Alpha 2 Idea/Suggestion

Alpha 2 seems to be going in the right direction! I am very excited to be able to test it. And I want to be able to test it thoroughly...with that said, there are some caveats!

I am concerned about burnout. Considering how important combat is to MMO's (and basically any game with combat), I would very much like to be able to test it quite thoroughly WITHOUT having to level all of the classes to its max level. I will almost certainly be doing it for one of the classes, but I would prefer not to burn out before the game even launches just to test how the classes combat feels!

And that is where my suggestion comes into play:
Have a demo area independent of the alpha 2 for each of the playable classes (preferably including augments, though this may not be a necessity for a demo). This would allow us players to be able to test how each class feels without having to level up the class to alpha 2 level cap. As a bonus, the dev time dedicated for something like this can be used for the launch version of the game as well. This demo area, if kept for launch (and selected during character creation), could help serve as a way for new players to help decide which class they want to play on launch! One of the largest reasons people quit a particular MMO is because they do not like how a class plays. This would certainly help reduce that drop off and increase new play retention!

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Comments

George_Black

So you are saying that the vast majory that wont test anything let alone their classes, will quit?

Or are you asking for a command /set lv 50 and try to figure out the meta? Because I am down with that.

Mag7spy

I rather people have to spend time time to level a class and explore it than just trying everything, even more so at launch.

After launch people can research and see what is best for their style. Seems weird and tacky to be able to try to test something at max level, next people will be asking for dps meters when they test a class as well.

Liniker

I've never seen a good MMO suffer because of alpha burnout, never ever, I think this is a made-up issue and would need at least 1 example of a good MMO that did not succeed because it had long testing phases and burnout,

everytime I ask this people come up with doghsit games like crowfal or fractured, that are fundamentally bad and have like thousand different issues ,and they try to blame the burnout,

as a matter of fact, all I have are examples of korean games like recently Lost Ark, where western players play the KR or Russian servers for YEARS, internet is full of guides and content, but when the game launches here they still play it and the game hits +1M concurrent users so... wheres the burnout and the ruined discovery?

Depraved

i want a training area where i can test different builds, make guides, etc

but for a2 ill probs be leveling every character. i expect it to last for a year and there will be wipes every now and then. plus max level will be 30 and maybe gearing wont be tha hard.

leveling characters help with practicing your leveling strategy and all that so you can get ahead when the game launches ;3

probs also gonna have to level professions ughh

cooch

For pvp are friendly and enemy abilities color coded? In new world that was one of the biggest issues i had with pvp i didnt know if i was sitting in a friendly or an enemy aoe heal or damage bc they looked the same.

George_Black

cooch wrote: »

For pvp are friendly and enemy abilities color coded? In new world that was one of the biggest issues i had with pvp i didnt know if i was sitting in a friendly or an enemy aoe heal or damage bc they looked the same.

Git gud?

wakkytabbaky

plenty of people will burn themselves out / be done testing etc till a update with new mechanics etc comes out during A2 but come full release they will 100% be back on the game in full swing no lifing it, i know i will probably take short breaks from A2 for a week or so due to work / other games but come full release ill still be playing it.

need to remember also that A2 is persistent till release so say release is 3 years after the A2 launches thats plenty of time to lvl all the archtypes and test em out

Taleof2Cities

Other MMOs (example ---> ESO) have the option to start a fresh character OR play a fully leveled template on their test server.

I think the OP is on to something and I fully support this idea.

If Intrepid is worried about players finding the meta on the A2 server, they can simply wait until after launch for this feature (I still support the idea, however).

Aszkalon

George_Black wrote: »

So you are saying that the vast majory that wont test anything let alone their classes, will quit?

Idea. ^.^

One Week -> Only Warrior/Tank Classes and Second-Classes.

One Week -> Only Mage-Archetypes with Second Classes.

Then Hunters,
Then Rogues,
Then Bards,
Then Summoners,
Then Leeroy Jenkins, (joking)

But i think this might piss People off, so probably not that good an Idea. ^.^;"

OnyStyle

Mag7spy wrote: »

I rather people have to spend time time to level a class and explore it than just trying everything, even more so at launch.

After launch people can research and see what is best for their style. Seems weird and tacky to be able to try to test something at max level, next people will be asking for dps meters when they test a class as well.

"Alpha burnout" isn't necessarily what id call it, rather than burnout itself. Perhaps you aren't one of them, but many people do a particular grind, and though they enjoyed the experience would NEVER want to do it again. Even if they love the game (and still love the game).

There are plenty of ways to prevent the testing from "finding out the meta" rather than an actual play test. Make the characters attack's do 0 damage. Don't show damage numbers and make it so the monster can't die, etc. Not to mention that balancing is almost certainly going to change between alpha 2 and launch.

