Level requirements on new nano programs

[Cosmik]

Level requirements on new nano programs are being introduced as an extension of the over-equipping changes that were made in 14.2. 14.2 gave us some really good fixes in regards to over-equipping, and these new nano programs will build on that, giving us greater control so we can continue to improve balance and even the playing field. To make things clear, the way nano programs are created have not been altered at all. When these new nano programs were created, a level was picked to determine when the nano program should be used. Skills are then chosen, based on that level, and not assuming you have maxed implants, maximum items and maximum external buffs. A percentage of this was chosen, and the skill requirements are the result. An arbitrary level was not picked - the level requirement is no higher than the intended level on new nano programs, which has always been included from the start. In fact, the level requirement is up to 25 levels lower than the intended use level.

This change to nano programs is also being made in preparation for the Shadowlands expansion pack, and new nano programs from 14.4 onwards will also have level requirements. Anarchy Online is a skill based MMOPRG and will remain a skill based MMORPG by focusing on the skills of each player and their profession. This addition will build upon the existing game mechanics and greatly aid in the balance and improvement of gameplay.

[Waffen]

How is this still skill-based? How does this balance? How on earth did you come up with the math thinking that the level requirements are up to 25 levels lower than the "intended use level"?

Obviously you haven't read the Adventurer boards where they have proved otherwise.

[____________IronTide]

Also, there is no way 175 and 195 could be anything but picked from a hat.

You aren't preventing OE with those particular level reqs, just pissing off your high level customers.

Originally posted by Cosmik
When these new nano programs were created, a level was picked to determine when the nano program should be used. Skills are then chosen, based on that level, and not assuming you have maxed implants, maximum items and maximum external buffs. A percentage of this was chosen, and the skill requirements are the result. An arbitrary level was not picked - the level requirement is no higher than the intended level on new nano programs, which has always been included from the start. In fact, the level requirement is up to 25 levels lower than the intended use level.

So an arbitrary percentage of an arbitrary number was chosen. Assuming you intended the 195 req nanos to be used somewhere below level 200, we can deduce your percent to be between 97% to 100%

Furthermore, what level 170 character doesn't have ql 200 implants? Maybe you should choose reqs based on the realities of the game?

[__________malaclypse]

The only balance this adds to is funcoms bank balance.

If they can keep us playing to level 195 just to find out that the last nanoformula isn't really worth having, they have probably gained a few months subs fees per player.

[_______________Intra]

I have to dissagree with this being balancing.
unless you are going to put level requirements on every nano in the game.

for instance, you have introduced a line of nanos for the fixers that should have been in the game from the very beggining (the SMG buffs). These nanos have level requirements, where as other proffessions weapon buffs do not.
it also takes away race advantage and in my opinion gives the advantage back to weapon users rather than nano users.

if I am to equip a weapon, I can get a buff that allows me to equip that weapon and use it as long as I have 80% of the requirements without penalty. if i have lower than 80% I recieve a pentaly but can still use the weapon.
if I get a buff to equip or cast a nano, then as soon as the buff runs out then I cannot cast that nano. no 80% rule on nanos.

so now.. even if i get a buff I cannot use a nano, where as... if I get a buff for my weapon I can use it.
I think the NTs will not like that very much when they get their patch.

this has turned the game into a level based game, it doesnt matter how much you say it doesnt. there will be no specialisation. you have the skill to equip a nano, but not the level.. you will put the ip somewhere else.. everyone will be using exactly the same as everyone else all of the time at the same points in the game.
it is turning into the MMORPG equivilant of paint by numbers or dot to dot. I will know at what level I can use a nano.. what nanos everyone else can use at any time.
it takes everything away from the game and 80% of the player base dissagree with it. that should mean something

I am completely against level requirements on items other than those that take quest like missions to complete.
for instance.. level requirement on the gamma ejector is a good thing, as it marks a 'rite of passage' for a fledgling fixer.
"have you got your gamma yet?" is a question asked of any fixer over level 40 and it is a great way to find friends.. a bunch ofpeople dash to TLR to get them specifically for you.. it makes you feel good. an acheivement.
level requirements on nanos, remove any of that.. oh I am level 25... I can cast this, this and this... just like everyone else

If I go up against a fixer or an advent he will cast this, this or this..

but everyone else at the moment can cast what ever they want

FC please listen to the players on this and go as far away from a level based game as you can. show that you are listening to us, as so far the customer care on this issue has been insulting.
we understand that the company is having a hard time, but the company is creating a game for the players. if 80% of the player base dissagree with something you are doing, then it stands to reason that it is a big issue and needs addressing in a way that keeps the customer happy.

the announcement of the 'reoganising' added to the silence form FC on a major issue such as this has lowered the moral of the entire community.
I can bet that if you counted the smileys on the posts over the last few days the average will have dropped considerably ()
there has been a strange mood throughout the forum.. I should know.. I sit and read the boards all day 5 days a week.

please listen to us and get the communications back up to scratch. the key to a MMORP is the sense of community, its what keeps players comming back and in the game
you have begun to do that in game.. by forcing people to do team missions so they have to communicate and build up relationships.
but the relationship must be felt between the players and the company also.. or they keep their relationships and move entire groups to other games

thank you for the response and your time.
please listen to us

[Bionitrous]

Amature bunch of no-talent game designers.

