Elite Dangerous Catch-All

Folks in the alpha. Is this better than X3 terran conflict regarding flying, simulation wise?

Balthezor wrote:

Folks in the alpha. Is this better than X3 terran conflict regarding flying, simulation wise?

There is no comparison IMO. Elite Dangerous is way smoother, more refined, and more options. Half of combat is re-routing power where needed while watching your enemy to see what thrusters they are firing as a hint to what they are about to do.

Being able to flip off flight assist and pull some sharp maneuvers is key too.

Sounds like HOTAS is really a necessity. Sigh.

Holy crap that's a lot of..what do we call rocks floating in the rings of a planet?

Rocks.

I have no idea why this game is making me consider throwing down $150. I have X3:TC, but didn't play it past the tutorial and I've never played any other flight combat/trading game. I also don't play MP as a general rule. But for some reason, I've been trying to rationalize buying into the premium beta.

I've watched a few videos of the game and I think the combat looks fun, but the only other stuff I've really seen is people basically acting like space truckers, moving four units of this to that sector, selling it, and buying something else, flying back, etc. It looks kind of boring, to be honest (I know it's an alpha); I can play Euro Truck Simulator to move stuff from one place to another.

So what's the pull? Why are people excited about E:D? The kinds of things I love in big open world sandbox games are the random encounters, especially the ones you're not necessarily apart of. For example, stumbling upon a huge battle between pirates and law enforcement. You can take part or observe or just take off, but the world feels alive. I also like the freedom of being able to cut out my own path: I can be a pirate or a bounty hunter or a merchant or whatever.

Essentially, I think what I really want is a first-person Space Rangers 2. For a sandbox, that game pretty much had it all: a living, persistent universe; the freedom to choose your own path; big battles that take place with or without you; etc. So, any idea if E:D is going to be like that (even in SP)? If not, can anyone point me to game that is more like SR2?

ebarstad wrote:

I've watched a few videos of the game and I think the combat looks fun, but the only other stuff I've really seen is people basically acting like space truckers, moving four units of this to that sector, selling it, and buying something else, flying back, etc.

OMG! I think you might have just sold me on the premium beta. That is literally all I want in a game. Gimme, gimme, gimme!

I might consider just purchasing the regular old beta. It looks like that's not available for a while now. Any ideas when they might transfer from premium to regular beta?

AmazingZoidberg wrote:
ebarstad wrote:

I've watched a few videos of the game and I think the combat looks fun, but the only other stuff I've really seen is people basically acting like space truckers, moving four units of this to that sector, selling it, and buying something else, flying back, etc.

OMG! I think you might have just sold me on the premium beta. That is literally all I want in a game. Gimme, gimme, gimme!

I might consider just purchasing the regular old beta. It looks like that's not available for a while now. Any ideas when they might transfer from premium to regular beta?

End of this month if I remember correctly.

Zoidberg, if it's anything like the original, part of the attraction is that you can't always guarantee that your trading will be safe, outside of your own skills. You're driven to consider your defense at a minimum because of these. Even if you are peaceful, and have a ship that is skewed towards trade, in the original game, you need to have either weapons or speed to keep yourself safe. And speed does not guarantee safety.

Again, based on the original.

Sparhawk wrote:
AmazingZoidberg wrote:
ebarstad wrote:

I've watched a few videos of the game and I think the combat looks fun, but the only other stuff I've really seen is people basically acting like space truckers, moving four units of this to that sector, selling it, and buying something else, flying back, etc.

OMG! I think you might have just sold me on the premium beta. That is literally all I want in a game. Gimme, gimme, gimme!

I might consider just purchasing the regular old beta. It looks like that's not available for a while now. Any ideas when they might transfer from premium to regular beta?

End of this month if I remember correctly.

End of this month is the start of Premium beta. Regular beta? Who knows, but probably not for at least the end of summer.

Seeing someone use voice commands and another using TrackIR might have just put me over the edge...

Robear wrote:

Zoidberg, if it's anything like the original, part of the attraction is that you can't always guarantee that your trading will be safe, outside of your own skills. You're driven to consider your defense at a minimum because of these. Even if you are peaceful, and have a ship that is skewed towards trade, in the original game, you need to have either weapons or speed to keep yourself safe. And speed does not guarantee safety.

Again, based on the original.

But still, nothing beats the white knuckle thrill of a blockade-running smuggler....

Oh God now you're selling me on the Premium Beta! I was going to hold out for the Gold release!

Balthezor wrote:
Sparhawk wrote:
AmazingZoidberg wrote:
ebarstad wrote:

I've watched a few videos of the game and I think the combat looks fun, but the only other stuff I've really seen is people basically acting like space truckers, moving four units of this to that sector, selling it, and buying something else, flying back, etc.

OMG! I think you might have just sold me on the premium beta. That is literally all I want in a game. Gimme, gimme, gimme!

