Architect Archive
Thread: Dvnce's Assesment.... our current and present situation..
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Dvnce
Fri Jul 23, 2004 1:49 pm
#1
Ok.. I said a few days earlier I would post this.. I will admit I wrote this at work and it may be a little bumpy so please before you read into things ask.. and I will explain... thanks.. be gentle 
that that is our game in SWG.... now is the time where the true dedicated players that wish to play this game for the long haul is coming out of the woodwork and simply saying..SOE we love the potential of this game but please ... give us a reason why we should commit to the growth and commit to the monthly investment in our entertainment....
As some of you may know I was close to walking away a few months back.. and moving on to another source of entertainment.. I can deal with the bugs .. and the problems as long as I know they will be dealt with after all I am not asking SOE to do a heart transplant here... But what was my frustration as is alot of peoples as well was a lack of portrayed commitment by SOE that the needs and wishes of the players were being not only considered but taken seriously.......
I talked myself into holding out a tad bit longer... and I am really glad that I did.. I have seen a small glimpse of that which is in the planning stages and it was good.. There are good things in the works for all professions and believe me SOE is not done with Architect or not even Close to being done with Player Cities... I have been an architect for almost a year now.. and I even more than ever have no plans of ever hitting delete on my architect skills...... Also especially on my side of the equation that I can see from the correspondent relationship SOE is doing alot in taking great strides in the direction of improving player involvment in what happens in this game... The correspondent program is finally really being seen as the valuable tool that is should be in delivering the player voice....
SOE is taking a huge step in this program by bringing all of the correspondents to austin to have a Summit to discuss all the issues involving the Combat revamp.... yeah I know what does architect have to do with combat.. This summit is a huge step in taking the player issues seriously... there is ALOT of inneffieciencies in soley communicating via forum or even email.. where face to face totally eliminates alot of these... I am excited for what this summit means to the game.. and improved player to development communication.... plus dont think I wont be pushing for the need of a crafting summit in the very near future as well...
So.. even though our focus is the combat rebalance dont believe I wont try to get a few moments to take to someone about someof our issues.. ( especially the GCW and Furniture Poll issues we have had going for several months now.. ) but .. IF I got even five minutes of time with full dev attention what would you have me say for you?
Bottom line... we are lucky that most of our issues are annoyances... and that we are not in the shape of say.. Squad Leader.... We have all been very patient with SOE and for those of us that really want to be here for the long haul I say to you with a clear conscience that our patience will be rewarded....
Meplorium
Fri Jul 23, 2004 2:46 pm
#2
I would say architect is more fixed that not at this point. A lot of good fixes and additions from 1 year ago.
As for the combat balance, master architects should get an ultimate attack move, throwing wall modules. You need to have a wall module and equip it to throw it. Should do about 20k damage, AR2 with a small area effect. This should be the most powerful attack in the game of course. Other than that, I can't think of anything that architects need for the combat balance.
Pawlin
Fri Jul 23, 2004 2:50 pm
#3
I agree we're pretty healthy as a profession over all at least as far as bugs aren't killing us.
I'd be more concerned with keeping the profession alive in the long run.
Questions I'd ask the DEVs:
Are they ever planning on implementing any form of decay for harvesters or housing?
What kind of new content will they be introducing on an ongoing basis to keep interest alive in our services?
Locs
Fri Jul 23, 2004 2:59 pm
#4
Thanks alot man, if you say our patiance will be rewarded I am sure it will, i probably speak for the Archi comunity 
That we are sure that you have the best in mind for us, and the proffession, and if I got 5 mins of attention from the Devs, im sure i would make the most with that time at explaining what could be improved with architect...
Would groan on a bit more but i gotta go to bed now. IM NAKKERED!!!!
Base line is GOOD JOB on the Assesment and hope every thing clears out for architect!!
That we are sure that you have the best in mind for us, and the proffession, and if I got 5 mins of attention from the Devs, im sure i would make the most with that time at explaining what could be improved with architect...Would groan on a bit more but i gotta go to bed now. IM NAKKERED!!!!
Base line is GOOD JOB on the Assesment and hope every thing clears out for architect!!
Cherokaa
Fri Jul 23, 2004 3:51 pm
#5
I'd love to have a reason to experiment on efficiency. Perhaps something where the higher the efficiency of the house (wall modules, et al, would all factor into this as well) would lower the amount of credits needed per hour for maintainence. That way, we could get a renewed interest in buying homes, and existing homes won't poof.
