Fleet carriers are a epic fail in one word

[Simon Templar]

That's what one might think or want to think. But my experience is different. I mean, i gave examples where stuff happened. You were not required to have a house and store things there in the mentioned games, either. And the people were aware of the upkeep, some kept things fine there for years, till random stuff happened, which kept them away from the game for too long.

The observed reaction never was like "oh, i knew the rules, it's fine, i am so glad i can start over". Not once. Instead it always resulted in the player migrating to another game. Usually after contacting customer support, a lot of cursing and sometimes with taking the guild along.



Quite true. And they are made for a limited part of the playerbase. I still am astonished that there was zero, nada, nilch, for the regular player. During the beta i still was hoping that they'd have at least some small goodies prepared and would just not show them off, so they'd be the nice surprise at launch. After nothing happening for so long for the average player, any small goodie would've made a huge difference.

Instead there was nothing. Which again, translates badly. I mean i mentioned it above: i very much expect my friends, when gaming on this weekend, ask me about the new ED patch and what's up there. And i will have to tell them that there is nothing, not even a tiny quality of live upgrade, included in it, which would be for them. The complete absence of anything for the average player implicitly carries the message that FD doesn't care for them.

Also, having to say that there's absolutely nothing of interest for them doesn't really support my cause of spending another evening with them in ED. While there's plenty of other games out there, which put lots of effort into catering for more casual players.

It's not just the casuals - I have billions and one of every ship but there was nothing for me in this update. Indeed, it ruined populated space for me. Now pondering a return to RDR2 or trying out NMS. It's a sad day.

 

[AtomEddy]

implying they were tested

More like knowing for a fact that they've been tested.

I agree about the filter, really hoping for that. Have to disagree about it just being hot spots, though - I'm up at Colonia, there were seven in a line last night, then I went to several other large station systems and the lowest I found was two and an average of four. Between that already being unrealistic and changing the feel of systems for the worse, the names were also often immersion breaking and stupid, took me out of the space moment, and sometimes unpleasant. I won't repeat the unpleasant, but 'monkeybottom' and 'fleety mcfleetface' did nothing for my enjoyment, indeed they detracted from it. <...>

So much this. I mean, it's to be expected I guess, some people take weird pleasure in flying multibillion Monkeybottoms.
But there's no going around it, just don't dock at that place. Assume it's a pirate or some rich degenerate with eccentric name conventions (no offence, but that's what many would think IRL). Or maybe someone hacked the carrier's communications array

To be fair, today I've seen at least 20 FCs with very cool and immersive names. And only one monkeybottom

 

[Simon Templar]

More like knowing for a fact that they've been tested.



So much this. I mean, it's to be expected I guess, some people take weird pleasure in flying multibillion Monkeybottoms.
But there's no going around it, just don't dock at that place. Assume it's a pirate or some rich degenerate with eccentric name conventions (no offence, but that's what many would think IRL)

To be fair, today I've seen at least 20 with very cool and immersive names

Yes some are very cool but there are too many carriers by far (immersion damage number one) and there are far too many stupid or unpleasant names, the whole update seems to cater to the lowest common denominator. Just as various Facebook groups I have inhabited for years have been ruined by Brexit then controversial elections in the UK and US (people seem too often to hate one another or be snide for zero reason in previously benign groups), the same sense of crass humour debasing any serious attempt at escapism is now penetrating Elite. Sorry - bad day - will stop before you think me a nutjob!

 

[Charles Erika von Hackbeil]

I was in Earth Defense Fleet territory yesterday, looking for high grades. Spawn rate was abysmal - I demand a refund.

(Sorry for being slighly off topic)

 

[Deleted member 182079]

I agree about the filter, really hoping for that. Have to disagree about it just being hot spots, though - I'm up at Colonia, there were seven in a line last night, then I went to several other large station systems and the lowest I found was two and an average of four. Between that already being unrealistic and changing the feel of systems for the worse, the names were also often immersion breaking and stupid, took me out of the space moment, and sometimes unpleasant. I won't repeat the unpleasant, but 'monkeybottom' and 'fleety mcfleetface' did nothing for my enjoyment, indeed they detracted from it. It's the first thing they have done which has set my experience back and set me thinking that maybe my Elite time is up. That system map filter you mention is essential, to me, or I'll have to look elsewhere (which would make me really sad - I'm a 1980s Elite player with a lot of time in ED, I could afford a carrier just don't want one. So I'm every bit as committed to the game as anyone else, my views are relevant. Gameplay which ruins the experience of some is worthy of note and attention. A filter would sort it, I absolutely don't begrudge others having fast travel posts etc. I just don't want to have to have it ruin the previously-authentic feel of the universe).

