Why I think Elite Dangerous is going to dominate the Space MMO/Space Sim genre

[BurnyBurns]

In the direct ship control multiplayer online space game with procedural galaxy space game genre, Elite is pretty much the dominant entity. And mroe or less the only one with that scope/financial backing.

Which is a pity, really. Whoever builds a mechanic that promotes you sitting in one place of the game world, klicking through menues for half a day on end in order to rank up with some ingame faction, very, very much needs to be shown that this is not the height of game design. Same goes for day long grinds (sorry, resource gathering!) just for the chance to be be bend and spanked by the RNG gods, etc. etc.

Seriously though, the one direct competitor would be Star Citizen. Unless a miracle happens, that has a long way to develop from a trainwreck alpha into a releasable game, not to mention a viable, released competitor. Frontier is too far ahead with the "MMO" part. The one game in the immediate future, that might be directly comparable with parts of Elite, is probably NMS. I'm eager to see what their implementation of exploration in a procedural galaxy is like. For all the differences, they just might have many exploration related, mechanics that would very much be a boon to ED as a game, if they were integrated in Elite.

 

[OriginalBadBoy]

Seriously though, the one direct competitor would be Star Citizen. Unless a miracle happens, that has a long way to develop from a trainwreck alpha into a releasable game, not to mention a viable, released competitor. Frontier is too far ahead with the "MMO" part. The one game in the immediate future, that might be directly comparable with parts of Elite, is probably NMS. I'm eager to see what their implementation of exploration in a procedural galaxy is like. For all the differences, they just might have many exploration related, mechanics that would very much be a boon to ED as a game, if they were integrated in Elite.

I don't think neither SC or NMS are direct competitors to ED. They are all approaching the same genre from different angles in the end, and they can all co-exist together easily enough.

The main issue with ED currently is lack of competition, and FD knows it, which I suspect is half the problem. And FD have never been the quickest dev in the world at creating things.

 

[kilvenny]

ED's great strength is actually its greatest weakness. Flight and combat is largely very good, but only a small percentage of gamers play flight games. In contrast a good proportion of gamers play FPS style games, SC with its FPS aspect suits that style of gamer. The style of flight model in NMS and SC make it more intuitive for that type of gamer. This all builds the important picture of the instant fun that people perceive from SC and NMS, because you can get straight in and the control is intuitive and comparable to what people are used to.

I am intrigued by the exploration in NMS, because this is an area that FD need to look at. They need to provide reasons to head out into the black, not for the hard core space lover who wants to travel to those places, but for the gamer.

 

[Insomnia]

well for now ED are leading...

FD has a almost 2 year head start with Elite Dangerous. This is important to take into consideration.

 

[lysan]

FD has a almost 2 year head start with Elite Dangerous. This is important to take into consideration.

Yes, but the head start is not due to they started earlier, they just had a much better plan, and executed it 100% more efficient, warts and all.

 

[Insomnia]

Yes, but the head start is not due to they started earlier, they just had a much better plan, and executed it 100% more efficient, warts and all.

If FD had developed ED in the same manner SC is being developed, NMS would have been on the market first, giving NMS the head start. ED is developed in released stages (or what they ridiculously call Expansions), which means ED did get a head start thanks to this, or rather because of this.
The plan isn't all that good IMO because it left the game empty and players craving for more content. I also think this is why the reviews are so extremely mixed, and quite frankly low.
Of course, it would be absolutely impossible for FD to actually release a complete game as their cash reserves would've run out long before a potential release...
NMS seems to be a more complete product but I think there is an underlying "simplicity" in NMS that players will discover that they don't really appreciate after a while. In other words, players will get bored very quickly.

My subjective opinions ofc as I haven't played NMS...
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Off topic
I still don't get it why some people claim SC to fit a certain gamer stereotype while ED would fit another stereotype. It's like...racism lol.

