Crowdsourcing Velious

[Splorf22]

I was thinking about this while reading the latest 'wipe the server' thread, and if there is any way to accelerate it dramatically. The fact is that many, many people have finished Kunark by now.

I don't know the mechanics of how you edit the server files for quests, drops, factions, and so on, but it must be possible to make them available (and the editing programs as well) on the wiki. You could then create another test server that rebooted every day with god mode and such so people could play with their changes. I'd absolutely be willing to spend a little time on this, and I think a lot of other people would too.

The biggest danger here would be people doing the usual wiki vandalism, but I think this could be minimized. First, we could follow the crowdsourcing phase with a period of the real devs checking things, beta testing etc. Second, just tie people's wiki accounts to their EQ accounts, and ban their characters if they are clearly manipulating things for their own benefit.

[Vondra]

I don't know whether it'd be feasible or not, but at least superficially I like the idea.

[Nuggie]

I think that figuring out the game mechanics is part of the challenge of EQ, no? If you open source it you give anyone that is willing to spend a little time looking the opportunity to know exactly how the game works.

Right?

[Vondra]

Originally Posted by Nuggie [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

I think that figuring out the game mechanics is part of the challenge of EQ, no? If you open source it you give anyone that is willing to spend a little time looking the opportunity to know exactly how the game works.

Right?

This would be meaningful if the game was relatively new. As it is though, all the meaningful mechanics were figured out long ago.

[Splorf22]

Right. I remember seeing a thread earlier which was all about 'lets help the devs by going out to do research on spawns/loot tables/etc on old sites like Alla so they can type it in easily'. Well, why not let the players type stuff in themselves and eliminate the middleman.

[Seaweedpimp]

Originally Posted by Splorf22 [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

I was thinking about this while reading the latest 'wipe the server' thread, and if there is any way to accelerate it dramatically. The fact is that many, many people have finished Kunark by now.

I don't know the mechanics of how you edit the server files for quests, drops, factions, and so on, but it must be possible to make them available (and the editing programs as well) on the wiki. You could then create another test server that rebooted every day with god mode and such so people could play with their changes. I'd absolutely be willing to spend a little time on this, and I think a lot of other people would too.

The biggest danger here would be people doing the usual wiki vandalism, but I think this could be minimized. First, we could follow the crowdsourcing phase with a period of the real devs checking things, beta testing etc. Second, just tie people's wiki accounts to their EQ accounts, and ban their characters if they are clearly manipulating things for their own benefit.

What the problem? VD sure as hell hasnt finished kunark. So...

[Splorf22]

Well I'm just a humble app, so I don't think I'm some sort of guild representative. Personally I'm not sick of Kunark - I'm basing this rather loosely on the numerous wipe it clean threads that seem to surface every few weeks and the general overcrowding at the high end.

Anyway, crowdsourcing isn't magic. It's not like everything will happen overnight. I'm merely wondering if this is a way we could get Velious in 4-5 months rather than 10-12.

Also I don't see 'finishing X' as 'I killed the encounters thousands of times until I had every possible piece of best in slot gear' as much as 'I've done this encounter enough times that its no longer challenging or interesting'. I mean realistically its not like everyone is going to get a crown of rile unless velious is decades away. I mean, would you guys really prefer Velious in 12 months over 6?

[douglas1999]

Originally Posted by Splorf22 [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

I mean, would you guys really prefer Velious in 12 months over 6?

I would, if only cause epics still aren't in and I'd like a realistic shot at ever getting mine. They're still useful in velious I suppose, it's just harder to get the people together to go do the necessary encounters when they're all in Kunark\Old World zones and there's a juicy new expansion open.

[Hasbinbad]

Nobody has finished Kunark yet that I know of except maybe that loot whore Zeelot (jk bro, all <3) and some bards that don't get much BIS gear in VP..

[nilbog]

Originally Posted by Splorf22 [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

many people have finished Kunark by now.

It only seems this way because the max level players are also usually the most vocal in wanting new content. There are many players that haven't been to Sebilis, much less fought Kunark dragons.

I don't know the mechanics of how you edit the server files for quests, drops, factions, and so on

This sounds ominous.

, but it must be possible to make them available (and the editing programs as well) on the wiki.

I was right. It is ominous :T

Since the original launch of the server, we've been refining the methodology on exactly how we want things developed. Even if a developer knows mysql, perl, or c++, their submissions still have to meet our standards, by our guidelines.

You could then create another test server that rebooted every day with god mode and such so people could play with their changes. I'd absolutely be willing to spend a little time on this, and I think a lot of other people would too.

The biggest danger here would be people doing the usual wiki vandalism, but I think this could be minimized. First, we could follow the crowdsourcing phase with a period of the real devs checking things, beta testing etc. Second, just tie people's wiki accounts to their EQ accounts, and ban their characters if they are clearly manipulating things for their own benefit.

The sentiment is admirable, but that approach is disastrous.

Sorry, but none of this is going to happen. If you want to help make sure Velious gets done, I have several projects I can put together for community input that do not involve disclosing db or source.

Originally Posted by douglas1999 [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

I would, if only cause epics still aren't in and I'd like a realistic shot at ever getting mine.

Coming soon.