Twitter made me smile last night when I got a tweeted to a question asked the previous evening. Holly Longdale has made pre-ordering the Collector’s Edition of Chains of Eternity even more appealing. The ability to have a mercenary of Paladin and Templar instead of one or the other is a huge bonus for the Collector’s Edition. The forums have yet to be updated with the announcement, I will update this posting with a link when that happens.
Last Sunday was a lazy Sunday here and when we turned on the television to veg out an infomercial was on for vacuums. I normally mock those things and we quickly change the channel, however I was transfixed. There before me was the vacuum I kept waiting for someone to make. I was probably pretty close to drooling to be honest, hubby was laughing at me something fierce. But can you blame me? The vacuum on television was sucking up dust and crap while being maneuverable and adaptable at the same time. And I’m frugal enough to admit that I will not pay over $500 bucks for a vacuum given the amount of pet hair that accumulates quickly here.
So we ordered the vacuum and I thereby lost my infomercial virginity. My Shark Rotator arrived on Thursday afternoon. I am thrilled. The amount of dust it picks up is amazing and it’s taking me less time to vacuum the same area. The best thing is that the unit is sealed. No dust particles or dander escapes while vacuuming or when I empty the canister. I can honestly say that no other vacuum I’ve used in the last decade plus has come close to the performance of the Rotator.
Now what does all this have to do with gaming you might be wondering?
Well, somehow my new vacuum looks eerily similar to a R4-E1 droid, a fact pointed out by hubby rather quickly. So my new speedy, maneuverable, new vacuum is a droid that let’s me getting back to gaming faster and in a much cleaner and healthier environment. And with two dogs, one cat, and a macaw anything that helps me get a handle on pet hair, dander, and bird feathers is a welcomed addition to my cleaning arsenal.
Losing my infomercial virginity has made my life easier and my family healthier. Thank heavens for lazy Sunday’s!
Ever since Game Update 1.5 for Star Wars: The Old Republic, went live on the Public Test Servers, the forums have been alight debating its implementation, why Bioware is greedy, why Free-to-Play players are leeches, and how the conversion is going to fail. All debate aside, Bioware seems to be listening and took to the forums to clarify what being a former subscriber would grant you, making a cash shop purchase etc.
Quoting directly:
Once our Free-to-Play option launches, Free-to-Play Players will gain Preferred Player Status by making a single purchase through our website. This purchase can simply be a quantity of Cartel Coins, or a Game Time Card, or even a month of a Subscription. Additionally, former Subscribers who are returning as Free-to-Play Players, will find they have Preferred Status!
As a Preferred Status Player, you will gain the following benefits compared to Free-to-Play Players:
• The Sprint ability at Level 1
• Access to your Cargo Hold (an 80 item Player Bank)
• Access to Secure Trade
• The ability to send Mail, including one (1) attachment
• Increased allowance for chat message frequencies in Public chat channels (such as /general)
• An increased Credits Cap
• Access to the Who List
• Three (3) additional Sale Slots on the Galactic Trade Network (for a total of 5)
• One (1) additional active Crew Skill Slot (for a total of 2)
• Reduced skill point respecialization costs
• Increased Server queue priority
In addition to the above benefits, Subscribers who return as Preferred Status Players will find that they retain any Cargo Hold and Inventory expansions they had unlocked, any Legacy Unlock or Perk they have gained (including Species) and can continue to use any Artifact equipment that was bound to them previously.
UPDATES: recent posts concerning more changes concerning F2P
We've been observing PTS closely over the last few days. In that time, we have generally been very pleased with how well the build has been performing, as well as overall reaction to the build both on the boards and in-game. That being said, based on community and internal feedback here and further deliberation, we will in short order make the following changes to the Free to Play restrictions:
- Free-to-Play players will now get a second quickslot bar.
- Free-to-Play players will now be able to do 5 Warzones per week instead of 3.
- The Cartel Coin item lock (i.e. temporary bind) will be reduced to 3 days for Free-to-Play players, and 2 days for subscribers.
We've found some crucial bugs that needed stomping, which is good. These changes will make their way to you probably early next week.
Second: (third post from the end)
'Account' unlocks are server agnostic. They are unlocks across the entire service.
Third: (+41 Color Crystals Discussion)
So the other bit of discussion to have is about the color crystals. I thought in this case that I would start the discussion with all of you, so that you could understand our logic and guide our thinking.
