New Max Updates on Test Server [Archive]

Higby

2013-04-27, 12:15 AM

What's the point of public test then? To tease us?

No, not at all. Public Test sits in a sequence of servers that features and content go through before going to live. It's not the first stop, though. In fact, it's about 3 environments behind the latest data that the team is working on day to day, and as things are ready they're promoted up the chain to eventually go live, and ideally go through a finer and finer tooth comb along the way, scraping away all the bugs and problems as they do. Often, due to the way that data promotion works, problems still get on test server, but it's a lot more stable and error free than the dev working branches, which with dozens of people making hundreds and sometimes thousands of changes to a day, can be quite chaotic.

Our goal with test is of course to keep it as up-to-date with the latest and greatest, so we have more time to integrate feedback and tune based on real world usage, but we can't keep it on the bleeding edge and ever have something that can be counted on to be remotely stable.

EvilNinjadude

2013-04-27, 12:28 AM

ChipMHazard

2013-04-27, 06:20 AM

As usual VS get the worst weapon, and no special ability.. Really unfair on Vanu, always get the worst :mad:

What's the point of this comment? You know that the VS are going to be getting their special "overdrive" ability, so why complain about it not being in the test server at present time?
Don't take what you see on the test server as being a complete represenative of the final piece of content.

camycamera

2013-04-27, 09:14 AM

yeah, the flamethrower is clegged up atm. it is weak, and hit detection is terrible. but its there for a reason :D

and i like the new lockdown ability, and that new grenade launcher gun that fills the screen full of grenade icons.

hashish

2013-04-27, 10:43 AM

What's the point of this comment? You know that the VS are going to be getting their special "overdrive" ability, so why complain about it not being in the test server at present time?
Don't take what you see on the test server as being a complete represenative of the final piece of content.

Yea but i just feel it is very unfair that we get the worst out of all the factions powers. For example -

Overdrive ability seems absolutley rediculous and will make the Vanu maxes even more easy to kill for u guys ! We get 20% vulnerability and 40% damage increase with a small boost to speed :confused: Now how does that help us if our max weapons are the WORST and they 90% dont even hit the target because of such bad accuracy :/ (everyone will agree to this point that VS maxes are not threatening in combat and are easy to kill)

If i see a NC or TR max i will run away fasst. When i jump on my NC char i jus go in and terrorize those helpless VS max's, they dont stand a chance...

Also by looking at the new empire specific max weapons they are releasing, its just rediculous how bad the VS dual lancers are ! They are soooooo inaccurate that its just useless to use it as you get spotted and die very fast :(

NC and TR empire specific max weapons look so much more effective.. I just think that they need to re-think how they want to upgrade the VS max's..

Or two things need to be balanced properly to make them useful. Either reduce or eliminate the 20% vulnerability, or make the weapons more accurate to increase survivability..

Emperor Newt

2013-04-27, 10:48 AM

As usual VS get the worst weapon, and no special ability.. Really unfair on Vanu, always get the worst :mad:
yeah, the flamethrower is clegged up atm. it is weak, and hit detection is terrible. but its there for a reason :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=v2QxTsGy2as

(min 1.00+)

Zealot burster maxes.... oh I can already see the OP threads. It will be glorious.
(The numbers might be bugged here but still, 40% damage for bursters? Yes please. And with that skyguards will finally be completely useless)

And on a sidenote, yes the current VS max lancers really don't seem to be that useful. A max doesn't have the agility, mobility or health to go head on with a tank. Which the lancers seem to require.

*EDIT*
Oh, its only 25% damage boost. Still good. But 40% speed boost seems a bit... odd. I would not not what do do with it much.

Assist

2013-04-27, 11:20 AM

No, not at all. Public Test sits in a sequence of servers that features and content go through before going to live. It's not the first stop, though. In fact, it's about 3 environments behind the latest data that the team is working on day to day, and as things are ready they're promoted up the chain to eventually go live, and ideally go through a finer and finer tooth comb along the way, scraping away all the bugs and problems as they do. Often, due to the way that data promotion works, problems still get on test server, but it's a lot more stable and error free than the dev working branches, which with dozens of people making hundreds and sometimes thousands of changes to a day, can be quite chaotic.

