anthriel wrote:NiteHawk wrote:You won't be able to change race ever, balance is part of the game. If people are upset it's a shame, but it is what it is. We'll have to get new people in place of that. We haven't really been advertising and probably won't be until we're more settled.
I'm not sure why you would adopt such a stance re never allowing race changes, especially in the case of allowing some end-game way for new players to correct character creation mistakes made when they were new (perhaps you have good reasons you havent explained) ... In any case I wanted to give you feedback that the perceived attitude behind your above comment seems discouraging. I've been suggesting all along that EO's issue isnt as much "player attraction through advertising" as it is "player retention through game dynamics" (which you largely have more control over than advertising). But basically it seems to me like you are saying you dont give a damn about retaining players, you just care about replacing them with new ones (who may then quit anyway later)....which seems rather short sighted for a game developer and doesnt really inspire me to go grind out some more 25ers or interact with new players who are likely part of a revolving door.
Also, the forums and discord are not exactly representative of the entire community who play your game. The large majority of players active on forums and EO discord tavern seem to me to be from 1 guild. The large majority of active staff (at the time of this post) appear to be from 1 guild. Many of these players seem to be from an "in-crowd" community of close-knit Rok alumni. I suspect therefore the large majority of your interactions/surveys of "player opinion" come from a particular sub-community of players within the larger community (and you appear to give the suggestions of these players more weight/consideration). I have tried to be a voice that thinks outside this box to help EO with fresh/different ideas, but i tire of what seems to usually be a fruitless/unwanted task.... And your above "i dont really care if ppl quit" sentiments make me feel that although you have created a game that is a big improvement over Rok, it still has Rok's unhelpful feel of a game that is designed largely to cater for the gratification of the "in-crowd"/staff rather than for the gratification of the entire playerbase.
Good luck with the advertising campaign. Good luck with player retention. I may log in occasionally to interact with the community of friends made in EO, but the gameplay doesnt really interest me much anymore and (now) neither does trying to help it improve by suggesting ideas or critical feedback.
Sorry for the aside from the main topic (its likely the last time i bother) - Peace all
In the past I've argued for allowing race changes, but i can see why Nitehawk has said it's off the table.
You risk everyone having the same cookie cutter style characters.
I think it's a noble aim to try and get the races balanced so there's several worthwhile choices for classes, rather than risking every character being the same combination.
I do agree there's lots of people who make mistakes with their early alts (myself included) and it's very discouraging to have the feeling of having wasted several weeks levelling and equipping a character you don't like, especially if it ties up a name you want to keep.
I still complain about my shitty dwarf slayer to this day, but i have no desire to level a replacement.
I've argued for a while we need more help on the roller for people, including a "suggested stats" option, or maybe even a warning if someone tries to create a character of an unusual combination, or fails to use all their allocation points.
Guilds also need to help out newbies by giving them advice before they invest a lot of time into an alt.
Secondly, I really hope you continue to contribute Anthriel, I actually really enjoy reading your input. Even if i sometimes disagree with you, what you say is usually well thought out and provokes a good discussion about game mechanics and the direction of the game. If anything I wish you'd apply to staff as I think you'd potentially be a really good addition.
Thirdly, I can see what you're saying about a lot of the discussion on discord/forums comes from Silhouette members, but discord/the forums are open to everyone to contribute ideas.
If Nitehawk wants feedback on potential changes then where else can he get it other than asking on the forums and on discord? I believe he also broadcasted a link to the forum page. If other guilds don't contribute to the discussion then how is that his/our fault? :/
We're also not making suggestions based on benefiting us, we're trying to make suggestions to improve the game.
For instance I recommended nerfing dwarf End and 2 of my characters are dwarves (including my main DPS alt, and the character I'm levelling right now).
I recommended nerfing orc str despite there being several orc mains in my guild and despite me really wanting an orc slayer.
I also have a history of recommending things (that have been implemented) that are bad for my guild.
I've also recommended several things that i knew would severely piss off some of my guild members (lol obscuration potions).
It's in everyone's interests for the game to be improved and for the general game experience to be enjoyable for everyone.
Applications to join staff are still open, if anyone wants to give up their own time in order to help the game then please make a serious application to staff.
Lastly, it's often a detriment rather than a benefit to a guild to have staff members for the following reasons:
-If you're involved in the testing/building of an OAD area you can't run it for a certain period after it launches
-If you're event staff then your guild has one less person (i.e. you) for any event you run.
-If you become warden then you have to cut ties from your clan
-You have less time to play the game because you have to contribute on the staff side of things
-Any loop holes you see a guild member mention (lumbering bears giving high xp, certain monsters giving too much gold, etc.) you have a duty to mention/get fixed
Being staff really doesn't benefit your normal guild in any way, I can honestly say at no point has my staff status had any benefit to Silhouette whatsoever and in fact it's harmed the guild a lot more than it's helped.
Honestly, Silhouette has lost more good members to Staff than any other guild, but it's been for the betterment of the game.