No Single Player offline Mode then?

[mbpoblet]

And if it were that simple there wouldn't be a problem. The core vision for Elite: Dangerous was multiplayer, we've said that all along. The galaxy exists as an online entity, extracting that into an offline version that still works as game isn't simple. Missions are a good example, they are created based on the state of the galaxy and they feed back into the state of the galaxy there's a big level of difference between what we're doing now and what was in the previous games..

Michael

OK, wait, wait, maybe it's my lack of sleep talking, but what I get from this is that you're actually storing information based on the players' interaction with the procedurally generated content, which, obviously, given the sheer amount of players, and the humongous amount of procedurally generated content must generate quite a big database.

However - and I'm sure you'll have already considered this, but just in case - have you considered that offline mode would be, by definition single player? That is, that it would only need to track (if we don't have synchronization with the online universe) the actions and effects of a single player (which obviously would be orders of magnitude less complex than those of ~100.000 players or whatever the online game will have)?

Can a single player really generate that much complexity?

 

[ICDP]

Even if it made the game worse?

Michael

In a word, yes.

People who expected and were indeed informed offline was planned already knew they would get a less rich and less immersive galaxy to play in. We already knew it would be a worse game overall with none of the dynamic galactic events but were happy with that.

I respect the fact that you tried to make offline work and failed and I don't for one second believe you deliberately deceived us. That does not change the fact that a significant portion of the people who gave you money when you asked for it, did so base purely on the promise that offline was coming.

 

[Kris]

Regarding "made the game worse", i'm glad that multiplayer and galaxy simulation part was priority over offline feature. Just my opinion. FDEV made right decision, it was just badly communicated (should have been told much earlier, but hopefully they learned here ).

 

[mbpoblet]

More inferior, as in quality, condition, or effect.

OK, sorry... define worse in this particular context.

 

[Jason S]

Well they could switch to a subscription model now.

That would not now surprise me.

 

[Darkmatter]

Regarding "made the game worse", i'm glad that multiplayer and galaxy simulation part was priority over offline feature. Just my opinion. FDEV made right decision, it was just badly communicated (should have been told much earlier, but hopefully they learned here ).

This is my opinion as well. In fact, I think I will go and buy me a few more paint jobs to support Frontier even more. Anyone with me?

 

[Loren Lovanchi]

Which is great, but we are doing so much more with this new game.

Michael

So much less, you mean.

Multiplayer is a bug, not a feature.

Just lol about trolls like you, mppoblet...

I can understand that some people get upset if solo offline was their only or best option to play ED, but it's fully understandable that the devs had to make this choice at this point: we are almost in 2015 now, not in 1984 anymore: it will be much better and challenging to play in an evolving galaxy online, where things change and get affected by players' choices and actions, rather than playing alone in a static preset universe...

The generation of the galaxy isn't the main issue (although it is part of it). The issue arises from the processes and data that changes as players interact with the world. The previous games were essentially static universes with some specific changes. For Elite: Dangerous aspects of the entire galaxy can be changes and there isn't an easy way to abstract that out. ...
Michael

 

[Michael Brookes]

But this makes the game practically non-existent to some people.

I think it's short-sighted to assume that time spent on an offline mode is wasted, and I can't help but feel that it's down to your current panic over forcing a premature launch for the sake of meeting the arbitrary 2014 deadline.

Spending time on an offline mode is wasted if it doesn't provide the game that we've set out to make - which is the case here. For us the game needs the richness that the online galaxy gives us. Without it there is no game.

Michael

 

[Mengy]

Even if it made the game worse?

Michael

More options for players is never a negative, Michael.

An offline mode would allow the game to be playable forever essentially, and I think that loss is the major thing that has people up in arms here. Well no, the major thing is the deception as an offline mode has been promised and spoken of by both yourself and David ever since the kickstarter, but the second major thing is the new fact that Elite Dangerous will now have a set window of time in which it can be played since it is now an online only game. It has a lifespan, where before yesterday Elite Dangerous was going to be a playable game forever just like all of the versions of the game before it.

Michael, I know you previously stated that FD plans to support Elite for "some time", can you elaborate on that please? Is there a budget and scheduled timeframe for the servers to remain up and running? Are we talking a few years, ten? Less? I think if fans had some assurances that the game was not going to die too soon and that all of our purchases would not quickly become vaporware it would go a long way to softening the news of yesterday.

 

[Skeloton]

This is my opinion as well. In fact, I think I will go and buy me a few more paint jobs to support Frontier even more. Anyone with me?

You didn't think that would be seen as inflammatory?

 

[nexxo]

Define worse.

Remember how many people here have been complaining about monotonous missions, simplistic market trading, repetitive game play? That kind of worse.

If you want a vibrant universe a la EVE Online, then you need, well, online. You need the interaction of other players to create the narrative. EVE does have a lot of writers creating backstory and 'news reports', but they operate on a £5 million a month budget generated by subscription play. And all that backstory still has to come to your computer via online.