Our goal with test is of course to keep it as up-to-date with the latest and greatest, so we have more time to integrate feedback and tune based on real world usage, but we can't keep it on the bleeding edge and ever have something that can be counted on to be remotely stable.

You missed the important part of the OP. Why are you giving that Vanu the "jack of all trades" ability? It's not exciting or interesting. Most players when given the choice are going to choose the offensive or defensive ability, not the one that's 50% of each.

Shamrock

2013-04-27, 11:28 AM

Im not particularly overjoyed at the additional damage ability for vulnerability trade off. I know they said jump jets were OP, but id even take a limited weak jump jet with a long charge up time over an additional damage/vulnerability trade off. MAX's are shock troops for breaching heavily defended areas, you have to be a bullet soak, so having an ability that will make me more vulnerable isn't going to appeal to me.

Bags

2013-04-27, 11:48 AM

Lockdown was terrible in PS1, and now that you die 3x as fast in PS2 it will only be worse.

moosepoop

2013-04-27, 11:55 AM

No, not at all. Public Test sits in a sequence of servers that features and content go through before going to live. It's not the first stop, though. In fact, it's about 3 environments behind the latest data that the team is working on day to day, and as things are ready they're promoted up the chain to eventually go live, and ideally go through a finer and finer tooth comb along the way, scraping away all the bugs and problems as they do. Often, due to the way that data promotion works, problems still get on test server, but it's a lot more stable and error free than the dev working branches, which with dozens of people making hundreds and sometimes thousands of changes to a day, can be quite chaotic.

Our goal with test is of course to keep it as up-to-date with the latest and greatest, so we have more time to integrate feedback and tune based on real world usage, but we can't keep it on the bleeding edge and ever have something that can be counted on to be remotely stable.

thank you for telling us, this is really great information,

Kail

2013-04-27, 12:32 PM

You can still tell us what you have planned/implemented RIGHT NOW, and tell us what you have NOT done yet, with each set of patch notes.

For example: We've put in the weapon, and it works and is animated, BUT we have not done full balancing yet in this build/The hit detection of this weapon isn't complete (see Flamethrowers). Putting this on each set of PTS patch notes would help the community know what to expect and what not to expect.

But they have, though - when the PTS first went up, it was for Hex change testing. A few days ago they got the Harrasser up for people to start giving feedback, and just last night they got all the MAX abilities and weapons officially up with a first pass. Extra stuff sneaks on to the PTS all the time (Hossin warp button, tutorial, etc). Sometimes it's just not worth it to patch the PTS to remove it, like the MAX weapons for the last few days.

I don't mean to come across like I'm jumping on you or anything, I'm just super annoyed at the video for being unable to tell that maybe, just maybe, being able to kill a tank in a few seconds or being able to 1-salvo another max MIGHT mean the weapon hasn't been actually tuned yet.

"VS get ... nothing" :rolleyes:

moosepoop

2013-04-27, 12:55 PM

"VS get ... nothing" :rolleyes:

quit whining, your max get supersayan speed hack mode.

WSNeo

2013-04-27, 01:09 PM

Everyone in the test VR last night were overjoyed with the movement speed increase. In outdoor skirmishes the ZOE MAX will be the seemingly best variant. However the damage increase seemed meh.

Quasar takes 56 shots to kill an NC Dummy MAX to the chest (I assume with no Kinetic Armor upgrade). With ZOE on it takes 48 shots with a Quasar.

Headshots 24 on NC Dummy max, 30 headshots with ZOE off.

Keep in mind that this is with ZOE upgrade 5.

What is that, 15-20%? Is anyone able to determine the extra damage taken?

Timealude

2013-04-27, 01:34 PM

You missed the important part of the OP. Why are you giving that Vanu the "jack of all trades" ability? It's not exciting or interesting. Most players when given the choice are going to choose the offensive or defensive ability, not the one that's 50% of each.

I think its pretty interesting when you can insta gib people atm with flamethrowers when ZOE mod is on. There are videos that have been popping up showing off how OP the ZOE module is atm..

