Gamescon I give FD 88%....well done!

[Javert]

Lots of critical talk about one particular feature announced at Gamescon. Unfortunately everyone tends to debate the thing they don't like, so I just wanted to point out that IMO the devs are doing great job of developing the game:

Ship launched fighters - Love it
NPC Crew for fighters - Love it
Passenger Missions - Love it
New Ship(s?) - Love it.
Galaxy Map enhancements - Love it
Enhanced system map - Love it
New API (they didn't talk about this but it was previously announced I think as part of 2.2) - Love it.
SIN Broker - Love it (as long as you can't pay off bounties which are not yet expired).
Volcanism and other plant enhancements - Love it.
Alien mysteries and interference - Love it.
Station enhancements to graphics and interior - love it.
CQC assets in game - love it.
New paint jobs wire frame etc - Excellent feature
Paint jobs for fighters - very good
SRV paint jobs - very good.
Instant ship transfer - not so much - I can see the temptation but personally I'm against it being instant.
No news about season 3 (even if just to say that season 3 will not happen this year and set expectations) - not so much.

(Note - this is not a thread to discuss Instant ship transfer as there is another thread for that. I am just trying to point out that it appears to me there is a huge amount of work going on to improve the game and I would like to acknowledge that fact.)

 

[Ozram]

For the first time I've been deeply disappointed with FDs direction in the game. Taking from your list, here's my opinion:

Ship launched fighters - Sounds fun (yet to see how it impacts gameplay) so a +
NPC Crew for fighters - Love it ++
Passenger Missions - it's not my thing but I'm glad they're doing it so +
New Ship(s?) - Meh (neutral)
Galaxy Map enhancements - Okay depending on how it impacts loading the star map (neutral)
Enhanced system map - See above (Neutral)
New API (they didn't talk about this but it was previously announced I think as part of 2.2) - Uncertain (Neutral)
SIN Broker - Mostly hate it because it's another gamey convenience and nothing done about crime and punishment --
Volcanism and other plant enhancements - Sounds great ++
Alien mysteries and interference - Why not? +
Station enhancements to graphics and interior - Whatever (Neutral)
CQC assets in game - Already addressed with SLF (NA)
New paint jobs wire frame etc - (Neutral)
Paint jobs for fighters - Meh (Neutral)
SRV paint jobs - (Neutral)
Instant ship transfer - Hate it intensely - 20
No news about season 3 (even if just to say that season 3 will not happen this year and set expectations) - Slightly negative -

 

[babelfisch]

Haven't watched all the livestreams yet but from what I've read on the forums 2.2 seems to be a very good update. If you follow steam stats it looks like more players joined the game after gamescom.

I am undecided yet about ship transfer and 3D printable fighters.

 

[Javert]

For the first time I've been deeply disappointed with FDs direction in the game. Taking from your list, here's my opinion:

Just to be clear, the CQC assets in game comment was different because it refers to the CQC structures and stations which are also being brought in.

 

[fennster]

For the first time I've been deeply disappointed with FDs direction in the game. Taking from your list, here's my opinion:

SIN Broker - Mostly hate it because it's another gamey convenience

I would of been happy if they just showed uncollected bounties on the galaxy map, so I could collect them as I passed by or plan a route to clear the transaction board.

 

[Artemis Zodiac]

i would have liked to see some form of future expansion in the works or at least a decent shot of a thargoid or something similar.

i thought sir brabens last interview was going to be some big reveal about it.


adam the guy in the middle is the most pro guy out of the 3 imo......deffo a good asset to FD

55% for myself

 

[Ozram]

Just to be clear, the CQC assets in game comment was different because it refers to the CQC structures and stations which are also being brought in.

Ah, thanks for clarifying.

 

[Cmdr Eagleboy]

I have almost no issues with stuff I seen but I have small issues with stuff we didn't see (2.3 and Season 3). I just curious about general schedule beyond 2.2. But knowing history, FD does it for good reasons.

 

[Lateralus]

I have almost no issues with stuff I seen but I have small issues with stuff we didn't see (2.3 and Season 3). I just curious about general schedule beyond 2.2. But knowing history, FD does it for good reasons.

