Development Cycle Archive
Thread: Publish 6 Feedback: Imperial Crackdown
I have not played SWG much since this patch happened (at most two hours...this from someone who use to play 4 hours on a daily basis on the weekdays and more on the weekends). And to be honest I dont intend to. Reason being...the chance I can be turned overt status and be a sitting duck for any overt imp for an hour of my time. I dont want to have to waste my time for the overt status to fade.
Ok so I can drop my muon off at home. And we all know why we have the muon. You need it to live in the heat of the fights in hunts. Ok so I am no longer as effective in hunts. Hmm...but my sliced armor. Come on...there is very little armor I can wear to begin with that is effective. I cant wear non sliced composite chest armor. OK then my sliced gun....ok it now doesnt fire as fast or for as much damage.
So this is where it leaves me...having to watch my ham bar that much closer in hunts, being more susceptible to damage, and then dealing out less damage. All in all I am much less effective. Yeah I really want to play under that system.
But yes we are being forced to PVP. Pure and simple. I want to be able to use a decent gun and a decent armor (and I only have a composite chest plate fyi not the whole getup) and still be effective in combat. But being subjected to these random searches...and therefore being funneled into the PVP aspect...well where is the incentive to play?
As for those who argue it's an imperial controlled galaxy...well it is also just a game...where people come in to have fun and relax. If I wanted the actual sensation of being hounded for my polilical beliefs....heh then I would move to a country ruled by a dicator.
I play this game to relax and hunt with friends...not worry and look over my shoulder if there is an imp around. Where is the incentive to play? Hmm might stick it out to see how the combat changes get done. Come on SWG think it through, get it right. Target the already overts maybe...those who chose to be involved in the PVP aspect. There is a reason I am covert, I choose not to participate in PVP. I wish you luck.
Minicoy wrote:
As for those who argue it's an imperial controlled galaxy...well it is also just a game...where people come in to have fun and relax. If I wanted the actual sensation of being hounded for my polilical beliefs....heh then I would move to a country ruled by a dicator.
I play this game to relax and hunt with friends...not worry and look over my shoulder if there is an imp around. Where is the incentive to play? Hmm might stick it out to see how the combat changes get done. Come on SWG think it through, get it right. Target the already overts maybe...those who chose to be involved in the PVP aspect. There is a reason I am covert, I choose not to participate in PVP. I wish you luck.
What incentive do you have to be a Rebel then?
Why not become Imperial or neutral then?
The logic doesn't follow - why do you choose to be a Rebel? What does it mean? If you are just here to "have fun and relax" there are dozens of options - more options than any other MMO out there, between crafters and entertainers and medical elites.
If you only want to combat, why do it factionally? The factional MOBS are in the minority in SWG.
You make it clear that you want sliced items and rebel status, but what did they mean before this? Not much - everyone had everything sliced because there was no reason not to, and being a Rebel was actually much easier than being an Imperial simply because of the sheer numbers.
Now the benefit of having sliced items (which before only cost the measly few credits a smuggler charges) has an alternate side effect, as does being a Rebel soldier. Instead of being the default, they are now actually choices.
Most people you will see that have posted here, like yourself, have said they haven't played much or actually experienced the game mechanic you are so scared of. For the most part, the crackdown isn't really happening - I still have yet to be scanned, even playing the last two days as anCovert Rebel with tons of spice and slice - at least 20+ items that were contraband. Nothing has happened.
The bark isn't bad, but the bite is harmless.
Finally, seriously think about the gameplay mechanics here and not the principle. I know the principle is important, but in this case ask yourself "what really is happening here?" The TEF is already in the game - which basicly works the same way. You are still subjected to PvP whenever you particpate in factional actions. While it can be debated that the scanner should set you a TEF instead of Overt - I personally think overt is best so you can truly defend yourself and not just be a target - it's really not anything more than what is already there. It's just a different game system.
And what in heck does it matter if a Stormtrooper kills you or a Player that happens to be standing by (which isn't going to happen nearly every time, as people seem to think the second they get scanned a bunch of players falls out of the sky to attack) does? You are still going to the cloning center, WITH NO DECAY AND STILL INSURED. If you hadn't set your cloning, you will have to heal.
