"The truth is the community morale won't improve until the game does. Communication can't fix this. Improvements to the game can. The fact is our communication has improved.. people don't neccessarily like the message is all. I get that. So do our community folks. My preference is that all the posts in the gameplay forum are discussing gameplay balance.. and in-game issues.. but they won't until we get the game to a baseline fun level. We're not there yet. We know that. We're working to fix it. There is no other answer."
Smed
Very glad to see you interacting with the player base that is represented by the forums. While you are correct that "communication" will not improve morale in and of itself...it is a necessity in our society. Without it...companies have crumpled...wars have been lost...and families destroyed. You are doing a "great" job communicating today...as the many posts to this thread can attest to...and I for one, am glad to see it. Keep up the good work...and allow communication like this to occur more frequently and more openly. This will help the player base know what is going on with the game they "love" and have "bonded" with...as well as beginning the "healing" process for all those that feel their vocal outcry has fallen on deaf ears when it comes to SOE/LA.
Question: Know that the development time line often runs into snags, etc... that delay release of new content/fixes...but, is there any word yet on the status of Publish 28? Is it still a go, or has "new" material delayed its arrival even further?
/Cheers for more publishes with "new" content/fixes/etc...that doesn't require the purchase of a "new" expansion!
I've asked the devs to jump in - Rogue 5 - go ahead and bust out your current target live date (I will now wait as the dev team sends someone to beat me up). Last I heard mid-April with it going to test in early April.
Smed
Keep this up Smed, you're turning a lot of heads in a good way. Communication is vital, and you're raising moral around here with every post.
Dnolar Xorlaran
Elder Spinner ~ Pre-CU Teras Kasi Master
-SiN-
Tooms Xorlaran ~ Owner/Operator Tooms Mega Mall ~ Architect
You must have balls the size of church bells... and I personally think this is EXACTLY what the community needs from someone of your stature. Unedited, straight, non-political answers... I seriously applaud you for this.
Those of you who can't read between the lines of what Smedley is trying to say:
SOE DID NOT *edit* this game up... the changes were forced upon THEM just like us players.
Furthermore - SOE is working its asses off to get its true character back into our gameplay, and give us back what they already knew we loved. He admits the new system is not what it should be, needs improvement etc. That makes it pretty damn apparent that SOE wasn't the mastermind behind this the NGE, etc.
On the other hand, can we blame a company for trying to stretch its demographic and increase revenue? Not if we have any sort of brains...welcome to the real world, and the world of business.
Smedley is right... this game wasn't appealing to the mass audiences the way it should have, and the powers that be decided to take a calculated gamble. This sort of stuff happens all the time.
I think we should try our best to support SOE in what they are trying to do... continue to **edit** (constructively) about what we'd like to see change, and learn how to handle changes that may or may not occur.
It might be better for SOE as a company to sit back and let you all think that LucasArts forced this stuff on us. Guess what, they didn't. We all sat around a table and read the same data.
Smed
Holy smokes...
The honesty today is unreal - Go SMED!
I've said this in interviews btw. I don't like trying to pass the buck. I may say stuff you disagree with, but I don't want to try to imply something that's not true. You may all believe that early on with the NGE we were just "spinning" things. We weren't.. we honestly believed (and still do) that we could make the game better and convince you all that this was the right direction.
Smed
What I think is a shame, now with the NGE upon us - I know there's no turning back, unfortunately - about 70% of the people in my guild have left. Guildchat is dead. I log on once every 3-7 days, run from a house to a house and log off.
What once was a great timesink for me, is gone. Ranger, Creature Handler, you name it. Deleted.
Then you take ADK's out because decay is gone. Now decay comes back, and guess what, ADK's don't.
We went from a very diverse game with 32 professions to the 7 or so we have now. Everyone is cookie-cutter. MOBs are rediculously easy to kill.
It's just a shame, that's all.
