We need the ability to form in-game clans

[TRLOS]

Im sure this topic has come up before, but I'm throwing my 2 cents in here. Hoping enough people will agree to this to change the Dev's minds and actually get this thing happening.

The Backstory :
I know quite a few people who have bought Elite Dangerous, played it for a week or 2, and never played it again. The reason ? It's simple. While the game has the ability to form 'wings', it is still pretty much a solo playing game. The only teamwork involved is to fly together and shoot other ships.
I am part of an online gaming community and in 1 of our catch-ups, the topic of ED came up and many people said they stopped playing for this reason.
Some great ideas came up during the discussion though and thought I would share them and hoping generate enough interest in the idea.

Ideas :
With the introduction of Horizons, make it possible to form clans/groups/guilds/gangs/outfits where we are given a small outpost base on some random planet. Then allow these groups to collect resources, research base defense weapons and ultimately build their base into something more powerful. Allow modules (eg, extra landing pads), to be researched (via the collection of certain commodities) and built.
Put an upkeep on these bases as well (eg, consumes x amount of food every few days).

This will attract more players to the game, and make it a lot more involved. It will give groups the sense of accomplishment and a goal towards something bigger than themselves.

What do you guys think ?

 

[Marra Morgan]

What do you guys think ?

EVE Online. That's I think.

 

[Ydiss]

It's not going to happen, definitely not the way you say; Braben has confirmed that he doesn't want that sort of game play in the game.

Would it be nice to have a clan tag for nothing more than identity? Yes, I'd like that in the game.

But then you'd get people demanding raid content.

And it's best we just avoid all of that.

NB Having content that demands more than a single wing to compete against isn't going to happen either. Again, this is from Braben directly. He doesn't want any solo players feeling they're marginalised because they're not in a clan.

And that's pretty much that.

 

[Bran Tse Mallory]

1. Well organised clans are already here without added bread crumbs
2. FD are supporting these groups but without adding features specific to one portion of the player base
3. Everything you ask for is available in Star Trek online - once each group had built their full station, just like walking the bridge, it became a little used feature
4. Well organised clans do not need in game communications to be able to play together
5. What would be the lower limit of players that would qualify for this 'group' owned station or could me and Who (Sorry for picking on you!) start a clan and get all of these goodies?

Having worked on several MMO's in my time I can also say that the numbers of players using in-game guilds/clans is not always as high as some might think along with the fact that most clan members tend to be off doing there own thing while just wearing a clan tag.

Although I like you're ideas and can see merit in them I have to wonder what the offset would be for those who play Solo?

These players are already at a disadvantage over the other game modes due to the unfinished Wings update that was only ever half done and cannot be considered a full update until it allows for AI wing men, not just for solo but also for group and open.

I prefer it if the game was made into a level playing field across all modes - hence anything they add for groups should have a matching feature for those who wish to play solo/group.

 

[jabokai]

Im sure this topic has come up before

No, nobody's ever mentioned it. :S

 

[OldSalt]

Well, if that's what you want ask FD. For my part your proposals are some of the reasons I have never played EVE online so would also be reason enough to stop me playing ED.
Horses for courses.

 

[BoldRover]

Would add the much needed depth to the game. Shovels in the sandbox so to speak.

But a vocal part of the community is very afraid of it. Besides misantropy I can't think of any reason why.

Features for groups have been announced. Not sure what this concretely means though.

 

[satrycus]

With the introduction of Horizons, make it possible to form clans/groups/guilds/gangs/outfits where we are given a small outpost base on some random planet. Then allow these groups to collect resources, research base defense weapons and ultimately build their base into something more powerful. Allow modules (eg, extra landing pads), to be researched (via the collection of certain commodities) and built.
Put an upkeep on these bases as well (eg, consumes x amount of food every few days).

This will attract more players to the game, and make it a lot more involved. It will give groups the sense of accomplishment and a goal towards something bigger than themselves.

What do you guys think ?

I think someone doesn't understand how games are developed; you do realise Horizons is scheduled to enter beta in around *SEVEN DAYS*, right? What you're suggesting is something that could be developed into a standalone season or spun out over the course of many. I have no doubt that a few of things you've described will come, but on the whole this isn't a direction (especially the RTS style resource collection) that Frontier appear to want to go in. Remember too that WoW didn't get decent guild tools until six years after its release so for now you'll have to be patient.

 

[Ydiss]

But a vocal part of the community is very afraid of it. Besides misantropy I can't think of any reason why.

Can't much more a stronger vocal minority than the CEO of the game, mate

Sometimes, you just have to accept that one game doesn't necessarily have to feature the same things as another.

Edit: I also think the old groups/alliance mechanic mentioned in the DDA has evolved to CGs.

 

[Arindor]

Trust me OP, I don't, and most of us don't either. But to each their own.

 

[Enride]

Its been discussed since alpha and yes, I too believe clans (or whatever it would be called) would give the game some much needed social aspects and with the upcoming "loot" system I guess were only a stonethrow away from being able to construct outposts/bases which should be something hundreds of people do together.

But the premise of Elite is about a lonely pilot and his ship, a concept that does seem to have many supporters so anything suggested that contradicts this will have a big opposition.

Personally ive given up hope of ED ever being much of a social experience and trying to settle with what is and might realistically be.
Time will tell I guess but dont make plans for it!

 

[Colonel Kenney]

No thanks.

 

[WiseDuck]

People have discussed this to death and it has ended up nowhere.

My money is that "clans" (or whatever you want to call them) will inevitably end up in the game, under what guise FD wants to dress them in is yet to be known, but it will happen and many people won't like it.

 

[Whiterose]

What do you guys think ?

I think I will leave the game if we have clans, or guilds or whatever you want to call them. I am a mercenary, I play and die on my own, I have no need for clans or guilds.

 

[jabokai]

My money is that "clans" (or whatever you want to call them) will inevitably end up in the game, under what guise FD wants to dress them in is yet to be known, but it will happen and many people won't like it.

Indeed, the slow decline towards lack of originality and mediocrity seems to be the curse of many grand vision when it comes to games.

 

[BoldRover]

Can't much more a stronger vocal minority than the CEO of the game, mate

Edit: I also think the old groups/alliance mechanic mentioned in the DDA has evolved to CGs.

You're so right, I guess Ian Bell is best placed to testify.

On the other hand people change opinions and markets change.

DB stated during beta that collaboration and deployables would be required for long range explorations etc (hence the initiative of a group back then "1st great expedition" who tried to organize exploration in team play). I believe he called it "inflatable stations" even (can't be sure though).
Also during one of the more recent streams DB confirmed group mechanics are being worked on but "not as in other games". Who knows what that means?

The point is the game is scheduled to be in development for 10 years. Who knows what goodies we will get "in the end"?

 

[mmm]

Yes, please!

EVE Online. That's I think.

It's a great idea, but wait... It has been done in another game. That game is EVE? Oh noes! Scrap it then!

 

[Hatchepsut]

I vote for Ship Name ...... And any loose affiliation in the title. Eg: The Traders of Zaonce.
Clans...Guilds...and such would break the game as it is.

 

[W4rSkuLL]

A way to name your ship and add a clan tag could not be wrong. It will give your ship an unique name and the clan tag a feeling of belonging to a group and also give other commanders a way to "ahhh thats him again" feeling. And choose how to meet the situation. But being invited to a clan. Nah, I dont like the sound of it. A tag should be enough. I guess there are different meanings about this though

 

[satrycus]

DB stated during beta that collaboration and deployables would be required for long range explorations etc

He spoke about inflatable space stations again in the summer, so I'm hopeful we will see them at some point.