Rasui

2013-04-27, 02:17 PM

EvilNinjadude

2013-04-27, 02:23 PM

I don't mean to come across like I'm jumping on you or anything.I've had more offensive stuff thrown at me, thanks though.
But they have, though - when the PTS first went up, it was for Hex change testing. A few days ago they got the Harrasser up for people to start giving feedback, and just last night they got all the MAX abilities and weapons officially up with a first pass. Extra stuff sneaks on to the PTS all the time (Hossin warp button, tutorial, etc). Sometimes it's just not worth it to patch the PTS to remove it, like the MAX weapons for the last few days.

I'm just super annoyed at the video for being unable to tell that maybe, just maybe, being able to kill a tank in a few seconds or being able to 1-salvo another max MIGHT mean the weapon hasn't been actually tuned yet.
Fellow smart person, I hate to break it to you... not everyone is. There will always be people who shout X IS OP This game SUCKS and proceed to spread their complaints around the entire forum. They don't even need to have tested it themselves, they just collect general impressions, exaggerate them and then let the QQ flow.

Doing this to the patch notes will simply give SOE something to point to: "Look here, we're not done yet, no need to GO ON A BLOODY CRUSADE quite yet".

I'm not sure if people actually listen to those trolls, but them existing certainly has no positive effects. Feed them less, and nobody will feel worse for it.

quit whining, your max get supersayan speed hack mode.
QUOTATION MARKS. And an emote. Aren't your ears bursting from the sirens of your sarcasm detector? Or did you misplace yours?

Hamma

2013-04-27, 02:29 PM

How can you guys say the VS is getting nothing when they are getting a speed boost? I'm confused.

DirtyBird

2013-04-27, 09:19 PM

Don't forget that whats eventually released isn't necessarily the final product either.

Bravix

2013-04-27, 10:43 PM

I rather like ZOE. Got the feeling the speed will be nerfed, at which point I probably won't like it.

Whiteagle

2013-04-27, 11:34 PM

I think its pretty interesting when you can insta gib people atm with flamethrowers when ZOE mod is on. There are videos that have been popping up showing off how OP the ZOE module is atm..
Yeah, but by the time I switched over to VS, the Flamethrowers has MYSTERIOUSLY disappeared outside of VR...

Emperor Newt

2013-04-28, 07:13 AM

People are complaining about the ZOE? That's just mind blowing to me.

Think about this for a second. Lets assume it goes live with a 40% damage increase at max rank. Now strap two blueshifts on, 143 damage at ALL ranges just became 200 damage at ALL ranges. I'm going to be dual wielding fricken gauss SAW's. How is that not absolutely terrifying for all infantry downrange?
Wrong info, it's only 25% on max level. And also 20% more damage taken. So basically it's a five percent damage bonus in a firefight, because you will get hit as a max. You still are a pretty big target that will be a priority for your enemies.
40% movement speed won't cut it much as you also rely on the engineer(s) at your back. With ZOE even more so.
In more defensive use the ZOE seems to be nice, when the max won't be hit as much. But as soon as real fights start I fail to see ZOEs use.
Sure, it's still better then charge. But that ability is pretty much crap anyway. Not saying that it's bad but currently I (maybe) would even trade in lockdown. With such a short ttk in this game it's way better then TR player make it to be.
Overall those abilities are only about "okay", which in comparison I think is fine. I take them thankfully, but only because the only alternative we have is charge.

Shamrock

2013-04-28, 07:28 AM

The constant calls for repairs from MAX's are already annoying, with an additional 20% damage being taken that macro may end up being spammed non stop, not to mention constantly rezzing VS MAX's that take a decimator to the face with the ZOE activated. Bottom line is that having a glass cannon MAX is a total contradiction to the role they fill.

hashish

2013-04-28, 10:57 AM

What!? only 5% dmg increase over damage taken? :( Ah thats just not right..

Doesnt make sense how ZOE can actually be used in combat situations where you will be the bullet-magnet most of the time and the fast movement wont help as engineers wont be able to keep with you all the time :/

Lets see how it performs anyways in the next couple weeks.. Im not too optimistic with ZOE though still, just doesnt seem as useful as lockdown or the shield..

Fenrys

2013-04-28, 12:10 PM

I'm dubious about the utility of the TR and VS ability.

All MAX should get shields. It's the only ability that seems practical.