Currently, these crystals appear in cartel packs with a level 10 requirement, and on the store with a level 35 requirement, in order to access stats roughly equal to a standard level 50 color crystal. It's worth noting that color crystals are something that the itemization team stopped improving the itemization of shortly after launch, because people really hated losing their signature lightsaber color because it was no longer Best in Slot. We have, incidentally, seriously entertained removing all itemization from color crystals entirely (it makes many problems go away for us), but we didn't have the time to make such a large change on itemization before this patch went live.
The reason why we put these in with low level requirement is pretty simple: getting an item you can't use in the Cartel Packs really sucks. It's the same reason we pursued the tech that allowed us to make mounts adaptive - we expect a very large influx of new players when we launch free to play, and those guys opening cartel packs to get items they can't use for months (literally, for casual players!) is a negative experience, not a positive one.
So after discussing with the balance team, we decided to put these in with lower level requirements, with the following reasoning:
- The balance math shows the bump to be pretty good at level 10 (not something the balance team was uncomfortable with, though), but pretty unremarkable by the time you hit, say, level 30 or so. Since pretty much open world PvP doesn't happen at those low levels, the impact on open world PvP is pretty much negligable.
- The way the math works out, the benefit pretty much washed away by the bolster system in warzones, which means there is no significant advantage there.
- The crystals are exactly as good as end-game color crystals, which means they have ZERO impact on endgame activities (level 50 ranked warzones, operations, heroic flashpoints, etc). We're still philosophically avoiding putting any stat advantage at this level that subscribers cannot earn through reasonable normal play.
- The fact that these items are fully tradeable means that players who do think there's a balance advantage here can acquire them on the GTN for pure credits without spending a single cartel coin.
The net result of all of this is that slapping one of these color crystals in your saber at level 10 effectively makes levelling from levels 10 up somewhat easier, with the benefits tapering off quickly as the player levels up, and eventually zeroing out altogether. We felt, in general, that that was okay. The focus groups that we ran also seemed to think it was okay, as long as we avoided endgame power.
Fourth: (security keys)
We've been getting some questions about security keys and how they will work. For starters, Free-to-Play and Preferred players cannot use NEW digital security keys. However, if you had one on your account and you decided to go to Preferred Player Status, then you can still use your digital security key. Free-to-Play players may purchase a physical security key, which will give them Preferred Player Status and the ability to use the physical security key.
Hopefully this settles many of the debates, most of which have been civil but many are beginning to devolve into flame wars. For the record, I don’t think Bioware is going wrong in the conversion model. So far my only real issue with the conversion is one quick bar for free to play but cost to upgrade is low and as described above it conveys many more benefits, so that issue has been addressed in my book.
This morning the Public Test Server, PTS, was brought down for Star Wars: The Old Republic to implement new changes to what was available on the PTS. Patch notes can be found here.
The Cartel Market
Those changes included for the first time a look at the Cartel Market. All characters on the PTS are set to free-to-play status so that purchases from the Cartel Market can be tested. Users will be periodically given more Cartel Coins (the currency for the Cartel Market) to spend on the Market allowing them to make purchases.
The Cartel Market contains cosmetic items, equipment items with stats, stat booster, unlocks for additional storage, operations and warzones unlocks, and titles. There are non-combat pets in the Market and fun items like a Carbonite Chamber.
HK-51 Assassin Droid Companion
If you have fond memories of HK-47 in Star War: Knight of the Old Republic, then get ready to meet the new and improved assassin crew member HK-51. HK-51 is available for testing as a companion character. HK-51 is quested for and takes players all over the galaxy in a search to assemble HK-51 once again. Players must be level 50 to begin their quest for HK-51.
What happens when you mix a sassy human with a smart mouth and Force capabilities? The always entertaining, fiercely loyal Padawan Kira Carson of course!
This installment of Companions 101 covers the ever sassy Kira Carson. Kira is the second companion that joins the Jedi Knight’s crew. Kira is something of an anomaly in the Jedi Order, her moral compass isn’t always defined by the straight and narrow path. Sometimes the right decision to gain affection with Kira is the one that disregards respecting authority. Best way to describe Kira? Quite simply, she follows what her heart tells her is right and not necessarily what rules and her Jedi Masters would consider the correct path.
I’ve always had a grand time with Kira as my companion. Her favorite saying of mine is “Eat light saber jerk!” She is a double bladed light saber DPS’er that never lets down my knight characters.
Hubby and I both received beta invitations late this morning to PlanetSide 2. After eagerly downloading and installing the client, I’m sad to report my first impression is less than positive.
