The video highlights the onboarding challenges in Elite Dangerous, emphasizing that complex systems and poor guidance often discourage new players, threatening the game’s longevity. It suggests that improvements like integrated tutorials, better communication tools, and immersive, story-driven onboarding could significantly enhance player retention and community engagement.
The video discusses the significant onboarding challenges faced by players new to Elite Dangerous, emphasizing that the game’s complex systems and lack of clear guidance often leave newcomers confused and discouraged. Even long-time fans like Arthur Toli, a former community PR head, struggled to understand how to progress in the game initially, highlighting the need for better onboarding tools. Without effective onboarding, many players may abandon the game early, threatening its long-term sustainability. The game’s minimal tutorials and opaque communication channels further exacerbate this problem, making it difficult for new players to find their footing or connect with others.
Frontier Developments has recognized these issues and is working on solutions, notably through the upcoming Vanguard system revamp. Piers Jackson, a senior project director, explained that Vanguards are intended to improve onboarding by enhancing communication tools within the game. The current squadron system is limited, relying heavily on third-party apps like Discord for player-to-player interaction. The in-game tools are basic, offering little support for explaining squadron activities or facilitating help, which can alienate new players and hinder community building.
The video compares Elite Dangerous’s onboarding approach to that of other long-standing MMORPGs like World of Warcraft, which use structured quests to gradually teach players game mechanics and immerse them in the story. While Elite Dangerous is not aiming to turn into a quest-based game, it could benefit from adopting a similar layered introduction that guides new players through core mechanics within the game world itself. Currently, the tutorials are outdated, disconnected from actual gameplay, and offer little practical help, leaving new players to figure out complex systems on their own without sufficient guidance.
The presenter advocates for a more immersive and in-universe onboarding experience, where players are gradually introduced to mechanics, combat, and exploration through structured, story-driven content. This approach would help players understand the depth of the game and retain their interest longer. Revamping tutorials and integrating them into the main gameplay environment, rather than isolating them as separate modules, would make the learning process more natural and engaging, ultimately leading to better retention and a more vibrant community.
In conclusion, the video emphasizes that improving onboarding is crucial for the game’s future success. By refining tutorial systems, enhancing communication tools, and providing a more guided introduction to the universe, Frontier Developments can attract and retain new players more effectively. The hope is that upcoming updates, including the new squadron features and communication systems, will address these issues, making Elite Dangerous more accessible and enjoyable for newcomers while maintaining its appeal for veteran players. The presenter encourages viewers to share their own experiences and suggestions for further improvements.