Python Mk II & Updates To The Gamestore

[Factabulous]

I know its wishful thinking, dropping this info with a livestream tomorrow and then pulling the power move of not talking about it

fdev talks to players about a new addition to answer 10 questions

There are now 20 questions needing answers.

As you are about to find out regarding PP2.0

 

[Flossy]

I don'.t have a problem with the idea of getting early access to a Python II with ARX - especially as I can buy enough ARX for under a tenner, not much more than a couple of pints! I personally think this is a clever move by Frontier.

 

[M_Biscotti]

Powerplay 2.0 […]We are confident the rework of this feature will not only allow players to […]

Sorry FD but I won't engage in PP even PP 3.0 or 4.0 or …

ARX pricing adjustments

I smell a heavy devaluation of ARX...

ship variants

Why not.. but on foot cabin access would have made me far happier…

Pre-built Ships & Engineer rework

Please pretty please be careful not to make engineering real money paid or excessive grind as it is a pure P2W way which would IMHO, heavily harm the game. Pay or grind thousands of hours like in Korean F2P games, is a business model which does not work in western countries.

 

[Rubbernuke]

As you are about to find out regarding PP2.0

You have the main guy tomorrow and the chap from last time over an hour of chat. FD would have to filibuster like kings to waste that.

 

[CMDR X]

Will you have enough if the next three ships are sold on the same basis?

Having income helps.

 

[amigacooke]

Well as a Mac user, I'm used to having content being made available at a later date

Of course, if enough people make it work for Frontier this time ....... best get used to it.

 

[DemiserofD]

Honestly, the credit economy is so broken right now, I really don't think people are realizing how little they are probably going to be buying. Back when I first started, it took me dozens of hours to get enough credits to buy a Phantom. Nowadays, I can drop into a Spire site and make the money to buy a fleet carrier in less than half the time.

Pay to win implies some sort of substantial benefit, but if people are paying $10 to save 15 minutes, for a ship they probably don't even know how to fly, it's more pay to lose.

 

[FlyingCrab]

It seems to me that the fd should do this as a single action and say bluntly that this is support for a project that is now in a difficult financial situation and make the difference not in 3 months, but a week, the players would have perceived it better.

 

[CaptainSeriousFun]

View attachment 390548

Greetings Commanders!

We've got an update for you on the release of the Python Mk II, as well as changes coming to the gamestore:
https://www.elitedangerous.com/news/python-mk-ii-updates-gamestore

What

Exactly

Does a player's Lifetime Expansion Pass get you regarding any of this / anything going forward?

 

[Brunosdad]

Can we get more than one?

 

[Kira Goto]

Another question: what happens if a player buys a pre built ship but can't afford to rebuy it? Do they lose those modules or are they unlocked forever?

I suspect it could just be given a 0 credit price tag(imagine the outrage if someone blew up their shiny new Python variant and couldn't rebuy it), like certain modules have/are. Pre-engineered FSD comes to mind. I've occasionally hovered over the sell button - not that I ever clicked it, or remember why I was on it in the first place - and it says it has a price of 0 credits.

 

[amigacooke]

What

Exactly

Does a player's Lifetime Expansion Pass get you regarding any of this / anything going forward?

It gets you the same as everyone else, nothing more, nothing less.

 

[VR jefranklin18]

I'm unlikely to pay for the Panther 2 but a pre-configured, cheap rebut bug splatter would be really handy

 

[Evazan]

I like some of what has been announced.

It seems that the Python MKII is already to go now. Maybe its only me but it doesn't feel like 'early access' for Arx. It feels like a contrived delay for everyone else in order to sell Arx. It just seems a little unworthy of FDev, especially given how long its been since new ships have been added to the game.

On the last live stream when the dev started talking about the PP update and 'Vending machines' in stations, I just put it down to them being nervous on camera. Now I'm wondering if its something that really does need a credit card number.

 

[Fizzatron]

So who's going to be moaning and groaning about having to pay Arx to get an advanced go of the Python Mk II who will also be ponying up the ARX the minute it's released?