 

[DhuAlan]

This is my opinion as well. In fact, I think I will go and buy me a few more paint jobs to support Frontier even more. Anyone with me?

Perhaps if you buy enough they could afford to reimplement offline mode again

 

[Danelin]

Regarding "made the game worse", i'm glad that multiplayer and galaxy simulation part was priority over offline feature. Just my opinion. FDEV made right decision, it was just badly communicated (should have been told much earlier, but hopefully they learned here ).

Adding a +1 to this, as it sums up my response entirely. Although I will likely play mostly in offline or private group mode, I still appreciate the idea of a dynamic universe making the game more fun and realistic, even in solo mode.

 

[tomba4]

Am I missing something? Did Elite fall into the cracks in the universe? Where's that damnedable blue box when you need it, eh?

Oh, sorry, let me help you out. You said that multiplayer is not a bug, then I said that there's no multiplayer in Elite, they you said it's a matter of polish, to which I answered that you can only polish things that exist.

 

[mbpoblet]

we are almost in 2015 now, not in 1984 anymore

Of course, we can't expect a modern game to achieve at least the same as a twenty year old one, what were we thinking!

 

[PrometheusDarko]

Don't take the troll-bait mate.

You have to pay the troll toll, to get to this boy's hole.

More inferior, as in quality, condition, or effect.

Gods, I love you.

So considering they reckoned they could not deliver an offline version that they reckoned would up to standards would you rather they kept their word released some rubbish and then everyone would moan about how many of the online features are missing?

Sometimes, keeping your word is your worst option. Unless you are really living in a world defined by black and white, that is.

See the following, because, apparently, yes. They want a bad product that they can then not play by themselves... Can we get Tennant in here for a "what?" marathon? Ah, here it is.

I can answer for me.... yes. You guys should make the game become the best possible with the presence of an offline mode.

All this the offline mode would make the online game worse is a side track.

You could have an offline mode and still the same online game it just costs more to do and they did promise that and many brought the game only because of that.

At the very least a full refund should be offered.

Yes.

And I really mean it.
Maybe I would have replied differently a year ago, but not anymore.

In a word, yes.

People who expected and were indeed informed offline was planned already knew they would get a less rich and less immersive galaxy to play in. We already knew it would be a worse game overall with none of the dynamic galactic events but were happy with that.

I respect the fact that you tried to make offline work and failed and I don't for one second believe you deliberately deceived us. That does not change the fact that a significant portion of the people who gave you money when you asked for it, did so base purely on the promise that offline was coming.

I'll never understand this mentality, whatever you wish to call it. I honestly call it selfish myself.

Well they could switch to a subscription model now.

Heck, I'd pay.

30 years ago, I was satisfied and very happy to play to the original Elite without online mode. 20 years ago, I had the same joy and satisfaction for FE2, always without online mode. As soon as I learn that Elite came back with a new opus, I decided to participate at the "building" of the game but only if it will have an offline mode, so it's the very first thing I had checked.

The cornerstone of crowdfunding is the trust. For me, removing "full offline mode" from ED is like betraying the trust that I have placed in FD. If offline mode is removed, it will be the second time I am betrayed with a crowdfunding... Enough to permanently stop this mode of financing...

The way I play Elite, now and in the past, doesn't need "dynamic universe", "experience sharing",... As I don't reject something without reasons, I tested ED in multiplayer mode, but always returned to solo mode. Sometimes, I test again multiplayer after big updates, but I still don't like multiplayer mode.

I found that the sentence I read in this Newsletter #49 ("A fully offline experience would be unacceptably limited and static compared to the dynamic, ever unfolding experience we are delivering.") rather vague... But enough precise to worry me a lot.

I claim the right to be excluded from a "dynamic, ever unfolding experience". So please, don't remove the full offline mode ! I'll eventually accept an (non compulsory) connection from time to time, but I will be very disappointed and dissatisfied if this mode would be removed.

Except you don't have the right to claim. It was never offered... The decision's been made, they aren't asking your opinion, they're telling you. It's not going to happen. When you buy a large pizza, you don't get to then say "I claim the right to eat this whole pizza by myself and not get fat."

 

[iFred]

Spending time on an offline mode is wasted if it doesn't provide the game that we've set out to make - which is the case here. For us the game needs the richness that the online galaxy gives us. Without it there is no game.

Michael

But this was pretty clear in 2013...

 

[Jason S]

Spending time on an offline mode is wasted if it doesn't provide the game that we've set out to make - which is the case here. For us the game needs the richness that the online galaxy gives us. Without it there is no game.

Michael

But are you offering a full refund for those who really expected or needed offline ?

 

[Kris]

But this was pretty clear in 2013...

In 2013 there was no game (i mean beginning of 2013).

 

[Darkmatter]

You didn't think that would be seen as inflammatory?

Only if you are trying real hard to be melodramatic. I could easily choose to be offended by all those wishing ruin upon Frontier and making solemn vows to never support them with another penny. But I am not, it is their prerogative. Just as it is my prerogative to continue supporting Frontier with my money, and I hope there are plenty more that will do the same thing.