Don't expect any info on season 3 until the new year.. 4-5 month quiet spells are the new norm. We may be lucky and get 2.3 for Christmas, but I would say it's unlikely.

 

[Retrograde]

88% sounds about right to me. Overall, 2.2 is looking much better than I expected, particularly since I didn't have much interest in launched fighters.

We're only at 2.2. Why would FD start revealing anything about Season 3 yet? I'll start expecting news on the next season once 2.4 rolls around.

Of course a newsletter on 2.3 would be welcome, maybe after 2.2 beta is out...

 

[Tony Spaniels]

Agreed OP I think that FD have made great moves in to improve the quality of life and experience playing Elite which is very welcome. It has been overshadowed somewhat unfortunately and it must be a little frustrating for FD to see after the hard work getting everything else ready in time. Anyway if I may hijack your list for my own gratification


Ship launched fighters - Looks to me like this will add an interesting new dynamic to ship combat. Looking forward to testing it out. A wing of 8 will be a force to be reckoned with.
NPC Crew for fighters - Great addition. To me this will add a certain comradeship not unlike what you get in X-Com. The risk of losing your ship and crew will make decision making much more interesting and involved.
Passenger Missions - More mission types is a good thing and this has been on the cards for a while. Sometimes Im in the mood to just fly about rather than mission or bounty hunt and dont want to go too far out to explore. THis will give this mood a purpose and hopefully a nice income also!
New Ship(s?) - Great! Keep em coming! The Beluga really looks beautiful. Congratulations to al involved in its creation.
Galaxy Map enhancements - Yes please.
Enhanced system map - Frankly I was blown away by the new planet models. THis is an incredible addition! Im surprised there hasnt been more noise on this on here. You can look at every single planet accurately!! Thats amazing!! Question tho...is this something thats limited to systems already visited by a player or can we look at any planet in the milky way?
New API - cool
SIN Broker - Probably not something I'll use much myself but could be handy every now and then.
Volcanism and other plant enhancements - Interesting!
Alien mysteries and interference - Brilliant! I really hope and trust FD will introduce these aliens with as much drama and intrigue as possible.
Station enhancements to graphics and interior - Really good to see and hopefully more to come.
CQC assets in game - Great.
New paint jobs wire frame etc - Yeah thats nice but as an original Cobra wireframe owner i dont feel so special anymore
Paint jobs for fighters - very good
SRV paint jobs - very good.
Instant ship transfer - I agree that it should take a while to get to your location. You could then maybe have introduced a system of hiring pilots who are more able and can get the ship to you faster than average, but cost more to hire.
No news about season 3 - well, a missed opportunity but perhaps the situation is very fluid regarding this behind the scenes and they didnt want to commit to anything just yet.

So about a 90% from me

 

[D.G.Cerberus]

Taking your list.....

Ship launched fighters - Would have liked the ability to launch at least the same number of SLFs as I have NPC crew (so 3 then). Worried how they will be balanced, but could be interesting. Generally positive.
NPC Crew for fighters - Unclear on why 3 max and then why 2 are on shore leave. Rest of mechanic looks good. Generally positive
Passenger Missions - Example wasn't that mind blowing, however recognise WIP. More importantly though, a potential great development opportunity here if they use it right - transporting (Smuggling) VIP rebel or exiled leaders back into conflict/ turmoil systems to change the course of things etc.....(I think they should ditch the last minute demand for 3t of liquor though.....!). Positive
New Ship(s?) - Sure, why not: More ships is always good IMO. Positive
Galaxy Map enhancements - Good QoL improvements. Positive
Enhanced system map - Good QoL improvements. Positive
New API (they didn't talk about this but it was previously announced I think as part of 2.2) - Neutral
SIN Broker - From a perspective of hoovering up tiny incidental bounties you gained along the way and cleaning up your transaction tab.....Great. Can't remember but if they take a small cut, then even better as more realistic. I probably would have NOT included the ability to remotely pay penalties however. Neutral
Volcanism and other plant enhancements - Shall await with interest, particularly if it makes my life in the buggy less dull. Positive
Alien mysteries and interference - Depending on how well they develop this concept, great. Positive
Station enhancements to graphics and interior - Always loved this. I know it is incidental to the grand scheme of things but brings original Elite back to life for me in a really special way. Docking manually in original wireframe Elite was a great challenge with no real reward other than "Not dying". Positive
CQC assets in game - IIRC they said they would/ could be a placeholder for further content/ opportunities in future. So potentially good. Positive
New paint jobs wire frame etc - OK. Neutral
Paint jobs for fighters - OK. Neutral
SRV paint jobs - Not fan of buggy. Different SRVs might work better for me! Neutral
Instant ship transfer - The mechanism: Great. Positive. Execution: Negative
No news about season 3 (even if just to say that season 3 will not happen this year and set expectations) - Not fussed. I just enjoy the game as it is in each release, taking the positives and mitigating the negatives. Rinse and repeat with each new release.

