The X4 internet thread (no not another silly poll)

[Lancefighter]

heh i suppose... buy mmorpg are fun, arnt they?

[DarthVodka]

...

Also I'd like to see people saying " I only want to *play* single player" rather than "I dont want there to be *any* multiplayer"

Theres a huge difference.

You're right, there is a huge difference. This is of course just my own opinion, but I'm sticking to my guns. I believe that if there are both, then both lose out because the limited resources that go into producing the game will be split between the two, instead of concentrated on the one.

[WarmMachineME]

That's just exactly what I was about to say. Why waste resources and make a mediocre multi game and a mediocre sp game? Just make an outstanding sp game.

X (2, 3, etc) is best as single player. A multiplayer game would have to be completely overhauled, since not even the galaxy is big enough for us all to be moguls at the heads of vast commercial empires. Someone would have to be the little dogs, and who really would want that? What if you were the guy who showed up a week late, and now you're doomed to fly a harrier because of things like having to buy ecells from their power monopolies for 20 credits a pop? Or maybe his guild would let you prostitute yourself as their UT, and you spend weeks shuttling meatsteak cahoonas so you can afford your next shield upgrade.

Not to mention things like Xenon spawn camping...nasty.

Single player X4. And if egosoft really wants to make a multiplayer game, let them put a different team on it.

[Merroc]

No moderator bashing

I cant even bash myself in this thread?

As for the poll, me, as a gamer, im still keen on seeing XOU one day . (Still want to shoot some community users )

[Dhore]

...

Also I'd like to see people saying " I only want to *play* single player" rather than "I dont want there to be *any* multiplayer"

Theres a huge difference.

You're right, there is a huge difference. This is of course just my own opinion, but I'm sticking to my guns. I believe that if there are both, then both lose out because the limited resources that go into producing the game will be split between the two, instead of concentrated on the one.

Neither would I but to be honest, Id ont want to put *the guys* down but X3 is just a pretty version of X2a dn wasnt even up to scratch in terms of gameplay when it was released for whatever the reason (I know).

So all that time and effort into making a plot that the majority here dont seem to play (I do) and better graphics.....When the time could have been spent making a non-massive but still multiplayer online universe, with X2 graphics BUT a sound foundation to make X4 a graphically superior single player AND online world...

Theres always other options - like selling the rights to make and online X verse to someone etc (for e.g.).

Plus the plot could have been alot more indepth and longer for it to remain SP.

[Dhore]

That's just exactly what I was about to say. Why waste resources and make a mediocre multi game and a mediocre sp game? Just make an outstanding sp game.

X (2, 3, etc) is best as single player. A multiplayer game would have to be completely overhauled, since not even the galaxy is big enough for us all to be moguls at the heads of vast commercial empires. Someone would have to be the little dogs, and who really would want that? What if you were the guy who showed up a week late, and now you're doomed to fly a harrier because of things like having to buy ecells from their power monopolies for 20 credits a pop? Or maybe his guild would let you prostitute yourself as their UT, and you spend weeks shuttling meatsteak cahoonas so you can afford your next shield upgrade.

Not to mention things like Xenon spawn camping...nasty.

Single player X4. And if egosoft really wants to make a multiplayer game, let them put a different team on it.

The X games are not *great* single player games. They are *great* non-linear space simulators. Thats a small market. Most dedicated people here never even play the plot, but most casual players do, and lets face it the plot (the single player game) has never been great. If X became online its takes it to another market that with good publicity and then backing - could only do wonders for X, as I know the non-linear aspect is in the heart of it then that would too be enhanced imho.

[Nanook]

....
So all that time and effort into making a plot that the majority here dont seem to play (I do) and better graphics......

Did you even play X2, or are we even playing the same X3?? X3 gave us vastly improved combat, a multitude more ships to fly, a more complex economy, a whole bunch more sectors to play in, and an Artificial Life engine, aka GOD, that makes everyone's X-Universe unique. Just to name some of the more obvious improvements over X2. And all this barely a year after X2 was released. And you think the only differences are the plot and some graphics???

BTW, I don't, and never have, played the X games for the plot. The plot was always just a diversion, a series of connected missions, to add some variety to the gameplay. X-Tension, the true prequel to X2 and X3, didn't even have a plot, and yet I played it from when it was released in 2000 until X3 was released in 2003.

There's no need for a multiplayer component in the X-Universe. There need to be a few companies out there that don't prostitute themselves to the MP gods, and continue to produce high quality single player experiences. There sure aren't many left.

[Dhore]

....
So all that time and effort into making a plot that the majority here dont seem to play (I do) and better graphics......

Did you even play X2, or are we even playing the same X3?? X3 gave us vastly improved combat, a multitude more ships to fly, a more complex economy, a whole bunch more sectors to play in, and an Artificial Life engine, aka GOD, that makes everyone's X-Universe unique. Just to name some of the more obvious improvements over X2. And all this barely a year after X2 was released. And you think the only differences are the plot and some graphics???

