No Single Player offline Mode then?

[sivrintear]

I am glad a internet connection is required, this means that people will actually have to buy the game and not just turn to piracy thus more players which is better for us, more money for frontier and more content as a result.
Content updates when you least expect them or injected events is also cool.

 

[zhaith]

Surely they did. And I've no doubt they tried to deliver it. But that's my question. If it didn't work, what else were they supposed to do but announce that it doesn't work? If you're in Frontier's shoes what would you do at this stage to make this right?

At a minimum I would expect a refund of the full pledge amount from either the store of KS for anyone who is affected by this change (including any purchases for skins etc), failure to do this would be akin to lying and stealing as far as i'm concerned.

Up until the newsletter this evening this game was being sold as playable offline, just like every other version since the original Elite thats not the case anymore and FD need to correct this and quick else it will impact the launch of the game and potentially it's longevity.

 

[eeps]

Before people start calling in the lawyers I would suggest they talk to FD first. At this point we don't not know their stance on obtaining a refund (especially since the obvious passion shown in this thread) or other recompense.
.

They arent lawyers, they are an independant legal body that acts directly on consumer law. As mentioned.

And its not about refund, its about breaching the law. They are kind of like the Police for consumer law, they dont care about individuals, they only care about breaches of the law.

 

[Erna Jedermann]

Although I am not one of the people affected by this recent development, I really feel for those that will be. Particularly those who purchased 'access' to the game because it did offer an offline mode, due to circumstances of remote location, military deployment or whatever.

However, to any Australians who are affected by this, all is not lost. Under Australian Competition and Consumer Laws, 'mis-leading' consumers is something that is taken quite seriously, and no amount of EULA or other 'agreement' can reduce or remove your rights. You simply cannot 'contract away' your rights. Period.

Can I suggest lodging a formal complaint with the ACCC, an independent, self-propelled, government backed, law body that aggressively pursues companies who operate in the consumer domain that misleads or mis-informs consumers as to products they consume. Although this may not apply to the original Kickstarter campaign, as it is similar to gambling, it would cover the beta product we have all been playing up until now.

Their website : https://www.accc.gov.au/

IF anyone is familiar with this body, you will know they are similar to a rabid attack dog, that once out of the cage, is near impossible to put back in until they have had their feed. The fines are HUGE for non-compliant companies acting in contradiction to Consumer Law in Australia. EA games was famously screwed quite royally by the ACCC, and adjusted their performance in the Australian market following legal action brought against them.

Its wont be a great outcome for any and all, but for the consumer, its a 'fire-and-forget' model, wherein the ACCC does all the legwork following complaints, and the consumer usually just moves on after filing complaint, only to hear about the outcomes some time down the track.

At the very least it might encourage to FD to re-adjust their product model, and re-invest in the 'offline-mode' in order to avoid fines and headaches that this process will undoubtedly produce if successful.

As I said, I wont personally be affected by this removal of the offline mode, but I think there is a reasonable case to answer between FD and its offline consumers.

That maybe a point allso for the American players....I hear that they can complain by Law if adversertising Promise thing which are not actual in the Game....
So they have 2 thing to clear...
Missing offline mode...AND that only 32 Player be in one instance for an MMO ....its adverse like Cod its adverse as MMO, and that means more than only 32 and FULLY MMO support !!!!

 

[talshiarr]

They cant drop that seeing as they're asking us to pony up more cash for it. Least that's what I expect, never really bothered to find out if it were paid expansions.

I always assumed they would be since one of the perks of getting in at Premium Beta when I did was that all future expansions would be free.

 

[Enride]

Yeah did you think Mr Braben was going to knock on your door and whip out his magical glowing usb stick and inject you with more content?

Only if i have some protection, wouldnt want any viruses...

 

[OxKing]

The fact that the game is only playable online is no big thing for me.
But the fact it was promised as they had to raise money on kickstarter and then cut it away
and they communicated this point only at the last minute of development, this is a nono.

I don't know how many players actually "need" this offline mode or counted on it,
but as i consider the player base of 35-50 Year old Players, a offline mode might be more valued thing
then in the Call of Duty and Battlefield generation... And FD had to had this fact make into account.