Honestly, after reading this thread, I'm actually surprised at the response because I am pretty cool with the advance access pass for the Python MK II but am more concerned about the pre-built ships being available for Arx, as my hope was that would be part of upgraded Shipyards for Fleet Carriers and help bolster the player market ingame.

However, through reading the thread the point was raised about some who sell Elite accounts with Engineered ships so looked at it from that perspective, I guess it's as the saying goes; if you can't beat them, join them. Even though I don't think it was stated that they would be engineered I think the it's mostly likely that they will have at least some engineering which would be the point IMO.

It is a hazardous path to tread and all I'll say, for what it's worth, is that I hope Frontier are careful. I most likely will be getting the advanced Python Mk II as I haven't actually bought much Arx recently and I've been thinking about getting some anyway, and this would be worth it if you were looking for something to spend your Arx on, but I would also agree with the point being made already about being fearful of this leading to full on P2W.

The prebuilt stuff though, apart from my aforementioned wish about it being a player built and sold ingame sort of thing, I don't really see it affecting me much either way. Though it may just have been better option to allow the player economy to let players build the ships and sell them ingame but go back to the original plan of allowing players to buy credits in game with Arx? This would allow for both players to engage with it and also earn Frontier some cash from doing so, while also allowing more customization options based on player requests/needs?

The bottom line is if this is what Frontier have to do to not only keep the game treading water but also funding new expansions and things like that, then it is what it is and I shall see how it all plays out.

 

[Arindor]

No Panther Clipper? No deal!

 

[Drelthar]

No, it becomes available to all Odyssey owners on 7 May if they are prepared to cough up for early access.

As the Python II is functionally different, a non cosmetic item is being introduced and those who have an LEP or equivalent are being asked to pay again.

I do not buy ARX, I forfeit my consumer rights when I do so. This is unwise.

@Paul_Crowther

Can you clarify this?

The Python MkII becomes available for all Odyssey owners, including LEP owners, on the 7 August.

The way you put it, sounded like Odyssey owners and LEP owners got the ability to buy the ship on the 7th of may.
Not the ability to pay ARX, to buy the ship on the 7th of May

Which is it?

 

[Ian Skippy]

Gross. This is pretty much the defnition of p2w, and the defenders sound exactly like SC fans.

The bottom line is if this is what Frontier have to do to not only keep the game treading water but also funding new expansions and things like that, then it is what it is and I shall see how it all plays out.

No, this is not what they have to do, this is what they chose to do. And there is zero word on any meaningful expansion whatsoever. P2W, FOMO, skip-the-grind-for-only-$12 or whatever scummy tactics are always an option. Making quality expansions and selling them to your customers is how a reputable game studio works. This is just sleazy.

 

[Cosmo]

Starting with the Python Mk II, we are pleased to announce that this will be available in game for Odyssey players on 7 August for credits at Shipyards across the galaxy.

However, if you cannot wait until then you can get 3-month early access to this ship on 7 May from the store for 16250 ARX.

This is fine with me since it helps support Fdev and continued development of ED.

No, this is not what they have to do, this is what they chose to do. And there is zero word on any meaningful expansion whatsoever. P2W, FOMO, skip-the-grind-for-only-$12 or whatever scummy tactics are always an option. Making quality expansions and selling them to your customers is how a reputable game studio works. This is just sleazy.

This is not sleazy imo, because lots of game developers sell cosmetics and early access nowadays. Game development must be financed somehow. They can only make more quality expansions if ED generates enough interest and revenue. 16250 ARX is not much (less than £10 on the Frontier store atm). This is a lot better than selling unfinished concept ships for $100 - $1000. I'm willing to pay a premium subscription for early access to new stuff.

No Panther Clipper? No deal!

Sure, I'm also eagerly awaiting early access to the Panther Clipper.

 

[Jack Winter]

Anyone know how much the seal clubbing starter pack will be?