Discussion So what's happening with Fdev fixing the API , this time ?

[sutex]

UPDATE... Path notes
https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showt...4-02-Downtime-scheduled?p=5981215#post5981215

We (the app users) know Third Party apps enhances ELITE DANGEROUS and without third party apps the inadequacy of ED would be blindingly obvious.

Many are playing ED, simply because of tools like EDDI, Voice Attack, Elite G19s Companion app, EDDiscovery, INARA, EDDB.io, and without these tools
ED becomes a boring broken unfinished experience.


As of today 7th OCT my EDMC is 'working' as is EDDI .. Frontier API seems to be up and running

 

[Crank Larson]

While I do use the tools on occasion, it is usually only for finding materials and such like when I need some for engineering. This information (as well as system information) can still be collected by the tools, as it is in the journal file (no API access needed). Market data comes via the API, and it is this that is not working currently. FD also seem to have enabled the economy again in this update - many stations around the CGs ran out of commodities, which hasn't happened for a long time. I wonder if these two pieces of information could be related?

 

[Rafe Zetter]

It's simple. It's denial.

FDev spending the time to fix the API to suit the requirements of 3rd party software they arn't that happy even exists - because as you say it shows all the flaws with the game - is equal to a public announcement that the game NEEDS them to be a reasonable experience.

 

[Maylor Rom]

It's simple. It's denial.

FDev spending the time to fix the API to suit the requirements of 3rd party software they arn't that happy even exists - because as you say it shows all the flaws with the game - is equal to a public announcement that the game NEEDS them to be a reasonable experience.

I agree 100%. In fact, an INARA-LIKE set of information screens should be offered which could be opened from the in-game station services. It has, in one website, all of the information in easy to read format, with a complete digest of what you are doing and have done, and it is well laid out and thought out.

I would have been "ecstatic" to have had an "inara-like" set of screens as the Elite Client, with all the useful stuff presented, for a front end or information center in Elite, all versions with a game launcher on the top orange bar.

But, that's just me. The two seem to go together well and would have been nice as one.

The Frontier API always seem to be a way to appease game modders from offering direct mods based on game files. Frontier needed some control over this, or everyone and their brother would be offering mods.

But then, when it breaks or is non-functional, the third party supporting websites take the hit.

 

[Gunnet]

I wouldn't personally be quite as critical of the game itself. But it would certainly be nice to have the tools and databases which rely on the API working again.

The Frontier API always seem to be a way to appease game modders from offering direct mods based on game files. Frontier needed some control over this, or everyone and their brother would be offering mods.

But then, when it breaks or is non-functional, the third party supporting websites take the hit.

Frontier never intended us to be directly using the API at all. It was built to support their iOS companion app. Resourceful developers just figured out how to make use of it in their own programs.

 

[Quantis Trap]

I agree that Frontier really needs to to fix this quickly! I hope they realize how important it is that sites like EDDB.io and Inara.cz be up-to-date.

There's not a single game session that I don't go to EDDB.io at least once.

 

[Pumabear8]

I thought EDDI was a bit quiet, now I know why.

 

[Stealthie]

Agree with the OP.

I have no idea how FDev feel about it but, personally, one of the things I specifically like about ED is the way parts of the game infiltrate the real world and expand the game beyond the software you run to play it.
I reckon FDev need to embrace that symbiotic relationship and do as much as they can to nurture it.

Conversely, if they get miffed that these 3rd-party resources "give away secrets" or make things easier, I'd suggest they find better ways of creating mystery and intrigue rather than just relying on the "needle in a haystack" approach to delay people's progress.

Seriously, THE best thing about ED is the "community" aspect of it (for me, at least) and FDev will get much more back from embracing that, and nurturing it, than they'll ever get by trying to outwit it or ignore it.

 

[sutex]

I wouldn't personally be quite as critical of the game itself. But it would certainly be nice to have the tools and databases which rely on the API working again.

It's tough... luv [where is it]

Frontier never intended us to be directly using the API at all. It was built to support their iOS companion app. Resourceful developers just figured out how to make use of it in their own programs.

AH ! getting to the heart of the matter, API built to support their iOS companion app. I'm sure third party apps dev's using Frontiers API, know how true that statement is.

 

[Banana's_Are_Good_For_You]

We all know Third Party apps make ELITE DANGEROUS and without third party apps the inadequacy of ED would be blindingly obvious.

So one wonders why Frontier has allowed the API , third party apps need, to be broken for so long.

