Guilds in Elite Dangerous

[Hellhawk666]

When I started this thread to inquire about "guild" support in-game it seemed from the initial responses that this was simply not going to be implemented, hence my initial consternation.

I just couldn't believe that a game that was advertising itself as "fully multi-player" (literal words from David Braben on the game's website) in 2013-14 could conceivably not support player-managed organizations ingame. To me it cripples the game and will deter a lot of younger players (please don't say this is a good thing).

It's understandable that people who are unfamiliar with online multi-player games don't get why this is the case, particularly if their interest is playing solo or with a preexisting group of friends. I also understand that there are many other experienced online gamers here who would disagree with me. Cool - I respect their opinions.

Thankfully, however, the posting from developer Dan Davies that was referenced earlier in this thread makes it plain that the matter is still open as far as FD are concerned, and that they do not seem to be "anti-guild" at all - in fact quite the opposite.

I think once we're well into beta phase it will start to become plain to many players just how restrictive the current system will be, and to the developers that something will need to be done to address it sooner rather than later in order that the game will maintain a sufficiently large player base to be self-sustaining financially.

 

[Cmdr Eagleboy]

So that's why you actively have to go out your way to avoid PvP? I'm not sure I buy this. If it was a PvE game, you would have pvp zones, arenas, or flags defaulting to OFF. Instead you have some sort of easy method to ignore players you don't like. You have to make it a PvE game by flying off, ignoring players and creating a long **** list.

I meant it is PvE by nature. Of course PvP is allowed here.

I actually don't get fuzz of griefing in ED either - concept of instances doesn't allow for active griefing, NPCs actually will take care of trouble maker, etc. It's a storm in teacup made way too soon. However, I understand some people experiences, and how one such encounter can spoil all MP fun for quite a long time.

 

[Aewarin Jameson]

I think once we're well into beta phase it will start to become plain to many players just how restrictive the current system will be, and to the developers that something will need to be done to address it sooner rather than later in order that the game will maintain a sufficiently large player base to be self-sustaining financially.

Agreed with you until you said this.

That is a presumption - you don't know for sure as you haven't played it yet. You're only inferring what will happen based upon your experience of other games and how they worked and trying to force those views here. ED isn't an MMO; it's not an FPS; it's a hybrid. The "alliance" thing works in games like BF3 / COD which ED is modelled around and the player base there isn't complaining.

Don't get me wrong - I am all for full Guild toolsets and believe personally that FD made a mistake, but we could be jumping the gun and the actual arrangement that FD proposed could work just fine. We will find out either way yes, but you can't say what will happen until then.

 

[Maxeren]

Agreed with you until you said this.

That is a presumption - you don't know for sure as you haven't played it yet. You're only inferring what will happen based upon your experience of other games and how they worked and trying to force those views here. ED isn't an MMO; it's not an FPS; it's a hybrid. The "alliance" thing works in games like BF3 / COD which ED is modelled around and the player base there isn't complaining.

Don't get me wrong - I am all for full Guild toolsets and believe personally that FD made a mistake, but we could be jumping the gun and the actual arrangement that FD proposed could work just fine. We will find out either way yes, but you can't say what will happen until then.

Personally don't mind if it functions like bf3 squads etc. guild would be cool, but i'm not stressing the need for it in any way.

 

[Aewarin Jameson]

Personally don't mind if it functions like bf3 squads etc. guild would be cool

Indeed, and they are handled outside of the game via Origin's webpage. There you manage "Guilds" and inside the game you play with squads (Alliances)

This concept may not work for ED as the game maybe too big (BF3 lasts what 30-40 mins depending on the map then you reset, whilst ED is perpetual) but we will only know for sure after Beta (maybe Alpha) Then we can lobby FD for something more if the current proposal is weak.

 

[Hellhawk666]

That is a presumption - you don't know for sure as you haven't played it yet. You're only inferring what will happen based upon your experience of other games and how they worked and trying to force those views here.

No, it's an opinion. I apologize for expressing my opinion so "forcefully".

 

[Penthux]

No, it's an opinion. I apologize for expressing my opinion so "forcefully".

No need to apologise. I happen to like your "forceful" opinions. When there's nothing else to refer to but your own experience(s) then opinions are expected, and those who wish to shoot you down for expressing those opinions are expected too.

Been there. Done that. Still waiting for the t-shirt.

 

[Greeboski]

Been there. Done that. Still waiting for the t-shirt.

(highly exited voice) oooh , oooh , when do the T-shirts arrive ?

 

[Minti2]

No, it's an opinion. I apologize for expressing my opinion so "forcefully".

Dont apologize, you only said " i think" we are all allowed to speculate and have opinions whatever our views, its all we can go on till FD announces more, or the way its flying so fast actually playing/testing in Alpha

 

[Aewarin Jameson]

No, it's an opinion. I apologize for expressing my opinion so "forcefully".

Crikey ... I really did miss my breakfast - this is the 2nd thread I entered this morning and it went wrong Really sorry about that too - that was definitely not what I meant and being away all day at work (GMT+4) I have only just found your reply.

