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Fanfest 2015: My thoughts

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Kevall Longstride DUST University Ivy League 2552	Posted - 2015.03.25 10:11:00 - [1] - Quote OK, disclaimer time. The CPM are under NDA as you all know. A common misconception of that fact is that it's just so CCP can tell us their plans so we can find fault and stop mistakes being made. The NDA is however much more than that. It creates a forum in which two way discussion can freely occur between us and CCP. This has allowed for massive amounts of iteration in a small amount of time for both the patches and the hotfixes. This is normally encumbered however by the restraints of time zones and availability on Skype, Lync, Twitter etc etc. Disclaimer over. This was not the case at Fanfest. Four of the CPM were there along with CCP's Rouge, Rattati, Frame, Wolfman and Ninja and while Rouge was busy a lot of the time with meetings, a huge amount of one on one time with the Dev's and us happened. In short, we got more work done in a few short days when all together in a room (or bar ) than we've managed in the last few months. This is because CCP have plans. Quite a few in fact as it turns out which is why we we're so busy. But as Hilmar made clear in his welcome to the Fanfest attendees and Twitch viewers, the days of speaking of those plans when they're merely concepts and not known to be deliverable are over. Less talk, more action is how he put it. Hilmar is acutely aware of the disappointment that this has generated in the past and in my discussions with him over the Fanfest, his desire for CCP to not do that again is absolute. Hard lessons have been learnt in that regard with last years Fanfest being an example that he gave in our discussions. This is why this years Fanfest was low key. Even the annual Eve trailer, while still good, was far less hyperbolic with nearly everyone that I spoke to, Dev and player agreeing that it was actually a good thing. This was also of great benefit to Dust as well. The one round table was reasonably well attended, despite being directly after the welcome keynote, a fact that the CPM made clear shouldn't be the case next year. With Hilmar speaking of Dust and how it's improved in the welcome keynote, it reversed a lot of perception in the Eve players there that Dust had already been cancelled. His interview with Polygon confirming its status as a profitable game for CCP actually fuelled a desire by Eve players there to ask us about Dust. With my Cosplay costume being a walking advertisement for Dust I personally was spending far more time fielding questions about the game from players than I had in the last two Fanfests. They were genuinely curious as to how the game was doing and telling them of the strength of the community was an eye opener for many of them. I've already seen a number of threads asking the question 'Has CCP got plans to to move to X format?' This is to my mind at least, a rather redundant and meaningless question. Does anyone here actually think that at this point CCP haven't yet sat down and brainstormed about a format move? It's the wrong question to ask. 'What would allow CCP to do a format move?', is the question you should be discussing amongst yourselves. If a format change is in the works, the current corporate mindset at CCP will not allow them to say so until they are 100% certain it is going to happen. This is the correct way to do it. The circumstances that would allow such a move are improving daily. The game is profitable, has been for a while now and in a much shorter time than Planetside2 took, which is only now paying it's way. As CCP Falcon said to a Eve player while I was signing up for the Cosplay competition, in every metric that matters, the line for Dust is on an upward path. The case for a format switch is growing. But I for one aren't going to take it for granted. Until CCP publically state a move is happening, I'm going to continue to help and improve it's chances as much as I'm able. In conclusion then, this was actually a good Fanfest for Dust, even with its low profile there. Eve players are curious again, with many stating they'll be firing up any PS3 they have to try it again. The CPM and the Shanghai team that were there got a ton of work done. But the overriding theme of the Fest was that VR is the future. As SirManBoy said after his first go ever on Valkyrie in the Press area, using the prototype Crescent Bay Rift headset, 'That was shockingly good!' Project Nemesis, created by CCP Ninja and two colleagues in their spare time, showed how scalable and powerful UE4 is by using it on a phone, creating a fun, easy to play, VR arcade game. It also told me that if any format move happens, they'd be crazy not to use UE4. CCP is at the cutting edge of this technology and further diversifying their portfolio into other genres, while still remaining in New Eden is going to be of benefit to the games in its existing portfolio. CPM 1 member CEO of DUST University Vist dustcpm.com