Message Edited by Bendar on 03-24-200609:41 PM
----------------------------------------------------- In Caesar Veritas
The Unknown Jedi - Glowstick Junkie Niamh Coventina - Riflewoman and Ranger Extraordinaire
I find it extremely funny that Smed has twice asked for devs to step in and help on this discussion and none have stepped up yet. Personally if i was a red name i would avoid this threed like the plague.
SoaronUth wrote:
ROFL
I find it extremely funny that Smed has twice asked for devs to step in and help on this discussion and none have stepped up yet. Personally if i was a red name i would avoid this threed like the plague.
SoaronUth wrote:
ROFL
I find it extremely funny that Smed has twice asked for devs to step in and help on this discussion and none have stepped up yet. Personally if i was a red name i would avoid this threed like the plague.
just got off the phone with them - they've been in some big meetings and haven't had a chance. Sometimes there is a simple answer.
The only answer I can give you on trust is that we have to earn that trust by continuing to make forward progress. That's it. We know that.
Smed
Smed,
You've really impressed me with your willingness to own up to the game's current state. Despite all the naysayers, you really do have an opportunity here to make this game great. The next 6 months will really determine the long-term fate of SWG...if you succeed, I have no doubt that SWG will regain many subscribers and be a long-term success. If not, this game will probably not see 2007. Here's how to succeed (IMO), based on what I've learned from SWG since I started playing in July 2003:
Profession differentiation - I know this has been harped on relentlessly by the community, and they're right for doing it. It's the single biggest reason that many players dislike the NGE...prior to that, they had a character that they felt was "unique". You could mix and match skills, and there were endless combinations to make a great character. Building that back into the game is sorely needed...and word of caution here, don't do it halfway. Take your time, do it right. Don't tell people they can get an amulet which will make their force lightning better....that's not what we're looking for. We need an ancillary skills system that lets you customize specific powers or abilities and that gives you many ways to do so...something like being able to get skill modifiers back (Pistol Speed, Defense, etc). Something that is in addition to the CL1-90 grind, outside of it. Maybe separate skill quests which you must undertake alone. Be imaginative, really let loose here...if you make this work, it will make alot of people happy.
GCW - From day 1, I've always thought this was the most sorely-needed aspect of the game. Star Wars was all about the classic good vs. evil story, Rebels vs. the Empire. It's completely not a part of SWG in any way. I've never understood why. We're way beyond what should have been done, but suffice to say I think the game should have been entirely about those factions. As it is, the factions are a completely irrelevant part of the game. What to do? You guys are on the right path with putting base raids back in the game, they really were enjoyable...but it needs to go further than that. The GCW needs to matter. People need to care. Make it fun and worth peoples' while to get involved. Have more Dev-sponsored events, like massive NPC raids on towns that players can defend against. There's no death penalty in the game, so this is a perfect opportunity...who cares if you get killed by an NPC stormtrooper? Come back and fight some more! Same goes for the GCW in space...we need more of a reason to want to use our ships, JTL was very well-done and the space component of the game is really enjoyable. So much of the SW movies took place in space, and very little takes place there in SWG.
Crafting- You said it yourself Smed, this game really nailed crafting right from the get-go. It's by far the most immersive, realistic, and enjoyable system in the game and easily the best crafting system of any MMO game. But the NGE is killing it. Smart businesses play to their strengths, and you're not currently doing this by hurting your greatest game asset. I know the balance between new players being able to loot usable stuff and crafters having a viable market is a precarious one, but it can be achieved. Give crafters the ability to modify looted components, to reverse engineer them, etc. Weaponsmiths and Armorsmiths were once among the most well-respected players in the game, and they took immense pride in their work. Now they just aren't needed anymore. Give them a reason to want to come back.
If I'm being honest, the almost 3 years I've been around this game has told me that success in these areas is a long shot, but here's hoping that you guys can do it. I'm pulling for you guys.
Q
Quinnt Captain of the Orca
"Ten thousand dollars for me by myself. For that you get the head, the tail, the whole damned thing."
My regular crew has put SWG aside, for DDO. I find that this other game doesn't have even half of the content in a RPG that I want...yet my friends think that SWG doen't have any future in it for them.
