Development Cycle Archive
Thread: 9.1 Publish Feedback: Chat Channels, Bounty Hunter, Combat Medic, Warcry and The Agrilat Swamp
JoeyMojo
Wed Jul 14, 2004 6:24 pm
#105
Suppose I should give some comparison.
OLD system:
Chat Channels were destroyed automatically if no one existed in them
Chat Channels were not autojoined on reconnect
On join, if a tab had the title of of an old channel, it would reuse the tab.
On join, if a tab had a destroyed channel of the same name, the channel text would appear in that tab.
Chat Channels must be created, and invite lists typed out every day.
While this was all a pain, it WORKED. Solid. No problems with 30 ui chat tabs. No problems with private channels becoming public. No problems with people sneaking in.
What I really just flat out don't understand is how SOE could "improve" the chat system to it's current state and push it to live. This new system is BUGGY. It's poorly implemented, and it needs fixing. Do you HAVE a QA department? Do you give them the respect they deserve and address their bug lists appropriately (which, for the record, does not mean ignored status on every current bug).
OLD system:
Chat Channels were destroyed automatically if no one existed in them
Chat Channels were not autojoined on reconnect
On join, if a tab had the title of of an old channel, it would reuse the tab.
On join, if a tab had a destroyed channel of the same name, the channel text would appear in that tab.
Chat Channels must be created, and invite lists typed out every day.
While this was all a pain, it WORKED. Solid. No problems with 30 ui chat tabs. No problems with private channels becoming public. No problems with people sneaking in.
What I really just flat out don't understand is how SOE could "improve" the chat system to it's current state and push it to live. This new system is BUGGY. It's poorly implemented, and it needs fixing. Do you HAVE a QA department? Do you give them the respect they deserve and address their bug lists appropriately (which, for the record, does not mean ignored status on every current bug).
WolfwoodCross
Wed Jul 14, 2004 6:32 pm
#106
- Server - Chilastra
- Area - Tatooine, South of Mesric Plateau (between Bestine and Mos Eisley)
- Area of Effect - server wide, probably all servers
- Issue - When I logged back in after patching, my Group Chat tab was replaced with an Instant Messages tab. I also hear some players Guild Chat tabs were replaced with System Messages tabs.
- Issue - There was only an Auction tab, but not Planet tab. This is remedied by making your own Planet tab, however, the Auction tab is filled with players who don't know how to make a Planet tab.
- Issue - The Auction channel is only Planet-wide, not Galaxy-wide.
Nothing huge or pertinent, though having a Planet tab available for everyone without having to make it yourself would probably bring more people into the channel.
CptCox
Wed Jul 14, 2004 6:38 pm
#107
I love the publish overall, except that with it has come back that nasty instability bug that causes me to crash every five minutes or random system reboots with no STOP errors generated.
Blakmoor68
Wed Jul 14, 2004 6:38 pm
#108
Took us months of complaints to get chat channels finally 'stable'... thanks for the "Improvements" now were back to no talk single player style again. Much like the "Fix" to vehicle warping, the "Fix" for items dissappearing, and a whole list of other "Fixes and Improvements" that just added to the bug list.
How bout SOE devotes some time to fixing bugs, many of which are still here from beta times instead of trying to give us things to try to distract us from the problems.
Blakmoor
NeoenD, Dantooine
AudioOrgana
Wed Jul 14, 2004 7:30 pm
#109
The auction channel is a really great addition - a good step in the right direction toward true Galactic Commerce.
I've often found myself defending Starport spam, because as both a consumer and a crafter I realize it is truly one of the only ways in-game to promote your business. As a customer, I find it terribly hard to find stocked vendors; if someone is spamming vendor waypoints, you can assume that most of the time it's stocked. As a business owner, I know that my volume has gone up exponentially anytime I have advertised that way.
While I am still holding out for static advertisement and a truly Galactic system, this is a good start. I have already seen a reduction in Starport spam, and even on the first day people are already taking advantage of it. By dragging the auction tab into it's own window, it's like a constantly updating feed - about the only thing I'd change at this level is the name : "auctions" is simply too limiting. "Advertising" would be more appropriate.
AO
I've often found myself defending Starport spam, because as both a consumer and a crafter I realize it is truly one of the only ways in-game to promote your business. As a customer, I find it terribly hard to find stocked vendors; if someone is spamming vendor waypoints, you can assume that most of the time it's stocked. As a business owner, I know that my volume has gone up exponentially anytime I have advertised that way.
While I am still holding out for static advertisement and a truly Galactic system, this is a good start. I have already seen a reduction in Starport spam, and even on the first day people are already taking advantage of it. By dragging the auction tab into it's own window, it's like a constantly updating feed - about the only thing I'd change at this level is the name : "auctions" is simply too limiting. "Advertising" would be more appropriate.
AO
luigi22_
Wed Jul 14, 2004 7:38 pm
#110
AudioOrgana wrote:
SPAM would be more appropriate.
Fixed it for ya.
DarthVos
Wed Jul 14, 2004 7:49 pm
#111
If it was an OPTIONAL channel, didn't mess up the whole chat system, and WORKED.... it might be nice.
But an even better idea for galactaic commerce is this: Scrap the current bazzar system and reinvent it.
City bazzar terminals should work as directorly listings, with real-time links to all vendors, listing what is up for sale around the galaxy. This would be the primary function of bazzar terminals, and local auctions would become secondary.
