Friday with Means - January 23rd, 2009

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Jan 23rd, 2009, 18:12:27
Means

Friday with Means - January 23rd, 2009

Synch Issues:

We have for some time been working on a more permanent solution to the "synch/lag" issues that seems to be randomly affecting players for some time. Within the next month we should have test dimensions up and running at another provider that will hopefully perform better during peak hours. Setting the game up itself isn't difficult, as we publish new servers etc all the time, it is the arcane art of monitoring/error reporting/billing/support tools for AO that is difficult. Either way I am very much looking forward to examining results from this new server/network environment. If all looks well we will move to the new environment as soon as humanly possible. Of course I will let you know when.

PVP Nanos:

Some adjustments have been made to the Fear nanos based on feedback. Again...these will go in when we can agree they are usefull but not overpowered.

Engineer Mines: currently being made by Metaing

Engineers will be able to place two mines at a time on the Battlestation. Mines will have a "Lifetime" of 8 minutes. The two mines that can be placed will be AOE snare (-2200 runspeed/30 seconds at 220) and AOE Nanodrain (-10000 at 220). Any combination of the two types can be placed. Mines will be visible by your own side, making it easier for other engineers to place theirs. Mines will be armed as soon as they are placed. I was hoping to take care of these myself but time has not allowed me to get to them. Any delay is entirely my fault. Metaing is now on it and we barely missed getting them into the version going to test this weekend. I'm looking forward to seeing the results of testing and feedback on this addition.

The Booster:

I would like to express my personal thanks to those of you who have been so helpfull on TestLive providing feedback on the new playfields and quests. The adjustments made to the content have been essential to the improvements I've seen in the last few weeks. I have decided to delay the booster an additional two weeks to allow time for the same process of review for the final two team instances and final raid encounter. These are playfields that are going to be played multiple times and deserve the best review process we can provide...if they don't pass muster in the TestLive phase they will get the redesign they need.

New in the not so distant future:

Instanced Cities:

Macrosun has taken it upon himself to create the instanced cities that have been long requested by the player base. This will be difficult...but he feels he is making good progress. The instanced nature of these playfields will make it impossible to have player owned shops...but the city bonuses and alien attacks should now be available to everyone. This is a long way from completion but at least work has begun on this issue that has been with us for a long time. "Normal" cities will still retain value due to their size and their player shops...but more AI content will now be available to all. I'm hoping we can also grant fr00b access to the org HQ's at the same time.

Profession Balancing Act:

Certain professions currently need more attention than others. We will be conducting a thorough profession review early this year, sharing our findings and acting on them in an upcoming profession "tweak" patch.

I'll be in Copenhagen again this weekend and the Skåne area. Thanks for all the Danes and Swedes who made last weekend so much fun. If anyone gets the chance to go to the Copenhagen Zoo it is fantastic...I haven't had that much fun in a long time. I'll be there again this Sunday so we can see the Elephants we missed last time.

Cheers,

Colin "Means" Cragg
Jan 23rd, 2009, 18:13:11
Uaintseenme

first?
Jan 23rd, 2009, 18:14:32
Harios

woot! Awesome news about the synch! Really looking forward to it!

Weaknesses? Can you please look at the blunt perklines? :D
I can see the whinethreads incoming already regarding the tweak patch.
Jan 23rd, 2009, 18:15:24
krumpfwild

Still no love for blunt perklines :(
Jan 23rd, 2009, 18:16:33
Means

Quote:

Originally Posted by krumpfwild

Still no love for blunt perklines :(

It is on the list. It just isn't coming now.
Jan 23rd, 2009, 18:16:59
krumpfwild

Quote:

Originally Posted by Means

It is on the list. It just isn't coming now.

w00t !
Jan 23rd, 2009, 18:18:03
Shiekah

You know, if you guys stopped banning people for no reason then you might actually have a playerbase to deliver this new content to....

"Your account has been TEMPORARILY suspended for violating the Rules of Conduct and End User License Agreement (EULA). Your actions include but are not limited to: Extreme Powerleveling"

Since when is powerleveling against the EULA?
Jan 23rd, 2009, 18:20:00
Demoder

Quote:

Originally Posted by Means

Synch Issues:
(lots of nice stuff)
Instanced Cities:

Macrosun has taken it upon himself to create the instanced cities that have been long requested by the player base. This will be difficult...but he feels he is making good progress. The instanced nature of these playfields will make it impossible to have player owned shops...but the city bonuses and alien attacks should now be available to everyone. This is a long way from completion but at least work has begun on this issue that has been with us for a long time. "Normal" cities will still retain value due to their size and their player shops...but more AI content will now be available to all. I'm hoping we can also grant fr00b access to the org HQ's at the same time.
(more nice stuff)

To the text in bold:
If you somehow make it possible to buy the items in GMS from the GMS terminal (they spawn in your inventory, and is deleted from the target shop), this shouldn't be a problem. Just an idea.
And yes, I know. It is SO much easier to say it, than to do it. :)
Jan 23rd, 2009, 18:20:50
Uaintseenme

ok now i have time to write a real reply (i never get ibtk) Im very happy to hear that the engie mines where not dropped completely with the knockback mechanic and even happier to see that the limit on "one mine at a time" has been increased to 2.

