Development Cycle Archive
Thread: Great Expectations, Major Schedule Changes and making SWG the finest MMORPG ever
Mariki
Fri Jul 16, 2004 8:27 pm
#1549
This leaves me very concerned. If the bugs in this game are ignored till you introduce this new game into the picture (space), then how long will it take you to fix all the bugs you will surely bring in with that game?
Will the space bugs be fixed after the combat rebalance? Or is that time allocated to the Jedi quests?
I think you should do one thing at a time also but doesn't it make sense to fix the first bugged system first before you introduce more? This is certainly not going to increase my confidence in JTL...
And what about the little stuff? Is everything on hold now till JTL? I am running out of stuff to do... The loot kits turned out to be a waste of time with ultra rare drops, the GCW isn't worth getting involved in, not knowing the shipwright path leaves my use of skillpoints on hold, don't know what path I should follow on combat, weither my combat will be fixed or I should drop it for another...only viable are CM and Jedi it seems with no path to jedi... What are we suppose to do in the mean time? Wouldn't be bad if JTL was next week or something but its still months away... Maybe even longer as you say Oct now but how long has this rebalance been promised? What can we believe? And what can we do in the mean time?
Xifera
Fri Jul 16, 2004 8:28 pm
#1550
Thunderheart wrote:
Clearly the community wants us to do a better job at delivering the game service and this reinforced our decision to make sure we have adequate resources on each update to the game.
Too bad we have to pay for the update entitled "Jump to Lightspeed".
And I just saw the tiny print at the buttom of TH's new post regarding the old thread.
illewind
Fri Jul 16, 2004 8:29 pm
#1551
i just realized you couldn't rate the devs post...what would you guys give it 1-5?
Hobbs_Nguyen
Fri Jul 16, 2004 8:30 pm
#1552
DakkTunon wrote:
Hobbs_Nguyen wrote:
I just picked up City of Heroes and I'm currently in the process of getting it installed on my machine. I'll let you know in about a week if this affects my Star Wars: Galaxies, A Jedi Imbalance account by then. I'm glad I only opted to pay by the month.
Hobbs, just picked it up too. Which server are you gonna be on?
Dunno, yet. Currently I'm defragging my HD... I figured why not? It's not like I've got anything pressing to do, at the moment. Like smuggling.
And if they did manage to get this game fixed by Monday, I'd be back in a heartbeat. I'm fully interested in paying for good service and good support. Which is why Blizzard always gets my money over any other company, most of the time. If they started turning out lousy software, I'd be gone there too. I hold no loyalties to any one company.
JulianSpeed
Fri Jul 16, 2004 8:31 pm
#1553
Xziac point taken. I understand alot of people are frustrated about professions and the balance issues that go with it. I was looking forwardto big battles and other things mentioned also but I have enough to keep me occupied in more ways than onewhilst they work on delivering CB and the GCW.
My comment is addressing a piece of the puzzle that I personally feel and have always felt that has been lacking..art content. I have been hammering onthis for quite a while actually with a few posts here and there. Just think deja vu when you play...
If it is difficult to put a road in. Something is very wrong. I can understand the argument that roads dont fit the SWG universe but to say its difficult to do??? makes me wonder whatelse cant be done to create theidea immersivesci-fi setting for a game. This game imo reminds me too much a sci-fi western setting and not enough sci-fi art content..where are all the cool looking buildings..where are the buildings that you can really do things in combat wise.Where are the hi rise apartments? Its not just buildings..there are other things. Sure the terrain has got it going on.Im tired of caves andstructures like the Warren..there's got to be more imagination in some of these designs.Im being critical but thats how I see it. Some times little things and things that are often overlookeddo matter. I dont know.. maybe it will take a revamp to see these things.
Strohm
Fri Jul 16, 2004 8:34 pm
#1554
You should be in SOE management, as you have the same shortsighted solution. They should have fixed the ground game before moving to the space expansion. I really hope there are enough mature folks who play this game to help effect some change, other wise the uber doodz are going to rule with Jedi PvP being the only ground game.