 

[Mr T]

I really think that Star Citizen and No Man's Sky are going to appeal to different demographics than Elite Dangerous. Yes, there will be a lot of crossover but I really don't think that all 3 games are going to appeal to everyone.

At the moment Star Citizen is looking like a FPS with spaceships and I think that's the direction it will keep going in. For those not that good at FPS games (like me) it's not going to have a lot of appeal. It's the "You have to be quick or you're dead" kind of approach.

No Man's Sky is more of an exploration / survival game that you take your time and do at your own pace. For some this will be boring as heck as they will want more action.

Elite Dangerous on the other hand has a bit of everything. It doesn't have the depth of combat or FPS that SC has and it doesn't have the discovery or exploration that NMS has. However, it has more variety and you can choose what you want to do in it.

That's my 2 cents, anyway.

 

[Hellhawk666]

Yes, but the head start is not due to they started earlier, they just had a much better plan, and executed it 100% more efficient, warts and all.

The only important fact is that they have been in the market as a playable game for 2 years without any significant competition, and that is about to change. Over the next couple of years there will be more and more competitors and it doesn't matter whether the games are the same as ED or not. All that matters is whether they will be competing for the same pool of players. People only have so much time available, and ED is no longer the only game in town.

I really think that Star Citizen and No Man's Sky are going to appeal to different demographics than Elite Dangerous. Yes, there will be a lot of crossover but I really don't think that all 3 games are going to appeal to everyone.

All 3 appeal to me and I intend to play all 3 for different reasons, but eventually one will probably dominate my available gaming time and I doubt it will turn out to be ED. I don't think I'm unique in this position.

There's probably only 2 real demographics as far as ED is concerned - players who specifically want to play ED, and players who view it as just one of many potential avenues for getting their fix of space gaming. It's the players in the latter group who will possibly jump ship if/when a game comes along that better suits their gaming preference, and I'd wager this group is the larger of the two.

 

[Mr T]

All 3 appeal to me. I backed ED as a DDF member, and SC during their Kickstarter, and was a subscriber for some time. I only have two small ships, but I take part in the alpha tests and I'm enjoying it. If NMS had been crowdfunded I would have backed it early on as well - as it is I bought the game the day it was available on Steam. I intend to play all 3 for different reasons, but eventually one will probably dominate my available gaming time, and I doubt it will turn out to be ED. I don't think I'm unique in this position. I'm also backing Infinity Battlescape, Planet Nomads, Space Engine and Limit Theory and again, I don't think that's all that unusual.

There's probably only 2 real demographics as far as ED is concerned - players who specifically want to play ED, and players who view it as just one of many potential avenues for getting their fix of space gaming. It's the players in the latter group who will possibly jump ship if/when a game comes along that better suits their gaming preference, and I'd wager this group is the larger of the two.

As I said in my post, I think there will be a lot of crossover. However, I really don't think that everyone is going to want to play every space game. Some people who are like yourself, absolutely. However, I personally really have no interest right now in Star Citizen. I don't like FPS games and I find their ships look extremely ugly (perhaps that's just me?). But you never know, one day I might change my mind and buy it (when it has a lot more content). In my opinion, trying to find the 1 game that does everything well is an impossibility.

 

[Sunleader]

I really think that Star Citizen and No Man's Sky are going to appeal to different demographics than Elite Dangerous. Yes, there will be a lot of crossover but I really don't think that all 3 games are going to appeal to everyone.

At the moment Star Citizen is looking like a FPS with spaceships and I think that's the direction it will keep going in. For those not that good at FPS games (like me) it's not going to have a lot of appeal. It's the "You have to be quick or you're dead" kind of approach.

No Man's Sky is more of an exploration / survival game that you take your time and do at your own pace. For some this will be boring as heck as they will want more action.

Elite Dangerous on the other hand has a bit of everything. It doesn't have the depth of combat or FPS that SC has and it doesn't have the discovery or exploration that NMS has. However, it has more variety and you can choose what you want to do in it.

