Elite: Dangerous

[Generic Eric]

Downloading now. 

Anyone else playing?   

[BadMouth]

What's the deal with this game?  How do you get it?
I went to the website, but don't see anywhere you can just buy the game.
(I see what looks like alternate editions)

Did you have to be in on the kickstarter to get access right now?

[Generic Eric]

What's the deal with this game?  How do you get it?
I went to the website, but don't see anywhere you can just buy the game.
(I see what looks like alternate editions)

Did you have to be in on the kickstarter to get access right now?

Today should be the last day to get in early access with Gamma.  It launches on the 16th, given that its developed in UK it will probably be released during a UK day.

In order to be playing anything other than the combat trainer, you need to have already bought into the beta (or alpha) which ended around Thanksgiving but that was $75.  I decided I could wait.  If you buy during gamma, you can get a free ship you can sell to upgrade to something larger.  I didn't see any indication the price would drop after launch so I bought in now.

https://store.elitedangerous.com/usd/

They'll send you a code to download the launcher client software.  It was late, but after that, I clicked a link to authenticate with their server, was emailed a code and then was able to download the combat simulator.   

I tweaked in my monitor and started to set up the joystick but decided it was too late for that. 

[pbj]

Looks fun but whatever happened to paying money and getting a finished game?   

[Generic Eric]

Looks fun but whatever happened to paying money and getting a finished game?   

I get that, I do.  It could be all hype and might not be worth playing by the time it recovers from launch.  *shrug* 

If it is half as cool as it looks though, I'll be happy.

[BadMouth]

Looks fun but whatever happened to paying money and getting a finished game?   

No kidding.  I paid Bugbear two years ago for "Next Car Game".
Haven't got anything but useless new "technology demos".

I've forgotten to even check in on it anymore.

[Generic Eric]

Looks fun but whatever happened to paying money and getting a finished game?   

No kidding.  I paid Bugbear two years ago for "Next Car Game".
Haven't got anything but useless new "technology demos".

I've forgotten to even check in on it anymore.

Are you talking about Next Car Game: Wreckfest?  http://store.steampowered.com/app/228380/

93% of the 3227 reviews on Steam are positive.

[BadMouth]

Looks fun but whatever happened to paying money and getting a finished game?   

No kidding.  I paid Bugbear two years ago for "Next Car Game".
Haven't got anything but useless new "technology demos".

I've forgotten to even check in on it anymore.

Are you talking about Next Car Game: Wreckfest?  http://store.steampowered.com/app/228380/

93% of the 3227 reviews on Steam are positive.

I pre-ordered the game as early as you possibly could have, directly through their website.  I have received no email updates since it first moved to Steam.
Looks like they've made some progress.  Will have to check it out.
Looks like it's only been one year: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,134981.msg1392983.html#msg1392983
Still though, I expected to have a finished game by now.

[rockyrocket]

Yeah I am playing - and loving it!.
Decided to copy this guys Chair mod as I think its a damn clever hack.

This guys vid gives a good example of gameplay...

[Generic Eric]

Yeah I am playing - and loving it!.
Decided to copy this guys Chair mod as I think its a damn clever hack.

This guys vid gives a good example of gameplay...

For those interested: 

HOTAS mounted on a platform bolted to one of these on each arm of a desk chair

[rockyrocket]

yep, simple but effective (not my picture).

[pbj]

I watched some of that gameplay video.  It looks fun and everything, but I imagine you spend at least 90% of your time staring at the radar display.

[Slippyblade]

What stopped me from buying right off the bat was that the minimum specs is a quad core...  Mine is only a dual core - so looks like I'll need to upgrade before playing.  Frankly, from what I've seen, Elite Dangerous looks to be exactly what I wanted out of Eve.

[lamprey]

Anyone else playing?

I was going to play. But, I don't really want to get started with another MMO and, since they nixed the single-player version, sadly, I'm out. Hopefully, Star Citizen will keep their single-player campaign.

 

[zebidia]

I bought in a while ago and also got the lifetime expansion pack option with it. I played it exclusively on my Ocucls Rift, and while it's pretty cool in VR, it's not my kind of game at all. Really boring and repetitive, in fact.

[rockyrocket]

Yep probably worth watching this if you are unsure.....

[Latchs]

A space hobo is me. Seriously. I have no idea whats going on but I think I like it? I just need to figure out where star ports are. I think? Maybe then I'll make some money? I have just been flying around. I did steel a miners lunch once. That was pretty crazy. Also it was releced in full on the 16th.

[Fursphere]

I can't seem to get my head around this game.

On one hand it looks like a great space exploration game with some combat elements thrown in.  But on the other, it looks like it could be boring as hell traveling from point to point - seems like it can take some real time doing nothing getting around?

 

It kind of reminds me of Starflight 2 - a game I loved so many years ago.  But I can't tell if I'd enjoy this one or not.

[BadMouth]

 


Something to play on your space sim pod when not in use:
http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/ForFun/HDEV/

I can't seem to get my head around this game.

On one hand it looks like a great space exploration game with some combat elements thrown in.  But on the other, it looks like it could be boring as hell traveling from point to point - seems like it can take some real time doing nothing getting around?

 

It kind of reminds me of Starflight 2 - a game I loved so many years ago.  But I can't tell if I'd enjoy this one or not.

