No Single Player offline Mode then?

[Voivod]

Awesome. So all they need to do is to tell us clearly exactly what that "something" is, then we'll all know we'll be able to pay the game we pledged large amounts of money for if FD ever go under. That'll resolve the issue for a big chunk of dissatisfied punters (although obviously not the ones with flakey/no internet connections).

I agree, they really need to communicate some information on this.
I'd expect nothing less than them sorting this out today.

 

[Juniper]

Massive overreaction as can only be expected from the Internet.


We simply don't know all the facts yet...
We don't know how often these updates will be.
We don't know if you will be able to delay the update.


Personally, I think a periodically updating SP game is the best type of SP game you can get.
If properly implemented this type of updating-SP should not result in any of the issues with always-online games like latency, disconnections and the inability to play when your connection is down.

Unfortunately, we have those facts, and they were confirmed by Michael on Friday night and Saturday morning.

The game requires an always-on online connection or you can't play.

Test it now if you're in beta: play solo, and unplug your network. See how long you last before it kicks you out.

.... exactly.

 

[Lugalbandak]

Why can't you just have an offline mode that cannot be switched to online, and then the problem of needing servers for trading/purchasing is gone, run a small server locally when you choose offline-solo rather than online solo.

I cannot think of any technical reason that would not work as a solution...
you just know that if you don't provide it, someone somewhere will write their own local server at some point...

even more sources to solo and offline , no thank you , keep all efforts to multiplayer please

 

[tagos]

This is how it should have been done:

Once the decision had been made (which must have been some time ago);

1. Email to all customers from Braben sincerely apologising (I'd do a video as well)
2. Offer a full quibble-free refund of backer and any other purchase costs.
3. Issue categoric assurances that should the servers be shut down for commercial reasons an offline patch or other arrangement would be made so we'll always be able to play.
4. In recognition of this change offer details of meaningful in-game benefits rather than vaguely alluding to a free ship. Give details. Come up with a more attractive package.
5. If indeed the data exchanges needed to play solo are as low as people say - have an android and ipad app that enable people to easily make and keep the necessary connection to play via 3g on phones
6. Simultaneously issue a press release and have people, including Braben himself, available for journalists to talk to. Keep ahead of and in control of the story. Make your case on the major game forums.
7. I'd tell forum mods here to tell the self-appointed White Knights 'we don't need your help. Please shut up. You're making us look callous and indifferent.'
8. Apologise again.

 

[Titus Balls]

I'll be eagerly awaiting results of this discussion from the devs.

All I'll say, is that I'm **SERIOUSLY** considering asking for a refund.

So Frontier, the balls in your court. Do I get to attempt a £150 refund, or do I get offline functionality, as promised?

Threats are not pretty.

 

[Skizomeuh]

Games evolve during their conception, in a way or the other. A fact motivated by technical/time constraints or opportunities, by publisher's will, and before the advent of crowdfunding we all weren't really aware of this. Now we are, but we must not forget that evn if we can have a look at develoment process, we don't have all the cards to judge devs' decisions, nor we are entitled to decide for them what's better.

God, if Soul Reaver was crowdfunded back then, furious backers could have put devs' chopped off heads on sticks for what they (had to) cut.

I understand concerns, I don't understand rage. Please don't let devs think you look like this:

Don't let them regret the abusive publishers days.

 

[khaak]

These *** news ruined nearly my weekend. After a deep breath of air and some thinking I am not sure, if I should demand my money back. I would not backed up a mmorpg.

Maybe I deinstall Elite Dangerous, kick a door in and forget my money. There a much more interesting games out there and I have limited time..

 

[noodle]

Great way to attempt to misquote someone there Cherbert.

"it's nice to read this after seeing so much negativity on the forums. "

Very different calling "everyone here" negative.

I don't mind saying though that you are, frustrating too

Probably not the wisest thing for a community manager to do though - responding positively to praise, rather than engaging with and attempting to understand the legitimate reasons behind a lot of the anger that's being expressed. Rather than focusing on the "negativity", I'd like to see him respond constructively to those of us who are simply unhappy and wanting answers.

