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[Anton Sugar]

Newsletter: http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e&id=f370305f3a&e=22b476946f

On mobile, otherwise I'd summarize. Maybe some new info on missions. Reading now.

Edit: holy fuck what an awesome newsletter! THOSE BASES

 

[Reckheim]

Newsletter: http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e&id=f370305f3a&e=22b476946f

On mobile, otherwise I'd summarize. Maybe some new info on missions. Reading now.

Edit: holy fuck what an awesome newsletter! THOSE BASES

Yeh, busy day at work but at quick glance it looks great.

 

[Mengy]

So it's another good newsletter, but I'm still sad as a baby who just lost it's blanket:

+ mission interface looks great
+ ice mining!!! Holy Hell Yes!!!
+ station comms chatter when flying near them, thats awesome
+ engineer planet bases look fantastic

- more new weapon modules by engineers shown, OF COURSE, still no non-combat oriented engineer stuff shown



I'm beginning to think that all 30 engineers really will be combat focused.

 

[SmartBase]

I can dig it, especially the traffic control and bases.

 

[RadioactiveLobster]

Hot damn this patch is looking good.

 

[HelloMeow]

That anti SCB railgun will finally do something about the overuse of SCBs in PVP.

 

[DrBo42]

As neat as the bulletin board changes are or the addition of a few new detailed planetary bases are, I don't feel they really solve significant problems if any. Sure you have a face to look at with hopefully more logical mission progression but if the missions are still shit, it's not a big win. I don't know, my hope for 2.1 is dwindling fast.

I still don't feel like they have a grasp on a proper feedback/progression loop. If all this rep building with persistent npcs ultimately just leads to me getting more money, what's the point? I think the original Elite model fails for a modern game. Think everyone needs more than an Elite tag and a big ship to feel they've accomplished something. Maybe factions are the way forward but they refuse to add any ownership there for some bizarre reason. Meh.

 

[Anton Sugar]

Looking great. Mining in ice belts will make combat a lot more beautiful

As neat as the bulletin board changes are or the addition of a few new detailed planetary bases are, I don't feel they really solve significant problems if any. Sure you have a face to look at with hopefully more logical mission progression but if the missions are still shit, it's not a big win. I don't know, my hope for 2.1 is dwindling fast.

I still don't feel like they have a grasp on a proper feedback/progression loop. If all this rep building with persistent npcs ultimately just leads to me getting more money, what's the point? I think the original Elite model fails for a modern game. Think everyone needs more than an Elite tag and a big ship to feel they've accomplished something. Maybe factions are the way forward but they refuse to add any ownership there for some bizarre reason. Meh.

I'm a bit more optimistic than you, but I agree--there need to be better rewards than more money.

Maybe upgraded/crafted modules will be included in the "loot table"? They still insist, even in this newsletter, that crafting won't just be limited to weaponry. Some of these weapons are pretty creative, so I'm hopeful.

 

[Hylian7]

Jack_Nicholson_nodding.gif

 

[DrBo42]

Looking great. Mining in ice belts will make combat a lot more beautiful



I'm a bit more optimistic than you, but I agree--there need to be better rewards than more money.

Maybe upgraded/crafted modules will be included in the "loot table"? They still insist, even in this newsletter, that crafting won't just be limited to weaponry. Some of these weapons are pretty creative, so I'm hopeful.

I think crafting resource rewards were already confirmed but that's just more grinding really.

 

[Hylian7]

I think crafting resource rewards were already confirmed but that's just more grinding really.

There's something strangely satisfying about driving my SRV around on a planet following those blips though. It definitely doesn't feel like a grind to me.

 

[DrBo42]

There's something strangely satisfying about driving my SRV around on a planet following those blips though. It definitely doesn't feel like a grind to me.

Well those aren't progression required. These crafting resources (not synthesis resources) most likely are in terms of equipment or pvp relevance. That type of thing absolutely is a grind IMO. Which sadly is the majority of Elite's gameplay systems.

