Thank you for the feedback and since most of your points were non-ranty and written with good intentions, I can address most of them. That is not to say I agree with them, but I will explain why.

1) Statistics - You claim that we are just using usage data to warrant the change to the bolt pistol and I really don't like when people claim something without data to back it up. I have explained before that we use multiple methods, including Kills per Spawn per Weapon (per dropsuit), basically K/D per weapon. Where is your statement coming from, where are the facts? The CPM could tell you that we worked together on a detailed spreadsheet with all the sidearms, Zatara took lead on this one as the others had taken leads on different aspects of Delta. Together we collected community feedback, data and the CPM experience to rank all the sidearms into categories of needs buff/nerf, methods to do so and reasoning.

2) The final method of balancing the sidearms was also very clear, we established the weapon everyone knew, the SMG as the cornerstone of sidearms and created a range vs dps, and comparable dmg/clip and clips/ammo ratios based completely around the SMG. We did not nerf it even though it was the most used weapon, but based the whole strategy around getting all the sidearms to a similar efficiency, meaning most got buffed (a lot) and a few got nerfed slightly. By changing these efficiencies, we may later see that the usage goes up, but usage is only an indicator of UP/OP.

3) Just the fact that we immediately tweaked Hotfix Delta with a balancing hotfix a week later, should speak for itself. Our data showed that the BP was OP, so we reduced ROF and if that isn't enough, we will keep working on it.

4) Please send me data on broken Teambuilding to [email protected]. I have yet to see a concrete example of unwarranted 2 stacked squads on one side and newberries on the other, and my inbox is full of screenshots from players. Yes, stomps happen, but they happen everywhere, even in the EPL, NBA and the NFL. When a 6 man squad from the best PC corp hits its stride, very few aside from a similar squad will stand a chance. Other than that, I don't get your point about Teambuilding, are you against having more even teams or? You can go play FW if you want to to try your luck, that feature doesn't use the new Teambuilder.

5) To whomever said it, good luck on manipulating the Mu and have lots of fun AFKing to do so. To me, even contemplating it is unfathomable.

6) New Player experience, in the four hotfixes we haven't ben able to change the "early mission system", but we have granted better starter fits, created tons of militia weapons," assisted" with skill selection (in fact gave 3 times more ISK than before through Skillbooks), and made the Academy a more "fun" place, so extending it (twice, from 2400 to 5000 in Delta) has been done slowly and purposefully. Retention has never been higher than it is now. Consistently getting a 1000 WP per battle, means you completely get the game, fitting and progression.

7) Assault Rifles, again, are you referencing old ways, we can't change that, only how we work now. I think the 3 Tuning Rifles threads demonstrate that we are doing things differently. Again, the claim that we are using usage data or forum QQ to balance which is plainly not true.

8) V/AV, this is a longer standing issue. Let's just work together to make it fun for everyone.

On your final assessment, I cannot agree with you more. DUST 514 is my favorite game and it keeps getting better.

Thanks again for the feedback!

Yeah, your level of tin foil is really up there. Money has nothing to do with the balance changes, except perhaps that a better game generally makes more money.

Leanna I challenge you to provide proof then :D

I already have in previous statements. Just read anything in this thread i typed about the subject and you will see the proof right before your very eyes. Not only that but like i said before gaming is a business. And like all businesses they are about making money. That in itself is proof enough.

I already have in previous statements. Just read anything in this thread i typed about the subject and you will see the proof right before your very eyes. Not only that but like i said before gaming is a business. And like all businesses they are about making money. That in itself is proof enough.

That's not proof.

That's Editorial.

That's not proof.

That's Editorial.

No its simple logic and common sense something people like you these days seem to be lacking. Its simple business tactics nothing more yet you all have your head so far up CCP's butt that you cant see the truth behind my words. Its fine though keep smelling those "roses" eventually the truth will bite you in the butt later on and you will be wishing i hadnt been right.

Leanna I challenge you to provide proof then :D

IWS, didn't you read?

Gaming = A business

All businesses are about making money

CCP is a business

= CCP is about making money

Therefore, CCP buffs weapons that you can buy with ISK to sell more AUR....

Um... never mind

I already have in previous statements. Just read anything in this thread i typed about the subject and you will see the proof right before your very eyes. Not only that but like i said before gaming is a business. And like all businesses they are about making money. That in itself is proof enough.

So are you suggesting that a modifier should rank the Mu of squads higher then? Because Sgt Kirk's post above made me think he was unhappy his squad was being teamed up with newberries. Which would happen even more if having a full squad raised your Mu higher.

Maybe you are both on completely different sides of the debate, or I don't understand one of you. Please clarify.

Rattati it should never be "intended" that players squad up with each other only to see two squads on the other team and get wrecked because their friendlies are fresh out the Academy just for the sake of "equalizing Mu" numbers. This is not balanced, this is not fair to your players, this is not logical. Anyone who plays this game for long knows that squads are what win battles not individuals. It doesn't matter if you have an A-team squad with the best DUSTers if the enemy team has two decent squads that communicate with each other.

No, he was unhappy his squad was being teamed up with newberries against two squads. The point was that squads > all - even if you have a good squad, if the rest of your team are complete terribads and the enemy team has an extra squad, the extra squad is going to make a huge difference.



Even if you have an excellent squad, if the enemy have twice as many squads they are going to have the advantage.
One effect I've also noticed personally is that even if I squad with just two or three of my friends on a similar skill level to me, a lot of matches end up with us being the only squad on the team against a double full squad on the other team. Yes, I have a shiny KDR. No, I simply will not win a match if I and two others with a similar KDR are put against two solid squads.

This is why I feel that mu score is too inflated for individuals rather than squads.

*walks back into thread*

*Leaves thread*

No, he was unhappy his squad was being teamed up with newberries against two squads. The point was that squads > all - even if you have a good squad, if the rest of your team are complete terribads and the enemy team has an extra squad, the extra squad is going to make a huge difference.



Even if you have an excellent squad, if the enemy have twice as many squads they are going to have the advantage.
One effect I've also noticed personally is that even if I squad with just two or three of my friends on a similar skill level to me, a lot of matches end up with us being the only squad on the team against a double full squad on the other team. Yes, I have a shiny KDR. No, I simply will not win a match if I and two others with a similar KDR are put against two solid squads.

This is why I feel that mu score is too inflated for individuals rather than squads.

*walks back into thread*

*Leaves thread*