Are Politicians and Player Cities factored in any future plans for SWG? Right now, both are a mess. Everyone is a Politician. Player Cities are absolute ghost towns. Politicians have very little control over their cities and no content to speak of.
I don't think there should be a profession to deal with player structure placement. The only place I see politictians in the future is the part where they are assassination targets for GCW content. I'm just talking here - nothing's set in stone.
-Helios Titan -Lead Systems Designer, SWG "I find your lack of faith...disturbing."
The upcoming bounty hunting system could perhaps be used to give a new purpose to Politicians, without requiring combat skills.
1 - Link certain quests to the Bounty Hunting system. You fail a Bounty Quest, a bounty is placed on your head. These Bounty Quests are optional and could be either combat, non-combat or both.
2 - Force Politicians to become factionally alligned (Imp or Reb, Hutt or Valerian, etc). This would allow e.g. a scenario where you accept a Bounty Quest for Hutt, Valerian places a bounty on your head.
3 - Politicians (like other players) can play these optional Bounty Quests and risk receiving a bounty on their heads. This then becomes a reason for other Politicians to have them targeted, thus increasing competition and improving game play.
4 - Why would anyone play a Bounty Quest and risk getting marked? The reward has to make it worthwile. Make Bounty Quest rewards profession specific. For Politicians, reward rare city structures, decorations, specializations, even access to city quests for citizens only!. This will make Politicians relevant again!
The politizian profession and Player Cities have so much more potential. It seems that the current game mechanics would allow for a few simple but GREAT improvements.
I hope to get some feedback on these suggestions. Also, please Devs, visit the Politicians forum for some great threads! Thanks so much for taking the time to communicate! Malvae
Malvae Tun Mayor of Edessa, Talus Owner and operator ofTUNTrading Inc. Buying 2cpu resources! Offer all organic resources to vendor Durna at -1372, 13, -5831 on Talus Offer all inorganic resources to vendor Gramkan at -1361, 13, -5839 on Talus
All I have to say about all the things promised is this: They've done it before.
Smuggler revamp. Original Combat Rebalance. Battlegrounds promised to be fixed 2 years ago. The FRS being fixed one year ago. And those are just the biggest examples.
They never came through. What makes you think they will now?
"Get on board the Falcon kid. This place is gonna blow." "Get on board the Falcon kid. This place is gonna blow." "Get on board the Falcon kid. This place is gonna blow." "Get on board the Falcon kid. This place is gonna blow." "Get on board the Falcon kid. This place is gonna blow."
There's a lot of discussion going on and I wanted to jump-in at a more basic level to address the themes I see repeated again and again on this thread:
'Star Warsy' Game: I think this is the principle issue driving all of the furor surrounding SWG. I'll be honest, SWG wasn't launched as a Star Wars game first and foremost. Instead, other priorities such as crafting, vast world space, non-SW activities (e.g. Entertaining) and player-created activities were pushed ahead of the essential SW adventure. The people who wanted an online SW adventure tried it out and left. The people who liked the sandbox nature and deep crafting game stayed. But the general direction of JtL, CU, and the NGE were aimed at adventure. Why? Because we wanted to shift the game to first and foremost be about SW adventure.
The question then becomes why, if you the community wanted a different game, did we go in this direction? To put it simply, we wanted to appeal to a broader SW audience. We wanted to play up the elements most people identify with from Star Wars. In some cases, this meant modifying or eliminating parts of the game that the existing community wanted. But, at the end of the day, we believe we can reach a balance between crafters and adventurers, between combat and non-combat professions, between those who want to live in a simulated world and those who want to live an online SW adventure. And that's why we're continuing to pursue the 'Star Warsy' direction we've established.
Rollback: People are asking for it. But, we aren't seriously considering it. Why? Well, nostalgia tends to color your view of the past. SWG has advanced in a lot of ways a rollback is an all-or-nothing return to what was before. The strides we've made forward would be eliminated (e.g. the quest system). The expansions and additions we've built would be affected. To put it simply, going forward, fixing the game, building on what we've established and refining the direction at hand is the best way to improve your day-to-day experience in the game.
The Future: With a diverse audience come diverse demands. As developers with limited time and resources, we need to choose what we want to focus on. And, to be blunt, SWG's has done a lot of things poorly in the past. There has been a lot of diversity, but very few of the options met the gameplay and quality expectations players expect. In fact, the posting history so regularly brought up by members of this forum (hello, Smugglers) shows just how diverse the ideas have been surrounding this game. And, to be honest, we can't meet all of those expectations.