So that's the big-huge, worst-case scenario : if you forget to clone, you have to get healed up.
As someone said above, might as well just warp you to the local jailhouse for 2 minutes. Same difference.
In the wilderness, yes, you will have to be a BIT more careful, but that's not asking much when you don't have to be careful at all at this point. If a Probot scans you (which I have yet to see - since I haven't even seen a in-city scan), my guess is you can out run it, especially if you have a vehicle or mount (or even burst-run) handy.
That's IF you have contraband on you. And I think in terms of other players getting involved in PvP the chances of an overt player who happens to be in the middle of nowhere where you get scanned is slim.
The whole issue boils down to this : this is an exciting new gameplay dimension that not only one profession (Smugglers) but players from all sorts of backgrounds can use to add a whole new layer to the SWG experience that will only be more important with the Space Expansion coming. It is changing the rules, slightly - this is true. But it needs to be looked at as an unfinished system, not a new addition. This option is not available right now for players, and in bringing it to the game some people may have to make minor alterations to their game playstyle - but it is a clear choice. You can either be involved, or not - but the people who's experience this was intended to enhance didn't have any choice before.
Seriously, it's not that big of a deal. Be more scared of vehicle warping bugs - they happen a hell of a lot more often.
Audio
Stay away from Kor Vella, Espa and Kadaara. That's only 3 cities out of how many? (Not including player cities)
Furthermore those three aren't exactly the most popular cities in the game especially Kor Vella
That leaves cantinas and wilderness crackdowns. If you go to a cantina it's for socialising and/or wound and BF healing. Since you should already be avoiding the 3 cities mentioned above you pretty much have free reign in the remaining cities. Surely it isn't going to hamper you too much to drop off any contraband in the bank before entering the cantina?
Another alternative. Buy a droid with storage modules. Owning a droid is pretty cool and very Star Warsy imo and the devs have stated that droids can hide contraband from searches in their storage modules. Granted you can only store a small amount (10 items I think) but that may be of help to you?
I don't know what to suggest about wilderness searches. I have been playing this game for 4 or so hours a day as you once did, hunting doing missions etc etc and I have continued to do so since the patch. I have yet to see one probot in the wilderness. It's my understanding though that you have a small amount of time to get out of its range before it scans you, not sure, maybe someone can verify that.
The last option I have is crude and may not be as effective (may not even work lol) but essentially you shoot first. This forces the troops to fire back thus preventing the scan. Yes you will get a TEF and may be attackable by players but when you clone the TEF is gone. On the negative side you have to pay for all the insurance which you wouldn't have to if you were overt.
Anyway I hope I have given you some ideas of how to carry on playing this game. If this is genuinely not what you want to do then thats fair enough. However don't lose hope, there's still a good chance the devs may alter the penalty for Rebels
Not enough scanning going on in some people's opinion? What is it you guys want? Please explain. If there was scanning going on all the time, Rebels that have been PvEing from the start will suddenly be wide open to PvP correct? So, what you want is alot of easy targets?
Do you think that the casual players will suddenly discover that PvP is fun & will play 24/7 to become a competitive in PvP? Aint gonna happen. You will not force people into liking PvP in a level/class/equip based game if they do not already like it.
What would happen is a ton of people that do not want to PvP will either resign their faction or quit the game. Then you PvPers will be back to square one. Be careful what you continually beg/complain/whine/request/pray for.
A carrot rather than the stick approach would be better to encourage PvP.
_Felagund wrote:
Not enough scanning going on in some people's opinion? What is it you guys want? Please explain. If there was scanning going on all the time, Rebels that have been PvEing from the start will suddenly be wide open to PvP correct? So, what you want is alot of easy targets?
Not to mention: two friends, one Imp, one reb, go somewhere they can be a little bit alone, and start taking turns killing each other. Since there is no penalty dieing factionally, they could each advance to whatever level they wanted in just about no time at all.
