Development Cycle Archive
Thread: Entertainer Quest
I think you kind of hit it right on, Warryyr. Devs don't care about us. TH doesn't care about us. The only ones who care ARE us and our dedicated customers.
TH probably won't reply to this thread now, because it's turned negative, and he "hates negativity." That's a shame, because if he'd just given us a REAL topic to discuss, or responded to the first requests for clarification, this thread wouldn't have descended into negativity.
I wouldn't be surprised to see the entertainer professions dropped from the game entirely.
I know, i know. i didn't mean to turn negative, that's why i ended up getting more constructive with my replies. Giving some ideas, since we've no idea what to post in this spot about this new mission, is what i decided to do. we didnt' get 1 reply from a Dev since this thread started on 4/16, yet sooooo many other blast 'em all and kill 'em all professions got lots of attention.
they really shouldn't put up a front about how exciting of a profession we have when we all know the truth - we're just ignored by the Devs and pretty much everyone except our good friends and loyal customers, unless they need a buff.
Now for more ideas about a random topic of my choosing, since our thread has zero guidance and clarification, heh:
They could implement VIP cards that entertainers could give to valued customers, and when we "punch" their cards, they could use it when it's punched all out to get some loot from somewhere! all it would take is a punch card to trade (or a radial option to "punch VIP card"), a place to turn int he cards for loot, and that's it. make the loot good, too - the last thing we need is to become even more of a joke.
Also, could we please buff ourselves? Man, that drives me nuts. I'm a musician, and if i do try to do any battle, guess what goes first and makes me get incapped? My mind bar - PATHETIC. Docs can buff themselves, why not Musicians/Dancers? I know that when I jam on my guitar for long periods of time, I feel pretty darn good, i'd say!!!!
Xyrdre wrote:
If we are asked to design, then I would ask that this thread turn to brainstorming of ideas of what we would consider to be "meaningful content" to add to the enjoyment of the "social types" of players. Not to focus too heavily on specific types of mechanics or particular content, but more to isolate what broadkinds of elements would cater to our gaming mindset. Once we understand the broad spectrum of underlying motivations and goals that we social players find rewarding and challenging, we can then refine ideas that would support those challenges, and end up with some d*mned fine content.
Thunderheart wrote:
The entertainer is an exciting new type of profession in MMO gaming. It is a social based profession where players interact with other players. Even still, the desire to play through adventures and quests in the game world is something that all players are anxious to see more of. Musicians, Dancers and possibly entertainers have a new type of quest that will be added to the game in Publish 9. Players will have to seek out a theater manager NPC and perform an audition and be judged on their performance.
That's kinda vague.
I know that a lot of the dancers have expressed wanting to perform for Jabba. It would be nice if we could do the Jabba quests with an entertainer slant so we didn't have to be combatants to get into the palace. As it is, unless we HAVE a combat class, we never get to see the inside. I could see us running missions for Jabba- entertaining for lesser hutts, keeping them happy and getting a good word put in to Jabba until we can get there.
There's some pretty things that I have in my cantina, that if I didn't HAVE the combat skills I have, I'd never get, And there are some that I *will* never get unless I sell my first pixel child to pay for it. It would be nice to have an alternate way to get some of these things. (the paintings idea was good. Nothing died. Especially not me.)
Entertainers spend all day in the cantina. Like the bar tender. They hear a lot of interesting things. I can see loose connections to Spy Net and bounty hunters, I can see being information courriers for the GCW under the guise of an entertainer.... ...I can't figure out how to put it together but that's your job! 
Its great that new content is being designed.
From the description its difficult to tell if this is a series of linked encounters in the same vein as the Hutt theme park, or just another set of random missions like those found in the terminals. Unified experiences, stories from start to finish like the theme parks, would be the best additions. And there is tons of material to draw on for a wide ranging them park experience, tons of movies and books about rock stars, backwater bands struggling to make it, recording deals and unions, even USO show stories. Personally I’d love to take part in a SW version of booking shows, dealing with managers, getting recording contracts, and rubbing elbows with big stars (even if only virtual).
Entertainer missions need to be re-hauled as well. Playing for 10 minutes non-stop in an empty area isn’t fun or challenging. It’s more entertaining to just leaving the character to go make a sandwich than to sit there waiting for the mission to end. Entertainer missions should require some sort of skill use, just like the combat professions, in order to complete successfully. Perhaps a mini-game of Simon Says, or a puzzle game of trying to figure out what the virtual audience wants as game play rather than just flying on autopilot for 10 minutes.
What about the possibility of opening some of the existing theme parks to alternate professions? It’s great that the combat classes get to see the Hutt palace, but what about pure entertainers? With Jabba’s willingness to dump performers who displease him into the rancor pit it seems there would be ample opportunity for entertainers to land a temporary gig. This would also open content to more of the playerbase and allow other professions a chance to see a little more of the galaxy than the same old tired cantinas. Besides I’m really hoping to one day sport a, “I played at Jabba palace and all I got was eaten by a rancor.” T-shirt.
Hi there TH
I think La'lepa's post is the perfect format. A simple list of the concerns from the in-concept thread all nicely summed up.
One thing I'd like to say, and it's a common comment, is to finish what was started before giving us something new. In other words, I'd be estatic if we had all 8 flourishes for each dance. I understand that it must be a very hard thing to add since it probably involves motion capturing and translating it into the game, but you would not believe the resounding cry of joy from all us dancers
After that, getting new dances would be a very nice bonus for most. The use of props would also be a very interesting addition to out profession. We have a very complete thread about it on the Dancer boards. Do a search for dance pole
Please keep in contact with us TH. We look forward to hearing from you
hellogoat wrote:
I would suggest to make the Entertainer's World more inviting for other players is to enhance the popularity of the Cantina. I have seen so many EMPTY Player cantina's in this game it is rediculus. I would suggest implamenting a few features that are noticeable about the cantina. I would suggest the option of putting in luckjack machines and this could be a way the Owner of the building could have some income other than very seldom tips. I think this would help out with making cantina's more player friendly. this is just one suggestion but there could be many MANY ways you could make the entertainer more desireable. Outside chages such as a large florecent sign or something that makes them unique, they should be the social center of a player city but as of now they are just a trophy for the Owner and the city. The other biggest problem is that there are so many entertainers who grind away AFK. You guys keep saying it is a social profession but you have made the grind so boring and long that no one wants to do it. I would suggest something like a flawless performance xp bonus or when you get a certain combo of Flourishes as a band etc... you get more xp or something odd happens. It is too much of the same thing. I know this is kinda random points but I think it is huge issue with the game as a social outlet.