Rasui

2013-04-28, 12:28 PM

Wrong info, it's only 25% on max level. And also 20% more damage taken. So basically it's a five percent damage bonus in a firefight, because you will get hit as a max. You still are a pretty big target that will be a priority for your enemies.
40% movement speed won't cut it much as you also rely on the engineer(s) at your back. With ZOE even more so.
In more defensive use the ZOE seems to be nice, when the max won't be hit as much. But as soon as real fights start I fail to see ZOEs use.
Sure, it's still better then charge. But that ability is pretty much crap anyway. Not saying that it's bad but currently I (maybe) would even trade in lockdown. With such a short ttk in this game it's way better then TR player make it to be.
Overall those abilities are only about "okay", which in comparison I think is fine. I take them thankfully, but only because the only alternative we have is charge.
Yeah, I see that now. I also read somewhere that the damage increase isn't just 20% it's 20% off of the MAX small arms resist. Is this confirmed? If so it's literally a 100% damage increase from small arms fire. That seems a little excessive to say the least.

Whiteagle

2013-04-28, 12:38 PM

All MAX should get shields. It's the only ability that seems practical.
True enough, especially if they're wanting to bring in MAX Melee weapons, but then what do the NC get that's special?

I mean Lock-down and Zealot Overdrive may have their draw backs, however they also provide generally useful buffs as well...

Really I'd make Shields that were MAX Weapon Options needing to be held up with the Fire Button to provide Directional Damage Resistance, but I'm stumped as to whether or not an additional deployable Energy Shield would be worth the cost of the Ability Slot let alone be a Factional Ability...

AThreatToYou

2013-04-28, 04:55 PM

I want to play TR now because of lockdown. The problem is we NC also got a shield. Don't under-estimate lockdown, i mean please. don't. Now, VS's zealot overdrive seems a bit sketchy. In the years of PS1's last nails in the coffin, the TR MAX was upgraded with a rate-of-fire capacitor in addition to lockdown (not needed... TR max strong). It didn't increase damage taken.

So, my opinion: Zealot Overdrive should not increase damage taken.

Roy Awesome

2013-04-29, 12:13 AM

Uhm, the ZOE is going to get nerfed into the ground. MAXes will run faster than infantry sprint. It's going to make VS maxes incredibly strong.

AThreatToYou

2013-04-29, 12:17 AM

Well, that's good.

Dougnifico

2013-04-29, 12:32 AM

Are people crying over something on the test server? Give SOE direct feedback and they shall adjust it. That's the point of Test Server. lol

EvilNinjadude

2013-04-29, 01:56 AM

Are people crying over something on the test server? Give SOE direct feedback and they shall adjust it. That's the point of Test Server. lolMy words exactly. I want to see the ZOEMAX in fights on the test server. It's gonna be more fun to take down as a HA because it's just such a big threat, can dodge rockets, and will plow right at you and disappear around the corner again fast as lightning.

I haven't tried it, is this an on-off ability like the Shield or lockdown? If not, what's the duration and cooldown?

PredatorFour

2013-04-29, 06:37 AM

I can see NC moaning that it is inbalanced. Both TR/VS get RoF increase while they don't, so our AA maxes are going to beast their air while they get a shield ! :)

Qwan

2013-04-29, 07:18 AM

TR maxes, the lock down is awesome, throw in some engis and you have a beast of a machine (just watch your back). NC love the shields, Its balanced because you cant fire at the same time but you can move to the next position without taking to much damage, and spot targets. Im liking that alot. Im glad this is test though and like Higby said, its a good amount of steps from being released to the public. But its fun to check it out and get an Idea of how the weapon is going to work, and whats to come. Now to the VS it really doesnt matter what they give us, we take what they give us and we still lock continents, take bases, and smack NC and TR biotches, and find ways of turning the enemy's OP and cool weapons against them making them useless. We may have it hard sometimes, our weapons may not do what the others do, but we always come threw in the end. Hopefully that old guy who keeps telling us about enlightenment, and how we must push harder, will go down to the weapons development office and put a foot up somebody's ass, because there failing Vanu and us.