 

[Voivod]

That actually doesn't make what he said any better.

Yes it does.
He was talking about the general mood in the forums not specific posters.
There's a big difference.

There's enough drama as it is, no need to create fictional reasons for more of it.

 

[SentineI]

Calling ED an MMO is laughable.

I don't understand that point of view. ED is a multiplayer game with a large environment (map) that is shared by all players, so you can potentially run into ANY of those players. It's just less likely than most other MMOs, because most other MMOs can support more players in one instance before they have to split players off into separate instances. ED supports less players because network lag in a (twitch-based) space game is far more problematic than in most other MMOs.

Don't tell me you believe that all players at one location in a typical MMO (e.g. Aion, or LOTRO, or Elder Scrolls Online, or Guild Wars) can see everyone else at that same location? No, they will be split in separate instances, to keep network traffic down to a level acceptable by the player's internet. Friends & guild members will be put in the same instance (where possible).

Yes, ED's multiplayer chat & grouping systems are extremely basic at the moment (hardly fit for purpose), but I expect them to improve in the future (like just about all aspects of ED).

 

[hjd_uk]

:S

I'm a backer and I'd just like to add my voice to say: I backed partially because I knew I could play offline.
I really, really, don't want it to become an 'always online single-player' - SimCity tried that and it ruined their game and reputation.
I want to be able to play when my net connection goes down.
I want to be able to install and play on a machine with no net-connection ( only having a starter-galaxy ).

I don't mind manually connecting to a server to Sync my single-player game, but only when I choose to and whether I choose to.
I will suffer old data and a small galaxy in single-player for the rest of time if I choose to.

 

[SuBSynk]

I agree the wisest thing to do imo would be to refund those that have legitimate claim and create a new section of the forums for negativity and place all these posts there.

Giving the majority of us the opportunity to make these forums an enjoyable place again.

 

[tagos]

Yes it does.
He was talking about the general mood in the forums not specific posters.
There's a big difference.

There's enough drama as it is, no need to create fictional reasons for more of it.

No it doesn't. it's emotionally tone deaf.

 

[jamotide]

Threats are not pretty.

A threat would be "Give me my legally required refund or I send my goons to fetch it". See the difference?

 

[Steve O B Have]

Let's all get back on subject... unless we all think that perhaps we all understand the frustration, that there are two sides to the argument and that perhaps the subject has been somewhat exhausted until an update comes from FD?

We're not going to close the thread but unless you have something constructive and/or relevant to say other than venting, perhaps it's time to wait and see what FD have to say on the subject? It's gotten a bit circular...

 

[tagos]

Threats are not pretty.

Man. You're very easily threatened.

 

[hurricanepilot]

this is actually a fair point.

imo all FD need to do to draw a line under the whole thing is 1) offer full refunds to those who want them. (not a chance I am taking that option I still have faith! )

and 2) promise that in the event that the game should fail, either offline will be patched in or all backend server code will be released to the public domain.

This wont remove the disappointment of the offline removal for those who want to play but cant, but I think it will stop the feeding frenzy.

fingers crossed by the end of play today it will be all sorted out - as much as it can be.

FD have missed their opportunity to diffuse this if you ask me.

They should have included the phrases "we understand if some customers would like a refund in light of this news." and "here's a link to the store page if you would like one". Even a "we're sorry" in the newsletter wouldn't have gone amiss. Barely anyone would have taken the offer up, and it would have taken the sting out of this thread's tail.

I'm not remotely interested in a refund myself, but I am somewhat surprised that FD took this route through the problem. They've just landed themselves with a lot of damage control, and a discussion forum that no longer serves it's intended purpose.

They never should have fired Mystic Meg. ;-)

 

[ecgallagher]

Where is Captain Hindsight when you need him....

 

[SentineI]

I really don't have the time to read all of the posts, but I backed the project SOLELY on the fact that the game WOULD HAVE SINGLE PLAYER MODE.

ED still has a Single Player Mode. It's called Solo. It just requires an internet connection to make your galaxy consistent with everyone else's.

 

[Voivod]

No it doesn't. it's emotionally tone deaf.

Maybe to you. Not to me.