We are, however, staying true to the focus on the game we established. We've carved out a scope and direction that we can support and build. We've identified a core set of professions that we can grow and differentiate. We're building the groundwork to deliver a more compelling GCW experience. We're looking at solid solutions for crafting as a part of the future of the game. And, yes, we're putting a Smuggling system into the game.
To put it simply, we're going to keep pushing to refine and expand SWG first and foremost as a SW adventure. We're going to differentiate professions, add adventure content, revamp crafting to be a core part of the fundamental adventure economy, tie-in alternate activities like Entertaining, and work each day to improve the moment-to-moment experience of every player through continued bug fixes and quality improvements. We're not there yet, but as Publish 27 showed (and Publish 28 will continue to prove), we're on our way.
KO
Your Star Warsy game hasn't exactly brought a wider variety off players in has it since we seem to be at an all time low for subscribers. You were willing to sacrifice a good portion of your stable playerbase in an effort to bring in more money (which obviously is a businesses goal) however personally I think you failed to achieve this goal because you dropped more players than gained. How long is it going to take to get this game into a state that is playable and fun? A few months, a year, 2 years, this game is already 2.5 years old and certainly will not get any younger.
I personally never wanted a rollback, I may not be a technical wizz but even I am aware of the difficulty in doing a rollback. However I still think that if you had been willing to compromise and set-up one or two Pre-CU servers with no support (only regular restarts along with other servers) you would have kept a good portion of the playerbase that has left since November and now. The bugs and exploits that were still around Pre-publish 14 were not only tolerable but also never stopped people having fun which is what a game is for is it not? Also as I recall the only things that interfered with the servers back then were when there were bugs in the publishes and hotfixes that caused the servers to crash or some other effect.
You as a company probably could have run the extra servers, you could have even used 2 of the testcenter servers you had without having to buy more equipment. I mean you have like 5 or 6 TC's anyway, and you barely use one let alone anymore than that. The only time I could see that might pull one or two devs away from the live game for a few days maybe would be to program the code that would allow people to run this version of the game separate from the live version (like how you did with the betas that were downloaded for the JTL beta for example).
I mean you could have even trialed it for a month or two to see if it was worth keeping them up (if you had enough traffic on the servers) but I suppose that doesn't matter now does it...
I really wish you had been a bit more sympathetic to those of us "hardcore" players as you have called us and allowed us to play the game we liked in piece without fear of having it changed on us.
Just so you know I am a 2+ year vet who has gone from 3 accounts who played on average for 50 hours a week, down to 1-2 accounts active averaging about 20 hours a week during CU, down to 1 account hanging by a thread averaging at about 5 minutes a week. I hope this gives you some insight into how your visions and star warsy ideas have affected my own personal gameplay.
Message Edited by Omaga12 on 03-25-200608:31 PM
(1st and Main Account) Dalik Laskey Jedi Padawan since December 2004. Mayor of Mos Tuskia Leader of the Galactic Liberation Army (GLA). Joined SWG 8th January 2004 and avid Supporter of the Pre-CU era. Cotac Laskey and Selik Laskey also on main account. (Former Master Weaponsmith (Cotac)). (2nd Account) Tralik Laskey (Inactive) Former Master Doc, Master Musician/Entertainer. (3rd Account) Brelik Laskey (Inactive) Former Master CH, BE and Pikeman. - I support getting a Pre-CU server for all, even one that had no further development.. Your voice counts! Or it would if SOE/LA cared.
Smed wrote: I prefer it to the old combat system which I personally found dull. But that's just my personal opinion. Smed
Then why do you prefer WOW to SWG?
First , understand, I am not a fan of WoW, nor am I defending Smed, or anyone else.
But think about this for a minute. If you worked on a game, such as Star Wars Galaxies, worked on it , day in and day out, since its beginning, and knew pretty much all there was to know about it, the mechanics, the instances, the rewards, the entire game layout, do you really think you would enjoy playing it for pleasure? Where you have no surprises? I know I wouldnt. As much as I love SWG, I have no doubt that if I were a developer for this game, or in a place to know as much about it as Smed must know, I would not enjoy spending my 'relaxation' time playing it.
This game is a job for him, and all the other devs. Yes, they need to have toons on actual servers, but mainly so they can get in there and experience first hand how things are working out. I do not for one minute blame any of them for finding a different game to play in their off time, nor do I blame Smed for participating in the social environment of a forum on a game which he does play.
