Python Mk II & Updates To The Gamestore

Yes I guessed it would be all over the socials too, but I don't read them, don't have time! The only way I manage to stay up to date with the game news (inside and out) is to listen to the Galnet News podcast and have the Staff/Developer posts page pop up every morning using Snooze Tabs.... I used to use the RSS feeds but I found they became unusable for me.

Anyway back on topic! Untrue criticisms or not, I'm glad that at least FDev doesn't censor the forum much and allows dissent here (or seems to)... maybe because it knows it if was too strict then that really would be the end of a bulk of their income sources for ED.

Cheers :)
To be fair to Frontier they have always allowed criticism on the forum.
 
I don't get all this negativity. I don't get all the "pay to win" comments. I don't get all the LEP entitlement.

Y'all are getting a new ship on Aug 7th. If you want 3 months early access, pay some ARX and help support future development. The pricing works out less than 3 coffees from Starbucks (and even less if you've stored up any ARX).

We also get the option of buying pre-built ships. We don't have many details on it, but the least effort way of doing it is just supplying a pre-engineered ship at Grade X (my guess, grade 3). I am aware of plenty of people who refuse to engage in engineering either because of the time commitment, the "grind" of material gathering or the difficulty. Some of them have had a much harder time or even missed out on fighting Titans because of it. If they could pay for a pre-engineered (grade 3) AX ship that gives them access to more activities in game - how can that be a bad thing? It's win-win for the game and the player.

We also get engineering enhancements. Whilst I doubt they go as far as I'd like, this is still great if it makes things more accessible to everyone.


I hope the renewed focus on the store might mean we get more things to spend ARX on though. Roots already mentioned it, but I'd love to be able to properly customize my carrier interior. I've seen what you did the the customization options in F1, let's have some of that please :)


Looking forward to the livestream tonight, I hope we get a few more details. (And I hope Paul and the rest of the team packed their asbestos underwear. I think I'll be turning chat off!)
Sorry but as I understand you are a recent player in Elite, if you as well as I played for years in Elite1, Frontier, FFE you would know mining materials and ship equipment is just the game in Elite it has always been the basis of this game.
The recent modernization of Gauss cannons also proves it, we spent a lot of time and resources to get these cannons and now we are spending the same amount to make them at least work.
 
I want to start a club for people who pre purchase the python mk2
...
Python II Pre Owner Enthusiasts
or... PIIPOE if you like...

Sorry this is an incredibly childish joke, I spent like 4 hours working seriously hard on a dress and I need a break...

edit: just so ya know... I am buying the python II early access when it comes.
 
Definitely the critical difference—and indeed related to something for which I could not quite discern the answer yet—is exactly what the Arx purchase provides:
  • Shipyard access to the Python 2, then available early for Credits.
  • One Python 2 starship which cannot then be sold for Credits.
  • One Python 2 starship which can then be sold for Credits.
The first option is the least intrusive, and is the most literal form of Python 2 access insofar as it matches the August scenario. The second likely is acceptable generally (albeit perhaps not universally), although indeed could cause Frontier support problems if enough Commanders buy one for Arx, explode then forget to re-buy, even if the insurance is close to zero.

The third will damage reputation a lot with Commanders just being able to pay for Credits; at that point, either such is unintended and one of the other options should be considered, or such is intended and it would be as well just to add a Credits option to the Arx store.

The original unanswered question of mine was whether the Arx purchase gives Shipyard access to the Python 2 or just gives one Python 2. In my opinion the best approach is the former, a pure and literal early access offer as opposed to gaining an actual starship directly, although even that has the trouble of Commanders buying access without also having the means to buy the Python 2 itself. I think I would place the Arx option only at Shipyards, as an additional cost component alongside buying one's first Python 2 in a transaction which cannot complete without enough Credits.
 
If it’s not a case of perceived FOMO then why are Frontier using this model? If no-one feels they are missing out, why would they pay for access?

Bad news for Frontier if you’re right.
Because this is not a subscription based model, and because they havent racked in $700M crowdfunding for development? Lets face it, its 10+ years old game, which apart from cosmetics have basically no income (and you even get ARX ingame).