Local bazzar auctions would also have their sale limit increased to 10k, and all be instant sale only (for the general public.) Merchants with high enough skill level could still put up auctions with prices exceeding 10k(with price caps depending on their skill levels perhaps.)
Also some sort of galactic delivery system (IE a money sink) for near-instant delivery of an item from someones vendor to the bazzar terminal for some high fee (much greater than the cost of shuttle tickets to go get it, mainly a time saver for people who have a lot of money and want it NOW.)
Of course a full bazar/vendor UI revamp would be needed as well, with better sorting, searching, etc.
Just a rough idea of the top of my head.... but thats how I would go about it.
BlueHorizion
Wed Jul 14, 2004 7:57 pm
#112
TH, can you please elaborate on what makes the "auction channel" different in any way from the "planet channel" other than the fact that the two have different names?
Today on Chil, I examined both channels and I really couldnt find a difference in the conversation, people in the auction channeltalking about their dogs, whats on TV, who got owned, stuff youd find people talking about in spatial. Rarely did I see an advertisement or offer for weapons or equipment and I still see the same ol' spatial spamfest in Coronet.
To top it all off, whats to stop a funny-man fromflooding auction chat with a macro that does this.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
every second?
It seems like the fact is, people just are not encouraged to use the auction channel the way it was meant to be used. Personally I say scrap it altogether and leave planet chat in since its really the same thing and it is still handy.
...Or you can make something such as a planetary bulletin board interfaceyou can check just like your datapad and see whos advertising what stuff. Add filters such as weapons armor, supplies etc, and it can be something like a handheld billboard or "yellow pages" where you can scroll or search for exactly what you need based on people's advertisements. Add a limit on how many advertisements per person so spamming isnt out of hand and you got yourself a winner.
Something like that, use your brain : )
Fatismo
Wed Jul 14, 2004 8:08 pm
#113
Thunderheart wrote:
There is an Auction channel and a Planet channel. Players are encouraged to trade goods and services galaxy wide in the Auction Channel.
The Auction channel is not galaxy wide, well at least not on Corbantis.
Is this supposed to be galaxy wide.. or just for the planet you are on?
Thanks
Naven Frypock
(Smuggler / Corbantis)
downertool
Wed Jul 14, 2004 8:10 pm
#114
i took a mission on a dark or neutral jedi....i am rebel... and he ran 
but after 5 minutes i lost the tef on him, is this normal?
but after 5 minutes i lost the tef on him, is this normal?
BlueHorizion
Wed Jul 14, 2004 8:12 pm
#115
Fatismo wrote:
Thunderheart wrote:
There is an Auction channel and a Planet channel. Players are encouraged to trade goods and services galaxy wide in the Auction Channel.
The Auction channel is not galaxy wide, well at least not on Corbantis.
Is this supposed to be galaxy wide.. or just for the planet you are on?
Thanks
Naven Frypock
(Smuggler / Corbantis)
Even if it is, that still doesnt solve the problem of there being no incentive to actually advertise in it and still being prone to spammers/flooders
However, if it is galaxy-wide, I never noticed, I was on yavin 4 and the auction chat was dead silent. I head over to Cnet and theres a bunch of people talking on it.
gannon3482
Wed Jul 14, 2004 8:14 pm
#116
"Auction" tab suks! Total let down, I was hoping I could jump over to it and look at all the stuff people are auctioning and selling but all it is is a big chat room. Your post is only there for ten seconds at most before it gets filled with someone talking about jedi or some other dumb crap. Let down I say!
Terrantal
Wed Jul 14, 2004 8:21 pm
#117
Concerning the auction chat
First off, I think it is a great idea. It has great potential, but also has some serious flaws atm. Right on Farstar it is mainly used by people who want to boast about their achievements (ie. it has become a "galaxy chat"). Furthermore, it should not be possible to spam it in order to work effectively. I talked it over with several people and all agreed that it would be nice if you dont have to keep it open, but still keeping the option to check it now and then for the latest offers. The latter would become nearly impossible if 500 people have a macro running that repeats itself every 10 seconds. Thus here several suggestion:
- Allow posting in the auction channel only once a minute. This will not only severely reduce the chatters (ie. ppl that are neither buying nor selling), but also reduce the spam significantly.
- If this is not possible, give us the option to ignore people in auction chat only. My ignore list quadrupled within 5 mins, just because I only wanted to see to offers by serious vendors.
- If neither of the above is possible, then only give merchants advertising rights. This will solve the problem of people macroing the channel, but at least the chatters will be gone
Just my 2 cents.
First off, I think it is a great idea. It has great potential, but also has some serious flaws atm. Right on Farstar it is mainly used by people who want to boast about their achievements (ie. it has become a "galaxy chat"). Furthermore, it should not be possible to spam it in order to work effectively. I talked it over with several people and all agreed that it would be nice if you dont have to keep it open, but still keeping the option to check it now and then for the latest offers. The latter would become nearly impossible if 500 people have a macro running that repeats itself every 10 seconds. Thus here several suggestion:
- Allow posting in the auction channel only once a minute. This will not only severely reduce the chatters (ie. ppl that are neither buying nor selling), but also reduce the spam significantly.
- If this is not possible, give us the option to ignore people in auction chat only. My ignore list quadrupled within 5 mins, just because I only wanted to see to offers by serious vendors.
- If neither of the above is possible, then only give merchants advertising rights. This will solve the problem of people macroing the channel, but at least the chatters will be gone
Just my 2 cents.