Empire-hopping restrictions in CBT.

[NEWSKIS]

For the sake of testing the most number of things it shouldnt be restricted.

On a side note, with this game being free to play, you can't stop that from happening since people with just make another account and switch empires. So there's no point in trying to restrict it.

[TurelSun]

Originally Posted by NEWSKIS

For the sake of testing the most number of things it shouldnt be restricted.

On a side note, with this game being free to play, you can't stop that from happening since people with just make another account and switch empires. So there's no point in trying to restrict it.

I think the point is to restrict people from taking their experienced characters to other factions, not really to keep them from starting new characters.


Yes, we've seen that they already allow more options than will be available at launch(like MAX units using vehicles), so this makes sense. Perhaps halfway through Beta or into Open Beta they'll begin restricting it to test out player populations.

[The Kush]

I don't think there will be restrictions in closed beta. They want people to find glitches everywhere in the game.

[AvacadoEight]

GAAAH! MY EYES AND MY SEARCH HISTORY D:

[NEWSKIS]

Originally Posted by TurelSun

I think the point is to restrict people from taking their experienced characters to other factions, not really to keep them from starting new characters.


Yes, we've seen that they already allow more options than will be available at launch(like MAX units using vehicles), so this makes sense. Perhaps halfway through Beta or into Open Beta they'll begin restricting it to test out player populations.

I was thinking more along the lines of population balance for both beta and afterwards. So more of a people jumping to the winning empire.

[CutterJohn]

It should never be restricted, period. Players can already switch whenever they wish by making a new account. Restricting peoples 'main' accounts and/or characters from jumping to another empire just means you've lost all of your control over them. You can no longer use incentives to keep them where they are or prevent them from switching.


Lets look at two scenarios. In the first, players are able to switch empires and servers with their main character.

- Players will abide by restrictions on transfers, such as for population imbalances. They cannot switch now, but they know that they will be able to switch later when the populations are under control.

- Players can be incentivized to switch to an underdog empire with temporary bonuses, and will be far more likely to go since it benefits their main character.

- Players can will be able to play with friends on other empires/servers without having to roll a new character and give up all of their advancement.

- Players can keep their character intact, along with their friends lists and whatnot, maintaining constistancy in their online presence.



Now, in a system where players cannot switch.

- Players will switch whenever they feel like it, simply using a new account. Since they are already prepared to sacrifice their advancement in another character, there is zero motivation against this behavior.

- Players will have zero incentive to make a new character on an underdog empire. They've already given up their advancement by switching, so obviously this is not their primary consideration.

- Players will be extremely hesitant to play with friends on different empires/servers, since they will be required to abandon their current main. Whoa, You play PS2 as well? What server? Oh. Well, nevermind then.

- Players will be in new accounts/characters on the new servers, meaning they will lose contact with their friends, hurting their, and their friends, sense of community. Where's Joe? No idea, must not be playing tonight. Except he is, on his other account, and now you can't ask him to come back to help you out.



By prohibiting this behavior, you lose the ability to regulate it in any fashion.

[TurelSun]

Originally Posted by NEWSKIS

I was thinking more along the lines of population balance for both beta and afterwards. So more of a people jumping to the winning empire.

Right, but then there is a point to restricting it after launch(or in open Beta). I think it works well. As a new player, you haven't invested much in your character or your faction, so creating new characters is easy, allowing you to find the faction and playstyle your prefer. Once you get into it though, and have invested more, it will be less appealing to just jump ship when your Empire isn't doing as well.

People will still do it, I see gamers up and quit at the smallest signs of defeat, but they'll probably be willing to endure a lot more before doing so if they can't just take their main character. That'll maybe give players time develop some faction loyalties and get people who will stick it out no matter what, which are really the kind of players you want in a game like this.

[KTNApollo]

No restriction at all would be the best way they can go about it. If people really want to spy, they'll just make extra accounts, so why doesn't SOE just allow multiple empires on one server? I have friends who want to play other factions than I do, but it would be nice to be able to compete against them and maybe join up with them on the same server.

