Is Elite Dangerous a Dad's Game Played mainly by "non-gamers"?

[Asp Explorer]

Spoken like a true old guard.

And is that a problem?

Until you've had to fiddle with IRQ and DMA settings, perfectly balance a wobbly RAMpak, solder your own null modem cables, get the head azimuth just right, spend days typing in hex before checksummers became readily available (and having to type your OWN checksummer at that), pick the meanest XTAL you possibly could, tune a modulator to talk to a RF input and tune the RF input to talk to a display, learn inane keyboard combinations, switch banks to time with flyback, the list goes on and on.

Dadgamers probably remember some, most, or all of those - just a tiny selection, and that was just to get your game to RUN

 

[indiebob]

This is an interesting..."observation"...that runs totally contrary to what I've seen the industry doing over the last 20 years. As developers cater more to the "gamer" generation, games become simpler and easier with more forgiving mechanics and choice structures. Anymore games from developers like From Software are the exception to the rule, niche really. While games with checkpoints every 15 seconds, heavily scripted and static AI and extremely reliable "cheese" strats dominate the market.
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I think you may also find that we "dad gamers" are some of the strongest advocates for less forgiving mechanics in ED, tougher AI and more punishing consequences. It's the "gamery gamers" that need things without investment, consequence or penalty.

I am not saying they don't, though I don't see that much is that permanent in ED, as long as you have the insurance money.

 

[Procellus]

I think all you kids need to get offa my lawn

 

[indiebob]

Are those games listed examples of Gamer-Games or Dad-games?

TBH Gamery-Games but hmmm Fallout 4 is a bit causal. Like a young person's dadgame.

 

[Cargobane]

I am not saying they don't, though I don't see that much is that permanent in ED, as long as you have the insurance money.

Well, I don't think anyone knows what you're saying anymore then.

 

[Luniticisi]

I think all you kids need to get offa my lawn

Have you lost your mind ?... you're on MY lawn ... and put some pants on !!!!

 

[Ozram]

I'm not sure the definition of "dad gamer" is one that can be made effectively in this context. As a dad and a gamer, the only thing I find is that I have limited playtime on my own, but that also holds true because of work, personal life and the day to day obligations of a grownup. I think this op needs rethinking

 

[Luniticisi]

I've been playing computer games since before you were born !! .. (that's if you were born in the 80's!)

 

[avow555]

Well done, worst post of 2016 so far OP.

 

[th03bgt]

RANDOMIZE USR 33792

 

[Fendalton]

The term is used for games that don't necessarily require constant attention, unlike games that have decaying rankings in League of Legends, or 12 year old havens like CoD, or Cyka Blyat CS:GO. Games like Skyrim and all that, if you get what I mean.

I wouldn't expect someone who is stretched for time getting to Challenger Tier in League of Legends as it required constant hyper-competitive gameplay - something that Elite Dangerous lacks.

I wish ED had a professional PvP scene, or more so than what it currently is, but any mention of it seems to get put in the same category as Griefing. CQC is not the same as it's no risk with hardly any choices.

 

[MostlyClueless]

Defying the stereotype (again! Similar thread yesterday) as a 20 year old gamer that also plays mainstream "gamery" games like fallout 4, witcher 3, and strategy like Wargame and Cities skylines. Cut and paste boring and obvious "made for profit" only games are out of bounds for me though. (Call of duty, dragon age, assassins creed, Star Wars battlefront ad infinitum)

Dragon Age was actually quite good...

Apart from that I'm with you. Apart from being a little over 20. OK a lot over 20. And a dad.

 

[CmdrZaratan]

I don't think you'd come away with that impression if you'd read the whole thing.

I did tune out early, but is that my fault or yours? Bit of both perhaps.

 

[Vasious]

TBH Gamery-Games but hmmm Fallout 4 is a bit causal. Like a young person's dadgame.

So Cities Skylines does not have the following "the repetition, the regular, predictable flow of events, non-too challenging combat" making it a gamers' game, with making combat budget or whatnot as it is a city builder.

Not saying it is a bad game, but a quite laid back relaxing one you can play at your own pace seeming more like the your view of a game for those "who[m] game whilst "the wife" does what ever it is women get up to."

I am just not quite following your definitions and where they meet and dont

 

[Majinvash]

Ha, I would post more but this Forum is FULL of what the Op is describing and the "I will not be your content" crowd will get upset.

But in short; yes. A lot of this game players are non gamers. Who want to pretend to be in space and grind away, as long as their isn't too much challenge.

Check out the Open vs Solo thread, its a hoot.

Majinvash
The Voice of Open

 

[Asp Explorer]

constant hyper-competitive gameplay

Many of us have no need for that, we get plenty of it already - in the boardroom, tendering for contracts, outmaneuvering competitors, delivering above and beyond to keep your client happy, choosing the right candidate to hire, determining the best way to rescue some project that has absolutely hit the fan, how to "tell" that juicy sounding contract is just a direct path to the bowels of nastiness - you know, the silly little things in life.

I'd take a happy and decent living way before "constant hyper-competitive gameplay" as then I'm actually able to ENJOY my gametime

 

[vindicator jones]

I would actually say most "dad" gamers are more gamers than actual gamers.. err.. did that come out right? lol

We grew up with TRS-80's Commodore 64's Amiga 500's 386's 486's and we were there when gaming became more mainstream and DOOM was released.

Remember getting your first VooDoo card? yeah.. exactly! you know what I mean.

I think a lot of us (not all) have been playing games in one form or another for over 3 decades and have seen the changes in depth, quality and game play experience first hand.

I still play some of the old games, but also love playing new one including Fallout 4, Dragon Age, Mechwarrior Online and countless others...

I would say WE are the real gamers, and your typical young'n is just riding the wave thinking they are the ones who discovered it first. no offense to the young'ns tho! lol

My Nephew plays COD and Elite, he throws mini tantrums when he gets his butt kicked on ED, and has trouble dealing with the complexities.. But I will give him credit, he is starting to appreciate the challenge and just got himself a flight stick and is practicing his flying skills.

I think ED can appeal to both sides of the market, and appeals more strongly to those who want to THINK, rather than just sit there mashing buttons trying to hone their LEET skills in some shooter.

 

[LuciusEsox]

I have my joystick and throttle on a special mount on my zimmer,,,,,,,,, and ?

You don't stop gaming coz you grow old, you grow old coz you stop gaming.

Who you looking at..

 

[Surly_Badger]

I played the first space computer game (spawar, on a DEC PDP) and pretty much ever one since. Don't make me list them (shakes cane at you!)

 

[Luniticisi]

in my day when you brought a computer game magazine, you didn't get a demo disk or the like, we had to program our own games ourselves !!! ... you don't even know you're born !