Newcomer / Intro Questions from a (hopefully) to-be newcomer

[Xariez]

Hello fellow pilots!

So, christmas is getting closer and closer, and as I am speaking of this I am also planning on getting Elite: Dangerous, possible also a joystick just after christmas. However, I got some questions regarding the game before I do anything, and before I ask these questions I want to inform everyone that this is not a rant of any sort, because if you ask me, this game is more than perfect, especially for the new game iti s.

1. Theres alot of star systems, is there a way to find a friend you've got incase you want to play with friends, instead of going through them all just to get to a friend?
2. Is there any "main places" for players to hang out, or how do they manage to keep a "alive" world in it all?
3. Is there currently enough content (And I am very aware it is a simulator, not a arcade game, so there is only so much to do in space, but still, does it?)
4. This is kind of answered in my previous question, but is the game worth 50€ in its current state, plus a 50€ joystick? (Thinking about the Thrustmaster HOTAS or Thrustmaster 1600M, depending on what I feel like once I buy it)

If I come up with more questions I will add, but this was what came to mind for now. Thanks everyone for your time, and answers are as always appreciated!

Regards,
Xariez

 

[KingVerdict]

It's good to remember that this game is still pretty raw. But I haven't stopped playing since it came out. Bounty hunting and exploring have been solely keeping me busy. There are missions and mining and trading that can be done also. Rep farming...There's plenty to do. Learning the game and how to do stuff will take some time too.

 

[T@F]

1.yes you can add friends,just not much to do together atm,as for finding them i guess you need to group and talk to each other where to meet up.
( i play a loner so tec not much exp with this tbh)
2.Not really,unless your group hangs around certain stations.
3.There are loads of things to do,it's down to you what you want to role play as.the prob is many ppl want it handed to them instead of working at it.
4.yes most defintely worth it,i use a 360pad and voice attack and i play it just fine and worth every penny i bought it for.

 

[Araviel]

hi Xariez and welcome

1. if you have a friend and you are starting out at the same time you can create a private group before entering the game for the first time, this will make sure that the game spawns you both in the same location.
but once you have spawned your commanders there is no fast way or "teleport" to meet up, you have to travel the old fashion way.
usually its not a big deal unless you are 100's of light years out in the rim, the populated part of space whit stations is only about 1% of the galaxy (currently, it is dynamically expanding and will grow under time depending on player actions) and the starter systems is not that far apart.

2. yes there are for example several popular trade hubs, starting systems, tourists attractions (such as sol) and dynamical events that attracts players.

3. see kingverdicts posts, all the basics are there, mining/trading/bounty hunting ect, it could all be fleshed out, but there is enough to keep me more than busy while waiting for future expansion.

4. everyone values things differently, but personally i am happy whit my investment. i can't comment on the joystick, i am using mouse and keyboard at the moment.
i tried using a stick but felt i need to get a track ir or oculus kit if i want to be able to do the same things i can do whit mouse and keys. so until i can afford my oculus kit the sticks gets to rest in my closet.

 

[Zelos1983]

Hello,

regarding the Joystick:
I have a X-52 Pro, but I choose to play E with my Logitech Gamepad (which has two analogue sticks). Although not as precise, it makes life a lot easier..have the joypad with main function, the keyboard next to it, and the mouse for the UI (when applicable).
Compared to other games, the action is very slow, so even with a gamepad, there is more than enough precision.

To summarize the game - it's a Frontier remake with multiplayer added. So if you like that kind of games, you will enjoy it, despite the "dumbed down" flight model and the "lack of guidance and content".

 

[Muthax]

HOTASX and it works nice, read around the forum I heard some people having issues with the 1600M

The game is a galaxy simulator, you don't go from point A to point B in an istant, you fly there in FTL while adjusting flight depending on the gravitational wells (unless you wanna take 40 mins instead of 8 to do 120KLs)

I think you need to read this review before choosing
http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2014/12/19/elite-dangerous-review-in-progress/

mirrors my exact feeling and it's pretty honest on WHAT ELITE is (and isn't)
a lot of people think there is no content and it's boring but they were expecting a more ...cinematic experience. They didn't want a living galaxy simulator, they wanted a game in space.

There is a civil war (AI run but player influenced) and a secession war (started or at least trying to be started by players in another system

Dunno if that helped

 

[GibMeister]

Hmm, to summarise, the game is not quite release quality,however, it is still good fun to play and I would just buy it if I were you. The devs are fixing bugs constantly as they are reported. I use the Thrust master and its fine, you still need the keyboard as it doesn't have enough buttons though.

If you wait for everything to be perfect you will be asking us these questions next Christmas! I would advise you watch the Frontier YouTube channel and watch their training videos as they are essential. Just go and buy it! Expect it to be not quite right but still enjoyable.