Would you recommend Elite Dangerous to a non-gamer?

Branithar · Apr 5, 2017

Since there's quite a learning curve, if someone is a fan of sci fi and astronomy, would you recommend Elite Dangerous (if they're absolutely not a gamer)?

A family member's birthday is coming up but I'm a little hesitant to get them E

because the last game system they played was Atari, but they think E

looks really cool.

GreyAreaUK · Apr 5, 2017

Far, far, far too many variables and unknowns to be able to give a sensible reply!

Spiridon · Apr 5, 2017

Yes. Learning curve would be hard, but there will be no "make it like EVE, i want this or that"... Non gamer would take this for granted.

ChubbyBunneh · Apr 5, 2017

Do they have VR or plan on getting it soon?

Elite is the most visually stunning VR game on the market currently.

Astronomy nerds could spend hours just flying around gawking at all the different types of stars and planets and the new 2.3 camera will undoubtedly usher in a tidal wave of amazing screen caps of neutron star sunsets, etc...

Cmdr Travers · Apr 5, 2017

This is quite a difficult question to answer. Generally "Yes" but you're right there's a considerable learning curve. The game should come with a warning.

I believe the game should come with a fixed group, in which you will only find players who've been playing for less than six months. That way, you can avoid all the billionaires with massive ships, such as I have.

Geist · Apr 5, 2017

GreyAreaUK said:
Far, far, far too many variables and unknowns to be able to give a sensible reply!

That was my initial thought, but if the person already thinks it looks cool and is a sci fi and astronomy fan they may be someway there to liking the game. I'd say go for it but then I am a bit of a fan boi

ArkSeaJumper · Apr 5, 2017

I think you should also consider buying them a computer capable of playing the game.

Or X box?
No non gamer is going to have the systems to play it.

BigFW · Apr 5, 2017

If they've already seen it and think they might like it and have watched a few videos then yes why not? There is every chance they will get enough enjoyment out of it for approx £30. Hell people blow that sort of money on one night out.

Obviously being a gift they can't say they don't like it

Edit: Assumption being made that said recipient has regular access to capable PC/xbox/ps4

Pyrobee · Apr 5, 2017

If the last system they played was was an atari chances are they may have encountered the original at some point. Find out if they did and if they liked it.

Winterwalker · Apr 5, 2017

ArkSeaJumper said:
I think you should also consider buying them a computer capable of playing the game. Or X box?
No non gamer is going to have the systems to play it.

I think this might be the best first question to ask.

Maybe not a suitable "surprise present" but if they have you for a mentor, learning curves are less of a problem?

znôrt · Apr 5, 2017

Branithar said:
Since there's quite a learning curve, if someone is a fan of sci fi and astronomy, would you recommend Elite Dangerous (if they're absolutely not a gamer)?

A family member's birthday is coming up but I'm a little hesitant to get them E because the last game system they played was Atari, but they think E looks really cool.

do it. it's just a gift, and unexpected or surprising ones are fun in themselves!. if it doesn't work out it isn't a tragedy. but if it catches his/her interest you'll make him/her very happy.

caveat: make sure he/she can play it. a xbone or a somewhat 'engineered' pc is required, a non gamer is not likely to have that.

Pyrobee · Apr 5, 2017

znôrt said:
xbone or a somewhat 'engineered' pc is required, a non gamer is not likely to have that.

Base game can easily be played on a laptop.

DragonIV · Apr 5, 2017

Getting any game for a non-gamer is risky as all get-out. This game wouldn't be my first, second or third choice as a gift for a non-gamer. It seems more like you're projecting your love for the game on them.

Start small--much smaller than Elite--to test the waters.

Comrade Napoleon · Apr 5, 2017

Have they got the rig, just go.
If not, no go.

they need a i5 or i7 rig with ar least a semi decent graphics card. Any i5 or i7 will do. Graphics better than gfx 580. Imo

Cheers Cmdr's

space pilot · Apr 5, 2017

There's about a 1% chance they would get into it, presuming they have the equipment as others discussed. All the stuff you have to keep track of aside from controlling the ship puts a lot of gamers off, let alone people without a gaming experience base to build on. And they're obviously well old enough to have gotten into games if they wanted to.

Branithar · Apr 5, 2017

I started playing with a joystick and keyboard combo, but got a HOTAS early on. Relearning the keyboard was painful and I kept bouncing around the space station like a pinball. He won't want to spend the money on a HOTAS so I'll have to relearn the keyboard controls, to teach him.

Winterwalker · Apr 5, 2017

space pilot said:
There's about a 1% chance they would get into it, presuming they have the equipment as others discussed. All the stuff you have to keep track of aside from controlling the ship puts a lot of gamers off, let alone people without a gaming experience base to build on. And they're obviously well old enough to have gotten into games if they wanted to.

Well I'm not a gamer either .. space nut instead .. and I love it to bits!

You can do everything in a sidewinder.

dreampage · Apr 5, 2017

I'd like to say yes but if the person is absolutely not familiar with today's video games then it will be extremely hard for him/her to enjoy this game. And not only because of the controls. This is an online-only game. If he goes to Open, suddenly someone will kill him and he won't know what to do. Game modes, missions, navigation, route plotting, supercruise, ship systems... We all take these for granted but for an outsider it can be overwhelming. It's not like "look, there's a neutron star, just go there and admire it". It's such a complex game that I honestly don't know if he/she could really enjoy. That said, I'd love him/her to. Such a magical experience if you are comfortable with it.

znôrt · Apr 5, 2017

dragoniv said:
It seems more like you're projecting your love for the game on them.

isn't that the whole point of personal gifts?

SnowyNI · Apr 5, 2017

Branithar said:
Since there's quite a learning curve, if someone is a fan of sci fi and astronomy, would you recommend Elite Dangerous (if they're absolutely not a gamer)?

A family member's birthday is coming up but I'm a little hesitant to get them E because the last game system they played was Atari, but they think E looks really cool.

I gave up talking about ED to anyone, the two friends that was keen bought it, played for about 3 weeks then went "Sod this! It's worse than any MMO, and vastly empty of anything!". (They also hated the p2p thingy, but then again, who does like it?!?! Apart from the FD cheapskates!).