X-Rebirth, growing fears…

[abbotkrea]

Hello Bernd ..!. Would be desirable to clarify whether we will see, November 15, 2013, Russian language localization and voice acting?

[Kittens David]

Lots of talks....

Lots of answers

Thank you for such detailed answers.

Well definitely one last question I would love someone from ego soft to answer.

-Is the one ship so hardocded that it will be nearly impossible for modders to give us full control of other ships? Or will it be quite easy for them to let us go into other ships and fly them at our will?


Quite a direct question I know but... the answer will clearly make me buy or not buy X-rebirth. Honestly. In its state and after your answers Bernd. X-rebirth is clearly a no buy for me. No direct trade, no other ship steering /commanding, no visueal upgrade on the unique ship flyable and still quite a small ship...M3. That's to me well a new start to arcade line for X-serie... no more an X-game... I'm sad it has turned that way...

[BigBANGtheory]

Yes I think that's the gist of it.

Bernd is basically saying that Rebirth at launch will not have detailed micro management controls of other units (besides VR on selected drones) nor is it possible to issue anything but high level commands to NPC pilots/captains etc... (in the context of movement and combat at least), only the AI will handle the finer points you have no control.

We know from Bernd that you can order units/pilots via the UI which is a little vague as the UI potentially covers a multitude of tools and menus. We also know from Arsaneus (at Gamescom) that a limited tactical interface will be built into the Pride of Albion. It stands to reason that high level command restrictions apply here also as both Bernd and Arsaneus have clearly pointed out that RTS type controls and micro management is a post release possibility.

When you are out of the cockpit view you can still via a comms link to the co-pilot (like a Google Glass mode) give her orders in addition to being directly able to speak with NPCs when close to them.

Anything outside those bounds hasn't been revealed yet.

It would seem plausible that via the comms link to the co-pilot that you might have access to the UI options presented to the pilot of the Albion and then order pilots/captains in the same way but that's pure conjecture on my part. Its also possible that the comms link extends to other NPCs.

[BlackRain]

You have summed it up quite right BigBang and those are my worries and concerns too. I have preordered X Rebirth but I may cancel it if things continue to disappoint me. I know I haven't played it yet but the most important things to me about X have always been commanding massive fleets and fighting wars and such. With the new stuff from X Rebirth I had a lot of hope for this but with every comment I am getting worried that a lot of the things I was hoping for wont happen. I will still reserve judgement till I know more but I am also concerned.

[DaddyMonster]

Yes, beautifully summed up by BigBANG imo. Except, unlike BlackRain, I'm very positive about it all.

[nonnex]

Changes often fears people. Me too, but keep cool. We'll see how the things will happen after release. I'm sure that the game will be fun anyway. If some special elements are missing it is not too bad. Im sure that minor things will find their way into the game afterwars. Trying to implement all features at once results in "no release".

[surferx]

1. Thanks Bernd for coming in here to help clarify a few things. We do realize you took time from a very busy schedule for us, many of whom are going batty waiting for the game.
2. I am extraordinarily relieved at this:

Once again: With a game that has so many features we have to set priorities. Once the game is released we have a very long list of features that we would love to add in upcoming updates. Which of these will be done and when, will depend on your feedback.

I had decided to forgo buying X:R because of the single ship stipulation.
I will gladly buy the game if a workaround is possible in the future, ie not just commanding capitols from a bridge, but detailed commands like directing turrets to fire here main guns there, and I hope eventually to be able to give commands to follow a path. The actual piloting I think I can learn to do without.
I hope down the road we will have the opportunity to pilot a couple of types of space ship other than the Skunk. Maybe one smaller and one larger.
It is heartening to hear that our wishes will be addressed at a future date.
I can live with that.
Thanks for listening.

[Chris0132]

You can't really demo a game very well in 30 minutes at a trade show.

Especially not an X game, half an hour is barely long enough to figure out how to fly your ship in X3, and certainly not long enough to do anything. About the only thing you could show off would be the graphics and maybe some of the simpler features. You certainly can't present a difficult challenge because most people won't be able to play it, you can't show the world because people would just get lost or spoil the plot.

It's a 30 minute demo, what would you expect it to be like?

Actually it was a 10min demo.

Really?

Huh, amazed anyone could make anything of it then.

