#support3rdparty - Why we temporarily shut down our sites.

[Jex =TE=]

You analogy totally does not match the situation. FD never asked for any help and since the 3rd party devs can't work directly on ED, you can't dig rocks out of their garden.

Let me try.

There is a company who are making a game. The game is lacking some features that some people would like to see in that game. Some people decide to make those features available out of game, and the devs do actually provide a way for those people to get access to certain bits of information from in game, which is rather nice. The devs didn't really make any promises about making things easier or better for the other people, although they talked about it from time to time. They said they would like to... maybe... soon... possibly. But it never really happened. Still, the other people still had their third party stuff and stuff worked. But those people still wanted more help from the devs, and they asked and asked and asked, but never got what they wanted. So, in the end, they pulled down their sites in protest, hoping that it would convince the developers to do what they wanted, knowing full well it would cause an uproar in the community, that pressure from the community would get the developers to do what they wanted.

Well... that's part 1 over. Let's see how part 2 goes eh?

But seems to fit with "Do as we say, or else"... you decide which dictionary word best fits that description.

Unless my little analogy doesn't quite fit in some way.

you forgot the part where you were meant to say "and a huge number of the player base used these 3rd party tools and relied on them. Also, the site has nothing to do with me or FDev and sticking my oar in is really non of my business. I'll call them terrorists though and ridiculously inflate the situation and ignore the fact that they spent 3 years asking and as a result, are quite within their right to pull a site whenever they want oh and did I tell you, I don't need these sites because I'm awesome "

 

[Davey666]

#support3rdparty - Why we temporarily shut down our sites

Well, good. I guess you guys need the support. I support you 100%.

It begs the question that if we the commanders need these tools so much, then why are they missing from the game.

If you'regoing to flame me for that then please send it to www.toryparty.worlddomination.wedontgiveafig.com

Cheers

 

[jasonbarron]

Help the guys Frontier, dont be as....les.
They have sites that make your game not crap.

Take a few minutes for day to help the free devs, nothing pay to him for his work and is really important for us and Frontier company.

Palazo, it's not​ like we need a third party site to find tasty targets. Right?

 

[Ozric]

If a group of people - who make tools in their own free time, with NO REWARD, and have already tried to communicate with FDev over the last couple of years, feel that their efforts are being unappreciated by the game developers they're trying to support, then it is their absolute RIGHT to say 'enough is enough.'

I agree entirely. But that is not what they're saying.

 

[Duelight]

LOUD NOISES!!!

 

[Correct]

Hire devs to work on API tool; charge 3rd party sites for its use to pay for the new costs. Simple

 

[Ryan Murdoc]

for those needing to express themselves

 

[Captain Crazy]

Anyone wanna take a bet on how long it takes Obsidian Ant to make a video about this?

as soon he reads this.

 

[Felix Dyson]

Incidentally it is hilarious to me just how many of you seem to have absolutely no idea what the purpose of a strike is or how it works. Here's a hot tip: they're deliberately inconvenient, because they don't work otherwise.

[video=youtube;pCnEAH5wCzo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCnEAH5wCzo[/video]

 

[Arkku]

Well that's at least 3 in favour. Would be interesting to see what percentage of the player base is represented

It would indeed be interesting, but the question itself is rather vague… What is 3.x? Delayed how long? What will happen to the tools if it's not delayed, e.g., are the 3rd party developers so fed up that they will permanently take down the tools?

For example, if Frontier were to hire a person to be responsible for the tools and API (e.g., hire one of the 3rd party developers to make in-house tools and liaison with the 3rd party developers) then presumably it would not delay anything. If it means assigning someone from their current team to make some integration tests for the API and communicate any changes to 3rd party developers, then maybe it slows down other things by a week. If it means developing in-game replacements for the 3rd party tools using the existing team, then maybe it's months.

Personally I'd be fine with all of the above, but I don't expect that everyone has the same scenario(s) in mind when they imagine the impact on a hypothetical 3.x, which also has unknown new features…

 

[MrReynolds]

Without 3rd party websites I would have been lost.
Totally.
Can't imagine trade routes or engineer materials without them.
Actually - how am I supposed to pan my engineering over the weekend. Sure as hell not in game!!!! :-(

And what inara's done with the ships is amazing.

 

[AgamemnonWhen]

I'd like to add my support for the guys who maintain the 3rd party tools. Often, they seem to incorporate changes (new ships, locations etc.) often before I hear about them - and having been involved with various online communities over the decades I know what commitment of both time and sheer love this takes.

They ask for nothing, yet offer so much.

I've used all of the tools listed in the OP's opening post, some I use all the time, some only once or twice - but they've been invaluable in helping me achieve what I want to in this game with the minimum of fuss. Yes, it would be nice to have these tools in-game, but then I might not be able to have my tablet running EDDB + my phone checking Inara + the game itself on my PC at the same time!

FDev have their hands full crafting (and fixing!) the game without getting involved in creating (sometimes) highly specific tools that replicate the chatter and networking of whatever social interaction Pilots Federation members have in the 34th century. These requirements for ship tweak suggestions, recipes for the mods or where to find the bits aren't core to the game but they do make life a lot easier. You can play perfectly well without them, sure, but if you want a bit of help these 3rd party sites are like asking a mate in the bar "where's the best place to sell X round here?". It helps build community and adds to the background character of ED in ways that the game doesn't need to.

So, yeah, kudos to the guys behind these tools. I'd be more than happy to wait a few extra weeks for the next big update if it means that FD can spare someone to facilitate a decent API and dialogue with "Approved" 3P devs.

Stick to your guns, guys! It's going to be a tough week without you...

Je Suis ED3P.

 

[Macy]

I wouldn't have got G5 mods without INARA. I wouldn't have so many different ship loadouts without CORIOLIS. And I'd be lost without EDDB.
Support the 3rd party tools.

 

[Starwolfe]

While I greatly appreciate 3rd party sites, and what they do to enhance the game, I do not agree in the manner that you are asking for help.

Hurting the community for the sake of getting attention is not helpful for anybody involved, and does not show what you think it does.

At this point if you think throwing a tantrum to get attention is the answer, i am liable to back up FDev if they decide to say enough and just stop using the API and Journal entirely to save on frustration.

 

[jasonbarron]

Finally. A problem that can't be fixed by advising people to switch to Mobius

 

[Jex =TE=]

Kinda like what Drew's doing with not delaying the event even though he asked the community and the entire community said to delay it?

Actually they didn't - the community was split on the issue from what I got reading that thread.

 

[Mormo]

#support3rdparty

 

[Wasp0]

question to the OP..

Why do this 'Strike' action over PEAK ED play time (Bank Holiday Weekend (UK))? Surely this has maximum impact on us your customers leading to maximum irritation to your cause? Instead of going for the jugular straight away, would it not be prudent to try a series of 1 day strikes at non peak time to try get FD to a meaningful discussion point?

 

[Gorgoth]

Elite needs the 3.party tools!

 

[CmdMarty]

Full support. What the 3P represents are a group of fans who truly love the game using their own time, resources and skills to make it better. All they've asked for in return is for FD's support. "Help us help you," in effect.

What should concern FD, and everyone who uses these tools to enhance their enjoyment of the game is when the 3P community just says screw it and stops fixing their tools and lets them die out.

Once passion dies, it rarely comes back. If these sites die out, the next generation that comes along might not be as dedicated.

Don't gut your golden goose, Frontier.

My thoughts to a T.