The game itself (you know, the actual shooting part) is really fun, just needs some tech work (Lag/Framerate) and a couple mechanic changes which is the purpose of a beta...

It's also addictive as ****.

Combine that (once issues are fixed) with the EVE meta-game/end-game, and it will be like crack-*******.

There are some other issues though:

• SP gain as a scout (even as a very mobile scout) is too low
• Only using half the map at a time means that battlefield mobility isn't as important as it should be - so the dropship isn't as much of a game-changer as it should be

There are likely more that I can't think of, but it's midnight and I's tired. Plus there will be a whole host of new ones once the new build comes out.

How about balancing maps not on player (16 vs 16) but rather on SP (30mil SP vs 30 mil SP) ?

General Thoughts:

The gameplay is addictive and very fun. I typically played until I needed a break, the latency got too bad, or I had my 4th or 5th hard freeze.
Gunplay is solid and enjoyable with minor technical annoyances (Hitbox?, CQ Latency, Weapon swapping & reload WTF's)
Maps are pretty solid, lead to nice gunfights, and plenty of tactical options available.
UI is very good minus the latency in the fitting window and marketplace

Balancing:

- I will reserve all of my thoughts on this subject until we can test with organized groups, logi support, active scanning, etc.

*Fitting and Skill Tutorials
Recommended Fits ie. Shield Buffer/Armore Tank/DPS
Skill Book Packs ie. Shield Tanking / Light Weapon(AR ) /Armor Tank)

*Hyperlinks in the marketplace from skillbook prerequisits to the necessary skills

*Front Page Sub-categories within skillbook general marketplace tabs
(Ex. When you have Engineering highlighted you will see the skills within that category)

*Audible warning for when you are nearing Out of Bounds

*Pop up messages for installations being hacked etc should be differet colors for team and enemy actions (Red for enemy & Blue for team)

*Ability to go from crouch to sprint without hitting triangle

*Ability to tag targets for squad

*Hacking skills (Improved hacking speed)


Technical Feedback

*Quick switching of weapons by hitting R2 is bad. Often it forces a reload animation if you hit it when your primary runs dry, there's a good bit of latency, or it doesn't switch weapons at all.

*Hitboxes WTF!!! Numerous hit markers and no damage being dealt happens way too often. I've also had enemies running directly at me while I have the reticle on their chest/head and I get 0 hit markers but they drop as they would if they were taking damage the whole time. Hitbox of structures/gun emplacements/rocks all seem to encompass player hitboxes from time to time.

*Transition from hip fire to ADS is buggy. Often feels sluggish (latency) and ADS doesn't snap to if you have just reloaded or swapped weapons (often requires second depression of L1)

*Hacking is buggy and often restarts the process for no reason.

dropships are still game changers, they just need to be used right. Even on the maps as they are dropships are great for getting around choke points and using the manned turrets to provide air support for the boots on the ground trying to take a position.

I agree, however I don't want to see similar skill or equipment restrictions on low-sec vs 0.0...

An issue that's very likely to arise with the type of skilling system that's in place is that people will get exponentially more SP as they get better gear. So you'll end up where it will get harder and harder for new players to make up the difference.

Ignatius Crumwald
Posted: 2012.05.29 13:26

I think monetary and skill point rewards will pretty much keep the better geared players chasing higher risk contracts. If they base rewards on the meta level of those you kill you might want a few higher leveled guys in your missions, even if they're risking their expensive gear just to grief.

I agree, however I don't want to see similar skill or equipment restrictions on low-sec vs 0.0...

First and foremost, I appreciate all of the feedback and support.




In theory, I certainly agree and I would hope players would be drawn to greater reward. However, there are those players who can't cut it in organized groups. Their egos get in the way of following orders and these players will likely not be able to hack it in low or nul sec space. That leaves them with one option; make the noobs as miserable as possible while inflating their ego.

While you and yours are enjoying the greater risk and reward, that guy is trolling high sec ruining the game for others and reducing the player pool from which your corp will be recruiting.

The initial EvE reply to this is obviously "Welcome to New Eden". Again...my personal reply would be similar but my beta tester reply and Corp leader reply is:

FPS console players have a new game every 90 days and if they jump into Dust 514 and get ripped apart by guys with Prototype gear while learning the game sporting militia gear in High Sec matches....I give it about 5 hours before they move on. It's sad but it's true. Quite simply there are just too many options and the average player will just move on to one of those where they don't have to go 2-10 for 20 matches before they even start holding their own....and that's assuming they understand skills and fitting.