With that short a time you could judge maybe the graphics and possibly how the ship handles, not much else I think.

[xleto2]

Of course I understand you may be aren't allowed to answer that question due the fact a negative one might turn even more buyers and modders away. Just hoping such departure from the X-serie won't lead you to a bankruptcy.

Or he might not answer because you don't read the answer properly: the Skunk is definitely not a small ship like a M3. You don't fit a crew nor walk around in a M3, and they don't act like small carriers either. Not only does it look like an M6, it has abilities close to M7 ships : fighter hangar, torpedo drones possibly replacing missile frigates or at least M8, maybe marines for boarding and who knows what.

[Santi]

Thanks a lot Bernd and CBJ for taking the time to answer and clarify some questions.

I really like the "hierarchy of command" or "squad", that means, fleet management has been greatly improved, the ability of assign tasks as we fly around is a huge development for the game. Now they can operate automatically (like before) or be on stand-by ready to support you when needed.

I presume the plot and item trading will permit you to afford to hire a "crappy" merchant ship with an NPC with terrible bonus at the start, and then you work your way up from there.

[surferx]

Of course I understand you may be aren't allowed to answer that question due the fact a negative one might turn even more buyers and modders away. Just hoping such departure from the X-serie won't lead you to a bankruptcy.

Or he might not answer because you don't read the answer properly: the Skunk is definitely not a small ship like a M3. You don't fit a crew nor walk around in a M3, and they don't act like small carriers either. Not only does it look like an M6, it has abilities close to M7 ships : fighter hangar, torpedo drones possibly replacing missile frigates or at least M8, maybe marines for boarding and who knows what.

What fighter hanger?
And it is a very small M6,

Here is a comparison

I hope it gets modded into something a little bigger.

[S1nnR]

Hi All,

A long term X player here. Although I had never even heard that this games was in development so you can imagine my excitement when i learnt of its existence.

I was initially absolutely dismayed at the inability to pilot other ships.

Now having read through the forums and features (including http://forum.egosoft.com/viewtopic.php?t=306576) I can safely say that I do not care at all. everything mentioned in that thread is irrelevant and in no way makes up for restricting us to one ship.

I personally played the game as a loner, I loved the idea of being in control of my own ship, with no co-pilot i might add. killing stuff, and picking up random loot crates (or slaves ). So to then find out that i cant pick up loot? The fact that I can have other ships pick it up for me is irrelevant. Just like all the features and options that come along with the Albion which are meant to replace/whatever the need/want for new ships are also irrelevant. The point is I cant do what i want the way i want to do it, which effects the immersion.

The singular number one reason i played the game was to make money to buy other ships. Not upgrades or customisations....ships. Cool ships. Ships that looked like i was Captain of a giant interstellar chrome dildo that fired pure ****** death. No buying of and directly controlling your own ships? no point.

It really (and I don't care if this sounds sad) breaks my heart when I see game franchises I've grown to love make bad decisions. (CS, Mass Effect ending, Dragon Age, i could go on...).

Disclaimer, I'm not trying to ruffle feathers or anything here guys but when i learnt about the single ship, I just felt like a needed to get my frustations off my chest so created this forum account.

[Kittens David]

Of course I understand you may be aren't allowed to answer that question due the fact a negative one might turn even more buyers and modders away. Just hoping such departure from the X-serie won't lead you to a bankruptcy.

Or he might not answer because you don't read the answer properly: the Skunk is definitely not a small ship like a M3. You don't fit a crew nor walk around in a M3, and they don't act like small carriers either. Not only does it look like an M6, it has abilities close to M7 ships : fighter hangar, torpedo drones possibly replacing missile frigates or at least M8, maybe marines for boarding and who knows what.

No need to be insulting.

The purpose of the Skunk is to be an allround fighter ship. It is by no means meant for transportation of anything other than weapons, drones and crew

The size of the Skunk is 43 x 28 x 15m.

Small ship. no M6 no M7 no M8. He even added more that the Skunk would not evolve during the game just better shield, stronger gun but not more guns so no turret. basically it will just remain an heavy fighter with all its limitations.

And my last question was the fact of modders being able to open us other ship or not. So basicaly how the one ship was hardcoded or not in the game.