And let me tell you that probably a lot of people will purchase it regardless...
Will it cause a chain reaction so that people will jump into it at day one, so they will introduce more of this, we dont know, but as long as something is going to be ingame delayed, but released earlier IF you want to play early, I literally don't give a .

And I do agree that it might be of an issue, if they continuing that and adopt the SC/WoT/<many other "f2p" games>...

However, if that happens, people still have a chance to vote with their wallets, opposed from the SC crowd which in all honesty starts acting like a ing Scientologists nowadays...
 
I find it funny that people seem to expect a fully functioning Python 2 on first roll-out. Face it, folks: you'll pay ARX to play beta-testers. Pay-to-Beta-Test, so to say. I made that mistake with Odyssey already, so I will pass this time.
 
Hi :)

Hi all,

And no, not all LEPpers are swimming in Arx like Scrooge McDuck. I've barely been able to play since Arx came in and I've got hardly any of them. The Python Mk2 discussion is a bit academic for personally because I'll probably not earn enough credits to buy one before August any way! :D

Cheers :)

🦆 Okay, I'll admit it ! :D

Seriously, I have in the past bought, or rather some members of my family have contributed to buying ARX as a present to me. The last couple of years though I've (as I said in my last post) gained subsequent ARX solely by in game play. I just haven't seen any cosmetic items that I wanted most of the time, but I have used some of them now and again for a few ship kits and paint jobs.
I do understand your statement that you haven't had the time in gameplay terms though to accrue ARX, that's basically a players individual circumstances.
On that point I'm thinking of whether the thousands of hours I've been playing the game has supported Frontier in any way?...I'm not sure, I hope it has.

I'll probably use some of my ARX to get the Python M2 sooner than later, am I doing the wrong thing? :unsure:
There is also the thought that doing so obviously relieves me of a quantity of ARX that may later on tempt me to actually buy some more ARX for other items from the store at a later date.
Lets look at it another way, the (free?) ARX that I've accumulated at the moment isn't providing income to Frontier, I'll leave that statement there, as I think it's fairly obvious what I'm not actually saying. ;)

Frontier need income from Elite to keep the game's future support, how they get it is up to them, and that's one of the main debates here, as other posters have said, it remains to be seen if their future decisions are the right ones, I hope so, as ultimately it's going to influence my personal support for the game. I'm more positive than negative, at the moment though. :)

Jack :)
 
Looking forward to the livestream tonight, I hope we get a few more details. (And I hope Paul and the rest of the team packed their asbestos underwear. I think I'll be turning chat off!)
Are they just not telling anybody about the scheduling other than these Twitch streamers?
That seems unfair to us youtubers, non-streamers, and normal email checking people.

I’ve made a cogent effort to refuse to use Twitch and it seems like I’m being punished for that in a very impersonal way that’s insultingly exclusionary.
🧐
I shall be paying very close attention to this stream while I stream the old-school materials grind… me and my dual-monocle
 
Are they just not telling anybody about the scheduling other than these Twitch streamers?
That seems unfair to us youtubers, non-streamers, and normal email checking people.

I’ve made a cogent effort to refuse to use Twitch and it seems like I’m being punished for that in a very impersonal way that’s insultingly exclusionary.
🧐
I shall be paying very close attention to this stream while I stream the old-school materials grind… me and my dual-monocle
They seem on Twitch at least I wouldn’t know about other sources to be sticking to the announced schedule, which was I think in the FDev forum rather than the ED one, of always being the last Wednesday of the month.
 
Are they just not telling anybody about the scheduling other than these Twitch streamers?
That seems unfair to us youtubers, non-streamers, and normal email checking people.