 

[TheTrain]

So Engineer isn't an update anymore...there is material for an entire expansion!

 

[Mengy]

I think crafting resource rewards were already confirmed but that's just more grinding really.

There's something strangely satisfying about driving my SRV around on a planet following those blips though. It definitely doesn't feel like a grind to me.

Agreed Hylian. I don't really mind grinding as long as it's varied, fun, and interactive. The SRV is a good example of grinding done pretty well in Elite. The mixture of the driving, planet terrain, the skybox, and the scanner "minigame" add up to something I find enjoyable honestly. I wish exploring in supercruise had half of that thought put into it. Combat grinding is also in a great spot IMHO because, lets face it, combat in Elite is more fleshed out than any other part of the game by FAR. Elite does combat pretty good. I should really play the CQC mode more.

 

[Hylian7]

So Engineer isn't an update anymore...there is material for an entire expansion!

Nah, it's definitely not the huge leap from "You can't land on planets --> you can land on planets and drive around in an entirely new type of vehicle now!" It's a big an important update, don't get me wrong, but it's also definitely not as big of a deal as Horizons was.

Other expansions will probably be more major stuff. I'm sure some day down the road, landing on earthlike planets will be an expansion.

 

[Caesar III]

+ mission interface looks great
+ ice mining!!! Holy Hell Yes!!!
+ station comms chatter when flying near them, thats awesome
+ engineer planet bases look fantastic

They all are nice! Let's get it asap!

 

[Dreams-Visions]

I don't know if it will be viable, but my Cutter load out will be sick on paper.

 

[Person]

honestly im not all that excited for the crafting aspect of engineers if it feels like im grinding out the stuff

rare materials...ranks...powerplay alignment

all massive nopes from me

 

[DrBo42]

honestly im not all that excited for the crafting aspect of engineers if it feels like im grinding out the stuff

rare materials...ranks...powerplay alignment

all massive nopes from me

^ x1000.

Anything involved with the awful powerplay makes me uninterested. Hopefully it's not as bad as I'm imagining. But grinds upon grinds seem to be Frontier's default game design when introducing new systems.

 

[SmartBase]

Speaking of grinding, our influence is going down in Apam Napat. No idea why or if there are other players working for the other factions.

 

[DrBo42]

Speaking of grinding, our influence is going down in Apam Napat. No idea why or if there are other players working for the other factions.

It dropped from 7%?

 

[Hylian7]

Speaking of grinding, our influence is going down in Apam Napat. No idea why or if there are other players working for the other factions.

Would be nice if GAF missions actually showed up.

 

[Mengy]

Speaking of grinding, our influence is going down in Apam Napat. No idea why or if there are other players working for the other factions.

Probably, someone is most likely trying to take the system. After Obsidian Ant showcased it in his video I'll bet more than a few factions thought it would be a nice place to expand to...

 

[SmartBase]

It dropped from 7%?

Yesterday it was 7.3 and now it's 7.0, the numbers are from the system map as the right side cockpit menu isn't very accurate.

Would be nice if GAF missions actually showed up.

This is what I'm afraid of in that engineers update, that under all of that window dressing we're still going to have to roll the dice just to get the missions we want.

Probably, someone is most likely trying to take the system. After Obsidian Ant showcased it in his video I'll bet more than a few factions thought it would be a nice place to expand to...

I think it's just a generic Fed faction moving in, it's kinda odd.

 

[Burny]

As neat as the bulletin board changes are or the addition of a few new detailed planetary bases are, I don't feel they really solve significant problems if any. Sure you have a face to look at with hopefully more logical mission progression but if the missions are still shit, it's not a big win. I don't know, my hope for 2.1 is dwindling fast.

Justified concern, and I do think the missions will remain "shit", meaning they'll largely stay the way they are now. But the bulletin board update will "solve" or at least significantly improve quiet a number of issues. For one, the changing faction faces will give context to the player actions, even without elaborate dialogue trees. No to mention the apparently much improved info in the new mission descriptions. Giving players the information what effects completing a mission will have goes a very long way as well.