[BlackRain]

Wow you really are completely oblivious, aren't you kittens? It is fine if you don't like something but stop spreading lies. The Skunk is not a small ship, it is the size equivalent of an M6. It is larger than an M3 fighter and larger than an M8 bomber.

[BlackRain]

Anyway, I am fine with everything they have said so far but I just don't know enough about the commanding aspect of the game. That is what I am most interested in. Also, the end game. Can I have an empire or not? I want to be able to fight wars with lots of ships and such with factions and/or governments. I want to be able to take over sectors of space and have it actually be mine. That is what I am interested in. If X Rebirth doesn't do it for me then I will play limit theory, which will. That is all I am saying. Anything that adds to the immersion of empire building and such is what I am after also (being able to command from a capital whether by comm or otherwise is what I am hoping)

[billw]

Hi All,

A long term X player here. Although I had never even heard that this games was in development so you can imagine my excitement when i learnt of its existence.

I was initially absolutely dismayed at the inability to pilot other ships.

Now having read through the forums and features (including http://forum.egosoft.com/viewtopic.php?t=306576) I can safely say that I do not care at all. everything mentioned in that thread is irrelevant and in no way makes up for restricting us to one ship.

I personally played the game as a loner, I loved the idea of being in control of my own ship, with no co-pilot i might add. killing stuff, and picking up random loot crates (or slaves ). So to then find out that i cant pick up loot? The fact that I can have other ships pick it up for me is irrelevant. Just like all the features and options that come along with the Albion which are meant to replace/whatever the need/want for new ships are also irrelevant. The point is I cant do what i want the way i want to do it, which effects the immersion.

The singular number one reason i played the game was to make money to buy other ships. Not upgrades or customisations....ships. Cool ships. Ships that looked like i was Captain of a giant interstellar chrome dildo that fired pure ****** death. No buying of and directly controlling your own ships? no point.

It really (and I don't care if this sounds sad) breaks my heart when I see game franchises I've grown to love make bad decisions. (CS, Mass Effect ending, Dragon Age, i could go on...).

Disclaimer, I'm not trying to ruffle feathers or anything here guys but when i learnt about the single ship, I just felt like a needed to get my frustations off my chest so created this forum account.

Mostly I agree, it seems pretty much every time a developer says they are making a game more "accessible" it means they are reducing the freedom of the player, and imposing a premade personality and story on them (in this case the player character is the ship itself). Because its easier to sell that to new players, rather than the abstract idea that you can do anything you want to; most people don't want freedom, they want a guided experience.

But I live in hope that this restriction will be removed either by mod or expansion, I just hope the engine isn't being created in such a way that this won't be possible.

[Santi]

Some examples of 43 meter ships.

http://www.superyachts.com/luxury-yacht ... ene--2073/

http://www.superyachts.com/luxury-yacht ... hana-1114/

[Kittens David]

And it is a very small M6,

Here is a comparison

I hope it gets modded into something a little bigger.

Yeah just between the M3 and the M6 but definitly closer to the M3.... How frustrating.

[xleto2]

What fighter hanger?
And it is a very small M6,

Here is a comparison

I hope it gets modded into something a little bigger.

Like some M7 can carry fighters, the Skunk can carry drones. You can control those drones like you would switch from your M7 to one of your fighters.

As for the size comparison, it's indeed much bigger than the M3. It definitely doesn't have the shape of a M3. A comparison, within the new engine, of XR ships would be interesting.

Anyway it seems meaningless going through the trouble of saying the Skunk isn't "no bigger than a CH-53" but actually "20 times the size of the CH-53", if the comment is yet again to complain about it being so small. M6 are all-round fighters. The Skunk can fight on his own and launch fighters, that's what makes it versatile, even more than a M6 actually. A M3 can't do much on his own.

[surferx]

Some examples of 43 meter ships.

http://www.superyachts.com/luxury-yacht ... ene--2073/

http://www.superyachts.com/luxury-yacht ... hana-1114/

This is helpful in a one dimensional way, but the Skunk has only one deck, I think, and these yachts have 3. Kind of like the Centaur seems to have, at least 3 decks if not more; very much more room than the Skunk.
I understand the reasoning to limit it because the extra rooms/holds would have to be modeled into the game causing more delay, but it is what it is.