Q&A Re-cap

[iiNGloriouS]

Originally Posted by heals4reals [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

All I c is "what's happening to our server?"

"WWatch my stream watch my youtube watch my stream again then re watch my youtube"

[kylok]

All I have to say is where's my exp heroin?

#bigthings2014

[Derubael]

Originally Posted by Stasis04 [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Instead of the usual dumb questions I've prepared a few off the top of my head which would better serve the community.

1) Was this the desired result of EXP reduction (removal of mostly newer players, low pop, bad server morale).

2) Would you agree that people aren't willing to commit the amount of time required into this box to make it to max level and raid PVP(It took my rogue about 10 months to get 60 with bonus, and Nihi Trak/Fear/Hate exp grps.)

3) Are you aware that GM's before you have tried to remove the EXP bonus with the same logic and it always leads to the same result that we are in right now.

4) Why would you remove the EXP bonus after your thread received criticism from 90% of the people on the box across all guilds, the other 10% opposing being trolls.

5) Were you aware there were 3 competing guilds before this EXP nerf, one open guild to lower players, and a lot of excitement on the box prior to the nerf and pop breaking 200 often.

6) Why would you feel it was the best time to implement the EXP nerf against the opinions of people that have been here from the beginning and all stated the box was finally turning around.

7) Do you understand PVP servers are harder to level on significant especially in an FFA setting where no one trusts anyone.

8) Do you understand people have done the grind many times over and this box would be better promoted towards PVP(not in my ideal world of nostalgia, in reality.)

9) Do you think keeping classic EXP actually improves people in PVP like your long winded thread said (really)?

10) What are the big plans that you cannot say because it puts pressure(?) on Dev's on the project 1999 forums by 50 nerds that play here. Why can't we know? I know you won't answer this whatever.

Stasis, I'm going to respond, and then I will never respond to another question you ask again, because this has all been answered before.

1) Was this the desired result of EXP reduction (removal of mostly newer players, low pop, bad server morale).

No

2) Would you agree that people aren't willing to commit the amount of time required into this box to make it to max level and raid PVP(It took my rogue about 10 months to get 60 with bonus, and Nihi Trak/Fear/Hate exp grps.)

This is Everquest. What people are or aren't willing to do to get to 60 and join Nihilum or Azrael is not our problem. As it currently stands, there's a bonus from 1-50. That being said, your question is highly subjective, as some people are willing to do this, and some are not.

3) Are you aware that GM's before you have tried to remove the EXP bonus with the same logic and it always leads to the same result that we are in right now.

Let's be clear on three things. First, there is still a bonus. Second, XP was never left at the rate it was the past ~6 months. Third, our intention was to lower the bonus, then modify it in a way that promotes community growth rather than individual achievement and an all out rush to 60.

4) Why would you remove the EXP bonus after your thread received criticism from 90% of the people on the box across all guilds, the other 10% opposing being trolls.

The XP bonus was too high, and needed to be pulled out in order to change it. While we agree an xp bonus of some kind is still needed, this is not EZ server or LoZ. If we'd removed the 400% scaling on the same day we put in the group bonus, it'd be viewed as an overall nerf rather than a great new feature.

5) Were you aware there were 3 competing guilds before this EXP nerf, one open guild to lower players, and a lot of excitement on the box prior to the nerf and pop breaking 200 often.

This isn't even really a question. You're wasting your valuable GM time on rhetoricals.

6) Why would you feel it was the best time to implement the EXP nerf against the opinions of people that have been here from the beginning and all stated the box was finally turning around.

This is a repeat of a previous question. But to further expand, as we've seen before in the past, Red will peak at around 200 players, and then slowly dwindle back down to 100-150, even with your sacred XP bonus. You all seem to be forgetting that this was the pattern when the bonus was initially implemented last year. We want a sustainable population, not 100 new burnouts every 6 months.

7) Do you understand PVP servers are harder to level on significant especially in an FFA setting where no one trusts anyone.

I played here for over a year, so yes. That's part of the reason why Red has the scaling bonus.

8) Do you understand people have done the grind many times over and this box would be better promoted towards PVP(not in my ideal world of nostalgia, in reality.)

Do I understand? Stasis, I don't even think this is a coherent sentence, let alone a question.

9) Do you think keeping classic EXP actually improves people in PVP like your long winded thread said (really)?

Do I think taking longer to get to the 50's where all the box pros prey on scrublets like hungry wolves on sheep? Yes, absolutely. Having more lower level pvp experiences to build your knowledge base and skill upon will drastically improve peoples chances to thrive in the "red zone" of the 50's.

10) What are the big plans that you cannot say because it puts pressure(?) on Dev's on the project 1999 forums by 50 nerds that play here. Why can't we know? I know you won't answer this whatever.

I'm not going to repeat myself. We already hinted at a few of these changes. We aren't revealing anything until we are ready so that we don't kill the hype for the day they go live.


And now, Stasis, after answering your list of questions, here are mine, sans the ridiculous format your questions were asked in (DO YOU UNDERSTAND, DO YOU REALIZE, ARE YOU AWARE?!?!)

