The empty sandbox of a game... Yeah, right!

[Vingtetun]

As per our mantra here at Hutton....

Modern multiplayer gameplay is so much more than the little v in PvP or PvE. For us it is about PwP. Sharing your hobby and free time in cooperative endeavour.

Sometimes cooperative endeavour is shooting at each other for fun, sometimes for the solo players it is sitting in teamspeak during a CG joining in the shenanigans from within the way YOU want to play.

Taking the code written by Frontier and using the end product to generate fun that works despite the game modes, bugs, foibles and play styles..... Since last August we have been having stunning fun.

Glad you are enjoying it!

 

[lysan]

ED do have problems, but FD are aware of it, lets give them a chance to do something about it. 2.1 is around the corner, lets wait and see.
[video=youtube;uwk-GB1r7B0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwk-GB1r7B0[/video]

 

[deathmagnet]

ED do have problems, but FD are aware of it, lets give them a chance to do something about it. 2.1 is around the corner, lets wait and see.

I agree. With 1.1 Wings, there was HUGE boost in immersion, game play activity, ect,ect. for the game at that time. Now if they can somehow recapture that level of excitement with 2.1 it will bode well for the game. I think they should introduce some type of community event along with it as they did with The War of Lugh happenening at the same time as 1.1 dropped. If they did a double whammy like that it would be great!

Oh, great video btw, seen it already and i totally agree with the guy.

 

[Karl Marx]

A game is only as good as the number of tools within it that allow you to manipulate it. In this game there are very few tools. People are just making due with the few tools they have, hence things like SRV races.

 

[frostypaw]

A game is only as good as the number of tools within it that allow you to manipulate it. In this game there are very few tools. People are just making due with the few tools they have, hence things like SRV races.

Is that why Portal was so god-awful?

 

[Karl Marx]

Is that why Portal was so god-awful?

haha... portal had a singular goal in mind. It didn't require that many tools.

 

[mossfoot]

Please don't get me wrong Mossfoot, I was merely quoting a youtube video by someone else. It's a reasonably good way to describe the ED experience. Yes, out of 1.4m CMDR's out there, there are a small handfull of pilots who are recongised by many of us in one way or another. We only know about them through places such as FB, the forum, Reddit etc but rarely in-game do we hear or know of their adventures. (The occasional Galnet story if we are looking?)

If our gaming world was based purely in Elite, most of the time we wouldn't know what else is going on and by whom.

Naw, I get you. Totally. Your examples after my selected quote perfectly explain what Elite IS and make your stance clear.

But the thing is I'm a writer (and editor), and I know that choice of words matter. You said yourself you were quoting a youtube video, and you're not the only one. The expressions "You don't matter" and "You are nobody" get battered about, without realizing that it actually isn't saying what they think it does. It overlaps enough that it kind of does, but as I pointed out, there is a big difference between not being the center of the universe and being a nobody.

I keep objecting when I see that expression used because it keeps getting passed on as a kind of shorthand, but the wrong kind of shorthand, one that unintentionally misdirects unless you explain yourself further (which you did in your case).

So my comments weren't directed personally. More about the language used, because it is catching on, and I really wish people would take the time to phrase it better.

 

[Zarlok]

Yes, and I think therein, for my, lies the problem. It doesn't feel like fun. It doesn't feel like I achieve anything, despite hours of play. When I do achieve something, not much changes. I can't really create anything. I can only leave a lasting mark on the game if I am the first to discover a system. My ship may take many, many hours of trading or fighting but it can all be lost in an instant, no matter how 'good' I think I am. Sorry my friend, but this isn't a game.

Your right, it isnt like a game its more a reflection of what life would be like in such a Universe. And that is why I like ED so much, because it isnt a game.

 

[Agony_Aunt]

Here is OP's thread without the formatting, for those who were having trouble reading:

So, this game is a boring empty sandbox then...?

I once saw a YouTube video with an American bloke ranting to all the nay-sayers about what this game is, but I'll sum it up for you in one paragraph:


In this game you are a NOBODY. In this game you WILL NEVER BE ANYBODY. You will only get out of it what you put into it. It's not a game to complete and be the saviour of the universe, it is a game to live in and have as much fun as you can.


I'm pointing this out because just had what I possibly would describe as the best ED gaming experience of my life so far yesterday and I know I'm not the only one who feels the same.


The inaugural Hogan's run SRV rallye organised and directed by the Hutton Orbital Truckers Cooperative was intense, fun, demanding, exhausting and completely awesome! A gruelling 600km SRV dash from one side of a planet to the other carrying the infamous 'Hutton Mug', a rare item that can only be purchased at Hutton Orbital, a player controlled outpost some 0.22ly from Alpha Centauri that takes literally one and a half hours to get to in SC. Our team spent 2 weeks planning every detail and for 2 hours at the start we lead the race, leading the fabulous 'Elite Racers', a player group who know a thing or two about SRV racing. Many player groups from the whole community joined in and the Team Speak channel (Laveradio.teamspeak3) was full of fun chat from all over the world. It was even broadcast over the factions radio station for all to enjoy that couldn't make the event.


