Michael Brookes' comments on a possible Gamma wipe

Pro Gamer · Nov 23, 2014

Michael Brook's responses to the issue of a Gamma wipe are listed below from the oldest posts, to the newest posts on the issue. Hopefully this could be stickied or something to help clear up the miss information and rumors currently on the forums and other media.

Michael Brookes said:
No, there's a full wipe for gamma and probably one for release (although that isn't fully confirmed yet but seems likely).

Michael

Source: https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=61341&page=17&p=1044473&viewfull=1#post1044473

Michael Brookes said:
I'm hoping to be able confirm before gamma launch on Saturday, but for now it's safe to assume that we will wipe for the beginning of launch.

Michael

Source: https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=23758&page=188&p=1044015&viewfull=1#post1044015

Michael Brookes said:
As I've said - assume there will be a wipe on December 16th.

Michael

Source: https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=23758&page=199&p=1048943&viewfull=1#post1048943

Michael Brookes said:
I would have preferred some flexibility but if you want an answer now then that is it.

Michael

Source: https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=23758&page=201&p=1049345&viewfull=1#post1049345

Michael Brookes said:
In fairness it was a heads up. We know there's likely to be balancing and indeed fixes which would necessitate a wipe. I would have remained flexible until we knew for certain but obviously people want to know before they start playing the gamma, so we're erring on the side of caution.

Michael

Source: https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=23758&page=203&p=1049980&viewfull=1#post1049980

Michael Brookes said:
Please at least get my name right People were demanding to know whether there would be a wipe upon release after I provided a heads up that there might be. To be certain at this stage we have to take the safe choice and that would be a wipe on release.

Michael

Source: https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=61787&page=3&p=1050206#post1050206

Michael Brookes said:
Allow me to repeat myself. I raised the possibility of a wipe on release. Demands were then made that we should provide a definite yes or no. At this stage we have err on the side of caution and that would yes - there will be a wipe. Personally I'd rather just say we might have to wipe and then deal with it when it arose, but some people rightly pointed out that they wanted to play the game as normal through gamma.

Source: https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=23758&page=204&p=1050240#post1050240

Michael Brookes said:
I think you're reading too much into it - I'm certainly not going to make a decision on a multi-million pound project out of spite! . If I'm forced to pick one of two choices I have to take the safe choice. I raised the possibility of a wipe, we might not need to do a full wipe, or we can balance a specific aspect (for example ranks) by a partial wipe. Until we get feedback during gamma it is difficult to be sure. I can understand why people might be upset because of that uncertainty - but if it has to become an absolute then there aren't many options left.

Michael

Source: https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=23758&page=209&p=1052365&viewfull=1#post1052365

Michael Brookes said:
A couple of days ago I raised the possibility that there might need to be some form of wipe on release (or during gamma). This might be a full wipe, or it might be a partial one. That became complicated by people wanting a definitive answer, so the safe answer is yes. However the reality is until we've received enough feedback from gamma we don't know fully what might need fixing or tweaking.

Michael

Source: https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=62019&page=4&p=1057736&viewfull=1#post1057736

Michael Brookes said:
No - the official view is that we'll see what comes in during gamma and make any decisions accordingly.

Michael

Source: https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=23758&page=262&p=1077556&viewfull=1#post1077556

Michael Brookes said:
We don't want to wipe, but will do if it's necessary. That might be a partial wipe, or a full one depending on the issue(s) we're addressing.

Michael

Source: https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=23758&page=263&p=1078050&viewfull=1#post1078050

Frenotx · Nov 23, 2014

Thanks for posting this. Sounds like we need to stop badgering him about it, and just be patient. I agree that this should be stickied.

Hexsplosions · Nov 23, 2014

I think there should be a wipe. 16th December is the big day when the game opens to all and sundry. Those who have been in the Alpha, Beta and/or Gamma stages already have an advantage. Practice.

Papa · Nov 23, 2014

Good stuff,

I must say the baseline is working very well and that is all I wanted for now.

So good luck on Gamma

Pro Gamer · Nov 23, 2014

Evil Edwina said:
I think there should be a wipe. 16th December is the big day when the game opens to all and sundry. Those who have been in the Alpha, Beta and/or Gamma stages already have an advantage. Practice.

