We were mislead(by SOE) about account wide unlocks.

[Ghoest9]

http://forums.station.sony.com/ps2/index.php?threads/account-wide-unlocks-faq.106828/

"What will be unlocked on a new character that’s the same Empire as my existing character?

Any weapons and non-consumable items such as multi-use camo purchased through Station Cash will appear on any new character of the same empire.

What about characters made with other Empires?

Any items specific to an Empire will not be available on other Empires’ characters. For example a New Conglomerate Sweeper Shotgun will only be available on another New Conglomerate character. Common Pool items unlocked with Station Cash will be available across all characters. For example, an NS Annihilator unlocked with Station Cash can be used by all VS, TR, and NC characters on the purchasing account.

What about items I’ve unlocked with certifications points?

Items unlocked with certification points will only be available on the character you unlocked them with. This includes weapons, scopes, extended magazines, C4, etc…

What about my vehicle customizations like rims and decals?

These will follow the same rules as non-consumable empire specific items and common pool items. For instance if you buy a decal for a Lightning, it will work on the Lightning on any character.

Will similar secondary weapons on tanks unlock across multiple characters?

Weapons are unique to each vehicle and while they may be similarly named, operate differently. Weapons that would unlock on an empire specific vehicle will not unlock for a different empire. For instance a Vanguard M12 Kobalt will not be unlocked for the Prowler or Magrider. "











Basically NO vehicle weapons will unlock cross faction - even ones the exact same names and same stats.

This is not how it was represented to us before.

[DirtyBird]

The representations change all the time, surely that's an accepted fact now.
And until its on the server I wouldn't be so sure it'll even be what we've just been told.

[EvilNinjadude]

Is that only for same weapons on different vehicles? I can't imagine that Liberator or Galaxy or Flash weapons are different across empires, so SOE should definitely be unlocking those.

Also: "Any weapons and non-consumable items such as multi-use camo purchased through Station Cash will appear on any new character of the same empire."

Wait, you're saying camos are empire specific? Seriously? SERIOUSLY?
If I unlock a Weapon Camo, I want that weapon Camo. Don't force me to endlessly bitch about it, please don't. SOE, just unlock non-empire specific cosmetics and BE DONE WITH IT.

[Falcon_br]

I already expeted most parts of it, I think everyone agrees that it is bullshit not unlocking the camo for every empire!
Also, unlocking AP for a prowler should unlock AP for a magrider, but they already said it won't.
Now about the bundles, I got the vehicle starter weapon bundle, shouldn't I have it in all my characters from all factions?
The truth is, account wide unlocks sounds great! But in real, Sony should not do it, because there is a BIG possibility of screwing everything and everyone with that, so is better leave the game the way it is now.
I can't wait so see how many refunds they will ask from the people that got the same item for all his 3 characters, like a decail or camuflage.

[Koadster]

I guess soe recently went to a conference with EA.. how to best screw over your player base.

Things like my Marauder on prowler fair enuf. But I hope my sundie/flash weapons are unlocked. The worst... camos, so temperate chapperrel is empire specific... well my SC wallet just got as tight as a sphincter.

[bpostal]

The ONLY reason I can think of for the camo...issue is that each empire is shaped differently (TR = curves and shit, NC = Boxes, VS = badonadonks (http://rule34-data-003.paheal.net/_images/9bbef26c189fec18bc5943187eff5f7d/980327%20-%20Planetside%20Planetside_2%20Vanu_Infiltrator%20 Vanu_Sovereignty.jpg)) but that don't make it right.

I'm still holding out hope that they'll do right by us. I have to hope that or I'll freak the fuck out.

[Tenhi]

I guess there are some empire specific Camos. Basically everything that is faction colored. The other Camos should unlock.

That MBT NS Secondary Weapons dont unlock is just stupid. Whats the difference between a Prowler and a Magrider Kobald?-_-

The whole "Account Wide Unlock" feature is pretty much useless as it stands.

[SGTHACK]

SOE developed this game to make money. A business that gives it's products away will not stay in business long. I never expect anything from SOE, only to get what I paid for....

[Artimus]

They are still merging servers hold on to your pants.

[ColdCheese]

I spent $45 for 3 different sets of armor,weapon,vehicle camo for all 3 continents, I have an NC alt on a different server I play now and then when my favorite Outfit leaders aren't on. Why shouldn't I be able to use these camos on my NC character as well, at $5 a pop it's already a ripoff to buy camo, especially when armor and weapons are charged and sold separately. I know SOE only reads Reddit posts, but this is the last straw if true. Was planning on purchasing the new helmets, but screw that and any other purchases from now on if you are going to half ass Account Unlockables like that.

[Momember]

But I hope my sundie/flash weapons are unlocked.