They have done all the quests, own almost anything they want, don't feel that SWG sticks to the correct storyline, and are upset with how the NGE was handled (though they dont mind the new combat system.) They noticed the reduced player numbers, and the old player cities (including our own) that are mostly graveyards. Lastly, few if any PvP, because PvP isn't so much fun when 2-6 of us get killed quickly by 8-30 of "them"
What can you say to my crew of players, to inspire them to give SWG another chance?
Sadersam wrote: What i really like to know smed, is how do u feel about having people pay for beta. I mean really u know the game as it is right now is borked, and u are promising all these changes and fixes yet Soe is taking monthly subs for a game that is knowhere finished.
I know this is a loaded question, but I think the community deserves an answer. I know this is one of the things I've been upset about for a while.
Yes it's a loaded question, but I'll answer it. I think people that believe they are paying for a beta quit. Am I happy with the state of the game? No way. Do I think it's entertaining for a lot of people? Yes, or we wouldn't have subscribers. Is it good enough? Not yet.. no.
So no, I don't think people are paying for a beta. Again, I'm sure by the very nature of the question that you'll disagree.. but there it is.
Smed
I believe I'm paying for a beta, and why am I still here? I've put too much into the game, my guild, my characters, player city and friends to kill off my last remaining account. Although I'm finding it harder and harder to keep that account open.
Seriously, how can you guys think that ripping out the accomplishments and professions of people who invested up to 3 years of thier time, emotions, and energy in this game is acceptable. There are a ton of ex-players that will never come back just for this reason alone.
While I do say, what's done is done, another part of me feels this way. I'd like to quote a couple things from the Vangaurd - Saga of Heroes FAQs. Now, I know they don't have a product shipped, and they don't have the answers... but they do see where things have gone wrong in the past. Lessons learned? They are trying to avoid what has happened to our community. Trying. If you don't want to read it all, I've highlighted some key points. I mean no disrespect by cross-posting this stuff, I just think it's valid to point out what their goals are.
1.6.2.1.3 How important is player interdependence and how does it relate to community development?
Player interdependence is the key to community building.
1.6.4.1 I've heard that Sigil has a number of 'tenets' related to MMOGs... could you share a few?
4. Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater.
(This applies to a great many things, but in general to the recent reactionary trend to respond to traditional MMOG mechanics that have had some problems by completely removing them as opposed to fixing them. Travel is tedious? Remove travel! People are camping and ninja looting and being rotten to each other in a dungeon? Remove the other people! (Instancing). Sigil, rather, is intent on fixing and tweaking traditional MUD/MMOG mechanics that have existed for so long, not throwing them out).
5. The collective long term happiness of the playerbase and therefore the overall health of the game is always right.
(This is in reponse to the assertion that the 'customer is always right'. The assertion is correct, but since players are in a world shared by other players, the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the one or the few; likewise, what is good for the game long term takes precedence over the short term, in that it's in both the developers and players interest that the game retain its long term health).
18.1.13 Is there a way to combine the challenge of EverQuest with the fast start of Star Wars: Galaxies?
Indeed there must be; and what's more, there has to be a way to use such a mechanism to also accelerate and make easier those eventual bonds you describe where you are known and therefore welcomed into groups as someone people recognize and appreciate.
One of the grave dangers instancing represents is what's already been seen in games that use it extensively: you come into the game, jump into a mission or some such, group up with people in a very transient way, finish up in 30 minutes, an hour, whatever, and then it's on to something else. You either log off, or do another mission, but the people you just worked together with are irrelevant -- they were just tools to help you finish a temporary goal.
Add a total elimination of any downtime to this equation and you don't even have a chance to really talk with these people outside of 'attack that mob!' and 'help!'.
The result is no one gives a crap who you are nor has any reason to remember you, your name, your contributions, your skills, etc. It's so incredibly anti-community building.
So there has to be a way to improve 'lead times' without destroying the community. There MUST be.