Different backing tiers already have advantages over everyone. A wipe to make everyone start off equally will not work.

-zalamander- · Nov 23, 2014

Yes, sticky this so Michael doesn't need to post another 10 posts about it.

Martin1956 · Nov 23, 2014

Evil Edwina said:
I think there should be a wipe. 16th December is the big day when the game opens to all and sundry. Those who have been in the Alpha, Beta and/or Gamma stages already have an advantage. Practice.

Totally agree, It is the real game then. Not testing as it currently is.

Cmdr Andy B · Nov 23, 2014

Question: how would people feel about a wipe with every release between now and the 16th? that way if they get a couple of bug fixes out and close the exploits there will be less chance of a full wipe being needed and we would get to keep some progress.

AndyWeller · Nov 23, 2014

Evil Edwina said:
I think there should be a wipe. 16th December is the big day when the game opens to all and sundry. Those who have been in the Alpha, Beta and/or Gamma stages already have an advantage. Practice.

I agree whole heartedly. I've been playing for a few weeks now and am happy that all I take with me into the finale release is the experience I have gained.

Colonel Kenney · Nov 23, 2014

After all the bugs I've encountered and not being able to start with my cobra I'd say yes.. I changed my mind. Lets start over. I'd rather come back and play with a positive xperience... this launch of gamma was extremely frustrating

AndyWeller · Nov 23, 2014

AndyB(EDB50) said:
Question: how would people feel about a wipe with every release between now and the 16th? that way if they get a couple of bug fixes out and close the exploits there will be less chance of a full wipe being needed and we would get to keep some progress.

Would hope that they are at the stage now where they can fix those things without a wipe because they'll not be able to wipe the game once it goes' live on the 16th. and I am sure there will still be plenty of fixes required after then.

Ceekay · Nov 23, 2014

It's just a wipe, get over it people it is after all just a game (albeit a rather good one

) I don't mind starting over since our efforts have helped improve the game experience significantly.

Pro Gamer · Nov 23, 2014

AndyWeller said:
Would hope that they are at the stage now where they can fix those things without a wipe because they'll not be able to wipe the game once it goes' live on the 16th. and I am sure there will still be plenty of fixes required after then.

I would expect exploits to be discovered long after release. They should demonstrate their ability to combat these without affecting everyone.

Cmdr Zach · Nov 23, 2014

+1 for getting all this info together. Yes, this should be stickied, but more importantly, every thread about wipes should be locked by a mod with a link to this one.

Pro Gamer · Nov 23, 2014

Cmdr Zach said:
+1 for getting all this info together. Yes, this should be stickied, but more importantly, every thread about wipes should be locked by a mod with a link to this one.

I don't think every thread about wipes should be locked. We should still be allowed to discuss wipes.

FX2K · Nov 23, 2014

Cmdr Zach said:
+1 for getting all this info together. Yes, this should be stickied, but more importantly, every thread about wipes should be locked by a mod with a link to this one.

I couldn't agree more.

edukainc · Nov 23, 2014

Cmdr Zach said:
+1 for getting all this info together. Yes, this should be stickied, but more importantly, every thread about wipes should be locked by a mod with a link to this one.

Agreed.
Good Job OP..Nice and Concise.

ChromolyRex · Nov 23, 2014

Pro Gamer said:
Different backing tiers already have advantages over everyone. A wipe to make everyone start off equally will not work.

Everyone starting off "equally" with their starting packages would be better than the non-wipe alternative. Some people already have the bigger ships even with the wipe at Gamma -- I'd hate to think what they could build up between now and Release.

Don't want to be encountering players in Dropships and such on Day 1.

Rune · Nov 23, 2014

Nice work compiling all of MB's posts on the subject, I agree this should be a sticky to reduce the amounts of "Will there be a wipe?" threads.

Personally I don't mind either way now I've got used to the idea, worst case scenario is that proper progress starts on the 16th and I can learn from the mistakes I make up till then. If it means a better experience in the long term post Dec 16th then so be it.

Camino Archer · Nov 23, 2014

+1 to OP

Sticky Would be Awesome Per Rune's Suggestion!