Smuggler Archive
Thread: Keepin' da Jedi Down
Orcajum wrote:
I think SOE, sooner or later, is going to be forced to make a conscious decision about the direction of SWG, whether the game is for power-gamers or casual-players. This being my first MMO, i'm probably wrong and hopefully someone can explain why in a few minutes, but I don't see any way to truely appease either player type without alienating the other. I just don't see a way to truely 'balance' the game for both sides of the fence.
On the one hand, you have the power-gamers. While they are a much smaller population of players, this segment probably holds an equal number of accounts to the casual-players due to the reliance on alts. So economically, it's probably near a wash for SOE.
Content wise though, the decision has to be either moderately difficult for the casual-gamer, which in turn is likely too easy for the power-gamer, leading power-gamers to become bored and find a new game to player. Or else, the content has to be moderately difficult for power-gamers, which is then practically impossible for casual-gamers, leading to frustration and the casual-gamers cancelling accounts.
Is there actually a way for the devs to create a compromise, with both sides being satisfied that their desires are met? I hope one of you can enlighten me, cuz at this point I don't see how they can keep everyone happy without making everyone miserable.
Well I'd agree there needs to be a decision made but this game can cater to both. As far as force sensitivety being known I do believe it should be. Couple reasons, I feel that way. I think everyone should have the option to be a jedi but not all will choose to be one. If the penalites were harsh and saber tef was back(as well as a perma death after so many times or to high of visibility)then some people will just not want to be one. Thoseplayers that really want to be one will do all they possibly can to hide and build there character away from watching eyes. As it is now, jedi will continue to grow and the game will definately turn into Jedi Gank wars. Those who gain a jedi character will still be able to play one but perhaps choose not to live the solitary life of a jedi. Therefore attained there goal of opening but feel the jedi life is not for them.
Other mmo have added variuos levels of content and as the players have gotten better the content level has gotten harder. It's true here as well. But it seems to have went from one extreme to another. Newer content only being attainable to the FOTMs or to only elites is leaving the casual gamer out. In my opinions these places should be instanced like the corvette. However the difficulty is set by the groups number and skill factor. In doing this they should change the loot factor as well. If my group of 5 go into the DWB at a scaled down version we should not be able to bring out all the uber loot that can be found there but we can say we had fun and we enjoyed ourselves. To date I still find the "Warren" the best dungeon in the game as far as content and fun. There is no real loot to be found here but I can do it with myself or a few friends and still enjoy it. There is mid level content out there but anything recent has been all about the elites. Adding an adjustable level of new content will cater to both types of players. As will having jedi attainable t oall but some will just not chose to play it. jmot.
There have been suggestions that lead me to believe the new GCW system will alliviate the lack of upper level content, or add an "Elder Game" as I believe TH put it. Mysuspicion is this means a GCW system similarto that installed for Jedi: Stage one PvE (what we have now, but with little or no TEF PvP), and Stage two PvP (ranks above Colonel accessed through PvP ranking system somehow?). Of course, this is all speculation on my part.
yimaz wrote:
Problem is once you master thats it. The game lacks the needed content to keep people interested after they set there toon up the way they want him/her.
Message Edited by KaiRan on 07-13-2004 10:04 AM
I say find a middle ground. When making new content, give it a rating of 1-5. 1 being a new player experience, 5 being something for a group of 20 elites. This also indicates how many of each should be added. Out ofnine additions,one should be rating 1, one should be rating 5, two rating 2, two rating 4, and three rating 3. Do not make the stuff based on power gamer or casual gamer. Everyone will get through the content at their own pace.
Orcajum wrote:
I think SOE, sooner or later, is going to be forced to make a conscious decision about the direction of SWG, whether the game is for power-gamers or casual-players. This being my first MMO, i'm probably wrong and hopefully someone can explain why in a few minutes, but I don't see any way to truely appease either player type without alienating the other. I just don't see a way to truely 'balance' the game for both sides of the fence.
On the one hand, you have the power-gamers. While they are a much smaller population of players, this segment probably holds an equal number of accounts to the casual-players due to the reliance on alts. So economically, it's probably near a wash for SOE.
Content wise though, the decision has to be either moderately difficult for the casual-gamer, which in turn is likely too easy for the power-gamer, leading power-gamers to become bored and find a new game to player. Or else, the content has to be moderately difficult for power-gamers, which is then practically impossible for casual-gamers, leading to frustration and the casual-gamers cancelling accounts.
Is there actually a way for the devs to create a compromise, with both sides being satisfied that their desires are met? I hope one of you can enlighten me, cuz at this point I don't see how they can keep everyone happy without making everyone miserable.
KaiRan wrote:Vote "Mysterious and Unknown"!
It doesn't really matter as soon as a few people figure it out it will be all over the internet. As well as the false ways to open your FS Slot will be all over the internet so why not just have SOE tell us the way.
yimaz wrote:It is not about power gamers vs casual gamers. It might take you 4 months to master, it might take you 4 days to master, either way once you master what you really want to keep, then what. That is the main problem with SWG no true star wars player to player content.
/agree that's the point. If you ever play any other MMORPG's you'll find there is always high-end content for the players that are done xping. EQ gives you entire lands and dungeons to explore. DAoC gives you large pvp areas to battle and high-end pve requiring large groups. And the list goes on and on. It doesn't matter if you only play an hour a week or 8 hours a day, to merit paying a monthly charge you need an ever increasing purpose to the game.
SWG's purpose so far is to try out professions. Master one then drop it and master another. The only players in SWG that feel any kind of "high-end" content are those who's goals were to make alot of money. The crafters have work and a purpose long after they are done. Everyone else is just wandering around, killing a rancor every now and then. Hitting the DWB rarely, and paying mortgage on your house. I suppose now the high end content will be to give up what you learned and become another jedi. When the next publish comes out the jedi will over run the galaxy. There will always be a few on each planet that refuse to try it out, but they will be the minority. Just like those who post on these forums are the minority.
If SWG feels like it has plenty of content to you then you are new to mmorpg's. And you are having fun trying out different professions. More power to ya!
yimaz wrote:
It is my hope that in coming re-vamps the focus moves into a player-player content becausethat is the only way the game will servive past yr 2.
Message Edited by KaiRan on 07-13-2004 10:15 AM
KaiRan wrote:
yimaz wrote:
It is my hope that in coming re-vamps the focus moves into a player-player content becausethat is the only way the game will servive past yr 2.
GCW revamp might have what your looking for. The upper level Jedi PvP ranking system may have been a first try at this concept as well.
So, yimaz, are you suggesting PvP should be the only "Elder Game" worth developing?
Im not a hugh fan of PVP where it is atm,what im taking about is stuff like client smuggling, new and many, many more dungens, longer quest all needing more then one profession andyes morePVP but in a content related forum not just for the sake of PVP. The GSW is only one small way of doing that. For example add new tef types, like if you remove a name from a BH terminal you get a 10min tef or if you are grouped with somone who fails a scan you have to fight your way off world. Add more people to the BH boards for different reasons. If you dont want to fight dont break the law, if you push the envelope expect people to take notice, just like the movies and just like real life. PVP needs to be content driven in order for it to have a purpose beyond " D00d you got pwned" that get old really fast.