No Single Player offline Mode then?

[LucyFer]

Excuse me LucyFer? Where have you been all my life?

I cannot even get ADSL1 where I live - the only ISP who would even agree to do it were Telstra, but the engineer advised against it on the basis that it would be SLOWER than dial-up.

As a result, four of us are sharing 25Gb per month on wireless broadband: and paying a stupefying amount of money for it.

Needless to say, the signal is rubbish - even with a 4G antenna on the roof I'm lucky to get two bars on the modem. And sometimes it drops out for days at a time.

But maybe your skills with google mean you can sort it out for me?

Or perhaps my sister in lovely Oz can?

My whole conversations with her these days are done via MMO's.

Who you with AANET? Dodo? Telstra?

If you're on STO I'll hook you up!

 

[Herik]

A full explanation would be nice from FD as to why the full offline mode will be removed.

I suspect it's to combat cheats and piracy and players who will reveal the "secrets of the galaxy" via those cheats.

But I remember in one of DB's videos, him saying (not an exact quote); 'Were not worried about DRM/pirating of the Offline single player code. - People can do what they want with it. We believe it would only improve interest and purchase of the full online game.

 

[Enride]

Its not that easy. Could they give you a static universe full of planets ans stations, probably, but that is it. From what has been posted by Michael Brooks, the server code is handling pretty much everything. So offline there would be no trading, missions, etc.
They would need to code the client to do this and that means two different products that would need to be supported. Or they could have you run a server locally and they are not going to do that at this time.

Yeah, i saw michaels post right now.
Makes sense but then it should never have been one of their initial features.
Apperently, they where planning online all the time and only hoping it could work offline.

I wont discuss the coding anymore, but this is really bad marketing and its hurting them now.

Ill egress from this discussion now as i think it has reached as far as it will.
Ill wait now and see what we get the coming month and just hope that whatever is up their sleeves is pure goodness and lots of it.

 

[Skeloton]

But I remember in one of DB's videos, him saying (not an exact quote); 'Were not worried about DRM/pirating of the Offline single player code. - People can do what they want with it. We believe it would only improve interest and purchase of the full online game.

My main reason for wanting offline is so I CAN cheat without serious consequences such as banning. Or so I don't disrupt the gameplay of others.

 

[KING5TON]

It is obvious this decision wasn't made last night. The question is, which has been asked many times already, but still not answer, WHEN was this decided? I can remember as of last week, the website store was advertising offline mode, as I was looking into buying for a friend. I'm glad the store doesn't let you purchase items as a gift, as both of us are offline gamers.

When did we get Private groups and Singleplayer online but no offline, Standard Beta? I'd bet around then at least.

 

[Hermit]

Well, I think you misunderstand my post. My point is that if FD wanna focus on the online evolving galaxy that's fine, and I'm all for it, but to provide a scaled down solution for the people who can't play online would be a good gesture, even if that solution was extremely dull compared to the online version.

Yep, a static version. This is what most will be happy with. It hasn't done the previous elite games any harm.

 

[ssg]

It isn't because they can't get it to work. If it is running on a server there is absolutely no reason they couldn't get it all to run on your PC. They just don't want to for copy protection purposes etc. That is fair enough and I certainly don't think there is a malicious intent.


However, they must have realised that was a potential issue a far while ago and perhaps it would have been a bit more honest to drop this info months ago. In fairness to them perhaps they had hoped they could obfuscate the code and data to the point they never had to do this.

SimCity anyone? To me this whole situation feels same. They have designed game to run online, but it could have been easily decided to work offline also. Now they have made it online dependant and it would take too much time or cost too much to change it work offline.

 

[Atinus]

But they were working on it! What evidence do you have that, somehow, Frontier did not bother to *try* to implement fully offline? I'm to believe from you they said it and knew right then and there it wasn't going to work out?

Since when is creating an offline game more difficult then an online?

