Elite: Dangerous

Daehawk · Post by **Daehawk** » Wed Dec 10, 2014 7:52 pm

wpug do you know exactly what to buy to have the game fully? Is it the Merc edition?

Alefroth · Post by **Alefroth** » Wed Dec 10, 2014 9:08 pm

https://store.elitedangerous.com/usd/el ... rous.html/

$50 if you pre-order. Goes up after the 16th.

Daehawk · Post by **Daehawk** » Wed Dec 10, 2014 9:13 pm

Thanks Ale.
Up? I thought it was already $15 higher than release will be? You think $10 more for the box is worth it? I collect stuff. This would be my big game for Christmas if I choose it.

Alefroth · Post by **Alefroth** » Wed Dec 10, 2014 9:18 pm

Yeah, PCGamer says it will be $60. Boxes don't interest me anymore (I still have 2 bookcases full, though), so not worth $10 to me.

Tuesday_Roy · Post by **Tuesday_Roy** » Fri Dec 12, 2014 12:42 am

I'm content to wait for the full game, but only because I don't want to get too hyped up. It looks like everything I loved about Freespace, Starflight, and countless other exploratory games all in one. I'm afraid I'm too young to know Elite by anything other than its reputation, but what a reputation! I've needed an excuse to get something better than what joysticks I currently have: Logitech Attack 3 and Cyborg X something-or-other. Shameful for a PC gamer, I know.

Daehawk · Post by **Daehawk** » Fri Dec 12, 2014 1:34 am

Im old enough but i have never played any of the Elite games...not even Frontier. I suggest for a stick you might like the MS Sidewinder Precision 2. No longer made but a great stick if you can find one on Ebay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/microsoft-sidew ... 2c92c99008

Sepiche · Post by **Sepiche** » Wed Dec 17, 2014 11:45 am

Played this for a couple hours last night in what was probably one of the smoothest rollouts I've seen. Granted I play solo, so lag is usually minimal for me anyway, but I didn't run into any bugs or problems at all.

I've been playing off an on with the last gamma version for a week or so and I've managed to buy an Adder, stripped it down to nothing but cargo bays, and started hauling. So far I've generally found the missions that pay the best are the ones where a station tells you something it needs and you have to go out and find it. Once you figure out what types of stations produce what it's pretty straight forward to find what they need. I got paid 65,000 from one of those missions and only had to jump 2 systems away to get the resources they needed.

I've also found a sweet system with an industrial station that's only 1 LS from an ag station, so I've been able to run tobacco to the industrial station for about 8000 profit per trip, and crop harvesters on the return to the ag station for about 12,000 profit per trip. Only takes me 5 or 10 minutes per run since the stations are so close (depending on how the planets and stations are aligned).

Now I'm looking at saving up for a Cobra Mk. III now which I think I might tool up for mining.

Elite probably isn't for everyone, but the immersion factor in this is big, and I find it pretty enjoyable just tooling around the galaxy looking for deals.

Zarathud · Post by **Zarathud** » Wed Dec 17, 2014 11:53 am

I remember hours of docking in Elite on my C64 with a big red Wilco joystick. It looks like they kept the old ship names, too.

Sepiche · Post by **Sepiche** » Wed Dec 17, 2014 12:04 pm

Zarathud wrote:I remember hours of docking in Elite on my C64 with a big red Wilco joystick. It looks like they kept the old ship names, too.

hehe Yeah same here. I remember my uncle showing me Elite on his C128 and being blown away by the 3D graphics. Of course docking was so challenging for me at that age I thought getting your ship into dock was the whole game until I finally managed it and realized there was more to it.

I picked up a Saitek X-55 to play the game with which makes flying around just that much more fun, and it's been a battle of willpower for me to avoid ordering a Occulus Rift DK2 as well.

Cortilian · Post by **Cortilian** » Wed Dec 17, 2014 12:47 pm

I shoulda just preordered, sigh. I know better than to pass up a space sim.