That's my 2 cents, anyway.

Well given that it seems that FPS will also be Adopted into ED Sooner or Later.
I would assume this will be bad for you

After all. Once you can Start Walking around other Peoples Bridge and then Later Walk around the Surface of Planets which got an Atmosphere.
The Jump towards Boerding Combat and FPS Combat is not a Big one.

The only important fact is that they have been in the market as a playable game for 2 years without any significant competition, and that is about to change. Over the next couple of years there will be more and more competitors and it doesn't matter whether the games are the same as ED or not. All that matters is whether they will be competing for the same pool of players. People only have so much time available, and ED is no longer the only game in town.



All 3 appeal to me and I intend to play all 3 for different reasons, but eventually one will probably dominate my available gaming time and I doubt it will turn out to be ED. I don't think I'm unique in this position.

There's probably only 2 real demographics as far as ED is concerned - players who specifically want to play ED, and players who view it as just one of many potential avenues for getting their fix of space gaming. It's the players in the latter group who will possibly jump ship if/when a game comes along that better suits their gaming preference, and I'd wager this group is the larger of the two.

Aye.
Currently only Elite Dangerous and Star Citizen got the Chance to Appeal to me.
(I dont like No Mans Sky so far)

And Star Citizen is Currently the one which looks like it will end up being the Dominant One.
Albeit that is always a Statement to be Taken with a Grain of Salt.
Its highly Unlikely that Star Citizen will be able to stay True to all their Promises. So the Final Decision can only be Made once we actually see how much of their Promises they can stay True to.
Albeit then again. From the current Looks from it. They are making Progress at an Steady Rate. And albeit their (from the start entirely unrealistic deadline they originally set) has already been passed. It looks like they are going to Deliver a Playable Open Beta Game within an Acceptable Time Frame.
Given what Features they are already Showing from Work Progress I am also Fairly Certain that the Game will be Good enough to leave Elite Dangerous behind.


Then however Star Citizen is not out yet.
And Elite Dangerous will no Doubt also Progress. So never say never. We dont know what Elite Dangerous might get out in this time. And maybe. just maybe. ED might actually Surprise us and bring out some Additional Features which can hold up to Star Citizen.

 

[Mr T]

Well given that it seems that FPS will also be Adopted into ED Sooner or Later.
I would assume this will be bad for you

After all. Once you can Start Walking around other Peoples Bridge and then Later Walk around the Surface of Planets which got an Atmosphere.
The Jump towards Boerding Combat and FPS Combat is not a Big one.

Sure, it's quite possible I'll come to hate Elite Dangerous when it gets to that point. However, that's not where it is right now and I'm loving it at present. If ED becomes just one big FPS I'll probably switch to NMS or something else.

 

[Sunleader]

Sure, it's quite possible I'll come to hate Elite Dangerous when it gets to that point. However, that's not where it is right now and I'm loving it at present. If ED becomes just one big FPS I'll probably switch to NMS or something else.

Aint No Mans Sky planning this Feature as well ?
( Just asking I dont know much about NMS as they announced you wont be going beyond Fighter Ship Class with which it lost me right away)

 

[Mr T]

Aint No Mans Sky planning this Feature as well ?
( Just asking I dont know much about NMS as they announced you wont be going beyond Fighter Ship Class with which it lost me right away)

Sure, there are fighters and you are in first person view. However, NMS is more of a discovery / explorer game at heart and seems to focus more on that aspect. There is combat and other things in the game but they don't seem to form the foundation of it. I'm just basing this on what I've seen. Not much news has come out about it since the delay so it could have changed.

 

[Hellhawk666]

In my opinion, trying to find the 1 game that does everything well is an impossibility.