Read

Common Pool items unlocked with Station Cash will be available across all characters.

[Twasta]

What bothers me more is the lack of mention of any reinbursement for duplicate (or even triplicate) purchases.

[Figment]

Per empire sounds fair to me actually.

I'm used to unlocking stuff for World of Tanks as well, there at some point you had to unlock the same Maybach engines for the French as you already had for the Germans and tank guns for the French you already did for the Americans or British.

Within each nation's line, they'd auto-unlock.

Seems fair enough as you develop characters within an empire. This rewards a bit of loyalty to one side.

[Climhazzard]

Wait, you're saying camos are empire specific? Seriously? SERIOUSLY?
I already expeted most parts of it, I think everyone agrees that it is bullshit not unlocking the camo for every empire!

Easy, folks. The reference to camo seems like it was just an example used to answer a specific question.

[Roy Awesome]

Once again, Calm your Tits. Cross faction unlocks are coming but not today.

Posted by Higby on Reddit: http://www.reddit.com/r/Planetside/comments/1apgor/account_wide_unlock_faq/c8zn0f7

Here's the scoop. Your "item" is unlocked into a shared inventory across all your characters, but it's the exact item you unlocked. The items across different empire specific weapons are COMPLETELY different items, from a data perspective. Yes, including the tank secondary weapons - they have totally different mount point information and item id #s so we can track them separately in data. The common pool vehicle weapons are not, therefore when you acquire that item you can use it on all empires. All cross-empire infantry weapons are completely different (again, from a data perspective, not talking about gameplay mechanic attributes), and many of them do not have "equivalent" weapons, at best they have "associated" weapons - i.e the ones that were released together. So, what does all that mean?

It means to unlock empire specific items across empires we would need to create bundles, do a lot of work with item previews and stats comparison to allow you to check out the hades and the crow when you pick up a skep, and a hell of a lot of data work.

I know it's a lot of work because we're already looking into doing it, but, it's going to take a pretty long time to do. We wanted to get the main part of this feature, giving you the items you purchased across all your characters (that's exactly what this does) sooner rather than later.

No "greed" or "bait and switch" involved here, items are simply unlocked across all characters. The rest is a lot more work and we wanted to get this feature, which was something that was so highly requested by you guys out as soon as we could.

So, you guys are looking into making all the "equivalent" and "identical" weapons work across all characters? Like, my Nova on my Vanu character (which I don't play anymore) could potentially, in the future, turn into a Nighthawk for my infinitely more handsome TR character?

Edit: For clarification, I would be willing to wait for as long as it takes and I would be much looser on the wallet strings were it to happen.

Yes, but, it wasn't in the initial spec and would have put this feature back 2-3 more weeks if we had waited to release with it the cross-faction unlocks for faction specific items (which includes ES vehicle secondaries weapons)

[Koadster]

Mods please delete post. Higbys interview answered my question.

[ringring]

I think the problem was you imagined something and you have been trolled by your own imagination.

[Fenrys]

This half assed implementation of account wide unlocks feels slimy.

[Figment]

I think the problem was you imagined something and you have been trolled by your own imagination.

In other words a FigmentOfYerImagination.

:(

Sowwy.

[Sonny]

This half assed implementation of account wide unlocks feels slimy.

I'm not sure - I think Higby's reddit post clarified the situation a little better. It seems more like they have to re-program a lot of already-established systems and databases in order to attain full functionality for account-level unlocks (e.g. unlocking equivalent secondary AV weapons across tanks), so they are introducing just the basic functionality this week and will upgrade it in future. So they are still working on full and fair implementation but it's taking longer than they think.

The only thing I don't like is that weapons unlocked by certs will not be account-wide unlocks while SC purchases will be? I feel that is a bit unfair on the guy who played ~10 hours to unlock a gun.

Sonny

[Ghoest9]

Higbys technical reasoning is much less annoying the RadarXs twisted parsing of definitions reasoning.

[ChipMHazard]

I honestly don't see how they misled anyone. They made it clear that empire specific weapons would not transfer over to the other empires in the form of their respective counterparts.
Seems more likely that people simply mislead themselves.

[Rasui]

I honestly don't see how they mislead anyone. They made it clear that empire specific weapons would not transfer over to the other empires in the form of their respective counterparts.
Seems more likely that people simply mislead themselves.

Probably, doesn't make this any less of a worthless addition though. You'd think for real money they could at least unlock equivalents.

[defghi]

quit your crying, at least they are doing something decent. they could have just not have even done this much.

[Mod]

In other words a FigmentOfYerImagination.

:(

Sowwy.

Oh dear, that was terrible :p

[Bruttal]

that is kinda strange that NS weapons for vehicles are some how different then each other. but i can say my lighting and lib will be decked out across all empires now. guess what we really need is more NS vehicles?.