On a technical and development standpoint i can understand the decision.
But they should make a stripped down offline mode, with only 500 static and maybe boring star systems. Something like that.
Just to fulfill the promises. They might do it some month after the launch, but they should do it.
It can't be THAT impossible...

Just my 2 cents on that topic.

 

[xxThe_Dice_manxx]

Although I am not one of the people affected by this recent development, I really feel for those that will be. Particularly those who purchased 'access' to the game because it did offer an offline mode, due to circumstances of remote location, military deployment or whatever.

However, to any Australians who are affected by this, all is not lost. Under Australian Competition and Consumer Laws, 'mis-leading' consumers is something that is taken quite seriously, and no amount of EULA or other 'agreement' can reduce or remove your rights. You simply cannot 'contract away' your rights. Period.

Can I suggest lodging a formal complaint with the ACCC, an independent, self-propelled, government backed, law body that aggressively pursues companies who operate in the consumer domain that misleads or mis-informs consumers as to products they consume. Although this may not apply to the original Kickstarter campaign, as it is similar to gambling, it would cover the beta product we have all been playing up until now.

Their website : https://www.accc.gov.au/

IF anyone is familiar with this body, you will know they are similar to a rabid attack dog, that once out of the cage, is near impossible to put back in until they have had their feed. The fines are HUGE for non-compliant companies acting in contradiction to Consumer Law in Australia. EA games was famously screwed quite royally by the ACCC, and adjusted their performance in the Australian market following legal action brought against them.

Its wont be a great outcome for any and all, but for the consumer, its a 'fire-and-forget' model, wherein the ACCC does all the legwork following complaints, and the consumer usually just moves on after filing complaint, only to hear about the outcomes some time down the track.

At the very least it might encourage to FD to re-adjust their product model, and re-invest in the 'offline-mode' in order to avoid fines and headaches that this process will undoubtedly produce if successful.

As I said, I wont personally be affected by this removal of the offline mode, but I think there is a reasonable case to answer between FD and its offline consumers.

Or FD pull distribution from Australia which is more likely.

 

[Skeloton]

I always assumed they would be since one of the perks of getting in at Premium Beta when I did was that all future expansions would be free.

My assumption was these "expansions" might be actual expansions (not piddly DLC) that are paid for.

 

[Jedra7609]

They arent lawyers, they are an independant legal body that acts directly on consumer law. As mentioned.

And its not about refund, its about breaching the law. They are kind of like the Police for consumer law, they dont care about individuals, they only care about breaches of the law.

I understand what they are, but a law has not been breached unless someone has been refused a refund they feel they are entitled to.

 

[stephen_usher]

Indeed. It's not really something I would care to pursue, as the only ones who would benefit would be the lawyers.

For me, it's simply a betrayal of trust. I start to wonder what else from the Kickstarter they will quietly drop. After all, what use is there for a boxed copy now when the game requires you to be online all the time? :S

Indeed... and the DRM is out the window too. Even logging in once to "authorise" the game is managing digital rights.

I'm afraid a scene from "The Empire Strikes Back" comes to mind, [The terms of the agreement we had] "Pray I don't alter them any further."

 

[Steve 67]

It's not download only - box edition to come, at least as a kickstarter pledge.

The comments are not anti online. They reflect that since the very start FD have advertised/inferred/promised the game as playing with an offline mode. People pledged to the kickstarter after seeking clarification on this. Even worse the game has been "Advertised" as such in the online store, so people have bought/pre-ordered the game on this basis.

Some people have limited/flaky internet connections so for them the offline mode was the "light at the end of the tunnel." Which hasn't turned into an oncoming train, it's been snuffed out. Without warning, without any indication, and with a justification that some are already questioning.

I pledged during KS, the offline mode was a factor then, as like some others who've already posted, my job at the time kept me in hot/dry/sandy places for 9 months of the year. The net connection cost upwards of $160 and was often slower than 1995 dial up, when it worked.

Now I work in back in Blighty, with a 100mb cable connection, and so, while I could adopt the "I'm alright Jack - selfish attitude". Unlike some I can still empathize and understand why this has upset so many.

Judging by the way this thread has blown up it's got the potential to bite FD hard, hopefully the damage limitation is going to work when/if they decide to start it.