And it's not just the bulletin board update, but also a number of changes to the mission/game mechanics that should much improve certain issues. Take scanning USS from supercruise for informationn on what to expect within it, mission USS being placed at specific locations and the rank requirement for missions being dropped, but rather the player rank being a parameter for the mission generation (difficulty, complexity, payout?).

I still don't feel like they have a grasp on a proper feedback/progression loop. If all this rep building with persistent npcs ultimately just leads to me getting more money, what's the point? I think the original Elite model fails for a modern game. Think everyone needs more than an Elite tag and a big ship to feel they've accomplished something. Maybe factions are the way forward but they refuse to add any ownership there for some bizarre reason. Meh.

Some day... Some day it might dawn on them, that giving players direct influence on aspects of the world and more elaborate ways of interacting than shooting each other (trade, ingame asset "crafting"?), may turn the game into something that feels alive. Because being player driven, it would be.



Loving the Engineer's base btw! Might we be seeing some of the improved planet textures in this screenshot already?

The boulder textures are new and break up the uniform rock surface a bit. They seem to be placed where rocks breaking off and tumbling down the hill would collect. Wonder if they'll have actual geometry to back this up when approaching these areas. It would be a very welcome change to planet surfaces in my book.

Moar edit: Also voiced station radio chatter, landing and takeoff guidance and asteroid mining. Good stuff!

 

[Pomerlaw]

All you guys obsessed with "grind", tell me what would satisfy you? Could you give me examples of games who doesn't use grind at all? Not including single player or story driven games, but open worlds like Elite?

By the way I have the game since 2014 and never grinded for anything. The flight model and galaxy simulations are their own reward.

Same thing about missions, people expecting a PG galaxy to produce the same kind of missions than a mission driven game where you are the center or the hero are out of their mind. Player owned content may come one day but they have a lot of things to work on before this.

Personnaly I'm really excited about the changes to the small ships.


EDIT / ADD :

 

[Person]

^ x1000.

Anything involved with the awful powerplay makes me uninterested. Hopefully it's not as bad as I'm imagining. But grinds upon grinds seem to be Frontier's default game design when introducing new systems.

theyll have to change how powerplay, current missions and ranks to make it fun for me

which they might cause they said something about overhauling the mission system

but im not getting my hopes up

 

[zorbsie]

Have a question about mining. Is there a more efficient way of doing it? I'm currently in a Viper. I have my mining laser and a refinery. Collecting each piece manually is really time consuming and the refinery I have only can process one mineral at a time. I have to vent the extra. There has got to be a better way. Any tips for a beginner? I'm on the Xbox One, not sure how much the base game varies between XB1 and PC.

 

[frontieruk]

Have a question about mining. Is there a more efficient way of doing it? I'm currently in a Viper. I have my mining laser and a refinery. Collecting each piece manually is really time consuming and the refinery I have only can process one mineral at a time. I have to vent the extra. There has got to be a better way. Any tips for a beginner? I'm on the Xbox One, not sure how much the base game varies between XB1 and PC.

It doesn't, you can get collection drones to make collection easier, but you really need a ship with a bigger cargo hold to be effective with them.

 

[Odrion]

So uh, I guess I'll ask here:

I have this game (haven't played much past the tutorial) and a Vive headset coming in May...

Should I buy a Saitek X52 right now, or should I wait for the Vive and just really make the whole experience weird and cool?

 

[frontieruk]

So uh, I guess I'll ask here:

I have this game (haven't played much past the tutorial) and a Vive headset coming in May...

Should I buy a Saitek X52 right now, or should I wait for the Vive and just really make the whole experience weird and cool?

You'll really really need to be familiar with the controls, but the consensus here is the saiteks have quite high failure rates...

 

[zorbsie]

It doesn't, you can get collection drones to make collection easier, but you really need a ship with a bigger cargo hold to be effective with them.

I thought that was the answer. Looks like I'm grinding out some minerals for the next little while.