HiroshiChugi

2013-04-29, 07:43 AM

As usual VS get the worst weapon, and no special ability.. Really unfair on Vanu, always get the worst :mad:

Obviously you need to check out Waterson server when it comes time for an Esamir alert. The Vanu stick at around 20% capped for the first hour and a half. Then the VREV (Vanu Revolution) kicks into overdrive and pulls 3-4 platoons on our (H4TZ) 1 and a half platoons and we get NO BACK-UP WHATSOEVER. Sure, we can hold them at one point until it's capped, and prevent them from moving on. But that's only because they get their Scythes up and running behind our lines to cap the southeastern Bio Lab and then the suddenly have frostfall SOMEHOW, God only knows how, and then everything goes to shit. From now on, you shouldn't be complaining abou thow VS is underpopulated and underpowered.

(everyone will agree to this point that VS maxes are not threatening in combat and are easy to kill)

I only agree on this point of being underpowered. All I have to do is run up behind an unaware VS MAX, empty my entire clip of my Blitz GD-10 SMGand BOOM! He's dead. If not dead, then only 2 mag shots away from behind dead. If anything needs to get buffed, It's the VS MAX Armour. That's it.

EvilNinjadude

2013-04-29, 07:54 AM

Obviously you need to check out Waterson server when it comes time for an Esamir alert. The Vanu stick at around 20% capped for the first hour and a half. Then the VREV (Vanu Revolution) kicks into overdrive and pulls 3-4 platoons on our (H4TZ) 1 and a half platoons and we get NO BACK-UP WHATSOEVER. Sure, we can hold them at one point until it's capped, and prevent them from moving on. But that's only because they get their Scythes up and running behind our lines to cap the southeastern Bio Lab and then the suddenly have frostfall SOMEHOW, God only knows how, and then everything goes to shit. From now on, you shouldn't be complaining abou thow VS is underpopulated and underpowered.

I only agree on this point of being underpowered. All I have to do is run up behind an unaware VS MAX, empty my entire clip of my Blitz GD-10 SMGand BOOM! He's dead. If not dead, then only 2 mag shots away from behind dead. If anything needs to get buffed, It's the VS MAX Armour. That's it.

Yeah looks like that happens when I'm off. VS pop in my times sticks at 15-25%, while H4TZ and GCR (Giant Communist Robots) keep the NC pop high all day long. And then come the alerts, the zerg arrive, my dose of lag arrives, and we lose the Traverse. AGAIN.

My fav place to fight is Jaeger's Crossing, and NC are more fun to fight than VS any day. Shoutout to NightEyes and Sgt(forgotrestofname) for being awesome NC players.

HiroshiChugi

2013-04-29, 08:03 AM

Shoutout to NightEyes and Sgt(forgotrestofname) for being awesome NC players.

Let's not forget the platoon commanders of H4TZ (at the time of alerts and right before them) for keeping the southeast on lockdown! ;D (Me, snake00223, Czuuk, and others). :P

EvilNinjadude

2013-04-29, 08:17 AM

Let's not forget the platoon commanders of H4TZ (at the time of alerts and right before them) for keeping the southeast on lockdown! ;D (Me, snake00223, Czuuk, and others). :PGonna keep a lookout for you if you ever fight Anywhere that's not East of Eisa.

HiroshiChugi

2013-04-29, 08:23 AM

Gonna keep a lookout for you if you ever fight Anywhere that's not East of Eisa.

Smart man, smart man... Just keep a look out for my Delta squad, I usually put the better players in there. xD

EvilNinjadude

2013-04-29, 12:30 PM

Smart man, smart man... Just keep a look out for my Delta squad, I usually put the better players in there. xDAnd how on earth am I supposed to tell which ones are the Delta squad? Do they have a big D somewhere?...

that... no never mind.

Varsam

2013-04-29, 02:40 PM

You missed the important part of the OP. Why are you giving that Vanu the "jack of all trades" ability? It's not exciting or interesting. Most players when given the choice are going to choose the offensive or defensive ability, not the one that's 50% of each.

I wouldn't call it defensive at all, as it increases incoming damage. It's very movement based, a quality that the other two abilities distinctly lack.

HiroshiChugi

2013-04-29, 02:42 PM

And how on earth am I supposed to tell which ones are the Delta squad? Do they have a big D somewhere?...

that... no never mind.

Yes, yes they do! xD! And you'll know... Oh, you'll know...

