No Single Player offline Mode then?

[Cutter]

We can talk offline and online all day long, but I think FD needs to understand it's die-hard fans. Without them, ED would not of been funded. I played Elite in 1984 and Elite II 1993, and all I wanted was Elite 4....not some online zerg ala hackfest. When the novelty wears off, who is jumping ship first? Not your loyal fanbase who supported you blindly, it will be the multiplayer user base you are supporting.

All I wanted was offline mode. Last thing, What is online single player mode??? Oxymoron or just plain moronic.

Cutter

 

[Adept]

The money we gave them that helped start up their company on a false promise are pretty real.

Start up the company? FD have a 20 year history. Seriously...

 

[zelda_n64]

for all the 'some legal action must be taken and then the whole evil FD empire will crumble under the weight of my mighty court case' strategists

consider if you will these 2 scenarios last Friday afternoon

<<ring, ring>>

'yeah, big dave speaking'

'David, its the devs, weve got a problem. That whole off line thing, im not sure we can do it properly, we might have to can it'

'Oh crap.................... i know, pull it, pretend it never happened and then post it in the newsletter, we'll be fine'


OR


<<ring, ring>>

'hello, very expensive solicitors limited'

'its big dave at FD, i dont think we can fulfil one of our KS pledges and we probably have to pull it, im just ringing to make sure were covered before a mob of angry torch bearers starts talking about legal action and taking us to court'

which do you really think happened?

Actually, none of the above because they knew they could never deliver offline using their proprietary COBRA development platform.
-
as this thread is still adding pages really fast, I doubt anyone will read this, but FD took all the credit for raising the funds through kickstarter so when they published their annual review for their shareholders it looked mighty impressive.

The ‘Alpha 2’ phase added a test version of online multi-player play. This introduced and proved significant new code systems both on the game client and server using a novel hybrid server-based peer to peer system, now supported by COBRA. Elite: Dangerous was already known to work well on a local area network (LAN) in office conditions, but having such a multi-player system operate successfully in the non-optimal ‘real-world’ conditions of the global internet with network quality and performance distinctly variable across different players’ machines and different countries was a significantly greater achievement.

-

The ‘Alpha 3’ phase introduced an embryonic true ‘game loop’ to the game including docking in a star port, a second playable ship to buy with in-game money and a choice of weapons and other systems with which to outfit the ships. This meant that players could use in-game money their missions earned them to upgrade their ships.

-

The ‘Alpha 4’ phase introduced three further major pillars of the game: trading, travel and a simulation of the 400 billion star systems of the Milky Way galaxy. Trading provides an online server-based simulation of the economies of a number of star systems. Players are faced with a commodity market and try to buy a cargo-hold full of goods at a favourable price in one system and haul it safely to another system in anticipation of selling at a profit. The Elite: Dangerous trading system implements a dynamic model of the economies of many different star systems and allows each player trade to influence the price of the traded commodity using supply and demand rules – in this way every trade influences the experience of every other player. Two faster-than-light travel mechanics, super-cruise for travel within a star system and hyperspace travel between systems, were also given their debut. Travel was restricted to five star systems, but Alpha 4 contained an accurate simulation of the whole Milky Way galaxy that is built from observed astronomical data of over 150,000 star systems and procedural generation of the rest of the galaxy, which will eventually be opened up to players for travel too.

-

Each ‘Alpha’ release was well received, with commentators remarking on the unusually high quality of each release for an early access product, and the major step forward taken by each. Elite: Dangerous is also well-positioned with advanced consumer technologies such as ultra high definition/4K and virtual reality displays. We have continued to actively engage with our player community to a very high degree since the end of the ‘Alpha’ – in particular the super-cruise feature of the game was defined with substantial valuable assistance from the community. Such close dialogue and engagement will continue to the initial launch of the game and beyond.

-

Premium Beta starts
The Alpha phase ended on 30 May 2014, with the release of Premium Beta 1. The Alpha access price was £200 per player, Premium Beta £100 per player. Premium Beta 1 welcomed around 10,000 more players to the game, drawn from those who had backed at the appropriate level in the crowd-funding
campaign and those who subsequently purchased early access, thus providing a further significant test of our network and server code.