And why not be honest with the reason at least. Most of those who mainly want offline seem to also not care for dynamic universe, changing systems and so on, things we "onliners" havent seen much of so far might i add but thats an entirely dufferent discussion.

It still remains, allowing a simple offline nonupdating, non dynamic gamemode cant be much of a challenge and if it is, why and why not just keep working on it until its ready.

I know nothing of game developing, but nothing can convince me that it would be hard to make a functioning SP if you already have the functioning MP.

Its THEIR idea that the offline wont be good enough, not the disappointed players idea.

Okay, so you have no evidence that they didn't *try* to do fully offline. Thank you.

I'm just taking issue with the implication that Frontier lied to us. I don't believe that for a second.

 

[xxThe_Dice_manxx]

No, any reason to not want an always online is valid. Even if your magnetron-oven is disrupting the wifi-signal if that's what it takes. Up until the advent of Gamma, not a peep was being uttered about off line not making it in, but all the time Frontier happily took the money of those who researched their purchase with a need for off line; as I did.
I didn't buy Star Citizen because of no-online.
I don't even buy PS4 games that can't be played in PS4's off line mode (I take it with me when I'm hospitalized again.)
I did buy Elite because of the off line, of which there was totally no sign at all that it wouldn't be there until less than two months before public release.
And they want you to believe that only two days ago they discovered that it wasn't possible.
Seriously?

Blaming the off line people for their decision is plain wrong. We have to do serious research before buying anything, we don't buy blind because we have internet anyway. We do research and buy only when we are sure.

We have been led around the bush and Frontier has banked our money to the very last moment. It's bad practice and I hope that the backlash turns into a giganormous crapstorm that brings the company to the brink. It's about time that shady practices in the industry are being met with harsh consequences. Mr Braben should rightfully end up getting his UB40, if you ask me.

For the love of all that is video games, someone give this person their money back, so they can be on their way.

 

[LucyFer]

No, any reason to not want an always online is valid. Even if your magnetron-oven is disrupting the wifi-signal if that's what it takes. Up until the advent of Gamma, not a peep was being uttered about off line not making it in, but all the time Frontier happily took the money of those who researched their purchase with a need for off line; as I did.
I didn't buy Star Citizen because of no-online.
I don't even buy PS4 games that can't be played in PS4's off line mode (I take it with me when I'm hospitalized again.)
I did buy Elite because of the off line, of which there was totally no sign at all that it wouldn't be there until less than two months before public release.
And they want you to believe that only two days ago they discovered that it wasn't possible.
Seriously?

Blaming the off line people for their decision is plain wrong. We have to do serious research before buying anything, we don't buy blind because we have internet anyway. We do research and buy only when we are sure.

We have been led around the bush and Frontier has banked our money to the very last moment. It's bad practice and I hope that the backlash turns into a giganormous crapstorm that brings the company to the brink. It's about time that shady practices in the industry are being met with harsh consequences. Mr Braben should rightfully end up getting his UB40, if you ask me.

I said, given your circumstance, you deserved a refund.

I understand you're frustrated and feel let down. I feel though you're being a tad emotional and dramatic in wanting David Braben sacked (which is impossible as he owns majority shares in FD) for a design decision in removing solo offline in a computer game.

I mean....REALLY? Chill out girl.

 

[philux]

So a 30 year old oil rig worker, a 25 year old soldier or a 20 year old sailor are people belonging into a museum then ?
Also, a 50 or 60 year old fellas' 100 bucks count for less than your's ?

I have picked my side of the argument, but can easily consider both.
Posts like thatone only put more fuel into the flames.

I myself am in the lucky position of having a constant connection. But my friends in the military who are avid PC gamers and take their gaming laptops where ever they go don't.

 

[reload]

My main reason for wanting offline is so I CAN cheat without serious consequences such as banning. Or so I don't disrupt the gameplay of others.

The trouble there though, as others have said, is data-mining of the game to find all the interesting stuff, and posting it online. Of course, with the online dynamic world it can later be changed by the dev team/will be out of date, but still... creating the Offline mode is just extra work in order to create even more work.