Attichetcuk wrote:
AHHH! So much negativity. So many wanting to quit. Well...I think that this is a good thing.
1. The ground game as is, is playable.
2. The ground game as is, can be very fun.
3. The commitment of all devs as a unified force may mean faster and more complete results.
4. Anything that gets me into space sooner is a good thing.
5. Those that quit because of a delay may be the type of player that doesnt promote a positive game environment anyways.
6. When you weigh the amount of veteran players lost to the new players that will be added to the expansion, the result will be many less people that will complain about how things use to be or pointing out every mistake any official has made along the way.:smileywink:
7. Anything that delays the combat nerf is a good thing.
8. Should be some nice house lots opening up.
9. It appears that the top issues of each combat professions will be addressed anyways so the broken specials and stuff may be fixed and we get JTL on time. Talking about having your cake and eating too!
10. Less spawn campers.
11. Those quitters have probably bought all my wares anyways, give me new blood!
12. If thousands of people quit it dramatically increases the faithfuls odds of getting into beta.
13. If thousands of vets quit it dramatically increases the value of our vet paintings.
Hmmm. Can't think of any more positive remarks for the schedule change but im sure someone will come up with some nice ones. I don't know why anyone sees this as a bad thing but I guess some may even one star me just to be negative. Seems thats all some people know.
illewind
Fri Jul 16, 2004 8:40 pm
#1555
Rooks wrote:
illewind wrote:
you know whats really funny...even if they fixed all the problems first thing monday morning...most of you won't give them a pat on the back or a /pat...
I bet all we would here is "About time" and "Why did it take so long"
oh and you guys need to visit people that are camping...they need the xp.
Sorry, but this game has been LIVE for a YEAR and the fact that BASIC COMBAT needs to be revamped is a SAD state of the game.
NOT to mention the fact that they have been postponing the Combat Revamp SINCE JANUARY.
Creature HAndlers were NERFED in October in PREPARATIONS OF THE COMBAT BALANCE COMING LAST January.
This isn't some small item a few people wanted and are not getting.
This is BASIC COMBAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WITHOUT Basic Combat, this is just Star Wars SIMS, a giant Chat room with Avatars and a VERY few people running around shooting things.
This is like saying Sorrry people, but the Loot system is down and in about a year we will implement Credits. until then, use the barter system for trading goods.
OR
Since we are short handed on artists, we have erased all clothing from the game. No need to worry, in about a year you will get it back.
DEVS FIX THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
but you didn't mention anything about the camping people? Poor rangers they need you. Go help them out.
btw speaking of rangers
Rangersdesire to become more thanskill pointdeficient "super-scouts";we are particularly interested in having increased defence and offence combat capabilities against creatures, wild or player-controlled, giving us a role in both PvE and PvP;this can be accomplished within the current state ofcombat by using existingcode such ascreature to-hit, damage stat mods, & toughness; this would allow us to be the greathunters we were meant to beandnot force us to drop the profession welove tocompete withelite combat profession stackers with only novice scout.
jalia
Fri Jul 16, 2004 8:44 pm
#1556
****BASIC COMBAT****
That pretty much says it.
Even PVE is ruined in its current state where buffed armored stacked players are in 'godmode' and eat nightsisters SOLO all day and night for DOT weapons to use in PVP.
The AKNOWLEDGED IMBALANCES are the ROOT OF THE PROBLEMS.
To wait as long as they already have to actively begin fixing them is insulting.
To push it off even further at this horrendously late hour is to put it mildly...wait...I cant put it mildly...and I dont want to use profanity...so I will just cut myself off there...
Foth
Fri Jul 16, 2004 8:49 pm
#1557
I disagree and think this is good,
First, I have been very critical of Thunderheart, Ive always said his name sounds like a carebear to me,in the past and now that he seems to have some real authority we will see if hes any good. Now, I have restructured and and launched many many professional projects, departments etc. Though, never a game department or the likes, but the concepts remain the same. First and foremost in any restructure to get better theres gonna be some sacrifices, or if you like, its gonna get worse before it gets better.