BTW, I don't, and never have, played the X games for the plot. The plot was always just a diversion, a series of connected missions, to add some variety to the gameplay. X-Tension, the true prequel to X2 and X3, didn't even have a plot, and yet I played it from when it was released in 2000 until X3 was released in 2003.

There's no need for a multiplayer component in the X-Universe. There need to be a few companies out there that don't prostitute themselves to the MP gods, and continue to produce high quality single player experiences. There sure aren't many left.

Yes I played X2 for 2 years and in alot of ways I still think its better. You are entitled to your opinion and so am I. The one difference is that I dont discount single player as you and others are discounting multiplayer. Kinda selfish of those people really to deny those who do like multiplayer the glory of an x-online. And by the way I dunno what hatred you have of multiplayer but it has actually been around since pong in the 70s and brings people together rather than sitting for 12 hours in a room alone. The key thing here is that I want choice of multiplayer or sp, jeez x-online would be awesome

[lordphelan]

none of the options fit what i'd like...so


Single player
multi screen... like X2.... ship controls on one screen and monitors/empire info etc on the other.

Multiplayer combat... basically a multiplayer mission scenario... load up yopur ship and go to battle.....think star wars type encounters. Eather go head to head or i guess you could script some missions?


other than that i quite like X as it is....... but i think some of the current mods and scripts may add some extra depth..... still need to try them out though.

[Nanook]

....

Yes I played X2 for 2 years and in alot of ways I still think its better. You are entitled to your opinion and so am I. The one difference is that I dont discount single player as you and others are discounting multiplayer. Kinda selfish of those people really to deny those who do like multiplayer the glory of an x-online. And by the way I dunno what hatred you have of multiplayer but it has actually been around since pong in the 70s and brings people together rather than sitting for 12 hours in a room alone. The key thing here is that I want choice of multiplayer or sp, jeez x-online would be awesome

You make some vast, and unwarranted, assumptions. Just because I don't want X games to be multiplayer does not mean I hate MP. It just means I don't want the SP experience to be watered down because manpower resources were diverted to MP aspects. This always, always happens. It simply cannot be helped when you have limited funds and personnel to work on a game. So making a multiplayer component to X4 would mean a lesser SP experience. Your denying that fact won't prevent it.

[The_Abyss]

On a more serious note than my previous comment, it is really important to consider a few points when looking at multi-player. they have been said before, by myself and several others, but it never hurts to repeat the point:

- X3 is not an online game, and wasn't designed to be one. X3 can never be multiplayer / online
- X games have traditionally been free-format and non-linear, the vague concept of which leads players to automatically think it would be great online in something similar to the current format
- X games (currently) have no consideration towards possible / potential balancing of the game towards online / multiplayer gaming
- The design of an online game would have to be radically different to the current X games, and with all due respect to X players, not many can look beyond the current design when thinking of any future developments

These are just but a few basic considerations for any future online development. I apologise for focussing on online gaming rather than multi-screen etc, but I'm still searching for the pefect post that I and others can copy and paste into any thread discussing online play possibilties for the forseeable future

[arcana75]

My turn to offer 2 bits...

I voted SP, cuz X from BTF to X3 has always been designed for SP. If any attempt were made for multiplayer eg online or LAN/IP, I feel that it would have to be designed (or redesigned) from the ground up.

Using World of Warcraft as an example, the similarities between that and Warcraft 1/2/3 are only the settings and names. Otherwise, WoW is a completely different game from WC.

The primary design concern of a multiplayer X would be player balance. Right now, in X3, are the ships balanced? NO, there are clear leaders in each class, eg LX for M3+, Split M1/2, Pirate Nova Raider, etc. If you transplated such a design into an Online game, the rant wars would be endless. The ships would eventually have to be redesigned or balanced to a point where the existing fans of X would be alienated.

A large and significant segment of the online multiplayer market plays for PvP. Sadly, while gamers age, the market doesn't, so while some of us might tire of twitch-action while others prefer trading/exploring, the market majority will always be PvP. Alot of us wonder why Counter-Strike still exists online. Simply because while gamers age, the market doesn't, since more young'ens emerge to take our place. And X combat (while greatly improved) as never been its major characteristic, rather its diverse races and its sandbox gaming where there are many long-term goals the player can and must give him/herself. I'm a combat man myself FWIW, partly because the fact is while the X universe is large, they are not different enough to encourage exploration. Each sector is in essence just another bunch of stations. Trading is similarly ... vapid... What difference is bofu or argnu beef other than a renamed secondary resource for a primary product? They are only a means to an end: credits. Credits to accomplish your own personal goals ie buying a fleet or building an empire.

