Weaponsmith Archive
Thread: For the DEVS, my thoughts on current CU state, and some bugs that need attention.
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KajaGrae
Fri Apr 22, 2005 1:38 am
#1
I am going to start this out with some major problems
This is all on TC4 conversion of Corbantis BTW
Krayt Handlers and other loot for that matter........
All handlers are getting terrible stats in the conversion. I am guessing this is a bug in the code math right now (hoping it is). All advanced power handlers on current servers average abuot 20 min and 41 max dmg. I ran a CU test and got 18-46 ( I think thats what it was) SO currently I would suggest to the DEVS to rewrite that to some how recalc the stats off of the normal max of 41 average (unless this is an intentional temporory cap for baseline testing). Subtract that from current handlers maximum and then re add the difference into new handlers. It seems speed does get somewhat of a bump for the 12 pt smith view, but my main concern is my 153 max power handler being reduced to a tawdry 60. All of my Krayt handlers were reduced to 55-60 max range, but strangley enough all had a speed of -2.0. The code math is off (either unintentionaly ,or intentionaly as a control so that you could have baseline results for baseline weapons out of the door while in Beta).
Weapon damage caps
I am desperatley hoping this is a temporary control measure for Betatesting purposes. If not, then there will be no reason to even have Krayts or other creatures drop loot. A good slice will cap any weapon for damage. This will DEFINETLY take away from the game in a HUGE way. it will make it so there is no uniqueness to weapons, or smiths anymore. Really taking away from the "real world" feel. There is always someone who is better than you, or worse. It should be that way for a better feel. Of you make all weapons have a cap, then all smiths will be carbon copies of each other. Very disheartening........ Keep it fun for us.Let us remain individuals, with differences in stats sometimes. Thats life, there is always a better product. This is my only character in SWG, and he's all crafter. I enjoy it. Keep it enjoyable.
Weapon Conversion.
Seems they all covert to the base norm, but that is bad in the case of enhanced weapons. You are not taking into account the enhancements used in them so far as I can tell. My 207 max Scout blaster dropped to 167. Right about the difference between base, and the enhancers I used on it. Same for all other weapons. Once again I hope this is only a control measure for your baseline testing and that it will be remedied before live release or at the time of live realease the safeguards will be removed.
Crafting.
I am still as yet unable to craft a major portion of new weapons and components. Advanced Sword cores, Advanced Vibro Units and many others that are old components and weapons too. I am Master Weaponsmith, and should have access to the ones I am being denied. I can provide a more detailed list if required. Also some of my "Loot" schems thatare memorized on my Live PC (as of the day of the copy) were removed as well. Complexity levels are through the roof too. Really going to increase factory times here.
and finally....
A personal opinion
I have enjoyed this game for a long time now. It is very unique in it's style of play and it's overall "feel". I am disappointed to see that SOE has decided to render this game to an EQ and WoW style of play. I understand that it may make future development easier for your company, as it will allow you to use more resources by tapping those games as well for raw data and more work force power. But you have to understand a few things from your custmoers points of view. Many of the people playing this game, do so because they dont like the WoW or EQ style of combat play. I myself am one of them. Your current system of Creature difficutly is good. Your current way that PCs advance through the boxes and cert s is god too. Granted there are some adjustments that could be made. I do agree for the need to have Elite compat professions to have more underlying requirements is there. You adressed that well by adding an additional tree to the requist skills for balance. Kudos.I understand them need for progress and new thingsto eliminate stagnation of sales and to increase retention in your customer base. Believe me I do. I work for one of the largest companies in the country as a Customer Service supervisor.A REVAMP is called for here, but a complete reworking of the most unique game play system I have seen is not. You have a great thing going now. It would behoove you to listen to your customer base right now.A 79% dissatisfaction rating for the changes speaks VOLUMES to me as a Service Supervisor. Your goal as a company should be Sales and Retention. Retention for you is more important I think in this case. That's your monthlygross on this game makes you far more than initial CD sales, and word of mouth is VERY powerful, especially in the Gaming Indusrty. If your company wants to keep making money from this game, dont go off and loose 79% of your current customer base. Maybe even more as many players have multiple accounts, and while that may not be a realisitic figure, Ifigure with those numbers, even if people are voting more than 1 time per day, a 50% loss is not far fetched. Do you really think you cann readd a 50% loss and then gain more of a new base? Even if you put this game on PS2 or XBox, with the way EQ flopped on those, and not to mention the shear amount of pre-existig games for the Star Wars Universe from Lucas Arts and others is bound to make that a near impossibilty.
