Variance

[Buhbuh]

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

When we talk about Nihilum being the dominant guild now, we are not speaking in subjective terms. When you make references about changes implemented over a "long period" that weakened "Nihilum's strangle hold on the server's raid mobs" realize that there is a connotation that not only has Nihilum been the dominant guild historically (ie they have had a lack of competitors and competition), but that Nihilum has been "strangling" the server because they are so dominant. That is subjective (as all connotations are), but those are your words not mine.

How is this long-winded nothing of a sentence even relevant? Are you arguing the semantics of what is objective and what is subjective? Who gives a shit.

This is a thread about variance, not your intellectual playground. Get fuckin' real, bro.

The reasons GMs implemented changes in the past may not have been rooted in the idea that Nihilum needs more of a challenge, but what I said was that they were changes championed by, specifically, players in the opposing guilds who could no longer compete (i.e. people wanted more of a chance to take things from Nihilum). And this lack of competition absolutely is for lack of trying. The first step to competing is being not lazy.

[Kergan]

Last thing I'll say on the topic.

We have a way to snipe raid targets already. It's called winning the battle for it.

Hivemind refuses to consider other viewpoints while simultaneously saying none of us can see things outside our own perspective. Your entire point boils down to this:

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

I will reiterate that I think that it should be more difficult for the top guild/force/team on the server to remain the top guild/force/team on the server.

And your idea to do this? Rally the troops and fight for it? Naw, lets add an excruciatingly boring facet to the game NOBODY wants to do and WILL drive players away. You sir should be handed your PHD in game design immediately.

Argument done gone full retard at this point.

[Colgate]

SEEK HELP

[Quiet]

Variance caters to the more dedicated guild. The guild willing to sit on a spawn throughout its entire window. A guild can sit on a spawn long enough so that the spawns are so far apart there is a different raid mob each night. Sure at first there might be some overlap, but you think Nihilum will ditch sitting on the PD/VS/CT timer in favor of chasing Faydedar or even Talendor?

Of the 2 guilds on the server, does anyone actually believe that Azrael has the dedicated base of players who will log on and sit on a spawn and not leave for hours on end, do they even have enough players to do that?

Everyone bitched for exp bonus, the bonus has allowed Nihilum to level up another 50+ characters to 60, while Azrael has probably produced 5-10 new 60s. Hell in KC tonight there was 17 players from Nihi heading towards 60 of which none were mains.

Progression had variance, you had to sit on the spawn and wait up to 24 hours, don't leave your computer, don't walk away for a drink, don't go to the bathroom, cause mob might spawn and its over. Of the 2 guilds, who's style does that really suit better?

Lite just throwing out the desperation challenges because he poked the bee hive and the swarm finally came. Nothing that can be done now for Azrael except hope for lower end targets in velious or win via training / shady tactics. Because when Velious drops and Nihilum is rolling 80-100 + with alts at the ready, they will be able to easily split raid the lower end stuff and steam roll ToV, creating a gear gap so big that it will be like the old days of Tallon Zek when a 3-6 pandemonium members could wreck 2 groups of anyone else.

[Danien]

In games such as Everquest the normal case is that one force is going to be substantially stronger than their competitors due to how easy it is to monopolize content. Most people who play MMO's are interested in character development and when that is completely shut down for them the vast majority will quit.

I feel like automated simulated repops every 5-10 days would be a lot more important then variance. Variance adds a new mechanic where the best option to compete for end game content is to sit idle and do nothing for an extended period of time. The main way this could potentially reward lesser parties is that the dominant guild get so bored with sitting around that they choose not to do this. I can't imagine that it's going to be easier to motivate a large group of people who are most likely going to lose to perform this same taxing task in hopes of sniping a mob. Given a period of limited success I feel like the will to compete is going to fizzle out and all you've accomplished is introducing another tedious element to the game.

Simulated repops on the other hand will offer a chance for people to compete while still playing the game of Everquest (You know, killing mobs/people and what not) given how extremely hard it would be for a guild to lock down ALL content given that the server is still in a somewhat healthy state. In theory this allows the dominant force to still pick and choose what they want and get the lions share of the loot while still allowing other forces to get something out of it and giving them a reason to stick around in hopes of getting more.

[Youlath]

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

In games such as Everquest the normal case is that one force is going to be substantially stronger than their competitors due to how easy it is to monopolize content. Most people who play MMO's are interested in character development and when that is completely shut down for them the vast majority will quit.

I feel like automated simulated repops every 5-10 days would be a lot more important then variance. Variance adds a new mechanic where the best option to compete for end game content is to sit idle and do nothing for an extended period of time. The main way this could potentially reward lesser parties is that the dominant guild get so bored with sitting around that they choose not to do this. I can't imagine that it's going to be easier to motivate a large group of people who are most likely going to lose to perform this same taxing task in hopes of sniping a mob. Given a period of limited success I feel like the will to compete is going to fizzle out and all you've accomplished is introducing another tedious element to the game.

Simulated repops on the other hand will offer a chance for people to compete while still playing the game of Everquest (You know, killing mobs/people and what not) given how extremely hard it would be for a guild to lock down ALL content given that the server is still in a somewhat healthy state. In theory this allows the dominant force to still pick and choose what they want and get the lions share of the loot while still allowing other forces to get something out of it and giving them a reason to stick around in hopes of getting more.

goog post

[Barladore]

Everything Hivemind has said is 100% spot on..

As far as the variance vs sim repops goes: Variance creates pvp over the targets where sim repops is often just a trade off.

For example; nihilum goes for VS/inny so az goes for CT/VP. Why risk pvping over something and blowing your chance at everything, when you can pick up more loot by avoiding pvp? Sim repops actually discourages pvp.

Variance promotes pvp both when the mob spawns and when trackers are trying to hold the camp. Will nihilum hold all the camps? fuck no. Sure they will hold most, but at the very minimum there will be constant pvp and jockeying for track camps. People have mentioned how camping those spots is boring? No its not, not in seb, fear, hate or KC. Groups will camp items/exp there and track at the same time. This isnt blue where you can leave a lvl 30 ranger alone to track, he will need major blackup. What variance does is it gives smaller crews a reason to go try and wipe them. You want to know why azrael hasnt been logging in? Because a simple YT isnt worth forming a group to go into KC or seb anymore.

Variance gives added incentive to pvp in small numbers. It gives incentive for people to log in and pvp or hold down an exp camp even at level 60 (more importantly).

Add variance and change the pvp range back to +8/-8

Why not try it for a month?

[R Flair]

Why not try playing on blue?

[Barladore]

lol blue, would not play for minimum wage.

[R Flair]

I'm gonna elbow drop this stupidity right in the face...

You're asking in no uncertain terms to remove the element of competition via mass pvp from the game of EverQuest.

Get out of the ring and go play blue you nancy boy.