Everyone on the design team spends time every day playing the game and collecting feedback on their play experience. It's part of the daily job requirement. But, when you consider that many of us spend 40 to sometimes 60 or 70 hours a week working on the game, you can see how we might get our "SWG fix" at work. When we get home, most of us want to play something else for a change of pace - except Thunderheart because he's nuts.
Smed wrote: I prefer it to the old combat system which I personally found dull. But that's just my personal opinion. Smed
Then why do you prefer WOW to SWG?
First , understand, I am not a fan of WoW, nor am I defending Smed, or anyone else.
But think about this for a minute. If you worked on a game, such as Star Wars Galaxies, worked on it , day in and day out, since its beginning, and knew pretty much all there was to know about it, the mechanics, the instances, the rewards, the entire game layout, do you really think you would enjoy playing it for pleasure? Where you have no surprises? I know I wouldnt. As much as I love SWG, I have no doubt that if I were a developer for this game, or in a place to know as much about it as Smed must know, I would not enjoy spending my 'relaxation' time playing it.
This game is a job for him, and all the other devs. Yes, they need to have toons on actual servers, but mainly so they can get in there and experience first hand how things are working out. I do not for one minute blame any of them for finding a different game to play in their off time, nor do I blame Smed for participating in the social environment of a forum on a game which he does play.
Everyone on the design team spends time every day playing the game and collecting feedback on their play experience. It's part of the daily job requirement. But, when you consider that many of us spend 40 to sometimes 60 or 70 hours a week working on the game, you can see how we might get our "SWG fix" at work. When we get home, most of us want to play something else for a change of pace - except Thunderheart because he's nuts.
if thats the case, then whose bloody idea was it to NERF the XP from the 2 quests on Kash????
Message Edited by Altyrell on 03-25-200610:13 AM
d Lord Vincent Takaab Blackbird (Altyrell) ~MEOW~.
Smed wrote: We can only do our best to lay out the way we plan on doing things based on as much feedback as we can get from the community. If we don't live up to your expectations, we lose customers. All we can do is our best.
Smed
If your plan is based on the feedback of the community why is it that things that the majority so obviously want back being ignored? Things such as target lock and an elastic skill system. You answered flat out that these things would not be brought back, and the community answered flat out that they think they need to come back.
If this development team were actually listening, and caring about what is said, this would not be set in stone.
Ok, my one and only question for the Devs in this thread. I will only post it once unlike others, but here it is.
Why are Jedi constantly moved to the front of the line above all other professions when often other professions need more attention?
Because the majority of customers play Jedi. It only makes sense from a business perspective to address the biggest collection of people first, especially if it takes the same amount of development resources to address one over the other. It's the biggest bang for the buck.
Smed wrote: I prefer it to the old combat system which I personally found dull. But that's just my personal opinion. Smed
Then why do you prefer WOW to SWG?
First , understand, I am not a fan of WoW, nor am I defending Smed, or anyone else.
But think about this for a minute. If you worked on a game, such as Star Wars Galaxies, worked on it , day in and day out, since its beginning, and knew pretty much all there was to know about it, the mechanics, the instances, the rewards, the entire game layout, do you really think you would enjoy playing it for pleasure? Where you have no surprises? I know I wouldnt. As much as I love SWG, I have no doubt that if I were a developer for this game, or in a place to know as much about it as Smed must know, I would not enjoy spending my 'relaxation' time playing it.
This game is a job for him, and all the other devs. Yes, they need to have toons on actual servers, but mainly so they can get in there and experience first hand how things are working out. I do not for one minute blame any of them for finding a different game to play in their off time, nor do I blame Smed for participating in the social environment of a forum on a game which he does play.
Everyone on the design team spends time every day playing the game and collecting feedback on their play experience. It's part of the daily job requirement. But, when you consider that many of us spend 40 to sometimes 60 or 70 hours a week working on the game, you can see how we might get our "SWG fix" at work. When we get home, most of us want to play something else for a change of pace - except Thunderheart because he's nuts.
haha i love that
as for the game though, doesnt it seem logical to go back to pre-cu while you guys work on the NGE, get the NGE out of BETA production, deliver us a game that is finished, let us test the game for 1-2 months then fix our problems again and then send it to live, it might take 6-7 months but it will be better for all of us
ggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg _______________________________________________________________ --------This spot for Sale-------- --------Checobacca k Ice-man' -------- ---I came back for the community--- ---Ill leave again when the EMU servers go acive--- _______________________________________________________________ gggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg
Ok, my one and only question for the Devs in this thread. I will only post it once unlike others, but here it is.
