My Foray Into Open Play

[TheSpackman]

Is this not a sad indictment of the state of the game? A player who recognises the depth of Open play but feels somehow unprepared for it??

p.s. MODS this thread is perhaps going the way of 'Lets merge it into the Open v Solo Megathread'.

I'd say no. It's a beautiful indictment of having the choice to play in a way closer to that which suits my own requirements.

And if I can change un-prepared to un-willing at this stage. As I get less time to play (and hone my skills) I find pvp interaction less and less appealing, as essentially I am more likely to lose them. I was however surprised at my sheer shock during the experience as I've played so many MP games I should have expected it - lol.


Apologies, this wasn't supposed be an Open vs Solo debate, just sharing my experience and hopefully bringing a smile to a few faces through similar shared experiences.

 

[Alterran]

Since starting ED, I've only played Open. Don't get me wrong, it was pretty tough at first, but I quickly got my combat skills up and to the point that I didn't fear too many people. Since that time I've probably traveled 150 to 250 LY's from the starting systems area and I rarely see any other players now. There's the odd one or two here and there, but for the most part it's pretty quiet where I am... for now.

Trade is where I'm focused now so I can build up a fleet of ships, equipment and money. Bounty Hunting is still lots of fun and I've got a fairly good build on a couple of ships to take care of business. Just keep plugging away at the open play option. Soon it'll be so natural that going back to solo play will be odd and empty feeling.

Alterran

 

[DrDeathO5]

Thanks for the personal attack and labelling me a type of person. Way to debate the person and not the point - sheesh.

Against my better judgement I have 2 things to say to that:

1 - This is the 1st time I've had a choice like this - It's a new box. I'm playing with it. I like it. I can get out and still see others.
2 - I've played games of all sorts intensively since I was 8. I'm 40 years old now. I have so many boxes my loft was full of them years ago.

Any chance we could get back to debating the points and not slipping into using statements like "kind of people" and other personal attacks. I have a few good ones up my sleeve based on what you just wrote but it really doesn't help.

I have no problem with your offer, but you have to realise that if your response to any argument is 'big deal' it is impossible to reply with reason.
My apologies for putting you in a box.

btw you said earlier you might feel different if you played in a clan in counterstrike:
It is exactly this. At the moment it is impossible to play it 'my way' because of the open/solo switching.
You feel like elite is a different game ... i on the other hand would like a traditional 'multiplayer' mode were escaping is not possible.
At this moment we have this hybrid... and there is nothing i can do about it except bring forward the suggestion.

I'm totally fine with your choice , the only problem i have is the fact other choices aren't available

-closed solo environment that doesn't affect open
-hybrid solo/open environment (elite 'dangerous')
-multiplayer environment that doesn't affect solo

 

[TheDayman]

Sure but the difference is that now it acts like an easy vs hard mode. Progress made in easy mode (single) should not be carried over into hard mode (multi).
Sure solo and open have to be exist. the way it is implemented now you can excape all consequences by switching to solo.
How can you properly balance stuff if all hardcore traders go to open and are able earn x-amount of money
At the moment staying in open punishes a player as far as profits are concerned, being anything else then a trader punishes a player as far as profits are concerned...
I wouldn't call that a bliss.
No one should be forced into a mode but when you pick a mode the consequences should be clear in advance.
At the moment you can escape every situation when you are in a loosing position in multiplayer. Instead of adapting playstyle you can switch to open as soon as it suits while adding the extra effect of maximising profits.

It's a bliss for players who don't wanna die but it's a burden for proper multi-player fans. Cmdr's should not be allowed to change into ghosts any time it suits them because it is not fair for the side who remains in open and are prepared to face the concequences of their actions.

From my point of view being an open only player, I agree with DrDeath05 - progress made in Solo should not carry over to Open and vice versa.

 

[Zarlok]

You're joking, right? Think of all the gameplay types that are completely absent in Elite (escorts etc). People also trade in solo for the most part, which makes sense. This undermines everything, and I don't pirate.