 

[Quietman]

Since when is creating an offline game more difficult then an online?

...

I know nothing of game developing, but nothing can convince me that it would be hard to make a functioning SP if you already have the functioning MP.

There is no technical reason that a windows/mac/linux port of the server cannot be produced, (unless their server code is procedurally generating 400billion star systems at the atomic level).

The decision/s for limiting this game to always online are financial/political/DRM/anti-cheat/protecting IP/etc.

As I stated earlier I have internet access for around 3 months of every year; FD, if you want to make an old man well up then remain steadfast and obstinate in your decision, but it is the wrong one.

Never say never, always leave the option open and thus a glimmer of hope; we both know, (FD devs and I), that it is technically possible and really not that difficult to provide an offline mode.

 

[MikeGreg]

Just my own view, but I really do feel like this is being blown out of proportion by the vocal minority that want fully offline play. I understand it's frustrating to have that rug ripped out from underneath you, but for a lot of people misinterpreting this issue:

SOLO PLAY WILL STILL BE AVAILABLE

You'll just require an internet connection to play the game.

What you still do not understand is for many people they dont have permanant internet connection SO THEY CANT PLAY FULL STOP

 

[yibble]

Elite Dangerous will be released on 16th December. They marketed that there will be offline play. Why they have to release this game in current state? They could delay the launch. No one will remember delay if the game is released polished and finished. Everyone will remember bad release however. Of course, they could be forced to make this decision. Maybe they run out of money, or maybe investors are pressuring them. I don't know, but I don't think this situation is optimal for anyone. Maybe they will surprise us in the launch and everything will be ok and all this drama was for nothing and could have been avoided with better communication.

Actually, the 16th of December release date works fine for me too. Any later and I wouldn't receive my physical copy as I'm hopefully emigrating at the end of January. I believe Frontier are making the correct decision to release on-time and to stick to the date announced. We're not Golgafrinchams, and this isn't the planet of Fintlewoodlewicks*. If they delay now we'll never get this wheel thing finished.

* Please tell me a backer has named a planet Fintlewoodlewicks.

 

[Tar Stone]

I feel bad for the people who won't be able to play the game because of connection issues.

But calling for the whole project to now fail and ruin it for everyone else, when the reasons have been explained to you, is disgusting.

If you feel that way, apply for your refund, and get off the forum.

 

[xxThe_Dice_manxx]

What you still do not understand is for many people they dont have permanant internet connection SO THEY CANT PLAY FULL STOP

How were they going to download it and keep it up to date?

 

[lbm]

Yep, a static version. This is what most will be happy with. It hasn't done the previous elite games any harm.

True, and I do think that the devs might wanna hold back on closing the door on such a future solution entirely. Even though I have no insight into the development process I would think that a future local server would be less of a hassle than start handing back money now and also taking the blow from the bad PR this is rendering. That said, I'm not FD, and although I'm a backer it's all up to them, but at least I can serve my thoughts on the matter.

 

[littleminxundr]

I said, given your circumstance, you deserved a refund.

I understand you're frustrated and feel let down. I feel though you're being a tad emotional and dramatic in wanting David Braben sacked (which is impossible as he owns majority shares in FD) for a design decision in removing solo offline in a computer game.

I mean....REALLY? Chill out girl.

I'm very chilled out, lol. But I made my point and the apologist army is out in full force, so I'm going back to eating pop-corn while you guys drink the cool-aid.

 

[srinidhalaya]

A lot of people are overlooking the fact, it is not just OUR connection. What about THEIR connection? Do you think, a pay once based cash model, will fund an ALWAYS ONLINE game? This game WILL be subscription based, or micro transactions (beyond skins) in a VERY short time after release. They already backtracked on offline mode, you think they wont backtrack on those items?

"Well, we tried to avoid subscriptions, but it just didn't work out. So for your own good, we are now going to a subscription based model."