Zero character customization, you get a choice of five faces to choose from and all five are grainy and look like something drawn by a four-year-old with talent. So now you have your drone, can’t even call them soldiers because there is absolutely no difference between the guys on your left and the guys on your right, and you are thrust into the world. There is no tutorial, no brief introduction on what to do or where to go. You are just suddenly spawned in the middle of some military base with no clue on what to do next.
Being overwhelmed I played around with the User Interface trying to see if I had missed something. Nope, I hadn’t missed anything but I could immediate join any squad I clicked on. Knowing how badly I tend to suck at shooters, especially when I haven’t played one in a long time, I refrained from joining a squad.
Instead, I went to the new wikia that was released last week. The wall of text was helpful but frustrating but it at least gave me somewhat of a clue. Still far from comfortable, I valiantly tried again. Logged-in and promptly got frustrated. Part of that is my own lack of confidence with first person shooters, part of it is the general attitude of those that play first person shooters to those that are less than elite players, and the last part was just great disappointment with Sony.
Every SOE game I’ve ever played has had an introductory tutorial. It allows you to get familiar with controls, interfaces, and mechanics. For some unfathomable reason, SOE has failed to include an introductory tutorial of any kind. Let’s be blunt, not many people are going to be willing to stop game play and rush out to a wikia page to learn how to play a shooter. As a result, when the game goes live on November 20th, I can imagine epic postings of friendly fire massacres, forum postings furious at the frustrating user interface, and the horrible graphics.
I’ll give the game another go before it is out of beta, but right now, I’m so very thankful we didn’t buy two Alpha Squad packages this weekend.
When DC Universe Online launched in January 2011 I remember hearing about it a little, and then it seemed to fall completely off the radar. It doesn’t make sense given the fact that it is available on both the PC and the PlayStation 3.
After hearing about Lairs, aka housing, coming to the game early next year, we both downloaded the game over the weekend. We had a blast. You get to play as a Hero or a Villain, you have a choice of three iconic mentor’s to guide your character development, character customization is amazing, and wardrobe choices are very well done. There are two servers, PvE and PvP. That’s it, no dead or nearly dead servers to accidentally create your characters on. Pick your play style choice and there ya go. The PvE server is constantly at high population and there are always other players accomplishing the same tasks.
Admittedly, our highest characters are level 7 but with a level cap of 30, that’s not that horrible. We’ve run the in-game Halloween event and had a blast. There was no country and western line dancing prescribed moves, especially if you’ve never run the event. Yes, once you’ve figured out what to do the mechanics don’t vary but it was a breath of fresh air. Especially for a group of four level 6’s – 9’s trying to kill a level 30 boss, with no requirement for specific roles to be defined when queuing for the event. Loot was decent and usable, which is always a pleasant plus.
Movement is still clunky for me, game requires a PC controller or a mouse and keyboard. PS3 version obviously utilizes the controller. I’m getting used to the W key for movement but it still feels awkward and clumsy, but that’s a personal issue and a not a flawed game mechanic. Scenery is a little flat but still beautiful for a Direct X9 game. It will be interesting to see if Sony pushes a graphics update in the next year.
Game definitely has our interest and I know it is one we will both be playing in the coming weeks.
SOE Live is winding down after a Saturday filled with panels, games, and prizes. I had the opportunity to ask a question that’s bothered me for years, to Holly Longdale, Producer for Everquest 2.
First, here’s the background and question from my e-mail to Holly:
First, thank you and the whole team for all your hard work on Everquest 2. It's by far my favorite game but I have one serious question.
I didn't start playing video games until my 40's and a good 4 years into the life cycle of EQ2. I've started and stopped playing several times for one reason. The game is punishing to new players who are so far behind the curve. I'm not asking to be insta-leveled with 280 AA's. Leveling isn't hard, heck I enjoy questing more than I care to admit. It's the 280 AA's that are daunting to acquire. Mentoring, while effective, just feels like power leveling which is something I despise.
So, despite my current All Access Pass for a year, and my deep love of EQ2, I find myself dreading logging on because of the AA climb to 90. Leveling is a joy, the 280 AA makes me want to punch something. Even with my experience tuned to 80-90% toward AA, the uphill climb is deflating.
Are the developers working on someway to ease the punishment factor for acquiring AA?
Here’s Holly’s response:
We are addressing this in our panel. In fact, we think we have a cure for you, including changes to mentoring that make it more balanced. AA exp is also going to tuned a second time.
We realize now how punishing it is...I myself am leveling naturally and getting beyond 90 is killing me too...ergo...the changes.
Please know that I and the team play and replay so we know if the game is still fun with everything we add and change!Thanks for writing!