I agree that leveling up a class is very important for alpha 2. We have to test the systems, etc. So, for alpha 2, perhaps have it unlocked after the player reaches a certain level. For the launch, it could be available from the start.

Depraved

OnyStyle wrote: »

Mag7spy wrote: »

I rather people have to spend time time to level a class and explore it than just trying everything, even more so at launch.

After launch people can research and see what is best for their style. Seems weird and tacky to be able to try to test something at max level, next people will be asking for dps meters when they test a class as well.

There are plenty of ways to prevent the testing from "finding out the meta" rather than an actual play test. Make the characters attack's do 0 damage. Don't show damage numbers and make it so the monster can't die, etc. Not to mention that balancing is almost certainly going to change between alpha 2 and launch.

wtf? also whats wrong with the meta? why do you want people to play the way you want?

Perryuppal

Taleof2Cities wrote: »

Other MMOs (example ---> ESO) have the option to start a fresh character OR play a fully leveled template on their test server.

I think the OP is on to something and I fully support this idea.

If Intrepid is worried about players finding the meta on the A2 server, they can simply wait until after launch for this feature (I still support the idea, however).

Absolutely. I think being able to test out a maxed character's combos to some extent would give a solid idea of which class I would like to play in the main game, or focus my efforts on leveling. Out of all the MMOs I've played, many classes that have similar names can play very differently, meaning I can't exactly know that I will like playing a rogue, mage, or cleric. I would hate to go all in on a class to find that the end-game of the class is not enjoyable or conversely, not play a very enjoyable end-game class because I traditionally did not enjoy how they played in other MMOs.

An obvious example I can think of is FF14. Many of the classes in that game have absolutely terrible early game combos and general feel in combat, but grow into very fun end-game classes. I traditionally do not like healers in MMOs, but FF14 made healers fun for me because they also have the ability to do some DPS while waiting on healing skill refreshes or for certain mechanics to hit. However, had I not seen that side of healers, I would've never touched the healing classes due to my preconceived notions that healers are not a fun class for me to play.

Mag7spy

OnyStyle wrote: »

Mag7spy wrote: »

I rather people have to spend time time to level a class and explore it than just trying everything, even more so at launch.

After launch people can research and see what is best for their style. Seems weird and tacky to be able to try to test something at max level, next people will be asking for dps meters when they test a class as well.

"Alpha burnout" isn't necessarily what id call it, rather than burnout itself. Perhaps you aren't one of them, but many people do a particular grind, and though they enjoyed the experience would NEVER want to do it again. Even if they love the game (and still love the game).

There are plenty of ways to prevent the testing from "finding out the meta" rather than an actual play test. Make the characters attack's do 0 damage. Don't show damage numbers and make it so the monster can't die, etc. Not to mention that balancing is almost certainly going to change between alpha 2 and launch.

I agree that leveling up a class is very important for alpha 2. We have to test the systems, etc. So, for alpha 2, perhaps have it unlocked after the player reaches a certain level. For the launch, it could be available from the start.

This is a alpha not a game, i seeing a lot of terms in your post in relation to playing a game but not in relation to an alpha. Yes people will play it and have fun, but you are not understanding the whole point that this is an alpha you aren't playing AoC release build. There can be wipes, times were you can't play, things locked out, things wanting to be tested, level locks, etc.

You aren't going from lvl 1-max playing it like a full game. If you don't like the idea of doing something over again, and other issues you brought up, I'd have to ask why would you play an actual alpha knowing full well you aren't playing a "game" in a sense, but simply helping with development.

Depraved

because he wants to play the game...he isn't interested in helping with testing and development, like most people. most people want to play the game and helping with development is just a side thought.

OnyStyle

Mag7spy wrote: »

OnyStyle wrote: »

Mag7spy wrote: »

I rather people have to spend time time to level a class and explore it than just trying everything, even more so at launch.

After launch people can research and see what is best for their style. Seems weird and tacky to be able to try to test something at max level, next people will be asking for dps meters when they test a class as well.

"Alpha burnout" isn't necessarily what id call it, rather than burnout itself. Perhaps you aren't one of them, but many people do a particular grind, and though they enjoyed the experience would NEVER want to do it again. Even if they love the game (and still love the game).

There are plenty of ways to prevent the testing from "finding out the meta" rather than an actual play test. Make the characters attack's do 0 damage. Don't show damage numbers and make it so the monster can't die, etc. Not to mention that balancing is almost certainly going to change between alpha 2 and launch.

I agree that leveling up a class is very important for alpha 2. We have to test the systems, etc. So, for alpha 2, perhaps have it unlocked after the player reaches a certain level. For the launch, it could be available from the start.

This is a alpha not a game, i seeing a lot of terms in your post in relation to playing a game but not in relation to an alpha. Yes people will play it and have fun, but you are not understanding the whole point that this is an alpha you aren't playing AoC release build. There can be wipes, times were you can't play, things locked out, things wanting to be tested, level locks, etc.