Brad's a really great and smart guy as well as a personal friend. I can't disagree with any of that. When Vanguard comes out he gets to do this part again
Smed im going to be frank. This game sucks, and have enough people that have said the same thing to back my statement. The NGE was the wrong move, and im not the only one that sees that. You at SOE have broken the trust that was never there, which is ironic. If you cant listen to the community, I dont see a reason to continue. Look at how far this thread has come, thats proof enought. Im sorry dude, but your argument dosnt stand. Yes there are those who support the NGE, and im not knocking them, but there are alot of upset people here, and I would hope that you would take this back to your meetings and consider us. This is the same thing that happened with the XP nerf way back when, huge uproar, but it was solved. I have hope that you will do the same. Please take the time to reconsider.
---Good---- ---Bad------ ---I'm the Guy with the gun-----
I find it extremely funny that Smed has twice asked for devs to step in and help on this discussion and none have stepped up yet. Personally if i was a red name i would avoid this threed like the plague.
SoaronUth wrote:
ROFL
I find it extremely funny that Smed has twice asked for devs to step in and help on this discussion and none have stepped up yet. Personally if i was a red name i would avoid this threed like the plague.
SoaronUth wrote:
ROFL
I find it extremely funny that Smed has twice asked for devs to step in and help on this discussion and none have stepped up yet. Personally if i was a red name i would avoid this threed like the plague.
just got off the phone with them - they've been in some big meetings and haven't had a chance. Sometimes there is a simple answer.
Smed
Triple Qoutes For The Win (FTW)
d Lord Vincent Takaab Blackbird (Altyrell) ~MEOW~.
Smed then please please please just get the dev team to start fixing stuff. Implement fixes and only fixes. DON'T start nerfing quest XP and tinkering with stuff that can wait till later on. Just focus on the fixes and then . . .when stuff is fixed start adjusting things as necessary.
Hyjaax B L A C K S U N Weapons, Armor, Clothing, Starships, Droids, Food & Resources Cabo San Lobos, Naboo, 1957, 6076
Please enlighten me as to WHY you think anyone with more than 3 or 4 years of experience in Networking or Programming wouldn't instinctively know SQL inside and out?
Oh, and Smed. I'm getting the feeling you are cherry-picking posts. I'd very much appreciate a response to mine.
Not what I was saying. I know SQL/Oracle, it's hardly "easy stuff" and anyone who thinks they can recreate the pre-cu game (and for more than 4 people playing at once) is high. Seriously. Good luck with that far fetched dream though.
"cherry picking" posts? you've got to be kidding me. I should only answer the "this game is great.. keep up the good work posts"
You are only 3 posts away from trips! You started today with only 22 and got a set of steak knives when you hit 44. Anyone have any ideas for what we should do if he hits 66?
I say that he should get this handy, dandy device that will scramble an egg while it's still inside its shell!!!!! Normally sold for $29.95, this must-have is yours free!!!!!!!
I think this is a GREAT idea. Since he has already passed the triple-your-posts mark (at 66) we'll go ahead and add this to his accolades for today!
Anyone have any ideas for if he hits the 4X mark?
"BZ helps ALL Rebels!" Melvar Anquist, Guildmaster BLINDZEBRA Hunters Guild [http://swg.blindzebra.com] "Who is the more foolish, the fool, or the fool who follows him?" -- Obi-Wan Kenobi Please drop all auction winnings off to any vendor at the BZ Crafter's House /waypoint 3185 -555 Xebec's Demise, Corellia.
John, what happened to your plan to reincorporate Creature Handler in some capacity?
it's on the list.. but lower down than I would like. One thing I don't get to do in my job is only have them work on the things that I want them to.... although I will be the first to admit that would be fun I suspect the bunch of really smart people that work at SOE wouldn't enjoy it as much as I would.
I get my "Smed" list worked on once in a while when I bitch enough.
Smed, could you increase the XP made off of killing creatures, OR add quest xp to terminal missions?
at least until there are more quests added to the game, it would be very nice for us all, the xp nerf on kashyyyk was a kick in the teeth for all player's below lvl 60.
