Read First Why I will play 'all' and why I think you should too

[Cmdr Eagleboy]

Disclaimer: no, this is not another thread to discuss PvP or PvE aspects of the game. I want to take it simple - why I want to engage with other players, for better or worse, and why you should too. I would welcome concentrate on positive aspects of playing 'all' on this thread.

I don't play lot of MMOs these days. It's not like I don't like them - I respect and like work done on SWTOR and LOTRO, each for it's own aspects. They don't have perfect MMO mechanisms overall, but they each do something better than any other MMO out there, and they have done their licensed universe a justice. I enjoy LOTRO world building, and SWTOR grouping mechanisms (like group finder, and other mechanics), LOTRO weather system and day/night cycle, and well done stories of Old Republic.

However, idea of frozen world in time and place, going around in circles puts me off to play more of these games. For all my adult life I has been looking for games which could engage me with being in same time beautifully and frighteningly open.

ED will be a persistent universe multiplayer game where you will be able to choose with whom you play with, using grouping mechanism*. I have stated numerous times that I will play 'all' no matter what. Most likely I will take some training commander down to solo path now and then, but overall, 'all' is where I will be and where I stay. While I have mentioned some of reasons why, I never have fully explained them.

First of all, I should go back to reasons why I enjoyed Elite previous games. I think first thing is obvious - skill involved. And that's not a button smashing, quick reflexes skill, but I was given certain setup, and question was - how will I solve this. And games didn't stand in your way, nor they held my hand, but their representation is always want made me come back for more. For example, I didn't get how to launch a spaceship from starport in FFE. I just got clearance, was up in the air - and came down crashing hard. After ten or so tries I was almost ready to give up. And then I tried to understand symbols and other things on cockpit - yeah, it was pirated copy, welcome to Eastern Europe 20 years ago - and finally started to make sense.

When I finally understand how to apply thrusters and started to rise above planet - feeling was amazing, I felt like newbie pilot just figuring out how to run away from home. And this is feeling I certainly find lacking in many games. Not that hand holding is problem - not really, having proper manual would make things less confusing for me sure - but very linearity of the games. Only few games actually achieve that sense (even faked) of freedom which we all looking for. But not only freedom to achieve something - but freedom to fail and try again. Trying to make sense and finally figure it out.

So Elite games are freedom, and ED certainly continues this tradition, while expanding on immersion and detailing, still having this vibe of 'me alone against the universe, beating the odds'.

But why 'all'? Some might argue that other players wasn't part of original formula. However my feelings completely resonate with David's words that as soon as Internet took shape as global network his thought was - how nice it would be to play with others in this space, share it with others.

I think because I spent my youth/teen years being completely alone I really don't want spend endless hours on the game which I am completely alone. I want to engage with others, for better or worse. Maybe my experience just tells me that I will meet lot of interesting people and we will do a lot of interesting things together - and that may even include fighting other nasty people. Idea of multiplayer 'all' is rewarding in that sense that it gives you everything - good and bad parts of this fantasy. All I need to feel that universe have some sense of justice. That's all I need.

I will certainly meet people who are just pure [censored]. I will try to reason with them, beat them, escape them. I plan to use ignore function only if nothing else will work. I will better leave game for few hours than change group to 'single player'.

You and I should play 'all' exactly because there will be good *and* bad things there. Let's tackle it together. Let's play out cosmic battles, trading competitions, let's seek out new stars and systems, dark wonders of the space. Shed your fear of player pirate or just a killer...if not police, then we will get them together. Shed your fear of losing your cargo - we will shrug it off and start anew.

So see you out there. I hope at one point we all will be in "all". Because that's how I see ED being worth playing

* Newcomers, don't mix grouping mechanism with Alliances. Two different things

 

[Meritz]

Completely agree. I actually worry that the idea of being able to transition freely from private groups to "All" is going to play havoc with the online community. Sure, we don't have all the details yet, but as it stands, it sounds awfully easy to exploit, not to mention that it invites fragmentation of the community as well.

 

[jabokai]

You lost me at "why you should too"! (Edit: the original title was "[PLEASE READ] Why I will play 'all' and why you should too", no "I think"!)

