Having read the first couple of pages of yet another thread about mode-switching between Open and Solo threatening to ruin this competitive, intense-PVP game - apparently - I've lost my patience.
Not with the argument: I can kind of see some merit in both sides - though as an exclusively solo player I can see a lot more in the point that Elite: Dangerous isn't supposed to be about one group of players being able to 'defeat' another. I've always understood the fundamental spirit of Elite as being 'one person in a tiny ship can't change the universe'. If anything, this is one reason I'm uncomfortable about PowerPlay: we're not meant to be able to reshape the political landscape in the galaxy to any significant extent.
Still, that's the argument. And that's my view on it; but I'd be quite willing to sit down and talk with someone who held the opposite view. They want the best for the game, as I do - we just disagree on what's important in pursuing that.
What, however, I find I'm getting really, really tired of is the constant parroting of the statement that, "It's Called Elite: DANGEROUS!!!", as though this has any bearing on the argument being presented.
It's so incredibly monotonous. And more importantly, there are at least a couple of reasons why it doesn't make any sense. Firstly, the title isn't a very good one anyway. Sorry, FDev, and sorry, Mr Braben, but it just isn't. Mainly because - at least to people who've already played Elite games - 'Dangerous' will always feel two steps down from 'Elite'. So as a two-part title it lacks a certain punch, because it's sliding down rather than building up. (Weird mix of metaphors there - sorry.)
But the other reason it doesn't make sense to rely on this argument is simply that the title patently isn't supposed to define a certain predefined, objective level of danger which every player must experience. For a start, it doesn't say who or what the danger is, or who or what will face it. The "you should accept PVP because it's Elite: Dangerous" crowd don't seem to stop for one moment to think that it might be the player who's supposed to be dangerous - that actually, the title's referring to the danger we pose to NPCs; not that we must accept player piracy because we're supposed to be in danger. We just don't know, because it's just a word in a title, and has no direction, no built-in implication.
I'd like to propose either A) a moratorium on the use of the "It's Right There In The Title" argument in the ongoing forum squabbles about who's playing the right way or what's about to ruin the game; or B) at least that we can adopt a collective understanding that the argument when used in whatever form can be justifiably dismissed.
Not with the argument: I can kind of see some merit in both sides - though as an exclusively solo player I can see a lot more in the point that Elite: Dangerous isn't supposed to be about one group of players being able to 'defeat' another. I've always understood the fundamental spirit of Elite as being 'one person in a tiny ship can't change the universe'. If anything, this is one reason I'm uncomfortable about PowerPlay: we're not meant to be able to reshape the political landscape in the galaxy to any significant extent.
Still, that's the argument. And that's my view on it; but I'd be quite willing to sit down and talk with someone who held the opposite view. They want the best for the game, as I do - we just disagree on what's important in pursuing that.
What, however, I find I'm getting really, really tired of is the constant parroting of the statement that, "It's Called Elite: DANGEROUS!!!", as though this has any bearing on the argument being presented.
- Don't want to engage in PVP? You should: It's Called Elite: DANGEROUS!
- Don't like people interdicting you and blowing up your ship? Tough: It's Called Elite: DANGEROUS!
- Want to play as a trader and don't have any interest in bounty hunting or conflict zones? You're doing it wrong! It's Called Elite: DANGEROUS!
- Want to spend your time in Solo and only face NPC opponents? They're no challenge, and It's Called Elite: DANGEROUS!
It's so incredibly monotonous. And more importantly, there are at least a couple of reasons why it doesn't make any sense. Firstly, the title isn't a very good one anyway. Sorry, FDev, and sorry, Mr Braben, but it just isn't. Mainly because - at least to people who've already played Elite games - 'Dangerous' will always feel two steps down from 'Elite'. So as a two-part title it lacks a certain punch, because it's sliding down rather than building up. (Weird mix of metaphors there - sorry.)
But the other reason it doesn't make sense to rely on this argument is simply that the title patently isn't supposed to define a certain predefined, objective level of danger which every player must experience. For a start, it doesn't say who or what the danger is, or who or what will face it. The "you should accept PVP because it's Elite: Dangerous" crowd don't seem to stop for one moment to think that it might be the player who's supposed to be dangerous - that actually, the title's referring to the danger we pose to NPCs; not that we must accept player piracy because we're supposed to be in danger. We just don't know, because it's just a word in a title, and has no direction, no built-in implication.
I'd like to propose either A) a moratorium on the use of the "It's Right There In The Title" argument in the ongoing forum squabbles about who's playing the right way or what's about to ruin the game; or B) at least that we can adopt a collective understanding that the argument when used in whatever form can be justifiably dismissed.
