I just recently randomly picked up a game called Sublevel Zero Redux on my Switch totally on a whim fully expecting to not even really like it and I find out that it actually is basically a modern day retro-style implementation of the same basic gameplay as Descent from way back in the DOS days. This is a sort of game I had completely forgotten about, but it really was quite fun. While I was playing it also struck me that this is something Elite Dangerous could actually implement to a much lesser extent that would actually be rather interesting. In fact, I would say it could actually be very interesting with more realistic physics versus Descent and Sublevel Zero Redux. To some extent there are already some facilities to explore, but they typically are oriented for SRVs with the the limitations therein (in particular, this is the whole "six degrees of freedom" thing and there might just as easily be a random doorway "up" in the "ceiling" as on a wall at your current level or at any angle in between. Of course, the ships are considerably larger, but also a lot more fun to actually pilot. Perhaps an upper limit may still be necessary. For instance, I can't really see taking a really really large size ship like an Anaconda or even a Federal Corvette in (the Imperial Cutter shouldn't even clear the entrance with that wingspan, lol) but I think maybe medium ships maybe should be ok.
I think it might not make sense for there to be a lot of human facilities quite this large (though perhaps not impossible so perhaps just one or two -- maybe abandoned asteroid stations or something) but an ancient Guardian structure or even a Thargoid structure (actually, Thargoid makes the most sense because hive-like structures fits them well) could make sense as the Guardians obviously had the resources for such things and the Thargoids presumably do as well.
It would also be fitting if it were at least semi-active. For instance, requiring mechanisms to access some areas (maybe not even really so much a key as just something that acts as a switch if linked or shot or something) and maybe even guardian systems (automated "traps" and even perhaps bots and the like.)
Something to think about anyway. Obviously ED isn't suitable to act like a full game of that sort, but a few of their elements in it could be pretty fun and a great way to introduce some story elements as well.
I think it might not make sense for there to be a lot of human facilities quite this large (though perhaps not impossible so perhaps just one or two -- maybe abandoned asteroid stations or something) but an ancient Guardian structure or even a Thargoid structure (actually, Thargoid makes the most sense because hive-like structures fits them well) could make sense as the Guardians obviously had the resources for such things and the Thargoids presumably do as well.
It would also be fitting if it were at least semi-active. For instance, requiring mechanisms to access some areas (maybe not even really so much a key as just something that acts as a switch if linked or shot or something) and maybe even guardian systems (automated "traps" and even perhaps bots and the like.)
Something to think about anyway. Obviously ED isn't suitable to act like a full game of that sort, but a few of their elements in it could be pretty fun and a great way to introduce some story elements as well.
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