If it wasn't for the NPC/PC obfuscation ID transponder thing then I certainly would be in All all the time. As it seems to be going down that transponder route though, I will be in a solo online group all the time or a large private group if someone makes one where everybody has to (through choice and trust) fly with IDs on. That would probably be a PvE (again by choice) group I guess.

 

[Zvanya]

I agreed with most everything except the phrase "why you should too". I also intend to play in the all players group exclusively, for a variety of reasons. I'm just not interested in telling other people what they "should do". Everyone "should" play in the way they find rewarding and enjoyable, regardless of what you or I find enjoyable.

 

[HaB1971]

As mentioned, as "you should too" is in the title I decided to ignore that wall of text.

So you're probably wanting me to read something that is imploring me to do something I have no interest in doing. Pretty much everyone wants something a little different from the game.

I don't want a Persistent Universe... I don't want to engage other players... I backed for nostalgia and want to play an updated version of the game I played as a child...

Online play has zero value for me...

So please... enjoy the game in the manner you see fit... it is good that we pretty much all have a chance of playing this the way we want... with no pressure to do it one way or the other

 

[Cmdr Eagleboy]

As mentioned, as "you should too" is in the title I decided to ignore that wall of text.

So you're probably wanting me to read something that is imploring me to do something I have no interest in doing. Pretty much everyone wants something a little different from the game.

First, it was more of tongue in cheek, I have no intention to command anyone around Sorry if that sounded that way.

Another thing is - how do you know you have no interest if you haven't even tried it?

 

[[VR] Mad Mike]

I respect that is how you want to play it, and indeed I too will dabble with the ALL online sometimes, as well as private online other times.

but to be honest, despite being a social person outside of video games, as a general rule I have little interest in playing with random real people to be honest. I dont want to have to worry about how I interact with people. I like that I can do what ever I want without fear of spoiling someone elses game. Equally I like that as a general rule the AI, whilst it may be a challenge, will (hopefully) abide by a set of rules. I wont have to worry about a pirate killing me for the hell of it. If I dop my warez he will leave me alone. More importantly in faction wars I know a green player is not going to open up on me in the back. Yes this may be predictable but its predictable in the most positive way imo.

the saving grace for the ALL group as I see it IS the ability to flip between them, because IF I couldn't, and I had to make my choice for the entire length of the game, I would choose MP private online.

I respect how you want to play the game, it just isnt (all of the time) for me.

I know all of the rules are not in place yet, but the simple bottom line for me is, I dont want to socialise with the kind of people who get a buzz out of bullying noobs, so, in the same logic, why would I want to play videogames with them - even if the law is in place to control them to a point.

look at it this way - Rolf Harris may no longer be a threat to anyone now that the law has him under control, it still does not mean I want to socialise with him.

*note that was a joke I am not really comparing even the most idiotic gamer with him

 

[StayFrosty]

I agree aswell.

Multiplayer isn't all bad, there are plenty good things to come out of it: cooperation, trading, a sense of being part of something, making friends, strengthening the community...

I just don't understand why people want to turn multiplayer into a controlled environment, when it is precisely the uncontrolled part that's thrilling. It also doesn't make sense to see people wishing to avoid some things about multiplayer simply because they're worried about "griefing", which has always been a minor problem in games, and wishing to sacrifice ALL online interactions just to attempt to stop it, when it'll be taken care of by a crime system and private groups, by the fact that the galaxy is huge, and so are systems, and when it can be prevented by having a strong and cohesive community where people care enough about each other to not grief anyone, seems completely and utterly stupid.

Avoiding the "all" group will in fact turn it into the "PvP" group people fear it will be, that's why the whole community should be there to tackle it rather than avoid it and let it grow. Banding together is precisely the solution to make this game enjoyable in multiplayer, because what they fear will happen will indeed happen precisely because they fear it.

 

[[VR] Mad Mike]

Banding together is precisely the solution to make this game enjoyable in multiplayer, because what they fear will happen will indeed happen precisely because they fear it.

you totally missed the point that a lot of us non all players make..... Not all of us WANT to band together with random people to counter the negatives of MP . I know I dont.

