News: Chinese Interview with John Smedley

[Goku]

Originally Posted by Smed

We've got this

Even better. We can finally put that one to rest also.

[Crator]

Really awesome of you to answer our questions Smed! You da' best!

[NewSith]

f2p model still bothers me, here's the quote from our forum.

Originally Posted by NewSith

Smedley already pointed out at least twice that they're not going to adopt p2w bullshit.

But as for f2p model, I'm against it, because the pack includes: cheaters, russians with no clue, swearing children and too much balance whining due to empire specific weaponry and large amount of all above.

I've included both of these controversial thoughts to show that it's my exclusive opinion. It doesn't mean that I demand B2P, but I strongly recommend it. At least buying the game once is not that much of a cash sacrifice, but it makes bans more meaningful.

What I'd rather demand is some guarantee that if it's f2p, then I will have nothing to fear.

NOTE: Sonic never played the original PS.

[SavageB]

This DROP thing has me interested...Would it be from taking certain amount of bases throughout your play time...Is it from gathering so many " Resources"....Very curious...Once you collect so many resources do you like, put your money in a vending machine and have a certain chance of getting a certain item...lol. Im gonna go nuts until I find out what this entails...

[Crator]

No spoilers :P

[FIREk]

Smed, thanks once again and (as it seems that you logged out for now) do drop by more often.

[Logit]

Originally Posted by SavageB

This DROP thing has me interested...Would it be from taking certain amount of bases throughout your play time...Is it from gathering so many " Resources"....Very curious...Once you collect so many resources do you like, put your money in a vending machine and have a certain chance of getting a certain item...lol. Im gonna go nuts until I find out what this entails...

Chill out son, your spot on with the vending machine

Since his drop comment I've been doing the same thing. What I first came up with since the inventory system is now gone, is it possible once a soldier has died there are items on his body that you can collect. Not so much specifically what said soldier was equipped with, but a randomized bunch of stuff?

Perhaps some of those items are guns?

[Raymac]

Originally Posted by NewSith

What I'd rather demand is some guarantee that if it's f2p, then I will have nothing to fear.

I think the main idea should be to get as many players as possible. Planetside is a game that doesn't just need lots players to turn a profit, it needs lots of players to be fun at all. Most of us have probably seen those times where there are only a few dozen people on, and the game is basically unplayable.

While I like b2p too, the reasons you state seem to suggest that we want to eliminate certain types of players. Obviously nobody wants cheaters, so I'm sure they'll take care of those guys, but Planetside is better with bad players as opposed to no players.

So let's welcome the undesirebales with open arms...but still have a feature to ignore their babble.

[basti]

Wow, this thread just exploded.

But "drops" got me worried. Who could potentially drop something that you can keep using after you died once? Im totally for weapon looting from dead guys, but those shouldnt stay after you died.

[Smed]

Another idea has also been floating around the design team. We don't drop weapons.. those are always available through the skill tree (i.e. they take time to get) but we drop implants instead. Either way we don't sell power in any way shape or form.

We are also talking about the role resources will play in all of this. Maybe some weapons or attachments take resources to make. The resources are things you can easily get by simply playing the game so we're never limiting players but we have a good economy.

Just to let you guys know - we're in and playing the game every day. This stuff is the layer on top of core gameplay and it's really fun to discuss and debate. We welcome your opinions. But if I can leave you with one core thing - don't worry - we WILL NOT sell power.

[FIREk]

I have a feeling that these drops would be TF2-based. Every once in a while (say, once every 1-3 hours of playtime), after dying you see a prompt that you've gained an item. Imagine this translates to having a blueprint. Now, to add resources into the equation, you need to expend some of these resources to actually unlock the item. After spending 1000 titanium and 300 auraxium and 3 Sunset Sasparilla Star Caps you can use the gun forever. I think this makes a bit of sense.

[Goku]

Originally Posted by basti

Wow, this thread just exploded.

But "drops" got me worried. Who could potentially drop something that you can keep using after you died once? Im totally for weapon looting from dead guys, but those shouldnt stay after you died.

LOL. I can't wait for someone raging they lost a $20 item .

[basti]

razor851, what?

[FIREk]

Also, Smed, could you elaborate a bit on the vision you have for resources? Would these be collected individually, only for the player's benefit, or somehow for the empire? Would they be used to buy long-term stuff only, like "researching"/unlocking weapon modifications, or to buy every day stuff like MAX units, tanks, fighters etc?

My main thought is: why would anyone care about attacking a resource-rich area? Also, what about the currently weakest faction (for instance, VS pushed into a corner of the cont, or an under-populated NC)? They would have the lowest potential for gaining resources, but if they get a resource gathering boost, what is the point if fighting harder if you're getting decent resources off "welfare"?

Also, while I'm at it, would player-only resources be gathered online only? Seems logical, but just in case..

[basti]

Anyway, smed, while you are here: Can you just tell us if Planetside 2 will be DX10 only? Please say yes, DX9 should have died years ago. :/