1) In speaking with players who have quit Red99, or talking to players who have decided they don't even want to try, I would estimate 70-80% of them say they left or did not join because of the community and the way it presents itself. What is Red 99 doing to improve it's image in the eyes of a new player?

2) How do the forums effect this image, if at all?

3) How do the in-game chat channels effect this image, if at all?

4) What do you think the red 99 community looks like to a new player?

5) If the XP bonus is the end-all-be-all of box pop and good times, why did the population peak last year, then fall back down to the ~100 level, only to slowly rise back up when Heartbrand went on a strong recruitment drive, promoting a non-grief, family atmosphere?

As an aside, we understand that XP is a little too low, particularly post level 30. But we need you to understand that we as a staff can only do so much to fix the box. I've been trying to drive this home for months now, and the only thing people can focus on is XP. The XP thing is going to happen, but when it does, this community needs to already be prepared to show it's best to the new players who will come when this all goes live.

So why don't you guys work on your end of things, we'll work on ours, and we'll all enjoy a more populated box when we're finished.

[RoguePhantom]

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

Not true at all, was a side effect. I think this was only mentioned once, and it was not referred to as 'the main reason'.

I wrote a stupidly long post a couple months back about why the XP was too high. That's pretty much a manifesto on why the XP bonus got cranked down to the scaling bonus.

We pretty much straight up told you what some of those changes were during the stream. Go watch again. I even hinted towards what the final % numbers of the group bonus would be.

This is part of the reason why it's difficult to work with certain parts of this community. Even when we come out and try to give/get feedback, people cherry pick or don't listen at all. Stasis, literally every question you've raged about us not answering was answered in this stream, or has been answered in the past.

To everyone else who listened, but maybe wasn't thrilled with what they heard, thank you. We care about you guys and want to get you the most enjoyment out of the box as we possibly can. We also realize you are hurting, and need halp. We're hoping we get the changes we had outlined as soon as possible. If we don't, as stated during the stream, we'll try to hot-fix something in until that can be completed. Before anyone asks, I don't have a timeline [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

I have faith that there 'is a plan.' But what I DONT have faith in, is that that plan will ever see the light of day.

XP was removed because Rogean heard you all say "XP was too high" so he Ninja Nerfed it. Without waiting to hear about plans to normalize it.

I wouldn't have minded if the 400% (if that was the actual number) was cut in half. But now we do not even have the "scaled" 1 to 50 bonus. (There was a Chanter that made a post about specific numbers getting through lvl 45)

I think even if there was a flat 100% bonus or SOMETHING done, that would be awesome; but there is zero faith that anything is being done before this "master plan."

The numbers don't lie. The pop was "thrivig" at close to 200 with the XP "bonus," but now... its a ghost town. City of Mist was a grouping haven, now, im usually the only one there. When the XP bonus was 'mistakenly' put in that one sunday, CoM was back up to 15 people.

[kylok]

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

I have faith that there 'is a plan.' But what I DONT have faith in, is that that plan will ever see the light of day.

XP was removed because Rogean heard you all say "XP was too high" so he Ninja Nerfed it. Without waiting to hear about plans to normalize it.

I wouldn't have minded if the 400% (if that was the actual number) was cut in half. But now we do not even have the "scaled" 1 to 50 bonus. (There was a Chanter that made a post about specific numbers getting through lvl 45)

I think even if there was a flat 100% bonus or SOMETHING done, that would be awesome; but there is zero faith that anything is being done before this "master plan."

The numbers don't lie. The pop was "thrivig" at close to 200 with the XP "bonus," but now... its a ghost town. City of Mist was a grouping haven, now, im usually the only one there. When the XP bonus was 'mistakenly' put in that one sunday, CoM was back up to 15 people.

We definitely have a scaling bonus 1-50, proven by Tecmos and confirmed by Samwise.

Originally Posted by Sirken

actually how about this, instead of acting like a cocky, spoiled, little brat, you appreciate the fact that a staff member actually took the time to put 10 minutes into giving you a sincere response, and then you reciprocate that good deed by taking a few minutes to actually read it, before just clicking reply and smashing buttons on the keyboard.

#bigthings2014

[Fame]

such emotion, much tears, goog thrade!

[heartbrand]

GM's have clearly stated their vision. Unfortunately, that vision is one only 80 people care to partake in.

[freez]

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

GM's have clearly stated their vision. Unfortunately, that vision is one only 80 people care to partake in.

you burned every bridge on the box


no tears now

[Kimm Bare|y]

I care.

[Stasis04]

Derubael
And now, Stasis, after answering your list of questions, here are mine, sans the ridiculous format your questions were asked in (DO YOU UNDERSTAND, DO YOU REALIZE, ARE YOU AWARE?!?!)

1) In speaking with players who have quit Red99, or talking to players who have decided they don't even want to try, I would estimate 70-80% of them say they left or did not join because of the community and the way it presents itself. What is Red 99 doing to improve it's image in the eyes of a new player?

Tallon Zek was similar with the mentality here, I heard Sullon was worse, VZ might have been better. RZ I don't know some say it was hardcore others just a blue server.