The team I was in came 7th overall, 1 hour behind the eventual winner who deserved victory judging by his twitch stream driving skills- an underdog that not many of us knew much about. (I can't post names but Cmdr T...., you have my utmost congratulations, you were incredible!)


We had instancing nightmares, we had crashes to desktop, we had SRV crashes and explosions, and even the final driver after starting at 1pm on Saturday only finished just after lunch today.....


So, some points to note for anyone that didn't know about it or is still wondering what to do in this game other than the usual trade/smuggle/grind/pew-pew malarkey:


1. You will only get out as much as you put into the game
2. PwP is one of the best ways to play
3. The player group 'The Hutton Truckers' has something for everyone
4. If a notorious player group asks to join in 'in good faith', don't believe a word of it...!


Thanks to everyone that took part, it's YOU that make this game what it is (and you to, FD obviously...), and to the HOT team in organising such an amazing event. We can't wait for the next one!


Oh yes, just one more thing....


#forthemug!


www.huttonorbital.com

 

[Geezer32]

Oh yay, another thread telling us were playing the game wrong again

 

[CMDR Heisenberg B. Damned]

Oh yay, another thread telling us were playing the game wrong again

Not really, it's someone saying they had fun taking part in an event and can't understand how people can't find something fun to do.

Are you enjoying Elite?

Hard to tell from that post.

 

[Bret Riverboat]

ED do have problems, but FD are aware of it, lets give them a chance to do something about it. 2.1 is around the corner, lets wait and see.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwk-GB1r7B0

That's the video... Nice one!

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Yes, and I think therein, for my, lies the problem. It doesn't feel like fun. It doesn't feel like I achieve anything, despite hours of play. When I do achieve something, not much changes. I can't really create anything. I can only leave a lasting mark on the game if I am the first to discover a system. My ship may take many, many hours of trading or fighting but it can all be lost in an instant, no matter how 'good' I think I am. Sorry my friend, but this isn't a game.

TheDamnedCommander

Fair point, so what my small article suggests is to come and do these silly, non-profit, non ranking gaming days and you'll see just how much fun is possible.

It's on this forum somewhere, but 3 Truckers while waiting for the finishers decided to put a mug and an SRV on top of the 2km tower at the finishing line.

Why? Who knows, but you can tell they had a blast doing it and the videos are excellent.

 

[Bret Riverboat]

Oh yay, another thread telling us were playing the game wrong again

Where did I say you were playing it wrong?

You play, you have fun and you visit the forum, so this wasn't directed to you at all. If you love the game, cool man, I'm glad you do...

If you are getting bored of the game and see it as a barren empty world with nothing to do, come and join the shenanigans at Hutton...

Thats all I'm saying really!

#forthemug

- - - - - Additional Content Posted / Auto Merge - - - - -

Not really, it's someone saying they had fun taking part in an event and can't understand how people can't find something fun to do.

Are you enjoying Elite?

Hard to tell from that post.

I guess he or she is, and that's fine with me.

- - - - - Additional Content Posted / Auto Merge - - - - -

As per our mantra here at Hutton....

Modern multiplayer gameplay is so much more than the little v in PvP or PvE. For us it is about PwP. Sharing your hobby and free time in cooperative endeavour.

Sometimes cooperative endeavour is shooting at each other for fun, sometimes for the solo players it is sitting in teamspeak during a CG joining in the shenanigans from within the way YOU want to play.

Taking the code written by Frontier and using the end product to generate fun that works despite the game modes, bugs, foibles and play styles..... Since last August we have been having stunning fun.

Glad you are enjoying it!

Thanks Ving, keep up the good work, we can't wait for the next event!

Hot Rims send our thanks to Alvin, you and the team on such a fine community.

#forthemug

 

[Flossy]

I completely agree that this game is what you make it!

I hadn't done much in the way of using SRVs until a couple of weeks ago - I had done a bit of driving but that was all. When this event was announced I was originally planning to run solo and not worry about winning/losing but hoping to at least complete the course. With that in mind I fitted my Asp Explorer with a large hangar and filled it with 4 SRVs. I realised that even with 4 it wouldn't be enough and started looking into synthesising early last week (once I'd recovered from Elitemeet!). I was already at Cardinal and set out to look for materials, but not really knowing what to look for on the scanner I didn't have much success. After a bit of googling, I discovered what I was supposed to be looking for and was soon blasting rocks and meteorites to smithereens! That in itself was fun to do.

After spending most of a day doing this my materials slots were about half-full and I already had enough for several refuels and repairs, but decided to try and fill them up to be able to synthesise more. I relocated to a high metal planet in a nearby system which supposedly had a high supply of materials and spent the best part of another day collecting enough to fill all 300 slots.

I was then invited to join the HOT RIMS team and am very glad I did! I think going solo would have been a long, hard and lonely slog, but instead I was involved in a group and after being invited to their FB chat I saw how much preparation was going into the run!

