Vyzion Eyri
The Southern Legion
RISE of LEGION
702
   |
Posted - 2013.05.29 12:55:00 -
[1] - Quote
Fanfest revealed portions of the roadmap CCP has laid out for the near (and far) future. However, everything listed is new content. Whilst it seems awesome on the surface, what's happening is new stuff is being piled on the old, stale stuff without polishing the current mechanics first.
This game is definitely outside the box. But this means CCP has to forge their own boundaries or they will get lost in the labyrinth of infinite possibilities. They have their own universe, they have money to do whatever they want; DUST is a pampered child whose parents could make into anyone they wanted. A billionaire, debonair, pedophile (yeah I went there), playboy, doctor, teacher, scientist, leader.
I have a feeling this is getting to them. They're letting themselves be swept away by a feeling of invincibility that they aren't looking back to see they're burning their bridges as they progress.
The SP system, for one. The eruption of requests for another skill respec after Uprising shows it all.
This game is meant to live for another decade, at least, no?
So what happens when this current skill tree becomes stale? Give everyone a respec and go on again? Is that what we want? A sandbox where you've got your mummy holding your hand lest reality comes and knocks over your sandcastles?
In EVE SP should be vitally, CRUCIALLY important. But this is DUST.
SP should unlock your equipment. SP should increase your proficiency in equipment. But it shouldn't define your whole character. You're a mercenary. INCOME defines you. MONEY defines you.
Losing battles and contracts should cost insane amounts of money. Everything should cost more. Everything should be worth more. VICTORY is paramount.
SP and AFKing means victory isn't paramount. Lose a battle by sitting in the MCC all game but you're one step closer to finishing your pubstomping fit.
Imagine if SP gain increases by 500%.
Then we see the inherent problem in the skill system.
When everyone has every skill and the best gear and enough money to load out with it every game, what happens to the skill system?
Redundant. Introduce new skills? Oh, but what else can possibly be introduced to negate the lead the top players have?
Why not just give everyone access to everything, and make ISK the restraining element?
SP becomes proficiency training, making you more adept at using a piece of equipment, an INDIVIDUAL piece of equipment. There should be skills for every single bloody item in the game. But everything is unlocked initially.
OMG COD CLONE, you cry.
But wait. Increase ISK prices for everything but militia gear by something in the ballpark of 2000%. What! I can't even by one Duvolle Tactical Assault Rifle!
Yeah, but it's unlocked. You have put all your SP into it. BUT YOU CAN'T AFFORD IT. And this is how a mercenary should live. It is the ISK cost of skill books you should worry about, not the SP investment.
Get SP (and the attempt to try make DUST somewhat similar to EVE) out of the way, and ISK will last in the long-term. Reality has proven this to us. You don't need first-class education to succeed in life, you just need to know where the money is.
Balance the game around ISK, and we have an FPS that will work.
|