Modes The Solo vs Open vs Groups Thread - Mk III

[Mouse]

Have you ever flied to Leesti in open?

You didn't answer the question. How is CQC "open" all you can do in there is combat in certain ships? if anything it is an instanced warzone.. it is not the galaxy, or anything else. It is a PVP "mini game" so to speak .

 

[[VR] Mad Mike]

You didn't answer the question. How is CQC "open" all you can do in there is combat in certain ships? if anything it is an instanced warzone.. it is not the galaxy, or anything else. It is a PVP "mini game" so to speak .

it is open (as far as i can tell) in that everyone can enter your instance, you cannot do it solo, and you cannot make your instance private where only invited people can join.

that is my understanding of what CQC is (though i would love this to evolve a little) and is, imo a fair definition of what open means when talking about elite....... As you know Mouse, you and I normally agree on most things regarding the modes in ED, tho I think perhaps we are not both exactly on the same page on this issue (which is fine, it would be dull if we were all the same) but I admit I was a little dissapointed to hear from Michael that there is no CQC for the solo players (even though personally i am fine with playing it in open)

what it isnt, as i understand it, is connected to the persistent universe background sim... but that does not mean the mode isself is not open - or at least not in my definition of open.

 

[Genar-Hofoen]

Have you ever flied to Leesti in open?

You didn't answer the question. How is CQC "open" all you can do in there is combat in certain ships? if anything it is an instanced warzone.. it is not the galaxy, or anything else. It is a PVP "mini game" so to speak .

A: It's nothing like "Open", which is what he appears to not get.

CQC == a separate "arena" game. Connected only to the main game by your CQC rank and I believe credits earned.

 

[ianw]

it is open (as far as i can tell) in that everyone can enter your instance, you cannot do it solo, and you cannot make your instance private where only invited people can join.

that is my understanding of what CQC is (though i would love this to evolve a little) and is, imo a fair definition of what open means when talking about elite....... As you know Mouse, you and I normally agree on most things regarding the modes in ED, tho I think perhaps we are not both exactly on the same page on this issue (which is fine, it would be dull if we were all the same) but I admit I was a little dissapointed to hear from Michael that there is no CQC for the solo players (even though personally i am fine with playing it in open)

I see what you're saying Mike - it's open mode in CQC in so far as anyone can join - but it's not open mode in the ED galaxy.

I too would like to see a mode where you can compete with friends in CQC rather than just get dropped in with strangers.

ETA - though I would also play against strangers - it would just be more fun I think against people I know - in a different way. Maybe that mode wouldn't count towards CQC progress to avoid friends exploiting the leaderboards somehow.

 

[CMDR John Casey]

You're all right, we're just sharing different perceptions of what "open" means to us. I'm obviously not comparing the open play in the E universe to the restricted mode in CQC, yet it shares some characteristics with open play (most notably, the interaction with other, random players) which make many people avoid open play. What you're saying confirms what I already said, that as long as we consider that a different game, nobody has problem with it. And, coming back to my original question, I suppose that if Powerplay was presented as a different game mode nobody (or very few) would have complained, killing a lot of discussion about open vs group vs solo. However, this last it's just my supposition basing on how people is perceiving CQC.

 

[ianw]

I originally expected arena mode to be in the main game and that we'd travel there to participate in "the games" a bit like in Roman times - to The Colosseum.

That would have made a lot more sense to me - risk your own ships and so forth.

They could still have a had a sectioned off controlled area so idiots couldn't disrupt the proceedings.

I guess they've done it the way they have because they're trying to position as an esport - something i know very little about.

I think from a game point view though it could have been much better in the game proper.

As far as Powerplay is concerned - as it stands at the moment - I wouldn't mind if it ceased to be part of the game altogether.

 

[Robert Maynard]

And, coming back to my original question, I suppose that if Powerplay was presented as a different game mode nobody (or very few) would have complained, killing a lot of discussion about open vs group vs solo. However, this last it's just my supposition basing on how people is perceiving CQC.

I would expect that there would have been a backlash if Powerplay had been restricted to Open play only simply because it affects the single shared galaxy state that every single player experiences (regardless of game mode or platform).