 

[Cmdr Eagleboy]

Don't expect any info on season 3 until the new year.. 4-5 month quiet spells are the new norm. We may be lucky and get 2.3 for Christmas, but I would say it's unlikely.

I will speculate 2. 3 will arrive at Christmas, otherwise FD would openly said that this is last update for this year. I suspect 2.3 will be smaller update comparing to 2.1 and 2.2.

As for Season 3 we might be hearing about it around Christmas time.

 

[Solomon Demeter]

Hmmm. CQC assets added in game..... Does this mean they'll be replacing some outposts? I.E. will they add landing pads so we can land on/in them?

 

[Cmdr Eagleboy]

Hmmm. CQC assets added in game..... Does this mean they'll be replacing some outposts? I.E. will they add landing pads so we can land on/in them?

Most likely they are future POI - like special stations to visit for missions, or for special goal. One visible thing is military installations, and military shipyards. Which might indicate of times to come in ED universe.

 

[Mikalus]

I have no idea how someone can look at this list and not be happy that FDEV are working on things. I would have loved to see some updates to PP but Gamescon wasn't the place for this. Thanks for bringing some positivity

 

[Ozram]

Most likely they are future POI - like special stations to visit for missions, or for special goal. One visible thing is military installations, and military shipyards. Which might indicate of times to come in ED universe.

Maybe they'll add power up hoops while they're at it.

 

[nats]

I enjoyed the streams generally.

I would have liked to have heard less repetition about 2.2, they are adding a lot soon but why is everything coming now as a lump and not before? Its as if I am not seeing a benefit of buying Horisons until the very end of the year. So far Horizons has given me very little of interest.

I particularly hate the SRV skins - they are a right rip-off. I know they are trying to get more money but come on Frontier you can do better than that! Offer me a better external camera and I will gladly pay for some community ship skins but I am not paying for any skins I cant see. But SRV skins - they should be free - as should some basic ship skins.

David Braben was a major disappointment - as usual it was "this is really exciting" without him telling me anything I didnt already know or had heard him say at least twenty times before.

But other than those three things the first three days were fun to listen to, the last day was a bit rubbish, they should have saved two or three things for that last day.

 

[Kayweg]

Haven't watched all the livestreams yet but from what I've read on the forums 2.2 seems to be a very good update. If you follow steam stats it looks like more players joined the game after gamescom.

I am undecided yet about ship transfer and 3D printable fighters.

I think if you look at it again, you'll find the recent influx started well before gamescom and shortly after many ppl's NMS disappointment hit home.
Also, lets wait and see if the upshoot is persistent.
Btw, i thought steam stats didn't matter ?
Or do they only not matter if they show a negative trend ?

 

[Cmdr Eagleboy]

I think if you look at it again, you'll find the recent influx started well before gamescom and shortly after many ppl's NMS disappointment hit home.
Also, lets wait and see if the upshoot is persistent.
Btw, i thought steam stats didn't matter ?
Or do they only not matter if they show a negative trend ?

They do matter and there was no negative trend. Like zero evidence of it.