Sorry if this may have been brought up already, but I felt it was worth mentioning as it could help us to some degree.
Benjawa
Sat Jul 24, 2004 1:24 am
#6
I must agree with everyone here so far, we are looking pretty good. Minor annoyances aside, we have the ability to operate pretty much unfettered. But, since all has been fixed we are running a bit on the stale side now. While oportunities exsist for us still, that are just far and few in between. So, if you get a chance to put a bug in the devs ears, tell em to put some new stuff in or create a source of renewable income for us. Thanks for your hard work Dvnce, and have fun rubbing elbows with the likes of the Devs!!
EnFERn0
Sat Jul 24, 2004 4:29 am
#7
Harvester decay! I've been asking for this for so many months now. That little detail would fix many wrongs.
Lot trading, hampering the resource empires. And giving money to the little man in the street with his handfull of harvesters.
Lot trading, hampering the resource empires. And giving money to the little man in the street with his handfull of harvesters.
WeasleMASC
Sat Jul 24, 2004 7:54 am
#8
This is the reply I made to you in the other thread.
I will likely add to it to better address this post by you, or maybe just reply again.
In this post I ask alot of the questions I would like to see you ask in Austin.
and well when you are there say "Hi" to Brisc, the Scout Correspondent.
Dvnce,
I am replying to your post in this manner because I guess I am having a moment of motivation and I amthe kind of guy that likes to make things happen. I am also the kind of guy that like to get people to work together on a common goal. This post as some of my others man offend some people and they are not ment to. I am finally coming here to these forums because as popeye says "Ive stands all I can stands and I cant stands no more". I would like to ask the architect community to work together and get some things down, and then to ask Dvnce to get our thouughts brought to the attention of the Development team ASAP. Sorry to put ya on ths spot Dvnce, but you are our guy, and well this is the proper chain of communication as perSOE.
Dvnce said
"the game aspect which directly involves us Is not as bleak as the view is begging to look to some.. I totaly Understand this feeling... I have been an arch for almost a year now.. ..."
Great!! glad to hear it. So now the question is what specificly can we as architects expect to see done in the timeframe of say today thru the release of JTL? What is ready to be patched in but is being held back? Why is anything being held back?
As far as our future... There are some good things in the works.. although nothing as been said specifically I know More structures will be coming.. More furniture.. and almost every profession has a tuneup planned if not a complete over haul.. and the devs are no where near done with player cities...
What kinds of structures? when will they be ready for release? what kind of furniture? when will it be ready for release? I know nothing has been said specificly, but I think as our representative it would be great if you could demand some more specific answers. You mention "a tuneup if not a complete overhaul"is this overhaul simular the the year long combat revamp promise? If it is when will it happen and why would we expect that scheduel to be kept or even vaguely concrete? (this is not a venamous comment it is a streight question as promises dont cut it anymore). I am glad the devs are nowhere near dont with player cities. The only problem with that is no one will be living in player cities the week after JTL comes out.
since my time as correspondent the devs have grown tremendously in how much they actually listen to what we are saying the players want.. Which is awesome for everyprofession...
Totally agree man. So lets tell them something and hopefully they will not only listen, but hopefully give us a future.
As for problems with our profession we are one of the lucky ones that really dont have many to deal with... and what we do have to deal with are mostly inneffective attempts to gate our production.. I mean realistically the vision was that maybe if you had been in the game as long as I have playing only an architect we would in the near future be working on our 1000 house and 1000 harvester... but instead we have people mastering in 18 minutes and pumping out 1000 structures in there first few weeks..
I Started real slow myself and well I am glad they have not been able to slow those willing to put the effort in. I am very much against "learning"a profession by grinding it out, but I am glad Architects dont have to go thru everything I did in order to get to master. The first weeks of this game were a living hell for Architects. hand sampling is never fun.
a few of us( the correspondents ) are pretty much demanding.. that since we are having the jedi rebalance .. combat rebalance ... that we too need to have a Social Game Rebalance... and a Crafting Rebalance... there are better ways to gate certain aspects other than just annoying blocks that are easily oversteped...