[Sledgecrushr]

At least they threw us a bone. Hopefully in the near future we will get the rest of our gear and then we will all be fourth faction powerhouses.

[Gonefshn]

How anyone could complain about this is beyond me.

More stuff is coming, I'm glad to have some more options for now.

[Rahabib]

I must say - unlocking equivalent weapons if they do implement it, would be rather unexpected. The vehicle unlocks of weapons with the same name just took people by surprise since it was assumed it would work - but if you think about it, would be problematic since the vehicle they are attached to are different. Then they would have to create a white list of what is "equivalent" of each vehicle, so unlocking the AC30 on a tank doesn't unlock it on the lib etc. and for which tank is equivalent. In theory its black and white for us, but for the data, its not and requires them to manually add hooks.

anyway, it sounds like its coming regardless.

[Climhazzard]

The only thing I don't like is that weapons unlocked by certs will not be account-wide unlocks while SC purchases will be? I feel that is a bit unfair on the guy who played ~10 hours to unlock a gun.

I'm one of those purely F2P players, unfortunately, and I'm OK with this. Also, it takes me a lot longer than 10 hours to scrounge up 1000 CP (no boosts or membership benefit, remember :p).

[Crator]

I thought, ever since they announced account wide unlocks, that they stated it would not be cross-faction.

[Rahabib]

I thought, ever since they announced account wide unlocks, that they stated it would not be cross-faction.
they did, several times.

[Wahooo]

I don't see how we could have been mislead when there was simply no clear information about what would/would not be unlocked.

Back when this was first brought up... oh maybe before release or right after the response was something like ~'well maybe the cosmetics'.

Higby's Reddit response makes perfect sense to me, but he also uses a great example of my main question and the HUGE gray area when it comes to the similar or equivalent ES weapons.
SKEP/Crow/Hades are all essentially the same weapon but obviously NOT the exact same like say the Annihilator. Then his example of the Kobalt on MBTs. It is the same weapon right? but technical issues about mounting points and what not. Seems reasonable these would be unlocked x-faction. They are ES... but only in name.
But how do you draw a line?
Lasher/MCG/Jackhammer? Not equivalent but that package purchase?
Sauron/?/? I dunno?

There are ES equivalents that seem quite obvious you can draw parallels and would make an argument should be unlocked like rocket pods and AA missiles.. but it is not a clear line between what fits there and what is drastically different without a true ES equivalent.

[Wahooo]

they did, several times.

Not really. There were a lot of cryptic responses about account unlocks that a LOT of people put in their own interpretations and expectations into.

Up until the patch notes here and Higby's reddit response I don't recall seeing anything that I would call, in anyway, CLEAR on the subject.

[PredatorFour]

This is ridiculous and typical move by soe. Anyone but them would of taken account wide unlocks as being cross server AND cross empire. I like many others i presume have a main (VS in my case) but have made other empire characters on different servers to see how their gear handles. I was looking forward to testing the rocket pods on the mossie cos of how fast they are but it looks like i wont now.

Who would make 3 vs characters across different servers and play them all ? Why can't they give us true account wide unlocks ? gotta be a reason.

[Sweetcreekk]

Why can't they give us true account wide unlocks ? gotta be a reason.
There is a reason. The game is free to play. Microtransactions are what keep the game going.

[Wahooo]

There is a reason. The game is free to play. Microtransactions are what keep the game going.

FFS people... as I just said "Higby's Reddit Post" that was quoted earlier in the thread explains it.

FROM REDDIT:
Here's the scoop. Your "item" is unlocked into a shared inventory across all your characters, but it's the exact item you unlocked. The items across different empire specific weapons are COMPLETELY different items, from a data perspective. Yes, including the tank secondary weapons - they have totally different mount point information and item id #s so we can track them separately in data. The common pool vehicle weapons are not, therefore when you acquire that item you can use it on all empires. All cross-empire infantry weapons are completely different (again, from a data perspective, not talking about gameplay mechanic attributes), and many of them do not have "equivalent" weapons, at best they have "associated" weapons - i.e the ones that were released together. So, what does all that mean?

It means to unlock empire specific items across empires we would need to create bundles, do a lot of work with item previews and stats comparison to allow you to check out the hades and the crow when you pick up a skep, and a hell of a lot of data work.

I know it's a lot of work because we're already looking into doing it, but, it's going to take a pretty long time to do. We wanted to get the main part of this feature, giving you the items you purchased across all your characters (that's exactly what this does) sooner rather than later.

]No "greed" or "bait and switch" involved here[/B], items are simply unlocked across all characters. The rest is a lot more work and we wanted to get this feature, which was something that was so highly requested by you guys out as soon as we could.

