So I'm in need of some insight as a new player.

[Aniaran]

First, I just want to preface this with the understanding that I've got no problem playing the game as is, everything's running fine, I understand the basic premise of interaction in the game and the mechanics thereof (though obviously not the more intricate aspects of it). My concern is more with the actual design decisions for the game and I was hoping to get a bit of feedback of what to expect later on as I play.

First and foremost, the yaw. I understand that this was a conscious design decision to prevent turretting but the concept seems so... half- I guess. I didn't choose Elite to play a dogfighting sim, I chose it to play a space sim and it seems that this detracts rather notably from the concept for me. My question there is: Does this get better with adaptation? Does it actually feel like a space sim in combat or would I be better served going and buying another to get the full 360 freedom of movement and combat? Is it just something that takes a fair bit of getting used to and reorienting my expectations or is this something that bothers even the veterans of the game?

Secondly, and this is mostly just for my own clarification, if I understand this correctly even Solo play requires a constant online connection and will drop you if that connection should be interrupted. Is there truth to this, and is there any word on a development for a truly offline experience or is this a cut and dry online only type of thing?

Third and finally, the in game cash shop. This is kind of a big turn off for me and legitimately not something I expected, though the last research I did on Eliteangerous was over 4 months ago so maybe this is new? How much of an impact does it have on the gameplay and how severely if so? Is it solely cosmetics or are there talks of it entering ship accessibility/weaponry/etc territory?

Sorry if these are all rather common knowledge questions as it's been a while since I've kept up with Elite's development. Largely holding off playing to not breach 2 hours as I'm really on the fence at the moment. It seems like a game I could possibly love but it's going to be a bit of a hurdle to get over the yaw issue and the in game cash transactions are a big red flag to me so hopefully some feedback from the people who have been playing for a bit can let me get some insight into whether to stick it out or refund the game.

Thanks for any and all feedback, it's much appreciated.

 

[AeRoStAtIc]

1. Something to get used to. Yawing is seldom used in combat, instead the lateral thrusters imo fill that role better.

2. Always online for Solo for now. Now word of any changes in the future.

3. Only cosmetic

 

[Faded Glory]

First, I just want to preface this with the understanding that I've got no problem playing the game as is, everything's running fine, I understand the basic premise of interaction in the game and the mechanics thereof (though obviously not the more intricate aspects of it). My concern is more with the actual design decisions for the game and I was hoping to get a bit of feedback of what to expect later on as I play.

First and foremost, the yaw. I understand that this was a conscious design decision to prevent turretting but the concept seems so... half- I guess. I didn't choose Elite to play a dogfighting sim, I chose it to play a space sim and it seems that this detracts rather notably from the concept for me. My question there is: Does this get better with adaptation? Does it actually feel like a space sim in combat or would I be better served going and buying another to get the full 360 freedom of movement and combat? Is it just something that takes a fair bit of getting used to and reorienting my expectations or is this something that bothers even the veterans of the game?

Secondly, and this is mostly just for my own clarification, if I understand this correctly even Solo play requires a constant online connection and will drop you if that connection should be interrupted. Is there truth to this, and is there any word on a development for a truly offline experience or is this a cut and dry online only type of thing?

Third and finally, the in game cash shop. This is kind of a big turn off for me and legitimately not something I expected, though the last research I did on Eliteangerous was over 4 months ago so maybe this is new? How much of an impact does it have on the gameplay and how severely if so? Is it solely cosmetics or are there talks of it entering ship accessibility/weaponry/etc territory?

Sorry if these are all rather common knowledge questions as it's been a while since I've kept up with Elite's development. Largely holding off playing to not breach 2 hours as I'm really on the fence at the moment. It seems like a game I could possibly love but it's going to be a bit of a hurdle to get over the yaw issue and the in game cash transactions are a big red flag to me so hopefully some feedback from the people who have been playing for a bit can let me get some insight into whether to stick it out or refund the game.

Thanks for any and all feedback, it's much appreciated.

1. The yaw thing doesn't really bother me, having been playing a while. You can also compensate for lack of yaw with thrusters, and probably even more so if you turn flight assist off.

2. An offline mode was offered and then cancelled during the beta stage, so not likely to see one.

3. I am pretty sure that FD do not intend to have a pay to win aspect to the game. The store is for cosmetic upgrades in game and T-shirts and the like.

 

[TiberiuS]

Secondly, and this is mostly just for my own clarification, if I understand this correctly even Solo play requires a constant online connection and will drop you if that connection should be interrupted. Is there truth to this, and is there any word on a development for a truly offline experience or is this a cut and dry online only type of thing?

Third and finally, the in game cash shop. This is kind of a big turn off for me and legitimately not something I expected, though the last research I did on Eliteangerous was over 4 months ago so maybe this is new? How much of an impact does it have on the gameplay and how severely if so? Is it solely cosmetics or are there talks of it entering ship accessibility/weaponry/etc territory?

Yes, the game requires a constant online connection to the servers. Your account is not saved locally. It is only saved on the servers. So you need a constant connection. Also the galaxy changes, to realize this you also need to have a connection.
A full offline mode was planned in early development, but FDev realized at some point that it isn't possible, because quite a lot of the content and the whole background simulation is server-based.

You mean this shop: https://www.frontierstore.net/game-extras/elite-dangerous-game-extras.html
Paint Jobs are purely cosmetic and are the only thing you can buy for real money. There is no Pay2Win

 

[ste]

Forget yaw. Yaw is not meant to be used for control in this game. It is meant for fine movements, you need to use roll and pitch. I dont even have yaw mapped to my controller. Not a problem.

Solo still shares the same universe you just dont see the other humans so it needs to be online. I would bet that some time in the future you will be able to play offline but not in the foreseeable.

Ingame shop has zero impact, you can buy things to make your ship look pretty, thats it. Sometimes ones come for free. Its completely optional and it has zero gameplay benefits other than looking good. Some say its not even worth buying them cos you dont often get to see what you look like anyway.

 

[AndyC77]

When in combat you will need to keep your speed within the blue area for maximum control. As areostatic above said you won't use yaw all the much its useful for landing though. Don't forget to press z to turn of flight assist if your brave, I don't bother. This is not pay to win do not worry about the store it is skins only.

 

[Aniaran]

Alright, guess that about answers that. Still seems a strange notion for a space sim to minimize yaw but it's obviously not as big of a hurdle to adapt to as I was anticipating given the responses. Anyhow thank you for all the feedback, guess I'll get back into the game and rebind a few controls.

Thanks again for all the responses, definitely made the decision a fair bit easier.

 

[Sugarat]

If you want more realistic space flight turn flight assist off.

 

[HurstLlama]

If you turn flight assist off you can skid around to your heart's content and any yaw restrictions will become a non-issue (you'll have a whole host of others but some players enjoy that sort of thing). In reality when it comes to dog-fighting and normal flight the yaw restrictions are not a big deal, or even any sort of deal. In an normal flight sim you don't use the rudder to carry out turns and ED is just like those with Flight Assist on. That said the thrusters can be jolly useful for maneuvering onto someone's tail or getting someone off of yours - think "Viffing" in a Harrier but on steroids.

 

[TiberiuS]

No there are still maximum restrictions for yaw (every turn-rate and speed basically). The in-game lore says that turn rates are limited because high Gs would kill the pilots. So there seems to be no dampening system in the ships. Speed is restricted for gameplay reasons.