Game Development: As Above, so Below

[Sidran]

I can't compete: And I can't reset the server every time we change something, and it is especially pointless to do so in the middle of a new and massive implementation. The time when one would be best positioned to argue for a server reset is when no meaningful changes what-so-ever have been made in a very long time while the game is still suffering from long-term imbalances that have not and will not resolve themselves through the normal processes of player drop-off and decay. Not in the middle of something. Even if I did reset the server tomorrow, you'd be pushing for the next reset come thursday when we make more changes to this very system.

The system sucks: This is baseline natural purity that can be developed without alchemy. Actual, formal alchemy hasn't even been touched yet.

I lost effort: Unfortunate, but some pain in this department has been on the cards for a very long time. It is in the nature of this type of game development that we must at times cause you some pain if we are to make progress. I cannot do much to change that.

NODES?! D:< RAEG!: They are intended to be mild, and provide mild, natural variety to herbs, animals and whatnot. When the system is more complete my aim is to have them be more of a bonus than a necessity.

Grinding four different alchemical values is a chore: I agree. Expect processes of transmutation.

I have presented legitimate concerns in a calm and collected fashion: Thank you! I much appreciate it!

Rocking of the boat is inevitable and many will cry (or become euphoric about it). I would always defend decently elaborated arguments, sprinkled with words of empathy and understanding (thats rightfully expected from those with upper hand).
The bigger change there is the less space is left for sterile, cold explanations and secrecy. If people (myself included) even get a hint of being manipulated and totaly not cared about the more havoc one gets.

Just a few more well thought out and explanatory sentences in opening post would probably not make this thread smaller but certainly less inflammatory, especially aimed at development. Unnecessary uncertainty does hurt.
I salute this communication knowing that you too are under heavy stress about all this.

[Alexivo]

To be honest, if the Devs took a moment to write out the above descriptors following the implementation of such a big change to the system, players would have a better understanding of the systems ahead and wont have such a big knee jerk reaction (read previous 50+ pages).

For me, to know that this is just the baseline and that enhancements are to be introduced to make the grind easier in the coming days takes a load off my mind.

[ElCapitan1701]

If there would be a server reset the "old" players wouldn`t like this patch either. While everyone points out that there always will be resistance to change, there is also consistent interest in increasing your advance. As this game is all about some core, massive grind players, it makes sense. But it won`t bring the amount of new players the devs and the core players will need to play around with. The whole concept of progress, which accelarates in time (exponential), is a deal breaker. It always gives the established player an advantage to the new ones and makes time the most important factor. And that takes all the casual players out of serious gaming. Salem is like Eve - but with no level cap.

What this game needs is logistic growth instead of exponential growth in every aspect. Easy to start but hard work for the last 10%.

[ysbryd]

Look, if there was a wipe tomorrow, you would have to wipe the minds of the established players too if you want parity.
They are good at this game because they know the game, they research the game, they try things out in game.
They were here first because thats what they do, and the devs could use them to actually BETA TEST the game.
I have a slight.. and I mean slight advantage over noobs cos I played haven, and as such I have an idea how the devs minds work and can see similarities to haven, but the fact is, that unless you are testing all the mechanics you wont be as good as the people who are.
They were here first and are where they are because they work at it. They look into all the possibilities. They grind stuff to see how it works.
If you really want to compete, learn the game as well as they have, know all the details, work out the numbers, find the shortcuts, work at it.
I have respect for these people cos they are researching what is going on in game, and are actually sharing it.
Now quit expecting to have the world given to you on a plate.

[Scilly_guy]

To be honest, if the Devs took a moment to write out the above descriptors following the implementation of such a big change to the system, players would have a better understanding of the systems ahead and wont have such a big knee jerk reaction (read previous 50+ pages).

For me, to know that this is just the baseline and that enhancements are to be introduced to make the grind easier in the coming days takes a load off my mind.

I guess the devs thought the community knew they were playing a a game that is in Beta and that an update to purity was coming, not only because they mentioned it last week but because it has always been on the cards.

[Procne]

Why are people still talking about wipe? It was pretty obvious that there would be no wipe and I can't see anyone asking for it in the last couple of pages.

[Claeyt]

Look, if there was a wipe tomorrow, you would have to wipe the minds of the established players too if you want parity.
They are good at this game because they know the game, they research the game, they try things out in game.
They were here first because thats what they do, and the devs could use them to actually BETA TEST the game.
I have a slight.. and I mean slight advantage over noobs cos I played haven, and as such I have an idea how the devs minds work and can see similarities to haven, but the fact is, that unless you are testing all the mechanics you wont be as good as the people who are.
They were here first and are where they are because they work at it. They look into all the possibilities. They grind stuff to see how it works.
If you really want to compete, learn the game as well as they have, know all the details, work out the numbers, find the shortcuts, work at it.
I have respect for these people cos they are researching what is going on in game, and are actually sharing it.
Now quit expecting to have the world given to you on a plate.

I fully agree that the people who started last summer are uber-beta testers and the ones with huge stats are great game mechanic researchers (these are not always the same people). I have been playing since November, and all the farmers in my group since October so I didn't get in on the ground floor, but I have been around awhile. The problem with the game and with this update is that farming, raising stats, and catching the people who started earlier has consistently become harder and harder as the devs update and bug fix. They've fixed the farming bugs that high end players took advantage of early (1x1 fields, farming in mines, and dross [although sometimes I still wish we could farm mushrooms in mines ]) and I have no problem with any of those actions either by the players or the devs (although I wish they would have nuked the 1x1's earlier). Many 1x1 high level farmers quit after that fix.

This update is more than that, it changes the game mechanics of farming and stat raising abilities without changing the characters who used the older easier system to get there, effectively locking new players and medium players who are able to put in the same amount of time and effort, out of the upper levels. It's not that the system isn't fair, or that the upper players wouldn't also be the best out there with a wipe (which I don't support), it's that the player hierarchy is now frozen, permanently. None of us will ever catch them even if we put in the same time and effort as they did. It will take us months longer. This update should have happened back in September when the Chief and Darworth were at 200 rather than now when they're over 500. Maybe the dev's want uber characters to drive the social aspect of the game, I don't know, it is fun to have large players out there. It would be more fun to have the ability to match up with them eventually.

[sonny_iii]

will u make changes already or at least let us know what is going on if u cant tell your game is dieing

[colesie]

15k views and 588 replies in this thread. Better hope the next one goes a little smoother

[dageir]

I wouldnt bet on it.