I'm downloading now. I saw there was 2 possible installs, one for the main game and one for combat training. Any reason to install combat training since the game has been released? Should we set up a group, wing or whatever?

God I hop my computer can handle this.

Sepiche · Post by **Sepiche** » Wed Dec 17, 2014 1:04 pm

Cortilian wrote:I'm downloading now. I saw there was 2 possible installs, one for the main game and one for combat training. Any reason to install combat training since the game has been released? Should we set up a group, wing or whatever?

I don't think there's anything in the combat training that isn't in the main tutorials in the game itself, but I would recommend going through at least the docking tutorial a few times until you figure out all the commands and get the timing down.

Yeah, I'd be down for setting up some sort of OO group. I'd need to buy a new ship or retool my current one for combat before there would be much fun to be had as a group, but I'd like to see how that side of the game works.

I'm by no means an expert yet, but if you have any questions about trading or getting around the galaxy I can probably answer, and I know the basics about combat, exploration, and mining.

Sepiche · Post by **Sepiche** » Wed Dec 17, 2014 2:21 pm

If anyone else gets into trading, here's the tool I've been using to remember what stations produce what and how best to setup trade routes. Most of this info is available from the galaxy screen once you figure it out, but this makes it easier to look up... just hit run on the page that loads and then wait a few seconds:
http://runnable.com/VIe50hSB8S82NFtF/el ... ry-and-xml

Cortilian · Post by **Cortilian** » Wed Dec 17, 2014 2:36 pm

All installed and joystick configured. Got landing and the basic combat scenarios done. Now out into the big beyond

Suitably Ironic Moniker · Wed Dec 17, 2014 6:21 pm

Is the game compatible with the XBox One controller? I feel dirty asking the question, as all real space sims should be played only with a real joystick/flight stick. Unfortunately, I can't afford one right now, and even if I could, I don't really have a desk or table on which to put my computer and joystick. I purchased the game last month, but I'm waiting until I get my new laptop next month before I play it; I just hope I can use my controller, as there is no way I'm trying to fly using keyboard/mouse controls.

killbot737 · Post by **killbot737** » Wed Dec 17, 2014 6:39 pm

I saw the video about docking and ... good grief, 3-5 minutes to dock at a station every single time? Do they have docking accelerators/automaters like in the X games? (no, not the X-games with skateboards). That must really suck if you have small cargo space and end up being a FedEx recruit. Might as well play EvE at that point.

Daehawk · Post by **Daehawk** » Wed Dec 17, 2014 7:30 pm

As I read it it has an auto dock. But purest will not use it.

Sepiche · Post by **Sepiche** » Wed Dec 17, 2014 7:54 pm

killbot737 wrote:I saw the video about docking and ... good grief, 3-5 minutes to dock at a station every single time? Do they have docking accelerators/automaters like in the X games? (no, not the X-games with skateboards). That must really suck if you have small cargo space and end up being a FedEx recruit. Might as well play EvE at that point.

I'm assuming 3-5 minutes to dock includes time waiting for a particularly long queue at a station while playing online. I tend to play solo and doing that I've never been put into a queue for docking. I get permission to dock once I get close to 7.5 km, it takes me about 30 seconds to navigate through the bay opening, and another 10 or 20 seconds into my slot.

There's also a autodocking module you can get, but it takes up a small slot that could otherwise be used for something else so using it isn't a no brainer.

Suitably Ironic Moniker wrote: Is the game compatible with the XBox One controller?

I haven't tried it myself, but it should work, and I've heard once you get used to them keyboard and mouse or controller work perfectly well. You'd get a little more performance out of a joystick + throttle, but it's definitely not required.

Sepiche · Post by **Sepiche** » Wed Dec 17, 2014 8:35 pm

I'm Sepiche in game of course if anyone wants to friend me.

Cortilian · Post by **Cortilian** » Wed Dec 17, 2014 10:48 pm

I got Sepiche friended. I'm Cortilian, of course.

