After optimization, can we focus everything on metagame please?

[Rolfski]

Operation Meaningful Game (OMG) or metagame is the single thing that absolutely needs to be fixed first after optimization (Operation Make Faster Game) is finished before anything else imo. It's the core promise of this game that is still not delivered and I'll bet it's the second biggest reason after optimization, people eventually quit this game. I think I saw about 75% of my main outfit come and go over the past year, mainly because of optimization and getting bored issues.

There are tons of things on the roadmap (or requested outside of it) that are eagerly anticipated: From ESF changes, to in-game outfit recruitment options, to better TR carbine/sniper sounds, to server transfers, to infiltrator overhaul, to more weapons/vehicles, to better e-sports spectator mode, etc. As much as these features are really welcome and even long overdue, going back to the regular daily road-map after OMFG is finished would be a huge mistake imo. At least reschedule it to prioritize Operation Meaningful Game.

If Smedley can make the whole dev team stop working on what they're doing and really focus on optimization, he can for sure prioritize this to finally deliver the big promise of PS2: Strategic MMO FPS.

And with metagame I mean making the game actually rewarding by giving it meaningful goals (very narrow definition of metagame, I know). It involves:

1. Additional map content and level design to allow for strategic conquest/continent locking: Hossin, Amerish lattice, 3 battle islands. People are dying for this, make it happen yesterday. Battle islands could be released as a work in progress imo because competition/e-sports will cause balance changes anyway.
2. Secondary goals: Alert, WDS, mission system and other game sytems. Make it so that it leads to balanced fights (no overpop bullshit).
3. Reward system: Resources, XP, stats. It should promote playing the objective, not kill-farming.
4. GUI and comms tools: Little changes in these can go a long way in helping players to go for their objective.

Most of these are on hold atm and right now Malorn apparently has only half a programmer to work with to fix WDS and other meta-game systems. I'd say let's give him half the dev team (the other half working on maps) after OMFG is finished. How cool would it be to have this game finally living up to its legacy?

[HereticusXZ]

I think SOE has already claimed they intend to work on the mythical meta-game of the new Resource System and Continental Lattice as main projects after Optimization, Amerish Lattice, and Hossin... IMO with Class revamps, More cosmetics, and other features as side-projects to fill the void of player impatience as we wait for the meat and potatoes of the main projects to be finished.

I don't know where Nexus fits in, if it's a big thing with Continental Lattice or if it's a side project to appease competition players...

It's all just myth until we can play with it...

[ringring]

Originally Posted by HereticusXZ

I think SOE has already claimed they intend to work on the mythical meta-game of the new Resource System and Continental Lattice as main projects after Optimization, Amerish Lattice, and Hossin... IMO with Class revamps, More cosmetics, and other features as side-projects to fill the void of player impatience as we wait for the meat and potatoes of the main projects to be finished.

I don't know where Nexus fits in, if it's a big thing with Continental Lattice or if it's a side project to appease competition players...

It's all just myth until we can play with it...

Nexus is integral to the metagame, as are 2 other battle islands (I think 2).

It's still gonna be a while, too long.

I don't know but it seems the strategy was all along to release an unfinished game and SOE also seem to be doing that wit EQ2.

It only makes partial sense to me in that a revenue stream will commence earlier however, think of the customers you/they will lose along he way.

[Rolfski]

There's a big difference between working on something vs having the whole dev team stop to fix it now before doing anything else.

[Root Hade]

What a weird post. You should suggest something tangible, like duplicating Nexus three times just so we can get the continent lattice live asap.

[robocpf1]

Originally Posted by Root Hade

What a weird post. You should suggest something tangible, like duplicating Nexus three times just so we can get the continent lattice live asap.

I asked Higby this question at SOE Live, and he said something along the lines of "Yes, we could do that, but it will end up taking around the same amount of time".

If I remember correctly it had something to do with the resource revamp taking precedence, so they either release three Nexuses for the lattice with Hossin with the current resource system or they get the new resource system finished while design artists are working on the other two islands for the lattice. Something like that.

I forget the entire conversation, but the gist of it is that it won't save any time.

[Calista]

They have to be getting closed to being done with Desolation by now anyway.

[PredatorFour]

After optimisation, i'd rather they fix the parts of the game that are broke.