Why are Jedi constantly moved to the front of the line above all other professions when often other professions need more attention?
Because the majority of customers play Jedi. It only makes sense from a business perspective to address the biggest collection of people first, especially if it takes the same amount of development resources to address one over the other. It's the biggest bang for the buck.
Hmm, and adding content to the bigger playerbase also makes more people flock there.
So, in essence you're saying that in a year or two...There will be only Jedi and BH, because since most play those, most effort is put there, and eventually the other will be extinct due to lack of effort.
RK-31 In memory of Stormtrooper Detachment Epsilon We will not become a shadow of our former self When the Star Wars world ends, my reason for being here ends. Thank you Helios_SOE for making that clear to meAll Access Pass Status: 4'th of July cancelation
Ok, my one and only question for the Devs in this thread. I will only post it once unlike others, but here it is.
Why are Jedi constantly moved to the front of the line above all other professions when often other professions need more attention?
Because the majority of customers play Jedi. It only makes sense from a business perspective to address the biggest collection of people first, especially if it takes the same amount of development resources to address one over the other. It's the biggest bang for the buck.
the biggest collection of people like pre-cu not the NGE from a businees perspective it would be wiser to go to pre-cu
ggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg _______________________________________________________________ --------This spot for Sale-------- --------Checobacca k Ice-man' -------- ---I came back for the community--- ---Ill leave again when the EMU servers go acive--- _______________________________________________________________ gggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg
Helios_SOE wrote: Because the majority of customers play Jedi. It only makes sense from a business perspective to address the biggest collection of people first, especially if it takes the same amount of development resources to address one over the other. It's the biggest bang for the buck.
I just love the recent spatter of brutal honesty.
--- Cancelled 24th November 2006 Reason: The lack of multiplayer pve content and Star Wars feel. For 3 years I have tried to find excuses to stay in game but only the expansions offered me what I subscribed for in the first place: A multiplayer Star Wars pve experience with friends around the globe. I found friends but with almost no addition of pve content they dropped out one by one. Now it's my turn.
Smed wrote: I prefer it to the old combat system which I personally found dull. But that's just my personal opinion. Smed
Then why do you prefer WOW to SWG?
First , understand, I am not a fan of WoW, nor am I defending Smed, or anyone else.
But think about this for a minute. If you worked on a game, such as Star Wars Galaxies, worked on it , day in and day out, since its beginning, and knew pretty much all there was to know about it, the mechanics, the instances, the rewards, the entire game layout, do you really think you would enjoy playing it for pleasure? Where you have no surprises? I know I wouldnt. As much as I love SWG, I have no doubt that if I were a developer for this game, or in a place to know as much about it as Smed must know, I would not enjoy spending my 'relaxation' time playing it.
This game is a job for him, and all the other devs. Yes, they need to have toons on actual servers, but mainly so they can get in there and experience first hand how things are working out. I do not for one minute blame any of them for finding a different game to play in their off time, nor do I blame Smed for participating in the social environment of a forum on a game which he does play.
Everyone on the design team spends time every day playing the game and collecting feedback on their play experience. It's part of the daily job requirement. But, when you consider that many of us spend 40 to sometimes 60 or 70 hours a week working on the game, you can see how we might get our "SWG fix" at work. When we get home, most of us want to play something else for a change of pace - except Thunderheart because he's nuts.
Do any of yuo devs play an EXCLUSIVELY crafter or entertainer?
When I saw the "what we did today posts" it seems it was ALWAYS combat and ALWAYS the noob missions/legecy quests.
I'd like to hear how the ones that play SWG find things to do now. you can't really group, quests get boring and the social professions are in shambles. What do you play and if not a social porfession, why not?
I support removing combat classes if keeping them in results in a "dumbed down" game - I support Devs that know how to design a game
I know most of the focus will be on the ground game and I'm all for that but as a fan of the space game I have to ask. Will we be getting any new ships or parts for our ships anytime soon as maybe a quest reward. Or even new space based missions.
Ok, my one and only question for the Devs in this thread. I will only post it once unlike others, but here it is.
Why are Jedi constantly moved to the front of the line above all other professions when often other professions need more attention?
Because the majority of customers play Jedi. It only makes sense from a business perspective to address the biggest collection of people first, especially if it takes the same amount of development resources to address one over the other. It's the biggest bang for the buck.
You need a team for each profession and include changes to each one for every publish
"Hell is empty, and all the devils are here." Argon' Nitor ICE G-Tech Industries Fort Krayt, Tatooine(5925, 4345)