Only 7?

I'm joking of course, but yeah I suppose with Colonia being a much smaller bubble there isn't much space for FCs to spread out.

I do actually agree with all your points, and yes they do spoil the view apart from cluttering up the sysmap - the names do bother me at times (in terms of immersion more than offense but I hear you) although I haven't seen that many stupid ones yet.

 

[Brrokk]

In other games (e.g. Lord of the Rings Online), GMs forcibly rename characters whose names don't fit the lore. I'd like to see something like that in ED, although I know it takes resources and leads to disagreements.

 

[Sir Ganksalot]

I don't even know what this discussion is about, nor do I really care but I dream of ganking a fleet carrier so +1 for making them destructible.

* 1 hours and 15 ammo synths later, hull drops from 100 to 99 *

 

[Simon Templar]

Only 7?

I'm joking of course, but yeah I suppose with Colonia being a much smaller bubble there isn't much space for FCs to spread out.

I do actually agree with all your points, and yes they do spoil the view apart from cluttering up the sysmap - the names do bother me at times (in terms of immersion more than offense but I hear you) although I haven't seen that many stupid ones yet.

thank you. And yes, Colonia is sparse (population 450k). I saw over 20 then stopped counting last night overall. And lol I overplayed the offence and downplayed the immersion point. I did ten years’ law enforcement after uni so I have seen far worse than some childish references! But I’m reassured to hear that I’m not the only one.

In other games (e.g. Lord of the Rings Online), GMs forcibly rename characters whose names don't fit the lore. I'd like to see something like that in ED, although I know it takes resources and leads to disagreements.

unfamiliar with that (although as a big LOTR fan I might now try the game!) but it sounds great

 

[ShimEnki]

Also imagine finding a good deal on a large amount of goods.. buying a massive load of it... then jumping to a system with a high price. Ferrying to sell it etc

This and your post above I'm in total accord with. The FC may one day make a great Pirate sanctuary if they can remove the "stolen" label and connect to station services when you are hostile to the tyrannical faction in control
Question, can one store goods with the "stolen" label on it and slaves?

 

[BigBANGtheory [VR]]

I'm not sure I'd call Fleet Carriers "an epic fail" but it does feel in the final analysis that they are largely a waste of time for most people and arguably including Frontier if this is what they had in mind all along. The nearest comparison I can make is they feel like trophy items and you know great if you're enjoying them but not exactly having a good impact across the board.

I hope they evolve into something better is how I'll sum Fleet Carriers up, but glad Frontier got them out the door its a start.

 

[Agony_Aunt]

I don't even know what this discussion is about, nor do I really care but I dream of ganking a fleet carrier so +1 for making them destructible.

* 1 hours and 15 ammo synths later, hull drops from 100 to 99 *

You kind of raise an interesting point.

If FCs were destructible. How destructrable should they be? How long should it take to take one down?

If its an hour sitting there holding the firing button, its not very engaging. But if its relatively quick, it gives nobody any time to respond.

Furthermore, if they are destructible, where is the risk/challenge for the attacker? Surely if you can cause someone to loose assets, there should be some risk for the attacker to lose something as well right? Can't rely on the owner or friends to defend, as they simply might not be online or even if they are, they might be nowhere near their FC. (and of course, there are modes and platforms to consider). But if its PvE based on ship defenses, then there will be a meta people figure out and soon it will be discovered the best way to take them down, and back to zero risk for the attacker.

 

[Vicktore Beskor]

It seem to me everyone is over complaining the situation. FDev made a obvious mistake that no one wants to admit. They added a imbalance into the game without think on the consequences. The player with the FC will always have a advantage over the player who doesn’t. Because there is no way to affect the carriers themselves. There is no way to damage them and no way to make them leave a system they are in. That unto itself is a imbalance. That is a action with out a opposite reaction. And in my book, now mind you I said “my book” or just my opinion it is a epic failure in game design.

 

[GJ51]

It seem to me everyone is over complaining the situation. FDev made a obvious mistake that no one wants to admit. They added a imbalance into the game without think on the quinces. The player with the FC will always have a advantage over the player who doesn’t. Because there is no way to affect the carriers themselves. There is no way to damage them and no way to make them leave a system they are in. That unto itself is a imbalance. That is a action with out a opposite reaction. And in my book, now mode you I said “my book” or just my opinion it is a epic failure in game design.