 

[frontieruk]

Catch me online, I can donate a couple of million in palladium or platinum to aid a fellow forzaGAF member

 

[zorbsie]

Thanks Frontier! I'll take you up on that offer. Got enough to buy a better refinery. Feel like I'm in a dangerous area though. Keep getting pulled out of supercruise. Well, attempted anyway. So what power should I pledge to? Is there one most gaffers are siding with?

 

[frontieruk]

Thanks Frontier! I'll take you up on that offer. Got enough to buy a better refinery. Feel like I'm in a dangerous area though. Keep getting pulled out of supercruise. Well, attempted anyway. So what power should I pledge to? Is there one most gaffers are siding with?

Any that offers perks for mining if any, otherwise ignore it it's a grind that doesn't currently add a lot to the game, IMO others here may disagree.

 

[DrBo42]

All you guys obsessed with "grind", tell me what would satisfy you? Could you give me examples of games who doesn't use grind at all? Not including single player or story driven games, but open worlds like Elite?

By the way I have the game since 2014 and never grinded for anything. The flight model and galaxy simulations are their own reward.

Same thing about missions, people expecting a PG galaxy to produce the same kind of missions than a mission driven game where you are the center or the hero are out of their mind. Player owned content may come one day but they have a lot of things to work on before this.

Personnaly I'm really excited about the changes to the small ships.


EDIT / ADD :

I think the "you guys want to save the galaxy/princess" argument is pretty reductive and shitty. We don't, we just want to feel like our actions actually mean something. Right now we just get % changes and/or a GalNet message. It completely blows. You can absolutely include quest lines or stories around the galaxy that aren't "kill x, thanks" or "bring us x, thanks" with some impact on the world but they have to sit down and make them.

 

[Burny]

Have a question about mining. Is there a more efficient way of doing it? I'm currently in a Viper. I have my mining laser and a refinery. Collecting each piece manually is really time consuming and the refinery I have only can process one mineral at a time. I have to vent the extra. There has got to be a better way. Any tips for a beginner? I'm on the Xbox One, not sure how much the base game varies between XB1 and PC.

Why are you mining in a Viper in the first place? The thing has nearly no cargo space, not to mention space for a better refinery and limpet controllers.

I'd say a Cobra, possibly a Hauler or Adder, is the smallest ship with which mining makes any sense and you already have to go shieldless to be most efective. A T6 is better, but it'll set you back a couple of million credits in a good mining configuration.

The quickest way to earn credits in a Viper is to go bounty hunting. Smuggling might also work well, as the Viper is very fast (avoiding scans!) and you don't need much cargo space for most smuggling missions.

 

[SmartBase]

I'm going to give Apam Napat a break. There's nothing more tedious than having to relog just to spawn missions and then doing them to no effect, to influence or otherwise.

I think the "you guys want to save the galaxy/princess" argument is pretty reductive and shitty. We don't, we just want to feel like our actions actually mean something. Right now we just get % changes and/or a GalNet message. It completely blows. You can absolutely include quest lines or stories around the galaxy that aren't "kill x, thanks" or "bring us x, thanks" with some impact on the world but they have to sit down and make them.

That argument gets brought up every single time, it's amusing that wanting a bit of sand in the sandbox somehow equates to wanting to be the centre of the goddamned universe.

 

[bloodydrake]

Have a question about mining. Is there a more efficient way of doing it? I'm currently in a Viper. I have my mining laser and a refinery. Collecting each piece manually is really time consuming and the refinery I have only can process one mineral at a time. I have to vent the extra. There has got to be a better way. Any tips for a beginner? I'm on the Xbox One, not sure how much the base game varies between XB1 and PC.

So i just started the game couple weeks ago and Mining is my primary moneymaker with bounty hunting being secondary.