Come on now, this isn't even complicated...

Nope, not joking. The different modes give a great choice rather than being like Eve where you are a meal for every pirate out there. Here I can play in a group with my mates and not be concerned about other playesrs.

Come on now, its not that complicated.

 

[Robert Maynard]

I'm totally fine with your choice , the only problem i have is the fact other choices aren't available

-closed solo environment that doesn't affect open
-hybrid solo/open environment (elite 'dangerous')
-multiplayer environment that doesn't affect solo

Recent answers from Michael Brookes to direct questions on the topic:

Will at any time solo and private group play be separated into a different universe/database from open play? It's kind of cheap that you can be safe from many things in solo, like player blockades and so on, and still affect the same universe.

No.

Michael

Thanks for that clarity Michael.

Are you in a position to confirm that group switching between the three game modes will remain as a feature of the game?

We're not planning on changing that.

Michael

Hi Micheal

I know you said that solo/group and open will always use the same universe, can you also say that there will be no specific perks in playing in one mode over another? i.e bigger profit from trading in open or bigger bounties?

None are planned at the moment.

Michael

 

[Zarlok]

If you want a mix of open play and solo mode, you could try the Mobius PvE group. We have more than 4300 members at the moment, so you often meet other commanders, and you can be pretty confident that you won't be attacked just for the lulz of it. Click the link in my sig for more info.

Most interested. Cheers

 

[TheSpackman]

Since starting ED, I've only played Open. Don't get me wrong, it was pretty tough at first, but I quickly got my combat skills up and to the point that I didn't fear too many people. Since that time I've probably traveled 150 to 250 LY's from the starting systems area and I rarely see any other players now. There's the odd one or two here and there, but for the most part it's pretty quiet where I am... for now.

Trade is where I'm focused now so I can build up a fleet of ships, equipment and money. Bounty Hunting is still lots of fun and I've got a fairly good build on a couple of ships to take care of business. Just keep plugging away at the open play option. Soon it'll be so natural that going back to solo play will be odd and empty feeling.

Alterran

Sounds spot on mate. I intitially thought I'd roll into the game like you describe but things conspired to hold me in solo for longer than I planned

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I have no problem with your offer, but you have to realise that if your response to any argument is 'big deal' it is impossible to reply with reason.
My apologies for putting you in a box.

btw you said earlier you might feel different if you played in a clan in counterstrike:
It is exactly this. At the moment it is impossible to play it 'my way' because of the open/solo switching.
You feel like elite is a different game ... i on the other hand would like a traditional 'multiplayer' mode were escaping is not possible.
At this moment we have this hybrid... and there is nothing i can do about it except bring forward the suggestion.

I'm totally fine with your choice , the only problem i have is the fact other choices aren't available

-closed solo environment that doesn't affect open
-hybrid solo/open environment (elite 'dangerous')
-multiplayer environment that doesn't affect solo

Totally appreciate and respect you want a more traditional multiplayer mate. I just like what's there already

Peace.

 

[DrDeathO5]

Recent answers from Michael Brookes to direct questions on the topic:

ouch... thanks for this sad message.

Anyway i hope with the implementation of wings elite can offer some more 'advanced' multiplayer interaction.

 

[Parmo]

Someone on this thread mentioned that Commander pirates, 'bad people', kill other Commanders (and NPCs) and pay a paltry fine that clears their convictions.
Wow, killing is so easy to get away with! No wonder some people get off on it!

Perhaps the fine should be a lot more and the bounty should be a lot higher to 'encourage' more Commanders to bounty hunt, in groups if need be. Give market forces more play here!

Also, there should be a delay in the paperwork from when the Commander pays off the fine and the clearing of the conviction from their records. Well, you know what bureaucracies are like!

Pirating should be just as risky as for any other activity.

 

[Vincent Starson]

So when Braben said they'd put griefers, bad sports, and exploiters into their own private group... he just meant Open.

Got it.