Appealing to a grittier player base and not the standard blue version of "the boats fucking sweet bro" isn't an issue, if the people have problems with shit talk, mob stealing, dying, revenge, frustration, glory etc and everything that comes with it, peace? Regardless, I'm sure if the server gained population, and the server staff worked with us to make it easier for the new comer, and more appealing with things like legendary item dropping days, or a solid grp EXP bonus so it doesn't take a year to get into action, or really anything other than come grind fucking classic with nobody then this problem would naturally solve itself by improving morale.

We don't want VZTZ speed or instant 60, I think the former bonus divided into a group bonus was the answer, but that's irrelevant.


2) How do the forums effect this image, if at all?

One of the best parts of Tallon Zek was Tallon Zek Times, and project 1999 are the forums, although recently they have been a bit boring, it's a shame you guy's don't get this, did you play on a PVP server? We don't have nearly the creative talent from the live forums, myself included, but a lot of the rivalry starts here, which is what it's all about.

3) How do the in-game chat channels effect this image, if at all?

OOC is a bit of a shit hole, you could do something about it with actual punishments, I don't know - people can turn it off, I personally like it, I'm neutral on this I see it from both sides.

4) What do you think the red 99 community looks like to a new player?

Right now? A barren shit hole with an unattainable grind for no purpose or reward at the end.

A month or more ago? 3 guild rivalries with each guild trying to recruit and PL the lowbies on the box to add to their numbers.

Don't get me wrong, I understand there's a lot of loud mouth losers, I truly believe a lot of this was developed over the years of how the box was ran, which I'll get more into later.

5) If the XP bonus is the end-all-be-all of box pop and good times, why did the population peak last year, then fall back down to the ~100 level, only to slowly rise back up when Heartbrand went on a strong recruitment drive, promoting a non-grief, family atmosphere?

Now we're getting somewhere, the right questions ! If you would have asked this before I could have explained the type of situations guilds and players went through on this box prior to Nizzar taking a break and Azrael taking over.

There was no PNP. There was no Simulated Patch days, and there was a zerg of Nihilum who out numbered and geared anyone else on the box by far. They would use this advantage to sit on other guilds that raided(even planar trash) and then corpse camp them at their guild bind until they quit the game. This guild never leaked one mob for years, there was a couple Trak's here and there after that, but ultimately it was one guild (who was RMTing? you know more than me) squeezing every new player into joining or quitting.

Planar trash raids sat on for the entire night, wipes trying to contest Trakanon with Tune/others roaming TT/EJ for days, chasing lowbie grps around.

People aren't fucking stupid, they get to 60, see what it is (very little PVP, a lot of bullshit by people who played the game like a job, no rules to help the little guy, non varianced head to head only option)

The EXP bonus is not the end all be all, it's the vessel of getting new players into the game. Once there, if the game is a bunch of career virgins farming raid mobs back to back and spending ridiculous man hours making others quit then obviously it's a flawed fucking system no shit.

You saw a problem with people not sticking around in the high end, and drew a completely incorrect presumption which is why the players wanted that changed. How the GM's can see one guild acting the way they did for years, get 100% of raids mobs, and think this custom designed server was working correctly is another story, but if you'll remember I was there for awhile preaching about PNP, variance, sim repops turned out to be a better idea but I still realized there was a problem.

PS the Heartbrand family guild bullshit, cmon everyone knew that was just a shtick to try to gain players, no one bought that shit and it was never ran like that - was just a guild that helped each other which is necessary, you know real shit not perceived bullshit.


As an aside, we understand that XP is a little too low, particularly post level 30. But we need you to understand that we as a staff can only do so much to fix the box. I've been trying to drive this home for months now, and the only thing people can focus on is XP. The XP thing is going to happen, but when it does, this community needs to already be prepared to show it's best to the new players who will come when this all goes live.

Make the rules and journey to 60 accessible and encouraging for new players, by increasing the speed DRASTICALLY for GROUPING, access to legendary items, and into a high end of simulated repops once the population gains, not a completely cock blocked end game by career virgins that will fuck people over till they leave and I promise u I'll tell people to STFU or die. I told Cast off in TS for giving Amelinda shit, yelled at him, told him to shut the fuck up and pointed out why he was being a hypocrite. Don't act like we're unreasonable players here. (turns out Cast was right she was a piece of shit accepting bribes to give in game advantages, no wonder she kept telling me two groups of lvl 30's did naggy legit, bitch.)

So why don't you guys work on your end of things, we'll work on ours, and we'll all enjoy a more populated box when we're finished.

Then try to fucking make it attracting to new players, because I promise you, you attract people and make it better and NOT FUCKING SHITTIER and people's attitudes will improve, at the very least don't fucking kill what players were trying to fix without you.

Stop worrying about bullshit like players impressions of the forums or OOC, and focus on real actual shit in-game to make it fun, and accessible, if you just turn your head and say everyone there is a scumbag that's why it sucks and Stasis is an asshole they deserve themselves i'm out you're just like the ones before you who just don't, fucking, get, it.
[/QUOTE]