Kevall Longstride DUST University Ivy League 2553	Posted - 2015.03.25 10:29:00 - [2] - Quote Haerr wrote: ::puts on tinfoil hat:: Dust VR confirmed... They've tried VR FPS. It makes players throw up. You need the cockpit as a point of reference for the movement to work without motion sickness happening in a fast paced game. Was talking to the Valkyrie Dev's about that. CPM 1 member CEO of DUST University Vist dustcpm.com
Kevall Longstride DUST University Ivy League 2554	Posted - 2015.03.25 11:03:00 - [3] - Quote True, very few if any complaining of motion sickness in Valkyrie. A lot did say that it was a bit discombobulating coming from the virtual to real world such was the realism. CPM 1 member CEO of DUST University Vist dustcpm.com
Kevall Longstride DUST University Ivy League 2562	Posted - 2015.03.25 12:21:00 - [4] - Quote Legion shouldn't have been announced. End of story. Everyone at CCP is agreed on that and those that thought it went well at the time, well, they don't work for the company anymore. It's a tech project, much like EVE-VR was, demonstrating how a PC version of a New Eden FPS might look and be possible. We are unfortunately left with the aftermath of that in terms of the community perception as to Dust's future because that demonstration was streamed live on the main stage rather than in a more low key round table. There are lots of concept art, audio and video shown in these round tables for Eve that look vastly different once they make it into the game. Obviously I'm somewhat hamstrung as to what I can say because of the NDA but the fact that the CPM and CCP members got a lot of work done, Rattati is full of ideas he wants to implement given half a chance, we have a new matchmaking algorithm ready to be tested in the game, a new game mode, Acquisition, coming in 1.1 or 1.2, PC 2.0, more tweaking as to the balance and a load more stuff that CCP aren't ready to talk about yet should give you more than enough clues as to where we are heading in terms of where Dust and the future of FPS in New Eden is going. At this point, the name/brand of what that FPS future will be known as, is for me completely irrelevant and a distraction from what is the real question you should be asking 'What would allow CCP to do a format move?' The game is profitable now and has been for several months. The work that the team has done on it puts the game in a much better position to fight for a larger slice of the limited resource pie at CCP in order for a format jump to happen. As player numbers, retention and yes, revenue increase, our case can only improve. Also the interview that Rattati and the CPM did can now be found here at the 2:58:10 mark. CPM 1 member CEO of DUST University Vist dustcpm.com
Kevall Longstride DUST University Ivy League 2567	Posted - 2015.03.25 12:44:00 - [5] - Quote Thats the point, CCP don't want noncommittal, they want committed. Thats why they won't confirm anything now until its solid. CPM 1 member CEO of DUST University Vist dustcpm.com
Kevall Longstride DUST University Ivy League 2570	Posted - 2015.03.25 13:21:00 - [6] - Quote Xocoyol Zaraoul wrote: WHERE ARE PICS OF YOUR COSPLAY OMG IS IS A DERPSUIT?! Here Here Here I need to start jogging again..... CPM 1 member CEO of DUST University Vist dustcpm.com
Kevall Longstride DUST University Ivy League 2575	Posted - 2015.03.25 14:01:00 - [7] - Quote Takahiro Kashuken wrote: Anyone have a TLDR of that interview? Disclaimer: The above post is respectful, contains no ranting, contains no personal attacks, contains no trolling, contains no racism, contains no discrimination, contains no profanity, contains no spamming. This post is an opinion and is related to DUST514 I talk a hell of a lot. CPM 1 member CEO of DUST University Vist dustcpm.com