The X games rely strongly on AI to create a diverse and living universe. This means thousands of ships to populate sectors. No engine or internet connection alive now or years from now can accommodate the current design's bandwidth requirements. Thus compromises must be made, eg reducing the # of AI ships, replacing them with (hopefully!) humans. But with so many sectors, many will be barren and boring. The vastness of each sector and the universe breeds boredom easily. Freelancer and Terminus both died this way.

All said, I'm not for MP. However, there are certain benefits to MP, emotional pleasures which cannot be fulfilled by SP. One good one is a clan or guild launching off their guild M1, and voice comms between squadron mates watching each other's backs as they fight another clan. I experienced this while playing Battlefield 2 with my mates over Skype and the emotional rush and adrenaline is unbeatable. If Egosoft were to attempt X multiplayer it would have to be a redesigned X Online, not X4, a naming which would only mislead fans.

[JMCorp]

- The design of an online game would have to be radically different to the current X games, and with all due respect to X players, not many can look beyond the current design when thinking of any future developments

i think you dont give us enough credit

this point is probably precicely why you get a 75%+ rate of people saying they dont want multi-player.

[esd]

this point is probably precicely why you get a 75%+ rate of people saying they dont want multi-player.

Actually I'd say a significant number of people saying they don't want multiplayer understand that the design of X will change, but from what's been available and what is available, multiplayer isn't desirable.

Besides, X is my time.

[Nanook]

- The design of an online game would have to be radically different to the current X games, and with all due respect to X players, not many can look beyond the current design when thinking of any future developments

i think you dont give us enough credit

this point is probably precicely why you get a 75%+ rate of people saying they dont want multi-player.

No, what that says is that 75%+ of players don't want the X games to change so radically as would be required by a multiplayer game. Big difference. And if you don't mind such a radical change in gameplay, then there are other options currently available, as mentioned above (Freelancer, Terminus). There's also Eve Online. After all, a multiplayer X game really wouldn't be an X game as we know it anyway.

[nNemethon]

Does there endeth the lesson? Doubt it - I'll be waiting on next-weeks poll.

Everyone has a point of view, everyone; a counter. If/when X4 comes out, you can expect to see another great chunk of changes that ES took from players opinions.

I wouldn't mind having a 'friends list' like on most online games, partic and Diablo II. Skype types would be fantastic, although you can already commune via voice in the b/g anyway. Seeing I have no real imagination for enhancement of gameplay, I'm a preferrer of tinkering so that things are easier to use (menus... ). Anything ES delivers in the X-Verse, I have always been extremely happy with. Though actually taking over sectors where the stations capitulate to you and pay, ahem, tax would be an excellent drawcard.

But for me, Multi-Monitor would be nice (tho need dual-core cpu's for that role depending on the info to keep play smooth), enhance SP, prefer to avoid MP and the ability to hang my damn fuzzy-dice somewhere would be a great idea. Currently they lie on the dash and bang around the cockpit in dogfights

Waiting on the next poll now.

[Schpette]

Multi core/cpu support.
Multi screen support, that is several monitors with different contents.
A radical change in the UI so you can see your bank account while looking at your property list

I would love to be able to play with i.e. my brother as we both like X3, building our own empires or building one together, but X3 is way too small to host more than 1 player and at the same time way too big to be run on a network. Perhaps when 100Gb becomes the LAN standard and the host computer has 2 quad core cpus with proper multi core support in the game - then we might be able to see an equally populated universe big enough for multiplayer.

There's also the point about SETA being hard to accomplish, it would of course have to be changed pretty much in every aspect. It would be a bit weird to increase the overall speed on all ships by 5-10 times just to compensate for having to watch everything in real time.

Did you ever try doing the Bala Gi missions in their entirety without SETA?

[The Rogue Trader]

Looks as if 'WE' the people have voted for single player. Again.

[Doomdark64]

x4 to top the game of all games needs to NOT change the way it is now on the space front.
Landing on planets is a must , exploring them for minerals/other life forms is essential, landing troops and building capabilities to mine stuff found there and bases to protect your find from space attacks and invasions.
Frontier tried to do it with landing on the planet and putting mines down to do stuff for you but that was basic, Im sure egosoft could do a better job.
Besides no one has done anything like that (at least not where space is the main part of the game and landing on the planet to find stuff is secondary).
That would be awesome to do something like that and would get my vote.

[Schpette]

Should consider the cost of adding such features compared to how much extra gameplay it will add.
The action will always be in space, that's where stuff happens. That's where you have room enough for things to go down.
Landing on planets is easy, Frontier proved that - just like landing on a station, but with more texture.
Getting out of your ship and walking around or building things on a planet sounds like a lot more work than the little you actually gain from it.

If you're going to add interaction with planetary life then you'd would have to go for something to the effect of what Empire at War offers and I don't really see that blending in very nicely... think about all the hassle you will get watching over 20 planetary assaults while you're fighting aliens and robot invaders on several fronts all at the same time.

If you get to build on planets, you would have to be allowed to conquer there too.