I’ve made a cogent effort to refuse to use Twitch and it seems like I’m being punished for that in a very impersonal way that’s insultingly exclusionary.
🧐
I shall be paying very close attention to this stream while I stream the old-school materials grind… me and my dual-monocle
They will upload the Elite part to youtube, without the initial part about other games.
You are free to wait for this video, suscribe, press the bell, and downvote ;)

 
They will upload the Elite part to youtube, without the initial part about other games.
You are free to wait for this video, suscribe, press the bell, and downvote ;)

I for one am tuning in for the Barnyard Pack for PZ*

*this, may be a lie
 
For me, I don't see a problem with buying pre built Ships, It's not pay to win, It's pay to play, which we all do anyway, I take it as a given that the Ships will all have A rated modules and be Fully Engineered at ingame levels, else what would be the point, plus cosmetics, all this is aimed at player retention (at last), I will never use this, as I have all the time I need for the grind, others with limited time often leave the game frustrated because certain game content could be months or years down the line, not now, and that must be a good thing for all. I would go further and say module selection and the mod applied should be offered.

As for LEP, an upfront payment to cover all in game paid for content, including early access, (Not cosmetics or the above), failure to give the early release Python MKII to LEPer's would be a breach, and yes I am one.

In any case, It's all down to personal choice, buy don't buy, zero impact to anyone ingame.

07 CMDR's.
 
So from what I understand, a lot of people are upset because you can either pay to skip some grind to catch up with players who have managed to work their way up, or you pay to access the latest ship straight away, instead of waiting three months.

To be honest, I'm not too bothered with either at the moment. The ship packs appear to be a pay to catch-up mechanic, not a pay to win. As long as catch-up ships don't have an advantage over a player who's spent their time getting to the same level of ship, there shouldn't be a problem. In fact the P2CU player will probably be at a disadvantage because they won't have the experience at flying that type of build.

The Python MK II is going to be a £10 ($12.50) for a three month unlock. That's nothing compared to a certain other space game out there for a new ship. Heck I've got enough ARX in storage that have build up for months (and kicking thargoid titan bottoms), means I can get the unlock for free.

But here are the interesting questions. Would people pay 30,000 ARX for a Bare Bones, un-fuelled fleet carrier? How about 20,000 ARX for a Panther Clipper ? (although we know that's not coming because the new ships are all variants). Techncially, they're just bringing players up to the level of exisiting players, not giving an advantage over those existing players.

As long as fdev don't release the "Ultra-Tron Ship Disintegrator Mega Cannon (patent pending)" available for ARX only; now THAT would be pay to win.

PS I am begging you fdev, don't do the Adder MK II, Haven't we suffered enough!!
 
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The Python 2 is ready to go on May 7, so it’s pay to avoid late access rather than early access.
I have the Arx spare, so I'll spend them, and if the ship is any good I'll buy more for my other 'main' account.
Still less than a burger, fries and a Pepsi, and won't clog my arteries quite as much.

The best thing is that it is entirely up to the individual if they want to spend / buy Arx for this (and perhaps the other 3 'new' ships) - same as in Star Citizen, the individual decides how to spend their money, not the alleged community, surely?
 
I don't get all this negativity. I don't get all the "pay to win" comments. I don't get all the LEP entitlement.
Speaking as an LEP holder, not all LEP holders are acting or feeling "entitled".
My issue is with denying access to the ship for those without Odyssey, unless they pay real-world money for it. That's not fair. ALL the ships should be available to buy in-game with in-game credits for every player (and yes, I include the Cobra MkIV in that too).
The ship is ready to use on May 7th, so it’s being delayed to try to extract money. That’s part of the cause of the unhappiness.
Oh and this ^^^
 
Techncially, they're just bringing players up to the level of exisiting players, not giving an advantage over those existing players.
That's one comment I have seen in all of this. If you give a brand new player an engineered ship, ready to go, they won't have the experience to use it properly, will quickly get destroyed, may or may not have the credits to rebuy and will have a reaction of "This game sucks".

Players who have spent time slowly working their way up to that engineered ship, know how to use it, will stand a better chance of survival, will have a sense of having earned that ship and won't have a negative reaction if they get destroyed.

Yet again Frontier have tried to tackle a problem and gone about it in one the worst ways possible. This will backfire on them, and is just another nail in Elite Dangerous's coffin.
 
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