Say 'good riddance' to me on the forums as I just don't care anymore and can officially be added to the 'simply playing AO till the next game comes out'.

I can't leave till my guild decides where we are going. But, this change to a level-based game has us all out of here at the first possible opportunity.

I don't wish you luck FunCom. Your ineptitude is a disgrace to all those game designers who came before you and who will come after you.

Later.

[PhoenixKebab]

/me started to type something, but then realised that discussion on the boards will not achieve anything despite the 1000+ messages posted in the last 24 hours complaining about this.

If the "claim" as to why this is required is to fix the "balance" of the game, I can only assume that they must be intending to retroactively apply this to all nanos - at least the Masteries and Mochams family and the whole set of Wrangles. If they don't then the "balance" reason goes right out the window!

p.s Good job my copy of Neverwinter Nights arrives on Friday.

[ThePartisan]

YOUR CUSTOMERS DO NOT WANT THIS.


Ah... why do I even bother... you don't give a.. you know what.

[___________Zyxlquith]

Thanks for giving us an answer. It doesn't make this any easier to accept, but at least its clear you all have a very powerful reason to think this change must be made.

Hopefully its not so bad an idea as we all are thinking its going to be.

Zyx

[pudds4tw]

As a player that has just been able to hold my one year "anniversary" with AO, it pains me to see what this game has become.

I also totally fail to see how you can claim that this game is still skill based, when you introduce nanos which are level locked. And level locked to levels much higher than where they are needed and could be used, even by non "supertwinks".

and any nano that has is locked to level 195 or above can at best only be seen as mildly useful, and at worst as a novelty.
How many people are ever gonna be above level 195? How many people above 195 really need those 100 pts of multi melee, I mean really critically must have?
This is an outrage and plain insanity. Without consulting the players at all, without asking for our opinion they implement this change. This radical depature from how the game is put together. Sometimes I wonder what on earth goes on in the heads of the people at Funcom.

There's no point in even TRYING to optimise your char, cause no matter what you're stuck using the same gear as everyone else, because FC has decided we're not ready to use such and such yet.

What is even the POINT of the suggestions forum? I mean it's not like you ever listen to the large amounts of good solid feedback and suggestions that are in there. Your devs do whatever they please and the players can just live with it of f*** off.

If I sound upset it's because I am. This is getting silly to almost Monty Pythonesque heights. You'd think that the devs either live in a glass bubble, never play their game, or just intentionally try to piss us off as much as they can.

Right...that's all from me then. Who's up next for venting?

[__________malaclypse]

So long, and thanks for all the fish.

[___________imac2much]

Kinda funny how the poll shows more than 80% of the community DO NOT want this, people have been posting various threads for the last 2 weeks saying they DO NOT want this, yet...
FC believes they can make a better game than what the MAJORITY of the player base desires.
The argument about level-based and skill-based has been stated many times, but I just am shocked how FC did not respond to a single one of these threads for over two weeks and then, when they did, decided to ignore more than EIGHTY PERCENT of the playerbase (and probably more).
My cynical side tells me, yes, they only care about raking in the cash and keeping people as long as they can, but for the first couple weeks after 14.2 I actually believed FC was changing...
They fixed the dodga quest and increased his/bots' spawn rates, etc etc, and actually listened to the playerbase.
But now with this change to a level-based game (even though they say it is still skill-based, for some odd reason) and of course the trader heal nerfs.... this brings me to wonder...
Does FC care about us, the players?

[CheeseNips]

if i wanted to wait to "X" level to cast "X" spell/nano i would still be playing everquest or daoc. this is not a good idea, it is totaly against the skill based system that AO runs on. why bother to get buffed when...oh guess what.. you have to wait another 30+ levels to use it even tho you have the skill.

[zimmy]

Level reqs and I drop.

[________________Crin]

Players cried out at the fix
Funcom ignored us instead
Now a vision of 12.6
Is running though my head

[georg]

*poof*

[Streaz18]

16 responses in under an hour Cosmik. You might want to relay the response to your bosses.

[PhoenixKebab]

Originally posted by streaz18
16 responses in under an hour Cosmik. You might want to relay the response to your bosses.

Too late... this was posted as late in the day as possible, so any complaints could be ignored for a few hours.

[_____________Hisokai]

Cozmik..i dont envy your position at all right now.

/me thinks everyone is gonna shoot yell whine at the messenger.

well im still a lil ways form a lot of those nanos and hopefully they will have the level reqs lowered alot,195 sounds ridiculous for any nano that isnt equivalent to a instant death spell or wish spell in other games

wholely in appropriate but has to be said...
.....
.....
...can i have EVERYONES stuff?!?!?!?

[______________Shatai]

Level-locked nanos
Disliked by the playerbase
FunCom should listen