Different Rule-set servers.

[Venti]

Main problem with multiple rulesets, as the PvP servers are finding, fixes for each ruleset can drastically affect the others if good or more often very bad ways.

Too many rulesets can mean a self distructive code base.

[Ginfress]

Originally Posted by Prithivi

Actually if you go to SilkyVenom, under recent developer posts, Aradune Mithara mentions it, he says "Hopefully on some of the more controversial issues that cannot by definition co-exist on the same server/shard, we can use alternate rule-set servers. Thoughts?"

Just thought you might like that info

That might be very good news. Now let's hope that it isnt just a sales talk from Brad. I wouldnt mind a server without teleporters, lower xp and harsh death penalties.

[Naiya]

I guess I'm going to be the voice of doom and gloom on this one (and believe me, as an optimist, I dislike being the bad guy)

I have concerns about moving to this set up because of the different rule-sets and bugs that will be introduced and *potential* population issues. Please hear me out.

If this is introduced, to truly satisfy a majority of the subscriber base, the layout will look something like this

• PvE Server
  • Easy
  • Normal
  • Hard
• PvP Server
  • Easy
  • Normal
  • Hard
• PvP Team Server
  • Easy
  • Normal
  • Hard
• PvP FFA Server
  • Easy
  • Normal
  • Hard
• RP Preferred Server
  • Easy
  • Normal
  • Hard

My issue is, with TWO rule sets we are having problems with cross server bugs (something that fixes PvE breaks PvP). What this proposal is essentially asking for is to introduce THREE MORE server rule sets to the two we presently have.

Furthermore, breaking the servers up like this *could potentially* cause population issues. For instance, I like to craft. To do that I need to gather resources. I will not play on a PvP server for fear of getting ganked while harvesting to create the armor that the PvP'ers would want. This type of stratification *could* lead to problems. Any time you look at a stratification like this you open yourself up to many game play/balance/population problems. Once you add the multiple spheres into it, you've complicated your issues.

I'm not opposed to change, but I don't think this is the way to do it. Another concern (but less so than others I think) is that the current test environment is not set up to effectively test multiple rule sets. In order to do this and maintain a high level of QA, you would need at least two more test servers. That may not be cost effective at this juncture.

I think the dev's need to work on making their lives *easier*. I don't believe multiple rule sets are the way to accomplish this task. I know the devs are hard at work knocking out bugs as they can and I know they have bigger fish to fry, I just think if they stick to their vision and maintain what they set out to do, they will find subscribers. No one MMO is for everyone but I don't think the devs should work themselves into a ditch trying to please an entire subscriber base. All that will ever happen is current complaints will be replaced with new ones.

Again, I'm sorry to be the voice of doom and gloom and I know I'm looking at this from a professional standpoint, but they are my real concerns. I tried to keep my comments general as I know I do not speak for the entire player base.

These are my concerns, your mileage may very.

[Siul]

Originally Posted by Naiya

Again, I'm sorry to be the voice of doom and gloom and I know I'm looking at this from a professional standpoint, but they are my real concerns. I tried to keep my comments general as I know I do not speak for the entire player base.

These are my concerns, your mileage may very.

Well... you give the big picture view that brings into perspective the real problems that could arise from such stratification, as you put it. This was my initial concern. In an ideal world the idea is interesting, but we are far from ideal.

To add to that, there is already a lot of complaining about the bugs and problems and ppl love to complain and threat to leave. Now imagine that you add these same bugs to all the different rule sets and soon ppl will just leave because there are more bugs then game.

I don't know how stable this things are. It seems that you fix a bug and then when you fix some other the first one gets affected or something new comes up. In my idea with time these things will be fixed and has the "coding" matures and stabilizes maybe such strata could be implemented (I ask all the professionals out there to criticize this point has I have no idea about coding).

Anyway, thanks for the perspective

[EdwinAhe]

Okay with recent introduction of teleporters (on test-server) I think that this thread deserves a BUMP
Hopefully the whole story will end just like death-mechanics change, but we can`t be 100% sure. So again: Sigil perhaps this thread can recieve some attention?