I know a lot of people want FD to backtrack on their promise to allow us to choose to jump in and out of MP. I must admit if they did that it would for me be a huge disappointment.

Its odd. I really can see why SOME people are excited about the whole ALL MP experience even if I dont share those feelings. Sadly it seems many people can not even see it from the other side of the coin opinion even if ultimately they do not agree with it for them personally .

 

[brumster]

I want to enjoy my gametime. I will try "All" at first but if the playability of it ends up frustrating me more than rewarding me, no problems, I will just drop to single player. It's a form of entertainment; if I 'aint entertained, I won't play it. Really doesn't matter to me whether it's "online" or not.

 

[Adept]

I think because I spent my youth/teen years being completely alone I really don't want spend endless hours on the game which I am completely alone. I want to engage with others, for better or worse.

It's fine to advertise your preference, and I will be playing in the all group as well (with transponder off) unless my close friends prefer a private group.

What you shouldn't do is pretend that playing co-op in a close group isn't "engaging with others". For those who hate the idea of PvP, it's just about perfect. They get to experience the living universe of Elite, work to effect things, cooperate and make a difference, but never have to worry about griefers and ats.

It's a very nice option Frontier are putting in, and will add hugely to the appeal of the game for many people.

 

[Cmdr Eagleboy]

you totally missed the point that a lot of us non all players make..... Not all of us WANT to band together with random people to counter the negatives of MP . I know I dont.

I completely respect your decision, and no, I want keep grouping mechanism as intended by FD.

What's funny though that one PvPer mentioned exactly same reasons why he will play with people he only know, and that's why guilds are required.

 

[Adept]

First, it was more of tongue in cheek, I have no intention to command anyone around Sorry if that sounded that way.

Another thing is - how do you know you have no interest if you haven't even tried it?

A little change would make a big difference btw.

"And why I think you should too"

 

[HaB1971]

Another thing is - how do you know you have no interest if you haven't even tried it?

Playing games is a personal experience to me and not one I am willing to share...

There are many things I will not try... some as innocuous as eating pumpkin pie (never happening)... I have never desired to watch the GodFather and a never will... (it's a pretty big list actually)

Online play for this game holds no interest for me... in Alpha, I would avoid other players knowing they would be a hindrance to my enjoyment... In fact I've probably logged less than 8 hours of play since PB1 as I want single player ASAP...

 

[Cmdr Eagleboy]

It's fine to advertise your preference, and I will be playing in the all group as well (with transponder off) unless my close friends prefer a private group.

What you shouldn't do is pretend that playing co-op in a close group isn't "engaging with others". For those who hate the idea of PvP, it's just about perfect. They get to experience the living universe of Elite, work to effect things, cooperate and make a difference, but never have to worry about griefers and ats.

It's a very nice option Frontier are putting in, and will add hugely to the appeal of the game for many people.

Never said that 'co-op' isn't engaging, in opposite, it could be even more engaging, because usually you know what you will be doing and missions you will go to with your co-op partners, 'all' will be more of random luck. I guess I just think that 'all' will allow meeting strangers which could turn out interesting people to do missions together with (or opposite - I could ruin my day, but hey ).

So no disagreement here

 

[Cmdr Eagleboy]

A little change would make a big difference btw.

"And why I think you should too"

Hmmm, good suggestion, my English is rusty so yeah, I might worded it a better here. Will try query mods to change that, thanks

edit: got subject changed, thanks again for suggestion.

 

[CMDR Texas Stu]

I am hopeful the ALL group will be more than the PVP group mentioned above.
I hope to see many players who are not concentrating on PVP but in a diverse and dynamic galaxy. One filled with a fuller spectrum of interaction as well as the quiet solitude of not seeing another player for hours on end. For I enjoy a wide variety rather than a sliver. I'm hopeful to see players gang up on bullies, running from a fight, avoiding routes it know are probably teeming with pirates and even perhaps having some pirating moments of my own (although I intend on separating roles between my commander names) and when I want to trade play one commander in ALL and pirate play another commander in ALL.