LoL! wow +1

 

[eeps]

Missing offline mode...AND that only 32 Player be in one instance for an MMO ....its adverse like Cod its adverse as MMO, and that means more than only 32 and FULLY MMO support !!!!

You propbably wont get much traction about definitions of MMO and 32 players in an instance etc, as they are 'variations' in the product, and the argument isnt clear and would be a protracted legal battle.

You would however get traction if you paid for something and got 'locked out', meaning you got no product at all. Thats a little mor clear-cut and easier to define. IE : I paid, I got nothing.

 

[FX2K]

They cant drop that seeing as they're asking us to pony up more cash for it. Least that's what I expect, never really bothered to find out if it were paid expansions.

Actually, the product description for the expansion pack was full what they WANT to add or Intend to do, but not necessarily what they WILL be doing..
Not that I think they would cancel it, but the description is rather ambiguous.

We intend to continue expanding the game both with new content and new features. A good example of this is planetary landings. We have an ambitious goal for landings to include new gameplay and a rich variety of worlds to explore. To achieve our goal we want the planets to come to life. We also want to add leaving the ships so you can explore space stations or board enemy vessels or even just to look around your own. We intend to release small, free updates after launch, but major expansions including rich new features will be charged for, unless you have bought the expansion pass

 

[Adept]

I would stay away from the internet then (please dont take offence to that)
"secrets", spoilers, hacks, glitches and no doubt more will be found and published on the internet even with online only. That's just how it works these days. And whilst I am not too bothered about the lack of offline mode, I must admit, I prefer offline games for those reasons... so I don't have to face 'hacking / cheating' players which is all too common with MP. AI bots suit me fine.

Luckily Solo Online takes all those problems away if you so choose

 

[EAGLE 5]

The fact that the game is only playable online is no big thing for me.
But the fact it was promised as they had to raise money on kickstarter and then cut it away
and they communicated this point only at the last minute of development, this is a nono.

I don't know how many players actually "need" this offline mode or counted on it,
but as i consider the player base of 35-50 Year old Players, a offline mode might be more valued thing
then in the Call of Duty and Battlefield generation... And FD had to had this fact make into account.

On a technical and development standpoint i can understand the decision.
But they should make a stripped down offline mode, with only 500 static and maybe boring star systems. Something like that.
Just to fulfill the promises. They might do it some month after the launch, but they should do it.
It can't be THAT impossible...

Just my 2 cents on that topic.

It's not impossible the end result would be something between Elite and Frontier Elite 2 which in my opinion fails to be good at either one in addition to having none of the dynamic and community oriented content which frankly makes the game.

 

[Malisane]

I'm pretty sure planetary landings won't be easy. Bet they won't drop that... Or will they?

To be fair to Frontier, some of us raised this during the original kickstarter in the comments section (you can land on planets in FE2 and FFE, so can you land in ED?). It took a week of insults and vitriol from the "fanbois" before we eventually got an answer from Frontier (not going to be in at Launch but aiming for this in an expansion/DLC).

Maybe we should have asked about offline instead

 

[SJT]

I always assumed they would be since one of the perks of getting in at Premium Beta when I did was that all future expansions would be free.

And zero expansions will also be free.

 

[Juniper]

A long time ago, I read an interview with Michael Brookes (might have been David Braben, but pretty sure it was Mr Brookes).

In it he was asked what Elite: Dangerous was, and how it differed from previous incarnations of the game.

The answer he gave then was quite telling, in the light of what we now know, in that he stated that the "evolving galaxy and multiplayer are the two most important features of release 1.0 of E: D".

Multiplayer is strategically important to them. The evolving galaxy is strategically important to them.

Neither would exist in an offline mode, naturally.

Makes you think.

 

[Lobstris]

OK - reading the newsletter again, and sorry to throw more potential negativity into the ring, but:

Continuing to grow the game past the launch date as we plan would just not be possible at all with the constraints of physical disc manufacture and distribution, and is made possible only by the online nature of Elite: Dangerous.

So are the boxed copies for KS backers out as well then? (i.e. FDev don't want to do disk manufacture and distribution) Or simply just that updates post-release will be downloads (which is perfectly reasonable, and I'm reading too much into the above quote, given the charged atmosphere tonight).