And, if I, as a neutral, can think of it, you bet your bottom dollar that someone else can.
_Felagund wrote:
Not enough scanning going on in some people's opinion? What is it you guys want? Please explain. If there was scanning going on all the time, Rebels that have been PvEing from the start will suddenly be wide open to PvP correct? So, what you want is alot of easy targets?
Do you think that the casual players will suddenly discover that PvP is fun & will play 24/7 to become a competitive in PvP? Aint gonna happen. You will not force people into liking PvP in a level/class/equip based game if they do not already like it.
What would happen is a ton of people that do not want to PvP will either resign their faction or quit the game. Then you PvPers will be back to square one. Be careful what you continually beg/complain/whine/request/pray for.
A carrot rather than the stick approach would be better to encourage PvP.
I am not saying this to be funny. I didn't realize that there was scanning going on. I hear rumors.
I heard that there was scanning happening in Kor Vella, but I stear clear of that place because the lag there is horrendous since the Publish. Serious, there was a 5 second lag to pull up a radial menu.
AudioOrgana wrote:
What incentive do you have to be a Rebel then?
Why not become Imperial or neutral then?
The logic doesn't follow - why do you choose to be a Rebel? What does it mean? If you are just here to "have fun and relax" there are dozens of options - more options than any other MMO out there, between crafters and entertainers and medical elites.
If you only want to combat, why do it factionally? The factional MOBS are in the minority in SWG.
I want my character to be a Rebel. That's all the incentive (and all the explanation you need/deserve) I need.
The logic absolutely follows. Why does wanting to "have fun and relax" and wanting to play a Rebel character have to be mutually exclusive? They aren't and don't have to be. Stop trying to dictate how others play the game.
If someone wants to engage in a bit of factional combat as well as combat vs. critters, what's it to you? It has ZERO impact on your gameplay so why do you seem so concerned about it?
AudioOrgana wrote:
You make it clear that you want sliced items and rebel status, but what did they mean before this? Not much - everyone had everything sliced because there was no reason not to, and being a Rebel was actually much easier than being an Imperial simply because of the sheer numbers.
Now the benefit of having sliced items (which before only cost the measly few credits a smuggler charges) has an alternate side effect, as does being a Rebel soldier. Instead of being the default, they are now actually choices.
Please explain to me how being a Covert Rebel was any easier than being a Covert Imperial? Now.... well, we both know how things are now.
Uh, everyone had access to sliced items, so I don't know what you're getting at with the second comment. It's not as if Rebels were more easily able to obtain sliced weapons/armor and therefore had some advantage that is now balanced.
AudioOrgana wrote:
That's IF you have contraband on you. And I think in terms of other players getting involved in PvP the chances of an overt player who happens to be in the middle of nowhere where you get scanned is slim.
That would be fine and dandy except.... you're turned Overt. Sure, out in the wilds there's probably little chance of stumbling on an Overt Imperial, but if I want to go Covert again, how do I go about that? Right, I have to head to an NPC city and find a Rebel recruiter and then wait an entire hour to become Overt again. Now my chances of encountering an Overt Imperial go up quite a bit.
AudioOrgana wrote:
The whole issue boils down to this : this is an exciting new gameplay dimension that not only one profession (Smugglers) but players from all sorts of backgrounds can use to add a whole new layer to the SWG experience that will only be more important with the Space Expansion coming. It is changing the rules, slightly - this is true. But it needs to be looked at as an unfinished system, not a new addition. This option is not available right now for players, and in bringing it to the game some people may have to make minor alterations to their game playstyle - but it is a clear choice. You can either be involved, or not - but the people who's experience this was intended to enhance didn't have any choice before.
Seriously, it's not that big of a deal. Be more scared of vehicle warping bugs - they happen a hell of a lot more often.
Audio
The whole issue boils down to that IN YOUR OPINION. I (and judging by the many threads on the topic, many others as well) don't find being FORCED into Overt status "an exciting new gameplay dimension" so don't try to speak for me or anyone else. Likewise, it's YOUR OPINION this isn't a big deal. It is in MY (and many others') opinion.