-

The Board believes the Group to be well placed to emerge from its transition period as a stronger and better-balanced business. We are planning to launch Elite: Dangerous in the fourth calendar quarter of 2014. The current feedback to the game is such that we expect to continue with a planned development roadmap for further expansions to incrementally add major new features such as landing on planets and player-character based gameplay
within and outside spaceships.

 

[NoTones]

didnt realise Virgin Media traded in france

she lives in a remote location the server in france is the fastest ping she can get on the test site

 

[Ace170780]

But Solo online is like Open with an island size of 1, i.e. you. Just as FD canned offline solo because of having too many galaxies to admin, so your suggestion would do the same thing and create another galaxy different to the persistent one in Open.

Exactly my point. I was looking to this game as being sort of my replacement for the X series since there last release was a disaster. Some people like to play games at their own pace. Putting what's explored and updating my solo play puts the pressure on that I have to always be playing to ensure I get that first time experience exploring and discovering sectors on my own. If I have the choice to sync with the servers or not then my point is mute. I'm not complaining but it would be nice to have some concessions especially on something that is integral to the experience for some if not all users. I guarantee most who have invested higher dollar value by pitching in at the kick starter level and higher tiered beta are single player gamers and that's why this thread is as big as it is. And spinning up another threat (universe) for one user we don't know what resources are required to maintain it. Maybe it doesn't require much. I can understand not wanting offline as the experience can differ significantly. I'm just a bit disappointed with the integration of data sets between solo and multi.

 

[Namix]

This thing with brand new car remembers me on a comparison.

Its like peoples have preordered a trike. Yea, some are bikers, because it looks so epic, even more epic as compared bikes and some took it only, because its a trike and has 3 wheels. Now the producer tells them (possible already after test drive, papers and everything is ready, payment has been made), that they don't make a trike anymore, but a bike, because it has 2 wheels and this would be good enough. Possible that many peoples would still be okay with it, peoples who are bikers because they would get now a bike who looks and is so epic. But the peoples not able to drive a bike would have a problem because they wanted a trike with 3 wheels, they can drive.

Well, yust some mind game who cross my mind. Yes, i would be able to play Elite Dangerous even with online mode, even be able to drive a bike (at least i have a driver license, even when i don't drive one). But the problem is, when i order a trike (or as another example a car), then i want a car and not a bike. Thats the same with Elite Dangerous. And a offline game is the complete opposite as an online game. So a online and offline game is something complete different like a online only game. Something i haven't pledged.

So did i miss something, or was there still no official statement from Frontier Developments?

The difference is they did not cut the offline version because they "just wanted too", they cut it because it simply did not work in the way they were happy with and if they were not happy with it im pretty sure the playerbase wouldn't like it, this is what happens in game development, everyone has great ideas for games but then reality sets in and stops those ideas dead in their tracks.

Also remember that you ordered a "plan for a offline mode", this is a developing game and things happen. Will everyone complain when they remove stuttering when going towards gas giants? will there be complaints when they make mining more efficient? Anyone complaining that you cant explore the galaxy in beta and have just a small area? all these things are widely accepted because we all know its a developing game, its no different with offline mode imo.

 

[S.H.A.D.O]

Something a friend said to me this afternoon. "Do you think Elite Dangerous would have made the kickstart target if it was plainly said that the game was online only at that time?" A question I found very interesting indeed, especially as we at times thought it was touch and go if we'd make it at all.

 

[Kyokushin]

vote close()

 

[Namix]

she lives in a remote location the server in france is the fastest ping she can get on the test site

So she lives in France?, Im also guessing shes using a mobile phone cos Virgin Media don't actually trade in France as an ISP do they?

 

[Adept]

Yeh, that's what they said.
Like they said there would be an offline mode. Flip a coin?

Maybe it will be "unacceptable" for the company's accountant and the missing ships will make up the core of the first DLC. *shrug*

This isn't about you or me. It's about selling product and what you can get away with.

Oh yes, I see you are the expert. Joined the forum today, and already 7 posts in the thread. You must be so hurt and betrayed personally.

 

[OriginalBadBoy]

Last thing, What is online single player mode??? Oxymoron or just plain moronic.

Cutter

The reason is because all the galaxy data sits on a database at FD's end, with data being grabbed periodically. For all we know the database for the galaxy could be 100's of GB in size, which would be impractical offline.

There are serious technical valid reasons why currently offline was dropped, i'm sure FD did not come to this decision lightly ...

