Armorsmith Archive
Thread: Combat Rebalance Sandbox- Testers sought!
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JaatoWaals
Tue Aug 31, 2004 7:11 pm
#1
As many of you are aware, the Combat Rebalance is on the horizon. While it probably isn't going to go live in the immediate future (defined as the next few weeks), concrete plans have been laid and programers are hard at work. The reason why the combat rebalance isn't going to be released to the live servers in the near future, however, largely has to do wtih the desire of the Devs to make sure it really does balance combat rather than throw it further out of whack
The Sandbox
To that end, the Devs have created a Sandbox of sorts, a special mini-server that will serve as the laboratory in which changes to the combat system can be tested. The details of the combat rebalance will be put under the microscope in this laboratory and any settings that need to be tweaked will be adjusted there, before the rebalance is released even to TestCenter. The goal of the Sandbox is to subject the changes to the kind of rigorous scrutiny that only a large number of dedicated testers can provide. In other words, the Devs want us to break the new system in as many ways as possible, making the most uber armor that can be made under the system and the most extreme templates.
Each profession will have a half dozen representatives: the Correspondant and five active members of the community. Before you all jump up and volunteer, however, I'd like to let you know what we're looking for.
What Sandbox Testers will do
A Sandbox Tester is going to need to be fairly active. We're not looking for people who just want to try out the new system and see what it looks like. You aren't going to be in the Sandbox just so that you can gawk at what the new stuff is going to be. Sandbox Testers are going to need to be ready to spend a reasonable amount of time on the new server, testing various aspects of the new system. They're going to have to write their findings. And above all else, they'remust report everything they discover. If you feel that you're willing to put in the time to test out the new system, than by all means apply.
In general, I feel that most of the active armorsmiths in the game meet this description. You folks routinely put large amounts of time into learning about and making one component of the game- armor. I've been amazed at the amount of stuff the armorsmithing community has come up with. I also suspect that the time commitment required by the Sandbox would not be greater than that of your in game businesses.
In order to fulfill their mission, Sandbox Testers will have access to a wide array of tools. The challenge won't be to make particular items or profession combinations; it'll be in figuring out which combinations are overpowered and coming up with different ways to test those items and combinations. Because you'll have ready access to virtually anything, Sandbox Testing will probably be more enjoyable for those people who like figuring out the way things work that for people who like the process of developing their character and acquiring items.
How will Sandbox Testers be selected?
How are we going to be picking the Sandbox Testers? First, I want people who are going to be active on the Sandbox. The armor revamp is going to involve a complete and total change in the armor system. I want people out there with me who understand the way the system currently works, people who, basically, know armor because they've made a lot of it. In addition, you're going to have to be willing to really get your hands dirty and test everything that comes into your head.
Second, I'm looking for people who are not afraid to state their opinions and who can do so in a clear and well reasoned manner. I know there are quite a few of you out there, because I read your posts on a regular basis.
To those ends, I'll be looking at past posts on these forums to determine who my recommendations are going to be, because those providethe best guage I've got to evaluate potential testers. Activity and communication are going to be the two things that are critical if the Sandbox is going to fulfill its mission and provide us with a combat system that is balanced and an armor system that really works well.
If you're interested in being a major part of theCombat Rebalance,you can send me an email at [email protected].
Good luck and good crafting!
Keuller
Tue Aug 31, 2004 7:22 pm
#2
I am extremely interested, and love figuring out how things work, the formulas behind various aspects of the armor crafting art (yes, art, not everything is properly explained or quickly learned through the cholocron). Testing new things, playing with different combinations is one of my favorite things about the game, be it layers or professions.
However I believe first and foremost in communication, clear, open, and productive communication, and keeping my fellow armorsmiths in the dark about the new system, as I see you've had to about things you learned at the correspondent summit is something I do not believe I'm willing to do.
However I believe first and foremost in communication, clear, open, and productive communication, and keeping my fellow armorsmiths in the dark about the new system, as I see you've had to about things you learned at the correspondent summit is something I do not believe I'm willing to do.
KnightHawk420
Tue Aug 31, 2004 7:28 pm
#3
I'm really interested in doing this too. I am easily one of the most active PVP'ers on ahazi, also I'm an armor smith. 
JaatoWaals
Tue Aug 31, 2004 7:32 pm
#4
Yes, that may or may not be a requirement of being a tester. I am not clear about how much information we'll be allowed to disclose during the sandbox testing. It may be treated likea beta- i.e.: you'll be under a NDA- or it might be more open. I believethat by that point the general combat rebalance and armor revamp plan will have been released to public scrutiny. Currently it is going through internal reviews, based on feedback from the summit, and is being passed through QA. Just as in any business, the Devs are reluctant to release concrete information to the public until it has been completelyexamined in a half dozen ways. The worst thing that could happen now is to release an explanation that is unclear and seemingly inconsistent. We do the same thing in my line of work- we scrutinize everything until we're positive that it's ready to go out the door.
Note that even if it is treated like a beta it will be no different than being in the JtL beta, which required agreeing to a NDA before you could sign up.
Message Edited by JaatoWaals on 08-31-2004 10:37 PM
Blimigerite
Wed Sep 01, 2004 7:43 am
#7
Is there going tobe any benefits to be a Sandbox Tester? Or will this be a thankless, no-reward, pat on the back type of job? (Sorry sounds a bit harsh but I can't justify spending time to tweak new aspects to the game with nothing to show from the effort spent)
JaatoWaals
Wed Sep 01, 2004 8:23 am
#8
Blimigerite wrote:
Is there going tobe any benefits to be a Sandbox Tester? Or will this be a thankless, no-reward, pat on the back type of job? (Sorry sounds a bit harsh but I can't justify spending time to tweak new aspects to the game with nothing to show from the effort spent)
The rewards will come from helping to develop a system that you think works, getting to play a role in the ongoing development of a massive multiplayer online game, and any personal development you go through in the process. Think of it like being in an alpha test of a game. You're going to be messing around with a system where various settings could change on a daily basis, where the point is to figure out what works and what doesn't and tell the devs about it.You're also going to be interacting with a relatively small number of people, who are all working towards the same goal.
If you're the kind of person that enjoysdoing that sort of stuff, the Sandbox is going to be a lot of fun. If you're the kind of person who just signs up for betas so that you can see whether you'd buy the game, it's not for you. Two different kinds of people- knowing which you are will definitely promote your enjoyment of computer games
Message Edited by JaatoWaals on 09-01-2004 11:23 AM
KnightHawk420
Wed Sep 01, 2004 1:24 pm
#10
I hope the armor revamp will be included as part of the sandbox testing, and not something just pushed in before. Armor is a huge factor in current PVP combat, and if it were to change it would have a huge impact on many other things, but I probably didn't have to say that..... but then maybe I did..... /sigh @ devs...
speardancer
Wed Sep 01, 2004 1:36 pm
#11
Will there be a new Holy Bush in the sandbox? (beta participants will understand that)
While I would like the idea of signing up, I know I couldn't commit the time with all my RL commitments. Good luck to those who do sign up, make sure they do it right this time, OK?
While I would like the idea of signing up, I know I couldn't commit the time with all my RL commitments. Good luck to those who do sign up, make sure they do it right this time, OK?
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