If these work and work well, would there be a possibility of more types of mine in the future being added, blinds/-innit/-aao/-aad etc?
I see this addition as a very positive step towards being a true "support profession" and im eager to continue in that direction.
Jan 23rd, 2009, 18:24:15
Means

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shiekah

You know, if you guys stopped banning people for no reason then you might actually have a playerbase to deliver this new content to....

Interesting. I don't believe we are in the habit of banning people for no reason. I AM certain that banned players are in the habit of saying they were banned for no reason. I dream of a time when I can spend as much time making new and fun content as I am required to spend dealing with exploits and cheaters in our game...but I don't think that day will ever come.

Either way I'm noit going to discuss specific customer service actions here...I'm sure you already know that.
Jan 23rd, 2009, 18:24:27
Darkirbiskaa

Wow,really nice job Mean. Engi mines seems me as fun:)+fixing synch issues<3
Jan 23rd, 2009, 18:24:30
Mekh

Quote:

Originally Posted by Means

Synch Issues:

We have for some time been working on a more permanent solution to the "synch/lag" issues that seems to be randomly affecting players for some time. Within the next month we should have test dimensions up and running at another provider that will hopefully perform better during peak hours. Setting the game up itself isn't difficult, as we publish new servers etc all the time, it is the arcane art of monitoring/error reporting/billing/support tools for AO that is difficult. Either way I am very much looking forward to examining results from this new server/network environment. If all looks well we will move to the new environment as soon as humanly possible. Of course I will let you know when.
...SNIP....

THIS!!!

OMG, please let it help... a lot....

I miss playing my keeper :)
Jan 23rd, 2009, 18:26:56
Shiekah

Quote:

Originally Posted by Means

Interesting. I don't believe we are in the habit of banning people for no reason. I AM certain that banned players are in the habit of saying they were banned for no reason.

Understandably so, however a GM once told me that banning/suspending accounts is always used as a last resort and after every other method has been exhausted. This has certainly not been the way my account has been handled.

Also, are you saying that powerleveling is cheating (oh and powerleveling isnt even mentioned in the eula btw)? O.o
Jan 23rd, 2009, 18:29:08
Harios

Quote:

Originally Posted by Means

It is on the list. It just isn't coming now.

But it is on your tweaklist?
Jan 23rd, 2009, 18:31:15
Uaintseenme

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harios

But it is on your tweaklist?

The tweaklist includes, but is not limited to, trox's no longer being able to wear thongs if they are overwieght from too many cookies.
Jan 23rd, 2009, 18:33:13
trousers

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shiekah

Also, are you saying that powerleveling is cheating (oh and powerleveling isnt even mentioned in the eula btw)? O.o

One could insinuate that, but I don't think that's what he meant. But yeah, sometimes bans are thrown around too willy-nilly. I'm still waiting for my Ban from Roleplaying to be lifted after 2 years :-|
Jan 23rd, 2009, 18:33:18
Means

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shiekah

Understandably so, however a GM once told me that banning/suspending accounts is always used as a last resort and after every other method has been exhausted. This has certainly not been the way my account has been handled.

Also, are you saying that powerleveling is cheating (oh and powerleveling isnt even mentioned in the eula)? O.o

If a character has gained unfair advantage with their character ie: level 1 to 220 in 15 minutes that account won't be suspended as it will still be "ill-gained" 220 when the suspension lifts. Occurences like this are banned as that is the only fair outcome, much in the same way that bank robbers are not allowed to keep their stolen money.

I am not going to discuss the details of your case in this thread. I suggest you contact customer service if you believe there has been an error.
Jan 23rd, 2009, 18:33:35
Harios

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uaintseenme

The tweaklist includes, but is not limited to, trox's no longer being able to wear thongs if they are overwieght from too many cookies.

I won't stop eating cookies.. but when you see me thongless FC will change their minds.
Jan 23rd, 2009, 18:35:55
Shiekah

Quote:

Originally Posted by Means

If a character has gained unfair advantage with their character ie: level 1 to 220 in 15 minutes that account won't be suspended as it will still be "ill-gained" 220 when the suspension lifts. Occurences like this are banned as that is the only fair outcome, much in the same way that bank robbers are not allowed to keep their stolen money.

I am not going to discuss the details of your case in this thread. I suggest you contact customer service if you believe there has been an error.

Well 1-220 in 15 minutes isnt actually possible but I see what your getting at. I dont expect you to discuss this in this forum, my account was certainly suspended in error and I have contacted customer service and I'm just waiting for their response email now... not much else to do other than surf the forums :(
Jan 23rd, 2009, 18:38:56
Marlark

Quote:

Originally Posted by Means

I'll be in Copenhagen again this weekend and the Skåne area. Thanks for all the Danes and Swedes who made last weekend so much fun. If anyone gets the chance to go to the Copenhagen Zoo it is fantastic...I haven't had that much fun in a long time. I'll be there again this Sunday so we can see the Elephants we missed last time.

Was nice talking to you on the phone last weekend Colin.. this time we def need to meet up and go get a beer or something and talk some more :D

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