What I meant was not "force your views here", but "force your experiences of guilds into ED" ... meaning that in the past we have experienced Guilds and had some joy from them (or not - depends on the game ) and know they work but that may not be required here ... If we wait until Alpha / Beta we will definitely get a better understanding of if / what is needed.

No need to apologise.

Dont apologize

No - you're damn right he doesn't .. but I do.

My brain was not engaged this morning - Apologies to Hellhawk.

Been there. Done that. Still waiting for the t-shirt.

What size sir as I owe you a T-Shirt

 

[Minti2]

Crikey ... I really did miss my breakfast - this is the 2nd thread I entered this morning and it went wrong Really sorry about that too - that was definitely not what I meant and being away all day at work (GMT+4) I have only just found your reply.

What I meant was not "force your views here", but "force your experiences of guilds into ED" ... meaning that in the past we have experienced Guilds and had some joy from them (or not - depends on the game ) and know they work but that may not be required here ... If we wait until Alpha / Beta we will definitely get a better understanding of if / what is needed.

No - you're damn right he doesn't .. but I do.

My brain was not engaged this morning - Apologies to Hellhawk.

What size sir as I owe you a T-Shirt

Hehe been a morning hasnt it, still i backed you in the J******G up saga(hate that word) along with jabokai and a few others, Grumps utd!

Nice reply back to Hellhawk.

 

[Slawkenbergius]

Hehe been a morning hasnt it, still i backed you in the J******G up saga(hate that word) along with jabokai and a few others, Grumps utd!

Hehe. I agree on the jonty thing, but best not start that here all over again.

 

[Cosmos]

When I started this thread to inquire about "guild" support in-game it seemed from the initial responses that this was simply not going to be implemented, hence my initial consternation.

I just couldn't believe that a game that was advertising itself as "fully multi-player" (literal words from David Braben on the game's website) in 2013-14 could conceivably not support player-managed organizations ingame. To me it cripples the game and will deter a lot of younger players (please don't say this is a good thing).

It's understandable that people who are unfamiliar with online multi-player games don't get why this is the case, particularly if their interest is playing solo or with a preexisting group of friends. I also understand that there are many other experienced online gamers here who would disagree with me. Cool - I respect their opinions.

Thankfully, however, the posting from developer Dan Davies that was referenced earlier in this thread makes it plain that the matter is still open as far as FD are concerned, and that they do not seem to be "anti-guild" at all - in fact quite the opposite.

I think once we're well into beta phase it will start to become plain to many players just how restrictive the current system will be, and to the developers that something will need to be done to address it sooner rather than later in order that the game will maintain a sufficiently large player base to be self-sustaining financially.

Well said.

 

[Aewarin Jameson]

Drop me a PM Hellhawk.

 

[fingertrouble]

I personally am very glad that the Eve-style guilds aren't in ED, that single-player/small groups play doesn't mean you get shunted to the sidelines as big mega-corp-groups decide the game as a whole. That's why I've never bothered with those multiplayer games, until now.

 

[atome]

Guild size aside for the moment a mechanism for managing your group of friends/mates is necessary, even for the simplest of tasks.

 

[Hellhawk666]

Guild size aside for the moment a mechanism for managing your group of friends/mates is necessary, even for the simplest of tasks.

I agree, but I think the consensus of the thread is to wait and see how it all works out in alpha and beta testing. This close to the test release it would be counter-productive to start tinkering with these things anyway. The mechanics of the game itself - flight dynamics, combat, HUD, menu, trading system & economics, the P-P instancing system, etc - will all be nailed down first.

The prevailing feeling is that the grouping/alliance system that is currently implemented will also emulate the benefits of dedicated guild support. However in the event that this is not the case I'm sure the testing community will request something different or additional.

Guest access to a Teamspeak 3 server has also been arranged for alpha by one of the testers. It will be interesting to see if this proves popular, and there is nothing to prevent any group or guild setting up their own external chat system.

 

[AbueloNemesis]

So the problem is some people don't want to be forced to be part of a guild, right? Ok, don't develop the game centered on guilds, and give the players the ability to create and be part of a guild. All happy, nobody can argue this, end of story.

 

[jabokai]

So the problem is some people don't want to be forced to be part of a guild, right? Ok, don't develop the game centered on guilds, and give the players the ability to create and be part of a guild. All happy, nobody can argue this, end of story.

It's all a vicious circle!

Guildie : "We need guilds, everything is social these days why can't we have a guild, even just for social reasons?"

Soloist : "As long as the game content isn't guild-centreed, that's fine."

Guildie : "Okay, thanks for the guilds, but where is the guild content?!"

Soloist : "But you said..."

Guildie : "Never mind that, shouldn't we have better missions and rewards for guild content - after all, we've gone to more effort to organise than a solo player."

Soloist : "I feel I am being forced into a guild if I want to experience everything the game has to offer."

Etc...

 

[Susimetsa]

Must agree with Jabokai.

Also, let's just wait and see what future holds and how the gameplay and the game itself work before we start demanding it to be similar to other MMOs that we might have played.