Kevall Longstride DUST University Ivy League 2585	Posted - 2015.03.25 16:54:00 - [8] - Quote Ok. Let's speak hypothetically here now. Say CCP say they want to port it to PC but cant commit fully because they don't yet have the funds or business plan in place to do it. But they want you all to know that it is their wish and hope to make the jump to PC and if it goes well PS4 after. What do you think will happen on these here hallowed forums? Be honest with yourselves here, with all your experience of the forums what do you in all honestly think will happen here. People will be happy. They will indeed be happy. So far so good. Then for some reason, CCP's plans change...... The forums would go indiscriminatly bat guano crazy. They'd be plenty of you suddenly claiming that CCP 'promised' us a PC version, that them 'wanting to do it' had somehow become a firm, cast iron guarentee of Dust on PC by next Fanfest. That MTECS, jets and speeders were coming as well with it and every day would be the first day of spring.... If you don't think that would happen then you are, without wishing to sound rude, not in procession of the full facts. CCP and the CPM don't want that kind of drama. If they have something concrete, signed and more importantly budgeted for they'll tell you and not before. If they'd told the CPM, that they wanted to a PC version, we'd tell them not to say anything till they were 100% certain they will deliver on it. There have been too many false hopes raised in the last 2 1/2 years. I'd rather have some uncertainty than dashed hopes any day of the week. CPM 1 member CEO of DUST University Vist dustcpm.com
Kevall Longstride DUST University Ivy League 2595	Posted - 2015.03.25 17:44:00 - [9] - Quote DiablosMajora wrote: Since future plans are so tight-lipped, what about communication for current plans? I haven't seen any devblogs regarding 1.1 features on the Trello board and a single blue post can go a long way. Dev blogs for the following would be VERY nice: District Overview Performance Improvements Academy Improvements Market Improvements Fitting Metalevels New Game Mode (Aquisition) Simple Trading Matchmaking Improvements April is less than a week away, and May only a month. The full team is not yet back in Shanghai, those that are arrived two hours before they left Iceland and as such are fighting massive amounts of jet lag. Once everything is settled I'm sure normal service will resume very quickly. CPM 1 member CEO of DUST University Vist dustcpm.com
Kevall Longstride DUST University Ivy League 2596	Posted - 2015.03.25 17:55:00 - [10] - Quote They do actually know that the game needs to move to a new format for it to continue I hasten to add. It's not like it's escaped their notice But such a move has costs as I'm sure you'll understand. The game would most likely have to done from scratch as the PS3 architecture and code is simply not able to be ported as is to an X64 based architecture. Not a small job by any means. CPM 1 member CEO of DUST University Vist dustcpm.com

Kevall Longstride DUST University Ivy League 2613	Posted - 2015.03.25 23:23:00 - [11] - Quote Ares 514 wrote: Very useful post. I do however really hope the CPM is pushing for a PS4 port not a PC port. My personal preference would be PS4 but there's nothing preventing both. CPM 1 member CEO of DUST University Vist dustcpm.com
Kevall Longstride DUST University Ivy League 2613	Posted - 2015.03.25 23:30:00 - [12] - Quote Patrick57 wrote: a new game mode? HELL YEAH Basically, its Domination but with switching random objective changes, up to 25 different objectives depending on the map size. The objective would be in one place for say 3 minutes, before changing position, needing to be rehacked again. Teams would need to move fast and use vehicles to transport team member to each new objective before the other team. Sounds fun. CPM 1 member CEO of DUST University Vist dustcpm.com
Kevall Longstride DUST University Ivy League 2613	Posted - 2015.03.25 23:33:00 - [13] - Quote sabre prime wrote: So, basically, reading between all the lines of KL's posts in this thread, he is implying (without breaking NDA) that CCP's current position is: "we are thinking of moving Dust 514 to another platform, if it continues being profitable and the players keep spending money on the game". Basic business practice then. What about moving Dust to another platform in order for it to continue being profitable? Huh? Subtle difference, but an important one. You may think that, I couldn't possibly comment..... CPM 1 member CEO of DUST University Vist dustcpm.com
Kevall Longstride DUST University Ivy League 2613	Posted - 2015.03.25 23:48:00 - [14] - Quote Valkyrie uses UE4 as does Nemesis so following that logic...... CPM 1 member CEO of DUST University Vist dustcpm.com
Kevall Longstride DUST University Ivy League 2616	Posted - 2015.03.26 00:10:00 - [15] - Quote Nemesis is three guys messing around with GearVR tech to see what it could do. CCP Ninja was one of them and was there to get as much feedback as possible on the concept and work on it some more back in Shanghai. Please don't think that vast resources are being spent on it. They're most certainly not. That said Samsung really dig the game as an example of what then GearVR can do. I'd keep an eye on it. CPM 1 member CEO of DUST University Vist dustcpm.com
