I’ve been around the block. I played the original Elite back in the day, and I’ve played most of the space sims that have come out over the years.
I’ve recently come back to ED after a break, and I’ve realised that I’m weird, but I don’t care, because ED really is the first game that has let me do what I want to do how I want to do it. For all it’s flaws, FD have created a game that can accommodate many different players.
Why weird? Well...
- Currently in a Krait, but I’m now planning and building up a multi role Anaconda. Had one before, thought it was ok, but weirdly miss it and want to go back.
- I’m a loner in game. I use Open a bit, but mostly mobius. I like being on my own. A lone wolf
- Don’t do power play, or CGs and don’t really pay much attention to the background sim
- I pretty much distrust every one in game. Don’t want to rank up - just the three pilot fed ranks
- I like to have just one ship. It’s part of the role play for me - I like the concept of one player, one ship that is home, work, everything
- I love exploring, but reasonably near exploring, not galaxy edge stuff
- I like mining. (Told you I was weird)
- I love the SLFs - but have never had crew or used them in combat - I love using them as nippy canyon and surface runners when exploring
- I do the odd mission now and again, but mostly I do stuff at my pace and for me
- I like engineering ships. (!)
- The journey is as important as the goal for me
- I’ve explored a lot - about 20% off elite as pathfinder right now and I’ve never used an AFMU.
- I like super cruise assist and docking computers - not because I’m a clumsy idiot but because they let me do planning and other stuff whilst they do their thing. I also like throttle back after jump that SCA gives you
- I like a bit of PvE but not a massive amount - I’m about 60% dangerous, but not trying to rush. I also can only cope with bursts of combat. I almost see it as a bit of a side game
So I’ve now got a fully engineered Conda build that does a bit of combat - is shield and hulk tanked - can do trading - can mine - has SLFs and a vehicle hangar -has a 45ish jump range and is basically a multi role compromise extraordinaire. It’ll be fun to build up. It’s also the real deal Jack of all trades and master of none.
But.. it fits my play style perfectly. It’s not a build anyone else would probably even entertain, but it’s designed after many hours gameplay to suit what I want to do.
Kudos to FD for making a game that can keep someone like me happy. After many years of playing games where I had to conform to the “what most people want to do” model - I can now play a game where it conforms to what I want to do. Yeah. Even someone weird like me. And despite the moans and groans from folks about the game - I just wanted to say that sometimes it’s important to remember just how flexible it is, and how accommodating of different play styles it is.
