Is the API invasive?

[EVILPIG]

It's really awesome having the information from the API available. For the 666th, it has provided a window that shows the community that we have the largest active playerbase that I have seen so far. We take pride in this because our size (which is not our goal) rivals other outfits that simply randomly invite players with no outfit in game. Everyone in the 666th went to our website and applied to be here and through our diligence to maintain fun we have retained a great percentage of activity in an environment where so many are leaving the game. Thank you for that (and apologies on the length of that, just demonstrating how much we value that information).

However, is there certain information that simply should not be included? The one that really stands out to me is the ability to see how many players an outfit currently has online. If the enemy is moving on a target and see an outfit tag and say that outfit only has 8 members on, should the enemy really be able to look it up? You could have PSU for example open on another monitor and quickly check. Or should information that can be used to ridicule players or outfits be available? "Take your crappy 4 members online and shove it" (not actual quote, just example). I know we love stats, but just as I have opposed the use of K/D for nine years, it seems that stats can be more hurtful than helpful. Curious how others feel about this?

[MrBloodworth]

Meh, it is what it is and it won't be changed.

If petty people want to use it as Ammo against other players, well, they are petty. Its a game.

[maradine]

We use that data as an organizational tool - ie, something that allows our human players to better organize and have fun. I don't give a wet slap if someone's deriving in-game tactical value from it.

[bpostal]

If anything could be marked as invasive it would be the names of the players currently online, not the number.
PS2Stats, like PSU, shows if a player is online and which of their friends are online. That's a bit much IMO. This ain't fuckin facebook.

[MrBloodworth]

Originally Posted by bpostal

If anything could be marked as invasive it would be the names of the players currently online, not the number.
PS2Stats, like PSU, shows if a player is online and which of their friends are online. That's a bit much IMO. This ain't fuckin facebook.

The developers may disagree with you. "Players" for SOE is indeed their version of Social media. I Believe it started with EQ2 Players.

[Bocheezu]

I think the online/offline with complete friends list and friends online/offline is too much. That has no business being there.

I think the most useful part is the timeline, because that does give some insight to player skill that K/D does not. You can see that all those kills are just HE Prowler farming or something. It should show vehicle kills as well so you can see who's farming and who's making an effort to blow up Sundies. It should show guys rezzed. There's a lot of potential there that isn't being completely realized.

[Tatwi]

I voted "yes" for one simple reason: they do not offer ANY privacy or opt out features at all. I personally don't give shit what anyone thinks of my PS2 characters, etc. But other folks might appreciate some privacy.

[maradine]

Opt out or api filters would be fine by me.

[Ghoest9]

I think you should have the option to hide everything except your name, faction and BR.

[MrBloodworth]

They own this data. EULA people.

[maradine]

I don't think its a question of whether they can and can't do what they're doing - more of what people prefer.

[MrBloodworth]

Originally Posted by maradine

I don't think its a question of whether they can and can't do what they're doing - more of what people prefer.

Just Preempting the "Free speech" arguments.

[Ghoest9]

Originally Posted by MrBloodworth

They own this data. EULA people.

And how does this pertain to anything else said here - person.

[MrBloodworth]

Originally Posted by Ghoest9

And how does this pertain to anything else said here - person.

The expectation of privacy.

[Hamma]

Short answer: no.

It's a video game with video game characters, they aren't revealing your home address and phone number. If they removed Outfit Online status people could just query individual characters. Therefore in order to meet your request they would have to completely remove online status.

This data is available in their EQ2 API as well, its very unlikely this will be changed and honestly I see no reason it should be.

Plus the API is released now, to build in privacy will now break anything that has been coded for the API and even their own apps.