[Lonestryder]

Originally Posted by EdwinAhe

Okay with recent introduction of teleporters (on test-server) I think that this thread deserves a BUMP
Hopefully the whole story will end just like death-mechanics change, but we can`t be 100% sure. So again: Sigil perhaps this thread can recieve some attention?

Yes, but why do we have to keep fighting this stuff coming from the game designers themselves? Are these the same designers that built the game, because I can't for the life of me figure out why these change keep coming up. Most of the hardcore are gone already (due to the massive simplification that occurred during the final stages of beta), and I don't see too much complaining about the current system.

What's funny is that if they implement a change to the core game design, such as teleporting between continents, they will loose more players than they gain. The world was obviously designed with more grandiose ideals in mind, and all these major design changes, whether on test or live, show for me that the underlying philosophy of the design team is to simplify everything. What happened to the original design team? I don't buy the premise that they need to make the game easier to gain subs. Subs left or are staying away for two major reasons: 1) performance / PC spec requirements, and 2) game was not what was originally designed / discussed for years. The only reason they didn't dilute the death penalty was due to the outcry from the community.

So what is Sigil thinking here and where are they taking this game? I would love to know so I don't waste any more time on it. I already have the insta-port game with EQ2, and I'd not skip a beat to be back playing that game. It's simple, but I have invested a great amount of time in it. Is Sigil actually simplifying the game even faster than EQ2 did?

[Agedone]

Taking into consideration what Naiya has to say, I'm not sure you need to stratify all types of servers. (Yes, this will probably get me flamed....) Using an Easy....Standard....Challenging ruleset breakdown for PVE and RP servers could be a bit easier to implement and test using a single test server. All of a sudden our ruleset just becomes more difficult? similar to the XP curve testing we just did a few weeks back. Nobody particularly enjoyed that one, but then....thats what we're there for.
Ageds, 24th Rakurr Shaman

[EdwinAhe]

Originally Posted by Lonestryder

Yes, but why do we have to keep fighting this stuff coming from the game designers themselves? Are these the same designers that built the game, because I can't for the life of me figure out why these change keep coming up. Most of the hardcore are gone already (due to the massive simplification that occurred during the final stages of beta), and I don't see too much complaining about the current system.

What's funny is that if they implement a change to the core game design, such as teleporting between continents, they will loose more players than they gain. The world was obviously designed with more grandiose ideals in mind, and all these major design changes, whether on test or live, show for me that the underlying philosophy of the design team is to simplify everything. What happened to the original design team? I don't buy the premise that they need to make the game easier to gain subs. Subs left or are staying away for two major reasons: 1) performance / PC spec requirements, and 2) game was not what was originally designed / discussed for years. The only reason they didn't dilute the death penalty was due to the outcry from the community.

So what is Sigil thinking here and where are they taking this game? I would love to know so I don't waste any more time on it. I already have the insta-port game with EQ2, and I'd not skip a beat to be back playing that game. It's simple, but I have invested a great amount of time in it. Is Sigil actually simplifying the game even faster than EQ2 did?

I see your point What i do think: Why shouldn`t we try it? There is no reason at all to just give up and go away. I think that my solution is quite simple and it`s "win-win-win" for everybody

[Ruffie]

The problem I would have with this is how would you define "hard"? To me pressing num lock and going for a coke and a smoke is not "hard". I have never been challenged by travel in any game. I hate that I can spend up to two nights of game play a week doing nothing but watch the same roads zip by under my feet.

On the other hand, slow xp, tougher mobs, death penalties don't bother me at all. But fast xp and gimp mobs do bother me.

Then there is the whole BoE crap that I hate to the point that I have abondoned every MMO I have played once it was implemented and headed back to EQ.

So which of your servers would I play on?

[Ialiliel]

I think that though this may be an idea for the future lets face the facts the game is buggy until they can get 1 rule set working lets not jump the gun.

Though i play a lot on test i am with nai on the teleporters what a total waste of time. Here get a horse early oh wait thats not good enough you are all still crying wait i know quick get some lame port stones in that might make them happy .... whats next i wonder here is your 10 click port anywhere instantly item ...

A not so happy enthusiastic camper.

Ialiliet 34 monk
Frerra 34 tailor
Miyzia 43 druid