TiLT · Post by **TiLT** » Thu Dec 18, 2014 5:15 am

killbot737 wrote:I saw the video about docking and ... good grief, 3-5 minutes to dock at a station every single time? Do they have docking accelerators/automaters like in the X games? (no, not the X-games with skateboards). That must really suck if you have small cargo space and end up being a FedEx recruit. Might as well play EvE at that point.

You get really good at docking after a few tries. On the other hand, docking is intentionally a major part of the game, like it was in the first one. It's an enjoyable process and part of the immersion factor of playing a space trader.

wonderpug · Post by **wonderpug** » Thu Dec 18, 2014 10:15 am

The docking procedures are one of the most immersive and magical parts of the game for me. I wouldn't want them to change a thing (except maybe some better guidance lights leading you to the landing platforms on small outposts!)

The supercruise system, on the other hand, is my least favorite 'sim' part of the game. The uberfans say long intersystem travel times are essential for giving the universe a sense of size and scale, but supercruising and the process for decelerating out of supercruise is just too time consuming and tedious for me. If Euro Truck Driver can make it enjoyable to drive long distances on empty highways, surely there's got to be a way to make it fun to travel between planets in Elite.

AjD · Post by **AjD** » Thu Dec 18, 2014 11:48 am

Any sort of story in this game? Mysteries to solve? Some kind of plot that progresses?

I'm very intrigued by the space fighting and general immersion factor (I have a projector with a 120" screen - this could be totally awesome; like being on the bridge of the Enterprise). But I don't typically dig games that mostly center on trading/leveling up/amassing items, with no other purpose or point.

So - aside from the space sim/fighting stuff, is this game kind of a grindy MMO at heart? Or is there a plot that unfolds (with a larger purpose)?

P.S. I've never actually played any MMOs - grindy or otherwise, for all the above reasons - so maybe I'm way off base in the comparison...

Daehawk · Post by **Daehawk** » Thu Dec 18, 2014 12:44 pm

Im hoping there are planets with dead cities on them and derelict space ships floating in ordits or in odd places to be found. I love that kind of stuff.

Sepiche · Post by **Sepiche** » Thu Dec 18, 2014 12:51 pm

AjD wrote:Any sort of story in this game? Mysteries to solve? Some kind of plot that progresses?

I haven't really paid too much attention since I'm too busy space trucking, but there are story events that go on based around political tensions in different systems. Insurgencies, slave revolts, rebellions, invasions, etc. There's also at least one alien race lurking out there that will likely show up at some point. You can follow those events by paying attention to the news feeds you see in each station and going to the systems and doing special missions. It's not really a typical single player campaign where you're the hero though, so it might not be enough for you.

In terms of mysteries there are roughly 300 billion stars in Milky Way galaxy and so far only a tiny, tiny fraction of them have been explored.

Most of the game is really fighting, trading, and exploring to increase your Elite ratings and make money, so in that sense it's grindy. I'd say the main draw to the game is the setting and the immersion factor as well as some really fun combat and well thought out mechanics.

Cortilian · Post by **Cortilian** » Thu Dec 18, 2014 1:04 pm

Sephice, have you just been using that trading tool posted above? Are you just figuring what 'should' sell good for where you are going and buying on faith? I've just been doing fedex quests so far. Waiting to get enough for a hauler.

Sepiche · Post by **Sepiche** » Thu Dec 18, 2014 1:21 pm

Cortilian wrote:Sephice, have you just been using that trading tool posted above? Are you just figuring what 'should' sell good for where you are going and buying on faith? I've just been doing fedex quests so far. Waiting to get enough for a hauler.

Yeah, that just tells me what type of stations tend to have supplies of a resource and what stations tend to demand those resources. When buying cargo the main thing to look at is how much below the galactic average a resource is being sold at, ideally you want at least 100 below, but the lower the better obviously. By and large it works for most stations, but occasionally you'll find a station where supplies are low or demand has been met.