CQC does not directly affect (to our knowledge) the shared galaxy state - apart from some credits and possibly a medal.

 

[CMDR John Casey]

I would expect that there would have been a backlash if Powerplay had been restricted to Open play only simply because it affects the single shared galaxy state that every single player experiences (regardless of game mode or platform).

If you remove the bonuses for fed/imp faction influence, all the remaining stuff (undermining, expansions, fortifications, etc.) do not affect at all the universe outside PP. If FD wish to separate PP from the main game they could. You just need to remove some side effects and add a PP mode where you only see pledged commanders.

 

[Robert Maynard]

If you remove the bonuses for fed/imp faction influence, all the remaining stuff (undermining, expansions, fortifications, etc.) do not affect at all the universe outside PP. If FD wish to separate PP from the main game they could. You just need to remove some side effects and add a PP mode where you only see pledged commanders.

I doubt that Frontier would add another mode specifically for Powerplay - they have stated that is it for all players, not just those in Open play.

Lots of things *could* be done to the game to suit one particular playstyle or another - Frontier would seem to be sticking to their guns regarding the three game modes, single shared galaxy state and the ability to switch between modes on a session-by-session basis.

 

[[VR] Mad Mike]

If you remove the bonuses for fed/imp faction influence, all the remaining stuff (undermining, expansions, fortifications, etc.) do not affect at all the universe outside PP. If FD wish to separate PP from the main game they could. You just need to remove some side effects and add a PP mode where you only see pledged commanders.

They could... but I am not seeing many upsides and a lot of downsides imo.

 

[Bomba Luigi]

Don't really see CQC as an open only thing, it is a seperate Mode where you can do a bit of PvP and get some stuff over into the main game - no matter which mode you play. Its not like you can only take that into open.

 

[Tuub t Tute]

If CQC was accessed only from 1 or limited stations in-game, in Open it would be a griefers' paradise. Either gank people on the way in, or wait until they leave and are disoriented with their main ship then gank them.
-
Although unless the CQC portal was a specific place which was not accessible from all modes (which would never happen), it would be easy to fly there in solo, dock, switch modes, play CQC, switch modes, fly out in solo.
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Non-Open advocates don't mind CQC as it is consensual pvp. If you click on CQC loader, you know it is kill or be killed. The difference being all you lose is some face and a missed chance for CQC reward progress.

 

[Phosphora]

I play exclusively in Solo or Mobius, but have no problems with CQC. I may pop in to see what it's like, but don't expect me to stay alive very long.

I accept that not all expansions will cater to my particular tastes. I just ask that some do. I'm looking forward to Horizons.

Cheers, Phos.

 

[DarkWalker]

You're all right, we're just sharing different perceptions of what "open" means to us. I'm obviously not comparing the open play in the E universe to the restricted mode in CQC, yet it shares some characteristics with open play (most notably, the interaction with other, random players) which make many people avoid open play.

Very importantly, CQC:
- is a pure Arena mode, without either PvE content or exclusive rewards useful in PvE. Since the mode doesn't attempt to bribe players with anything a PvE player would desire and wouldn't be able to get by playing pure PvE, you get into it because you want to fight, and you face only other players that have explicitly made that same choice to fight there and then. So, no unwanted PvP.
- disables the death penalty. Other players firing at you and destroying your ship don't set you back. A griefer can't send you back to a Sidey in CQC, nor can he make you lose days or weeks of exploration data.

What you're saying confirms what I already said, that as long as we consider that a different game, nobody has problem with it. And, coming back to my original question, I suppose that if Powerplay was presented as a different game mode nobody (or very few) would have complained, killing a lot of discussion about open vs group vs solo. However, this last it's just my supposition basing on how people is perceiving CQC.

If Powerplay didn't influence in any way players that are not engaged in it, and didn't provide rewards that are useful in PvE and exclusive to it, then perhaps many of those that insistently defend that Powerplay be available and equal in all modes wouldn't mind an Open-only Powerplay. But, in my case at least, as long as PowerPlay influences in any way people not playing it, or provides exclusive or more convenient access to any rewards that could be useful outside it, I will be against any kind of restriction or incentive that could make playing PowerPlay in Solo or Group impossible or less effective.