You can go with a Cobra for now , you require a refinery a prospector limpet and collector limpets. I think was running with no shields for a bit.
Get a type 6 transport asap ..you'll have no weapons but its a mining machine.(its kinda exciting to know your 100% dependent on running from pirates)

Heres a great guide with link to builds that work well
https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteMiners/comments/3yg7pw/notable_mining_shipsloadouts/

heres a really good video guide as well
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvtBA3VM6d8

 

[zorbsie]

Thanks for all the tips gang. I'm still really early on in the game. I picked the viper because it was free. Its 18t of cargo space was massive compared to the 2 of the eagle I was flying. As you all know ships aren't cheap. So picking up an upgrade for nothing was a no brainer. I was hoping to use it to gather more money and pick up a larger ship. I want to be a space trucker. Looks like I've got a long way to go.

 

[Person]

All you guys obsessed with "grind", tell me what would satisfy you? Could you give me examples of games who doesn't use grind at all? Not including single player or story driven games, but open worlds like Elite?

simple, allow the things I normally do for fun to aid in progression

grind in my eyes is when you have to do things you don't want to do to progress, e.g fetch quests. quests are mainly the primary form of progression in most MMOs out there.

Why not provide rewards for what we do already? People who trade, bounty hunt and explore only make money - they''re not given rewards that help them explore better, for example, you might have access to a better FSD after giving an exploration-based faction and having a high-ish rank in exploration - the thing is, you would've already liked doing exploration and you weren't told you would get it, it would have just come to you eventually

It's difficult to make that completely organic as there will be players who will tell you how to get the best parts, but it's better than the system we have now. To rank up in factions, there's a bunch of random stuff you have to do to get there, to get a set reward even if most of the activities were just trading or exploring related.

 

[Burny]

I was hoping to use it to gather more money and pick up a larger ship. I want to be a space trucker. Looks like I've got a long way to go.

It's a great ship to do that, but only really if you focus on smuggling small quantities or in combat. The flying skill you aquire in combat/bounty hunting with it will get you relatively quickly to a Cobra - allrounder with more cargo space or a T6 a bit further down the line. The latter being the Sprinter of Elite's spaceships. A good start for a life as space trucker! ^^

 

[Brazil]

Started the game for the first time. Went into training and spent 10 minutes trying to figure out what to do.

Failed and quit the game.

 

[la_briola]

Started the game for the first time. Went into training and spent 10 minutes trying to figure out what to do.

Failed and quit the game.

M+KB? Gamepad? If the later: there are many different presets.

 

[kvk1]

Started the game for the first time. Went into training and spent 10 minutes trying to figure out what to do.

Failed and quit the game.

Okay.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7glm5rbPHKxnltQU1SLxdqQrENIXJGUr

 

[Brazil]

M+KB? Gamepad? If the later: there are many different presets.

M+KB. I kept twisting around and watching those 3D points in my radar but couldn't find anything to do.

Weird as hell, haha.

Okay.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7glm5rbPHKxnltQU1SLxdqQrENIXJGUr

Alright. Here we go, haha.

 

[la_briola]

M+KB. I kept twisting around and watching those 3D points in my radar but couldn't find anything to do.

Weird as hell, haha.



Alright. Here we go, haha.

Haha, okay.

These videos are in the game tutorial menu, afaik!

 

[kvk1]

Alright. Here we go, haha.

prepare to blow up, get lost, disoriented, etc. quite a bit

it's the only way to learn in this game

as the pieces start falling into place you'll come to enjoy it a lot more

 

[DrBo42]

Is it beta day yet?

 

[Bruno]

So uh, I guess I'll ask here:

I have this game (haven't played much past the tutorial) and a Vive headset coming in May...

Should I buy a Saitek X52 right now, or should I wait for the Vive and just really make the whole experience weird and cool?

You'll really really need to be familiar with the controls, but the consensus here is the saiteks have quite high failure rates...

I own the X52 Pro (which I recommend over the regular X52 just because of the extra spring on the joystick - doesn't feel as loose) and I absolutely love it. I bought it on amazon knowing that if I had any issues or didn't like I would just return it for a full refund but ended up keeping it.