Python Mk II & Updates To The Gamestore

[Donald Duck]

nah, it looks that it's a large and is far behind the cockpit, between the two large on the sides, maybe slightly behind them

Besides hardpoints, I was just wondering how they'd balance internals to give her more speed, agility and so on, as imho only an FdL-Python hybrid would make a PM2 usefull...
A heavy, fast fighter with excellent combat abilities as well as (some) cargo, if required. Otherwise it would just be another Krait Mk II...

 

[Northpin]

Besides hardpoints, I was just wondering how they'd balance internals to give her more speed, agility and so on, as imho only an FdL-Python hybrid would make a PM2 usefull...
A heavy, fast fighter with excellent combat abilities as well as (some) cargo, if required. Otherwise it would just be another Krait Mk II...

We will see soon
My guestimate would be less spacious internals.
So instead of 10 internals maybe only 9 or even 8. And instead of 3x size 6 and 2x size 5, maybe one less size 6 or even two less size 6 internals.

 

[Cmdr. Numa]

Since it was first announced as a dedicated combat ship, I think it'll have massively reduced optional internals. Maybe just one size 6 or even none. Can't really remove the size 7 plant and distributor with 6 hardpoints.

 

[Angus Poindexter]

Well, I've bought my ARX and am ready to get the P2 in early release. By doing so, I am contributing to the future development and running costs of this great game I love. If other ships come out at this low cost ($12.99), then I will probably go for those, too, depending on what they are and if they fit in with my style of play.

If anyone disagrees with this, then so be it. I will play the game how I want to play it, and no one is going to tell me otherwise. Plus, I don't see any P2W here, as I don't win anything except perhaps making the game a little easier and more enjoyable for me. So there!!

 

[angusmadmac1]

I think most would buy the Python and depending on how that goes the other ships . But why not get decent stuff we can buy ? Put out all the paintjobs, nice decals, and ship kits . Even Dragon skins ( they have done it before in a one off)
Even my much wanted corvette unicorn ship kit with rainbow lasers and stars coming out of the engines ?
People are willing to spend cash but don't want to throw it at meh ugly stuff . I used to spend monthly on arx but gave that up because there was nothing I wanted .
In my own opinion of course

 

[yianniv]

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

Full disclosure: none of my 4 accounts is a LEP holder.

Since the LEP holders are one of the reasons we're all playing this game, why can't they get the python Mk II in advance, as a gesture of good will? I think it's a bit "low" to keep them waiting until August. This company needs better decision making since the Odyssey launch.

 

[yianniv]

Well, I've bought my ARX and am ready to get the P2 in early release. By doing so, I am contributing to the future development and running costs of this great game I love. If other ships come out at this low cost ($12.99), then I will probably go for those, too, depending on what they are and if they fit in with my style of play.

If anyone disagrees with this, then so be it. I will play the game how I want to play it, and no one is going to tell me otherwise. Plus, I don't see any P2W here, as I don't win anything except perhaps making the game a little easier and more enjoyable for me. So there!!

After every patch I check to see if the Secure storage bug has been fixed (the one that doesn't show your ship's cargo unless you re-visit the market) and the answer is still no. I've said that I won't spend any more money to FDev until that's done and I intend to keep my word. It's been more than one year, probably two now.

 

[Wakizashi]

Other thing being worse doesn't make this thing better you know?

This echoed reply made me think its pointless to continue replying.
You voted with your wallet, good for you

 

[Shurimal]

nah, it looks that it's a large and is far behind the cockpit, between the two large on the sides, maybe slightly behind them

Yes, these are the 3 large dorsal HP-s we can see in the released pics. 2 mediums are forward on either side of the central ridge. And then there's this "roof hatch" feature:

which has been a subject for debate. I don't think it is a hardpoint, it's placement is not good considering that it would block the after large HP.

 

[Fizzatron]

Not if you buy a prebuilt Python MKII for ARX

"The Python Mk II will also launch with a Pre-built Ship package, allowing you to kickstart your career in the latest ship, including a brand-new paintjob and ship kit."

If I liked the paintjob & shipkit of the prebuild and they are not exclusive to the prebuild, or just a timed delay for general availability, I would definitely consider buying those things separately when they become available, but if the paintjob & ship kit are exclusive to the prebuild, then I would probably blank it out of principle and feel compelled to complain about that.

 

[Agony_Aunt]

I don't think the early access and the pre built PMKII is the same thing, they are mentioned separately, but I might be wrong. The prebuilt might only be available after the early access finishes, who knows?

Well, we are having to still do a lot of speculating since FD haven't given us the full picture, but even taking the zero rebuy out of it, still stinks to me.

 

[Agony_Aunt]

This echoed reply made me think its pointless to continue replying.
You voted with your wallet, good for you

No problem agreeing to disagree.