 

[Mouse]

it is open (as far as i can tell) in that everyone can enter your instance, you cannot do it solo, and you cannot make your instance private where only invited people can join.

that is my understanding of what CQC is (though i would love this to evolve a little) and is, imo a fair definition of what open means when talking about elite....... As you know Mouse, you and I normally agree on most things regarding the modes in ED, tho I think perhaps we are not both exactly on the same page on this issue (which is fine, it would be dull if we were all the same) but I admit I was a little dissapointed to hear from Michael that there is no CQC for the solo players (even though personally i am fine with playing it in open)

what it isnt, as i understand it, is connected to the persistent universe background sim... but that does not mean the mode isself is not open - or at least not in my definition of open.

We agree to disagree ^,^. I very much agree with DarkWalker on this.

Very importantly, CQC:
- is a pure Arena mode, without either PvE content or exclusive rewards useful in PvE. Since the mode doesn't attempt to bribe players with anything a PvE player would desire and wouldn't be able to get by playing pure PvE, you get into it because you want to fight, and you face only other players that have explicitly made that same choice to fight there and then. So, no unwanted PvP.
- disables the death penalty. Other players firing at you and destroying your ship don't set you back. A griefer can't send you back to a Sidey in CQC, nor can he make you lose days or weeks of exploration data.



If Powerplay didn't influence in any way players that are not engaged in it, and didn't provide rewards that are useful in PvE and exclusive to it, then perhaps many of those that insistently defend that Powerplay be available and equal in all modes wouldn't mind an Open-only Powerplay. But, in my case at least, as long as PowerPlay influences in any way people not playing it, or provides exclusive or more convenient access to any rewards that could be useful outside it, I will be against any kind of restriction or incentive that could make playing PowerPlay in Solo or Group impossible or less effective.

 

[Dave1235]

I just read the newsletter and it seems CQC is get the best arena ship and top rank, sell ship for in game CR, start again with bonus % (some of the open guys best wet dream) (rinse & repeat) and get a badge that says you are good at CQC in that only shows in CQC if I read it right, a fair way to alert newbs that they are vets.

I am cool with that, its 100% PVP where everyone had agreed to take part, its zero (I believe) loss on death, I like it, not 100% sure about being able to transfer credits from easy mode (no death penalty CQC, attendance course, everyone gets a diploma and a gold star, arena mode, hand-holding "you have lost the flag" mode (tongue firmly in cheek! ))

I will give it a go, I like to keep an open mind and I lean towards optimism generally, I really hope I do like it, I am too busy enjoying doing my own thing right now, even after reading many posts about how addictive exploring is I just don't want to leave what I am doing, CQC "might" just be enough to keep me occupied for an little exploration, time will tell.

I pretty much avoided one of the last Betas, at the time I was again too busy having fun to spend more than 10/20 hours on the Beta, I am going to give CQC beta a go though, I really hope it holds my interest as it will take a lot to take me away from "doing my own thing" in the game and I do want to help test. I will try to put in > 20 hours but will have to see how it goes.

 

[Dave1235]

I got my last 1% combat last night, I am now a Dangerous, Broke(r), Surveyor, so if the Galactic Poll Tax people send a tramp to your system to assess it, it's likely me. I also do private jobs, cash up front though, bit short on fuel and my hull is on 12% lol, I have also been known to dance for a Bacon sandwich (not really).

TLDR I am a bad, poor, estate agent (according to my rank), watch out I might steal your planet, hard times etc...

Sorry that random order just made me smile enough to log out and share my strange thoughts.

 

[Julissa Silver]

So how long until its claimed that a bunch of us dirty, filthy, easy-mode solo/private group players got together and griefed CQC?

 

[Mouse]

So how long until its claimed that a bunch of us dirty, filthy, easy-mode solo/private group players got together and griefed CQC?

I would love for them to explain... how.

 

[Dave1235]

So how long until its claimed that a bunch of us dirty, filthy, easy-mode solo/private group players got together and griefed CQC?

My guess (is it a sweep stake? is there a prize?), is 84 minutes after launch, for the first report using at least one of those words.

PS Do you have a plan or was it really just a question

PPS if you don't have a plan would you like me to start working on one

PPPS They wont mention groups, they always forget about groups!