Except players would have the choice to buy interior module upgrades from the store with in game credits or real life dollars (the way ship exterior customization is currently handled to date). These interior ship module upgrades are NOT combat oriented so the feature isn't designed to devolve to a P2W. They're purely for cosmetic/vanity and/or RPG purposes.

I'd be in nirvana if in the 2020 update, FDev could give us the level of ship interior customization as shown here in Batgirl's recent video. All ship interior interaction would be from a 1st person POV where you wouldn't necessarily be able to see your feet (i.e devs don't animate walking inside space craft). Instead the camera lets your 1st POV freely move your Holo Me's head around inside the ship. Similar to the way you can move your head around in the cockpit. Or view the ship exterior but to an unlimited extent inside the ship. But you can see your hand/arm extremities like you currently can when piloting controls from your cockpit. I'd give my left lung to be able to have the level of customization SC currently provides for my Asp/Sidewinder/Cobra IV interiors. This would make those long distance hauls and deep space exploration so much more fun and immersive.

Little immersive/RPG details the likes of existing SC features i.e. a bunk bed that would allow your Holo Me to engage the existing SC auto pilot feature, leave their chair and "relax". Or enter their ship bunk to go to sleep, thereby allowing you to log off while in the deep or on a planet somewhere. Yes, you can currently hang out in your pilot's seat (as a confined paraplegic) and/or log off whenever you want. But doing so from a bunk bed is far more immersive.

If you opt to relax on the bunk bed, you could buy another ship upgrade entertainment module e.g. in form of a ship tablet/laptop PC located beside your bed. This would let you access info like Galaxy News, or read the new Pilot handbook etc. (or do other real life things like browsing real life internet outside of game).

Other ship upgrade features you could by from the store, would be modules based on increasing degree of amenities. Like being able to buy a standard, cheap water/beverage module for my Sidewinder to make that much needed cup of joe that I could set on my dash with all the other bling I bought from the store. Much like the way you can get water from this module as showcased here:

Open beverage/water cooler module to get something to drink:
View attachment 135007


Getting water to drink
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View of pilot's seat from the beverage/water cooler module upgrade (aka you're no longer a paraplegic commander)
View attachment 135009

Activating your pilot's seat to sit down (and possibly drink your water/coffee while in it)
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Or the ability to buy an upgraded version of said beverage/coffee maker as an integrated food dispenser. That would let you make an additional quick bite to eat. Or on a luxury class ship the likes of my dream Orca/Beluga, which would have a full blown galley (another stolen idea from SC 890 Jump like this concept art for a luxury class gallery):
View attachment 135011

Choices for player ship upgrade customization is infinite. Some really great interior ship customization begins @ 16:33 in BatGirls video here. Note how well the bunk/food dispenser module amenities are well integrated into the ship's interior from a functional (and aesthetic) perspective. It allows the pilot to easily access either interactive space directly from the cockpit. That's the sort of interior customization that makes owning a small ship the likes of a Sidey or Beluga that much more meaningful and immersive.

2. Space station interiors.

Would work the way Rebel Galaxy Outlaw has shown how the game handles space legs inside space stations. Player's character enters a cookie cutter station interior by means of predetermined menu interiors. Character can interact with NPCs/buy ships etc. with a predetermined dialogue/interactive menu. This space station interior is the same regardless of which procedurally generated Obis, Coriolis or planetary station the player visits. However, this would probably be more labor design intensive and likely not feasible to implement by 2020 deadline.

But the most likely feature that FDev could implement in the 2020 update would be allowing us to customize our space craft interiors. Be it a standardized/cookie cutter (the current existing model for exterior space craft design extended to interiors) or full blown customization going the SC route. The former while more design efficient, wouldn't make FDev as much money as would the latter (just look at how SC is profiting currently from ship interior micro transactions to date). And the latter would likely keep the ED fan base more engaged in buying from the store. Especially given the amount of vanity items players opt to buy for their ship dashboard. Store customization items like a virtual Hutton Orbital coffee mug would be icing on the cake.

Going the SC route for interior customization would clearly be the best case scenario IMO as it's win-win on player and FDev end. The player gets to highly customize an interactive ship interior to their hearts content. And FDev gets to make a mint of $$$$$ in profit by providing said degree of customization to the fan base.

Just my 2 credits. Any takers or nay sayers for these (especially on #1)?

If you look in suggestions thread, I had recently suggested a new store item being ship interior sink packs....

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/threads/new-store-item-cockpit-interior-skins.514662/