Kevall Longstride DUST University Ivy League 2626	Posted - 2015.03.26 09:41:00 - [16] - Quote Seriously guys, the Nemisis thing is hardly a dent in resources. When I spoke to Hilmar about player concerns regarding it taking up resources he joked that he could fund it himself it cost so little. I'm really not at all concerned about 'squandered' resources as far as Nemesis is concerned. It's all been done so far in their 20% free time. Obviously if I can't persuede you that's the case then fine but its really fixating on a small project and overblowing it's importance. That's why it was part of the VR Lab at Harpa, they wanted feedback on the application of the tech used. CPM 1 member CEO of DUST University Vist dustcpm.com
Kevall Longstride DUST University Ivy League 2626	Posted - 2015.03.26 10:15:00 - [17] - Quote Dennie, Kevell, f@!kwit, I answer to most things. CPM 1 member CEO of DUST University Vist dustcpm.com
Kevall Longstride DUST University Ivy League 2630	Posted - 2015.03.26 18:18:00 - [18] - Quote Wow..... By the way, we paid for our trips to Iceland. CPM 1 member CEO of DUST University Vist dustcpm.com
Kevall Longstride DUST University Ivy League 2635	Posted - 2015.03.26 20:42:00 - [19] - Quote We do the best we can considering the constraints of the NDA. And while the trip to Iceland was indeed fun, the three days of Fanfest were a bloody hard slog. We had numerous meetings with CCP Dev's. Because of the Cosplay I wore, I was very high profile, interviewed by Icelandic TV, the local paper, and gaming journalists. I spoke to dozens of Eve players, banged the drum for Dust 514, showed them how to play it in the PvP room, had hundreds of photos taken with nearly everyone there, told them all to play Dust as a favour for posing for the photo and I'm in the middle of arranging an interview with the BBC.... And while it's all fun, enjoyable and unpaid, my primary reason for doing all this to help the game get momentum, to help ensure its future is secured and a worthwhile one. I've lobbied the higher ups at CCP, worked with the rest of the CPM to push for a change in format to anyone that would hear almost to the point where I think they'll do it just to shut me up. Dust is now profitable. Is that news not enough to raise even a small smile? I didn't realise my optimism had to come with the caveat of a full financial report being made available. Hilmar tells me personally then speaks to a leading gaming website about that milestone being reached and people even then have to try and turn that into a negative? I will not apologise for being a glass half full guy by the way. Saying that the team has been downsized and that's a bad thing while completely ignoring the incontrovertible fact that this pared down, streamlined team have got more done with the game in the last 6 months than in the previous two years is the mindset of defeatism. Nothing ever gets done when you already think you've lost. CCP Falcon told an Eve player, stood next to me, that in every metric that counts Dust is going up. How do you even begin to spin that as a negative? It befuddles me but there're contributors on these forums that have turned it into an art form. As to THAT marketing, it's no secret that they've had their wings clipped. You think the marketing of yore would allow a low key Fanfest to happen? No shiny, no flashy promises, no announcements made that aren't guarenteed yet. No, the marketing of old got kicked into touch a while back. Does this mean that I and the CPM are blind to the manifest problems of the game? Of course not, we tell them everyday and they ask us everyday what needs looking at next. CCP Rattati has got them on fire at the moment. This smaller team is punching far above their weight right now, fixing problems no one knew about. The rate of progress isn't as fast as we'd like, I'll admit that. But the truth is even if the team was larger and doing more, we'd all still stay it wasn't enough. What is the scope of Dust you ask? Well, right now it's fixing it. Nothing more than that. Speaking of potentials, where it's going to go and where it will take us before being able to get a decent matchmaking logic working is what got the game in the state it was before Rattati was put in charge. If you want poetic nonsense flung at you in order to make you feel good, go watch tahe 2013 Keynote again. Me, I'll ignore the flannel and help you guys to help CCP to get the game working as a game first and foremost before even contemplating adding the shiny features. And that is very important. We get the games basics into a more solid place now, then any switch to a new format is going to be so much easier. But I must once again stress to you all a simple truth. CCP Shanghai may