You aren't going from lvl 1-max playing it like a full game. If you don't like the idea of doing something over again, and other issues you brought up, I'd have to ask why would you play an actual alpha knowing full well you aren't playing a "game" in a sense, but simply helping with development.

If you look at my original post, I didnt say max level, I specifically said alpha 2's level cap. I am well aware of what the purpose of an alpha is. Hence my participation of Apocalypse and Alpha 1. So try not to jump to conclusion about my intentions.

The reason I want a demo area to test is for the sheer purpose of testing how a classes combat FEELS without having to an additional 30+ hours to hit the level cap for the additional classes. Want to call me lazy for not wanting to spend tons of my free time testing? Sure, go for it. But the reality is, I want to be able to give feedback on how the combat feels for every class without the requirement to level them up.

Depraved wrote: »

because he wants to play the game...he isn't interested in helping with testing and development, like most people. most people want to play the game and helping with development is just a side thought.

This makes literally no sense. I am literally asking for a way to play LESS and still give good feedback.

Alice

Just let us change archetype class...

People get bored, and devs might REDESIGN classes in a way we do not like, or introduce a new class that we like. It's only fair that we should be allowed to change. What's the problem if we can change class at least once a year? (no limit for A2 testing). Driving people to quit for a no good reason.

George_Black

Alice wrote: »

Just let us change archetype class...

People get bored, and devs might REDESIGN classes in a way we do not like, or introduce a new class that we like. It's only fair that we should be allowed to change. What's the problem if we can change class at least once a year?(no limit for A2 testing) Driving people to quit for a no good reason.

Smh

Depraved

OnyStyle wrote: »

Mag7spy wrote: »

OnyStyle wrote: »

Mag7spy wrote: »

I rather people have to spend time time to level a class and explore it than just trying everything, even more so at launch.

After launch people can research and see what is best for their style. Seems weird and tacky to be able to try to test something at max level, next people will be asking for dps meters when they test a class as well.

"Alpha burnout" isn't necessarily what id call it, rather than burnout itself. Perhaps you aren't one of them, but many people do a particular grind, and though they enjoyed the experience would NEVER want to do it again. Even if they love the game (and still love the game).

There are plenty of ways to prevent the testing from "finding out the meta" rather than an actual play test. Make the characters attack's do 0 damage. Don't show damage numbers and make it so the monster can't die, etc. Not to mention that balancing is almost certainly going to change between alpha 2 and launch.

I agree that leveling up a class is very important for alpha 2. We have to test the systems, etc. So, for alpha 2, perhaps have it unlocked after the player reaches a certain level. For the launch, it could be available from the start.

This is a alpha not a game, i seeing a lot of terms in your post in relation to playing a game but not in relation to an alpha. Yes people will play it and have fun, but you are not understanding the whole point that this is an alpha you aren't playing AoC release build. There can be wipes, times were you can't play, things locked out, things wanting to be tested, level locks, etc.

You aren't going from lvl 1-max playing it like a full game. If you don't like the idea of doing something over again, and other issues you brought up, I'd have to ask why would you play an actual alpha knowing full well you aren't playing a "game" in a sense, but simply helping with development.

If you look at my original post, I didnt say max level, I specifically said alpha 2's level cap. I am well aware of what the purpose of an alpha is. Hence my participation of Apocalypse and Alpha 1. So try not to jump to conclusion about my intentions.

The reason I want a demo area to test is for the sheer purpose of testing how a classes combat FEELS without having to an additional 30+ hours to hit the level cap for the additional classes. Want to call me lazy for not wanting to spend tons of my free time testing? Sure, go for it. But the reality is, I want to be able to give feedback on how the combat feels for every class without the requirement to level them up.

Depraved wrote: »

because he wants to play the game...he isn't interested in helping with testing and development, like most people. most people want to play the game and helping with development is just a side thought.

This makes literally no sense. I am literally asking for a way to play LESS and still give good feedback.

but then you (and probably everybody else too) would be missing the opportunity to give feedback on how the class feels leveling up, solo leveling, partying, find bugs, broken quests etc

(((

Depraved

Alice wrote: »

Just let us change archetype class...

People get bored, and devs might REDESIGN classes in a way we do not like, or introduce a new class that we like. It's only fair that we should be allowed to change. What's the problem if we can change class at least once a year? (no limit for A2 testing). Driving people to quit for a no good reason.

FOTM chasers is the problem ugh. at least they should put in the effort into leveling up the new class

Shabooey

I agree with @Mag7spy and @Depraved , it's important in A2 we get to test as many aspects of the game as possible from the ground up. I'm sure A2 will be fun but we're not there to play the game, we're there to help support the development and hopefully by doing so, we will get a proper, well built game to enjoy for many many years.

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