Well It appears as thoughthe combat balance was torpedoed, so you can kiss that crafters rebalance goodbye as well. So please make new demands and threats, and well ok, dont do that, just be nice and ask questions. but since we are wheens I will start squeekig and only hope that we as a community can squeek loud enough for the devs to do somethig about it.
As for as Hope for something better... I dont like to waste my time.. it is too valuable for what I do in RL.. I was seriously going to qive up on this game about 1 month and a half ago.. But.. what kept me here and .. actually is beggining to make the game fun again.. was a small glimpse of the future I was given... So is there Hope? Hell Ya..
So um what are your plans now?
I know what mine are and I know that if we sit on our duffs asa a community expecting the devs to do something we aresadly retarded.
Mr-Correspondent, please begin to correspond your ass of because if I read you right they took that future glimpse and tossed it in the crapper.
It has come apparent that any improvement to our profession, any new structures and new features will not be seen untill well after everyone has moved off planet and our role in this game is simular to that of the creature handeler.
I know this may not be exactly what you are looking to hear..
No its not, but I think this reply tells you exactly what I want to hear. If there is anything I can do to help get my answers please let me know. I am a helper, I am a motivator, I am a mountain mover.( and I will reread it when I get a little more sleep and add or take away from it if need be)
I will put some deep thought specifically on the questions that you have posted here and write up a request to share some of this glimpse into the future and send it straight to TH's Personal Email...
Cool I would like that
Weasle
Message Edited by WeasleMASC on 07-24-2004 08:07 AM
ASrai
Sat Jul 24, 2004 8:35 am
#9
Meplorium wrote:
I would say architect is more fixed that not at this point. A lot of good fixes and additions from 1 year ago.
As for the combat balance, master architects should get an ultimate attack move, throwing wall modules. You need to have a wall module and equip it to throw it. Should do about 20k damage, AR2 with a small area effect. This should be the most powerful attack in the game of course. Other than that, I can't think of anything that architects need for the combat balance.
Shouldn't it be a house though? /evil cackling I'll get you my Pretty, and your little gnort too!All fun aside, I would have to agree also with everyone else, we are in good shape as far as bugs go. I think the biggest thing that can help us go a long long way to survivablity is going to be furniture colorization. While some type of decay on harvestors or houses would be nice, I think the backlash from the community in general would drown us out and end up being nerfed into something worse than what we have now (ie. see clothing decay).
Arratarr
Sat Jul 24, 2004 7:54 pm
#10
Meplorium wrote:I would say architect is more fixed that not at this point. A lot of good fixes and additions from 1 year ago.As for the combat balance, master architects should get an ultimate attack move, throwing wall modules. You need to have a wall module and equip it to throw it. Should do about 20k damage, AR2 with a small area effect. This should be the most powerful attack in the game of course. Other than that, I can't think of anything that architects need for the combat balance.
You know, I already name my structure modules: "Structure Module: Brick launcher Ammo Pack"
Wright_left
Mon Jul 26, 2004 9:01 am
#11
Dvnce wrote:Ok.. I said a few days earlier I would post this.. I will admit I wrote this at work and it may be a little bumpy so please before you read into things ask.. and I will explain... thanks.. be gentlethat that is our game in SWG.... now is the time where the true dedicated players that wish to play this game for the long haul is coming out of the woodwork and simply saying..SOE we love the potential of this game but please ... give us a reason why we should commit to the growth and commit to the monthly investment in our entertainment....As some of you may know I was close to walking away a few months back.. and moving on to another source of entertainment.. I can deal with the bugs .. and the problems as long as I know they will be dealt with after all I am not asking SOE to do a heart transplant here... But what was my frustration as is alot of peoples as well was a lack of portrayed commitment by SOE that the needs and wishes of the players were being not only considered but taken seriously.......I talked myself into holding out a tad bit longer... and I am really glad that I did.. I have seen a small glimpse of that which is in the planning stages and it was good.. There are good things in the works for all professions and believe me SOE is not done with Architect or not even Close to being done with Player Cities... I have been an architect for almost a year now.. and I even more than ever have no plans of ever hitting delete on my architect skills...... Also especially on my side of the equation that I can see from the correspondent relationship SOE is doing alot in taking great strides in the direction of improving player involvment in what happens in this game... The correspondent program is finally really being seen as the valuable tool that is should be in delivering the player voice....SOE is taking a huge step in this program by bringing all of the correspondents to austin to have a Summit to discuss all the issues involving the Combat revamp.... yeah I know what does architect have to do with combat.. This summit is a huge step in taking the player issues seriously... there is ALOT of inneffieciencies in soley communicating via forum or even email.. where face to face totally eliminates alot of these... I am excited for what this summit means to the game.. and improved player to development communication.... plus dont think I wont be pushing for the need of a crafting summit in the very near future as well...So.. even though our focus is the combat rebalance dont believe I wont try to get a few moments to take to someone about someof our issues.. ( especially the GCW and Furniture Poll issues we have had going for several months now.. ) but .. IF I got even five minutes of time with full dev attention what would you have me say for you?Bottom line... we are lucky that most of our issues are annoyances... and that we are not in the shape of say.. Squad Leader.... We have all been very patient with SOE and for those of us that really want to be here for the long haul I say to you with a clear conscience that our patience will be rewarded....