 

[Northpin]

Yes, these are the 3 large dorsal HP-s we can see in the released pics. 2 mediums are forward on either side of the central ridge. And then there's this "roof hatch" feature:
View attachment 390804
which has been a subject for debate. I don't think it is a hardpoint, it's placement is not good considering that it would block the after large HP.

No idea what that thing is, but the 6th hardpoint is under nose, like the old Python

Less than 2 week, less than 2 weeks...

 

[Mastadon623]

So what's included in the pre-release package for the Python Mk 2? Is it just early access to the ship or is there more, like skins, ship kits, or a "rebuy-free Python Mk 2"?

 

[Northpin]

So what's included in the pre-release package for the Python Mk 2? Is it just early access to the ship or is there more, like skins, ship kits, or a "rebuy-free Python Mk 2"?

Apparently is the early access "unlock" and also the pre-built ship variant that comes with a paintjob and a ship kit.
Depending on how each of these releases will work, i will decide if i do the unlock or get a prebuilt ship.

 

[Winterwalker]

There are other ways for them to make money.

Examples?

It's well documented that while FD are a successful game developer, the launch of it's publishing business has been a rocky ride. Concentrating on successful title, ED, plainly they feel that the Arx per month buying on the current size of the playerbase could be improved. For me what they've suggested gets at both of those two birds with one stone. While obviously you and some other players are upset by jumpstart ships, I'm not sure I can think of a way for FD to improve inter-expansion revenue from ED that causes less upset .. or more new players attracted to the game. If you've got some it would be good to hear what the better options are.

 

[Gabe123rwg]

The no rebuy is an issue for me too. Buying a ship that is a bit above basic doesn’t bother me as I won’t be doing it. If it allows some new players to experience various game play ok but if they want to jump forward in game with out learning the ropes and struggling they should still learn the lesson about rebuying. I see how this will encourage pvp as for example I buy a ship and go pvp play in open and get destroyed I just get my ship back and go out again. I hope this isn’t their main idea on encouraging pvp

 

[Agony_Aunt]

Examples?

Sure, here is an excerpt from a post i made today:

I bet if FD released ship kits for those ships still missing them they'd make way more money from those than EA of the Python Mk2.

Maybe that will put something in perspective for those who are saying "FD need money, so its ok for them to EA the Python Mk2"

Just to note which ships have no ship kits (while some ships have as many as 3! Anaconda has 6????)

Alliance Crusader
Asp Scout
Cobra Mk4
Diamondback Scout
Federal Dropship
Federal Assault Ship
Hauler
Imperial Eagle
Type 7
Viper Mk4

Admittedly, many of those are among the least popular ships, but all ships (yes, even the Asp Scout) have their fans, and some people just like collecting and customizing all their ships (me for example). Not to mention quite popular ships like the FAS which i'm sure would sell a ton of ship kits.

I don't understand why FD have sat on this potential goldmine for so long and instead are resorting to more dubious monetization schemes.

What about more engine and weapon colours?

What about more Fleet Carrier layouts?

What about custom skins for Odyssey tools?

And here is a part of a post made on reddit today, kindly copied by @Weps

• Ship cockpit skins
• Ability to rename systems discovered by the player (pay-per-system, probably FDEV reviewed)
• Engine and weapon sounds
• Different choice of landing music
• Custom (voice acted) station landing greetings / chatter
• Ship front lights with custom patterns / colors
• Wall graffitis / emojis (Odyssey only)
• The carrier layouts showcased for PP2.0 strongold carriers
• NPC clothing from concourse (the red suit / the Star Trek uniform / the brown overalls etc.)
• Carrier's captain quarters /w decorations
• Player flag placeable on planet surface (my personal comment: if cloth physics are too complicated, how about a holographic device that looks like a flag)
• Type-10 ship kit that removes the spoiler

Any other questions?

 

[Agony_Aunt]

While obviously you and some other players are upset by jumpstart ships,

No. That's not the point. Please read what is actually being written.

 

[Fnord Velkor]

I missed the RNS on 2 April but now I see that it contains some info which might be food for thought:

On 15th March 2024 Frontier sold the publishing rights for RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 to Atari Inc ('Atari') to enable Atari to become the sole publisher of all major titles within the Rollercoaster Tycoon franchise. Total consideration for the sale of the publishing rights was agreed at US $7m, made up of US $4 million of up-front cash and US $3 million of deferred cash consideration. No value was attributed to the publishing agreement on Frontier's balance sheet prior to the transfer. The proceeds of the disposal will be utilised by the Company for general working capital purposes.

So that's 4 million dollars in the kitty already and they still want to fleece people for 3 months EA to a ship.

Thankfully Starship Simulator should be released March next year so ED only has to keep me amused until then.