What is it going to take to push Planetside 2 over the top

[Sledgecrushr]

I like PS2 and think it has a very bright future. But right now I see that the pops are starting to slip again. So i was wondering what it would take to make this game the total shit. So I had a couple of ideas.

Bring back the BFR. Now before you go and pitchfork me for bringing this up the new BFR would basically be just as powerful as a prowler is right now. But what I was thinking is it would have 2 gunners and a driver.

Lattice of course.

More continents with a continental conquest meta.

The BASTION. This is kind of a gameplay hook Ive been looking forward to. Now I dont really care for the design that has been shown to us. I would like these flying outfit carriers to be more along the lines of old fashioned naval warfare. A row of powerful but extremely short ranged av guns on the sides. Add a couple of aa guns interspersed with these and you have naval warfare along with ship boarding at 1000 meters in the sky.

These are just a few big suggestions and Im wanting to see what you guys think can be added to really push Planetside 2 over the top.

[bpostal]

What can be done? Improve the flow of battle on a micro and macro scale. Since they're already working on this I'd call it good until we see more.
The other major thing would be to improve the infamous lag/rendering/etc that's stopping/slowing the large fights. Since that's ongoing I'm not too worried about that.
The last thing I can think of off the top of my head would be to better clarify what the objective of the game is. Promote teamwork and good fights, not spawn camping and face stomping.

[Snydenthur]

I think the single most people-turning "feature" at the moment is performance. Soe needs to get the fps up faster. And stop destroying the performance at the larger game updates. Hopefully test server helps with the latter.

[Maidere]

Endgame. Build something giant, by example. Each territory improves building speed.

[Timealude]

With alot of my suggestions already on the way (via roadmap), I feel that the mission system will help retain some pop as well as the the new hex system they are putting in. New continents are nice but it wont do anything unless we have a solid battle flow element in. I think Cont locking will bring people back as it will force the fights to different areas of the world and will give empires a bit more to strive for when they are trying to do continental conquest.

I also agree the performance thing is another one that have pushed people away, but at the rate we are seeing of improvements after every patch, I have no doubt in my mind they will have the performance thing figured out soon.

[VaderShake]

I think one thing that would help from a population standpoint as well is some renewed marketing efforts. There are allot of gamers out there that still don't know what Planetside 2 is.

[Rolfski]

Almost everything that needs to be done is already on the road map, I just wish they would hurry up.

The only thing I'm missing on the road map is Blacklight Retribution-like weapon customization options.

For the long term (2+ years) I would like them to expand the universe a bit.

[wasdie]

Until they get the new map changes in, there isn't going to be much new. This isn't an overnight process, it will take them a few months to get all worked out.

The micro hex/lattice system is a huge step in the right direction. After this comes vehicle zoning, continent locking, and home continents. Of course all the while continuing to make changes to the map design themselves, adding more defenses, making new bases. Also they'll be adding more continents in time.

[wasdie]

Originally Posted by VaderShake

I think one thing that would help from a population standpoint as well is some renewed marketing efforts. There are allot of gamers out there that still don't know what Planetside 2 is.

This is tricky right now since the game is about to radically change (for the better).

I'm hoping that they had made enough money since launch to keep the studio kicking for the rest of 2013. They can get 2 more continents in, the micro-hex system, some new vehicles, and constant improvements to the whole game (optimizations, ragdoll physics, resource changes, missions system, better UI... stuff like that) and then they can do an add blitz later.

[Assist]

Originally Posted by Snydenthur

I think the single most people-turning "feature" at the moment is performance. Soe needs to get the fps up faster. And stop destroying the performance at the larger game updates. Hopefully test server helps with the latter.

Agreed, too many people I talk to on other gaming forums didn't continue to play because 'their computers couldn't handle it'. Yet they can play other new games perfectly fine.

[VaderShake]

Originally Posted by wasdie

This is tricky right now since the game is about to radically change (for the better).

I'm hoping that they had made enough money since launch to keep the studio kicking for the rest of 2013. They can get 2 more continents in, the micro-hex system, some new vehicles, and constant improvements to the whole game (optimizations, ragdoll physics, resource changes, missions system, better UI... stuff like that) and then they can do an add blitz later.

Yea but they will really have to do some explaining of PS2 either way. It won't be a game for everyone, if they went with a "Help Us Build This Game" type of message that might help.

[Hamma]

The BFR will never come back.

[CrankyTRex]

The three most frequent reasons I get from friends as to why they don't play PS2 are:
1. "What's the point if it's always on?" (Basically, since there's no victory condition of any significance, they don't see why they'd spend their time fighting over territory that will probably change hands moments later.)
2. "Sounds like pay to win."

If I get them over that and in the game, #3 comes up:
"Wow, you die a lot in this game."

Generally speaking that sums up the feeling of helplessness in the face of superior numbers and random death from all sides they don't feel like dealing with.

So basically, whatever can overcome those issues. :-)

[p0intman]

Originally Posted by Sledgecrushr

Bring back the BFR

it isn't april first yet.

[Dougnifico]

Actually, his version of BFR sounds like a ground liberator. That could be interesting...