Posted this on reddit, but thought i'd share it here too for visibilty.
Original post:
https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteDangerous/comments/3e6e6c/some_toughs_on_the_future_of_elite/
Yes i know there are hundreds of threads out there about this, but please take a look at what i have to say.
I feel that ED is a great game but with a lot of untapped potential. Instead of ranting about all its shortcomings i want to give a structured overview of what i think can be done to improve the game experience.
I have structured this according to the complexity and suggested time frame for the changes.
Short term (Changes that require little to no new assets and should be fairly easy to implement):More interesting missions -> Varied missions, salvage and rescue operations. etc + missions that take you more than a single jump away.
Medium Term: (Requires more assets and code to get up and running)
Long term
These are a few of my toughs. I tried to organize them as best i could. There are probably a few toughs i forgot, and i will probably update and clean this up as things come to me.
TL-DR; I feel the game needs to nourish and expand the sense of adventure, discovery and exploration. And for the world to feel more alive. - And these are some of my thoughts on how this can be done.
Edit1: added a comment about weapons and modules.
Original post:
https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteDangerous/comments/3e6e6c/some_toughs_on_the_future_of_elite/
Yes i know there are hundreds of threads out there about this, but please take a look at what i have to say.
I feel that ED is a great game but with a lot of untapped potential. Instead of ranting about all its shortcomings i want to give a structured overview of what i think can be done to improve the game experience.
I have structured this according to the complexity and suggested time frame for the changes.
Short term (Changes that require little to no new assets and should be fairly easy to implement):More interesting missions -> Varied missions, salvage and rescue operations. etc + missions that take you more than a single jump away.
- Signal source overhaul - Different types of signal sources that give you an idea of what to expect. Sources are placed/spawned differently so its less obvious that they are generated as you fly.
- More exclusive content and unique prices and goods. Reward players for going out and looking for places that offer outrageous prices for various commodities or have unique ship-parts etc.
- Risk/Effort VS Reward: Stations far away from the sun in a solar system need to have far better prices, and more interesting missions. Reward players for venturing out there instead of just landing at the closest station.
- Weapons/modules: More variation and and possibilities in the module department. First thing that comes to mind is a Ammo module that can be inserted. To avoid spam during combat, refills from the ammo module could take a few minutes to complete. I especially want this because i really enjoy using misiles, but having only 12 means i can't use them much before i have to head back for a refill. I would gladly give up some cargo space for more ammo.
Medium Term: (Requires more assets and code to get up and running)
- More variation in assets. Completely different station interiors and exteriors for each station type, and overall more variation then just a few color swaps between stations. Would love to see different types of docking bays on different stations too (For instance large stations with stacked bays outside or something)
- More life in stations. Both to make the world feel alive and lived in and for the feeling of scale, i would love to see "dockworkers" Hauling goods around, People walking inside the stations etc. Also make the population count affect the size of the base, how much people and ships you see, so you really feel the difference between a tiny system and a huge metropolis.
- More Events and discoveries. Jumping into a asteroid field and finding a secret pirate base. Discovering a big derelict ship with lots of goods around it. Finding a transport in dire need of help. etc
- More interesting scan mechanics. Right now scanning planets etc seems really dull. This needs to be spiced up to really make the player feel they are exploring uncharted lands and making discoveries that are interesting.
- Player groups. I have come to understand rhis is a sensitive subject, and has been debated a lot more detailed and cleverly then i can, but overall i support the idea, if done correctly.
Long term
- Storylines - i would love for a few series of missions and events that has a bit of narative. It doesn't need to be huge massive adventures but small campaigns that you (possibly cooperatively with a few friends) can partake in. Something like this could probably be generated to some extent too, if done right.
- Planetary landings - Some say this is not necessary, some say its integral. I say i want this to happen. I want to live this world. I want it to be more than just me and my ship. But i feel they need to get the space sim fleshed out and breathing before they focus on the landings.
- More varied interactions: I want to go hang out at a bar in the local space port. Hear the latest rumors, talk a bit of smack. Get drunk and be thrown out. I want to be contacted by an NPC and be able to chose a few different replies. I want the characters to have faces (even if its just an image) and for the world to feel like a real place.
These are a few of my toughs. I tried to organize them as best i could. There are probably a few toughs i forgot, and i will probably update and clean this up as things come to me.
TL-DR; I feel the game needs to nourish and expand the sense of adventure, discovery and exploration. And for the world to feel more alive. - And these are some of my thoughts on how this can be done.
Edit1: added a comment about weapons and modules.