very well want to go to x86 architecture, they may very well have plans for the game to go beyond what has has already been achieved. But they've learned from past mistakes and they will not make any announmement till they know with certainty it's going to happen. Till then, I'll soak up any amount of frustration flung at myself or the CPM when I say this, I don't want them to announce anything on this matter till they can deliver it. The community has been given false expectations once too often for my taste. Even CCP just saying we want a format move but no promises is a bad idea right now. It'll make everyone happy for 48 hours maybe but then we just get thread after thread with 'You promised us it was coming', 'CCP are Liars' etc etc. Best to wait till solid, concrete details of How, When, Who and Why can be shared. CPM 1 member CEO of DUST University Vist dustcpm.com
Kevall Longstride DUST University Ivy League 2642	Posted - 2015.03.26 22:30:00 - [20] - Quote Cross Atu wrote: Golden Day wrote: Soo...... When will we get Drones?? I will - for now - answer that question with another question (because I can't very well shake my fist at CCP for over-promising and then do the same kitten myself now can I?), so... How would you mercs like a Drone survival mode? Oh now you've done it The twanging noise you're all hearing is fanboys underwear elastic snapping. CPM 1 member CEO of DUST University Vist dustcpm.com

Kevall Longstride Dust University Ivy League 2672	Posted - 2015.03.30 13:41:00 - [21] - Quote Justicar Karnellia wrote: Kevall Longstride wrote: They do actually know that the game needs to move to a new format for it to continue I hasten to add. It's not like it's escaped their notice But such a move has costs as I'm sure you'll understand. The game would most likely have to done from scratch as the PS3 architecture and code is simply not able to be ported as is to an X64 based architecture. Not a small job by any means. Now this is an interesting tidbit. I didn't realise how unportable the codebase was. Having said that, as they based most of the models, animation and art assets on the UE3 engine, I imagine they can be ported to UE4? That would save an immense amount of time, especially if they started with hi-res assets and had to downscale them for PS3 (which happens a lot I imagine). Assets can be ported without much trouble as I understand it from UE3 to 4 for use in any new game. The legacy code for everything else needs to die with fire. The only defence the Devs could give me about coding for the PS3 was that it wasn't as bad as the PS2. It's not too much of an imaginative stretch that should a port become a reality the current team would want 'fresh code' to work with rather than the older stuff. CPM 1 member CEO of DUST University Vist dustcpm.com
Kevall Longstride Dust University Ivy League 2672	Posted - 2015.03.30 14:01:00 - [22] - Quote I think the Dust Dev team might say instead 'Old code is code that works but not how we want it to work' CPM 1 member CEO of DUST University Vist dustcpm.com
Kevall Longstride Dust University Ivy League 2673	Posted - 2015.03.30 17:17:00 - [23] - Quote Vell0cet wrote: Kevall Longstride wrote: I think the Dust Dev team might say instead 'Old code is code that works but not how we want it to work' Nobody likes how it currently works. There is a process in software development of improving the code you have instead of literally starting from scratch. What makes you think a smaller, poorly funded team, likely with a lot of different people in it than the original guys can do the job better from scratch? You're literally advocating that CCP should do the one thing that should never be done in software development. Well, CCP have done it before with Crimewatch in Eve, where they gutted the whole code and rewrote it from stratch. It was deemed easier to rebuild it than figuring out how to repair it. It's also what is planned for the Corp mechanics. Dust is a strange creature. It's already a hybridisation of its original PC code, mixed with PS3 cell tech and utilising a heavily modified UE3. Much of the hotfix process has been spent just figuring out what it can and can't do. Rattati and his team have found a huge amount of what it can do, hence the fairly significant changes that hot fixes have brought. But by the same token there's s lot that it can't do. It needs a way to fix that so the game can be iterated upon and improved should the opportunity to go next gen happen. How much work needs doing exactly has not made privy to us. But it's something I'm sure that Shanghai would love to get their teeth into. CPM 1 member CEO of DUST University Vist dustcpm.com

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