Friday 29 May 2015

The danger of assumptions

This week saw the launch of the 1.3 Beta for Elite:Dangerous. I was stoked to see the new Diamondback ship from Lakon Spaceways. Due to the images, I was looking at a ship pitched at the Non-Federation players looking for an equivalent to the Federal Dropship. You know, that angular looking beast sitting at 19 Million credits with some sweet options and quite nimble. The clues were it was being built on an Alliance world, there as a pre-update mission to help get the shipyard built, the Imperials have the Clipper and the forthcoming courier, so, like all vapourware followers I started making assumptions. The path to wrack and ruin starts here.

So....when I logged in to Beta, I bought one. I had spare cash, and Beta prices, party time! Was it f*ck!? Due to my, by now, mythicall proportioned assumptions, the Diamondback was crap. I got less options than I expected in load out, (The penny hadn't dropped at this point) I picked a tough combat mission, got smacked liked a redneck kid in a supermarket, res'd at the station, bought my old loadout, bought some better slots, (Beta prices!) went back out, more of the same. Crap!

However, after a rage quit (yeah, that as me, not proud) I reflected. I looked at the stats, it was larger than the ubiquitous Cobra and smaller than the well rounded Asp, I looked at the mental image I had and the actuality of it, and my assumptions were found wanting (And I felt like a pratt)

The truth of it is the Diamondback is a very capable combat explorer that sits between the Cobra and the more expensive Asp. It's nimble, good looking and has a good array of options available. I hope it's priced accordingly. I could allow pilots to avoid the Type 6 grind stage moving up from the Cobra, which I remember fondly, much like my other half remembers labour.

What this means is I have to try and get some serious rep in and the last rank jump with the Feds so I can get the Dropship, as it's the multifunction I need until the Python or Fer De Lance falls into my budget bracket. Bad news, I have less than a week to get it. Let me explain, due to Powerplay, we will have rep with factions. Those factions include 2 Federation leaders, 3 Empire, 2 Independent but only one Alliance. I'm thinking of going Alliance. They have the most to gain (Especially in ships, see above) so I may tack my colours to that mast. Also looks like the Fed president has disappeared, so there's more afoot.

IRL crept out for a cheeky Nandos this week, Twas magical!

anyhoo, nearly at my destination. So...don't assume, look what it does!

Commanders, be good (Or be careful)

Wednesday 20 May 2015

Delays in life as in Elite Dangerous

The season of not quite anything is upon us. We have blazing sunshine and 14 degrees, we have rain and sun and sleet in the same day, and yet we're in the dog end of May. Many are waiting for Summer to happen.

And so in Elite:Dangerous.. The 1.3 Powerplay update has been delayed, the Beta was announced for the 20th, and has been put back. Some of the comments on the forum are ridiculous, decrying the devs, how very dare they delay the beta, this whole game's a beta, I'll scweam and scweam and scweam* etc etc

However, perhaps the delay is due to dev burnout, perhaps, knowing the level of support required they're getting some family time/R&R/Pizza action before the beta hits, then the update itself (Generally a week later) and the extra work on patches and bug fixes required. Perhaps the devs have been given a break due to the sterling work they've done already, and this allows them to come up with new stuff. Perhaps they're waiting on the Corvette model. Perhaps perhaps perhaps. However disappointed I am, I'll wait for the beta, and I'll hope that extra time has been spent wisely.

One thing to note on the forums was that the noisy minority hating on the devs were exactly that, a minority. The sheer love for Frontier E:D dev team was touching. Most comments I found ran to 'They'll release it when it's good enough' 'They know what they're doing' and picking apart the redonculous diatribes of the haters.

Devs are human too. E:D's ones are just a bit better. In the meantime, I'm playing Borderlands - The Pre Sequel, some E:D, and dribbling over The Elder Scrolls online. SO tempted now it's not subscription based. Also preparing for the arrival of my Thrustmaster Cougar MFD button panels and my E:D pirate faction T-Shirt. A captain's chair is in the offing, waiting for news on a suitable donor chair. Good times!

Remember commanders: Fly safe or have the insurance money set aside!

Friday 15 May 2015

Powerplay Beta is coming - May 20th

At last!! Powerplay, Elite:Dangerous is coming. The Beta drops on the 20th of May, and Betas tend to last a week before they go live.

I have some wishes for this update: Faction rewards in internal components - Better quality internals or weapons - I totally want C3 Multicannons, or some sort of multi point mount, eg 2 x C2 in a C4 slot, could totally 'multimulticannon' my little old Asp. Anothger perk I hope Powerplay folds in to the game - Faction discount on insurance. If it costs less to replace you might take more risks, my last replacement wascostly, but it did prey on my mind for a while after that I didn't want to lose that much money, meaning I bailed on combat earlier than I could have.

I'm hoping to take the new Diamondback for a spin, hoping it's an Asp on steroids. With a bit of luck the Diamondback is a heavier multipurpose with at least C3 harpoint, and that the hardpoints are all on corners for extra gimballed shootiness. The concept drawing looks the nuts, but not seeing any other images. I would love Frontier to rectify that soon, or I can just joy-puke/cry into my keyboard when the Beta lands. I'm mildly nervous about the whole experience.

In other Elite:Dangerous news I finally made 'competant' in combat - Which is great as it's the first combat rank that doesn't sound like you're completely crap, which was nice.

Considering a cheeky Nandos for lunch, it's FRIDAY!!

Anyway, fly safe, or make sure you have your insurance money saved.