Mentoring is getting a nerf or buff depending on your viewpoint. From my perspective, it’s being buffed. Now when grouped with a mentor, a player must appear on the hate list to receive experience from the kill. This happily means an end to rampant power leveling, assuming of course that developers stick to the design philosophy and don’t listen to the squeaky wheel syndrome. It should also see a reduction in high level characters wiping out low level zones to acquire AA experience.
If you pre-order Chains of Eternity expansion, you will receive two baubles which will allow you to raise the AA of two characters on your account to 280 AA points when they reach level 90. While I wish the baubles weren’t restricted, I can see the reasoning for the cap.
The convention was a huge success, at least from a non-attendees perspective. The coming weeks will be exciting and don’t forget the open beta for Chains of Eternity starts Monday and the Non-Disclosure Agreement has been lifted.
Last night we both got beta keys to Storm Legion. I was excited to try it out because housing was coming. When they announced the beta open and the NDA lifted this morning, I logged on eagerly. Once I looked at the new souls, which look interesting I’ll be honest, I hopped over to my first dimension (aka player housing).
When a game tells you there is going to be housing do you expect something more than a cave or a wee hut and a decent size front yard? If so, DO NOT purchase Storm Legion.
The above is basically all there is of one of the dimensions I previewed. Sure there are beautiful scenes out your “front door” but there is squat else. Oh big whoop I can put a dining room table outdoors so that I can have my dinner guests interrupted by a rift. Ok, I don’t know if rifts actually spawn in dimensions but that’s what it felt like.
It doesn’t feel like any place any of my characters would call home. It feels like an after thought, tacked onto the expansion to draw in new and returning players who love player housing.
After listening to last night’s keynote at SOE Live, DC Universe Online caught my attention. Why you might be wondering, given all the other games out there? Quite simply they are introducing housing and it looked fun. So today I downloaded and installed the client, as did hubby.
We had time to get through the opening mission, a couple of times each to be honest trying to get the character and class just right, and had a blast. So far, at the oh so brutal level of 4 we are both having fun. Game play is fast paced, questing doesn’t appear to be overly complex (good and bad thing depending on your perspective around here) and there is a boatload of customization allowed.
Hubby settled on a villain healer and I understand why. I tried the same combo and it was a blast. I started on a villain martial arts healer and a hero control character. 
I’m sure tomorrow we will both explore Gotham and Metropolis more thoroughly before we make a decision on long term playing. If we decide to do so, we would upgrade to the All Access Pass from SOE. It’s also a very nice break from high fantasy games.
This evening was the keynote address to cover DC Universe Online, Everquest, Everquest 2, Everquest Next, and Legends of Norrath. Here’s the highlights from the presentations.
DC Universe Online highlights:
EverQuest highlights:
EverQuest2 highlights:
Legends Of Norrath highlights:
Ethernere is the common bond between the coming expansions of EQ and EQ2
Everquest Next highlights:
Player Studio highlights:
An object purchased with cash. Has the possibility of adding 30 days of game time to their account with plat! Pricing will be set by the player base, and the SOE recommendation is to set the price high! Best side effect of Krono? Hands down will eliminate the spam from gold farmers. Those lucky attendees at SOE Live all received a free Krono.
Ok, I’ll admit it, watching the broadcast has me itching to fire up EQ2 this week. Well that is, if DCUO isn’t monopolizing my time but more on that later. Night Norrathians – be sensible in Vegas!
The patch notes are so incredible long and detailed for Rift’s Patch 1.11 Tempest Rising, that Trion Worlds has broken the notes up into multiple forum postings. Here are some of the highlights of those notes:
Announced at SOE Live this evening, Sony Online Entertainment is partnering with Runewalker Entertainment for Dragon’s Prophet. I’m still researching the game but here’s what we know so far:
Quick and dirty but it certainly has caught my attention.
Star Wars: The Old Republic has been busy the last couple of weeks. So here’s a brief summary of what’s been happening over at SWTOR.
I’ll admit it, when SWTOR converts, I’ll be going back. I love the gameplay in SWTOR and am looking forward to finishing up the stories.
Sony Online Entertainment’s annual convention in Las Vegas kicked off tonight and as usual John Smedley kicked things off in exciting fashion.
Here’s just a brief glimpse of the highlights from Smedley’s speech:
SOE Live, still doesn’t roll off the tongue as easily as Fan Faire but I understand the change, promises to be a fun couple of days. Looking forward to the news from Las Vegas as the weekend progresses.