I enjoy driving around aimlessly in off-road games like Fuel and looking at the scenery from high vantage points.
I have enough missions and deadlines in real life that I enjoy the unstructured when I just want to disconnect, veg out, and avoid reality.
The experience of seeing what is over the next ridge or if I can make it up a hill is enough for me.
It's not everyone's cup of tea.

I'd enjoy getting immersed in this game if I didn't have so much other unplayed content.

[Fursphere]

 


Something to play on your space sim pod when not in use:
http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/ForFun/HDEV/

I can't seem to get my head around this game.

On one hand it looks like a great space exploration game with some combat elements thrown in.  But on the other, it looks like it could be boring as hell traveling from point to point - seems like it can take some real time doing nothing getting around?

 

It kind of reminds me of Starflight 2 - a game I loved so many years ago.  But I can't tell if I'd enjoy this one or not.

I enjoy driving around aimlessly in off-road games like Fuel and looking at the scenery from high vantage points.
I have enough missions and deadlines in real life that I enjoy the unstructured when I just want to disconnect, veg out, and avoid reality.
The experience of seeing what is over the next ridge or if I can make it up a hill is enough for me.
It's not everyone's cup of tea.

I'd enjoy getting immersed in this game if I didn't have so much other unplayed content.

The big difference here is that in driving games you get scenery...   lots of it.  And it changes.  In Elite - is looks like you get LOTS of empty space.  I've watched youtube videos of guys spending 10 - 15 minutes flying in a straight line to get to a planet to "scan" it, then do the same thing all over again.  10 minutes of "nothing" - just watching a counter count down. 

btw - if you enjoy pointless exploring - get Spintires.  That game is so awesome for aimless wandering. 

[Generic Eric]

btw - if you enjoy pointless exploring - get Spintires.  That game is so awesome for aimless wandering. 

Any commentary on the shifting?  Do all of the vehicles shift in the same manner?

[Fursphere]

btw - if you enjoy pointless exploring - get Spintires.  That game is so awesome for aimless wandering. 

Any commentary on the shifting?  Do all of the vehicles shift in the same manner?

Shifting is optional as far as I can tell.  You have to use the mouse (which is very strange when you're playing with a wheel).  Leaving the truck(s) in "automatic" mode seems to work for 99.9% of situations.  Most of the time I'm fiddling with diff lock settings an all wheel drive / rear wheel drive settings.  (and winching - which requires the mouse too). 

The "shift pattern" is the same for all vehicles.  There is "auto", "low / 1st", "reverse", and "high speed" (which you have to shift into while moving...  very cumbersome).  I suspect the developers have a plan to improve this.

[rockyrocket]

Well I now have quite a lot of time in playing elite and have to admit to still being totally hooked!.

I like that you can make the game whatever you please - be it a combat game, a euro truck simulator in space or just a trading one if you like.
Yes I admit traveling around can sometimes be slow, but that was a decision the devs made to give some feeling of scale to the game - I think jump times are 3 to 10 mins?
This guy spent 5 hours traveling to check out some black holes....


Personally when I started all my time was spent trading and a pen and paper were the most important tools available.
Now that I can afford a more pimped up ship it is all about bounty hunting, and that is far from slow  , not bothered with mining or exploring yet but who knows?.
There is a civil war story that you can fight in if you like, but for me the fact that there is no conclusion to the game and no script/plot is what I like, but that is maybe what others will dislike about it?.

Anyway this guys video is the one I have enjoyed the most so far....

[Loafmeister]

That was an amazing video and the only one that might be better would be from the POV of Cmdr Tomik!

[Fursphere]

Are you using head tracking in that video?  Or just a POV HAT on your joystick?

[knave]

I've had access for a while...but haven't had time to DL and play...Sigh, Looks fun, Reviews are good...I have to get off the pot and give it a run.

-edit- Downloaded it last night. So far my experience has been positive. Sure is pretty...

[rockyrocket]

Are you using head tracking in that video?  Or just a POV HAT on your joystick?

That is not my video but I bet he is, head tracking is very popular in ED and helps greatly in combat.
A couple of guys on the elite forums developed a gyroscopic set up that I can personally say works great.
I will not post a direct link to the project as I asked them before if they wanted any extra coverage on the driving forum here  -  they are not wanting more orders then they can cover as it is just a small part time project.

Here though is a video showing you how to make your own for £10, you can track them down from it I am sure.....

[Fursphere]

I tried the "free" webcam version.  While it worked, it was "laggy" as hell, and not reliable.  The quality of the web cam probably had something to do with it (junk). 

Its just the $150 "retail" version of head tracking just seems a bit pricey....

[rockyrocket]

I tried the "free" webcam version.  While it worked, it was "laggy" as hell, and not reliable.  The quality of the web cam probably had something to do with it (junk). 

Its just the $150 "retail" version of head tracking just seems a bit pricey....

Not had any lag at all with freetrack and a PS3 eye cam in my driving cab (use a bit of floppy disk as a IR filter).
This guy sells a quality clip for free/opentrack.

For Elite Dangerous the product I was so mysterious about is in fact an EDtracker you can buy a pcb from them dirt cheap and stuff it yourself, or go on a waiting list to get a ready to go unit for £28 I think? - or as in the video above make one yourself for £10.
A new version is also in development .....
https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=55053