No Single Player offline Mode then?

[MikeGreg]

My premium box when it arrives will have quite a pointless disk within it. Or maybe they will just not give any disk now.

but thats the same with steam games
i bought a sim in a store dvd/dc never mine cost me 40£
took it home, took off the plastic wrapping
clicked on the install option
bang connected to steam to download the game
at end of install a box jumped up this game is already reqistered to anothe user
shut down
5 weeks of e-mail between me and steam customer services
sent them photo copies or the disc the box, the invoice from the shop
no go its already registerd you need to go back to the shop where you got it
off we whent
sorry but you have taken the wraping off, we dont know if you have installed it ior not
now what , take legal action against the shop/steam
that ok, lawyer at 50 quid an hour for a game
how long will it take sir
Hooo mabe 6 weeks
still got the disc/box stapleld to the wall in my room
to remind me never never buy anyting needs steam to run

 

[Tim Wheatley]

This isn't Call of Duty.

Absolutely. COD usually has an offline campaign.

 

[Dr Zachary Smith]

This is my point. If we don't know, how can we argue that is was not enough?

Coz they haven't released it...and aren't ever planning to...

 

[Jason S]

Yes, which would actually be the majority of the world population. Certainly not the majority of the video gaming population, I'll give you that.

The difference? An internet connection.

The difference is not an internet connection.

The difference is not being able to play the game by anyone once the servers go off.

 

[Tim Wheatley]

but thats the same with steam games

I have 212 Steam games. Every single one I can put Steam in offline mode, or steam AND uplay in offline mode, not requiring an internet connection to play.

 

[Vulture]

This isn't Call of Duty.

Too bad it isn't, you can at least play Call of Duty once the MP servers get shut down (which they actually never do on PC, since they're run on steam).

You torpedoed your own argument.

 

[SJT]

This is my point. If we don't know, how can we argue that is was not enough?

I'm sorry, I didn't get your point. I thought you were claiming that they spent a year trying and that was enough.

 

[Tim Wheatley]

The difference is not an internet connection.

The difference is not being about to play the game by anyone once the servers go off.

Sigh. Keep that blindfold on and swing those arms some more you might actually hit something.

 

[Zenicetus]

Okay, so we know what the current status of offline is, and that it's not going to happen. Hopefully, those who want refunds will get them without too much drama.

I think the only remaining questions here are about company integrity, and what we can expect going forward. Is this how they're going to handle communication when they ask for pre-orders or paid Beta access for the upcoming expansions? Can we trust that features won't be pulled at the very last minute, once the pre-order sales window is about to close?

It's not a good precedent, and something the FD defenders here might want to think about. I'm enjoying the game, not personally affected by the decision, and hope it's a success. But it's not going to be a success if they keep treating the customer base this way.

I can relate to the idea that it's "David Braben's game, and we're along for the ride," but when asked to pay money into the dream, I still want to know what I'm paying for.

 

[Fangrim]

MB has said that an every so often connection is not what will be happening.

Okies - thanks! I stand corrected!

 

[djdoom32]

They should make the Server Software available for all Players so if they want to Play offline they can just connect to the local sever where they can play the game aswell. Problem Solved.

 

[Kerrash]

Coz they haven't released it...and aren't ever planning to...

Would you prefer the company was run into the ground attempting to deliver something else?

They should make the Server Software available for all Players so if they want to Play offline they can just connect to the local sever where they can play the game aswell. Problem Solved.

I agree. But this could not logically be done without compromising the online component. It would open the game up to easy exploitation.

 

[CMDR Crustatious Cornelius Pig]

I understand everyone's point that is was a stated goal for the game. I understand the disappointment people have that this goal will not be met. I have had internet service for almost 20 years and broadband class service since 1998 so I'm not worried about this feature being dropped. However I think it should be available if the game does not make it long term.

 

[Tim Wheatley]

Would you prefer the company was run into the ground attempting to deliver something else?

Are you suggesting Frontier are in that position?

 

[MikeGreg]

I was under the impression that this was not the same as every other PC game these days, and hence the reason I spend 200 pounds on it.

I feel scammed.

welcome to the club

 

[Jason S]

Sigh. Keep that blindfold on and swing those arms some more you might actually hit something.

Its a logical point and you come up with that comment.

 

[Commanderhumpster]

My take is if you don't have or can't get a good enough net connection then you should get a refund. If you don't meet that criteria the stop moaning.

 

[S.H.A.D.O]

Paranoia and hyperbole. How is that different from any other online game? Braben wants to make Elite the culmination of his career, and has said he has no interest in making another Elite game, he just wants to keep improving this one for a decade or more.

Thats great but what if we want to play in 20 or 30 years? you know, like we can still play the BBC Elite and the C64 Elite and the Amiga Frontier right now?

 

[Fangrim]

Absolutely. COD usually has an offline campaign.

That's not what I meant, and you know it.

Elite isn't a franchise like Call of Duty etc. There's only one new Elite, and that's how it'll stay for a long long time.

 

[Kerrash]

Are you suggesting Frontier are in that position?

No not at all.