How do we play it right?
Fixing boredom in Elite Dangerous
- Thread starter SentineI
- Start date
How do we play it right?
I'm a happy customer, I've played the game pretty much every day since Christmas and I've got a lot of enjoyment out of it, but I agree the more you play it the more you question things. My suggestions:
1. Ditch supercruise *completely*
Think about it, when was the last time you just pointed your ship randomly at the black stuff? We are always going from star to planet or station. I think FD were right, it should be a series of nav-points in each system, with a brief animation showing the star or planetary approach, so we get the same beautiful visuals. When you enter the system you could be taken to the star's nav-point, where you may encounter other ships, and then you must plot a course to other nav-points in the system. Ships should be dropped a few km from stations, and in low security systems you should literally sigh with relief when you reach the no fire zone and are escorted in by security services.
Then there would be a reason for ships to be milling about at nav-points, and a reason to encounter other ships in the vastness of space. There could be nav-points for stars planets and stations, ad-hoc meeting points for trade, scenic navpoints etc so we wouldn't lose any freedom.
2. Make the AI believable
They need to go about their business and do sensible things. I get bored dealing with randomly spawning NPCs, with silly names, that just do nothing and go nowhere. Make them smart, and make some of them persistent. This is more important than a dynamic galaxy simulation. Pirates should work together and attack "iron ass" player ships in numbers, NPCs being attacked should call for help, it should be possible to co-operate with NPCs and hire (or provide) escort services, and set up trade convoys, there should be radio chatter and NPC video comms. And fix those names.
3. Don't make me write down commodity prices in 3301
It's 3301 and I'm noting down prices on scraps of paper, and it's a complete chore. It adds *nothing* to the game. I don't mind exploring and discovering prices for myself but either add some trade tools or a button to copy commodity prices to the clipboard to paste into Excel. Also I think market data should be available to view as soon as you jump into the system not when you dock (as per original Elite).
4. Give the galaxy some personality
Lots of suggestions on this already. Factions should look different, technology and trade should vary wildly in different parts of the galaxy, and there should be aliens. And give us an external view so we can take some nice photos of it all.
5. Make FAO a worthwhile challenge
I enjoy the WWII flight model, but there should be more you can do with flight assist off as you become more experienced as a pilot. BSG-style 180-flips, energy management techniques, maybe the ability to program avoidance maneuvers like the magic tricks performed by NPCs? Something to mix it up a bit after all the pitch-or-joust contests.
6. Surprise me
I can still remember the first time "INCOMING MESSAGE" appeared on my screen after umpteen trade and combat runs in original Elite. What is this?! A supership and I'm being asked to go after it? Nobody told me about this. Amazing. Where are the surprises in ED? The galaxy is a big place, rare things should happen all the time.
1. Ditch supercruise *completely*
Think about it, when was the last time you just pointed your ship randomly at the black stuff? We are always going from star to planet or station. I think FD were right, it should be a series of nav-points in each system, with a brief animation showing the star or planetary approach, so we get the same beautiful visuals. When you enter the system you could be taken to the star's nav-point, where you may encounter other ships, and then you must plot a course to other nav-points in the system. Ships should be dropped a few km from stations, and in low security systems you should literally sigh with relief when you reach the no fire zone and are escorted in by security services.
Then there would be a reason for ships to be milling about at nav-points, and a reason to encounter other ships in the vastness of space. There could be nav-points for stars planets and stations, ad-hoc meeting points for trade, scenic navpoints etc so we wouldn't lose any freedom.
2. Make the AI believable
They need to go about their business and do sensible things. I get bored dealing with randomly spawning NPCs, with silly names, that just do nothing and go nowhere. Make them smart, and make some of them persistent. This is more important than a dynamic galaxy simulation. Pirates should work together and attack "iron ass" player ships in numbers, NPCs being attacked should call for help, it should be possible to co-operate with NPCs and hire (or provide) escort services, and set up trade convoys, there should be radio chatter and NPC video comms. And fix those names.
3. Don't make me write down commodity prices in 3301
It's 3301 and I'm noting down prices on scraps of paper, and it's a complete chore. It adds *nothing* to the game. I don't mind exploring and discovering prices for myself but either add some trade tools or a button to copy commodity prices to the clipboard to paste into Excel. Also I think market data should be available to view as soon as you jump into the system not when you dock (as per original Elite).
4. Give the galaxy some personality
Lots of suggestions on this already. Factions should look different, technology and trade should vary wildly in different parts of the galaxy, and there should be aliens. And give us an external view so we can take some nice photos of it all.
5. Make FAO a worthwhile challenge
I enjoy the WWII flight model, but there should be more you can do with flight assist off as you become more experienced as a pilot. BSG-style 180-flips, energy management techniques, maybe the ability to program avoidance maneuvers like the magic tricks performed by NPCs? Something to mix it up a bit after all the pitch-or-joust contests.
6. Surprise me
I can still remember the first time "INCOMING MESSAGE" appeared on my screen after umpteen trade and combat runs in original Elite. What is this?! A supership and I'm being asked to go after it? Nobody told me about this. Amazing. Where are the surprises in ED? The galaxy is a big place, rare things should happen all the time.
You're in luck! There's 400 billion systems to go find it in!
Awesome! I will enjoy the trek!