[Root Hade]

Originally Posted by robocpf1

I asked Higby this question at SOE Live, and he said something along the lines of "Yes, we could do that, but it will end up taking around the same amount of time".

If I remember correctly it had something to do with the resource revamp taking precedence, so they either release three Nexuses for the lattice with Hossin with the current resource system or they get the new resource system finished while design artists are working on the other two islands for the lattice. Something like that.

I forget the entire conversation, but the gist of it is that it won't save any time.

What the heck? But... that makes it sound like creating the two other Battle Islands will take a similar amount of time/resources as setting up the Cont Lattice? Surely its not that hard? Is the resource revamp actually really complex with the Battle Islands and resource flow inbetween warpgates or some shit?

Well thanks / good job on asking anyway.

[ringring]

So resource revamp before metagame or inter-continental strategy, whatever you want to call it.

We shouldn't be surprised. There has been no desire to do it since way prior to launch and we see it's still isn't priority. 3 continents and 3 3-ways. Great, super.

Now mlg, that's a priority.

[Calista]

Higby said yesterday they are pushing hard to get Hossin done before PS2/PS4 launch but didn't indicate a timeframe. Don't recall if he mentioned BI completion though so maybe it will be another TDM map? Who knows.

[Emperor Newt]

As much as I would love a better "metagame" I think the game has more serious issues like the new player introduction and the "progression" system (which kind of ties in with #3 though). Metagame would surely help to keep the current players in the game, but the game needs to be able to keep new players in the first place. And from what I see it's pretty bad at that. And I doubt that people quit because of the lack of a "metagame", but because the game is too confusing and/or not fun enough.

[Escroteitor]

Originally Posted by Emperor Newt

As much as I would love a better "metagame" I think the game has more serious issues like the new player introduction and the "progression" system (which kind of ties in with #3 though). Metagame would surely help to keep the current players in the game, but the game needs to be able to keep new players in the first place. And from what I see it's pretty bad at that. And I doubt that people quit because of the lack of a "metagame", but because the game is too confusing and/or not fun enough.

The first time I quit was because I got 15 fps while I have 30-50 fps on other titles of the same year on high-medium settings.

I've return just because I'm starting to study and I need a long-term F2P (or P2W wathever) to kill dead hours.

So I think the optimization patch is a good way to keep new players.

PD: In Spain this game is a myth. No one knows about it because nobody can run it properly.

[camycamera]

I agree, Rolfski.

Originally Posted by Escroteitor

The first time I quit was because I got 15 fps while I have 30-50 fps on other titles of the same year on high-medium settings.

I've return just because I'm starting to study and I need a long-term F2P (or P2W wathever) to kill dead hours.

So I think the optimization patch is a good way to keep new players.

PD: In Spain this game is a myth. No one knows about it because nobody can run it properly.

F2P means free to play, which PS2 is, and P2W means pay to win, which PS2 is not.

[Rolfski]

Originally Posted by Emperor Newt

As much as I would love a better "metagame" I think the game has more serious issues like the new player introduction and the "progression" system (which kind of ties in with #3 though). Metagame would surely help to keep the current players in the game, but the game needs to be able to keep new players in the first place. And from what I see it's pretty bad at that. And I doubt that people quit because of the lack of a "metagame", but because the game is too confusing and/or not fun enough.

Although the new maps and metagame systems will undoubtedly add complexity for newer players, it also will also bring new options to lower the learning curve. The upcoming mission system could be a very powerful tool to gradually make players comfortable with the game mechanics.

Originally Posted by bpostal

It's been noticed and suggested before but here it is again:
- Take Nexus, ctrl+C
- Ctrl+V
- Ctrl+V
- Draw lattice links and set up non-broadcast warpgates.
Tada! Global lattice without having to design Desolation, Extinction and Ascension. Plus this gives everyone more time/exposure to Nexus for that MLG whatsits.

Temporary copy-paste battle islands should be well worth considering by SOE vs waiting at least another 6 months for any continental lattice, which is unacceptable imo.

It allows the devs to flesh out the continental meta-game while on the other hand giving proper time to design these new maps.

The players wouldn't mind these placeholder islands at all but if necessary, devs could change up a few textures and non-critical assets to make them look somewhat different for the time being.