[TheInferno]

I would be surprised if you couldn't buy an extra character slot and the right to join any empire with that.

Might happen, might not.

[TurelSun]

Originally Posted by CutterJohn

It should never be restricted, period. Players can already switch whenever they wish by making a new account. Restricting peoples 'main' accounts and/or characters from jumping to another empire just means you've lost all of your control over them. You can no longer use incentives to keep them where they are or prevent them from switching.


Lets look at two scenarios. In the first, players are able to switch empires and servers with their main character.

- Players will abide by restrictions on transfers, such as for population imbalances. They cannot switch now, but they know that they will be able to switch later when the populations are under control.

- Players can be incentivized to switch to an underdog empire with temporary bonuses, and will be far more likely to go since it benefits their main character.

- Players can will be able to play with friends on other empires/servers without having to roll a new character and give up all of their advancement.

- Players can keep their character intact, along with their friends lists and whatnot, maintaining constistancy in their online presence.



Now, in a system where players cannot switch.

- Players will switch whenever they feel like it, simply using a new account. Since they are already prepared to sacrifice their advancement in another character, there is zero motivation against this behavior.

- Players will have zero incentive to make a new character on an underdog empire. They've already given up their advancement by switching, so obviously this is not their primary consideration.

- Players will be extremely hesitant to play with friends on different empires/servers, since they will be required to abandon their current main. Whoa, You play PS2 as well? What server? Oh. Well, nevermind then.

- Players will be in new accounts/characters on the new servers, meaning they will lose contact with their friends, hurting their, and their friends, sense of community. Where's Joe? No idea, must not be playing tonight. Except he is, on his other account, and now you can't ask him to come back to help you out.



By prohibiting this behavior, you lose the ability to regulate it in any fashion.

Very good points, I think you changed my mind a bit on it, but I still feel like you're going to see more people leaving factions/servers that are not doing well than you will have people people transferring in for temporary benefits.

I do agree, people should be able to switch to play with friends, and maybe for a change of pace, but those need limitations IMO. I'm not in favor of totally prohibiting transfers... but time-limits and situations need to be in place. If people switch factions and servers for any reasons I believe it will be harmful to factional loyalties.

Originally Posted by KTNApollo

No restriction at all would be the best way they can go about it. If people really want to spy, they'll just make extra accounts, so why doesn't SOE just allow multiple empires on one server? I have friends who want to play other factions than I do, but it would be nice to be able to compete against them and maybe join up with them on the same server.

I don't think the main issue is spies here, its more gamers jumping ship at the first sign of trouble. Its kind of like having all your men abandon the base just because another faction made a successful galaxy drop. Doesn't help anything, and FPSers and gamers in general(those outside of outfits) are use to doing that.

[GuyFawkes]

I really dont care either way for beta but a definite no come live.

If they want to switch, fine , make another account . soe will benefit from you forking out to buy stuff for your alt.

[SztEltviz]

No restriction in beta TEST, thats the whole concept to test it...

When it goes live, maybe allow multiple characters with different empire, BUT then you CAN NOT choose your character to play, you have to play with that character that in the lowest pop empire.

If thats not ok for you, than choose one side and stick with it.

[Vanu Techpriest]

I could be wrong but I think one of the developers mentioned this during the E3 livestream. He said there will be no faction restrictions and you can create multiple characters per account which can be any faction.

Since the game will be free to play. I see no reason to restrict an account to one faction since they can just make another free account.

[GuyFawkes]

Originally Posted by Vanu Techpriest

I could be wrong but I think one of the developers mentioned this during the E3 livestream. He said there will be no faction restrictions and you can create multiple characters per account which can be any faction.

Since the game will be free to play. I see no reason to restrict an account to one faction since they can just make another free account.

Bags had a faq with this on, and its listed 1 empire per server. Listening to last nights AGN , seems theyve gone further and maybe 1 character per account now . All good news if thats true.

[Noivad]

I have no interest in empire hopping in beta or real game. 1 account - 1 Character - TR for Life.