They are giving us what they can now and more to follow rather than delay the whole thing even further. Seems reasonable no?

[Rahabib]

Not really. There were a lot of cryptic responses about account unlocks that a LOT of people put in their own interpretations and expectations into.

Up until the patch notes here and Higby's reddit response I don't recall seeing anything that I would call, in anyway, CLEAR on the subject.

Faction specific was never cryptic. In fact I am surprised they are working on it since they very clearly stated they were not going to do it.

Nov. 30th:
http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/30/massively-exclusive-matt-higby-reveals-account-wide-sc-unlocks/

Mar. 12th:
http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/12/planetside-2s-gu04-introduces-account-unlocks-the-two-man-flas/

I cant find it in twitter but someone said it was being developed as faction specific back in December. maybe it was smedly or the planetside2 twitter account.

[Wahooo]

Faction specific was never cryptic. In fact I am surprised they are working on it since they very clearly stated they were not going to do it.

Nov. 30th:
http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/30/massively-exclusive-matt-higby-reveals-account-wide-sc-unlocks/

Mar. 12th:
http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/12/planetside-2s-gu04-introduces-account-unlocks-the-two-man-flas/

I cant find it in twitter but someone said it was being developed as faction specific back in December. maybe it was smedly or the planetside2 twitter account.

"faction items will still be restricted to factions."

They are saying you can't buy an ES weapon and use it across factions, there is no mention of ES equivalents. NO MENTION. And even the cross-faction statements are the author not a Dev quote. Saying there was NO-cross faction unlocks is just as much speculation from these articles as saying wooot- all my weapons are unlocked.
I Know I'm not going back through Twitter either but I see to remember back around the same time as that first article you posted on Nov 20th that the mention was ONLY cosmetics would be shared.

My point remains it was NOT clear exactly what is/was going to be unlocked until this reddit post by Higby.

[ThePackage]

If they get this out in 2-3 weeks I'd be happy.

[Saintlycow]

NS-11 Platinum does not transfer. the one in the gamestop code

[Rahabib]

"faction items will still be restricted to factions."

They are saying you can't buy an ES weapon and use it across factions, there is no mention of ES equivalents. NO MENTION. And even the cross-faction statements are the author not a Dev quote. Saying there was NO-cross faction unlocks is just as much speculation from these articles as saying wooot- all my weapons are unlocked.
I Know I'm not going back through Twitter either but I see to remember back around the same time as that first article you posted on Nov 20th that the mention was ONLY cosmetics would be shared.

My point remains it was NOT clear exactly what is/was going to be unlocked until this reddit post by Higby.

I don't know what to say. it's the way I interpreted it. if you feel misledi am sorry you feel that way.

[Roy Awesome]

NS-11 Platinum does not transfer. the one in the gamestop code

That's because you didn't buy it with station cash

[Figment]

Oh dear, that was terrible :p

Them TR always blamed me for fiddling with their gens, cc's, spawns, terms, ntu and causing 100 NC to appear out of nowhere behind their defenses.


:(


Course, that never happened, certainly not daily. They were just imagining things.
[/jedi mindtrick]


...did it work?

[Rbstr]

Wait, wait.

People don't like that the Ranger or whatever they bought for their tank doesn't carry over to other empires' vehicles...ok I get that, but it's been explained as to why and they're going to change it. So whatever. "We're going to do this eventually, here's part of it now, but the rest will take longer because of *reasons*" is not misleading unless it is a false statement. Nothing suggests that to be the case.

But people are also mad that the Hades doesn't also unlock the SKEP (or whatever the empire equivalent is)? And they're serious?
That takes some monumental misunderstanding to think anyone was mislead there. Failure of players to...read...is not SOE's fault.

[Figment]

Yep, but players are very good at self-deception.


And it's funny how easy some are fooled.

*cloaking in cave, player with Dark Light heading straight for you*
"I'm not behind the green crystal"
*player immediately runs at the green crystal*
"Told you so."


Now that's misleading! :D Reverse psychology ftw.

[Rolfski]

For some reason, they didn't unlock my fancy Flash tires on my other accounts.

[Dragonskin]

I'm overall happy with what was unlocked for account wide this patch. The only real problem to me is that the NS-11 Platinum is tied to the character you used the code on.. kinda lame and I hope they fix that since it is techincally a SC purchase because it comes with the SC on the Gamestop card.

Otherwise my TR now has the following unlocks from my VS purchases.
Lightning - HE, HEAT
Liberator - Tank burster, Dalton, Zypher
Sunderer - both furies
MAX - Burster arm

Vechile accessories - all non-empire specific camos, decals and hood ornaments.

And my VS character can use the AV Mana Turret I bought for my TR. So overall I'm pretty happy with the change. :D