I might consider just purchasing the regular old beta. It looks like that's not available for a while now. Any ideas when they might transfer from premium to regular beta?

End of this month if I remember correctly.

End of this month is the start of Premium beta. Regular beta? Who knows, but probably not for at least the end of summer.

Ah yeah, there is no set date for Standard Beta:

The Standard Beta will be available once the Premium Beta phase is completed. By taking part in Beta you will have the opportunity for you to play, test and feedback to us.

If I have to guess, August/September somewhere.

The Premium Beta costs more on its own than I've spent on games this year in total.

I'm not sure if that's an argument before or against getting it.

I gave in and bought in last night. Got called in to work that I didn't have much time with it yet.

I really like how it looks. Graphics are pretty good. Reminded me how X3: TC looked to me 5 years ago. I was impressed.

So yeah, I gave in. I couldn't stop thinking about it. I'm a sucker. My Logitech Extreme 3D Pro isn't one of the devices in the drop down. I am thinking about picking up a Thrustmaster TFlight HOTAS for $30 at my local Microcenter. More money!

lol so funny to watch that happen In a good way!
There is a thread on the elite forum, where they ask to post your device you are using.
They want to support everything people are using atm.

Trigger pulled.

Caved (please don't tell my wife).

Please tell me there's more to it than these 8 or so combat scenarios I have? This is just a tutorial, right?

Maq wrote:

Please tell me there's more to it than these 8 or so combat scenarios I have? This is just a tutorial, right?

I think this is it until the beta starts. If we had alpha access, we could do trade runs and explore etc.

Yeah, just spotted that we get Alpha 1.1 access now and the full premium beta starts on Friday.

On the plus side: Loving the flight model. Bit tricky to get used to with M&K but it's got that feeling of something I'm not good at controlling rather than something that's not good to control.

Maq wrote:

Yeah, just spotted that we get Alpha 1.1 access now and the full premium beta starts on Friday.

On the plus side: Loving the flight model. Bit tricky to get used to with M&K but it's got that feeling of something I'm not good at controlling rather than something that's not good to control.

Mouse and keyboard? What the hell is wrong with you? Go get a flight stick right now and spend more money!

Balthezor wrote:
Maq wrote:

Yeah, just spotted that we get Alpha 1.1 access now and the full premium beta starts on Friday.

On the plus side: Loving the flight model. Bit tricky to get used to with M&K but it's got that feeling of something I'm not good at controlling rather than something that's not good to control.

Mouse and keyboard? What the hell is wrong with you? Go get a flight stick right now and spend more money! :P

After I move house in August maybe. Until then I only have a small desk. Plus I'm not inclined to throw another 400 SEK at a 1100 SEK gamble just yet.

Anyone running the Alpha with a controller?

Maq wrote:
Balthezor wrote:
Maq wrote:

Yeah, just spotted that we get Alpha 1.1 access now and the full premium beta starts on Friday.

On the plus side: Loving the flight model. Bit tricky to get used to with M&K but it's got that feeling of something I'm not good at controlling rather than something that's not good to control.

Mouse and keyboard? What the hell is wrong with you? Go get a flight stick right now and spend more money! :P

After I move house in August maybe. Until then I only have a small desk. Plus I'm not inclined to throw another 400 SEK at a 1100 SEK gamble just yet.

At least you aren't spending real money.

omni wrote:

Anyone running the Alpha with a controller?

I'm playing the combat scenarios with an Xbox 360 controller and it seems to work pretty well, but I haven't tried to do anything beyond basic flying and shooting (i.e., no power management, stealth, or fine movement). I'm going to play around with the K&M settings, too, just to see if I prefer that, but I like using the controller so far. I'm also going to try and set up some voice commands using VAC. I use VAC in Arma 3 and Mount & Blade all the time and I think it would be pretty handy here, as well.

I cannot for the life of me go past the scenario where you have to kill the 4 fleets of fighters. I can kill one but immediately after, the other 3 go after me and I cannot get behind them to shoot. Help??

Balthezor wrote:

I cannot for the life of me go past the scenario where you have to kill the 4 fleets of fighters. I can kill one but immediately after, the other 3 go after me and I cannot get behind them to shoot. Help??

I got stuck on that one, too. I got past it by being more aggressive: Lock onto the first guy, hit him several times with your primary weapon and then launch two missiles at him in quick succession and he should be dead. Move onto the next target and try to do the same. The secret is finishing them each off as quickly as possible, before they can gang up on you.

I also didn't fly at top speed -- maybe 95-105 -- which allowed me to be a bit more manoeuvrable.

Yeah, you have 12 missiles. There are 4 enemies....

Wait until you get to the one with the armed freighter. Hoo boy.

So, as someone who preferred the travelling and trading/upgrading aspect of previous Elite titles, rather than the combat, do you think this game would still scratch that itch?