Add the new weapons, curtail some of the old ones that need a revamp. Redo some skills, add more prerequsite skills to get an Elite combat professions. Those are all GREAT propsed changes, but don't destroy such a good thing. Keep your current system. Some of the new features are nice, don't get me wrong here, but add them to what you have now. I enjoy this game. I like Sony as a company. I own many of your products outside of the gaming industry and recommened you to others. Don't let me be wrong on in doing so. Make yourselves the outstanding company, and LISTEN to your customers, and they will stay with you. I know that's not always feasable, but in this case I think it can be achieved, and I think it would server you well to postpone the CU and consider going back to the drawing board. I may not see the entire "Big Picture" but I do hear and read, and I am very well versed in Customer Service. I believe your company will come to an amiable soloution and that this will turn out well for your company and for your Customers. Be dilligent in your efforts to make this happen. I hope to see and hear more good things soon.
Thank you for your time, your willingness to listen, and for the services and products I have garnered from your company over the years. I appreciate them all.
Please feel free to conatact me.
Sincerely,
N. Brown
IGN KajaGrae
Corbantis Server.
Abbell
Fri Apr 22, 2005 2:10 am
#2
sorry I need to crash, but I will try to add some thoughts or answers...
handler conversions are accurate for base handlers..the enhanced one are way off... not that it matters if you can understand my giberish for notes. The conversions hit 67% dmg and 65% speed ..approx
Caps... all stats on weapons are hard capped it seems. I would even venture to say SAC is capped as well. This is not a testing thing becasue converted weapons fall within caps to my belief.. ramifications are real ad on that btw. I need to see what a krayted metal DL44 converted to in order to confirm suspicions.
Qual_Tun
Fri Apr 22, 2005 5:57 am
#3
Kaja,
That is one of the better posts Ive read regarding the CU.
/golf clap
Too bad it will fall on deaf ears
That is one of the better posts Ive read regarding the CU.
/golf clap
Too bad it will fall on deaf ears
Orew
Fri Apr 22, 2005 9:58 pm
#7
KajaGrae wrote:
...
I have enjoyed this game for a long time now. It is very unique in it's style of play and it's overall "feel". I am disappointed to see that SOE has decided to render this game to an EQ and WoW style of play. I understand that it may make future development easier for your company, as it will allow you to use more resources by tapping those games as well for raw data and more work force power. But you have to understand a few things from your custmoers points of view. Many of the people playing this game, do so because they dont like the WoW or EQ style of combat play. I myself am one of them. Your current system of Creature difficutly is good. Your current way that PCs advance through the boxes and cert s is god too. Granted there are some adjustments that could be made. I do agree for the need to have Elite compat professions to have more underlying requirements is there. You adressed that well by adding an additional tree to the requist skills for balance. Kudos.I understand them need for progress and new thingsto eliminate stagnation of sales and to increase retention in your customer base. Believe me I do. I work for one of the largest companies in the country as a Customer Service supervisor.A REVAMP is called for here, but a complete reworking of the most unique game play system I have seen is not. You have a great thing going now. It would behoove you to listen to your customer base right now.A 79% dissatisfaction rating for the changes speaks VOLUMES to me as a Service Supervisor. Your goal as a company should be Sales and Retention. Retention for you is more important I think in this case. That's your monthlygross on this game makes you far more than initial CD sales, and word of mouth is VERY powerful, especially in the Gaming Indusrty. If your company wants to keep making money from this game, dont go off and loose 79% of your current customer base. Maybe even more as many players have multiple accounts, and while that may not be a realisitic figure, Ifigure with those numbers, even if people are voting more than 1 time per day, a 50% loss is not far fetched. Do you really think you cann readd a 50% loss and then gain more of a new base? Even if you put this game on PS2 or XBox, with the way EQ flopped on those, and not to mention the shear amount of pre-existig games for the Star Wars Universe from Lucas Arts and others is bound to make that a near impossibilty.
...
Seems thatKaja rediscovered one of Ralph's law... remember Ralph? The guy who designed this game.
Here is the law:
Over time, your playerbase will come to be the group of people who most enjoy the style of play that your world offers. The others will eventually move to another game.
It is very hard to attract players of different gaming styles after the playerbase has been established. Any changes to promote different styles of play almost always conflict with the established desires of the current playerbase.
It is very hard to attract players of different gaming styles after the playerbase has been established. Any changes to promote different styles of play almost always conflict with the established desires of the current playerbase.
Looks like SOE is trying to promote a new style of play... pity they didn't learn from the master. Ralph, we miss you badly.
AldaronTavish
Sat Apr 23, 2005 1:46 am
#8
For adv vibro unit and sword core, they are there...look under ranged components.
Weaponsmith_Drake
Sat Apr 23, 2005 1:47 am
#9
Nice post! *****
YOu raised some points i was thinking too
YOu raised some points i was thinking too
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