 

[Perramas]

My biggest grip with all this is the fact that Solo (online) means that regions that get explored will show up in my Solo game. The purpose for Solo/Single player is to enjoy the universe on my own especially being a explore type of player I don't like the idea that someone else who isn't in my Solo play can impact it because it's tied in to the multiplayer universe. I think that needs to be taken into consideration I can overlook the offline aspect if they can keep the universe separate between Solo and Multi.

I agree with this completely. If they can give us a true solo experience online it would be great compromise.

 

[NoTones]

I find hard to believe that so many people cannot understand context. Because otherwise this topic wouldnt be here.

I mean you are getting your single-player offline experience as promised with option to sync to online universe from time to time. Or as often as you wish.

you haven't been reading have you...

 

[Zuikaku]

The reason is because all the galaxy data sits on a database at FD's end, with data being grabbed periodically. For all we know the database for the galaxy could be 100's of GB in size, which would be impractical offline.

There are serious technical valid reasons why currently offline was dropped, i'm sure FD did not come to this decision lightly ...

The way they were neglecting and ignoring offline gamplay during alphas and betas casts a serious doubt on that.

 

[Namix]

You have little knowledge of consumer law in other countries then. As Stimutacs mentioned, in Australia the ACCC takes a very dim view to anything that even looks a tiny bit suspicious and they are well known for having a hair-trigger. EU consumer law is also pretty robust.

I agree that the refunds are virtually a given in the circumstances but as far as regulatory action, it's all a bit early to say outright that nothing will happen... Yet.

Thats the thing tho, nothing will happen as regards to the cutting of a single player offline mode, when backing the game every person effectively becomes an investor (much like dragons den for a popular tv reference) and not a consumer, the final product did not exist and folks were merely backing the plan for a final product, single player offline mode has been deemed an un-achievable goal by the team working on the plan, as an investor your choices are to either A) shut up and put up or B) withdraw your support and ask for a refund, there is no option C for silly stuff like law suits etc. (the term investor is used very very loosely)

 

[DraigUK]

I agree with this completely. If they can give us a true solo experience online it would be great compromise.

For sure, then we can have a new thread for all those who wish to play Solo online and still have their game evolved as it always has been for most of the Beta period.
So let's satisfy ourselves while munching down on another section of of people who play Elite instead of just accepting the decision has been made and we are on the wrong end it.

Or not.

 

[Darcsheer]

Something a friend said to me this afternoon. "Do you think Elite Dangerous would have made the kickstart target if it was plainly said that the game was online only at that time?" A question I found very interesting indeed, especially as we at times thought it was touch and go if we'd make it at all.

I believe it still would've been fully funded. Would they have gotten as many backers or as much money? Likely not.

 

[OriginalBadBoy]

The way they were neglecting and ignoring offline gamplay during alphas and betas casts a serious doubdt on that.

They were building the game during alpha and beta, you cant work on every feature you want to put in a game all the time, unless you want the development cycle of the game to be 5+ years.

If FD had delayed the game by another year to get other features put in (like offline, if possible), then we would be in exactly the same boat, people demanding a refund and calling FD fraudsters... So basically they cant win.

As stated a decision like that would not have been taken lightly .. And if you think it was then you really dont understand game development or business in general.

 

[Globusdiablo]

I find hard to believe that so many people cannot understand context. Because otherwise this topic wouldnt be here.

I mean you are getting your single-player offline experience as promised with option to sync to online universe from time to time. Or as often as you wish.

No we are not. Please read up before posting.

 

[Adept]

We can talk offline and online all day long, but I think FD needs to understand it's die-hard fans. Without them, ED would not of been funded. I played Elite in 1984 and Elite II 1993, and all I wanted was Elite 4....not some online zerg ala hackfest. When the novelty wears off, who is jumping ship first? Not your loyal fanbase who supported you blindly, it will be the multiplayer user base you are supporting.

All I wanted was offline mode. Last thing, What is online single player mode??? Oxymoron or just plain moronic.

Cutter

Actually it seems exactly the "all I wanted was Elite 4" crowd that are the quickest to throw Frontier under the bus because E: D is pushing the envelope and not just an updated version of the static galaxy of Frontier E2.

I played the original, and to my 11 year old self, it was magical. I played Frontier, and it was ok, but didn't capture the old magic. I don't want to rehash those memories, I want a living universe, with all the cutting edge PG that can be delivered.