I'm a bit lost on how the FC creates any sort of imbalance that can't also be achieved by parking your fleet in a conventional station.

The FC only makes it easier to move to another system from what I've experienced.

Please forgive my ignorance.

 

[Vicktore Beskor]

I'm a bit lost on how the FC creates any sort of imbalance that can't also be achieved by parking your fleet in a conventional station.

The FC only makes it easier to move to another system from what I've experienced.

Please forgive my ignorance.

1- it is undetermined as of now how much damage a FC can make to a player minor factions influences
2-any player asset that is in game that is indestructible is a unto itself a Imbalance in the game. For every action there needs to be a equal and opposite reaction. For there to be a balanced game

 

[Sir Ganksalot]

You kind of raise an interesting point.

If FCs were destructible. How destructrable should they be? How long should it take to take one down?

If its an hour sitting there holding the firing button, its not very engaging. But if its relatively quick, it gives nobody any time to respond.

Furthermore, if they are destructible, where is the risk/challenge for the attacker? Surely if you can cause someone to loose assets, there should be some risk for the attacker to lose something as well right? Can't rely on the owner or friends to defend, as they simply might not be online or even if they are, they might be nowhere near their FC. (and of course, there are modes and platforms to consider). But if its PvE based on ship defenses, then there will be a meta people figure out and soon it will be discovered the best way to take them down, and back to zero risk for the attacker.

To add to that, I think it would be interesting if you park one in Thargoid space and it gets attacked. It could create some interesting gameplay.

 

[Rat Catcher]

Yes some are very cool but there are too many carriers by far (immersion damage number one) and there are far too many stupid or unpleasant names, the whole update seems to cater to the lowest common denominator. Just as various Facebook groups I have inhabited for years have been ruined by Brexit then controversial elections in the UK and US (people seem too often to hate one another or be snide for zero reason in previously benign groups), the same sense of crass humour debasing any serious attempt at escapism is now penetrating Elite. Sorry - bad day - will stop before you think me a nutjob!

Only 7?

I'm joking of course, but yeah I suppose with Colonia being a much smaller bubble there isn't much space for FCs to spread out.

I do actually agree with all your points, and yes they do spoil the view apart from cluttering up the sysmap - the names do bother me at times (in terms of immersion more than offense but I hear you) although I haven't seen that many stupid ones yet.

There were 17 FC's in Luchtaine this morning, but as it is an engineer system they may not be there later
For being a 'tiny bubble' Colonia appears to have a large FC take-up for a 'small' population - but I do wonder how many are off to Deep Space soon, it is 'easier' to get a bunch of FC's in place from Colonia for the network, after all.

Vicktore has a point in the FC being indestructible, but has apparently missed the point that the ships coming and going around it won't be, if BGS work is being done from them the'defending' faction has the same chance of apprehending the heartless bounders as they would have had should they be coming from without the system, not much difference really

 

[Agony_Aunt]

To add to that, I think it would be interesting if you park one in Thargoid space and it gets attacked. It could create some interesting gameplay.

Only if you are in the instance to defend it perhaps.

 

[Thwarptide]

Well organized greifers are going to have a ball!

 

[Lightspeed]

Well organized greifers are going to have a ball!

Along with the well organized bounty hunters !

 

[GJ51]

1- it is undetermined as of now how much damage a FC can make to a player minor factions influences
2-any player asset that is in game that is indestructible is a unto itself a Imbalance in the game. For every action there needs to be a equal and opposite reaction. For there to be a balanced game

I thought FD specifically took measure to minimize BGS impact by FCs. In any event if it's undetermined at this point, it would seem a bit premature to be a major concern.

Stations and FCs are both indestructible. Again, I don't see a "balance" issue.

From what I've seen during beta the FC gives a player 3 advantages:

1) Moving a fleet more efficiently than using the transfer mechanism.
2) The storage hold can expand trade potential for increased profits.
3) The increased range can assist explorers to reach new destinations at the farthest extremes.

All seem like motivations for any player to have evolved game play once they have accumulated what was previously, "more than enough assets than one would know what to do with."

I see it enhancing ED for the mature player

I don't see how it impedes a new player

All affective game actions are still done from a ship.