The way to be sure a system buys or sells a resource you need is to go into the galaxy map, select the "View" tab, click on "Map", and then turn on the trade route overlay for the resource you want to know about. That will show lines from systems that sell that resource to systems that buy it.

Those fedex missions are really a good place to start though. Just do those and try to top of your cargo hold with something that should make a profit where you are going and you'll be able to afford a hauler in no time.

I made the pilgrimage to Abraham Lincoln station in Sol last night and got to look down on the old homeworld. Also just got enough to switch over to a lovely new Cobra Mk III.

wonderpug · Post by **wonderpug** » Thu Dec 18, 2014 1:38 pm

AjD wrote:Any sort of story in this game? Mysteries to solve? Some kind of plot that progresses?

I'm very intrigued by the space fighting and general immersion factor (I have a projector with a 120" screen - this could be totally awesome; like being on the bridge of the Enterprise). But I don't typically dig games that mostly center on trading/leveling up/amassing items, with no other purpose or point.

So - aside from the space sim/fighting stuff, is this game kind of a grindy MMO at heart? Or is there a plot that unfolds (with a larger purpose)?

P.S. I've never actually played any MMOs - grindy or otherwise, for all the above reasons - so maybe I'm way off base in the comparison...

Think of this as more of a sandbox sim.

TiLT · Post by **TiLT** » Thu Dec 18, 2014 2:56 pm

Man, I really appreciate the luxury of starting with a Cobra Mk III and 40k credits in the Founders System thanks to the Kickstarter campaign. Lets me skip all the early stuff that I did several times during the beta.

Feels like the prices for ships have gone up quite a bit since the beta too.

I tried looking at new frameshift drives, but I have no idea what all these stats are. It looked to me like every single alternative I had at the station where I was shopping, would have severely reduced my range, even if they had a much better rating. It seemed strange to me. What am I missing?

Sepiche · Post by **Sepiche** » Thu Dec 18, 2014 4:36 pm

TiLT wrote:It seemed strange to me. What am I missing?

The class maybe? Class 2 equipment is generally better than class 1 even before taking into account rating. You're probably just on a station where all the available equipment is of a lower class than what's on your cobra.

TiLT · Post by **TiLT** » Thu Dec 18, 2014 4:54 pm

Hmm, I assumed that class worked in the opposite direction, with 1 being best (ie. "first class"). What you're saying probably makes sense based on the actual stats though. I guess I should try to find a more advanced system in the area. Maybe the Founders World. I didn't actually check the starport there for ship components.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Thu Dec 18, 2014 4:55 pm

The buzz on this one might be enough to make me pay full price for a game. Maybe. Especially since Star Citizen is still over a year off.

Sepiche · Post by **Sepiche** » Thu Dec 18, 2014 5:00 pm

TiLT wrote:Hmm, I assumed that class worked in the opposite direction, with 1 being best (ie. "first class"). What you're saying probably makes sense based on the actual stats though. I guess I should try to find a more advanced system in the area. Maybe the Founders World. I didn't actually check the starport there for ship components.

I think high tech stations tend to have the best ship equipment, followed by industrial.

Daehawk · Post by **Daehawk** » Thu Dec 18, 2014 9:00 pm

If I were to buy this tonight is there any MUST KNOW info?

wonderpug · Post by **wonderpug** » Thu Dec 18, 2014 9:14 pm

Daehawk wrote:If I were to buy this tonight is there any MUST KNOW info?

You really really want to have a HOTAS setup or at least a joystick.

Daehawk · Post by **Daehawk** » Thu Dec 18, 2014 9:47 pm

Have a nice stick...guess Im lucky I used to play flight sims and Mechwarrior games

EDIT: Might be helpful if I actually posted what it is

MS Sidewinder Precision 2 non force feedback. Not a HOTAS system but it has a throttle and twist built in.