Meanwhile I had mugs to collect from Hutton Orbital, and knowing there was going to be a bit of a loading party (as well as welcoming another commander back from a trip to get as many different rare goods back to HO) I headed for the Alpha Centauri system and made the trip to HO. This in itself was a lot of fun - I only had 8 cargo slots and filled my hold when I arrived before logging off for the day.

The next night was the loading party and I joined other commanders in loading a large ship - although I only had 8 slots, only 6 mugs were appearing at a time anyway and not wanting to block Pad 3 by waiting for more to spawn I went to drip-feed the ship with the 6 I had. By the time I returned to join the queue for Pad 3 and waited for my turn to dock, the next 6 mugs had usually spawned and the merry-go-round started another circuit. This continued for quite some time and was great fun.

I then returned to Cardinal on Friday and docked 'Readdy' to start on Saturday.

The race itself was a great experience and I enjoyed every minute of it! Whenever I was driving, keeping one eye on hull strength and fuel became an important part of it. My first driving stint ended abruptly when shortly after reaching 50% hull my SRV suddenly exploded for no real reason. I'd spun a bit but nothing spectacular; however, almost immediately the game crashed to desktop and when I came back online I was back on my ship - but the next time I deployed an SRV I noticed I still had all four SRVs, so think I actually suffered the same bug as many others did. I was certainly NOT the only person to blow up during the race and at least it only happened once.

When we finally all made it to Gooch's progress (sadly I didn't get to drive the last bit as I was unable to land in enough time to deploy an SRV before my team-mate Iceni caught up, so eventually gave up trying and flew to the end), we all gathered on the ramp leading to the winning line for a group photo. I was finally able to land and deploy an SRV to join in for this grande finale to an awesome event!

I have learnt a lot over the last couple of weeks during the lead-up to the race and I'm sure there is still a lot to learn. Only a matter of a few weeks ago I got around to trying mining and learnt how limpets work, and now loved to watch them scurrying to and from ships like ants hard at work.

Elite boring? Absolutely not! I am sure I still have a lot to learn about other aspects of the game not yet investigated and look forward to many more hours of fun doing other Player With Player events.

o7 to everyone involved in any (positive!) capacity.

 

[Bret Riverboat]

It was a great day Flossy, and I'm glad you were with us all day. It would have been tough going solo.... how amazing was it that the winner was a chap on his own?

 

[Flossy]

Yeah that was a great feat! If I'd gone on my own I'd probably still be out there now, lost in the mountains somewhere!

 

[Whiterose]

FD have given us the framework and mechanics, however, it is the community that make it a game. Distant Worlds, Hutton orbital, Buckyballing, SRV races. All involve mass input and teamwork, and all are great fun.

 

[Privata]

FD have given us the framework and mechanics, however, it is the community that make it a game. Distant Worlds, Hutton orbital, Buckyballing, SRV races. All involve mass input and teamwork, and all are great fun.

To me that prooves that elite dangerous is a better game than 90% of MMOs.
When I got into the elder scrolls online I wanted to be Mandus Persvanni , and explorer with no intrest in the three banner war who wanted to map tamriel.
But the game told me I am the sould shriven like every other player and my goal is to do the same quests in the same zones in the same order as every other damn player and what ever I do dont role play... the game was fighting an uphill battle with me trying to ruin my immersion with wierd scale unlore friendly player names. no matter what I did I had the same experiance as you , my friends and everyone else.

Elite on the other hand is not like that it lets you be who you want.
(And I say this as a over the top elder scrolls fan who spent 4K hours in every elder scrolls game so I am actualy a bit soft on ESO)

So , even if I think I will get a river of hate for this for me elite dangerous is THE BEST MMO

It lets me be who I want
It lets me be big or small not based on real events instead of scripts
No boring story were every player plays the same stupid plot were they save the president
No level caps or starter zones or PvP areas just pure open sandbox gameplay.

Oh yes elite has flaws but the reason the flaws matter is because the game is that good.

 

[Bret Riverboat]

Oh yes elite has flaws but the reason the flaws matter is because the game is that good.

That my friend is an excellent quote.

 

[Draven Darken]

I completely agree that this game is what you make it!

I hadn't done much in the way of using SRVs until a couple of weeks ago - I had done a bit of driving but that was all.

I concur completely. I, too, had just taken the SRVs for a couple of quick spins thus far, after finally getting Horizons up and running on my new gaming PC last week. Then, last night, I watched a couple of YouTube videos to gain some understanding of how to find materials on planets, and thereafter a friend and I spent a couple of hours driving around on a moon, picking our way through progressively more difficult terrain, to find and collect such materials. At the end of the session I had barely enough to craft a couple of basic items, so objectively speaking it wasn't an enormous, galaxy-altering success ... but man, I loved every minute of it. Driving down into a shadowed gully on a strange, airless world, with the chirping of the scanner rising in pitch ... I felt like I was living out that scene from the movie 2010 where they found signs of life on Europa, and it was amazing. I can't wait to do it again.