Are Frontier in some delusion, that their game is so great, third party apps API tools, are not that important or needed.

I feel many are playing ED, simply because of tools like EDDI, Voice Attack, Elite G19s Companion app, EDDiscovery and without these tools working, ED is a boring broken unfinished Menu Game.

Third Party apps makes Elite Dangerous a game !, AND Frontier letting the API hang with no fix mentioned speaks heaps, how Frontier views these tools.

As the letter below shows THIRD PARTY APPS DEV'S have reached out in the past over API and updates, yet here we are again, Players in limbo with no-idea when the API & thus their game will work.

An open letter to get some news from Frontier Developments about the official API
https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=218658&p=3334356#post3334356

https://i.imgur.com/SN7aylx.png

We all do?
Have you tried playing the game yet without the training wheels yet?

 

[sutex]

We all do? Have you tried playing the game yet without the training wheels yet? *

Above comment sums up, the direction of Elite Dangerous ( what direction to go) as you have a PC funded game, ported to consoles with no 'innate' access to third party apps PC gamers use.

Die hards and maybe Frontier ! not that impressed with API third party apps, while those like myself, a PC owner, find a barebones ED very lacking, so use EDDI, Elite G19s Companion to fill the void.

The question we need to ask is 'Where are we at, with this game ?' and the API and its use is a good place to start.

* No, had Voice attack up and running on day one, and having no clue about ED, meant reading using third party sites, rarely use them these days, but when needed their invaluable.

 

[Quantis Trap]

Frontier has benefited greatly from many third party tools which all need up-to-date data to be useful. I'm firmly convinced that ED would not have seen even half the success it currently has without these tools.

It's possible that Frontier may have provided many of the features in game if they had not been developed, but that would have used even more of their limited resources to do so.

I believe Frontier owes a lot of their success to the third party developer community. I hope they realize this and don't leave the API broken much longer!

 

[Sci-Fi Sage]

Trading has become less profitable for me, since I usually rely on EDDB.io in order to find good routes. I hope FD fixes this issue soon, as tools make trading a much easier task. I'm currently using the in-game tools for finding trade routes but the lack of information on them is troubling.

 

[Martian Successor]

We all do?
Have you tried playing the game yet without the training wheels yet?

"Have you tried playing the game while half of it is missing yet?"

FTFY

 

[Banana's_Are_Good_For_You]

"Have you tried playing the game while half of it is missing yet?"

FTFY

Seems to be working fine for me tbh...shrugs. Usual post patch things...they'll probably update it when it's good and ready.
But imagine what would happen if Aliens EMP bombed your planets and broke your comms and such, much lulz I would think.
Y'all gonna become like the humans in WALL-E.

 

[Martian Successor]

Seems to be working fine for me tbh...shrugs. Usual post patch things...they'll probably update it when it's good and ready.
But imagine what would happen if Aliens EMP bombed your planets and broke your comms and such, much lulz I would think.
Y'all gonna become like the humans in WALL-E.

Don't know about anybody else but I can always fall back on drawing pictures in the sand and making long distance phone calls via smoke signals. We'll need to set up an agreed upon area to bury our poop though, can't have it just being all over the place!

 

[Quantis Trap]

What people would have fallen back on, if there were no third party tools, is everyone making their own spreadsheets of trade routes, etcetera. Then after a few weeks of that, a much larger percentage of them would have left the game for other games which didn't require them to be an accountant also!

Also, I would have never tackled the Engineering grind if I had been required to make all my own tools for that monstrosity! It was still a months long endeavor even with great tools!

For better or worse, Elite Dangerous and Frontier owe the games current existence to the huge time investment of third party tool developers.

These developers and the players who use their tools deserve more API related attention than they are currently getting from Frontier!

I think next time I think of buying a new game enhancement from Frontier, I'll give that money the the eddb.io or inara.cz developers instead!

 

[lokvette]

Playing the game and not useing the 3rd party sites or software is a bit like riding in a classic car or any car pre AC, heated seats,a stero, eltric windows, (even sat nav) it just makes the journey a lot more enjoyable. I see them as QOL more than any sort of training function.

This is after all late 2017 not 1986 so I tend to do my shopping list on google lists, not written on the back of a beer mat.

 

[sosirus]

Totally agree. Now it is just waiting until they think it is important enough I guess..

 

[Blank_Disk]

why have they not realised that the companion applications have always been needed as market data that is acquired via the galaxy map is incredibly vague.