No Single Player offline Mode then?

[Nomadski]

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.

Maybe its because the thread has moved so quick, any response would be soon buried. Or perhaps because he is under instruction not to engage this directly for legal reasons. It's safer for Michael to do so on Saturday as he has a certain technique with open ended answers.

I want an official response, but not necessarily within this thread. I want an apology for the way it was handled and why it was buried within a newsletter surrounded by little giveaways; a full, frank and clear explanation of why they couldn't do an offline version now & (conversely) why they think they can do it in the future if trouble arises, and finally an official line in what they are prepared to do for those badly affected.

I still need to make my own mind up about what my choice will be, a damned good thread would go some ways to easing my own misery.

 

[Steve50]

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..

I'm sorry but my sympathy for you instantly died the moment you said 'There are much more interesting games out there" No, just no.. There is not. Nothing remotely close.

 

[phila_delphia]

Hi!
I just read the dev commentary on the NO-OFFLINE issue. And I am even more frustrated now.

In the Newsletter they mentioned one as to be online "from time to time" - If I read Micheal right, this actually is the salami-tactics word for "every time you want to do anything"

Even worse that the living and breathing universe seemed to me like a bunch of trade offers.... And every Trading Simulation from "Vermeer" over "Hanse" to "Ports of Call" could do this offline 30 years ago!

To me it seems like FD wants to sell the lack a standalone game as a feature.

Best regards

phila

 

[Titus Balls]

Not having full access to the code, or indeed have an idea of the finished architecture of design in place would make that a tad hard for Tim methinks.

Yet that hasn't stopped many others on here from suggesting ideas or saying Frontier can open source the code.

 

[tagos]

Maybe to you. Not to me.

Well that's rather my point isn't it. Don't say stuff that makes the situation worse.

 

[zelda_n64]

I purchased the Beta version on the 19th Oct, I joined these forums on the 6th Nov. I do not have to time or inclination to be on my computer posting constant messages to forums when I have other things to do. I do not post my life on twitter or facebook that seems to be current drug of choice in the world of constantly being online.
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The reason I purchased the game ED was purely to play offline, just like the articles in magazines over the last couple of years stated I could do.
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For the younger generation I understand that for you the ever changing online world is a big plus, you have grown up with online games. For me an online game is a put off, I avoid connecting my PS3 to the online world & I would never choose to play an online variant of a game.
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I would like to play ED at my own pace, I do not have the luxury of being able to play everyday, at times my computer is dormant for 2 or 3 weeks as my life does not allow for such breaks. Would I find it interesting knowing in 3 weeks time that my solo online game environment has changed so much that I have to rethink my strategy to play catch-up.
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Whilst I understand what FD are doing & why they want to bring the experience of their dreams to the masses - they should also remember that not everybody that wants this game is a teenage geek with time on their hands. Some of us who were teenage geeks in the early 80's enjoyed the original and truly remarkable game Elite. Yes, we have to move on but we shouldn't be left on the side-lines.
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This isn't a rant, and I sincerely hope that those who go the refund route get one. As mentioned in previous posts my friend is in that boat, he pre-ordered the game (not the beta) due to articles in the press (not on forums or the internet). He does not have an internet connection & cannot get one. I believe that by 2018 broadband will be available in the area where he lives.
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For him the offline mode was a godsend, he could buy the game and enjoy it.
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We are not trolls, we do not post unnecessary posts on forums to get our point across, we are middle aged geeks who fell for the marketing techniques used to get our money for a game that we will not now enjoy. Sadly it is a deal breaker for some and I have to decide over the next couple of days (depending on any further information released by FD) if I choose to stay with the game.

 

[Wyzak]

If we don't know the facts, it's because we haven't read the relevant posts

The game will be unplayable off-line. This has been clearly stated. A connection will be required whenever a transaction takes place with the server (markets etc.). I imagine saves aren't likely to be stored locally either.

Where was that said? Please provide links.

A fully offline experience would be unacceptably limited and static compared to the dynamic, ever unfolding experience we are delivering.

Does not constitute what you are claiming.

 

[Voivod]

Well that's rather my point isn't it. Don't say stuff that makes the situation worse.

I'm surprised you have the gall to say that. (not really)

 

[noodle]

To me it seems like FD wants to sell the lack a standalone game as a feature.

Well yes. That's how marketing works. Take something negative, and find a positive angle to spin. "Hey, we're getting rid of off-line mode because the on-line mode is so UTTERLY AMAZING!!!!"

 

[Pulse]

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).

you can't play an MMO in singleplayer mode though, can you?

 

[SuBSynk]

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...

Seems your post is already lost amongst the rapid back and forth

Back on topic !

In answer to the topic title, no unfortunately there is no longer a planned offline mode and reasons have been provided by the FD team.

 

[Wyzak]

Michael Brookes has already said that a consistent internet connection is require for Solo.

Where was this said?

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.

It's common for betas not to allow offline play to prevent piracy etc. SP is usually only available on launch.

 

[PIXEL]

I would hope right now there's some strong coffee available in the room above a small chip shop in Southend where Frontier PR 'guru's" are putting together a statement so we can all agree that fridays statement wasn't a very clever PR exercise. (or maybe it was?)

If I missed the statement already please point me in the direction of the thread that contains it - cheers

ooops wrong thread apologies!

 

[SentineI]

What did I do? I am a backer of offline play because I do not want others to influence my game. I will not be playing Elite D unless it has an offline mode. I played EVE from March of 2005 until February of this year. I left because of the sociopaths that infest that game.

ED's Solo mode allows you to play without meeting other people (sociopathic or otherwise). It does however still require an internet connection, but I think any single player's influences on your Solo game will mostly be unnoticeable, because ED (unlike Eve) does not have an entirely player-based economy (instead players are just a part of a larger simulated economy).

 

[Adept]

And you'd rather not play it at all because you might not be able to play it if the servers go down? (though I think FD will probably do something about that once it happens).

This really weirds me out. It's some combination of fatalistic pessimism, and not wanting to have a thing at all unless they can have it forever.

 

[Steve O B Have]

Seems your post is already lost amongst the rapid back and forth

Back on topic !

In answer to the topic title, no unfortunately there is no longer a planned offline mode and reasons have been provided by the FD team.

It's that catch 22 of saying "we're not going to close the thread" and then closing it so people actually read it... C'est la vie.

 

[noodle]

Where was that said? Please provide links.

Seriously? Use the search function or sit down with a coffee and do some reading. I'm not your secretary

 

[tagos]

Well yes. That's how marketing works. Take something negative, and find a positive angle to spin. "Hey, we're getting rid of off-line mode because the on-line mode is so UTTERLY AMAZING!!!!"

Yea - the trouble is we're not idiots. We know the difference between rain and someone peeing on our heads. In this case, with this audience, with this level of buy-in, commitment and FD fostered expectations a couple of lines of Marketing 101 bullcrap was never going to achieve anything other than making a bad situation much worse. Treating people like idiots is never a good idea.

 

[Jorlin]

Where was this said?

here...in this thread:

Single player online does require a consistent connection.

Michael

At the moment it's whenever you need to conduct a server moderated transaction like trading.

Michael

Edit: You can find the Dev resposes condensed in this tread https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=59481

 

[Nomadski]

Yet that hasn't stopped many others on here from suggesting ideas or saying Frontier can open source the code.

People can suggest all they want, none of us have the code to be able to agree or refute any technical aspect in all seriousness, its just discussion. The quote you brought forward was in response to someone asking someone with programmers background to give a specific solution to the problem.