Second, I have not seen any patch come thru without causing problems and some trauma to the community. Ive been here since the second month of SWG and ive been a BH since the day my newb butt fell on Rori. The only thing that keeps me going is the fact its Star Wars and hey, its got to get better right? Ive been chewing on those words for a long time and often the taste is bitter. Though it is getting better.
Third, So what if we have to waite for the combat rebalance and GCW fixes. If its done right is the only thing that is important to me and imho the vast majority of the swg community. Like I said, the restructure he talks about is conceptually sound so for the first time, I have an ounce of faith in the outcome at the end.
Fourth, Time will tell and anybody that has been in the game for some time has to admit that this game has essentially remained in an advanced Beta form. The fact that their needs to be these changes is an operationaladmission and at best it shows an acknowledgment that the direction and management has been flawed.
Summary:
With all these things said, I believe the game has a firm potential of becoming what many of us hoped it would. I base this onthat direction of the restucture is conceptually sound and has a proven record of success in other industries. For myself the waite is welcome with the understanding that it will be a quality rebalance.
My only concern is that it appears the timing is not in line with Marketing. Though in the end it may prove to be of little importance. Not having the balances in at the time of the JTL launch may turn off some potential players. However, most people coming to the game in this time period are coming for the main reason of the JTL. So by the time many of these people level their characters it could be a non-issue.
So it is with these reason I believe the end results have a high likely hood of achieving a quality success.
On a side note: What I would really like to see is some new servers added when JTL is launched. I think this may give the game a new perspective, a correct perspective.
Message Edited by Foth on 07-16-2004 11:52 PM
FR33K
Fri Jul 16, 2004 8:51 pm
#1558
illewind wrote:
you know whats really funny...even if they fixed all the problems first thing monday morning...most of you won't give them a pat on the back or a /pat...
I bet all we would here is "About time" and "Why did it take so long"
oh and you guys need to visit people that are camping...they need the xp.
I don't agree.
We've hailed and cheered for our devs and correspondants many, many times. And I hope we get to again.
They listened to MANY of our concerns about jedi and I am thankful for that and told them so.
And I also think the jury is still out on this decision. We'll know for sure within a week.
Like many ppl here have already said. WE WANTTO REALLY LOVE THIS GAME. But there is a Huge problem with PvE and PvP combat. And fixing this VERY important aspect is detrimental to keeping players playin, seeing as how THAT IS WHAT THIS GAME OFFERS FOR FUN.
In PvP, 2 unrelated profs that are equallyspiced, fed and equipped should have a 50/50 outcome as to who wins. Better food, buffs, healing abilities, player PvP skill, etc. should be the things that assist in helping you win, to a point. For example, there should be balances put in to cap hit dmg/sec, so the guy with the totally uber gun just doesn't KEEP winning all the time. Player skill should be the key factor in PvP, not heavy-handed 'sploiters.
But, it seems more and more players continue to leave. And I now knowalmost as manyebay-buyers than ppl that actually earned their skills.
SOE seems to think JTL will keep the player base andbring in new players. What they forget is that, customer support and gameplayare the best advertisement and sales pitch.
Make the game fun, and we will stay forever =]
ZidayaXhen
Fri Jul 16, 2004 9:00 pm
#1559
i would just like to post that this isn't all thunderhearts fault lets not shoot the messenger people he is just our public relations manager if anything hes the guy whos giving us a voice and i think its all of your fault that they need the full dev team because you are always complaining on how everything the devs have done isn't done correctly so now they want 100% of them working on it instead of 50/50
jalia
Fri Jul 16, 2004 9:03 pm
#1560
Zidaya:
and 100% instead of 50/50 makes sense.....except they are doing it backwards.
JTL makes money and is being done instead of fixing the CORE GAME.
IF they dedicated 100% of theirteam to FIXING THE CORE GAME for 2 months it could be IN GREAT SHAPE
THAT IS WHY PEOPLE ARE FURIOUS!
Its the back-asswards approach being taken and the total disregard for what people who are DEDICATED PLAYERS have asked for so long.