This game won't be for everyone and I'm not saying it should be...but there should be a place a new player can come in and at least learn some of the basics before being dropped into a meat grinder.

personally dont see a problem with ppl using what they want where they want.
The cost of losing even 2-3 fully fitted proto suits is gonna be more than what most players earn in these hisec pub matches, that alone creates a balance. If ppl wanna eventually go broke for "better stats" then so be it they will learn the hard way lol

Then u factor in possible corps as a whole just pubstomping in hisec and still its up to them, i would think ANY self respecting corp that thinks themselves even half decent would try their hand at FW and Nullsec which is WHY i honestly feel we need at least FW at launch to keep corps interested and create that early seperation of hardcore and casuals

@ Noc gladiator arenas will be sick, was soo pumped when they announced em cant wait for 2013.

Totally with both of you guys in the thought process, BTW. My inner voice agrees completely but I also want new players to come in and at least get a fundamental understanding of the universe before being thrashed by a pack of prototype fit try hards.

I'm not looking for this game to be dumbed down, so to speak. In fact, I'm a huge fan of the complexity but someone who is not familiar with the universe will not understand that being ISK efficient is a win of sorts. They will simply be curb stomped and think "This isn't very fun" and move on before someone like you or me gets to them and explains that going 2-10 isn't bad if you are militia fit and you killed two proto fits during the match.

Then u factor in possible corps as a whole just pubstomping in hisec and still its up to them, i would think ANY self respecting corp that thinks themselves even half decent would try their hand at FW and Nullsec which is WHY i honestly feel we need at least FW at launch to keep corps interested and create that early seperation of hardcore and casuals

I give it about 5 hours before they move on. It's sad but it's true. Quite simply there are just too many options and the average player will just move on to one of those where they don't have to go 2-10 for 20 matches before they even start holding their own....and that's assuming they understand skills and fitting.

This game won't be for everyone and I'm not saying it should be...but there should be a place a new player can come in and at least learn some of the basics before being dropped into a meat grinder.

Totally with both of you guys in the thought process, BTW. My inner voice agrees completely but I also want new players to come in and at least get a fundamental understanding of the universe before being thrashed by a pack of prototype fit try hards.

I'm not looking for this game to be dumbed down, so to speak. In fact, I'm a huge fan of the complexity but someone who is not familiar with the universe will not understand that being ISK efficient is a win of sorts. They will simply be curb stomped and think "This isn't very fun" and move on before someone like you or me gets to them and explains that going 2-10 isn't bad if you are militia fit and you killed two proto fits during the match.

I too hope that the economy creates a balance where it isnt to the tryhards advantage to prey on noobs, sadly its possible to go into some matches, totally ignore the objective and focus only on not dying and KDR (as a sniper, for example--though many snipers are objective-based players) as long as there are even small rewards.

we can never forget that these tryhards are motivated by EGO and stats they're obsessed with crafting despite the fact that they'd have you believe their stats are a result of their play and not the other way around. they'll also be the ones that will quit out of matches that are going badly if there arent consequences.

i think this is the reason the contracts need to be as unforgiving as the learning cliff. while you should gain SP in a losing match--the ISK reward should be zero IMO.

and quitting? oh my....quitting should have the worst consequences in the history of FPS. I've got my fingers crossed for a DCUO style constantly synching server that will drop you right back the last place you left and remember exactly how many times you died despite your shenanigans.

Not to downplay the OP or anything, but in a way the steep learning curve can help filter out those kinds of players that are too lazy to learn how to use their brains. We have this setup with Eve Online as well. Considering that you have a year of experience in Eve, you would know this as capsuleers have a very strong "adapt or die" attitude because we don't want WoW players with entitlement issues playing Eve Online we don't ever want to see brainless FPS lone wolves trying to run things around here.

Background:

*Hitboxes WTF!!! Numerous hit markers and no damage being dealt happens way too often. I've also had enemies running directly at me while I have the reticle on their chest/head and I get 0 hit markers but they drop as they would if they were taking damage the whole time. Hitbox of structures/gun emplacements/rocks all seem to encompass player hitboxes from time to time.

I think the biggest risk for people leaving the game in droves is ignorance. If a noob joins a game and gets slaughtered and then goes WTF just happened and this goes on for a few matches. I am sure he will just quit and tell all his friends how bad the game is.

My solution to this would be an after battle report with suggestions. It could say:

You were killed by these guys using these weapons.
- Try training these skills and using these weapons to counter them.
Also your aim sucked.
- It can be improved by training this skill.
Your HP was way below average.
- It can be improved with these modules or these suits.

You also managed to kill these guys and did a total of 1 000 000 Isk damage.

This would give the guy some hope that maybe he didn't suck so bad and that there are stuff he could do to get better.