I think most of those ideas will cause annoyance more than make the game interesting. If I'm on a long trip that's going to take 10 minutes in SC for example, I don't really want to be sitting in front of the screen making course corrections, avoiding anomalies and possible ambushes repeatedly as I trade back and forth. Having to do this repeatedly on long flights, would actually bore me even more than it does already. At least now, I can go make a coffee or something. IF we do get the ability to walk about on the ship, I'd like to take the opportunity to check other systems, possibly do some repairs and such. IF we eventually get some trade tools, maybe do some updates on screen for prices and availability etc, maybe even plan a new route that gives better returns than the current one based on data I have gained from local systems I've visited recently.
My biggest annoyance of SC is acceleration coming out from a station or outpost. The ships inertial stabilisers have the ability to counter an acceleration rate of well over 1c/sec without leaving you little more than a mark on the wall due to inertia, why can't they counter a bit more when accelerating from a planet? It actually takes twice as long to accelerate to 0.5c after exiting a station than it does to fly 200Ls to another station after reaching 0.5c. You really feel like you want to get out and push if it will make it faster.
From looking at the various threads on the issue, there are 2 major issues that need addressing.
1. Instances: Heavy instancing in sandbox games DOES NOT WORK. This game relies on player interaction and because we are all in different instances, interaction between players is rare. This contributes a lot to the boredom of a lot of players because the galaxy appears empty, even in the more populated areas.
2. The community: I get the feeling that a lot of people have come from non-sandbox games. They are used to the game putting them on the progression path and directing them most of the way through the experience. But ED isn't like that. Instead it's a sandbox with no clear progression. The only progression people have found so far are the Federation and Imperial rankings and the ships. So they grind through these progressions, reach the end and then go "well, what else does this game have?" They don't understand that the beauty of a sandbox is the ability to do what you want, to not be confined by a progression path. The downside to this is you have to find your own way of having fun and not rely on the game to direct you. If you don't know how to do this then of course you are going to get bored quickly by this game.
Now, unfortunately FDev can only fix one of those problems, which I hope they are looking into. As for the other problem, that relies on the community and the players to understand this game, and the genre.
1. Instances: Heavy instancing in sandbox games DOES NOT WORK. This game relies on player interaction and because we are all in different instances, interaction between players is rare. This contributes a lot to the boredom of a lot of players because the galaxy appears empty, even in the more populated areas.
2. The community: I get the feeling that a lot of people have come from non-sandbox games. They are used to the game putting them on the progression path and directing them most of the way through the experience. But ED isn't like that. Instead it's a sandbox with no clear progression. The only progression people have found so far are the Federation and Imperial rankings and the ships. So they grind through these progressions, reach the end and then go "well, what else does this game have?" They don't understand that the beauty of a sandbox is the ability to do what you want, to not be confined by a progression path. The downside to this is you have to find your own way of having fun and not rely on the game to direct you. If you don't know how to do this then of course you are going to get bored quickly by this game.
Now, unfortunately FDev can only fix one of those problems, which I hope they are looking into. As for the other problem, that relies on the community and the players to understand this game, and the genre.
Some good ideas ChrisH!
Very well put!
I would add that point 3 is catered for with the Bpc and Cmdr's log. Wonderful free software! From community members with programming talent that love the game.
As a 1980's Elite player, I recall the Anarchy systems as places of real fear! But also places where fortunes were made and lost. The original Elite was far more Elite dangerous. But back then we were truly alone, until you were interdicted by a Thargoids swarm! If anyone thinks they are an Elite combateer, try fighting a Thargoids swarm, alone? (impossible without an energy bomb, or EMP,or Quirium Cascade mine)
Your first paragraph mirrors my experience. I continue to return to fly ED daily. A great source of my entertainment comes from the Voice Attack software and the ASTRA/Legend voice packs. I play with these and add all sorts of macro's to the ship. Again 3rd party add on's, but if that's what's needed, then fine. Look at Flight Simulator. Dead in the water (sky), abandoned by ms, yet continues to get support from a great many developer's and makes money!
Enjoy the weekend in space
Now you've suggested it, this seems like such an obvious idea, and also very easily implemented, but it should also make a huge difference. Come on Frontier, you know it makes sense!
Although this would radically alter the feel of the game, so Frontier might be against it, it does sound like a really good idea to me. Stations would then become "hubs" of player activity, with mad dashes for the safe area near each station.
Yeah, more to do in SC can only be a good thing. It would enhance the immersion factor. At the moment immersion is reduced because I alt-tab out to browse websites, etc.
- - - - - Additional Content Posted / Auto Merge - - - - -
That's a more detailed version of something I asked for. And when you remember how games like Fallout 3 (or Skyrim) played, it totally makes sense: When you start-out in Fallout 3 most areas are far too dangerous, so you have to stick to the few semi-safe places until you get better weapons/etc. You feel a real sense of achievement (something Elite lacks after you've mastered the basics) as you are gradually able to go to more areas & risk taking on nastier enemies.
That isn't quite so easy to achieve in Elite Dangerous, since there are no 'magical' skill-levels that improve how good your in-game character is, but a better ship with better weapons & better actual skill on your part should be sufficient for the way you outlined.
- - - - - Additional Content Posted / Auto Merge - - - - -
What you say makes no sense to me. There is nothing to check in SC which takes more than a few seconds (a few percent of the total SC time). I can't even adjust the energy balance of my ship (between shields, engines & weapons), even though you USED to be able to do so! Frontier need to ADD things to do (as others have suggested), like browse the last Galnet download & the last commodities data you downloaded.
Wouldn't that require there to be, you know, an actual player-driven market that allows people to actually sell things to each other and not just trade with NPCs? You'd expect that to be part of an MMO where trading is a thing but I guess that would be way too much freedom.