Atiim
12044
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Posted - 2014.09.11 04:37:00 -
[1] - Quote
The problem with removing Squads from Public Contracts, is that you're effectively removing one of the only good things left in DUST 514; the social aspect.
Many players still play DUST as it allows them to converse and play with their friends. These players are not only the "hardcore elite", but new players and average ones as well. First, let me focus on the "new player" perspective. Sure, getting stomped out by a well organized squad is no fun, but a new player who joins a squad has many benefits, ranging from being shown new tactics to receiving fitting advice, and even what suits fill what role.
A perfect example of this, would be the Learning Coalition. In this channel, new players frequently squad with experienced players, and learn many of the things I mentioned above and more, which allows the player to become well versed and experienced with DUST. This is only possible if the Mentor can squad with the player, and assess their performance to see where improvements are needed. Not to mention that it's hard to guide someone when you can't see them.
Then, we have the Average Joe. The kind of player who isn't necessarily inexperienced , but isn't among the "hardcore elite" either. He has an Average sized corporation as well, which he enjoys squading up with frequently. Due to his lack of "high skill", his squad may tip the scales slightly in their team's favor, but it wouldn't be a significantly one-sided match either.
Now lets assume that you're changes were implemented. They wouldn't be able to play PC all the time, as their corp lacks the ISK to make that feasible, and not everyone is allied with the same faction, which rules out FW. So because of their inability to play with each-other, they decided to disband the corporation. Then, they notice that there are other multiplier FPSs that let you play with your friends, and decide to meet up there instead of DUST; thus driving them away from DUST as a product.
The above may only be hypothetical, but it is a very probable situation. Not only that, but one of the main questions that would be begged here, is: "What would the purpose of corporations be if I can't play with my friends?".
Keep in mind, that not everyone fights for the same Faction (as mentioned earlier), and the deployment times for an FW match makes things impractical if you wish to use this as an outlet to regularly converse with your friends. Now that we've ruled out FW, let's look at PC. Currently, a Clone Pack is 50m ISK.
Assuming you play about 75 matches a week (15 more than what it takes to cap out on average), and earn about 200k (how much an average skilled player is typically payed), that's 15m ISK obtained. If you have a 10% tax, you're earning 1.5m ISK from every active player. Let's assume you have 370 players (enough to field a full team during all timezones), you'd be making 555m ISK.
This seems like a lot, but when you consider the steep price of clone packs (50m each), you're only looking at 11 matches you can play (assuming you only attack) before running out of funds for the week. Considering how an average player is awarded 3k SP per match, you need about 60 to cap out. Basically, under you're model even if people who wanted to play with friends flocked to PC, they'd only be able to play with each-other about 18% of the time (even less than if you play beyond the SP cap.
Not to mention, that removing squads doesn't necessarily guarantee that matches won't be one-sided. It would still be possible for experienced players to all be stacked onto a single team, and considering how the current Scotty has no way of weeding out the new and experienced players, it would most likely become a common occurrence.
There are many solutions to solve one-sided battles. In fact, CCP themselves have developed a new matchmaker (which hopefully will be deployed with HF Delta or Echo). However, going nuclear is not one of them.
DUST 514's 1st Matari Commando
-HAND
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