Kail

2013-04-29, 10:38 PM

http://twitter.com/mhigby/status/328973505423089664

New ZOE gfx - YouTube

ChipMHazard

2013-04-30, 07:36 AM

So, ZOE is going to be a free ability?

JesNC

2013-04-30, 07:43 AM

So, ZOE is going to be a free ability?

Nah, it's supposed to be at least 2000SC.

j/k, it's certable just like charge and the other ES abilities.

ChipMHazard

2013-04-30, 07:52 AM

Nah, it's supposed to be at least 2000SC.

j/k, it's certable just like charge and the other ES abilities.

:p

So, what exactly does he mean by decoupling it from the cert line?

JesNC

2013-04-30, 08:50 AM

:p

So, what exactly does he mean by decoupling it from the cert line?

It's probably just the damage mitigation debuff being a set value independent of the level of the ZOE module now.

ChipMHazard

2013-04-30, 08:51 AM

It's probably just the damage mitigation debuff being a set value independent of the level of the ZOE module now.

Ah, ok. Makes sense.

Satanam

2013-04-30, 09:45 AM

I really hope they make the AV MAX weaker or we're gonna "lose" our HA abilities against vehicles. You can now blow up vehicles with LA, Engineer, HA and MAX (we were able to use AV for MAX before, but not as powerful and useful as the new ones). That's just not right. I'm not complaining that there shouldn't be AV turrets, but they shouldn't be so useful like that, and AV MAX should work just like the old AV weapons for MAX (only useful when in groups of AV MAXes).
I think they should boost some defense to vehicles and then increase all rocket launchers' damage. I'm not talking about a super boost, just a slightly one that would make the rocket launchers more useful than other AV weapons, and they could boost damage for tank mines and C4 too.

EvilNinjadude

2013-04-30, 10:02 AM

I think they should boost some defense to vehicles and then increase all rocket launchers' damage. I'm not talking about a super boost, just a slightly one that would make the rocket launchers more useful than other AV weapons, and they could boost damage for tank mines and C4 too.
Rocket launchers ARE useful. Dumb fire one is free to acquire and resupply, you have a big magazine, and you're fast and not tied down.

The AV turret is stationary but a beast at range.

HelpLuperza

2013-05-12, 02:49 AM

No, not at all. Public Test sits in a sequence of servers that features and content go through before going to live. It's not the first stop, though. In fact, it's about 3 environments behind the latest data that the team is working on day to day, and as things are ready they're promoted up the chain to eventually go live, and ideally go through a finer and finer tooth comb along the way, scraping away all the bugs and problems as they do. Often, due to the way that data promotion works, problems still get on test server, but it's a lot more stable and error free than the dev working branches, which with dozens of people making hundreds and sometimes thousands of changes to a day, can be quite chaotic.

Our goal with test is of course to keep it as up-to-date with the latest and greatest, so we have more time to integrate feedback and tune based on real world usage, but we can't keep it on the bleeding edge and ever have something that can be counted on to be remotely stable.
Hey, does anyone know what Higby means by and environment? I have heard the computing term before, but I wanted to make sure I understood what he was saying as their is more than one definition out their for a computing environment.

EvilNinjadude

2013-05-12, 03:18 AM

Hey, does anyone know what Higby means by an environment? I have heard the computing term before, but I wanted to make sure I understood what he was saying as their is more than one definition out their for a computing environment.
I'm a noob, and haven't heard it before, but right now I assume that builds are being classified with stability. First a feature is implemented, then tested, then fixed, then looked at critically, and eventually it is declared sound enough to be moved onto the PTS. Each environment then corresponding to a stage of un-borkedness... or something like that.:doh:

Sturmhardt

2013-05-12, 05:29 AM

The environment is probably a bunch of computers/dudes testing the game.

So when the devs make a new build of the game they test it in the 1st environment, meaning themselves, so you have a few devs testing it for bugs. If they don't find any major bugs after a short while they pass the build on to the 2nd environment, the internal playtesters. They are probably more in numbers and play it longer than the 1st environment and will find some smaller bugs that take longer to spot. When they don't find any more bugs they pass it on to the next environment until the build reaches the test server, which will eventually push the build to the last environment - the normal servers.