Newcomer / Intro Game brings back fond memories

[stummies]

Last friday opening Steam I was welcomed by a new game, Elite Dangerous. After buying it and putting over 20 hours into it this weekend, I have to say this game reminds me of my time playing Privateer when I was a teenager. So far I've only been doing Solo, but the game so far has been a blast to play. Even dusted off my old Saitek joystick I used back when I played Star Wars Galaxies (the space combat was fun). Been mostly doing exploring, with the occasional battle either by investigating unknown signals or fighting off interdictions (died once).

I like the idea of the multiplayer element in this, I guess I'm a bit apprehensive about attempting it though. Browsing through the forums there are some pretty entitled folks here making the community appear to be a little bit toxic. I could and am likely wrong here, but first impressions are what they are. My question is what does this game offer as far as grouping is concerned? Are there corporations or factions I can join, or do people stay independent for the most part forming their own private communities? I'm fine with the lone wolf sort of play but know eventually I'll want to team up for some stuff. Once the new player influx calms down I'll probably give it a shot.

What kind of changes are they planning for this game? I hadn't heard of this game prior to the Steam release so I'm playing catch-up at this point.

Final question, factions... what purpose does it serve? I get the high level reasoning behind it, I want to know if it matters. Like, does increase my faction with certain groups grant me access to better equipment, different areas, etc? I'm fine with staying neutral with people unless there is some kind of real benefit to gaining faction.

Thanks for your time, looking forward to playing this game extensively.

 

[A. Watson]

The game is really fantastic - In my experience, there aren't many of the over-entitled people in game. They just hang out on the forms, making them toxic, as opposed to the ingame community.

As far as changes go, there is a lot planned. First off, getting out of the pilot's chair and walking around your ship and staions, followed by planetary landings. New ships, as expected, and also procedural weapons a la Borderlands, if the Devs are to be believed. New equipment, more things to do, and new mechanics are in the pipeline. While the game is already great, it wil soon be even better!

Gaining rep with either the federation or the empire will give you access to some of their ships - as of yet, just the Dropship for the feds and the Clipper for the Empire, although that is going to change in 1.3, with the Federal Corvette and the Imperial Courier.

 

[JudgeJudas]

I remember playing Elite on the Beeb and I still have it with my other old computers.

Does anyone remember Foft? I received a badge for getting to top rank and I have that too.

Cheers

 

[Jericho]

I like the idea of the multiplayer element in this, I guess I'm a bit apprehensive about attempting it though.

Indeed, there are trolls and griefers in this galaxy in Open play mode, but there are also MANY good people, and there are even many honorable pirates.
Until you're ready for Open you could consider joining MOBIUS, where it is a more gentlemanly version of the galaxy.
MOBIUS is a large private group that does allow PvP but only in designated zones (combat zones where you declare for a particular faction). Everywhere else PvP is prohibited.
Check it out: LINK

What kind of changes are they planning for this game? I hadn't heard of this game prior to the Steam release so I'm playing catch-up at this point.

There are many changes that have already taken place and many more in the works.
In another month or so there'll be a new update called 'Powerplay' which rebalances the professions a bit and expands on some game mechanics. (details are still TBD)
There are also plans on expansions to allow for planetary landings and navigation.
And there is talk of walking around aboard ships and stations.

Final question, factions... what purpose does it serve? I get the high level reasoning behind it, I want to know if it matters. Like, does increase my faction with certain groups grant me access to better equipment, different areas, etc? I'm fine with staying neutral with people unless there is some kind of real benefit to gaining faction.

You can become allied with each of the major factions and there are some unique ships which you can't get unless you achieve a certain rank.
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Good Luck CMDR!
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See you out there!
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[Cula-Ta]

Welcome aboard commander.
Glad to see you are finding out that the more you put in the more you get out with this game.
I play in a PvE group called MOBIUS to avoid the gankers.

Fly safe commander and hope to see you in the Black some day

 

[stummies]

Indeed, there are trolls and griefers in this galaxy in Open play mode, but there are also MANY good people, and there are even many honorable pirates.
Until you're ready for Open you could consider joining MOBIUS, where it is a more gentlemanly version of the galaxy.
MOBIUS is a large private group that does allow PvP but only in designated zones (combat zones where you declare for a particular faction). Everywhere else PvP is prohibited.
Check it out: LINK

That is to be expected. I played EVE a few years back and did some PvP in that game. Unlike EVE this game is a bit more gentle regarding death so I may give open a try soon. I've been thinking about joining a group and will check them out.

There are many changes that have already taken place and many more in the works.
In another month or so there'll be a new update called 'Powerplay' which rebalances the professions a bit and expands on some game mechanics. (details are still TBD)
There are also plans on expansions to allow for planetary landings and navigation.
And there is talk of walking around aboard ships and stations.

Definitely looking forward to those changes.

You can become allied with each of the major factions and there are some unique ships which you can't get unless you achieve a certain rank.

Ok, well I guess I should start working on that as I'm sure faction perks will only get better. On a side note I enjoy the musical choices when auto-docking, my wife heard it and said "Oooh, classical music", had to laugh... don't think she ever watched 2001.

Thanks all for the replies.

 

[Ancipital]

Final question, factions... what purpose does it serve? I get the high level reasoning behind it, I want to know if it matters. Like, does increase my faction with certain groups grant me access to better equipment, different areas, etc? I'm fine with staying neutral with people unless there is some kind of real benefit to gaining faction.

All three major factions grant specific system permits at various ranks. Federal and Imperial grant the ability to purchase the Federal Dropship and Imperial Clipper respectively when players climb the ranks significantly. The Imperial Clipper is actually really good, though the Federal Dropship is a bit of a brick and possibly not the best reason to farm rep. The process of ranking up is quite fun, mostly running missions, though, so it's not a real hardship.