TiLT · Post by **TiLT** » Fri Dec 19, 2014 6:11 am

A joystick is better than nothing, but you're going to have to keep one hand on the keyboard at all times with that thing, and it's not going to be ideal. I have one of those as well, and I never even considered using it with Elite Dangerous.

The reason people talk about HOTAS in particular for this game is that they have a separate throttle and tons and tons of buttons. Even with all the buttons, I don't have enough of them to do everything I want to do. For comparison, here's one of the most typical HOTAS setups (and the one I'm using), the Saitek X52 Pro, which the controls in the Elite Dangerous cockpit was modeled after:

With this HOTAS I only ever have to use my keyboard or mouse on the galaxy map, and even that is only because the map is poorly designed for the Rift at the moment. Were I playing without the Rift, my hands would probably never leave the HOTAS.

At least your joystick does have a throttle, if a simple one, so it's got the most important (and most basic) parts covered. You don't have to be afraid to play the game with your joystick, but be aware that it's going to feel frustratingly limited at times.

RMC · Post by **RMC** » Fri Dec 19, 2014 2:31 pm

TiLT wrote:A joystick is better than nothing, but you're going to have to keep one hand on the keyboard at all times with that thing, and it's not going to be ideal. I have one of those as well, and I never even considered using it with Elite Dangerous.

The reason people talk about HOTAS in particular for this game is that they have a separate throttle and tons and tons of buttons. Even with all the buttons, I don't have enough of them to do everything I want to do. For comparison, here's one of the most typical HOTAS setups (and the one I'm using), the Saitek X52 Pro, which the controls in the Elite Dangerous cockpit was modeled after:

With this HOTAS I only ever have to use my keyboard or mouse on the galaxy map, and even that is only because the map is poorly designed for the Rift at the moment. Were I playing without the Rift, my hands would probably never leave the HOTAS.

At least your joystick does have a throttle, if a simple one, so it's got the most important (and most basic) parts covered. You don't have to be afraid to play the game with your joystick, but be aware that it's going to feel frustratingly limited at times.

Umm.. Wow, 162.00 bucks for that set-up. Anything a little more realistic? If I spent 60 bucks on a game, I don't want to have to spend 160+ on peripherals to enjoy said game..

Sepiche · Post by **Sepiche** » Fri Dec 19, 2014 2:38 pm

RMC wrote:Umm.. Wow, 162.00 bucks for that set-up. Anything a little more realistic? If I spent 60 bucks on a game, I don't want to have to spend 160+ on peripherals to enjoy said game..

Using a HOTAS is fun, but it's definitely not needed. Any sort of joystick will work, but gamepad and keyboard and mouse support for the game both work well too.

Something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Hercules-2960706- ... 207&sr=1-4

Or this:
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Extreme- ... 207&sr=1-2

Or this:
http://www.amazon.com/Thrustmaster-T-Fl ... 207&sr=1-6

Would work fine for a cheaper joystick option.

Daehawk · Post by **Daehawk** » Fri Dec 19, 2014 3:49 pm

Got it yesterday.

RMC · Post by **RMC** » Fri Dec 19, 2014 3:54 pm

Sepiche wrote:
RMC wrote:Umm.. Wow, 162.00 bucks for that set-up. Anything a little more realistic? If I spent 60 bucks on a game, I don't want to have to spend 160+ on peripherals to enjoy said game..
Using a HOTAS is fun, but it's definitely not needed. Any sort of joystick will work, but gamepad and keyboard and mouse support for the game both work well too.

Something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Hercules-2960706- ... 207&sr=1-4

Or this:
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Extreme- ... 207&sr=1-2

Or this:
http://www.amazon.com/Thrustmaster-T-Fl ... 207&sr=1-6

Would work fine for a cheaper joystick option.

Those are all doable. I'll see what Christmas cash I get, and maybe invest in a joystick, and see how I like it. Then I might upgrade if I really like the game that much. Plus I figure I will buy Star Citizen as well, but might have to upgrade my PC for that game.