I guess it's an alright post, but what's with the millions of periods? You only need one at the end of a sentence. I guess I'm more curious about this behavior, as I've seen this in game too. Is it some kind of foreign thing another country does?. Or just too much coffee?
Cafa
Mon Jul 26, 2004 9:23 am
#12
This is where you, I and SOE will fundamentally differ, Dvnce.
Architect, while not broken, is riddled with GAME BREAKING issues in the core game mechanics, the least of which includes:
(a few bugs)
- Factory error 7 (need I say more on this?).
- Maintenance clocks irregularly delete structures.
- Many model problems with existing housing structures.
- No coherent/realistic reoccuring source of income for architects.
- Too many "loot items" that should be craftable schematics that an architect makes akin to the paintings.
(the real problems)
- SOE "fixes" problems by NERFing, not adding to the game.
- Inability of SOE and the CSR community to provide honest service and account reliability for structure maintenance and replacement due to game bugs. Specifically, the maintenace clock. Of ALL THINGS, this should be damn near sacred. Instead we get snooty CSRs and a management staff that hide behind some set of "rules" that they refuse to publish or make available to their consumers. They will not even publish a set of standards that CSRs adhere to. I cannot tell you how many times I've listened to CSRs tell me and guildmatesthey have better things to do than figure out why houses/factories/harvestors with MONTHS of maintenance went poof.
- Inability of Thunderheart to be honest and factual with his public statements. I could make a LONG list here, but we'll just throw out SEAs and you get the general drift. The crafting nerf day alone was an exercise in SOE BS that basically threw out all respect I had for this production team for dealing with crafters.
- Inability to address the abyssmal storage problems with this game in an adult fashion.
- Refused to discuss storage issues for 9 months and then finally just said, "NO, we are going to never discuss it, but I get to keep calling you guys names".
- Hides behind nuanced statements.
- Callsall craftersnames instead of dealing with customers/public in a professional manner.
-Labelled us monopolizers.
- Told crafters they play the game "too good" so the system is now broke.
- Gave more attention to the single-most worthless profession in the game than all the people that work to develop content/crafts for this game, aka. jedi.
From my perspective, the problem with architecture and crafting in general is your new Community Manager. He neither plays the game nor has any passion for our "side" of it. /sad
Fivo Asia
Mkappus
Mon Jul 26, 2004 10:47 am
#13
Good luck at the summit.
One of the main reasons I was excited about architect was something I read about being able to place "battlefield structures". I believe early on architects were supposed to be able to place turrets in the battlefields, that have been turned off for months now.
Right now I have crafted until my fingers bled. I love architect and I will always keep it in the hopes of new and exciting things. I would love to get some GCW involvment. Give us special structures to create, and possibly only we can place them. On battlefields and in the general gamespace would be awesome.
Ideas for GCW structures:
Decontamination hut - this structure cures disease/poision. Can be placed anywhere but structure only lasts for 5 minutes. Is attackable and destroyable.
Defensive bunker - gives a plus to defensive roles for ranged combat. I know most people don't sit still in PVP or combat, but after the revamp, maybe rifleman will actually stay put. Let us build them some kind of bunker. Is attackable and destroyable and lasts for 10 minutes.
Turrets and turret repair modules - we should build turrets. Right now turrets are so disposable they should be crafted and not faciton perks.
When they do turn on battlefields again, give us a major role. Let us repair and drop installations.....
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