I like to think of it as the Holy Grail

 

[Lucius-Darcia]

I'm not sure if someone already had seen it but the most important thing why Elite will dominate definitly over Star Citizen is, that it isn't pay to win xD

 

[Sunleader]

I'm not sure if someone already had seen it but the most important thing why Elite will dominate definitly over Star Citizen is, that it isn't pay to win xD

Ehhrm....

Small Check.

Game Advantages in Star Citizen which can be Bought for Real Money. But can not be Archieved inside the Game.
None

Game Advantages in Elite Dangerous which can be Bought for Real Money. But can not be Archieved inside the Game.
Access to Engineers and thus to Increased Damage, Armor etc etc


Sorry Mate.
But Currently. Elite Dangerous is much more Pay to Win than Star Citizen.
Star Citizen only allows Buying Stuff for Real Money which you can also Buy using Ingame Money.

 

[BurnyBurns]

Sorry Mate.
But Currently. Elite Dangerous is much more Pay to Win than Star Citizen.

And so is about every single MMO out there that had at least one expansion. Star Citizen will eventually also either live from releasing expansions (if it ever leaves it's perpetual crowdfunding phase), which quiet obviously will give their owners some expanded content and capabilities (why would they buy it otherwise?), or from releasing Star Citizen 2. Considering it's more geared towards being a game service, like Elite, the former is more likely.

Let's wait to make a direct and useful comparison, until there is such a thing as the Star Citizen PU "1.0" and CGI has decided how they're going ot keep themselves running going forward, shall we?

 

[Sunleader]

And so is about every single MMO out there that had at least one expansion. Star Citizen will eventually also either live from releasing expansions (if it ever leaves it's perpetual crowdfunding phase), which quiet obviously will give their owners some expanded content and capabilities (why would they buy it otherwise?), or from releasing Star Citizen 2. Considering it's more geared towards being a game service, like Elite, the former is more likely.

Let's wait to make a direct and useful comparison, until there is such a thing as the Star Citizen PU "1.0" and CGI has decided how they're going ot keep themselves running going forward, shall we?

Star Citizen from the Start simply Sells Ingame Stuff that can also be gotten Ingame.
You can Laugh but this Market is a very Real thing.

Diablo 3 and other Games have Shown in the Past. That you can Make Tons of Money by Simply allowing that People Buy Stuff for Real Money and Sell them to Others for Ingame Money.


Star Citizen will thus simply make Money by this.
I am Shift Worker. I got alot of Money. But I dont have time for Grinding.

So I will Pay to get a Bigger Ship Fast.
Meanwhile someone else got little Money. But he got alot of Time. So he will simply Earn Money Ingame. And then Buy the Ship with Ingame Money.

An System that has proven to work and Gain Money very Good.
More Importandly however. An System which makes sure that any Player even if he Pays no Real Money. Can Archieve the exactly same things as someone who Paid Real Money. Just that he has to Expend more Time and Work for it.

 

[lysan]

If you buy ED today, the last version, you will be 100 % up to date, and can access everything in game. The ones who need to keep upgrading are old players.
That is not P2W at all, its more like if you buy Photo Shop V1.0 and don't upgrade as the App progress.

Same thing with games like Arma 3, only those who buy the DLC will get the new areas like the new APEX DLC. That is not P2W, that is just the game progressing and you chose to stay where you are.

 

[BurnyBurns]

You can Laugh but this Market is a very Real thing.

And it's mostly common in games following the free 2 play business model. It also worked so well for Diablo 3, that Blizzard removed it from the game.

Star Citizen's post-release business model however is unknown. We know Frontier sells expansions and that's just how Frontier keep developing the game. But Star Citizen selling further ships post release is a projection - although not unlikely, seeing they've made a killing selling them so far, even without having a game where most of them are any use. It's possible, just as much as them selling expansions. As for being a person with little time for the hobby, but money to spend - Star Citizen has the ideal business model. Sell ships that aren't playable! Zero time spend playing with them.


There's still no valid direct comparison to be made, unless CIG put's a "1.0" tag on Star Citizen's PU.