I look forward to hailing others and not knowing their intention, be they AI or PC.

 

[HaB1971]

I agree aswell.

Multiplayer isn't all bad, there are plenty good things to come out of it: cooperation, trading, a sense of being part of something, making friends, strengthening the community...

I just don't understand why people want to turn multiplayer into a controlled environment, when it is precisely the uncontrolled part that's thrilling. It also doesn't make sense to see people wishing to avoid some things about multiplayer simply because they're worried about "griefing", which has always been a minor problem in games, and wishing to sacrifice ALL online interactions just to attempt to stop it, when it'll be taken care of by a crime system and private groups, by the fact that the galaxy is huge, and so are systems, and when it can be prevented by having a strong and cohesive community where people care enough about each other to not grief anyone, seems completely and utterly stupid.

Avoiding the "all" group will in fact turn it into the "PvP" group people fear it will be, that's why the whole community should be there to tackle it rather than avoid it and let it grow. Banding together is precisely the solution to make this game enjoyable in multiplayer, because what they fear will happen will indeed happen precisely because they fear it.

As has been stated I think you're missing the point... especially of why I personally don't want to play multiplayer... but I can see why you wouldn't understand my view point, just as I don't understand yours...

It has nothing to do with "griefing" or fear... to put it in a nutshell (and no offense to you personally) I don't know you, don't want to play with you, don't want a community with you, I don't want to be friends with you... when it comes to being in a game, you don't exist to me.. this is my experience.. my coin in the arcade machine...

If I want to see me as a spoilt child sitting in the corner with arms wrapped tightly around the game and saying 'Mine' to everyone who approaches then that's pretty much spot on...

 

[StayFrosty]

you totally missed the point that a lot of us non all players make..... Not all of us WANT to band together with random people to counter the negatives of MP . I know I dont.

I know a lot of people want FD to backtrack on their promise to allow us to choose to jump in and out of MP. I must admit if they did that it would for me be a huge disappointment.

Its odd. I really can see why SOME people are excited about the whole ALL MP experience even if I dont share those feelings. Sadly it seems many people can not even see it from the other side of the coin opinion even if ultimately they do not agree with it for them personally .

As has been stated I think you're missing the point... especially of why I personally don't want to play multiplayer... but I can see why you wouldn't understand my view point, just as I don't understand yours...

It has nothing to do with "griefing" or fear... to put it in a nutshell (and no offense to you personally) I don't know you, don't want to play with you, don't want a community with you, I don't want to be friends with you... when it comes to being in a game, you don't exist to me.. this is my experience.. my coin in the arcade machine...

If I want to see me as a spoilt child sitting in the corner with arms wrapped tightly around the game and saying 'Mine' to everyone who approaches then that's pretty much spot on...

I perfectly get both of your points. Should I remind you that there's a singleplayer mode and group options? Isn't that what you want? Isn't it well enough?

No one is saying the "all" group should be the only option, no one is forcing you to do anything, which would be as stupid as wanting this game to be singleplayer only, or wanting to ruin the multiplayer mode just because you don't like it. We're only saying that multiplayer is filled with plenty great things, and that it's worth playing, and that the bad parts people fear will be an extremely small minority, and the direct result of that fear, but nothing should be changed to what was planned for the game, because it's great as it is.

I guess we'll just see it soon, once the crime system kicks in, once there's ship insurrance, and once we have many more systems to explore, complaints about "griefing" should suddenly disappear, because it'll be a completely different thing: you won't be able to afford to grief easily, the game precisely aims to take care of that, and the little griefing that will remain will be flattened out by the community, and will be a one in a million case.

So you can play in singleplayer mode if you want, or in your private group, just don't worry about the "all" group being a terrible place, it just won't, and it will be the better the more people join it.

 

[Jenner]

I'll play in the All group. I've already had some great experiences with other players and I wouldn't want to lose out on that in the future. Combat in particular is the most nail-biting when you know the person you're tangling with is a human.

I mean, just look at all the awesome people here on the forum? Why wouldn't I want to share the same game world with them? That's part of the draw for me.